Page 4 - Olympics

IOA feud: Usha calls SGM to address corruption charge against treasurer

Embattled Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha has called a Special General Meeting of the body on October 25 to address contentious issues, including the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer, complaints of corruption against treasurer Sahdev Yadav and the alleged ineligibility of some Executive Council members to hold office. Usha has been at loggerheads with a majority of EC members on all these issues. Iyer's appointment is the most talked about issue as it is being aggressively resisted by EC members on account of his pay package and suitability for the job. "All these issues are extraordinary and emergent in nature and require the participation of the House so that an effective decision is taken...In this regard I am convening a Special General Meeting of the IOA to be held on 25th October 2024 at the IOA Bhawan at 11AM," the sprint great wrote in an email to office-bearers and other stakeholders. "The SGM shall be a hybrid meeting as per Article 8.3 of the Constitution of

India's Neeraj Chopra set to part ways with coach Klaus Bartonietz

The hugely successful partnership between star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and his long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz of Germany is set to end after five years of working together. The 75-year-old Bartonietz has cited his age and family commitments to part ways with Chopra. "He (Bartonietz) is 75 and he now wants to be with his family and does not want too much travel also," an official of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) told PTI. "It is not that Neeraj wants to end the association, it is Bartonietz who has expressed his inability to continue as his (Neeraj's) coach," he added. The 26-year-old Chopra has been working with Bartonietz, who is a biomechanics expert but doubled up as Chopra's coach, since 2019. The German first came on board as a biomechanical expert and took over as Chopra's coach after Uwe Hohn fell out with the AFI and the Sports Authority of India. Under Bartonietz, Chopra won Tokyo Olympics gold, Paris Games silver, became world champion and Diamo

Usha's claim of EC not felicitating Olympic medallists 'lie': Treasurer

Indian Olympic Association Treasurer Sahdev Yadav on Tuesday hit back at president PT Usha for claiming that IOA Executive Committee members were not agreeing on a proposal to felicitate Paris Olympics medal-winners, saying her assertion is a "blatant lie". Usha on Monday said that it was "deeply concerning" that the EC members failed to honour Olympic medallists and accused the Finance Committee of blocking funds intended to support Indian athletes' preparation for the Paris Games. In a rebuttal to Usha's claims, Sahdev said, "... there has been no discussion with EC members nor any official proposal in writing for organizing a felicitation ceremony for the medallists of Paris Olympics 2024." Sahdev, who is also the president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, accused Usha of "spreading lies" and "cooking up" things instead of taking responsibilities as per the IOA constitution. "...we fail to understand why IOA President is spreading lies across the whole country, to put dow

India's 2036 Olympic vision: Army hosts sports conclave to align efforts

As India sets its sight on hosting the 2036 Olympics, the Army on Monday hosted a sports conclave here that serves as a crucial platform to align efforts and contribute to this national mission with a "comprehensive roadmap". Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Union Minister of Labour and Employment & Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Rajasthan minister Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (retd) attended the event, the defence ministry said in a statement. The Army Sports Conclave, with an emphasis on fostering collaboration with various national stakeholders, stressed the importance of drawing up collaborative strategies with the Indian Olympics Association, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and national sports federations to enhance India's global sporting aspirations, it said. The Army hosted the much-anticipated conclave, highlighting its role in India's sporting ecosystem. As India sets its sight on hosting the 2036 Olympics, the Army Sports Conclave ...

PR Sreejesh says every save he made in Paris Olympics was for his team

Retired hockey legend PR Sreejesh manned the Indian goal like a wall and made some crucial saves during the country's bronze-winning campaign at the recent Paris Olympics and he said each one of his efforts was made for the entire team and the nation. The 36-year-old Sreejesh, who retired from the game after a glorious 18-year international career, was nominated for the prestigious FIH Men's Goalkeeper of the Year Award 2024 after playing a pivotal role in India's campaign in the Olympics. "Every save I made in that tournament was not just about me; it was about the entire team and our country's support," Sreejesh said. "Being nominated for this award is a reflection of our collective spirit and the incredible journey we've had together. I hope my career inspires future generations to chase their dreams on the hockey field." The nomination is the latest in a series of accolades for the legendary goalkeeper, often referred to as the 'Great Wall of Indian Hockey.' In what was his fi

India aims to host 2036 Olympics, come in top 10 of medals tally: Mandaviya

Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said India is aiming to host the 2036 Olympics and finish in the top 10 in the medals tally. Speaking at the 'Viksit Bharat Ambassador - Yuva Connect' initiative at SP College here, the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister said the aim was to make India among the top five sports nations by 2047. "In Viksit Bharat, special impetus needs to be given to the sports sector as we aim to develop ourselves in every sector. By 2047, our goal is to be among the top five countries in sports. To achieve this goal and ensure we do not miss the 2047 opportunity, we must create world-class sportspersons," he said. "To develop such talent, we initiated Khelo India. With the help of Khelo India, young sportspersons should get the opportunities to play. We will have to identify sports talent and provide them with the necessary facilities. These talented individuals, in the coming days, will become athletes like Swapnil Kusale," he added. Shooter ...

Diamond League Final: Avinash Sable 3000m steeplechase live time, streaming

Avinash Sable holds the national record for the 3,000 m steeplechase run which he broke during the 2024 Paris Olympics final

Vinesh Phogat slams PT Usha's 'photo-op politics' after Paris Olympics

Indian wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat criticised Indian Olympic Association President for meeting her for optics and not showing 'genuine' support during a difficult time

BCB seeks Bangladesh army's assurance for hosting women's T20 World Cup

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has sought security assurance from the country's army chief for conducting the women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in October 3-20 amid political unrest in the country following ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The women's T20 World Cup is slated to be held in two Bangladesh cities ---- Sylhet and Mirpur. According to Cricbuzz, the BCB has written to Bangladesh's army chief of staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman seeking security assurance for organising the tournament. The warm-up round for the women's T20 World Cup is set to begin on September 27. The ICC has been monitoring the situation after violent protests against the government led to deaths of hundreds of people and culminated with the resignation and fleeing of former PM Hasina. It is expected that the ICC could also opt to host the tournament at a different venue within a similar time zone, which leaves India, UAE and Sri Lanka as the choices. The current BCB president Nazmul

Paralympic Games: Morocco's El Idrissi smashes women's marathon record

Morocco's Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi smashed the world record in the women's marathon for runners with visual impairments on the last day of the Paralympic Games. El Idrissi finished in 2 hours, 48 minutes, 36 seconds on Sunday, beating the previous record from Japan's Misato Michishita in Hofu City in December 2020 by nearly six minutes. I wasn't running for a time, only for a medal," the 29-year-old Moroccan said. "I wasn't aiming to get the world record, just to get the gold, and now I have both." Compatriot Meryem En-Nourhi was just over nine minutes behind, followed by Michishita, almost 15 minutes behind the winner. Elena Congost thought she'd won bronze, but the Spanish runner was later disqualified for releasing the tether to her guide, Mia Carol Bruguera, before the finish. Michishita only found out she was upgraded to bronze while on her way to doping control. I just couldn't believe it, said the Japanese runner, who said she got injured after winning the last edition in

Paralympians make giant strides but await India Inc's leap of faith

Para shooter and silver medal winner at Paris Games, Manish Narwal, says it may take 4-5 years more for the corporate world to take up interest in para-sports

Despite Paralympic success, the differently-abled remain excluded in India

As we proudly bask in the success of our para-athletes at Paris, political and corporate leaders may want to apply serious thought to making India a kinder, gentler place for differently-abled people

Randhir Singh becomes first Indian to be elected as OCA president

Veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh on Sunday became the first Indian to be elected as the president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) during the 44th General Assembly of the continental body here. A five-time Olympic shooter, Randhir was the lone eligible candidate for the OCA president's post. His tenure will run from 2024 till 2028, and his election was unanimous. The 77-year-old Randhir has been the OCA acting president since 2021, filling in for Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who was handed a 15-year ban from sports administration in May this year over ethics breaches. Randhir, who held different administrative posts in Indian and Asian sports bodies, was officially named OCA president in the presence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and top sports leaders from all 45 countries of Asia. He hails from Patiala in Punjab and belongs to a family of sportspersons. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, played Test cricket for India and was an IOC member. His

Randhir Singh set to be elected as first Indian president of OCA

Veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh is set to be elected as the first Indian president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in the 44th General Assembly of the Asian body here on Sunday. Randhir, a former Indian shooter, will be officially named OCA president in the presence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and top sports leaders from all 45 countries of Asia. Randhir, 77, hails from Patiala in Punjab and belongs to a family of sportspersons. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, played Test cricket for India and was an IOC member. His father Bhalindra Singh, also a first-class cricketer, was an IOC Member between 1947 and 1992. Randhir competed in four Asian Games, winning the trap gold in 1978, bronze in 1982 and a team silver 1986. He also competed at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada. Randhir entered sports administration in 1987 when he was appointed the secretary-general of the Indian Olympic Association, a position he held till 2012. He was also ..

Paris to honour late Ugandan Olympian by naming sports venue after her

The city of Paris wants to honor the late Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei by naming a sports venue after her. The proposal was announced by city mayor Anne Hidalgo on Friday and will be discussed by city officials in October. Cheptegei died on Thursday at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after 80% of her body was burned in an attack by her partner. She was 33. Cheptegei competed in the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month ago and finished 44th. Paris will not forget her and we will dedicate a sports venue to her, so that her memory and her story will remain among us, and help us carry even stronger the message of equality, which is a message carried by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Hidalgo said. City hall said in a statement, Paris joins its elected representatives in expressing its support for the family of the athlete, victim of a femicide a few weeks after her participation in the Olympic Games. Trans Nzoia County Police Commander

Best of BS Opinion: A trial for free speech, India's Olympic-sized ambition

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Is India ready to host a big-ticket sporting event like the Olympics?

The income-expenditure mismatch notwithstanding, India should make a bold push for hosting the Games

Indian hockey team can aim for gold in LA 2028 Olympics: PR Sreejesh

Riding high on the success of winning a bronze medal in Paris ending a four-decade-long dry spell the Indian hockey team now aims to build on this momentum with hopes of clinching gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, ace goalkeeper P R Sreejesh said on Friday. The former national team captain, who announced his retirement after the Paris Olympics, told journalists in the Bihar capital that he saw the state as the future "sports hub". "I see many positive developments in Bihar, particularly at the sports complex in Rajgir, which now features an astro turf and will host the women's Asian Cup Trophy tournament later this year," Sreejesh remarked. He added, "I see no reason why Bihar cannot emerge as the country's next sports hub. I have met sports department officials here and found many initiatives, like establishment of a sports university, quite impressive". Sreejesh, who has taken up a new assignment as the coach for the junior men's hockey team, said he had set his eyes on

Australian coach fired for supporting Korean athlete at the Paris Olympics

Swimming Australia has fired coach Michael Palfrey over comments made at the Paris Olympics where he said he hoped a South Korean athlete would beat Australian swimmers. Palfrey told South Korean television he hoped South Korea's Kim Woo-min would win the men's 400-meter freestyle in Paris, an event that featured Australians Sam Short and Elijah Winnington. I really hope he can win, but ultimately I really hope he swims well, Palfrey said in Paris during the Games. He added, Go Korea. Swimming Australia said in a statement Friday that it had terminated Palfrey due to a breach of his employment agreement. It added Palfrey brought "himself into disrepute and causing serious damage to his and Swimming Australia's reputation, and adversely affecting Swimming Australia's interests." The statement said Palfrey would retain his coach accreditation status. Palfrey, who previously worked with Kim as an adviser, was told along with Australia's other swimming coaches to end any association

Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being severely burned by her partner

Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after sustaining 80% burns on her body due to an attack by her partner. A spokesperson at the hospital, Owen Menach, confirmed her death on Thursday. Cheptegei was receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city. Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said Monday that Cheptegei's partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday. Ndiema was also burned, and was being treated at the same hospital. Cheptegei's parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county's many athletic training centers. A report filed by the local chief states that the couple was heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire started.