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Tag: olympics

  • Russia slams Olympic opening as ‘massive failure’

    Russia slams Olympic opening as ‘massive failure’

    Only a few Russian athletes have been approved to participate in the Games as “neutrals.” Competiors under the Russian flag have been banned over Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News

    Russia on Saturday slammed the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games as a “massive failure.” Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova gave a long list of shortcomings at Friday’s ceremony, which was not broadcast live on Russian television.

    “I wasn’t planning to watch the opening. But after seeing the photos, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t a deep fake or photoshop,” the spokeswoman wrote on Telegram

    Only a few Russian athletes have been approved to participate in the Games as “neutrals.” Competiors under the Russian flag have been banned over Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.

    Zakharova wrote that the “ridiculous open-air opening ceremony forced guests to sit for hours under pouring rain.”

    “The organizers did not think of either seeding the clouds or awnings,” she said, referring to Russia’s practice of sending up planes ahead of major outdoor events to attempt to break up clouds.

    France detained a Russian man just ahead of the Games’ opening, accusing him of a “destablization” plot for the event. “I wonder how many more ‘spies’ had to be embedded for the opening of the Olympics in Paris to end up such a massive failure?” said Zakharova.

    Zakharova also mocked the “transport collapse” on the day, after three arson attacks on the rail system, and France’s blaming this on sabotage.

    She said the center of Paris was “transformed into a ghetto for homeless people,” while “rats flooded the streets.”

    Other targets were the US rapper Snoop Dogg carrying the Olympic torch and gaffes such as introducing the South Korean team as North Korea and raising the Olympic flag upside-down.

    Zakharova picked on a part of the opening ceremony featuring drag queens, interpreted by some as parodying The Last Supper. She called it a “mockery of a sacred story for Christians,” saying that “the Apostles were shown as transvestites.”

    “Evidently in Paris they decided that if the Olympic rings are multi-colored, you can turn it all into one giant gay parade,” she added.

    A spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church, Vakhtang Kipshidze, also condemned this section, writing on his personal Telegram channel that it was “cultural and historical suicide.”

    South Korea wrongly introduced as North Korea at Olympics

    Olympic organisers have issued a “deep apology” after South Korea’s athletes were mistakenly introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony in Paris.

    As the excited, flag-waving team floated down the River Seine, both French and English announcers introduced them as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” – the official name of North Korea.

    The same name was then used – correctly – when North Korea’s delegation sailed past.

    The two Koreas have been divided since the end of World War Two, with tensions between the states further escalating recently.

    The subtitle which ran across the bottom of the television broadcast showed the correct title, however.

    The South Korean sports ministry said it planned to lodge a “strong complaint with France on a government level” over the embarrassing gaffe.

    In a statement, the ministry expressed “regret over the announcement… where the South Korean delegation was introduced as the North Korean team.”

    The statement added that the second vice sports minister, Jang Mi-ran, a 2008 Olympic weightlifting champion, had demanded a meeting with Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued an apology on its official Korean-language X account, saying: “We would like to offer a deep apology over the mistake that occurred in the introduction of the South Korean delegation during the opening ceremony.”

    South Korea, formally known as the Republic of Korea, has 143 athletes in its Olympic team this year, competing across 21 sports.

    North Korea has sent 16 athletes. This is the first time it has competed in the games since Rio 2016.

    ALSO READ-Paris Dazzles World With Colourful Olympics Opening Ceremony

  • Paris Dazzles World With Colourful Olympics Opening Ceremony

    Paris Dazzles World With Colourful Olympics Opening Ceremony

    Paris is hosting the Olympics for the third time after 100 years and the city is leaving no stone unturned to make it a big success.

    Let the Games begin! Amid thunderclouds and heavy rains, the 2024 Paris Olympics got off to a stunning start as the Organising Committee (OC) made sure that the world got to see why the French capital is called ‘la Ville Lumiere’ — the city of light.

    For the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games, the Opening Ceremony didn’t take place in a stadium; it was held in the heart of the city along its main artery: the Seine river.

    The event started with representatives from Greece leading the athletes from nearly 200 countries in the Parade of the Nations on boats on the river.

    And it was the American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga who set the pulses racing with a mesmerising show, setting the stage for more scintillating performances to come in what is expected to be a nearly three-hour ceremony showcasing the French culture and heritage.

    The global superstar sang the French classic ‘Mon truce en plume’ by Zizi Jeanmaire and received thunderous cheers from the fans who had lined up the riverbank since the afternoon.

    The ceremony was bold, original and no doubt unique. Taking on a new guise, the parade of athletes was held on the Seine with boats for each national delegation. These boats were equipped with cameras to allow television and online viewers to see the athletes up close.

    A majority of the 10,500 athletes crossed through the centre of Paris, the overall playing field for the Games on which these competitors will display their sporting prowess over the next 16 days. The parade came to the end of its 6-km route in front of the Trocadero.

    Eighty giant screens and strategically placed speakers allowed everyone to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this show reverberating throughout the French capital.

    (Source: X@Paris2024)

    Athletes onboard the parade boats got glimpses of some of the official Games venues, including Parc Urbain La Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides, the Grand Palais, and lastly the Iena Bridge where the parade will come to a stop before the ceremony’s finale at the Trocadero.

    But the best part of the ceremony was when legendary Zinedine Zidane passed the Olympic Flame to Rafael Nadal. The crowd went berserk and shouted their lungs out, cheering for the two stars.

    The torch was then taken down the Seine in a boat with Nadal, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci.

    At last, the Games were declared open.

    • Rain pain, no way!

    Rain tried to spoil the mood of the organisers but the fans remained on their seats to see the history in the making.

    Notably, Paris is hosting the Olympics for the third time after 100 years and the city is leaving no stone unturned to make it a big success.

    • Indian contingent led by P.V. Sindhu and Sharath Kamal

    As many as 78 Indian athletes and officials from 12 disciplines participated in the parade. Women athletes were wearing blue sarees while the men were in blue blazers and blue trousers.

    • Action begins on Saturday

    Indian athletes will be in action on the first day of the quadrennial event in seven sports disciplines including hockey, shooting and badminton.

    As per the schedule for Saturday (July 27), Indian rower Balraj Panwar will compete in the men’s single sculls (Heat 1) at 12:30 p.m. IST.

    In shooting, Elavenil Valarivan & Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta & Ramita Jindal will compete in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Qualification at 12:30 p.m. followed by 10m Air Pistol Men’s Qualification, in which Arjun Singh Cheema and Sarabjot Singh would be in action.

    Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan will also start their campaign on Saturday with the 10m Air Pistol Women’s Qualification at 4 p.m.

    In tennis, Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji will take on the French pair of Fabian Reboul and Edouard Roger Vasselin in the men’s doubles first-round match at 3:30 p.m.

    In badminton, Lakshya Sen will be up against Kevin Gua Cordon in the men’s singles group stage match at 7:10 p.m.

    In the men’s doubles category, India’s top pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will lock horns with France’s Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in their opening match at 8:30 p.m.

    In the women’s doubles category, Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto will play against the Korean pair of Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong in their first group stage match at 11:50 p.m.

    Harmeet Desai will start his campaign against Jordan’s Yaman Zaid Jor Abo in the men’s singles table tennis event in the preliminary round at 7:15 p.m.

    After the historic bronze finish in the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team will aim to change the colour of their medal as they start their journey against New Zealand in a Pool B match at 9 pm (IST).

    In boxing, Preeti Pawar will be up against Vietnam’s Vo Thi Kim Anh in the women’s 54kg round of 32 clash at 11:40 pm.

  • New PM only after Olympics, says Macron  

    New PM only after Olympics, says Macron  

    Gabriel Attal submitted his resignation as prime minister to Macron on July 8 after the ruling party failed to secure a majority in the snap legislative elections…reports Asian Lite News

    French President Emmanuel Macron said that he will not pick a new prime minister before the end of the Olympic Games to avoid “disorder”, local media reported.

    “This government has prepared the Games, and our responsibility is to make sure they go well,” Macron said during an interview with France 2 channel, adding that he has chosen “stability” to safeguard the Games, which gather nearly 10,500 athletes and millions of fans, Xinhua news agency reported.

    As the change of the prime minister and the appointment of a new government would create “chaos,” Macron called on political parties to seek compromises in the country’s parliament in the absence of an absolute majority.

    Gabriel Attal submitted his resignation as prime minister to Macron on July 8 after the ruling party failed to secure a majority in the snap legislative elections.

    On July 16, Macron accepted Attal’s resignation but asked him to stay as the head of a caretaker cabinet until the formation of a new administration.

    ALSO READ-Macron accepts PM Attal’s resignation

  • France faces challenges ahead of Paris Olympics  

    France faces challenges ahead of Paris Olympics  

    Macron has asked the ambitious 35-year-old to remain at his post “for the time being to ensure the stability of the country”, a statement from the presidency said…reports Asian Lite News

    France was plunged into political turmoil on Monday three weeks before hosting the Olympics, while a call for strikes at Paris airports added fresh uncertainty to the already tense build up.

    The run-up to the world’s biggest sporting event is usually fraught for host nations, but French President Emmanuel Macron added unexpected complexity last month by calling snap parliamentary elections.

    A second round of voting for the National Assembly on Sunday delivered a hung parliament, making it hard to know who will be in key government positions when the Games open on July 26.

    “Our country is facing an unprecedented political situation and is getting ready to host the world in a few weeks,” Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stressed on Sunday evening as he offered his resignation.

    Macron has asked the ambitious 35-year-old to remain at his post “for the time being to ensure the stability of the country”, a statement from the presidency said.

    It is unclear whether the head of state will seek to keep a caretaker government in place until the Paris Games close on August 11, but a left-wing alliance that topped Sunday’s vote is already pushing to name a candidate to replace Attal.

    The fate of Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who has overseen security preparations for the Games, is also in the balance.

    “What organisers worry about the most are things like delinquency and crime, and of course terrorism, as well as traffic conditions,” said Paul Dietschy, a history and sports professor at the Universite of Franche-Comte in France.

    “The interior minister is the most important position.”

    Darmanin said last week that if the far-right National Rally or hard-left France Unbowed party formed a government, then he would resign immediately.

    “The Olympic Games have been very well-prepared. Everyone knows it and everyone welcomes it,” he said.

    Elsewhere on Monday, unions representing workers at ADP, which runs the capital’s two main airports, said they had called for a strike next week to demand Olympics bonuses for all staff and a “massive” recruitment plan.

    Paris’s airports will be the main gateway into France for foreign visitors to the Olympics, with up to 350,000 people expected to transit there daily, as well as most athletes and their equipment.

    The strike on July 17 will occur just before athletes are set to arrive to take up residence in the newly built Olympic village in northern Paris.

    ADP has built new temporary over-sized baggage terminal at Charles de Gaulle airport to handle specialised sports equipment such as kayaks and bikes.

    Ahead of the 1998 football World Cup in France, the last time the country hosted such a major sporting event, pilots at national carrier Air France went on strike on the eve of kick-off along with taxi drivers and other transport workers.

    Police, air traffic controllers, rubbish collectors, central government employees, metro and train drivers as well as firefighters have all made pay demands ahead of the Olympics, seeking to use the leverage.

    Chief Olympics organiser Tony Estanguet has called for a “truce” between unions and employers during the competition.

    “I want us to welcome the world in the best possible conditions and we don’t want to spoil the party,” he told French television in February.

    Estanguet and the International Olympic Committee were both blindsided by Macron’s election gamble so close to the start of the Paris Games — as were most government ministers and voters.

    The prospect of the far-right taking power was seen by many observers as a risk that would undermine France’s image — and the themes of diversity and openness stressed by Paris 2024.

    Estanguet “must be feeling very happy since last night,” said David Roizen, an Olympics specialist at the left-leaning Jean-Jaures Foundation think-tank in Paris.

    Paris 2024 figures have also sought to stress that senior civil servants with responsiblity for Games-related issues like security and transport will remain in place even if the cabinet changes.

    The Games can count on “the continuity of the state”, the Paris organising committee said, adding they had worked “night and day in previous weeks to be ready.”

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  • Sreeja Akula Aims for Olympic Upsets After Career-High Ranking

    Sreeja Akula Aims for Olympic Upsets After Career-High Ranking

    In 2022, Sreeja had teamed up with Achanta Sharath Kamal to win the mixed doubles gold in her first-ever Commonwealth Games appearance in Birmingham…reports Asian Lite News

    Sreeja Akula created history earlier this week by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to win a WTT Contender singles title and on Tuesday she became India’s top-most paddler with a career-high ranking of 24. The 25-year-old now hopes to carry the momentum and create a few upsets at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Sreeja, who played an important role in helping India qualify for the team event at Paris 2024, will be participating in both the team and individual events and is high on confidence as she has hit a purple patch this year.

    During an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis, Sreeja said, “It’s my debut Olympic Games but I think I am well prepared for the tournament. I just want to play my best in whichever event I am playing and just want to create the maximum number of upsets.”

    In 2022, Sreeja had teamed up with Achanta Sharath Kamal to win the mixed doubles gold in her first-ever Commonwealth Games appearance in Birmingham.

    Sreeja, who had upset world no. 2 Wang Yidi of China at the 2023 ITTF World Team Championships, began the year by winning the WTT Feeder Corpus Christi 2024 singles title in January in Texas and added another crown in Beirut two months later. The Hyderabad-based paddler defeated upcoming Chinese player Ding Yijie in the singles final at the WTT Contender in Lagos and then combined with compatriot Archana Kamath to win a doubles crown.

    The former national champion also credited UTT experience for her overall development saying, “UTT has been very helpful for every table tennis player. I think we are getting good exposure and it’s really helping us in international tournaments as well.”

    Sreeja had an impressive season last year for Dabang Delhi TTC. Heading into the Olympics, She has worked extensively on her overall fitness and also on her mental conditioning as she wanted to be at her best ahead of the Paris Games.

    “For the last two years, I have been working a lot on improving my mental strength and I think that is the first aspect where I have improved, especially in 2024. I am mentally well prepared to play against any opponent, whoever it is.

    “I have also been working a lot on my strength and conditioning, especially to prevent injuries, and to improve my agility on the table. I think that has made a lot of difference in my game. I have also worked a lot on my first ball attack against the push. I have tried to be more consistent in attacking that ball and I can see these three aspects have brought a lot of change in my game,” Sreeja said.

    Both Indian men’s and women’s teams have secured a historic qualification in the team event at the Paris Olympics. Sreeja is part of the women’s team along with Manika Batra and Kamath whereas the men’s team consists of Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar.

    After the Olympics, Indian paddlers will be seen in action alongside top international stars in the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024, scheduled to be held in Chennai from August 22 to September 7.

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  • Macron launches countdown to 2024 Paris Olympics

    Macron launches countdown to 2024 Paris Olympics

    Macron also made reference to the ambitious 1.4-billion-euro scheme to clean the polluted waters of Paris’ main river artery…reports Asian Lite News

    French President Emmanuel Macron launched the 500-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday, bringing the public up to date with his government’s hopes for the Games, including the ambitious use of the Seine.

    Macron addressed hundreds of officials at a “speech of thanks” in the Paris police headquarters, saying that though plans are advancing “nothing should be taken as a guarantee.”

    “All that remains for us are 500 short days that separate us from the extraordinary events that are the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, (where) we are going to host the world,” Macron said.

    In the speech and on Twitter, Macron thanked the 45,000 volunteers mobilizing to make the Games “a success” and again trumpeted the 5,000 new sports grounds that are in the works. Officials are pushing to get infrastructure and sites ready in time, with projects pockmarking many of Paris’ boulevards.

    Macron also made reference to the ambitious 1.4-billion-euro scheme to clean the polluted waters of Paris’ main river artery.

    “The Seine and the Marne (rivers) will be made swimmable,” he said.

    Several events are to be held in the Seine, including the 10-kilometre swimming marathon — in a mirror of the first Paris Olympics in 1900.

    Macron also hopes to ditch tradition by staging the opening ceremony on water in an ambitious plan that will see craft floating on the Seine by the Eiffel Tower — as millions watch.

    The Paris Games’ budget is at 4.4 billion euros, according to an Elysee official who spoke anonymously in line with the French presidency’s customary practices.

    “The first phase of ticket sales is encouraging,” the Elysee official said. He added that the huge demand for tickets during the first phase of sales earlier this month, when more than 3 million tickets were sold, has made Macron confident that securing the funds for the Paris Games is on track.

    Macron has not yet weighed in on a Ukrainian-led call for a blanket ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.

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  • T10 eyes global expansion with Olympics as final destination

    T10 eyes global expansion with Olympics as final destination

    The giant that is the T10 hopes to proactively attract various nations around the globe so as to further grow the cricketing family, and inspire youngsters to take up the sport…reports Asian Lite News

    After the successful completion of the sixth season of Abu Dhabi T10, the fastest format in the game of cricket is looking to grow and leave its imprint globally, with continents like Asia and Africa earmarked as the next pit stops in what is set to be a storied journey.

    The very exciting T10 which is the brainchild of TTen Global Sports’ Chairman Shaji Ul Mulk is taking serious steps in terms of expansion and have already announced a tournament in Sri Lanka while another in Zimbabwe, which hopes to bring together more than 30 nations from the continent, is also locked in and ready for roll out.

    “This is a very unique time for African nations, and when we think of how we are going to be part of this, to grow the game, we are very excited. For us in Africa, the franchises coming here would open up the doorway for all of us to grow much better. In a few years, with the help of this partnership, we should be able to compete with the big guys. The most important thing is to give the youngsters a chance to play at the highest levels, with their icons,” said Kwame Asare, Chairman of the African Cricket Association.

    “This is a new brand of cricket that is coming to the continent of Africa and the country of Zimbabwe. All the sportspersons and stakeholders, men and women have embraced this format and we want this movement to grow from here. And on the other side, qualification for the T20 World Cup after a while was a big thing for us too, it has captured the mood of the nation and the fans, especially after the win against Pakistan. The addition of T10 has just brought more excitement among the fans and the cricket family,” said Dr Tevengwa Mukuhlani, Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket.

    The giant that is the T10 hopes to proactively attract various nations around the globe so as to further grow the cricketing family, and inspire youngsters to take up the sport. While bringing more cricketers into the sport is one aspect of the movement, the T10 bandwagon is also keen on attracting more fans to the sport, especially the newer generation.

    In Africa, the high-octane brand of cricket that is the T10 is not going to be restricted to only the men’s game but also in the works are plans for the women’s tournament. Over the last few years, franchise cricket and leagues in T20 and T10 have taken the world by storm, with cricketers and fans taking to it like a fish does to water.

    Speaking about the rapid growth and expansion, Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of the TTen Global Sports, said, “I think league and bilateral cricket are both very different and hold their own place in the hearts of the fans. Our objective, with the T10, is to draw a new crowd, attract more of the youth and also there are a lot of countries that don’t follow cricket as closely. With a 90-minute format, we hope to develop the sport in these countries.”

    The first ever edition of this dynamic tournament was held in 2017 with the International Cricket Council officially giving their nod for the Abu Dhabi T10. The league has seen significant year-on-year growth in viewership and economic value, with the 2021-2022 edition of the tournament having reached 342 million viewers through television and digital streaming compared to roughly 37 million viewers in the 2017 edition. Furthermore, such has been the T10’s popularity that the sixth season of the tournament in Abu Dhabi was graced by two new franchises from the USA in the New York Strikers and the Morrisville SAMP Army, who finished second and third, respectively.

    “The T10 is hoping to make its presence felt in at least five continents. While the Middle-East, Asia and Africa are already locked in, we also want to bring under our umbrella the Americas and Europe,” Shaji Ul Mulk added.

    The T10 movement aims not only at bringing on board more countries who aren’t traditionally nations that play cricket but also has one eye on the Summer Olympics, the very pinnacle of sporting excellence.

    “For cricket to be part of the Olympic family, it will only be a good thing. The whole thing is time-bound as the ICC can’t be there beyond a certain number of days. So, I believe, it is inevitable that, T10 is going to be the answer to this due to its shorter duration, especially because it is a 90-minute overall game,” said Cassim Suliman, CEO of the African Cricket Association.

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  • Los Angeles Summer Olympics dates announced

    Los Angeles Summer Olympics dates announced

    Organisers said the LA28 Games will use existing world-class stadiums and sports venues across the Los Angeles region, ensuring a sustainable and fiscally responsible event…reports Asian Lite News

    The Opening Ceremony of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games is set for July 14, 2028, with the Games running through July 30, organisers of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic events announced on Monday.

    In addition, the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games will kick off August 15, 2028, and close August 27, said LA28, the Los Angeles Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028.

    “Today marks the official countdown to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said five-time Olympic medallist and LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans in a statement.

    “The LA28 Games will be unlike any other, showcasing the best of Southern California’s exceptional stadiums and world-class culture to athletes and fans alike. This milestone makes the Games real for every athlete actively training for their LA28 dream and the fans who follow the journey,” Evans added, reports Xinhua.

    “LA is an ambitious city of endless possibilities and the Games will reflect our community,” said LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman in the statement, noting that Los Angeles will provide the perfect backdrop to host the biggest cultural, sporting and entertainment event in the world.

    Organisers said the LA28 Games will use existing world-class stadiums and sports venues across the Los Angeles region, ensuring a sustainable and fiscally responsible event.

    The LA28 Games will feature more than 3,000 hours of live sport across 800 events in more than 40 sports. 15,000 athletes are expected to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, according to LA 28.

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in Lima, Peru on September 13, 2017, that Paris will hold the 2024 Olympic Games and gave 2028 to Los Angeles. The IOC decision has made both the cities three-time Summer Olympics hosts as Paris hosted the games in 1900 and 1924 and Los Angeles hosted the games in 1932 and 1984.

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  • Olympic stars to lead India for World Athletics Championships

    Olympic stars to lead India for World Athletics Championships


    While most of the selections were on expected lines, some decisions raised eyebrows — like the omission of long jumper Jeswin Aldrin, who was left out despite qualifying for the event…reports Asian Lite News

    Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, top male steeplechaser Avinash Sable and long jumper M Sreeshankar will lead the Indian charge at the World Athletics Championships to be held at Eugene, Oregon in the US, from July 15-24.

    The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Thursday announced a 22-member squad, including five women, for the biggest competition for athletes this year.

    Neeraj, who recently finished second in the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, setting the national record of 89.30 metres in the process and then won a gold medal at the Kuortane Games with a creditable effort of 86.60m in horrible conditions, will be India’s main hope for a gold medal in Oregon, continuing his surge from Tokyo.

    AFI president Adille J. Sumariwalla said the team has been selected from among those who had either attained the entry standard set by World Athletics or qualified based on their world rankings.

    Seven of the 16 athletes, who will compete in individual events, are National Record holders. They include Sable, Sreeshankar, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Neeraj Chopra, Sandeep Kumar, Annu Rani and Priyanka Goswami.

    The AFI informed that quarter-miler Amoj Jacob has been selected for the 4x400m relay subject to fitness. “Arokia Rajiv will replace Amoj in case he does not regain fitness,” Sumariwalla said.

    Similarly, women 400m sprinter Aishwarya Kailash Mishra’s selection was subject to a fitness trial — with electronic time and dope testing. Recently, there were reports of her evading a dope test, though the athlete has denied the allegation.

    Aishwarya Mishra clocked 51.18 seconds in the Federation Cup in Kozhikode on April 3 and has not completed a lap in a competitive event since. She entered the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Chennai earlier this month but was disqualified after making a foul start in the 400m heats.

    Asked what explanation she gave for not being available for the dope test, Sumariwalla said the athlete informed that she was at her native place where her grandmother was unwell and had also lost her phone.

    While most of the selections were on expected lines, some decisions raised eyebrows — like the omission of long jumper Jeswin Aldrin, who was left out despite qualifying for the event.

    Sumariwalla and chief national coach Radhakrishnan Nair explained that Jeswin Aldrin was excluded as his form has declined since he achieved the qualification.

    “He attained the entry standard by jumping 8.26m in the Federation Cup on April 3 but his graph has shown only a downward trend since. He jumped 7.82, 7.69 and 7.51 in the last three meets,” Sumariwalla said.

    AFI President said shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was picked despite the Asian Champion not looking in good form. According to Sumariwalla, the Asian Champion was staging a comeback from wrist surgery and had kept improving his performances.

    “In the Inter-State Championships, which was a selection meet, Toor won with a 20.34m effort. He is the best we have in the shot put,” he said.

    The teams:

    Men: Avinash Sable (3000m Steeplechase), MP Jabir (400m Hurdles), M Sreeshankar and Muhammed Anees Yahiya (Long Jump), Abdulla Aboobacker, Praveen Chithravel and Eldhose Paul (Triple Jump), Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Shot Put), Neeraj Chopra and Rohit Yadav (Javelin Throw), Sandeep Kumar (20km Race Walking), Amoj Jacob*, Noah Nirmal Tom, Muhammed Ajmal, Naganathan Pandi, Rajesh Ramesh and Muhammed Anas Yahiya (4x400m).

    Women: S Dhanalakhsmi (200m), Aishwarya Kailash Mishra (400m), Parul Chaudhary (3000m Steeplechase), Annu Rani (Javelin Throw) and Priyanka Goswami (20km Walk).

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  • Olympics finalist Saurabh Chaudhary wins three gold medals in shooting trials

    Olympics finalist Saurabh Chaudhary wins three gold medals in shooting trials

    Saurabh shot 562 in the T4 60-shot series to leave behind Kunal Rana of the Indian Navy, who shot 555. The same score in the junior Men’s event meant Punjab’s Arjun Singh Cheema with a 547 had to settle for silver…reports Asian Lite News

    Former world number one and Tokyo Olympics finalist Saurabh Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh swept the Men’s 50M Pistol trials at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range winning three gold medals and a silver across the senior and junior categories.

    On Day 5 of the National Selection trials 3 & 4 for pistol events, Saurabh won both the Men’s and Junior Men’s 50M Pistol T4 trials, after he had won bronze in the Men’s T3 event while maintaining gold in the Junior Men’s T3 competition.

    Saurabh shot 562 in the T4 60-shot series to leave behind Kunal Rana of the Indian Navy, who shot 555. The same score in the junior Men’s event meant Punjab’s Arjun Singh Cheema with a 547 had to settle for silver.

    Saurabh had come third behind the seasoned Gaurav Rana of the Air Force and Om Prakash Mitherval of Rajasthan in the Men’s T3 competition earlier. Gaurav had shot 553 for gold, Om Prakash 553 for silver while Saurabh came third with 552.

    Late on Sunday evening, Vijayveer Sidhu of Punjab had bagged the Junior Men’s Rapid-Fire Pistol T3 trials over the Haryana pair of Anish and Adarsh Singh who came second and third respectively. The T4 Rapid Fire results are expected on Wednesday.

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