Olympic games

'Global shift' as Olympics set up shop

Asia - Muslimchronicle

When the cauldron ignites in Pyeongchang on February 9, it will open a sequence of three Olympic Games in Asia over the next four years -- highlighting the region's growing clout, and also the declining interest among Western powers in holding the multi-billion dollar events. After next month's Winter Games in South Korea, Tokyo will take centre stage in 2020 and BeijingRead more

Van Niekerk says knee surgery 'successful'

Johannesburg - Muslimchronicle

Olympic Games and world 400-metre champion Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa said Thursday that surgery on his right knee in the United States had been successful. "Successful op done and dusted. Rehab already started. Ready for the hard work ahead," tweeted the 25-year-old star. His agent, Peet van Zyl, said in a statement: "We are pleased to have receivedRead more

Brazil troops storm Rio slums to catch gang leaders

Rio de Janeiro - Muslimchronicle

Thousands of Brazilian army troops raided Rio de Janeiro slums in a pre-dawn crackdown on crime gangs on Saturday, leaving parts of the city looking like a war zone on the first anniversary of the opening of the Olympic Games. Five favelas were targeted by around 1,300 police and 3,600 troops in a sweep starting at 4 am (0700 GMT),Read more

Brazil's defiant Lula says people will decide his fate

Sao Paulo - Muslimchronicle

Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Saturday that voters would decide his fate, shrugging off his graft conviction and insisting he was still in the presidential race. It was Lula's second public speech after an anti-corruption judge handed him a nine-and-a-half year sentence on Wednesday, finding the icon of Latin America's left guilty of taking bribes andRead more

New Australia cycling boss pledges 'compassionate' approach

Beijing - Arab Today

Li Yongbo, who led the Chinese national badminton team to gold medal victory at six Olympic games, will step down as head coach, media reports said on Wednesday. Fans have been calling for Li's retirement since China's subpar performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they won only two gold medals, the lowest number since 2000. "After serving so manyRead more

China badminton head coach to retire after 24 years

Beijing - ArabToday

Populist surge impacting on Olympics image

London - ArabToday

The anti-establishment surge that led to Brexit and Donald Trump becoming US President has also impacted on bids to host the Olympic Games, British Olympic chief Hugh Robertson told AFP in an interview on Monday. There has been much debate about the health of the Olympics brand with just two bidders left in the race for the 2024 Summer GamesRead more

From the beautiful game, to a beautiful view

Belo Horizonte - Arab Today

The music and mayhem of last month’s Carnival in Rio de Janeiro will help paper over the cracks, but the sight of the city’s Maracanã Stadium, deserted, derelict and shorn of its contents following a recent looting, might just be the perfect symbol for how Brazil has been left in economic ruins since its hosting of the FIFA World CupRead more

Rights groups praise IOC’s revised Games contract

Berlin - Arab Today

A new contract for future Olympic Games hosts that makes the protection of human rights a core requirement earned praise from rights groups on Tuesday who say preparations of major sports events lead to rights violations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has now made a specific reference to the protection of human rights in its revised host city contract, sentRead more

Legendary gymnast Olga Korbut sells Munich medal collection

Los Angeles - Arab Today

Legendary gymnast Olga Korbut has sold her collection of medals won at the 1972 Munich Olympic games among a sale of memorabilia at an auction in the United States, auctioneers said on Monday. Korbut, 61, captured the imagination of the sporting world with her spellbinding displays in Munich before competing at the Montreal Games four years later. The Arizona-based formerRead more