Winter Games

Russian speed skater An 'banned from Olympics for doping'

Seoul - Muslimchronicle

Russia's Viktor Ahn, the most decorated Olympic short track speed skater, has been barred from competing at next month's Pyeongchang Winter Games in his native South Korea, the TASS news agency has reported. Born Ahn Hyun-soo in Seoul, the skater won three gold medals and a bronze at the 2006 Turin Games for South Korea but was passed over for VancouverRead more

Olympic flame stops in Seoul

Seoul - Muslimchronicle

Cheering crowds welcomed the Olympic flame to a freezing Seoul on Saturday, where the torch will be paraded for four days before making its way to Pyeongchang for the start of the Winter Games. The outlook for next month's sporting extravaganza has brightened since North Korea confirmed its participation, lifting security concerns over the South's nuclear-armed neighbour. The North hasRead more

Putin says US pressured IOC to ban Russia from Winter Games

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the US had put indirect pressure on the International Olympic Committee to block Russia from the Winter Games, adding it would be a "humiliation" for the country. The IOC is currently assessing if Russian athletes will be allowed to appear at the event in South Korea in February. Athletics world governing body theRead more

N.Korea doubts over South's Olympic invite

Seoul - AFP

A top North Korean sports official voiced doubts over a proposal by South Korean President Moon Jae-In to form a unified Olympic team, citing political tensions and a lack of time, a report said. The comment by Chang Ung, the North's delegate to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) came after Moon suggested that two Koreas pool their athletes to formRead more

Qatar to Participate in Special Olympics World Winter Games

Doha - Arab Today

Qatari team will participate in the 11th Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, which will kick off on Friday and continue until 25 March. The competitions will see the participation of 3000 athletes from 110 countries, including 15 Arab countries, namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Syria. TheRead more

Sri Lankan 'Eddie the Eagle' takes snowboarding plunge

Sapporo - Arab Today

Following in the traditions of plucky triers such as Jamaica's bobsledders and British ski jumper Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards, a Sri Lankan snowboarder has overcome her nerves and a glaring lack of experience to blaze a trail at the Asian Winter Games. Despite "freaking out" -- and then falling -- at the start line, 16-year-old Azquiya Usuph took off andRead more

Brisk demand for Pyeongchang Winter Olympics tickets

Seoul - Arab Today

Winter Olympics organisers cheered unexpectedly brisk demand as ticket applications opened Thursday, exactly one year before Pyeongchang 2018's official start in South Korea. Organisers received more than 18,000 ticket applications within two hours, as they unveiled the Olympic torch inspired by traditional Korean porcelain. Nearly 3,000 athletes from around 100 nations will gather in Pyeongchang next year for the country'sRead more

'Ghost skier' leads Winter Olympic Games data revolution

St. Moritz - Arab Today

A "ghost skier" hurtling down the slope, an athlete's glucose levels flashing across the screen along with his heart rate -- it is all part of an Olympic data revolution awaiting television viewers. With the one-year countdown to the Pyeongchang Winter Games starting Thursday, European broadcaster Eurosport along with counterparts in North America and Japan are racing to get theirRead more

Tokyo 2020 Olympic medals to be made of recycled metals

Tokyo - Arab Today

Medals for the Tokyo Olympics will be made from old smartphones and other electronic products, organisers said Wednesday, as they look to give the Games an environmentally friendly hue. "Medals made with recycled metals from discarded mobile phones and other gadgets can be a symbol of sustainability and public participation," spokeswoman Hikariko Ono told reporters. Ono said details, such asRead more