Page 28 - Olympics

CAPF & special forces canine squad in France for Olympics venue security

Ten specially-trained Indian CAPF and special commando force dogs are in France to provide a counter-terrorist and anti-sabotage security cover to various venues of the Paris Olympics slated to open next week, official sources said on Wednesday. The ten Indian K9 (canine) teams will undertake sniffing and patrolling duties at various venues that will hold events for the Paris Olympics. They have been given a special 10-week training for this first-ever kind of collaboration of canine squads between the Indian and the French government, a security officer told PTI. The teams along with their handlers are drawn from the central armed police forces (CAPFs) like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force apart from the elite federal contingency commando force National Security Guard (NSG) and the Assam Rifles. The dogs are from the sturdy Belgian Malinois breed which undertake infantry patrol and anti-sabotage sniffer task

Olympics 2024: IOA releases list of 117 athletes, 140 support staff

India will be represented by 117 athletes at this month's Paris Olympics after the sports ministry cleared the final contingent that also features 140 support staff and officials, of which 72 "have been approved at cost to the Government" to meet the "requirements" of the travelling sportspersons. The only qualified athlete missing from the list is shot putter Abha Khatua. Khatua, who qualified through world rankings quota, has been dropped without any explanation after her name was found missing from the World Athletics' list of Olympic participants a few days ago. "The permissible limit for stay of support personnel in the Games Village against accreditation as per norms of the Paris Organising Committee for the 2024 Olympic Games is 67 including 11 1OA Contingent Officials, which includes five Medical Team Members," stated a letter from the ministry to the Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha. "For catering to the requirements of the athletes, additional coaches and oth

Paris 2024: Can Indian wrestlers deliver or medal winning legacy under risk

Indian wrestlers have delivered a medal every single time at the Olympics since the 2008 Beijing edition. Success in four consecutive editions has enhanced the status of wrestling as a prime Olympic sport in the country. There was success at junior level too. The sport also produced U23 world champions. It raised hopes of big success in Paris. It was Sushil Kumar who changed the way wrestling was perceived in the country by winning a bronze in 2008. He bettered his medal four years later in the London Games, where he fetched a silver. While Yogeshwar Dutt also won a bronze in the British capital. Sakshi Malik carried forward the trend by bagging a bronze in Rio in 2016 and Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia made it a double delight in the delayed Tokyo Games (2021). However, the sport which was soaring high and was expected to reach even greater heights, was brought down to earth by the prolonged protests against then Wrestling Federation of India chief by the country's elite ...

Tennis players return to the red clay of Paris after Wimbledon's grass

The competition surface doesn't change for most Olympic sports. A pool's a pool. A track's a track. A wrestling mat's a mat. And so on. Tennis? That's a whole other story, with tournaments contested on clay, hard or grass courts and now there's a shift for the Paris Games. For the first time in more than 30 years, the tennis competition at an Olympics will be held on red clay, which means players who recently made the adjustment from the dirt at the French Open in early June to grass at Wimbledon in early July will need to reverse course again in short order. The terre battue at Roland Garros used for the French Open hosts Olympic matches starting on July 27 two weeks after Wimbledon wrapped up with singles titles for Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and the transition back to that site is more concerning to some athletes than others. That'll definitely be interesting. But everyone's kind of doing it. We'll all be in the same boat, said Jessica

Olympics-bound javelin thrower Jena says nearly quit sports last year

Asian Games silver medallist javelin thrower Kishore Jena says he was on verge of quitting the sport in 2023 after a string of poor performances but he heeded to his father's advice, leading to a revival of his career. Jena admitted that Neeraj Chopra's Tokyo Olympics gold medal motivated him to achieve more in his sport but he found it difficult to get the big throws and thought of quitting the sport in July last year just before the World Championships. "When Neeraj won at the Olympics, we celebrated and enjoyed his victory. But honestly, the victory also left me dejected because I too was playing the same sport. I felt it was time for me to achieve something in sports," Jena said. "I participated in Lebanon National Championships after a dip in my rankings and produced a throw of 78m. Despite giving it my all, I couldn't achieve much. I started doubting if all the hard work was worth it. I called my father, who encouraged me to participate in next competition in Sri Lanka," he sa

Shooter Moudgil secures Olympic birth by overcoming last year's negativity

Overcoming mental demons after being left out of the Indian team from last year's Asian Games and the World Championships was key to shooter Anjum Moudgil securing a Paris Olympic berth. Former world no.1 Moudgil, a world championships and Commonwealth Games medallist, competed in two events during the last edition in Tokyo. She finished 15th in the 50m rifle 3 position and 18th in the 10m air rifle, but in Paris, she will be featuring in only women's 50m 3 position. By her own admission, the ouster from the Indian team for Worlds and Asian Games due to inconsistent form was an eye opener for her as the 30-year-old worked on bettering her mental toughness besides focussing entirely on her training. "Three years after Tokyo was a roller-coaster ride for me. I have seen tough times but I wanted to comeback stronger. The experiences of Tokyo will surely be of helpful (in Paris)," Moudgil said in a virtual media interaction. "I really took advantage of quotas and trials, the federation

Breakers weigh pressure, excitement as they make their Olympic debut

Logan Edra knows her journey to securing a spot as one of the breakers on the U.S. team heading to the Olympics took longer than some expected. The 21-year-old Filipina American didn't officially qualify for the Paris Games until last month. It was the last competition for her to earn an Olympic spot despite being of one of the world's best breakers more commonly referred to as breakdancers. As much as we have people around us that are encouraging or part of the hype, it's still a lonely journey. No one really knows what you're going through except for you, said Edra, who is ranked No. 14 in the world and had a meteoric rise on the global breaking scene since 2018. She was expected to defend her championship at the 2022 Red Bull BC One World Final in New York, but was beat out in the intense final round by India Dewi (b-girl India) from the Netherlands before dominating in the Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest in June. With all the anticipation around breaking officially debuti

Team Mongolia's uniforms for 2024 Paris Olympics has netizens in chokehold

Team Mongolia's stunning uniforms in Paris Olympics parade 2024 designed by local label 'Michel & Amazonka' is grabbing headlines. The progressive fashion brands are run by two sisters

Olympics 2024: What to know, who to watch during shooting competition

A roadmap to follow for the shooting competition during the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Vincent Hancock, United States: The most decorated Olympic skeet shooter of all time, Hancock has three gold medals in an event no one else has won more than once. Hancock, who aims to retire at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, already trains a new generation of U.S. shooters at his complex near Fort Worth, Texas. Nino Salukvadze, Georgia: At the age of 55, Salukvadze is set to become the first woman to compete in 10 Olympics when she takes part in the women's 25-meter pistol shooting event. Salukvadze's Olympic career began at 19 back in 1988 when she won gold for the Soviet Union. Amber Rutter, Britain: Rutter is aiming to compete in Paris just three months after giving birth to her first child. The two-time world champion is even more determined to make it to Paris because she was ruled out of the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. Storylines to Follow: Tune in early o

Olympics 2024: What to know, who to watch in men's basketball competition

A roadmap to follow for the men's basketball competition during the Paris Olympics: ATHLETES TO WATCH: LeBron James, United States: The NBA's all-time scoring leader seeks his third Olympic gold medal (2008, 2012) and returns to the Games for the first time in 12 years. At 39, James presumably is playing in his final Olympics. Kevin Durant, United States: He is seeking to become the first four-time men's basketball gold medalist, after helping the U.S. win gold at Tokyo in 2021, Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and London in 2012. Victor Wembanyama, France: The NBA rookie of the year and runner-up for defensive player of the year (behind French teammate Rudy Gobert) will be one of the faces of the Paris Games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada: The runner-up in this season's NBA MVP voting behind Nikola Jokic of Serbia (another likely Olympic player this summer) will be asked to help deliver Canada a medal. It's not out of reach, as proven by Canada's bronze at the World Cup last summer. Ste

Olympics 2024: What to know, who to watch during wrestling competition

A roadmap to follow for the wrestling competition at the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Hassan Yazdani, Iran: Nicknamed The Greatest, Yazdani was a gold medalist at 74 kilograms in 2016. He lost to David Taylor in the gold medal match in the 86-kilogram division in Tokyo. Taylor isn't competing in Paris, possibly clearing a way for Yazdani to return to the top. Taha Akgul, Turkey: A 2016 gold medalist, Akgul was among those who lost to American Gable Steveson at the Tokyo Games. He beat Georgia's Geno Petriashvili, the silver medalist in Tokyo, at the European Championships earlier this year. With Steveson not returning, Akgul could emerge victorious in the 125-kilogram class. Kennedy Blades, United States. The dynamic 20-year-old beat Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Adeline Gray at the U.S. trials and is competing in the women's 76-kilogram freestyle division. Helen Maroulis, United States. She is aiming to become the first American women's wrestler to win three Olympic medals.

Paris Olympics: What to know, who to watch during men's, women's handball

A roadmap to follow for the men's and women's handball competition during the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Mikkel Hansen, Denmark: With his shoulder-length hair and headband, the powerful left back is one of the most familiar faces in Danish sports. A three-time men's world player of the year, a record he shares with longtime rival Nikola Karabatic, Hansen enters the tournament as a world champion. Hansen's only Olympic gold came eight years ago in Rio de Janeiro. Paris will be the last chance for the 36-year-old five-time Olympian to add a second. He is retiring after the Paris Games. Yahia Omar, Egypt: The right back will stay in Paris whatever happens at the Olympics because he's signed a deal with Paris Saint-Germain until 2027. The 26-year-old was one of Egypt's best players when the Pharaohs achieved a national-best fourth-place finish three years ago. Nikola Karabatic, France: The elder of the Karabatic brothers Luka is the younger one the 40-year-old Nikola is one o

Paris Olympics 2024: What to know, who to watch during judo competition

A roadmap to follow for the men's and women's judo tournaments at the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Teddy Riner, France: The world's most famous active judoka attempts to cap his incredible career with a record-tying third individual Olympic gold medal in front of his home fans. Now 35, Riner took a shocking quarterfinal loss in Tokyo, but the 11-time world champion heavyweight still won gold in the mixed team event. Uta Abe and Hifumi Abe, Japan: The siblings will attempt to win gold medals on the same day in the second consecutive Olympics. They accomplished the unprecedented feat three years ago in Tokyo, and both have won world championships in both of the two years since then. Clarisse Agbegnenou, France: The six-time world champion is the favorite to win her second straight Olympic gold. She's trying to do it at home and less than two years after giving birth to her daughter. Lukas Krpalek, Czech Republic: Riner could get beaten to history by Krpalek, the comparatively

Paris Olympics: What to know, who to watch during badminton competition

A roadmap to follow for the badminton competition during the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Beiwen Zhang, United States: After winning the women's singles gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, the 33-year-old is the best shot at the first American badminton medal at the Olympics since its debut as a medal event in 1992. Born in China, Zhang moved to Singapore as a teenager in 2007 and has represented the U.S. internationally since 2013. Viktor Axelsen, Denmark: Axelsen was Europe's only medalist (gold) in Tokyo three years ago, and he was the top qualifier for Paris. At 30, this will be his third Olympics; he won bronze in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Chen Yu Fei, China: The defending women's singles champion led China to a tournament win in May and finished behind only An Se-young of South Korea in the Paris qualification rankings. Storylines to Follow: The U.S. mixed doubles team of Vinson Chiu and Jennie Gai qualified at the Pan Am Games. It still will be an uphill climb for the

Paris Olympics: What to know, who to watch during weightlifting competition

A roadmap to follow during weightlifting competition at the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Hampton Morris, United States: At 20, the Marietta, Georgia, native will be the youngest American weightlifter to compete at the Olympics since Cheryl Haworth in 2000. Morris broke the clean and jerk 61-kilogram world record by lifting 388 pounds (176 kilograms) at a World Cup event in Thailand earlier this year. Lasha Talakhadze, Georgia: Having set 26 world records over the course of his career, the 30-year-old back-to-back Olympic champion in the heaviest weight class is returning to try for a three-peat. He's back after missing the European championships earlier this year because of a knee injury. Maude Charron, Canada: The 64kg gold medalist in Tokyo is again one of the top contenders, now in the 59kg division. The 31-year-old from Quebec is just one of five Canadians men or women to win an Olympic medal in the sport. Yekta Jamali, Refugee Team: From Iran initially, she fled to ..

France's Bastille Day parade meets Olympic torch relay in exceptional year

Paris is hosting an extra-special guest for France's national holiday Sunday the Olympic flame lighting up the city's grandiose military parade for Bastille Day. Just 12 days before the French capital hosts exceptionally ambitious and high-security Summer Games, the torch relay is joining up with thousands of soldiers, sailors, rescuers and medics marching in Paris beneath roaring fighter jets to mark Bastille Day. While people around France mark the day with concerts, parties and fireworks, here's a look at what the holiday's about, and what's different this year: What does Bastille Day celebrate?On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille fortress and prison in Paris, heralding the start of the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy. The holiday is central to the French calendar, with events across the country. It aims to embody the national motto of 'liberty, equality and fraternity,' though not everyone in France feels the country lives up to that promise. T

Peaceful pre-Olympic protest in Paris honours fallen Ukrainian athletes

In a powerful tribute to the hundreds of Ukrainian athletes who have perished since the Russian invasion of their homeland, the Union of Ukrainians of France led a peaceful march of several hundred people in Paris on Saturday. The demonstration, held in the run-up to this month's Olympic Games, aimed to honour these fallen sports heroes and highlight the ongoing impact of the conflict on Ukraine's athletic community. Several hundred athletes including some who competed at elite levels plus coaches and other people closely involved in professional and amateur sports in Ukraine have been killed in the full-scale invasion since 2022, some while fighting as soldiers on the front lines. The human losses, the ongoing war, and the widespread destruction of sports facilities threaten to erode Ukraine's edge, both at the Paris Games that open July 26 and in the future, as a powerhouse of Olympic sport after the breakup of the former Soviet Union. What is tragic today is that we have hundr

Paris Olympics: What to know, who to watch during table tennis competition

A roadmap to follow for the table tennis competition at the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Ma Long, China: The 35-year-old table tennis icon is the reigning Olympic champion. He also won the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Sun Yingsha, China: Sun is the top-ranked woman and helped China win gold at the Tokyo Games in the women's team competition. Wang Chuqin, China: No. 1 in the men's singles ranking, Wang was an alternate for the Chinese team at the Tokyo Games. Felix Lebrun, France: The 17-year-old Lebrun is considered one of the rising stars in the sport. At No. 5 in the world, Lebrun is the highest-ranked player from anywhere outside of China. Timo Boll, Germany: The 43-year-old will retire from international table tennis after the Paris Games, ending a 25-year career. He will become the sixth table tennis player to participate in seven different Olympic Games. Storylines to Follow: China aims to increase its dominance of the sport that was added to the Ol

Olympics 2024: What to know, who to watch in marathon swimming competition

A roadmap to follow for the marathon swimming competition during the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch: Florian Wellbrock, Germany: He is the defending Olympic champion who qualified for Paris with a wire-to-wire victory in the marathon swimming event at the 2023 world championships. At Tokyo in 2021, Wellbrock narrowly missed out on his goal of winning golds in the open water and in the pool when he had to settle for bronze in the 1,500 meters. He's aiming for a double in Paris, where the open water events will be staged within view of the Eiffel Tower. Kristof Rasovszky, Hungary: He won the men's open water title at the world championships in Doha, Qatar, in February after finishing with the silver medal behind Wellbrock at the Tokyo Olympics and at the 2023 worlds in Fukuoka, Japan. Sharon van Rouwendaal, Netherlands: The 30-year-old Dutch swimmer won Olympic gold at Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and was the silver medalist in the open water event in Tokyo. She surged to the finish at

India's Olmypics preparations should be continuous process: Ex-Olympians

India's preparation for the Olympics should be a continuous process and the authorities should not wake up just months before the commencement of the 'greatest show on earth', former Olympians said. They were speaking at a panel discussion here "In search of glory: India's prospects in the 2024 Olympics" organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce at a city hotel on Friday night. Hockey icon Gurbux Singh, a member of the gold-winning hockey team in 1964 Olympics and bronze-winning team in 1968 Olympics, underscored the importance of inculcating a sports culture among the youth, to have sporting infrastructure and grounds at every educational institution. "We wake up when the Olympics comes. The whole country wakes up. That attitude must change," he said, adding that 90 per cent of parents want their children to pursue vocations other than sports. About India's prospects in hockey in the 2024 Olympics, Singh said, "We are in a difficult group and our first target should be to secure a .