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Tag: Paris 2024

  • Olympic Dreams Shattered: CAS confirms suspension for Nigerian, Iraqi Athletes

    Olympic Dreams Shattered: CAS confirms suspension for Nigerian, Iraqi Athletes

    The Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) confirmed today the provisional suspensions of Nigerian boxer Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore and Iraqi judoka Sajjad Ghanim Sehen.

    According to a statement released by CAS, Ogunsemilore was registered to compete in the Women’s Boxing 60 kg category at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

     

    On 25 July 2024, Ogunsemilore underwent an out-of-competition doping test, which returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for Furosemide, a substance prohibited by WADA at all times and classified as a “Specified Substance” under S.5 Diuretics and Masking Agents of the 2024 WADA Prohibited List.

     

    A Single Judge of the CAS ADD held a hearing with the involved parties on 28 July 2024 at 22:30 (CET) and issued a decision later the same day at 23:55 (CET), confirming the provisional suspension imposed by the IOC on 27 July 2024. This suspension will remain in effect throughout the duration of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

     

    Similarly, Sajjad Ghanim Sehen was registered to represent Iraq in judo at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. On 23 July 2024, Sehen underwent an out-of-competition doping test, which reported an AAF for two prohibited substances: metandienone metabolite 17b-hydroxymethyl,17a-methyl-18-norandrost-1,4,13-trien-3-one, and boldenone and its metabolite 5b-androst-1-en-17b-ol-3-one. These substances are listed as “Non-Specified Substances” under S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids of the 2024 WADA Prohibited List.

     

    On 26 July 2024, the International Testing Agency (ITA), on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), notified Sehen of the AAF and imposed a mandatory provisional suspension with immediate effect. Sehen was informed of his procedural rights, including the right to request the B-sample counter-analysis, a provisional hearing, or an expedited final hearing. Sehen requested a provisional hearing, leading the ITA to refer the matter to the CAS ADD.

     

    A Single Judge of the CAS ADD held a hearing on 28 July 2024 at 11:00 (CET) and issued a decision later that day at 20:00 (CET), confirming the provisional suspension imposed by the IOC on 26 July 2024.

  • COVID-19 rocks Paris 2024 Olympics

    COVID-19 rocks Paris 2024 Olympics

    Three years after the Tokyo Olympics were held amid strict precautions and with no fans because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is now another fear of the disease in Paris.

    The virus has forced athletes to withdraw from events at the Paris Games and has others donning masks again.cThis time the impact is much more limited though.

    Several athletes have tested positive, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister. She was a medal hope in the women’s 1500 metres freestyle but had to withdraw from the event.

    A team spokeswoman said, however, that the decision was made to save Pallister’s energy for the 4x200m freestyle relay which starts on Thursday.

    Likewise, British swimmer Adam Peaty, tested positive a day after he just missed out on 100m breaststroke gold, sharing silver with American Nic Fink.

    He has now said he would focus on a “fast, full recovery” to give his best in relays later in the week.

    “Adam’s okay, he’s not dying. He’s alright, just a bit of a cold,” Peaty’s British teammate Matt Richards said after his 100m freestyle heat on Tuesday.

    “We’ll avoid it (COVID) as best as we can,” Richards said. But “we’re here to race. If we get a little bit ill whilst we’re racing we’ll keep racing. It’s how we do it.”

    Several Australian women’s water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 in the days leading up to the opening ceremony, forcing them to isolate from other team members.

    However the team played on Tuesday, smashing Serbia 8-3.

    The Tokyo Games were delayed a year due to COVID while the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were held with strict precautions, making Paris the first post-pandemic Olympics.

    There are no strict protocols or restrictions around COVID-19 in Paris.

    “We have a protocol (that) any athlete that has tested positive has to wear a mask and we remind everyone to follow best practices but in terms of monitoring COVID, cases are quite low in France,” said Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 chief communications director.

    British swimmer Jacob Whittle said his team were nevertheless getting more strict with the precautions

    “We’re hand sanitising and wearing masks everywhere we can,” he said. “When we’re swimming and doing stuff like this (speaking to reporters) are the only times we’re not wearing a mask.

    “It’s just being extra cautious when eating and going on buses and communal spaces, just being really conscious so as to not catch it and also if you’ve got it not to give it to anyone else. Just being careful really.”

    Canada’s chief medical officer Mike Wilkinson, said his team “continued to implement many of the infection prevention protocols that proved successful during the COVID pandemic including hand washing, sanitisation and good hygiene practices.

    “We also have a team that disinfects shared spaces throughout the day, and isolation protocols for anyone who does get sick,” he said.

  • D’Tigress win over Australia: Coach Wakama celebrates historic Olympic Victory

    D’Tigress win over Australia: Coach Wakama celebrates historic Olympic Victory

    D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama is in high spirits following her team’s remarkable victory over world number three Australia in Lille on Monday.

     

    The African champions secured a stunning 75-62 win against the Opals in their first game at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games, marking Nigeria’s first Olympic win in 20 years.

     

    Wakama praised his players for their resolute performance in the fiercely contested match.

     

    “I have a wave of emotions. I am so proud and excited for this group. I’ve got a lot of girls that are hungry and shocked the world,” Wakama said.

     

    “We are tough. It’s in our DNA; it’s who we are. We don’t back down, and I just want to bring a lot of energy and passion.”

     

    D’Tigress will face host nation France in their next game on Thursday.

  • BREAKING: D’Tigress beat Australia in first Olympics win after 20 years

    BREAKING: D’Tigress beat Australia in first Olympics win after 20 years

    Nigeria’s Senior National Women’s Basketball team, D’Tigress on Monday defeated the Opals of Australia 75-62 in the women’s basketball event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the African basketball champions defeated the Opals of Australia 75-62 in what is their first Olympics win since Athens 2004.

    The all-conquering Africa’s champions thus started their Paris Olympic Games on a winning note with the win over their highly favoured Australian counterparts.

    The team last won an Olympic match 20 years ago and the win over Australia has been described as the biggest upset of the Olympics so far.

    The Rena Wakama-led ladies, in a spirited performance, beat the Australians 75-62 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

    Point guard Ezinne Kalu produced a clutch performance, inspiring the Rena Wakama-coached team to withstand a late rally from the Aussies at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday.

    Reacting, the Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh has D’Tigress over the spirited performance.

    “Congratulations D’Tigress!!! This is one historic win for starts. Defeating FIBA world no. 3 is no mean feat!

    “This is a good sign, your hard work and dedication to win is evident and you stop at nothing. Keep it up girls. We are rooting for you,” Senator Enoh wrote.

  • Paris 2024: LeBron James shines as US begin basketball gold defence

    Paris 2024: LeBron James shines as US begin basketball gold defence

    The U.S began their men’s basketball gold medal defence with a 110-84 win over World Cup runners-up Serbia on Sunday at the Olympic Games in Paris.

    The Serbians took a 10-2 lead less than three minutes into the first quarter of the Group C showdown, but it took the U.S a short time to storm back.

    With a 12-2 run, they took a 14-12 lead and never looked back.

    Kevin Durant and LeBron James led the way, scoring 21 and 23 points respectively.

    Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić recorded 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds for Serbia, but that was not enough to beat the U.S who were simply brimming with NBA talent.

    The U.S are chasing a fourth consecutive and a record-extending 17th overall Olympic gold.

    Their next game is against South Sudan on Wednesday, while Serbia will face Puerto Rico on the same day.

  • Olympics: Canada stun France in dramatic style as US, Spain advance

    Olympics: Canada stun France in dramatic style as US, Spain advance

    Reigning women football champions Canada got a lifeline at the Paris Games following a 2-1 last-gasp win over hosts France on Sunday.

    Spain and the U.S also claimed wins to reach the quarter-finals on the second match day of Olympic women’s football.

    Canada’s quest to defend their 2020 gold medal was marred following a drone spying scandal which led to a one-year ban of coach Bev Priestman from the Olympic tournament.

    They are to also suffer a six-point deduction by world governing body FIFA.

    The top two teams in each three groups advance, along with the two best third-placed sides.

    This has left Canada, now led by assistant coach Andy Spence, needing maximum points in their remaining Group A matches, on top of a favourable goal difference.

    The slim Canadian hopes even seemed to be dashed after France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto struck in the 42nd minute following a neat passing move.

    But team captain Jessie Fleming equalised 13 minutes after the break.

    The match looked to be heading for a draw before Vanessa Gilles seized on a rebound from the goalkeeper in the 12th minute of stoppage time to fire home.

    Canada now face Colombia in their final group match on Wednesday.

    Four-time Olympic gold medallists U.S. carried on their good form in Group B and secured a 4-1 emphatic win over Germany in Marseille.

    This was all due to a first-half brace from Sophia Smith and goals from Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams.

    Smith gave Emma Hayes’ side an early lead with a simple finish in the 10th minute, before Giulia Gwinn equalised for the 2016 Olympic champions.

    Swanson, who scored a quick-fire double in the win over Zambia, made it 2-1, while Smith’s deflected goal before half-time and Williams’ late effort sealed the rout.

    Earlier, world champions Spain secured a spot in the next round with a 1-0 win over Nigeria in Nantes, courtesy of Alexia Putellas’ late winner.

    The world champions had to wait until the closing stages in their Group C clash to break the Nigerian wall with a wonder free-kick from former Ballon d’Or winner Putellas.

    The Barcelona midfielder struck in the 85th minute beyond the Nigerian goalkeeper and defenders, who until then had frustrated Montse Tome’s side.

    Also in Group C, Brazil missed the chance to progress after a late 2-1 loss to Japan at Parc des Princes.

    Brazil were leading after the break with Jheniffer’s low shot in the 56th minute after a play created by six-time Olympian Marta, who left the pitch to a standing ovation in the 84th minute.

    Japan claimed victory with two stoppage-time efforts by Saki Kumagai’s from the penalty kick spot and substitute Momoko Tanikawa from long range after a misplaced pass by Rafaelle.

    Australia and Colombia boosted their chances of making it to the next round with their first wins in the competition.

    In a goal feast in Nice, the Matildas rallied from two goals down to clinch a stunning 6-5 win over Zambia in Group B.

    Australian Steph Catley and Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji scored doubles, while Barbara Banda netted a hat-trick, the third to her name for an Olympic record.

    Colombia edged Group A rivals New Zealand 2-0 in Lyon, thanks to Marcela Restrepo’s volley and a fine goal from Leicy Santos.

  • Paris 2024: Two teams book Quarterfinal berths in Men’s Football

    Paris 2024: Two teams book Quarterfinal berths in Men’s Football

    Spain and Japan have secured their spots in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s football tournament.

     

    Japan advanced to the knockout stage after defeating Mali 1-0 in a Group D match over the weekend. Japan currently leads the group with six points from two matches and has one more game to play in the final group stage. They are ahead of Paraguay, which sits in second place with three points, while Mali and Israel each have one point.

     

    Spain also reached the last eight by topping Group C with six points and one match remaining. They are followed by Egypt, which has four points, while the Dominican Republic has one point, and Uzbekistan has yet to earn a point.

     

    The quarterfinals are set to begin on August 3.

  • Paris 2024: Hope dims as Super Falcons lose again to Spain

    Paris 2024: Hope dims as Super Falcons lose again to Spain

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons, on Sunday, lost their second group C game at the Paris 2024 Olympics to World champions Spain, by a lone goal.

    The defeat means Nigeria will continue the search for their first points of  the tournament as they regroup to face Japan on Wednesday,

    The nine-time African champions, however deserve credit for holding out for 85 minutes against the world champions before conceding a lone goal that handed the Europeans all the three points in Nantes.

    Spain dominated possession, expectedly, and only a masterclass defensive performance by the Falcons restricted them to the 1-0 win.

    For some parts of the game, the Falcons looked dangerous and made efforts in front of goal  when Esther Okoronkwo’s shot in the 23rd minute was pushed away by the goalkeeper when she latched on to a pass from Ajibade.

    Also in the 65thminute when captain Rasheedat Ajibade lifted the ball a little too high when running into a backpass by Asisat Oshoala.

    Oshoala  could have made hay with 18 minutes left, but she went to pass when it appeared easier to go for the kill.

    Earlier in the second half, Salma Paralluelo had the ball in the net as she bundled past Chiamaka Nnadozie from a corner kick, but she was ruled offside.

    With nine minutes to go, Osinachi Ohale cleared from the line as Alexia Putellas, who had been thwarted several times  by Nnadozie, struck from just outside the box.

    Spain got the  winner  in the 85th minute, when the ubiquitous Putellas heaved the ball past Nnadozie straight from a free-kick on the left side of the Nigeria defence.

    The defeat means the Falcons remain pointless in the tournament in Group C, and must achieve a win against Japan at the same venue on Wednesday to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

  • Paris 2024: Gallant Super Falcons lose 1-0 to Spain in Nantes

    Paris 2024: Gallant Super Falcons lose 1-0 to Spain in Nantes

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons will continue their quest for their first points in the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament against Japan on Wednesday. The nine-time African champions put up a commendable fight against world champions Spain, holding them scoreless for 85 minutes before conceding a single goal that secured Spain’s victory in Nantes on Sunday.

     

    Spain dominated possession as expected, but the Falcons’ exceptional defensive performance limited them to just one goal. The outcome could have been different if captain Rasheedat Ajibade had maintained her balance when she was through on goal in the 36th minute, or if substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo had decided quicker on her action with only the goalkeeper to beat in added time.

     

    The Falcons appeared threatening on counter-attacks at times, such as in the 23rd minute when Esther Okoronkwo’s shot was saved after she received a pass from Ajibade, and in the 65th minute when Ajibade lifted the ball slightly too high after a back pass from Asisat Oshoala. Oshoala herself missed an opportunity with 18 minutes remaining, opting to pass when it seemed easier to attempt a shot.

     

    Earlier in the second half, Salma Paralluelo found the net after a corner kick but was ruled offside. With nine minutes remaining, Osinachi Ohale cleared a shot from Alexia Putellas, who had been repeatedly denied by Nnadozie, just outside the box.

     

    The winning goal came in the 85th minute when the ever-present Putellas scored from a free-kick on the left side of Nigeria’s defense.

     

    The defeat leaves the Falcons without points in the tournament, necessitating a victory against Japan at the same venue on Wednesday to have any hope of advancing to the quarter-finals.

     

  • Paris 2024: Oshoala set to bolster Super Falcons in key Olympic match against Spain

    Paris 2024: Oshoala set to bolster Super Falcons in key Olympic match against Spain

    As Nigeria’s Super Falcons prepare to face world champions Spain in their Paris Olympics Group C matchday two clash this Sunday, Asisat Oshoala is expected to start, potentially replacing Chiwendu Ihezuo.

    Spain, the reigning UEFA Women’s Nations League champions, are favored to win in their first-ever encounter with Nigeria. They secured a 2-1 victory over Japan on Thursday, while Nigeria suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil.

     

    Ihezuo was given the start as center forward in the opening match, but after a lackluster performance, Oshoala is likely to take her place. Despite not playing in the previous match, Oshoala, a former Barcelona star, brings confidence, skill, and experience that could challenge Spain’s defense and provide the efficiency Nigeria needs.

     

    The Super Falcons are eager to secure a positive result against La Roja, as another loss could jeopardize their chances of advancing in the Olympics.