China’s table tennis chief has bemoaned Covid-19 safety rules at the Tokyo Olympics, saying they are making life “extremely difficult” as his team looks to sweep the golds once again. China have won 28 of the 32 table tennis titles awarded at the Olympics, dominating a sport in a way that has rarely been matched. […]
2020
Afghan cyclist paves the road for refugees at Olympics
Afghan refugee Masomah Ali Zada hopes to be a beacon for women forced to quit their country or abandon their sporting dreams when she crosses the start line at the Tokyo Olympics. The 24-year-old road cyclist had stones thrown at her and was physically attacked in her homeland for daring to don sportswear and ride […]
US Olympians seek ‘corporate knowledge’ says Budenholzer
US Olympic basketball coach Gregg Popovich’s struggling group of NBA stars is having to build the “corporate knowledge” that became a trademark of Popovich’s NBA championship teams in San Antonio. So says Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, who spent 17 seasons as an assistant to Popovich with the Spurs, being on his staff for four […]
Racist abuse of England players is ‘unforgivable’, says Southgate
Gareth Southgate has condemned the “unforgivable” racist abuse aimed at the three England players who missed penalties in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were the victims of sickening social media taunts in the aftermath of the 3-2 penalty shoot-out loss at Wembley. While some people identifying […]
UK PM condemns racial abuse of England football stars
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said he was appalled at racial abuse targeting England’s football stars, after they lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on a penalty shoot-out. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, the three players who missed England’s penalties on Sunday, were the victims of a stream of abuse […]
Not just Covid: earthquakes, typhoons pose threat at Tokyo Olympics
The coronavirus might top the risks at the Tokyo Olympics, but organisers in Japan have other deadly, unpredictable threats to contend with: natural disasters. Japan is regularly rattled by earthquakes and battered by typhoons, and experts warn that disaster preparation for a major event like the Games should not take a back seat because of […]
Heat risks add to challenges for Tokyo’s pandemic-hit Olympics
Searing heat, dripping humidity, and face masks: it’s going to be a sweaty Tokyo Olympics and while coronavirus measures are top priority, heatstroke remains a serious risk, experts warn. Long before the pandemic forced Tokyo 2020’s postponement, the Japanese capital’s brutal summer heat was the main health concern for organisers. While the Games have been […]
Euro 2020 crowning moment for Roberto Mancini, Italy’s renaissance man
Roberto Mancini marked the crowning moment of his career on Sunday by winning the European Championship title with an Italy side transformed from the dark days of their 2018 World Cup qualifying fiasco. The four-time world champions beat England 3-2 on penalties as the Euro 2020 final finished 1-1 after extra time at Wembley, with […]
Triumphant Italy return to Rome after Euro 2020 victory
Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini lifted the gleaming cup towards the Rome sky Monday as his triumphant team touched down on home soil after winning Euro 2020 by beating England in a tense penalty shootout in Wembley. Chiellini, the 36-year-old veteran at the heart of Italy’s defence, wore a crown as he held the trophy aloft […]
‘The biggest day’: Atmosphere builds ahead of Euro 2020 final
Hundreds of jubilant England fans descended on Wembley Stadium early Sunday singing songs, drinking beer and savouring the atmosphere as the country competes in its first major football tournament final in over half a century. Supporters draped in red and white flags congregated along the famous approach to the stadium, Wembley Way, downing pints of […]