TheNewsGuru

Tag: Olympic

  • Nigeria’s Olympics-bound Anyanacho wins gold at Beirut Taekwondo open

    Nigeria’s Olympics-bound Anyanacho wins gold at Beirut Taekwondo open

    Elizabeth Anyanacho, Nigeria’s 22-year-old Olympics-bound Taekwondo athlete, on Sunday, defeated Denmark’s Andersen Jesmin in the finals of the female -67kg World Taekwondo G-2 Beirut Open to win the gold.

    Anyanacho had earlier overcome Uzbekistan’s Alijonova Gulsanam 22 – 16, in a very tough semi-finals match to get to the finals.

    “I am happy to improve every day. I learnt a lot out of myself in the ring, as I kept trying new things and a different attitude.

    “I learnt even more from my more experienced opponents. I had to give everything, so, I thank them for helping me develop even more.

    “My performance at this event increased my confidence ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. It is a very difficult challenge but we will keep pushing towards the target,” Anyanacho said.

    Anyanacho’s win followed the Silver she equally won on June 6, at the African Taekwondo Championships held in Dakar, Senegal, as she intensifies her preparations for the Tokyo Olympics.

  • Japan to keep foreign spectators away from Tokyo Olympics

    Japan to keep foreign spectators away from Tokyo Olympics

    Japan has decided to stage this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics without overseas spectators due to concern among the Japanese public about COVID-19, Kyodo news agency said on Tuesday.

    The Olympics, postponed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are scheduled for July 23 to Aug. 8 and the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.

    Kyodo which cited officials with knowledge of the matter said the government had concluded that welcoming fans from abroad would not be possible.

    It said this was in view of public concern about the coronavirus and the detection of more contagious variants in many countries.

    The opening ceremony of the torch relay would also be held without spectators, Kyodo said.

    “The organising committee has decided it is essential to hold the ceremony in the north-eastern prefecture of Fukushima behind closed doors, only permitting participants and invitees to take part in the event, to avoid large crowds forming amid the pandemic,” Kyodo said, quoting the officials.

    Representatives of Tokyo 2020 were not immediately available for comment.

    Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto had said she wanted a decision on whether to let in overseas spectators before the start of the torch relay on March 25.

    “We will really like people from around the world to come to a full stadium, but unless we are prepared to accept them and the medical situation in Japan is perfect, it will cause a great deal of trouble also to visitors from overseas,” Kyodo quoted Hashimoto as telling reporters last week.

    Most Japanese people do not want international visitors to attend the Games amid fears that a large influx of visitors could spark a resurgence of infections, a Yomiuri newspaper poll showed.

    The survey showed 77 per cent of respondents were against allowing foreign fans to attend, versus 18 per cent in favour.

  • Japan planning to ban overseas Olympic spectators

    Japan planning to ban overseas Olympic spectators

    Japan’s government is planning to stop overseas spectators coming to the Summer Olympics due to worries they will spread the coronavirus, a report said on Wednesday, as many Japanese remain opposed to holding the Games during the pandemic.

    The final decision would be made this month after talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other parties, the Mainichi newspaper reported, citing multiple unnamed sources.

    The government would continue to consider whether to accept spectators from within Japan, including the number allowed into venues, the Mainichi added.

    The report came as the local organising committee was set to host a meeting on Wednesday with officials from the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee, and the Tokyo and national governments.

    The question of whether to allow spectators into venues was top of the agenda and organisers have previously said they would make a decision by March.

    A Yomiuri newspaper poll showed on Wednesday that, if the Games are to go ahead as scheduled, 91per cent of people in Japan want spectators kept to a minimum or not allowed at all.

    The poll – conducted between Jan. 18 and Feb. 25 – showed 70 per cent of respondents said they were “interested in the Olympics”, but 58 per cent said they did not want them to be held this year because of fears over COVID-19.

    The 58 per cent in opposition was, however, about 20 percentage points lower than earlier opinion polls.

    The Tokyo Olympic Games were postponed last year because of the pandemic and rescheduled to take place this year from July 23.

    A survey by global consultancy Kekst CNC published on Wednesday showed similar rates of majority opposition to the Games going ahead in Japan, at 56 per cent, as well as in Britain and Germany, at 55 per cent and 52 per cent respectively.

    In France and Sweden, more people opposed than approved, while in the U.S., respondents were split at one-third between those who agreed and disagreed that the Games should go ahead, according to the survey.

    While coronavirus infection numbers are low in Japan compared with the U.S. and many European countries, the greater Tokyo metropolitan area remains in a state of emergency, with restrictions in place for spectator numbers for big sporting and cultural events, as well as closing times for bars and restaurants.

    The country remains closed to non-resident foreigners.

    A Reuters poll published last month showed nearly two-thirds of Japanese companies also oppose holding the Games as planned, swinging from the previous survey showing most in favour.

    Japan has so far confirmed 431,250 coronavirus cases and 7,931 deaths as of Monday.

  • Tokyo Olympic chief under fire over sexist remarks

    Tokyo Olympic chief under fire over sexist remarks

    Tokyo Olympic organising committee president, Yoshiro Mori, apologised on Thursday after he was harshly criticised for his sexist remarks.

    Mori acknowledged that his remarks were “careless. I would like to offer an apology,” he told Kyodo News.

    Later in the day, Mori told reporters he had no intention of resigning.

    “Somebody told me that if we increase the number of women, we have to also restrict their speaking time to an extent. Otherwise, they’ll never stop, which is problematic,”

    Speaking at an online meeting of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) on Wednesday, Mori suggested that women talked too much at meetings of boards of directors.

    “Board of directors’ meetings with many women take more time,” he said, according to local media.

    The 83-year-old was referring to JOC’s plan to raise the percentage of women on its board of directors to 40 per cent. Currently only five of its 24 members are women.

    “Women are competitive. When one person raises a hand to speak, others apparently feel compelled to speak up as well.

    “So, everyone speaks,” he said, referring to his experience as a former president of the Japan Rugby Football Union.

    “Somebody told me that if we increase the number of women, we have to also restrict their speaking time to an extent. Otherwise, they’ll never stop, which is problematic,” he said.

    Mori also came in for criticism from a fellow member of the Japan Olympic Committee.

    “Gender equality and consideration for people with disabilities were supposed to be a given for the Tokyo Games.

    “It is unfortunate to see the president of the organising committee make such a remark,” JOC director Kaori Yamaguchi was quoted by Kyodo as saying.

    Mori, who has had a long career in politics, was one of the most unpopular prime ministers in modern Japan. He was known for a string of gaffes and for low approval ratings.

    His comment comes at a time when up to 80 per cent of the Japanese believe the Games will be postponed again or cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest surveys.

    However, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese organisers are pressing ahead with Games preparation.

    Tokyo and its surrounding regions remain under a coronavirus state of emergency until March 7 amid a resurgence of virus infections.

    Even before the postponement of the Games, many Japanese had expressed concerns about their surging costs.

    Japan could end up spending more than 3 trillion yen (29 billion dollars), officials estimated.

    This is four times the original budget of 734 billion yen when Tokyo was bidding for the 2020 Games in 2013, calling for a “compact Olympics.”

  • Nigeria Taekwondo sets for Olympic qualifiers in Morocco

    Nigeria Taekwondo sets for Olympic qualifiers in Morocco

    The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) on Tuesday confirmed its participation in the forthcoming African Olympic Qualifications Tournament billed for Rabat, Morocco from Feb. 20 to Feb. 23.

    A board member of NTF, Chika Chukwumerije, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, that the athletes would feature in the eight Olympic weight categories.

    Chukwumerije said that Nigeria would be represented by African Champion with star athletes in the likes of a 25-year-old Chinazum Nwosu, African Bronze medalists; 24-year-old Benjamin Okuomose; 20-year-old Elizabeth Anyanacho and Nigeria Open Gold medalist 21-year-old Ifeoluwa Ajayi.

    He said that the competition was the only opportunity left for African nations to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

    “The athletes that made up Team Nigeria for the Tokyo 2020 qualification tournament have been in camp for past seven weeks, fully prepared and have secured their visas.

    “But, they are yet to depart due to unavailability of funds.

    “However, they are slated for the eight Olympic weight categories: Male -58kg, -68kg, -80kg and +80kg, female -49kg, -57kg, -67kg and +67kg.

    “It is fundamental for us to go for this competition as it is the only opportunity for African nations to book a place and pick ticket for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,’’ he told NAN.

    The NTF technical director noted that the World Taekwondo (WT) rules for the Olympics allow countries to contest in only four categories for the continental qualifications.

    “The forthcoming qualifications tournament would be participated by 36 countries including: Algeria, Benin Republic, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote D’ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia and Gabon.

    “Other are: Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.

    “Nigeria Taekwondo Team were at the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 Qualification tournaments, and only failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics,’’ he said.

  • Buhari congratulates D’Tigress for qualifying for 2020 Olympics

    Buhari congratulates D’Tigress for qualifying for 2020 Olympics

    President Muhammadu Buhari felicitated with female Basket Ball team, D’Tigress, for qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, urging them to remain focused, determined and energized for a good outing at the tournament.

    The President’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday.

    Buhari commended the sportsmanship and resilience of the team all through the qualifying stages, and in their trainings, saluting their courage in always putting out their best as they represent the country.

    The president believed that, being the current African Champion, the D’Tigress already has the talents that could make global impact in the sport.

    He assured the team that the Federal Government would ensure proper preparation and mobilization for all outings.

    The President also commended team officials and the National Basket Ball Federation (NBA) for the discipline and motivation of the D’Tigress.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria’s senior women’s national Basketball Team, D Tigress had on Saturday booked a ticket to the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo.

    The team qualified despite losing 64-70 to host-Serbia in their second group game at the FIBA Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament.

    Mozambique’s quest to qualify ahead of Nigeria suffered a heavy knock as they lost 49-124pts against current world champions- USA.

  • Russia banned from Olympic Games

    Russia banned from Olympic Games

    Russia was banned from the Olympics and other major world championships on Monday after sporting officials decided to punish it for tampering with doping-related laboratory data in another blow to Russia’s already tarnished sporting reputation.

    The decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), imposed a four-year ban on Russia participating in a range of top-flight sporting tournaments, a period covering the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup.

    WADA’s executive committee took the decision after concluding that Moscow had tampered with laboratory data by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug cheats.

    The decision to punish Russia with a ban was unanimous, a WADA spokesman said.

    Russia, which has tried to showcase itself as a global sports power, has been embroiled in doping scandals since a 2015 report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping in Russian athletics.

    Its doping woes have grown since, with many of its athletes sidelined from the past two Olympics and the country stripped of its flag altogether at last year’s Pyeongchang Winter Games as punishment for state-sponsored doping cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games.

    Monday’s sanctions, which also include a four-year ban on Russia hosting major sporting events, were recommended by WADA’s compliance review committee in response to the doctored laboratory data provided by Moscow earlier this year.

    One of the conditions for the reinstatement of Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA, which was suspended in 2015 in the wake of the athletics doping scandal but reinstated last year, had been that Moscow provide an authentic copy of the laboratory data.

    The sanctions effectively strip the agency of its accreditation.

    RUSADA head Yuri Ganus could not be immediately be reached for comment. His deputy, Margarita Pakhnotskaya, told the TASS news agency that WADA’s decision had been expected.

    Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov last month attributed the discrepancies in the laboratory data to technical issues.

    Russia’s punishment leaves the door open for clean Russian athletes to compete at major international sporting events without their flag or anthem for the next four years, something they did at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

    Some Russian officials have tried to cast WADA’s behaviour as part of what they say is a broader Western attempt to hold back the country.

    Igor Lebedev, a lawmaker and deputy speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, said on Monday the move was a serious blow to Russian sport that required a tough response from Russia’s authorities, the RIA news agency reported.

    If RUSADA appeals WADA’s punishment, the case will be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

  • Ahmed Musa charges Olympic Eagles to go for win in Sudan

    Ahmed Musa charges Olympic Eagles to go for win in Sudan

    Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa has charged the U23 National Team, Olympic Eagles, to go all out and make the nation proud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Musa gave the charge ahead of the team’s preparations for the final round of this year’s U23 AFCON qualifiers against Sudan.

    A statement by Ademola Olajire, Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Director of Communications, qouted Ahmed to have given the charge when he showed up at the team’s training session at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

    The statement said the Eagles’ skipper added that with hard work and dedication, the team can beat Sudan in Omdurman to stand a bright chance to qualify for the forthcoming U23 AFCON in Egypt.

    “I am here to encourage and pledge my support to you due to the importance of the game ahead of you.

    “I have played for the U23 before making my debut for the Super Eagles in 2010, and with dedication, hard work and grace of God, today I’m the Super Eagles captain.

    “Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talented footballers. I am the captain of the Super Eagles not because I am better than most of the players, but due to dedication and hard work.

    “I urge you to go all out and beat Sudan because the game serves as Olympic qualifiers.”

    The Imama Amapakabo–led team is expected to depart the shores of the country early next week, with the first leg billed for Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Al Merriekh Stadium in Omdurman.

    The return leg will hold in Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

    Winners over two legs between Nigeria and Sudan will qualify for the 3rd Africa U23 Cup of Nations, scheduled for Egypt from Nov. 8-22.

  • Youth Olympics: Team Nigeria departs for Argentina

    Youth Olympics: Team Nigeria departs for Argentina

    A total of 17 athletes and 18 officials on Tuesday departed Abuja for Argentina ahead of the 2018 Youth Olympics slated for Oct. 6 to Oct. 18, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
    The athletes include five athletics, two badminton, two table tennis, two rowing and canoeing, two wrestlers, two golfers and two boxers.
    Bidding the team farewell at the Abuja National Stadium, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youths and Sports, Olusade Adesola, urged them to go for the best and compete clean to make the country proud.
    According to him, “the athletes are in high spirit, we have trained them very well to enable them excel’’.
    “We have cultivated in them the passion to deliver and I am sure they will deliver knowing that they are not only representing Nigeria but Africa.
    “They are not under any pressure to deliver but they have the passion to do so. Our slogan is: `whatever is good, is good for me’, they are going there to compete and come out victorious.
    “We encourage them to be kind, hospitable, considerate but to go for victory, they are not going to play the game under the influence of inducement, they are going for fair games,’’ he said.
    Speaking on behalf of the team, Captain Ineh Emmanuel pledged to give their best to make the country proud.
    “We are the best of the best here that make the team for the youth Olympics, and I believe that we are going to put in our best,’’ he said.
    He thanked the ministry for the support and encouragement to the team, adding that they had adequate training that will see them through the championship.
    NAN also reports that Nigeria would participate in eight sports, while the second batch of the team would depart on Oct. 10.
    NAN

  • Armed robbers stab Olympic medalist to death

    Denis Ten, the first figure skater from Kazakhstan to win world championship and Olympic figure skating medals, died in Almaty today. He was 25 years old.

    According to reports, Ten was stabbed in downtown Almaty by two men who were trying to steal mirrors from his car. He was taken to the hospital where he died a few hours later.

    In 2014, Ten won bronze in Sochi. He also won two world championship medals—silver in 2013 and bronze in 2015.

    Ten, twice a World Championship medallist, was rushed to hospital but died three hours later of his injuries.

    “Unfortunately, he is not with us anymore,” said a government spokesman.

    American figure skater Adam Rippon wrote on Twitter: “He was so kind to everyone and a huge inspiration to me and so many other people.

    “Denis, thank you for showing us how to be a champion. Your time with us was way too short.”

    February’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang was Ten’s third Games, having made his Olympic debut at Vancouver 2010.

    He finished 27th at the Games in South Korea.

    “Denis Ten was an incredible figure skater, the legend of our sport, our pride,” said Kazakhstan’s minister of culture and sport, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly.

    “This is an unthinkable tragedy and irreparable loss.”