Andy Murray has officially withdrawn from the singles event at the Paris Olympics.
The two-time gold medallist is still not fully recovered from the back surgery he had last month and believes the men’s doubles, where he is playing with Dan Evans, offers his best chance of another medal.
Murray said: “I’ve take the decision to withdraw from the singles to concentrate on the doubles with Dan.
Andy Murray
“Our practice has been great and we’re playing well together. Really looking forward to getting started and representing GB one more time.”
The 37-year-old, who won gold in singles in London and Rio as well as silver in mixed doubles with Laura Robson in 2012, confirmed earlier this week that he will retire after the Olympics.
Murray’s withdrawal means his final singles match was his brief second-round appearance at Queen’s Club against Jordan Thompson before he was forced to pull out because of a spinal cyst.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against Canada Soccer and several individuals, including head coach Bev Priestman, amid claims a drone was used to spy on Olympic rivals New Zealand.
Bev Priestman
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, have been sent home in connection with what the Canadian Olympic Committee has said it believes to be two separate instances of a drone being used to record Football Ferns training sessions.
Priestman, once the assistant to former Lionesses boss Phil Neville, has announced she will not take charge of the defending Olympic champions for Thursday’s New Zealand clash, their tournament opener, with ex-Everton manager Andy Spence filling in.
A statement read: “The FIFA disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against Canada Soccer, Ms Beverly Priestman, Mr Joseph Lombardi and Ms Jasmine Mander due to the potential breach of article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code and article 6.1 of the regulations Olympic football tournaments games of the XXXIII Olympiad Paris 2024 – final competition, following incidents involving a non-accredited member of the Canadian delegation at the Women’s Olympic football tournament, who is believed to have used a drone to record the New Zealand women’s football team.
“The matter will be submitted for the consideration of the disciplinary committee in the next days.”
Canada Soccer president Peter Augruso and CEO/general secretary Kevin Blue also expressed their “unequivocal disapproval” in a joint statement announcing that their organisation would be conducting its own independent investigation.
It read: “On behalf of our federation, we offer our sincere apologies to the impacted players, coaches, and officials.
“Canada Soccer has always sought to prioritise integrity and fair competition, and we understand that competing with honesty is a baseline expectation for all Canadians. We failed to meet those expectations in this case, and for that, we apologise.
“As an immediate next step, Canada Soccer will proceed with an independent external review. This review will address the circumstances of the current matter, and more broadly, will seek to understand the historical culture of competitive ethics within all of our programs.
“The outcome of this review will be shared publicly and corrective actions, if necessary, will be taken. We will maintain prompt and transparent communication on this matter.”
A statement from the COC said Mander and Lombardi would be sent home immediately and Canada Soccer staff would undergo “mandatory ethics training”.
Priestman said: “On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologise to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,” Priestman said.
“This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our programme. Accordingly, to emphasise our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday.
“In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”
The COC said it was told a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team had been detained by French authorities in St Etienne following a complaint by New Zealand Football on July 22.
Following the COC’s review of that incident it said it had learned of a “second drone incident” on July 19.
World number one Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Olympics on the advice of doctors after contracting tonsillitis.
The Italian, who captured a maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, struggled with dizziness in his Wimbledon quarter-final defeat by Daniil Medvedev earlier this month.
He had been readying himself for a return to clay with a practice week in Monaco but started feeling ill on Monday evening and has since been told to skip the Paris Games.
The withdrawal of Sinner, who was also scheduled to compete in the doubles with Lorenzo Musetti, means 37-year-old Novak Djokovic will be top seed when the men’s singles draw is made on Thursday.
Sinner wrote on his social channels: “I am saddened to inform you that unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games.
“After a good week of clay training, I started to feel unwell.
“I spent a couple of days resting and during a visit, the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing.
“Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season. I couldn’t wait to have the honour of representing my country in this very important event.”
Sinner would have been a strong contender for at least a podium position at Roland Garros after reaching the French Open semi-finals there last month, losing in five tight sets to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Argentina’s match against Morocco at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was suspended for over an hour following a reaction from the crowd when Cristian Medina scored a late equaliser.
Morocco led the Group B clash 2-1 and in the final stages of the game Argentina hit the frame of the goal twice before midfielder Medina struck in the 16th minute of stoppage time to level the match.
However, his equaliser sparked objects being thrown onto the pitch and players were taken off for their safety.
Fans were then asked to leave the stadium with a message being projected on screens that read: “Your session has been suspended, please leave the stadium.”
After over an hour without play, the game resumed behind closed doors with three minutes left on the clock and Medina’s 106th-minute leveller was chalked off for an offside in the build-up.
The game finished 2-1 to Morocco thanks to Soufiane Rahimi’s brace.
The Paris Olympics began in earnest on Wednesday when the first batch of pool games in rugby sevens kicked off in front of a noisy crowd at the iconic Stade de France where Ireland beat South Africa 10-5 in a blockbuster clash.
James Topping’s side were the first of Team Ireland in action at these games and certainly delivered with a possession-dominant performance in Saint Denis, as Jordan Conroy and Terry Kennedy went over for tries in either half.
The opening game win puts Ireland in a strong position in Pool A heading into their second outing against Japan later this evening at 8pm Irish time. The Japanese side suffered defeat to New Zealand in the other Pool A clash this afternoon.
Although the Olympics opening ceremony is not until Friday, soccer and rugby sevens preliminary rounds got underway for logistical reasons in Paris and around the country.
The shorter but speedier rugby format allows teams to play more than one match a day and the medals in the men’s and women’s tournaments will be decided before the 81,000-capacity stadium hosts the athletics events from August 1st.
Scores of fans lined up outside the sun-kissed arena for the rugby sevens, the majority in blue to support the host nation.
“It’s been excitement, emotions, impatience … I’ve been looking forward to the start,” said 44-year-old France fan Matthieu.
“We’re at the heart of the biggest event that we’ve been waiting a long time to see.”
Another France fan, Pauline from Toulouse, arrived with three kids in tow and there was no question who they were most keen to watch when they screamed, “Antoine Dupont!”.
The 27-year-old is a former world player of the year in the fifteen-man format and made the switch to Sevens after last year’s Rugby World Cup, immediately elevating France to title contenders with his versatility.
The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for when Dupont, who has mostly come on as an impact replacement, was announced in the starting lineup in the Pool C opener against the United States.
The crowd were treated to a thriller of a match with American Marcus Tupuola scoring a late try to lock up the scores at 12-12. Madison Hughes missed the conversion leaving the two teams to share the spoils.
“It was a huge atmosphere,” Dupont said. “It’s not common for us to play in this kind of stadium, we have to embrace this atmosphere, to embrace this pressure, to play better in the next game.”
Fiji are seeking a hat-trick of golds to underline their dominance in their national sport and they later went top of Pool C with a thumping 40-12 victory over Uruguay, who were no match for the speed and power of the Pacific islanders.
Earlier, Australia kicked off their Pool B campaign with a 21-14 win over Samoa fired by two tries from veteran flyer Henry Hutchison.
Argentina were roundly booed by the crowd when they took to the pitch for their Pool B match against Kenya in what was perhaps a spillover from the 2022 soccer World Cup final between France and the South Americans.
Such was their disdain for the men in powder blue-and-white, the crowd jeered even when Argentina scored their five tries while loudly cheering on every Kenya move.
Argentina were unperturbed as they toyed with the African side and eased to a 31-12 victory.
The Paris Olympics are a few days away and Nigeria, the giant of Africa, pulsates with vibrant energy and a winning spirit that shines on the world stage as our athletes set out to break every record possible at the 2024 Olympics starting on July 26, 2024. And where does that spirit burn brightest? On the Olympic podium, draped in gold that signifies victory!
While some nations have overflowing trophy cabinets, Nigeria’s five Olympic gold medals hold a special weight. Each tells a story of resilience, audacious talent, and the unwavering belief that anything is possible.
1996: Atlanta Lights Up for the Super Eagles
Nigerian players celebrate their 3-2 victory over Argentina in the men’s final of the 1996 Olympics. (Photo by Jerome Prevost/TempSport/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
The year is etched in Nigerians hearts. A young, unfancied football team, the Super Eagles, took on the footballing giants Argentina in the final. Against all odds, they clawed their way back from a deficit, with Emmanuel Amunike’s golden goal in the dying minutes sending the nation into a frenzy. This win wasn’t just about football; it was a roar that announced Africa’s arrival on the world sporting scene.
Glory at the Long Jump: A Moment for Chioma Ajunwa (1996)
Chioma Ajunwa’s long jump glory moment at Atlanta 1996
Atlanta wasn’t done celebrating Nigeria! Chioma Ajunwa defied expectations with a thunderous long jump, snatching the gold medal from the grasp of favorites like Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Her infectious victory dance became an iconic image, a celebration of Nigerian power and athleticism.
Weightlifting Wonder: Ruth Ogbeifo Picks Up the Pace (2000)
At the Sydney Olympics, Nigeria flexed its muscular might in a different arena. Ruth Ogbeifo, a weightlifting wonder, lifted double her body weight to secure gold! Her feat became an inspiration for aspiring female athletes across the nation.
A Double Dose of Victory: Discus Domination (2008)
Beijing witnessed Nigeria’s golden touch return, this time in pairs. Blessing Okagbare and Ajoke Odumosu triumphed in the women’s long jump and discus throw. Their victories showcased the depth of Nigerian athletics talent and the nation’s unwavering commitment to sporting excellence.
Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare competes during the women’s long jump final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on August 11, 2013. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images ORG XMIT:
These five golden moments are just a glimpse into Nigeria’s rich Olympic history. They are a testament to the unwavering spirit of a nation that continues to defy expectations and dance on the world stage. So, the next time you see the Nigerian flag raised high, remember the stories it tells – stories of triumph, resilience, and a nation that grabs hold of gold.
As Nigeria gears up to showcase her athletic prowess on the world stage once again, don’t forget to cheer them on by talking about their feats, triumphs and attempts as Nigeria’s talented athletes chase Olympic gold.
Roger Federer has revealed he faces “many months” out of the game as he prepares to undergo further knee surgery.
The 40-year-old, who missed the Tokyo Olympics with a knee injury after losing in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, said he had opted for another operation to give himself “a glimmer of hope” of returning to competition.
“I’ll be on crutches for many weeks and also out of the game for many months,” he said in a video on Instagram on Sunday evening.
Federer, who will miss the upcoming US Open, said: “I just wanted to give you a bit of an update about what’s been going on since Wimbledon, as you can imagine it’s not been simple.
“I’ve been doing a lot of checks with the doctors as well on my knee, getting all the information as I hurt myself further during the grass court season in Wimbledon and it’s just not the way to go forward.
“Unfortunately for the medium to long term to feel better I will need surgery so I decided to do it.”
The former world number one, who has won a joint record 20 grand slam titles with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, admitted he did not know whether he would be able to return to top-level tennis, only that his desire to come back to the tour remained.
He added: “It’s going to be difficult of course in some ways, but at the same time I know it’s the right thing to do because I want to be healthy, I want to be running around later as well again and I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form.
“I am realistic. Don’t get me wrong, I know how difficult it is at this age to do another surgery and try it. I want to be healthy, I will go through the rehab process I think also with a goal, while I’m still active, which I think is going to help me during this long period of time.
Great Britain sprinter CJ Ujah, part of the men’s 4x100m team who won silver at the Tokyo Olympics, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for an alleged anti-doping breach.
Ujah (27) was part of the British quartet alongside Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake who were beaten on the finish line by Italy.
The AIU announced on Thursday that following the conclusion of the Games, the doping control laboratory in Tokyo also notified the International Testing Agency of an additional ‘adverse analytical finding’ from testing during the Olympics.
Ujah was found to have presence/use of a prohibited substances ostarine and S-23, which are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) and help with building muscle.
If the case against Ujah is proven, he could face losing his relay silver medal along with the rest of the British team.
As well as the British athlete, Bahrain’s 1500m runner Sadik Mikhou, Georgian shot-putter Benik Abramyan and Kenya sprinter Mark Otieno Odhiambo have also been provisionally suspended following adverse tests, the AIU confirmed.
A statement from the AIU read: “The AIU now awaits the conclusion of the ITA proceedings against the above athletes, which will determine whether any anti-doping rule violations have been committed and what consequences (if any) should be imposed in relation to the Olympic Games.
“Any consequences beyond the Olympic Games to be imposed upon the athletes under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules will be determined following the conclusion of the ITA proceedings.”
Humility and quotes from the movie The Lion King are not qualities normally associated with boxers, but they carried Ireland’s Kellie Harrington to Olympic gold in the women’s lightweight division on the final day of the Games.
As Harrington carried the Irish flag into the stadium at opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games, she stopped her team to bow to the Japanese people to show their gratitude for the Games taking place.
She swapped bowing for a serene mantra as she made it through to the gold medal bout taken from the Disney movie The Lion King – “hakuna matata”, which means “there are no worries” in Swahili.
It’s par for the course for the 31-year-old, whose technical displays saw her crown her amateur career in the best way possible by beating Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira on points to claim the gold.
“We’re Irish. We’re a country of people who just love to give, and that’s just what we showed on that day. I’m so thankful that the Olympics was able to go ahead, and I just wanted to thank the people of Japan for allowing this to happen,” she told reporters of the Irish bow.
“I just felt we wanted to say ‘thank you’, and that’s what we did as a team, we bowed because I know that bowing is a mark of respect in Japan.”
Harrington gave credit to her opponents, especially those who won medals in her class.
“It’s just an amazing feeling, to be getting in there and knowing that two of the best are putting it all on the line, I just think for anyone who steps through the ropes, we’re already champions,” she said.
“I said it before I was standing on that podium today, and the four of us are cream. We rose to the top.”
Asked what her colleagues and the patients at St Vincents Hospital in Dublin where she works would have to say about her gold medal, Harrington’s smile broadened.
Tokyo doused its Olympic flame on Sunday in a ceremony that echoed the restraint of a Games held without spectators and transformed by the global pandemic, dazzling sport and deeply person turmoil.
After postponing the Tokyo 2020 Games for a year, organisers said the event would serve as a symbol of world triumph over the pandemic. But with strict pandemic countermeasures and as Covid-19 variants have surged back around the world, the Olympics fell short of the triumph and financial windfall Japan had wanted.
The ceremony, although lustreless, gave athletes something of a glimpse of everyday Tokyo life as the Olympic Stadium was transformed into a park with grass, buskers and BMX riders.
The scene was meant so the visitors could “experience Tokyo”, organisers said, a poignant reminder of the many restrictions of the Games.
It was a duly odd ending to an unprecedented event. Japan is now saddled with a $15 billion (€12.8 billion) bill, double what it initially expected, and with no tourist boom.
The president of the International Olympic Committee thanked the Japanese people and acknowledged the difficulty of staging the Games during the pandemic.
“For the first time since the pandemic began, the entire world came together,” Thomas Bach said. “Nobody has ever organised a postponed Games before.”
