Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-wada-report-shows-jump-in-global-doping-cases-269293">World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)</a> ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.&nbsp;

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency in a letter to WADA sent a notice of disagreement for the sanctions, RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told reporters in Moscow.&nbsp;

"In accordance with established procedure, today we have sent a package of documents to WADA," said Ganus.&nbsp;

"The package contains a notice about disagreement with WADA sanctions."

Russia on December 19 had announced its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-to-appeal-against-wadas-four-year-doping-ban-269167">decision to appeal</a> against the imposed ban that bars Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag.

"RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev had declared.&nbsp;

Ganus also sent the anti-doping agency a letter citing his personal stance on the matter.&nbsp;

"I regret to inform you that all my attempts including attempts to introduce changes to the RUSADA notice have failed," said the letter.

Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter.&nbsp;

"If WADA does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean.

"If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?" Putin added.&nbsp;

WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">ban against Russia</a> after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic".

Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation.

Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/euro-2020-qualifiers-with-20-out-of-24-berths-filled-england-france-italy-top-their-groups-263461">Euro 2020</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The appeal is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia. 
&nbsp; 
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Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.

Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency in a letter to WADA sent a notice of disagreement for the sanctions, RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told reporters in Moscow. "In accordance with established procedure, today we have sent a package of documents to WADA," said Ganus. "The package contains a notice about disagreement with WADA sanctions." Russia on December 19 had announced its decision to appeal against the imposed ban that bars Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag. "RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev had declared. Ganus also sent the anti-doping agency a letter citing his personal stance on the matter. "I regret to inform you that all my attempts including attempts to introduce changes to the RUSADA notice have failed," said the letter. Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter. "If WADA does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean. "If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?" Putin added. WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a ban against Russia after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic". Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation. Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for Euro 2020. The appeal is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

Russia officially challenges four year doping ban

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/international-olympic-committee-approves-exclusion-of-boxing-body-from-tokyo-2020-games-230612">International Olympic Committee</a> is&nbsp;extremely&nbsp;upset&nbsp;by the latest&nbsp;doping&nbsp;scandal involving Russia and swift progress is being made to bring the issue to a conclusion, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

A World Anti-Doping&nbsp;Agency (WADA) compliance committee recommended last week that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban, which would keep it out of next year’s Tokyo Games, as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory&nbsp;data.

WADA's executive committee will meet in Lausanne on December&nbsp;9 to consider the recommendations, which the head of Russia's Olympic Committee described last week as "excessive, inappropriate and wrong."

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-anti-doping-agency-pleads-case-ahead-of-wada-meeting-191475">Russian&nbsp;Anti-Doping&nbsp;Agency</a> (RUSADA) was initially suspended after a 2015 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-moves-crucial-exco-meeting-to-lausanne-from-paris-265865">WADA report</a> found evidence of widespread state-sponsored&nbsp;doping&nbsp;in&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;sport involving athletes across many sports.

"Things are moving pretty quickly,"&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;spokesman Mark Adams said. "We condemn (the&nbsp;manipulation&nbsp;of&nbsp;data) in the strongest terms. We asked for the raw&nbsp;data&nbsp;to be given up if it can be.

"There is a WADA meeting in the next few days so it could be happening more quickly.

"People (within the&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;Executive Board) are&nbsp;extremely&nbsp;upset&nbsp;and condemn it."

The&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;is still unclear about the next steps in a&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;doping&nbsp;saga that has dragged on since 2015 and tarnished several Olympics, including the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and the Pyeongchang Winter Games last year.

The WADA decision is likely to determine whether&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;athletes, who can prove they are clean, will compete as neutrals or whether some will be invited by the&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;to compete in Tokyo.

"I am not totally clear on that. I would imagine the (IOC) Executive Board would be able to make a decision," Adams said when asked about the process after WADA's decision next Monday.

"To be honest WADA is responsible. It is a process that needs to go from WADA eventually to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

The&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;is eager to have clarity on the matter as soon as possible to avoid a protracted legal fight similar to the one prior to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/olympics-2016/rio-olympics-2016-games-end-in-blaze-of-colour-japan-takes-the-baton-5309">Rio Olympics</a> when dozens of&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;athletes appealed to CAS to be allowed to compete in Brazil only weeks or even days before their competitions.

The International Olympic Committee is extremely upset by the latest doping scandal involving Russia and swift progress is being made to bring the issue to a conclusion, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The International Olympic Committee is extremely upset by the latest doping scandal involving Russia and swift progress is being made to bring the issue to a conclusion, a spokesman said on Tuesday. A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliance committee recommended last week that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban, which would keep it out of next year’s Tokyo Games, as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory data. WADA's executive committee will meet in Lausanne on December 9 to consider the recommendations, which the head of Russia's Olympic Committee described last week as "excessive, inappropriate and wrong." The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was initially suspended after a 2015 WADA report found evidence of widespread state-sponsored doping in Russian sport involving athletes across many sports. "Things are moving pretty quickly," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "We condemn (the manipulation of data) in the strongest terms. We asked for the raw data to be given up if it can be. "There is a WADA meeting in the next few days so it could be happening more quickly. "People (within the IOC Executive Board) are extremely upset and condemn it." The IOC is still unclear about the next steps in a Russian doping saga that has dragged on since 2015 and tarnished several Olympics, including the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and the Pyeongchang Winter Games last year. The WADA decision is likely to determine whether Russian athletes, who can prove they are clean, will compete as neutrals or whether some will be invited by the IOC to compete in Tokyo. "I am not totally clear on that. I would imagine the (IOC) Executive Board would be able to make a decision," Adams said when asked about the process after WADA's decision next Monday. "To be honest WADA is responsible. It is a process that needs to go from WADA eventually to the Court of Arbitration for Sport." The IOC is eager to have clarity on the matter as soon as possible to avoid a protracted legal fight similar to the one prior to the Rio Olympics when dozens of Russian athletes appealed to CAS to be allowed to compete in Brazil only weeks or even days before their competitions.

International Olympic Committee extremely upset by Russian doping data manipulation

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge on Saturday made history, busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on a specially prepared course in a huge Vienna park.

With an unofficial time of 1hr 59min 40.2sec, the Olympic champion became the first ever to run a marathon in under two hours in the Prater park with the course readied to make it as even as possible.

The 34-year-old already holds the men's world record for the distance with a time of 2hr 01min 39sec, which he set in the flat Berlin marathon on September 16, 2018.

But accompanied by a posse of 41 pacemakers and a car in front of them setting the pace, Kipchoge bested that mark, making good on a failed attempt two years ago in Monza, Italy.

"I am the first man - I want to inspire many people, that no human is limited," said the history-making Kipchoge.

"We can make this world a beautiful world and a peaceful world. My wife and three children, I am happy for them to come and witness history."

Maintaining a very regular pace at around 2:50 minutes per kilometre, he passed the finish line gesturing and smiling.

He had been 11 seconds in advance at mid-race as fans lining the course, many waving Kenyan flags, loudly cheered him on.

Kipchoge told reporters earlier this week that his attempt in the Austrian capital was about "making history in this world, like the first man to go to the moon".

"I just have to make that click in people's minds that no human is limited," he had said.

Surfaces evened out

Because of the way the run was set up and paced the International Association of Athletics Federations will not validate the time as a world record.

The running surface had been partly retarred and readied with other features such as a banked corner that could save time and avoid injury.&nbsp;

Pacemakers took turns to support him throughout the 42.195-kilometre (26.219-miles) race. They included 1,500-metre Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz and former world champion Bernard Lagat.

The course included a 4.3 kilometre-long straight alley, which the Kenyan ran up and down several times amid dry but foggy weather.

"The course is extremely good. I'm happy with the course," Kipchoge, whose family has accompanied him to Vienna, said earlier this week.

Chris Froome, leader of Ineos cycling team, also watched Kipchoge's race in Vienna, according to the organisers.

Organisers only allowed their own cameras to film the run itself.&nbsp;

Throngs of fans cheered on Kipchoge whenever he passed by.

"It's history in the making. I'm very proud... It will be a motivation to a lot of young people. People are looking up to him," said Nichasius Koech, 37, a software engineer from Kenya who works in Germany, ahead of the run.

Another fan, Joe Saissi, 25, from London said it was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

Kipchoge already tried in May 2017 to break the two-hour barrier, running on the Monza National Autodrome racing circuit in Italy, failing narrowly in 2hr 00min 25sec.

But this time he said before the race that he was mentally stronger and more confident.

The course had been prepared so that it should take Kipchoge just about 4.5 seconds more than on a computer-simulated completely flat and straight path, according to analysis by sports experts at Vienna University.

In total, he only had to descend 26 metres in altitude and climb 12 metres, the experts said.

The founder of the main sponsors, Ineos, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, is taking a personal interest in the challenge and himself competes in Ironman triathlons.

The world marathon record has, for the past 16 years, been contested uniquely between athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia. The two nations are also fierce rivals for distance medals on the track.

Kipchoge's record was almost beaten last month in the Berlin marathon by Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, who ran 2:01.41, just two seconds short of the official world mark.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge on Saturday made history, busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on a specially prepared course in a huge Vienna park. With an unofficial time of 1hr 59min 40.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge on Saturday made history, busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on a specially prepared course in a huge Vienna park. With an unofficial time of 1hr 59min 40.2sec, the Olympic champion became the first ever to run a marathon in under two hours in the Prater park with the course readied to make it as even as possible. The 34-year-old already holds the men's world record for the distance with a time of 2hr 01min 39sec, which he set in the flat Berlin marathon on September 16, 2018. But accompanied by a posse of 41 pacemakers and a car in front of them setting the pace, Kipchoge bested that mark, making good on a failed attempt two years ago in Monza, Italy. "I am the first man - I want to inspire many people, that no human is limited," said the history-making Kipchoge. "We can make this world a beautiful world and a peaceful world. My wife and three children, I am happy for them to come and witness history." Maintaining a very regular pace at around 2:50 minutes per kilometre, he passed the finish line gesturing and smiling. He had been 11 seconds in advance at mid-race as fans lining the course, many waving Kenyan flags, loudly cheered him on. Kipchoge told reporters earlier this week that his attempt in the Austrian capital was about "making history in this world, like the first man to go to the moon". "I just have to make that click in people's minds that no human is limited," he had said. Surfaces evened out Because of the way the run was set up and paced the International Association of Athletics Federations will not validate the time as a world record. The running surface had been partly retarred and readied with other features such as a banked corner that could save time and avoid injury. Pacemakers took turns to support him throughout the 42.195-kilometre (26.219-miles) race. They included 1,500-metre Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz and former world champion Bernard Lagat. The course included a 4.3 kilometre-long straight alley, which the Kenyan ran up and down several times amid dry but foggy weather. "The course is extremely good. I'm happy with the course," Kipchoge, whose family has accompanied him to Vienna, said earlier this week. Chris Froome, leader of Ineos cycling team, also watched Kipchoge's race in Vienna, according to the organisers. Organisers only allowed their own cameras to film the run itself. Throngs of fans cheered on Kipchoge whenever he passed by. "It's history in the making. I'm very proud... It will be a motivation to a lot of young people. People are looking up to him," said Nichasius Koech, 37, a software engineer from Kenya who works in Germany, ahead of the run. Another fan, Joe Saissi, 25, from London said it was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". Kipchoge already tried in May 2017 to break the two-hour barrier, running on the Monza National Autodrome racing circuit in Italy, failing narrowly in 2hr 00min 25sec. But this time he said before the race that he was mentally stronger and more confident. The course had been prepared so that it should take Kipchoge just about 4.5 seconds more than on a computer-simulated completely flat and straight path, according to analysis by sports experts at Vienna University. In total, he only had to descend 26 metres in altitude and climb 12 metres, the experts said. The founder of the main sponsors, Ineos, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, is taking a personal interest in the challenge and himself competes in Ironman triathlons. The world marathon record has, for the past 16 years, been contested uniquely between athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia. The two nations are also fierce rivals for distance medals on the track. Kipchoge's record was almost beaten last month in the Berlin marathon by Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, who ran 2:01.41, just two seconds short of the official world mark.

Kenya's Kipchoge becomes first ever to run marathon in under two hours

Tokyo 2020 organisers blasted volunteers with fake snow on Friday as they trial ever more extreme ways to beat the heat ahead of the Games.

But instead of light fluffy snowflakes, the crowd, consisting mainly of Tokyo 2020 staff, was pelted with fairly coarse shards of shaved ice at the canoeing test event.

And ironically, after several weeks of almost unbroken heat and humidity, Friday saw temperatures in the Japanese capital drop sharply — no doubt a relief to millions of Tokyo commuters and players training for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

"We are trying everything possible to ease heat risks," said Taka Okamura, from the 2020 organising committee.

"This is not meant to cool the entire atmosphere but have spectators feel refreshed when the flakes of ice touch them," added Okamura, who acknowledged that the system needed some refinement.

One problem became immediately apparent after the volunteers were doused in 300 kilograms (650 pounds) of snow in a matter of minutes: the "spectators" were quickly soaked through and the floor became slippery — resulting in one journalist taking a tumble.

Okamura played down any environmental risks from the system — such as CO2 emissions from the machine — and declined to reveal its cost. Tokyo 2020 officials have admitted in the past that anti-heat measures will swell the budget for the Games.

Tokyo 2020 organisers have largely won praise for their preparations for the Games. With the construction work on track, IOC President Thomas Bach has said Tokyo is the best-prepared host ever with less than a year to go until the opening ceremony.

But the sweltering Tokyo heat has already proved a headache and there are fears for athletes, volunteers and spectators if conditions in recent summers are repeated at Games time.

Test events in August did little to allay those fears, with a French triathlete taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke, complaints about the water temperature for marathon swimming, and people taken ill at a rowing trial.

One member of the French parathletics team attending Friday's event pointed to another potential problem of the fake snow hose.

"When the wind is blowing in the wrong direction pushing the snow out of the stands, I'm not sure it is going to be that efficient," he said.

Tokyo 2020 organisers blasted volunteers with fake snow on Friday as they trial ever more extreme ways to beat the heat ahead of the Games. But instead of light fluffy snowflakes, the crowd, consisting mainly of Tokyo 2020 staff, was pelted with fairly coarse shards of shaved ice at the canoeing test event.

Tokyo 2020 organisers blasted volunteers with fake snow on Friday as they trial ever more extreme ways to beat the heat ahead of the Games. But instead of light fluffy snowflakes, the crowd, consisting mainly of Tokyo 2020 staff, was pelted with fairly coarse shards of shaved ice at the canoeing test event. And ironically, after several weeks of almost unbroken heat and humidity, Friday saw temperatures in the Japanese capital drop sharply — no doubt a relief to millions of Tokyo commuters and players training for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup. "We are trying everything possible to ease heat risks," said Taka Okamura, from the 2020 organising committee. "This is not meant to cool the entire atmosphere but have spectators feel refreshed when the flakes of ice touch them," added Okamura, who acknowledged that the system needed some refinement. One problem became immediately apparent after the volunteers were doused in 300 kilograms (650 pounds) of snow in a matter of minutes: the "spectators" were quickly soaked through and the floor became slippery — resulting in one journalist taking a tumble. Okamura played down any environmental risks from the system — such as CO2 emissions from the machine — and declined to reveal its cost. Tokyo 2020 officials have admitted in the past that anti-heat measures will swell the budget for the Games. Tokyo 2020 organisers have largely won praise for their preparations for the Games. With the construction work on track, IOC President Thomas Bach has said Tokyo is the best-prepared host ever with less than a year to go until the opening ceremony. But the sweltering Tokyo heat has already proved a headache and there are fears for athletes, volunteers and spectators if conditions in recent summers are repeated at Games time. Test events in August did little to allay those fears, with a French triathlete taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke, complaints about the water temperature for marathon swimming, and people taken ill at a rowing trial. One member of the French parathletics team attending Friday's event pointed to another potential problem of the fake snow hose. "When the wind is blowing in the wrong direction pushing the snow out of the stands, I'm not sure it is going to be that efficient," he said.

Cold comfort: Tokyo 2020 tests fake snow to beat the heat

Bradley Wiggins plans to become a social worker as the former Tour de France winner moves onto a new life after his remarkable cycling career.

Wiggins was the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012 and he followed that memorable success by taking an Olympic time trial gold later the same year.

But the 39-year-old doesn't want to dwell on his sporting success any longer.

"I don't give a s**t about my cycling career now," Wiggins told The Big Issue magazine. "I'm just detached from it, I don't want to live off the back of it.

"I live off of being me, and I'm happy in my own skin."

Wiggins attempted to become a professional rower after his cycling journey ended, but when that venture petered out he worked as a television pundit for Eurosport.

However, Wiggins, who had a difficult relationship with his estranged father after growing up in north London, wants to move into social work in a bid to help others less fortunate than himself.

"When I was offered a TV role I wasn't sure I wanted to do it," he said. "It took me a while to find myself, redefine myself, and come back to cycling without an ego.

"So now I can do the TV job, but I've also enrolled to do an Open University degree in social work. I want to help people.

"Those horrific things I saw when I was growing up. nothing can shock me now, and I want to use that mental toughness working as a social worker.

"And when people say, 'Oh, you're that cyclist', I'll say, 'No, that was a few years ago. I'm a social worker now'."

Wiggins' reputation has suffered since his retirement after internet hackers revealed details of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) Wiggins was granted ahead of some of his biggest races, including the 2012 Tour.

An investigation into the contents of a jiffy bag delivered to the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine for his use was inconclusive.

Wiggins called the controversial investigation a "malicious witch-hunt" at the time.

Meanwhile, Team Wiggins Le Col, the professional development team he formed in 2015, will close at the end of the season.

Wiggins appears to have taken those slings and arrows in his stride as he prepares for a new chapter.

He famously posed on a throne in front of Hampton Court Palace after his Olympic gold in London, but he has no complaints that his spell as the king of cycling is over.

"It's nice to be remembered but I can't keep waltzing in with a rock'n'roll haircut and a suede suit on, drunk," he said.&nbsp;

"I've moved on from that person. Everything ends, everything has to end."

Bradley Wiggins plans to become a social worker as the former Tour de France winner moves onto a new life after his remarkable cycling career. Wiggins was the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012 and he followed that memorable success by taking an Olympic time trial gold later the same year.

Bradley Wiggins plans to become a social worker as the former Tour de France winner moves onto a new life after his remarkable cycling career. Wiggins was the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012 and he followed that memorable success by taking an Olympic time trial gold later the same year. But the 39-year-old doesn't want to dwell on his sporting success any longer. "I don't give a s**t about my cycling career now," Wiggins told The Big Issue magazine. "I'm just detached from it, I don't want to live off the back of it. "I live off of being me, and I'm happy in my own skin." Wiggins attempted to become a professional rower after his cycling journey ended, but when that venture petered out he worked as a television pundit for Eurosport. However, Wiggins, who had a difficult relationship with his estranged father after growing up in north London, wants to move into social work in a bid to help others less fortunate than himself. "When I was offered a TV role I wasn't sure I wanted to do it," he said. "It took me a while to find myself, redefine myself, and come back to cycling without an ego. "So now I can do the TV job, but I've also enrolled to do an Open University degree in social work. I want to help people. "Those horrific things I saw when I was growing up. nothing can shock me now, and I want to use that mental toughness working as a social worker. "And when people say, 'Oh, you're that cyclist', I'll say, 'No, that was a few years ago. I'm a social worker now'." Wiggins' reputation has suffered since his retirement after internet hackers revealed details of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) Wiggins was granted ahead of some of his biggest races, including the 2012 Tour. An investigation into the contents of a jiffy bag delivered to the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine for his use was inconclusive. Wiggins called the controversial investigation a "malicious witch-hunt" at the time. Meanwhile, Team Wiggins Le Col, the professional development team he formed in 2015, will close at the end of the season. Wiggins appears to have taken those slings and arrows in his stride as he prepares for a new chapter. He famously posed on a throne in front of Hampton Court Palace after his Olympic gold in London, but he has no complaints that his spell as the king of cycling is over. "It's nice to be remembered but I can't keep waltzing in with a rock'n'roll haircut and a suede suit on, drunk," he said. "I've moved on from that person. Everything ends, everything has to end."

'I'm just detached from my cycling career,' says former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins

A promising Australian footballer has put his career on hold, abandoning a chance to play at the Tokyo Olympics in favour of pursuing his dream to make it as a rapper.

Winger Joe Champness is on a three-year deal with the Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League and has made several appearances for the national under-23 team, putting him in prime position to become an Olympian.

But the 22-year-old missed early pre-season preparations and the club has now given him permission to remain in Los Angeles, essentially on unpaid leave, to try and make it in the music business.

"We allowed Joey to head to the United States to pursue a dream in music at the start of last month," Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said in a statement this week.

"He's made inroads in the business and the opportunity to remain in LA to chase those dreams is one that's too big for him to pass up."

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The Club can confirm that Joey Champness is set to remain in the United States to pursue opportunities in music indefinitely, but an agreement is in place which could see him return to the Jets <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadeOfNewcastle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadeOfNewcastle</a> 
 
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— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewcastleJetsFC/status/1161555069130682369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The club has agreed that should be return to football in the next three years, he will do so with the Jets.

Champness, who goes under the stage name JOWIC, signed a distribution deal with music industry label Creative Music Group in late July.

"I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't convinced that there's something out there," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's not a normal situation, that's for sure.&nbsp;

"I've got a lot of love for the Newcastle Jets and a lot of respect for everyone on that team -– I'm contracted there for the next three years, so it's an honour to be given that sort of opportunity and trust from the club in that sense as well."

Regarded as one of Australia's most promising young players, Champness was part of the Olyroos under-23 team who are due to play a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics early next year.

A promising Australian footballer has put his career on hold, abandoning a chance to play at the Tokyo Olympics in favour of pursuing his dream to make it as a rapper.

A promising Australian footballer has put his career on hold, abandoning a chance to play at the Tokyo Olympics in favour of pursuing his dream to make it as a rapper. Winger Joe Champness is on a three-year deal with the Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League and has made several appearances for the national under-23 team, putting him in prime position to become an Olympian. But the 22-year-old missed early pre-season preparations and the club has now given him permission to remain in Los Angeles, essentially on unpaid leave, to try and make it in the music business. "We allowed Joey to head to the United States to pursue a dream in music at the start of last month," Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said in a statement this week. "He's made inroads in the business and the opportunity to remain in LA to chase those dreams is one that's too big for him to pass up." The Club can confirm that Joey Champness is set to remain in the United States to pursue opportunities in music indefinitely, but an agreement is in place which could see him return to the Jets #MadeOfNewcastle 📰 https://t.co/VN1obYk6iV pic.twitter.com/CVekkNhMsc — NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) August 14, 2019 × The club has agreed that should be return to football in the next three years, he will do so with the Jets. Champness, who goes under the stage name JOWIC, signed a distribution deal with music industry label Creative Music Group in late July. "I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't convinced that there's something out there," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's not a normal situation, that's for sure. "I've got a lot of love for the Newcastle Jets and a lot of respect for everyone on that team -– I'm contracted there for the next three years, so it's an honour to be given that sort of opportunity and trust from the club in that sense as well." Regarded as one of Australia's most promising young players, Champness was part of the Olyroos under-23 team who are due to play a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics early next year.

Football or rap? Australian footballer ditches Olympic dream for hip hop

Hockey India on Friday announced an 18-member women's squad for the upcoming Olympic Test Event in Japan.

Rani Rampal will lead the Indian team and Savita is appointed as the vice-captain of the squad.

Under chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, the composition of the team has remained similar to the one which participated at the FIH Women's Series Finals in Hiroshima last month, with the Dutchman having opted for only two changes in the 18-member team selected for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 Test Event.

Youngsters Sharmila Devi and Reena Khokhar have come into the team, with Sunita Lakra and Jyoti giving way. Khokhar had been sidelined due to injury but makes a comeback into the side after recovering successfully, while Sharmila Devi will be expecting to make her debut for the national side.

The Indian team, currently ranked number ten in the FIH rankings will be facing tough challenges as they will be playing against the likes of world number two Australia, world number 11 China and hosts Japan who is currently ranked 14th in the FIH rankings.

"We are looking forward to playing three top countries at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 Test Event as I rate them all highly. We have selected a squad of 18 players where only 16 players will be allowed to play in accordance to the Olympic standards," said chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.

"I will be very interested to see how we fare against these countries, and what we need to improve for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers because everything that we do, will be focused on that. We will be learning good lessons in this tour regardless of whatever happens," Marijine added.

Indian Women's Hockey Team for the Olympic Test Event is as follows: Rani (c), Nisha (vc), Savita (GK), Rajani Etimarpu (GK), Deep Grace Ekka, Reena Khokhar, Gurjit Kaur, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Nikki Pradhan, Monika, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navjot Kaur, and Sharmila Devi. The Olympic Test event is scheduled to be held between August 17 to 21 in Japan.

Hockey India on Friday announced an 18-member women's squad for the upcoming Olympic Test Event in Japan. Rani Rampal will lead the Indian team and Savita is appointed as the vice-captain of the squad.

Hockey India on Friday announced an 18-member women's squad for the upcoming Olympic Test Event in Japan. Rani Rampal will lead the Indian team and Savita is appointed as the vice-captain of the squad. Under chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, the composition of the team has remained similar to the one which participated at the FIH Women's Series Finals in Hiroshima last month, with the Dutchman having opted for only two changes in the 18-member team selected for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 Test Event. Youngsters Sharmila Devi and Reena Khokhar have come into the team, with Sunita Lakra and Jyoti giving way. Khokhar had been sidelined due to injury but makes a comeback into the side after recovering successfully, while Sharmila Devi will be expecting to make her debut for the national side. The Indian team, currently ranked number ten in the FIH rankings will be facing tough challenges as they will be playing against the likes of world number two Australia, world number 11 China and hosts Japan who is currently ranked 14th in the FIH rankings. "We are looking forward to playing three top countries at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 Test Event as I rate them all highly. We have selected a squad of 18 players where only 16 players will be allowed to play in accordance to the Olympic standards," said chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. "I will be very interested to see how we fare against these countries, and what we need to improve for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers because everything that we do, will be focused on that. We will be learning good lessons in this tour regardless of whatever happens," Marijine added. Indian Women's Hockey Team for the Olympic Test Event is as follows: Rani (c), Nisha (vc), Savita (GK), Rajani Etimarpu (GK), Deep Grace Ekka, Reena Khokhar, Gurjit Kaur, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Nikki Pradhan, Monika, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navjot Kaur, and Sharmila Devi. The Olympic Test event is scheduled to be held between August 17 to 21 in Japan.

Hockey India names 18-member women's squad for Olympic Test Event

Olympic champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Caster+Semenya">Caster Semenya</a> said on Sunday she would not defend her world title in Doha next September if she could not run in the 800 metres because of new testosterone regulations imposed by the sport's governing body.

"If I am not running 800 metres, I'm not running in the world championships," the 28-year-old South African said after winning her favourite event in one minute, 55.70 at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting.

"No 1,500 (metres), nothing. I am just going to take a vacation, and then come (back to competing) next year."

But Semenya, who is challenging International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) testosterone rules that could affect her career, is looking towards the next three Olympics.

"I expect to be in Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles," she said

The South African repeated that she would not take medication to satisfy the IAAF regulations, which are currently on hold for her after a court ruling.

Under the rules, XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs), like Semenya, must take medication to lower their natural testosterone levels if they are to compete at distances from 400m to a mile.

Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin and the IAAF said its own research showed it gave a significant endurance advantage to athletes in the 400 metres to mile range.

Semenya has refused to take the medication, saying: "I am a woman and I am a world-class athlete. The IAAF will not drug me or stop me from being who I am.”

But the South African said that even if she eventually lost her case, she planned to continue competing.

"There are a lot of races that I can do, there are a lot of stuff that I can do," she said.

"I am a talented athlete. I can play football (soccer), I can play basketball, I can do anything, I can run 100, I can run 200, I can run the steeple(chase), I can do anything I want."

But the first objective is to win her case against the IAAF regulations.

"This is like a legal battle," Semenya said. "It's like war. You don't give up. You beat me today, I beat you tomorrow.

"But I am not doing this for me. I am a world champion, I have achieved everything I ever wanted.

"At the end of the day I am doing this for those who can't fight for themselves."

Easy Win

Semenya charged ahead about 600 metres into Sunday's race and won by almost 15 metres over American record holder Ajee Wilson to claim her 31st consecutive final in the event. She last lost an 800 metres final in Berlin on Sept. 6, 2015.

The race was the fastest ever run in the United States, but the three-time world champion said she felt sluggish.

"I (would be) still sleeping at home," she said, noting it was about midnight in South Africa.

The competition was Semenya's first since the Swiss Federal Tribunal said she did not have to adhere to the IAAF regulations until her appeal against a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in favour of the new rules is decided.

The IAAF has said the regulations are necessary to preserve the integrity of female athletics in the restricted events.

Earlier, Kenya's world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech cruised to the fifth fastest time in the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase, 8:55.58.

American Rai Benjamin showed he was ready to challenge for his first world 400 metre hurdles title when he ran 47.16 seconds - the ninth fastest of all time.

Christian Coleman also produced a 2019-leading time, winning the 100 metres in 9.81 seconds, as 37-year-old world champion Justin Gatlin showed he will again be a factor in Doha after taking second in 9.87.

Kenyan Tim Cheruiyot added the year's fastest mile, 3:50.49. Michael Norman won the 400 metres in 44.62 and Swedish teenager Mondo Duplantis topped world champion Sam Kendricks in the pole vault, clearing 5.93 metres.

Olympic champion Caster Semenya said on Sunday she would not defend her world title in Doha next September if she could not run in the 800 metres because of new testosterone regulations imposed by the sport's governing body.

Olympic champion Caster Semenya said on Sunday she would not defend her world title in Doha next September if she could not run in the 800 metres because of new testosterone regulations imposed by the sport's governing body. "If I am not running 800 metres, I'm not running in the world championships," the 28-year-old South African said after winning her favourite event in one minute, 55.70 at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting. "No 1,500 (metres), nothing. I am just going to take a vacation, and then come (back to competing) next year." But Semenya, who is challenging International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) testosterone rules that could affect her career, is looking towards the next three Olympics. "I expect to be in Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles," she said The South African repeated that she would not take medication to satisfy the IAAF regulations, which are currently on hold for her after a court ruling. Under the rules, XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs), like Semenya, must take medication to lower their natural testosterone levels if they are to compete at distances from 400m to a mile. Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin and the IAAF said its own research showed it gave a significant endurance advantage to athletes in the 400 metres to mile range. Semenya has refused to take the medication, saying: "I am a woman and I am a world-class athlete. The IAAF will not drug me or stop me from being who I am.” But the South African said that even if she eventually lost her case, she planned to continue competing. "There are a lot of races that I can do, there are a lot of stuff that I can do," she said. "I am a talented athlete. I can play football (soccer), I can play basketball, I can do anything, I can run 100, I can run 200, I can run the steeple(chase), I can do anything I want." But the first objective is to win her case against the IAAF regulations. "This is like a legal battle," Semenya said. "It's like war. You don't give up. You beat me today, I beat you tomorrow. "But I am not doing this for me. I am a world champion, I have achieved everything I ever wanted. "At the end of the day I am doing this for those who can't fight for themselves." Easy Win Semenya charged ahead about 600 metres into Sunday's race and won by almost 15 metres over American record holder Ajee Wilson to claim her 31st consecutive final in the event. She last lost an 800 metres final in Berlin on Sept. 6, 2015. The race was the fastest ever run in the United States, but the three-time world champion said she felt sluggish. "I (would be) still sleeping at home," she said, noting it was about midnight in South Africa. The competition was Semenya's first since the Swiss Federal Tribunal said she did not have to adhere to the IAAF regulations until her appeal against a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in favour of the new rules is decided. The IAAF has said the regulations are necessary to preserve the integrity of female athletics in the restricted events. Earlier, Kenya's world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech cruised to the fifth fastest time in the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase, 8:55.58. American Rai Benjamin showed he was ready to challenge for his first world 400 metre hurdles title when he ran 47.16 seconds - the ninth fastest of all time. Christian Coleman also produced a 2019-leading time, winning the 100 metres in 9.81 seconds, as 37-year-old world champion Justin Gatlin showed he will again be a factor in Doha after taking second in 9.87. Kenyan Tim Cheruiyot added the year's fastest mile, 3:50.49. Michael Norman won the 400 metres in 44.62 and Swedish teenager Mondo Duplantis topped world champion Sam Kendricks in the pole vault, clearing 5.93 metres.

Caster Semenya vows no world championships if she can't run 800m

Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on Monday were awarded the 2026 Winter Olympic Games after a vote by the International Olympic Committee membership.

Milan beat Stockholm for the right to host the Games in seven years' time, prompting loud celebrations from the bid team after IOC President Thomas Bach announced the result.

"Italy, the future and sport have won," Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said back in Italy.

"Thanks to those who believed in it right away, especially in the Municipalities and Regions, and a pity for those who gave up.

"There will be at least five billion (euros) in added value, 20,000 jobs, as well as many new roads and sports facilities. With the Winter Olympics, we will confirm our excellence and our skills to the world ".

Milan and Stockholm were the only candidates left after four other cities -- Swiss city Sion, Japan's Sapporo, Austria's Graz and 1988 hosts Calgary in Canada -- had dropped out of the race with concerns over the size and cost of the event.

Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006 in Turin while Cortina hosted the Winter Games back in 1956.

Sweden, a winter sports powerhouse who hosted the summer Olympics back in 1912, have now bid eight times unsuccessfully for the Winter Games.

The Italian bid had gained an advantage over their opponents after a recent evaluation report by the IOC showed much stronger local support for the Olympics at over 80 per cent among the population, compared to just over 50 per cent for the Stockholm-Are candidacy.

Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on Monday were awarded the 2026 Winter Olympic Games after a vote by the International Olympic Committee membership. Milan beat Stockholm for the right to host the Games in seven years' time, prompting loud celebrations from the bid team after IOC President Thomas Bach announced the result.

Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on Monday were awarded the 2026 Winter Olympic Games after a vote by the International Olympic Committee membership. Milan beat Stockholm for the right to host the Games in seven years' time, prompting loud celebrations from the bid team after IOC President Thomas Bach announced the result. "Italy, the future and sport have won," Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said back in Italy. "Thanks to those who believed in it right away, especially in the Municipalities and Regions, and a pity for those who gave up. "There will be at least five billion (euros) in added value, 20,000 jobs, as well as many new roads and sports facilities. With the Winter Olympics, we will confirm our excellence and our skills to the world ". Milan and Stockholm were the only candidates left after four other cities -- Swiss city Sion, Japan's Sapporo, Austria's Graz and 1988 hosts Calgary in Canada -- had dropped out of the race with concerns over the size and cost of the event. Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006 in Turin while Cortina hosted the Winter Games back in 1956. Sweden, a winter sports powerhouse who hosted the summer Olympics back in 1912, have now bid eight times unsuccessfully for the Winter Games. The Italian bid had gained an advantage over their opponents after a recent evaluation report by the IOC showed much stronger local support for the Olympics at over 80 per cent among the population, compared to just over 50 per cent for the Stockholm-Are candidacy.

Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo awarded 2026 Winter Games

Olympic 800 metres champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Caster+Semenya">Caster Semenya</a> has accused the global athletics governing body of using her as a human guinea pig as it emerged that the IAAF had sought to have her declared a "biological male" in proceedings before sport's highest court.

The South African was reacting to the full 163-page judgement released by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Tuesday which rejected her appeal against rules that mean middle distance female athletes with a high natural level of testosterone must take medication to reduce it.

Testosterone increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin, which affects endurance. Some competitors have said women with higher levels of the hormone have an unfair advantage.

Last month, CAS upheld the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) eligibility regulations for XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) competing in events ranging from 400 metres to a mile.

The IAAF stated before the five-day hearing earlier this year that DSD athletes such as Semenya should not be classified as "biological males" but, according to the full CAS judgement, it suggested the opposite in court proceedings.

"Despite the CAS’s clear statements about Caster Semenya’s gender, the IAAF has taken it upon itself to decide who is, and who is not, woman enough in the eyes of the IAAF, and to discriminate on that basis," Semenya’s lawyers said in a statement on Tuesday.

"While the IAAF publicly claims that it is not engaged in sex testing, the CAS Award makes it clear that the IAAF is doing exactly that.

"The IAAF’s regulations are the most recent in a long chain of sex-testing rules that have plagued women’s sport for decades and caused profound harm to women athletes."

Oral Contraceptives

Semenya has hit out at the use of oral contraceptives as one of the methods suggested by the IAAF to lower testosterone levels in DSD athletes, saying her previous forced stint on the medication earlier in her career had been debilitating and the long-term side-effects remain unknown.

"The IAAF used me in the past as a human guinea pig to experiment with how the medication they required me to take would affect my testosterone levels," Semenya said.

"Even though the hormonal drugs made me feel constantly sick, the IAAF now wants to enforce even stricter thresholds with unknown health consequences. I will not allow the IAAF to use me and my body again.

"But I am concerned that other female athletes will feel compelled to let the IAAF drug them and test the effectiveness and negative health effects of different hormonal drugs. This cannot be allowed to happen."

Semenya and Athletics South Africa are currently challenging the CAS ruling in the Swiss Federal Tribunal, with their submissions and those of the IAAF to be made by June 25.

Until then she is free to run in all events without taking medication.

Semenya's agent said on Tuesday that she would be competing in an 800 metres race at the Prefontaine Classic on June 30.

IAAF response

The IAAF issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the CAS judgement backed its implementation of the eligibility regulations in order to preserve the future of female athletics.

"Sport is one of only a few, narrow sectors of society in which biology has to trump gender identity to ensure fairness," the statement said.

"To define the female category based on something other than biology would be category defeating and would deter many girls around the world from choosing competitive and elite sport after puberty.

"The IAAF considers that the DSD Regulations are a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of protecting fair and meaningful competition in elite female athletics, and the CAS agreed."

Olympic 800 metres champion Caster Semenya has accused the global athletics governing body of using her as a human guinea pig as it emerged that the IAAF had sought to have her declared a "biological male" in proceedings before sport's highest court.

Olympic 800 metres champion Caster Semenya has accused the global athletics governing body of using her as a human guinea pig as it emerged that the IAAF had sought to have her declared a "biological male" in proceedings before sport's highest court. The South African was reacting to the full 163-page judgement released by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Tuesday which rejected her appeal against rules that mean middle distance female athletes with a high natural level of testosterone must take medication to reduce it. Testosterone increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin, which affects endurance. Some competitors have said women with higher levels of the hormone have an unfair advantage. Last month, CAS upheld the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) eligibility regulations for XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) competing in events ranging from 400 metres to a mile. The IAAF stated before the five-day hearing earlier this year that DSD athletes such as Semenya should not be classified as "biological males" but, according to the full CAS judgement, it suggested the opposite in court proceedings. "Despite the CAS’s clear statements about Caster Semenya’s gender, the IAAF has taken it upon itself to decide who is, and who is not, woman enough in the eyes of the IAAF, and to discriminate on that basis," Semenya’s lawyers said in a statement on Tuesday. "While the IAAF publicly claims that it is not engaged in sex testing, the CAS Award makes it clear that the IAAF is doing exactly that. "The IAAF’s regulations are the most recent in a long chain of sex-testing rules that have plagued women’s sport for decades and caused profound harm to women athletes." Oral Contraceptives Semenya has hit out at the use of oral contraceptives as one of the methods suggested by the IAAF to lower testosterone levels in DSD athletes, saying her previous forced stint on the medication earlier in her career had been debilitating and the long-term side-effects remain unknown. "The IAAF used me in the past as a human guinea pig to experiment with how the medication they required me to take would affect my testosterone levels," Semenya said. "Even though the hormonal drugs made me feel constantly sick, the IAAF now wants to enforce even stricter thresholds with unknown health consequences. I will not allow the IAAF to use me and my body again. "But I am concerned that other female athletes will feel compelled to let the IAAF drug them and test the effectiveness and negative health effects of different hormonal drugs. This cannot be allowed to happen." Semenya and Athletics South Africa are currently challenging the CAS ruling in the Swiss Federal Tribunal, with their submissions and those of the IAAF to be made by June 25. Until then she is free to run in all events without taking medication. Semenya's agent said on Tuesday that she would be competing in an 800 metres race at the Prefontaine Classic on June 30. IAAF response The IAAF issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the CAS judgement backed its implementation of the eligibility regulations in order to preserve the future of female athletics. "Sport is one of only a few, narrow sectors of society in which biology has to trump gender identity to ensure fairness," the statement said. "To define the female category based on something other than biology would be category defeating and would deter many girls around the world from choosing competitive and elite sport after puberty. "The IAAF considers that the DSD Regulations are a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of protecting fair and meaningful competition in elite female athletics, and the CAS agreed."

Caster Semenya accuses IAAF of using her as a 'human guinea pig'

Cancer-hit badminton star Lee Chong Wei announced his retirement Thursday, ending a brilliant career in which he collected a swathe of honours but never won a world or Olympic title.

"My decision to retire is a heavy one. I really love this sport. But it is a demanding sport. I thank all Malaysians for the past 19 years," a teary-eyed Lee, 36, told a news conference.&nbsp;

Lee, a father of two, was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer last year and after intensive treatment in Taiwan, said he was keen to play again.

But he hasn't trained since April and after missing a series of self-imposed deadlines to return to competition, his hopes of being eligible for next year's Tokyo Olympics were remote.

The three-time Olympic silver medallist said he would now like to rest and spend time with his family, and even take his wife on a "honeymoon", a trip that has been delayed since their marriage in 2012.

Cancer-hit badminton star Lee Chong Wei announced his retirement Thursday, ending a brilliant career in which he collected a swathe of honours but never won a world or Olympic title.

Cancer-hit badminton star Lee Chong Wei announced his retirement Thursday, ending a brilliant career in which he collected a swathe of honours but never won a world or Olympic title. "My decision to retire is a heavy one. I really love this sport. But it is a demanding sport. I thank all Malaysians for the past 19 years," a teary-eyed Lee, 36, told a news conference. Lee, a father of two, was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer last year and after intensive treatment in Taiwan, said he was keen to play again. But he hasn't trained since April and after missing a series of self-imposed deadlines to return to competition, his hopes of being eligible for next year's Tokyo Olympics were remote. The three-time Olympic silver medallist said he would now like to rest and spend time with his family, and even take his wife on a "honeymoon", a trip that has been delayed since their marriage in 2012.

Badminton star Lee Chong Wei retires after cancer battle

Double Olympic champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Caster+Semenya">Caster Semenya</a> will be able to run in her favoured 800 metres event without medication to lower her testosterone levels until an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal has been ruled on, her lawyers said on Monday.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had ruled the International Association of Athletics Federations regulations were necessary for XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) competing in events ranging from 400 metres to a mile.

The CAS verdict, challenged by South African Semenya, was highly controversial, with many high-profile current and former athletes lining up on both sides of the debate.

"The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has ordered the IAAF to immediately suspend the implementation of the eligibility regulations against Caster Semenya, allowing her to compete without restriction in the female category while her

appeal is pending," a statement from Semenya’s lawyers said.

No time frame has been given for when a final ruling might be made, but the IAAF will make further submissions to the court, the statement said.

"The Swiss Supreme Court has granted welcome temporary protection to Caster Semenya. This is an important case that will have fundamental implications for the human rights of female athletes," added Dorothee Schramm of Sidley Austin LLP, Swiss counsel for Semenya.

The IAAF said it had not yet been notified of the suspension.

"We have received no information from the Swiss Federal Court so we cannot comment at this stage," an IAAF spokesperson said.

Speaking through her lawyers, Semenya said she remains hopeful of her appeal being successful.

"I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision. I hope that following my appeal I will once again be able to run free,” she said.

The IAAF did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Semenya won her last competitive 800 metres race at the Doha Diamond League on May 3, and could potentially race again in Oslo on June 13.

Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin and the IAAF said its own research showed it gave a significant endurance advantage to athletes in the 400 metres-mile range.

Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya will be able to run in her favoured 800 metres event without medication to lower her testosterone levels until an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal has been ruled on, her lawyers said on Monday.

Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya will be able to run in her favoured 800 metres event without medication to lower her testosterone levels until an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal has been ruled on, her lawyers said on Monday. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had ruled the International Association of Athletics Federations regulations were necessary for XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) competing in events ranging from 400 metres to a mile. The CAS verdict, challenged by South African Semenya, was highly controversial, with many high-profile current and former athletes lining up on both sides of the debate. "The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has ordered the IAAF to immediately suspend the implementation of the eligibility regulations against Caster Semenya, allowing her to compete without restriction in the female category while her appeal is pending," a statement from Semenya’s lawyers said. No time frame has been given for when a final ruling might be made, but the IAAF will make further submissions to the court, the statement said. "The Swiss Supreme Court has granted welcome temporary protection to Caster Semenya. This is an important case that will have fundamental implications for the human rights of female athletes," added Dorothee Schramm of Sidley Austin LLP, Swiss counsel for Semenya. The IAAF said it had not yet been notified of the suspension. "We have received no information from the Swiss Federal Court so we cannot comment at this stage," an IAAF spokesperson said. Speaking through her lawyers, Semenya said she remains hopeful of her appeal being successful. "I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision. I hope that following my appeal I will once again be able to run free,” she said. The IAAF did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Semenya won her last competitive 800 metres race at the Doha Diamond League on May 3, and could potentially race again in Oslo on June 13. Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin and the IAAF said its own research showed it gave a significant endurance advantage to athletes in the 400 metres-mile range.

Caster Semenya free to run without medication while appeal is heard: Court

Barbie is turned 60 recently and in an effort to keep up with the times a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/barbie-turns-60-but-still-going-strong-among-millennial-202179">new range of dolls are being released</a>, including career women and role models to inspire young girls.&nbsp;

An astronaut, a football player and a news anchor were among the new-look, high-achieving Barbies unveiled by toy company Mattel at an anniversary event in Singapore Friday.&nbsp;

Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar is among the twenty female icons chosen by &nbsp;Mattel for a special edition Barbie dolls to celebrate the 60th birthday of the iconic character.&nbsp;

The doll that represents Karmakar is dressed in a red leotard singlet with a tight bun and a bronze medal.&nbsp;

Karmakar came into limelight when she won a historic bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.&nbsp;

So far she has won 77 medals, including 67 gold, in state, national and international championships.&nbsp;

To mark six decades of Barbie, a series of successful women have also had dolls made in their image to mark.&nbsp;

These include world number one tennis player Naomi Osaka, American actress Yara Shahidi, and the first ever Maori Barbie, modelled after New Zealand sports journalist Melodie Robinson.&nbsp;

"Barbie has come a long way as a role model to show girls that they have choices and can achieve any careers," said Mattel Southeast Asia marketing chief Chris Chan.&nbsp;

Barbie is turned 60 recently and in an effort to keep up with the times a new range of dolls are being released, including career women and role models to inspire young girls.

Barbie is turned 60 recently and in an effort to keep up with the times a new range of dolls are being released, including career women and role models to inspire young girls. An astronaut, a football player and a news anchor were among the new-look, high-achieving Barbies unveiled by toy company Mattel at an anniversary event in Singapore Friday. Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar is among the twenty female icons chosen by Mattel for a special edition Barbie dolls to celebrate the 60th birthday of the iconic character. The doll that represents Karmakar is dressed in a red leotard singlet with a tight bun and a bronze medal. Karmakar came into limelight when she won a historic bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. So far she has won 77 medals, including 67 gold, in state, national and international championships. To mark six decades of Barbie, a series of successful women have also had dolls made in their image to mark. These include world number one tennis player Naomi Osaka, American actress Yara Shahidi, and the first ever Maori Barbie, modelled after New Zealand sports journalist Melodie Robinson. "Barbie has come a long way as a role model to show girls that they have choices and can achieve any careers," said Mattel Southeast Asia marketing chief Chris Chan.

Now, a Barbie doll named after Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar

Former two-time super middleweight world champion James DeGale announced his retirement on Thursday days after he took a pummelling from fellow Briton Chris Eubank Junior. &nbsp;

The 33-year-old, who as a middleweight won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, said he had been on an "amazing journey" but 10 years to the day of his first professional bout was an apt one to hang up his gloves.

De Gale was the first British pugilist to progress from the Olympics to a world title after turning professional.

He won the IBF world title belt in the United States in 2015 against Andre Dirrell before defending it three times across the Atlantic.

"Today marks 10 years since my professional debut fight on February 28, 2009 and today is the day I am announcing my retirement from boxing," said DeGale in a statement.

"It's been an unbelievable journey and I've had an amazing decade -- if I'm honest, the best years of my life."

DeGale, who lost his world title in an upset points decision to American Caleb Truax in December 2017 before regaining it in a rematch in April the following year, admitted the Eubank bout had exposed to him how far he had fallen as a pugilist. &nbsp;

"It's hard to admit that I'm not the fighter I once was, but I'm human and along the way, my injuries have taken a toll -- both on my mind and body and these things have contributed to my performance in the ring," said DeGale.

"I lost the fight on Saturday at the O2 but I'm touched to have a good send-off from the fans in my home city.

"I'm proud to say that I've made history as the first ever British Olympian boxer to turn professional and to win a world title.

"I am also proud to have been a road warrior -- to travel wherever I needed to be to fight and win. There's nothing left to prove."

Former two-time super middleweight world champion James DeGale announced his retirement on Thursday days after he took a pummelling from fellow Briton Chris Eubank Junior.

Former two-time super middleweight world champion James DeGale announced his retirement on Thursday days after he took a pummelling from fellow Briton Chris Eubank Junior. The 33-year-old, who as a middleweight won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, said he had been on an "amazing journey" but 10 years to the day of his first professional bout was an apt one to hang up his gloves. De Gale was the first British pugilist to progress from the Olympics to a world title after turning professional. He won the IBF world title belt in the United States in 2015 against Andre Dirrell before defending it three times across the Atlantic. "Today marks 10 years since my professional debut fight on February 28, 2009 and today is the day I am announcing my retirement from boxing," said DeGale in a statement. "It's been an unbelievable journey and I've had an amazing decade -- if I'm honest, the best years of my life." DeGale, who lost his world title in an upset points decision to American Caleb Truax in December 2017 before regaining it in a rematch in April the following year, admitted the Eubank bout had exposed to him how far he had fallen as a pugilist. "It's hard to admit that I'm not the fighter I once was, but I'm human and along the way, my injuries have taken a toll -- both on my mind and body and these things have contributed to my performance in the ring," said DeGale. "I lost the fight on Saturday at the O2 but I'm touched to have a good send-off from the fans in my home city. "I'm proud to say that I've made history as the first ever British Olympian boxer to turn professional and to win a world title. "I am also proud to have been a road warrior -- to travel wherever I needed to be to fight and win. There's nothing left to prove."

Former Olympic and world champion James DeGale hangs up his gloves

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The shock announcement of Ikee — widely considered the poster girl for next year's Olympics — that she was battling the disease touched the hearts of Japanese everywhere and sparked an outpouring of well-wishes.

However, the minister, Yoshitaka Sakurada, appeared to voice sadness that Japan's medal tally might be affected as a result.

"She is a potential gold medallist, an athlete in whom we have great expectations. I'm really disappointed," said the 69-year-old, according to local media.

"When one person leads, she can boost the whole team. I am slightly worried that this type of excitement could wane."

Following a backlash from the public and opposition politicians, Sakurada sought to clarify his stance and admitted his comments "lacked consideration."

This is not the first time Sakurada has made unwanted headlines.

He attracted widespread ridicule when he admitted that he "does not use computers" in his professional life. He doubles as deputy chief of Japan's cybersecurity strategy.

Sakurada also sparked anger for ill-advised comments in 2016 when he described the "comfort women" forced to work in military brothels servicing Japanese wartime troops as "professional prostitutes."

Ikee shot to fame at last year's Asian Games, where she captured a record six gold medals to fire a warning for the 2020 Olympics in her home city.

The teenage superstar, who holds a string of national records, has been tipped to push for gold on several fronts, in particular in the women's 100 metres butterfly.

Ikee told fans she was determined to beat her illness after being forced to abandon her training camp on Australia's Gold Coast.

"If treated properly it's a disease that can be beaten," said Ikee, who confirmed she will withdraw from the Japanese championships in April.&nbsp;

"I will devote myself to my treatment and strive to be able to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee."

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The shock announcement of Ikee — widely considered the poster girl for next year's Olympics — that she was battling the disease touched the hearts of Japanese everywhere and sparked an outpouring of well-wishes. However, the minister, Yoshitaka Sakurada, appeared to voice sadness that Japan's medal tally might be affected as a result. "She is a potential gold medallist, an athlete in whom we have great expectations. I'm really disappointed," said the 69-year-old, according to local media. "When one person leads, she can boost the whole team. I am slightly worried that this type of excitement could wane." Following a backlash from the public and opposition politicians, Sakurada sought to clarify his stance and admitted his comments "lacked consideration." This is not the first time Sakurada has made unwanted headlines. He attracted widespread ridicule when he admitted that he "does not use computers" in his professional life. He doubles as deputy chief of Japan's cybersecurity strategy. Sakurada also sparked anger for ill-advised comments in 2016 when he described the "comfort women" forced to work in military brothels servicing Japanese wartime troops as "professional prostitutes." Ikee shot to fame at last year's Asian Games, where she captured a record six gold medals to fire a warning for the 2020 Olympics in her home city. The teenage superstar, who holds a string of national records, has been tipped to push for gold on several fronts, in particular in the women's 100 metres butterfly. Ikee told fans she was determined to beat her illness after being forced to abandon her training camp on Australia's Gold Coast. "If treated properly it's a disease that can be beaten," said Ikee, who confirmed she will withdraw from the Japanese championships in April. "I will devote myself to my treatment and strive to be able to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee."

Japan minister sorry for ill Olympic swimmer gaffe

All medals for the&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;2020 Olympics will be made from metal collected by recycling electronic waste, games organisers said on Friday.

Tokyo's organising committee in 2017 launched a project to collect assorted electronic waste -- including old smartphones and laptops -- from the public to collect metal for the medals.

Recycled metal has also been collected from local Japanese businesses and industry.

In a statement issued on Friday, organisers said the collection was expected to reach its goal and will end in late March.

By November last year, municipal authorities had already collected 47,488 tonnes of discarded devices, with the public handing in another five million used phones to a local network provider.

Organisers had set a target of 2,700 kgs (about 5,950 pounds) of bronze, 30.3 kgs (67 pounds) of gold and 4,100 kg (about 9,040 pounds) of silver.

They hit the target for bronze last June, and by October had more than 90 per cent of the gold and 85 per cent of the silver.

"It is estimated that the remaining amounts of metal required to manufacture all Olympic and Paralympic medals can be extracted from the devices already donated," the organisers said.

Recycled metals have been used in previous years to make Olympic medals, including in Rio where some 30 per cent of the silver and bronze in medals came from recycled materials.&nbsp;

The designs for the&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;2020 medals will be unveiled later this year.

All medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be made from metal collected by recycling electronic waste, games organisers said on Friday. Tokyo's organising committee in 2017 launched a project to collect assorted electronic waste -- including old smartphones and laptops -- from the public to collect metal for the medals.

All medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be made from metal collected by recycling electronic waste, games organisers said on Friday. Tokyo's organising committee in 2017 launched a project to collect assorted electronic waste -- including old smartphones and laptops -- from the public to collect metal for the medals. Recycled metal has also been collected from local Japanese businesses and industry. In a statement issued on Friday, organisers said the collection was expected to reach its goal and will end in late March. By November last year, municipal authorities had already collected 47,488 tonnes of discarded devices, with the public handing in another five million used phones to a local network provider. Organisers had set a target of 2,700 kgs (about 5,950 pounds) of bronze, 30.3 kgs (67 pounds) of gold and 4,100 kg (about 9,040 pounds) of silver. They hit the target for bronze last June, and by October had more than 90 per cent of the gold and 85 per cent of the silver. "It is estimated that the remaining amounts of metal required to manufacture all Olympic and Paralympic medals can be extracted from the devices already donated," the organisers said. Recycled metals have been used in previous years to make Olympic medals, including in Rio where some 30 per cent of the silver and bronze in medals came from recycled materials. The designs for the Tokyo 2020 medals will be unveiled later this year.

Tokyo strikes gold, silver and bronze with e-waste Olympic medals

The Olympic Council of Asia has warned India it could miss out on hosting major Games after a boxer from Kosovo was denied a visa to compete in the women's world championships in New Delhi.

India, which does not recognise Kosovo, has expressed a strong interest in hosting the 2032 Olympics and 2030 Asian Games.

Donjeta Sadiku and her two coaches were denied an Indian visa despite the best efforts of the Boxing Federation of India and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

In a letter to India's sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and IOA president Narinder Batra, OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said the incident could have far-reaching effects.

"The incident has seriously cast a doubt on the eligibility of India in hosting major international sporting events and other major games, like the Olympics, Asian Games etc, in India," OCA president wrote in his letter seen by AFP.

The Republic of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but many countries, most notably Russia, still do not recognise the Balkan state.

But Al-Sabah reminded India about the rules of the Olympic Charter.

"As you are aware as per Olympic Charter and OCA constitution, it is the duty of the organising committee to provide entry to every eligible athlete participating in a major championship without discrimination," he wrote.

Al-Sabah also cited how Spain, despite not recognising Kosovo as a sovereign country, this week lifted its ban on visiting Kosovan athletes using Kosovo's anthem and flag.

Boxers from 72 nations are competing in the flagship event of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) in Indian capital.

The Olympic Council of Asia has warned India it could miss out on hosting major Games after a boxer from Kosovo was denied a visa to compete in the women's world championships in New Delhi.

The Olympic Council of Asia has warned India it could miss out on hosting major Games after a boxer from Kosovo was denied a visa to compete in the women's world championships in New Delhi. India, which does not recognise Kosovo, has expressed a strong interest in hosting the 2032 Olympics and 2030 Asian Games. Donjeta Sadiku and her two coaches were denied an Indian visa despite the best efforts of the Boxing Federation of India and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). In a letter to India's sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and IOA president Narinder Batra, OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said the incident could have far-reaching effects. "The incident has seriously cast a doubt on the eligibility of India in hosting major international sporting events and other major games, like the Olympics, Asian Games etc, in India," OCA president wrote in his letter seen by AFP. The Republic of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but many countries, most notably Russia, still do not recognise the Balkan state. But Al-Sabah reminded India about the rules of the Olympic Charter. "As you are aware as per Olympic Charter and OCA constitution, it is the duty of the organising committee to provide entry to every eligible athlete participating in a major championship without discrimination," he wrote. Al-Sabah also cited how Spain, despite not recognising Kosovo as a sovereign country, this week lifted its ban on visiting Kosovan athletes using Kosovo's anthem and flag. Boxers from 72 nations are competing in the flagship event of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) in Indian capital.

India gets Olympic warning after Kosovo boxer denied visa

Usain Bolt has finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday.

The Olympic sprint champion's mission to win a professional contract in Australia at the age of 32 dominated the A-League's pre-season and proved a marketing boost to the sleepy Central Coast region north of Sydney.

But his performances in training and trial matches over the last two months did little to remove doubts about the eight-time Olympic gold medallist's chances of making the grade.

Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth said the Mariners had been "thrilled" to have worked with the Jamaican.

"Despite the fact that we could not come to an agreement that would continue Usain Bolt's football journey with the Central Coast Mariners, we've been thrilled to have the Olympic champion sprinter and world record holder as part of our Club for these past eight weeks,” he said in a joint statement with Bolt.

The Mariners said they had worked with Bolt and his agent Ricky Simms to engage with external partners in a bid to strike a commercial deal.

"Despite several promising potential partners, both Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners have amicably concluded that they will not be able to settle on a suitable deal in a timely manner," the statement said.

Bolt thanked the club and wished them well for the new season.

"I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel so welcome during my time there. I wish the club success for the season ahead,” he said.

Bolt drew thousands of fans to Mariners' pre-season games that would normally struggle to draw a few hundred, and his two goals in a match against a local amateur side generated headlines worldwide.

However, it was not enough for the Mike Mulvey-coached club to produce a contract before the season started last month.

With the league's next registration period not opening until Jan. 3, that left Bolt as little more than a high-profile cheerleader.

Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop also said he would not dig into the A-League's marquee fund to secure a contract with Bolt.

Usain Bolt has finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday.

Usain Bolt has finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday. The Olympic sprint champion's mission to win a professional contract in Australia at the age of 32 dominated the A-League's pre-season and proved a marketing boost to the sleepy Central Coast region north of Sydney. But his performances in training and trial matches over the last two months did little to remove doubts about the eight-time Olympic gold medallist's chances of making the grade. Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth said the Mariners had been "thrilled" to have worked with the Jamaican. "Despite the fact that we could not come to an agreement that would continue Usain Bolt's football journey with the Central Coast Mariners, we've been thrilled to have the Olympic champion sprinter and world record holder as part of our Club for these past eight weeks,” he said in a joint statement with Bolt. The Mariners said they had worked with Bolt and his agent Ricky Simms to engage with external partners in a bid to strike a commercial deal. "Despite several promising potential partners, both Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners have amicably concluded that they will not be able to settle on a suitable deal in a timely manner," the statement said. Bolt thanked the club and wished them well for the new season. "I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel so welcome during my time there. I wish the club success for the season ahead,” he said. Bolt drew thousands of fans to Mariners' pre-season games that would normally struggle to draw a few hundred, and his two goals in a match against a local amateur side generated headlines worldwide. However, it was not enough for the Mike Mulvey-coached club to produce a contract before the season started last month. With the league's next registration period not opening until Jan. 3, that left Bolt as little more than a high-profile cheerleader. Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop also said he would not dig into the A-League's marquee fund to secure a contract with Bolt.

Usain Bolt trial finished at Central Coast Mariners

The two Koreas agreed at a meeting on Friday to send a letter to the International Olympic Committee confirming that they want to co-host the 2032 Summer Games, they said in a joint statement.

Sports officials from both sides held talks to discuss ways of expanding sports exchanges. The statement also said they agreed to form a combined team to compete in the men's Handball World Championship in Germany next year.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to pursue the joint Olympics bid at their summit in Pyongyang in September.

Athletes from North and South Korea marched under a unified peninsula flag at the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics earlier this year, and the two Koreas have seen a significant thaw in tensions since.

Indonesia and India have also expressed an interest in hosting the Summer Games in 2032.

The two Koreas agreed at a meeting on Friday to send a letter to the International Olympic Committee confirming that they want to co-host the 2032 Summer Games, they said in a joint statement.

The two Koreas agreed at a meeting on Friday to send a letter to the International Olympic Committee confirming that they want to co-host the 2032 Summer Games, they said in a joint statement. Sports officials from both sides held talks to discuss ways of expanding sports exchanges. The statement also said they agreed to form a combined team to compete in the men's Handball World Championship in Germany next year. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to pursue the joint Olympics bid at their summit in Pyongyang in September. Athletes from North and South Korea marched under a unified peninsula flag at the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics earlier this year, and the two Koreas have seen a significant thaw in tensions since. Indonesia and India have also expressed an interest in hosting the Summer Games in 2032.

North, South Korea to send letter to IOC on joint 2032 bid

He is living an Olympic dream at 15 but Indian weightlifting sensation Jeremy Lalrinnunga has no time to stay in the moment as he has to bulk up in pursuit of a bigger Olympic goal in less than two years.&nbsp;

The Mizo teen, touted as the next best thing in Indian weightlifting, came up with a personal best effort in the 62kg category to clinch India's first gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires on Monday. He is happy beyond words but does not have the time to sit back and relish the moment for too long.&nbsp;

"I am feeling really happy that I won the gold medal here," Lalrinnunga told PTI from the Argentine capital.

"I am returning to Patiala on October 21. I have to train hard now for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I am going to change my weight category to 67kg for the Olympics so I have to work harder," he added.

Son of a national-level boxer Lalneihtluanga, Lalrinnunga aspired to don the gloves too but shifted to weightlifting as it involved just power to excel, something he found fascinating.

"A new weightlifting academy opened in my village. The moment I saw it I wanted to try out the sport. I used to do boxing when I was younger but when I tried weightlifting I loved it. It's a sport that involves strength and that is the reason I love it," Lalrinnunga said.&nbsp;

He was eight when Lalrinnunga was enrolled at the Mizoram Weightlifting Academy. A year later he was picked by the scouts of the Army Sports Institute in Pune.&nbsp;

"I have been training at the Army Sports Institute since 2012," he said.

Starting off in the 50kg category, Lalrinnunga won the national gold but the teenager has struggled with maintaining his weight, jumping from 50kg to 62kg in a span of two years.

"As I was growing my height and weight was increasing. Then coach sir advised me to switch to 56kg.

"After shifting to 56kg also my body continued to grow and it was very difficult for me to maintain that weight, so we decided to go even higher switching to 62kgs."

However, weight issues were not the only obstacles in Lalrinnunga's Youth Olympics preparation, the teenager also contracted chicken pox months before the big event.

"I suffered from chicken pox in May so I had to gain back my strength for 62kg. My focus was on the Youth Olympics so I had to work very hard to recover and start training.

"I learned a lot of new techniques in the process. We focused mainly on strength training and perfecting the technique," Lalrinnunga said.&nbsp;

He is living an Olympic dream at 15 but Indian weightlifting sensation Jeremy Lalrinnunga has no time to stay in the moment as he has to bulk up in pursuit of a bigger Olympic goal in less than two years.

He is living an Olympic dream at 15 but Indian weightlifting sensation Jeremy Lalrinnunga has no time to stay in the moment as he has to bulk up in pursuit of a bigger Olympic goal in less than two years. The Mizo teen, touted as the next best thing in Indian weightlifting, came up with a personal best effort in the 62kg category to clinch India's first gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires on Monday. He is happy beyond words but does not have the time to sit back and relish the moment for too long. "I am feeling really happy that I won the gold medal here," Lalrinnunga told PTI from the Argentine capital. "I am returning to Patiala on October 21. I have to train hard now for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I am going to change my weight category to 67kg for the Olympics so I have to work harder," he added. Son of a national-level boxer Lalneihtluanga, Lalrinnunga aspired to don the gloves too but shifted to weightlifting as it involved just power to excel, something he found fascinating. "A new weightlifting academy opened in my village. The moment I saw it I wanted to try out the sport. I used to do boxing when I was younger but when I tried weightlifting I loved it. It's a sport that involves strength and that is the reason I love it," Lalrinnunga said. He was eight when Lalrinnunga was enrolled at the Mizoram Weightlifting Academy. A year later he was picked by the scouts of the Army Sports Institute in Pune. "I have been training at the Army Sports Institute since 2012," he said. Starting off in the 50kg category, Lalrinnunga won the national gold but the teenager has struggled with maintaining his weight, jumping from 50kg to 62kg in a span of two years. "As I was growing my height and weight was increasing. Then coach sir advised me to switch to 56kg. "After shifting to 56kg also my body continued to grow and it was very difficult for me to maintain that weight, so we decided to go even higher switching to 62kgs." However, weight issues were not the only obstacles in Lalrinnunga's Youth Olympics preparation, the teenager also contracted chicken pox months before the big event. "I suffered from chicken pox in May so I had to gain back my strength for 62kg. My focus was on the Youth Olympics so I had to work very hard to recover and start training. "I learned a lot of new techniques in the process. We focused mainly on strength training and perfecting the technique," Lalrinnunga said.

No time for celebrations, Jeremy looks to bulk up for Tokyo dream

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/legendary-actor-sridevi-dies-tributes-pour-in-from-all-over-the-world-33953">Legendary actor Sridevi dies at 54 in Dubai, tributes pour in from all over the world</a>

Veteran film actor and Padma Shri awardee Sridevi, who had an illustrious career spanning over four decades, passed away. She was 54.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syria-war-un-security-council-approves-30-day-ceasefire-33958">Syria war: UN Security Council approves 30-day ceasefire as death toll in rebel enclave tops 500</a>

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Saturday unanimously backed a 30-day ceasefire resolution in Syria to allow for humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/high-level-n-korean-delegates-arrive-in-the-south-33960">High-level N&nbsp;Korean delegates arrive in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/high-level-n-korean-delegates-arrive-in-the-south-33960">the South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/high-level-n-korean-delegates-arrive-in-the-south-33960"> Korea</a>

A blacklisted North Korean general arrived in the South on Sunday for the Winter Olympics closing ceremony, which will also be attended by US President Donald Trump`s daughter Ivanka.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/film-fraternity-fans-react-to-sridevis-tragic-demise-33959">Film fraternity, fans react to Sridevi&#39;s tragic demise</a>

The entire film fraternity is in deep shock over the news of the sudden demise of Bollywood actress Sridevi. Bollywood actors including Riteish Deshmukh, Priyanka Chopra, Bhagyashree, Sushmita Sen, Nimrat Kaur, Richa Sharma took to Twitter to express grief over the loss.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/olympics-russia-barred-from-flying-flag-at-games-closing-ceremony-amid-fresh-doping-violations-33962">Olympics: Russia barred from flying flag at Games closing ceremony amid fresh doping violations</a>

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) dashed Russian athletes&#39; hopes of marching behind their national flag at the Winter Games on Sunday, deciding against immediately lifting Russia&#39;s Olympic suspension after fresh doping violations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/muslim-man-renovates-hanuman-temple-in-ahmedabad-33957">Muslim man renovates Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad</a>

Amid the widespread communal unrest, a Muslim man in Gujarat has set a shining example of communal harmony by renovating a Hanuman temple.

Legendary actor Sridevi dies at 54 in Dubai, tributes pour in from all over the world Veteran film actor and Padma Shri awardee Sridevi, who had an illustrious career spanning over four decades, passed away. She was 54. Syria war: UN Security Council approves 30-day ceasefire as death toll in rebel enclave tops 500 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Saturday unanimously backed a 30-day ceasefire resolution in Syria to allow for humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations. High-level N Korean delegates arrive in the South Korea A blacklisted North Korean general arrived in the South on Sunday for the Winter Olympics closing ceremony, which will also be attended by US President Donald Trump`s daughter Ivanka. Film fraternity, fans react to Sridevi's tragic demise The entire film fraternity is in deep shock over the news of the sudden demise of Bollywood actress Sridevi. Bollywood actors including Riteish Deshmukh, Priyanka Chopra, Bhagyashree, Sushmita Sen, Nimrat Kaur, Richa Sharma took to Twitter to express grief over the loss. Olympics: Russia barred from flying flag at Games closing ceremony amid fresh doping violations The International Olympic Committee (IOC) dashed Russian athletes' hopes of marching behind their national flag at the Winter Games on Sunday, deciding against immediately lifting Russia's Olympic suspension after fresh doping violations. Muslim man renovates Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad Amid the widespread communal unrest, a Muslim man in Gujarat has set a shining example of communal harmony by renovating a Hanuman temple.

WION Morning News Brief, February 25, 2018

&nbsp;US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in an interview to air tomorrow that he is &quot;listening&quot; for signs that North Korea is ready to engage in direct talks.

&quot;My job as chief diplomat is to ensure that the North Koreans know, we keep our channels open,&quot; Tillerson told the CBS news show &quot;60 Minutes.&quot;

&quot;I am listening. I am not sending a lot of messages back because there&#39;s nothing to say to them at this point. So I am listening for you to tell me you are ready to talk,&quot; he said, according to excerpts of the interview.

An Olympic-driven thaw in relations between Kim Jong Un&#39;s nuclear armed North Korean regime and South Korea has raised speculation that direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang could be on the horizon after months of sharp tension and heated rhetoric.

&quot;They will tell me,&quot; Tillerson told &quot;60 Minutes.&quot;

&quot;We receive messages from them, and I think it will be very explicit as to how we want to have that first conversation.&quot;

The top US diplomat however stressed that no incentive was being offered to get Pyongyang to the table.

&quot;We are not using a carrot to convince them to talk, we are using large sticks -- and that is what they need to understand,&quot; he said.

&quot;This pressure campaign is having its bite on North Korea.&quot;

The North is subject to a series of UN Security Council sanctions over its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The United States has previously indicated Washington is open to direct talks, but Tillerson stressed earlier this month that the ball was now in Pyongyang&#39;s camp.

&quot;We&#39;ve said for some time it&#39;s really up to the North Koreans to decide when they&#39;re ready to engage with us in a sincere way, a meaningful way,&quot; Tillerson said on February 12, while on a stop in Cairo.&nbsp;

'My job as chief diplomat is to ensure that the North Koreans know, we keep our channels open,' Tillerson told a news channel

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in an interview to air tomorrow that he is "listening" for signs that North Korea is ready to engage in direct talks. "My job as chief diplomat is to ensure that the North Koreans know, we keep our channels open," Tillerson told the CBS news show "60 Minutes." "I am listening. I am not sending a lot of messages back because there's nothing to say to them at this point. So I am listening for you to tell me you are ready to talk," he said, according to excerpts of the interview. An Olympic-driven thaw in relations between Kim Jong Un's nuclear armed North Korean regime and South Korea has raised speculation that direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang could be on the horizon after months of sharp tension and heated rhetoric. "They will tell me," Tillerson told "60 Minutes." "We receive messages from them, and I think it will be very explicit as to how we want to have that first conversation." The top US diplomat however stressed that no incentive was being offered to get Pyongyang to the table. "We are not using a carrot to convince them to talk, we are using large sticks -- and that is what they need to understand," he said. "This pressure campaign is having its bite on North Korea." The North is subject to a series of UN Security Council sanctions over its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United States has previously indicated Washington is open to direct talks, but Tillerson stressed earlier this month that the ball was now in Pyongyang's camp. "We've said for some time it's really up to the North Koreans to decide when they're ready to engage with us in a sincere way, a meaningful way," Tillerson said on February 12, while on a stop in Cairo.

Tillerson to North Korea on talks: 'I'm listening'

The opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Olympics was so cold that artist Marc Ahr used vodka to stop his paint freezing and when his brush threatened to turn to ice he popped it in his mouth.

The ongoing Games in South Korea are the 55-year-old&#39;s 15th Olympics in a row, a sequence stretching back to the Winter Games in Albertville, in his native France, in 1992.

He has painted opening ceremonies and events at every Olympics since, but even for Ahr, the biting sub-zero temperatures at the curtain-raiser on February 9 were something new.

&quot;It was minus something, so I even bring some -- shh -- some vodka inside to put in the water, and I could do a little bit of colouring,&quot; Ahr said, peering conspiratorially about him should anyone hear that he sneaked alcohol into the opening ceremony.

&quot;I put the vodka in a small bottle and put the vodka in my watercolours so it doesn&#39;t freeze.

&quot;It&#39;s not the same effect (as with water), but it&#39;s nice, it gives it a marble effect.

&quot;And my brush -- it&#39;s not very good for my health -- I put it inside my jacket (under his armpit) or in my mouth... Otherwise, it&#39;s ice.&quot;

The result of his endeavours -- he expects to finish one water-colour painting a day over the fortnight of the Olympics -- will be made into prints and sold.

He keeps the originals to add to the large body of work that he has built up over the last three decades. He hopes that one day they will all go on show in a gallery.

Dedication&nbsp;

Ahr professes that, whether it is the Summer or Winter Olympics, he has only limited interest in the sports themselves and often has little idea about who is winning.

So why does he do it?

&quot;I like the energy, I like to meet people, I like the fantasy, I cannot tell you that I am crazy about sport,&quot; he told AFP in Pyeongchang, his nearly finished painting of short-track skating laid out in front of him.

&quot;I don&#39;t want the Olympics to be a money thing, I want them to be fun, to be drawing, to meet people. And if money comes, it comes,&quot; he said, as people frequently look over his shoulder to see what he is doing.

Ahr hails from Cannes, in southern France, and started out copying Impressionist paintings, before going to art school in Paris.

He now lives in St Petersburg, Russia and describes himself as a &quot;perfectionist artist&quot;.

The self-described arist, furniture designer and interior decorator attempts to finish his paintings while he is at the given Olympic event. He often meets people while doing so -- and offering to sell them a painting, drawing them into the picture if they wish.

According to Ahr, the parents of one United States ski jumper saw what he was doing and asked for a painting, and he says that he has some famous fans.

&quot;The last Olympic president (Jacques Rogge), he has all my paintings from all the Games,&quot; said Ahr.

&quot;The king of Sweden, he has the final of the hockey of Lillehammer (1994) and the final of hockey in Turin (2006) because I painted that.&quot;

&#39;Bringing something new&#39;&nbsp;

But the end may be in sight.

Ahr says he will carry on his labour of love until Paris 2024, but says that could be a fitting finale because it is in his homeland.

Having scrutinised every Games since 1992, Ahr is in a better position than most to judge how the Olympics have morphed over the years.

&quot;It was much smaller, much more cosy (in 1992) and much more friendly,&quot; said Ahr, who pointedly excludes any of advertising from his paintings and is passionate also about the environment.

&quot;I&#39;m a bit sometimes disappointed when I go to the Olympic park and I see this commercial thing,&quot; he said.

&quot;But then each person that I meet -- either in the train, the bus, in this cafe -- they&#39;re interested.

&quot;And the kids, when they look at my drawings, I feel that I&#39;m bringing something that nobody is bringing.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Artist Marc Ahr has painted opening ceremonies and events at every Olympics since, but even for Ahr, the biting sub-zero temperatures at the curtain-raiser on February 9 were something new

The opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Olympics was so cold that artist Marc Ahr used vodka to stop his paint freezing and when his brush threatened to turn to ice he popped it in his mouth. The ongoing Games in South Korea are the 55-year-old's 15th Olympics in a row, a sequence stretching back to the Winter Games in Albertville, in his native France, in 1992. He has painted opening ceremonies and events at every Olympics since, but even for Ahr, the biting sub-zero temperatures at the curtain-raiser on February 9 were something new. "It was minus something, so I even bring some -- shh -- some vodka inside to put in the water, and I could do a little bit of colouring," Ahr said, peering conspiratorially about him should anyone hear that he sneaked alcohol into the opening ceremony. "I put the vodka in a small bottle and put the vodka in my watercolours so it doesn't freeze. "It's not the same effect (as with water), but it's nice, it gives it a marble effect. "And my brush -- it's not very good for my health -- I put it inside my jacket (under his armpit) or in my mouth... Otherwise, it's ice." The result of his endeavours -- he expects to finish one water-colour painting a day over the fortnight of the Olympics -- will be made into prints and sold. He keeps the originals to add to the large body of work that he has built up over the last three decades. He hopes that one day they will all go on show in a gallery. Dedication Ahr professes that, whether it is the Summer or Winter Olympics, he has only limited interest in the sports themselves and often has little idea about who is winning. So why does he do it? "I like the energy, I like to meet people, I like the fantasy, I cannot tell you that I am crazy about sport," he told AFP in Pyeongchang, his nearly finished painting of short-track skating laid out in front of him. "I don't want the Olympics to be a money thing, I want them to be fun, to be drawing, to meet people. And if money comes, it comes," he said, as people frequently look over his shoulder to see what he is doing. Ahr hails from Cannes, in southern France, and started out copying Impressionist paintings, before going to art school in Paris. He now lives in St Petersburg, Russia and describes himself as a "perfectionist artist". The self-described arist, furniture designer and interior decorator attempts to finish his paintings while he is at the given Olympic event. He often meets people while doing so -- and offering to sell them a painting, drawing them into the picture if they wish. According to Ahr, the parents of one United States ski jumper saw what he was doing and asked for a painting, and he says that he has some famous fans. "The last Olympic president (Jacques Rogge), he has all my paintings from all the Games," said Ahr. "The king of Sweden, he has the final of the hockey of Lillehammer (1994) and the final of hockey in Turin (2006) because I painted that." 'Bringing something new' But the end may be in sight. Ahr says he will carry on his labour of love until Paris 2024, but says that could be a fitting finale because it is in his homeland. Having scrutinised every Games since 1992, Ahr is in a better position than most to judge how the Olympics have morphed over the years. "It was much smaller, much more cosy (in 1992) and much more friendly," said Ahr, who pointedly excludes any of advertising from his paintings and is passionate also about the environment. "I'm a bit sometimes disappointed when I go to the Olympic park and I see this commercial thing," he said. "But then each person that I meet -- either in the train, the bus, in this cafe -- they're interested. "And the kids, when they look at my drawings, I feel that I'm bringing something that nobody is bringing."

Painting the Olympics with a dash of vodka

A very special dessert was served at the Olympic dinner by South Korea to break the ice between South Korea and North Korea.

Dark chocolate tempered in the shape of barbed wire lay over a map of Korean peninsula rendered in thin blue chocolate, a representation of the heavily militarised border that separates South Korea and its old enemy in the North.

The guests, including leaders of North and South, were invited to pour melted white chocolate on top - and the barbed wire would dissolve.

The dessert, called &quot;A Plate of Hope&quot;, was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in served his dozen VIP guests at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics&#39; pre-opening party.

After the successful visit of lady Kim to South Korea, now time will tell whether the &quot;the chocolate barbed wire&quot; would dissolve or not between the two nations which are technically at war.

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(2/2) &quot;The dessert, called &#39;A Plate of Hope&#39;, was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in planned to serve his dozen VIP guests, which were to include U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics&rsquo; pre-opening party on Friday.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/LAc9YLuxl4">pic.twitter.com/LAc9YLuxl4</a>
&mdash; Arapaho415 (@arapaho415) <a href="https://twitter.com/arapaho415/status/962519349742379008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The dessert, called "A Plate of Hope", was served by South Korean President Moon Jae at an Olympic dinner

A very special dessert was served at the Olympic dinner by South Korea to break the ice between South Korea and North Korea. Dark chocolate tempered in the shape of barbed wire lay over a map of Korean peninsula rendered in thin blue chocolate, a representation of the heavily militarised border that separates South Korea and its old enemy in the North. The guests, including leaders of North and South, were invited to pour melted white chocolate on top - and the barbed wire would dissolve. The dessert, called "A Plate of Hope", was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in served his dozen VIP guests at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics' pre-opening party. After the successful visit of lady Kim to South Korea, now time will tell whether the "the chocolate barbed wire" would dissolve or not between the two nations which are technically at war. (2/2) "The dessert, called 'A Plate of Hope', was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in planned to serve his dozen VIP guests, which were to include U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics’ pre-opening party on Friday." pic.twitter.com/LAc9YLuxl4 — Arapaho415 (@arapaho415) February 11, 2018 ×

Winter Olympics: South Korea served 'Plate of Hope' to northern neighbours

North Korea&#39;s band of all-female supporters was unable to inspire the historic joint Korean women&#39;s ice hockey team as they were dumped out of the Pyeongchang Olympics with an 8-0 defeat to Sweden on Monday.

The unified team for the Winter Games in South Korea was the product of a landmark deal between the South and North Korea -- the neighbours still technically at war -- after a year of high tensions over Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear and missile tests.

The home crowd -- seated among them the North Korean cheerleaders -- roared their players as they skated onto the ice in their blue-and-red jerseys, &quot;KOREA&quot; emblazoned over a pale blue silhouette of the peninsula.

The joint team is deeply symbolic, but as a hockey side they were at the Games with little hope of making a serious impression in terms of the competition.

And so it proved as they were hammered 8-0 for the second time in a row, this time to the Swedes, ranked five in the world.

Sweden were 3-0 up in just 10 minutes and the heavy defeat means Korea play Japan on Wednesday in their final match in a deadrubber.

The unified hockey team was hastily assembled only two weeks before the Olympics began -- and it showed in the one-sided losses to Switzerland and now Sweden.&nbsp;

&quot;Adding new players obviously isn&#39;t easy but I think going into this tournament we knew it was going to be tough,&quot; said the joint team&#39;s Canadian coach Sarah Murray.

But even as the home team were being pounded, the 200-strong North Korean cheerleaders in red, blue and white tracksuits chanted, &quot;Cheer up&quot;, clapping and waving mini-unification flags in unison and setting off a Mexican wave.

The unity was interrupted when a four-member South Korean cheering group, in tight white T-shirts and pink shorts, skipped and hopped to Avril Lavigne&#39;s &quot;Girlfriend&quot;.

The North Koreans responded with songs of their own -- mostly old folk numbers, including a ballad longing for one&#39;s home town -- showing a deep cultural divide between the two halves of the divided peninsula.

The Games have triggered a rare moment of reconciliation between the two Koreas.

Only a few months ago, Pyongyang&#39;s missile and nuclear tests and exchanges of threats with Washington were driving tensions sky-high.

But in a whirlwind of Olympic diplomacy, hundreds of North Koreans came South last week to attend the Pyeongchang Games.

And in extraordinary scenes the North Korean leader&#39;s sister Kim Yo Jong cheered the unified team together with the South&#39;s President Moon Jae-in in the defeat on Saturday to Switzerland.

Despite the disappointing consecutive losses local fans at the stadium were more bothered about the significance of the joint team.

&quot;I know we lack skill compared to other teams but I hope they will play with one mind,&quot; said Kim Sang-wook, 62, from Seoul.&nbsp;

Koo Bon-jae, a 20-year-old student from the South Korean capital, added: &quot;I was initially against it but I was touched after seeing them on the ice together.&quot;

Since the division of the peninsula the two Koreas have only competed as unified teams in 1991, when their women won the team gold at the world table tennis championship in Japan, and their under-19 footballers reached the world championship quarter-finals in Portugal.

The unified team for the Winter Games in South Korea was the product of a landmark deal between the South and North Korea -- the neighbours still technically at war -- after a year of high tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests

North Korea's band of all-female supporters was unable to inspire the historic joint Korean women's ice hockey team as they were dumped out of the Pyeongchang Olympics with an 8-0 defeat to Sweden on Monday. The unified team for the Winter Games in South Korea was the product of a landmark deal between the South and North Korea -- the neighbours still technically at war -- after a year of high tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests. The home crowd -- seated among them the North Korean cheerleaders -- roared their players as they skated onto the ice in their blue-and-red jerseys, "KOREA" emblazoned over a pale blue silhouette of the peninsula. The joint team is deeply symbolic, but as a hockey side they were at the Games with little hope of making a serious impression in terms of the competition. And so it proved as they were hammered 8-0 for the second time in a row, this time to the Swedes, ranked five in the world. Sweden were 3-0 up in just 10 minutes and the heavy defeat means Korea play Japan on Wednesday in their final match in a deadrubber. The unified hockey team was hastily assembled only two weeks before the Olympics began -- and it showed in the one-sided losses to Switzerland and now Sweden. "Adding new players obviously isn't easy but I think going into this tournament we knew it was going to be tough," said the joint team's Canadian coach Sarah Murray. But even as the home team were being pounded, the 200-strong North Korean cheerleaders in red, blue and white tracksuits chanted, "Cheer up", clapping and waving mini-unification flags in unison and setting off a Mexican wave. The unity was interrupted when a four-member South Korean cheering group, in tight white T-shirts and pink shorts, skipped and hopped to Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend". The North Koreans responded with songs of their own -- mostly old folk numbers, including a ballad longing for one's home town -- showing a deep cultural divide between the two halves of the divided peninsula. The Games have triggered a rare moment of reconciliation between the two Koreas. Only a few months ago, Pyongyang's missile and nuclear tests and exchanges of threats with Washington were driving tensions sky-high. But in a whirlwind of Olympic diplomacy, hundreds of North Koreans came South last week to attend the Pyeongchang Games. And in extraordinary scenes the North Korean leader's sister Kim Yo Jong cheered the unified team together with the South's President Moon Jae-in in the defeat on Saturday to Switzerland. Despite the disappointing consecutive losses local fans at the stadium were more bothered about the significance of the joint team. "I know we lack skill compared to other teams but I hope they will play with one mind," said Kim Sang-wook, 62, from Seoul. Koo Bon-jae, a 20-year-old student from the South Korean capital, added: "I was initially against it but I was touched after seeing them on the ice together." Since the division of the peninsula the two Koreas have only competed as unified teams in 1991, when their women won the team gold at the world table tennis championship in Japan, and their under-19 footballers reached the world championship quarter-finals in Portugal.

Pyeongchang 2018: Olympic hopes over for unified Korean team after 8-0 drubbing

Almost all the dog meat restaurants in South Korea`s Pyeongchang county, where the Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be held on Friday, have defied a government request to stop serving the food, an official admitted Thursday.

South Koreans are believed to consume about one million dogs a year as a summertime delicacy, with the greasy red meat -- which is invariably boiled for tenderness -- believed to increase energy.

Activists have stepped up campaigns to ban dog consumption, with online petitions urging boycotts of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics over the issue, and protests in Seoul.

Local authorities asked the 12 dog meat restaurants in Pyeongchang county to stop serving the food during the Games, in exchange for subsidies.

But only two have complied, Pyeongchang County government official Lee Yong-bae said.

&quot;We`ve faced a lot of complaints from restaurant operators that we are threatening their livelihood,&quot; he said.

&quot;Some of them initially shifted to selling pork or things instead of dog meat only to find their sales plunging sharply. They then switched back to dog meat.&quot;

Signs advertising dog meat dishes such as boshintang (health-boosting soup), yeongyangtang (nutrient soup) or sacheoltang (year-round soup) have been replaced with more neutral ones such as yeomsotang (goat soup) to avoid giving &quot;a bad impression to foreigners&quot; during the Games, he added.

Dog meat is officially classed as &quot;detestable&quot; by Seoul, as is snake, but the designation has no legal ramifications.

South Korean authorities periodically try to persuade restaurants to change their menus or drop signs suggestive of dog meat during major international events hosted by the country.&nbsp;

The tradition has declined as the nation increasingly embraces the idea of dogs as pets instead of livestock, with eating them now something of a taboo among young South Koreans.

Almost all the dog meat restaurants in South Korea`s Pyeongchang county, where the Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be held on Friday, have defied a government request to stop serving the food, an official admitted Thursday

Almost all the dog meat restaurants in South Korea`s Pyeongchang county, where the Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be held on Friday, have defied a government request to stop serving the food, an official admitted Thursday. South Koreans are believed to consume about one million dogs a year as a summertime delicacy, with the greasy red meat -- which is invariably boiled for tenderness -- believed to increase energy. Activists have stepped up campaigns to ban dog consumption, with online petitions urging boycotts of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics over the issue, and protests in Seoul. Local authorities asked the 12 dog meat restaurants in Pyeongchang county to stop serving the food during the Games, in exchange for subsidies. But only two have complied, Pyeongchang County government official Lee Yong-bae said. "We`ve faced a lot of complaints from restaurant operators that we are threatening their livelihood," he said. "Some of them initially shifted to selling pork or things instead of dog meat only to find their sales plunging sharply. They then switched back to dog meat." Signs advertising dog meat dishes such as boshintang (health-boosting soup), yeongyangtang (nutrient soup) or sacheoltang (year-round soup) have been replaced with more neutral ones such as yeomsotang (goat soup) to avoid giving "a bad impression to foreigners" during the Games, he added. Dog meat is officially classed as "detestable" by Seoul, as is snake, but the designation has no legal ramifications. South Korean authorities periodically try to persuade restaurants to change their menus or drop signs suggestive of dog meat during major international events hosted by the country. The tradition has declined as the nation increasingly embraces the idea of dogs as pets instead of livestock, with eating them now something of a taboo among young South Koreans.

South Korea dog meat restaurants refuse to stop serving during Olympics

The International Olympic Committee said the 28 Russians who had their life bans lifted by sport&#39;s top court CAS on Thursday did not &quot;automatically&quot; allow them to compete at the Pyeongchang Games.

&quot;Not being sanctioned does not automatically confer the privilege of an invitation&quot; to the 2018 Games in South Korea, the IOC explained in a statement.

The Olympic rulers said they took note of the Court of Arbitration for Sport&#39;s verdict &quot;with satisfaction on the one hand and disappointment on the other&quot;.

CAS upheld the appeals of 28 of the 43 Russians accused of doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, lifting their life bans and reinstating their results form Sochi, and freeing them to possibly compete at Pyeonghcang.

The other 11 had their life bans overturned, but their Pyeongchang ban maintained.

The court ruled there was &quot;insufficient&quot; evidence that the athletes had benefited from a system of state-sponsored doping at Sochi.

The IOC warned that CAS&#39;s verdict on the 28 &quot;may have a serious impact on the future fight against doping&quot;.

&quot;Therefore, the IOC will analyse the reasoned decisions very carefully once they are available and consider consequences, including an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.&quot;

The International Olympic Committee said the 28 Russians who had their life bans lifted by sport's top court CAS on Thursday did not "automatically" allow them to compete at the Pyeongchang Games

The International Olympic Committee said the 28 Russians who had their life bans lifted by sport's top court CAS on Thursday did not "automatically" allow them to compete at the Pyeongchang Games. "Not being sanctioned does not automatically confer the privilege of an invitation" to the 2018 Games in South Korea, the IOC explained in a statement. The Olympic rulers said they took note of the Court of Arbitration for Sport's verdict "with satisfaction on the one hand and disappointment on the other". CAS upheld the appeals of 28 of the 43 Russians accused of doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, lifting their life bans and reinstating their results form Sochi, and freeing them to possibly compete at Pyeonghcang. The other 11 had their life bans overturned, but their Pyeongchang ban maintained. The court ruled there was "insufficient" evidence that the athletes had benefited from a system of state-sponsored doping at Sochi. The IOC warned that CAS's verdict on the 28 "may have a serious impact on the future fight against doping". "Therefore, the IOC will analyse the reasoned decisions very carefully once they are available and consider consequences, including an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal."

No 'automatic' Olympic participation for 28 cleared Russians - IOC

North Korean winter Olympics team members and officials arrived at the athletes&#39; village in Gangneung late on Thursday night (February 1) after flying into Yangyang Airport.

The team, including figure skating pair Kim Ju Sik and Ryom Tae Ok, three alpine skiers, three cross-country skiers and two short-track skaters flew in to join 12 ice hockey players who arrived in South Korea last month.

North and South Korea had agreed to march under a single flag at the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Olympics and field a united team in the women&#39;s ice hockey after rare inter-Korean talks were launched in early January.

The team, including figure skating pair Kim Ju Sik and Ryom Tae Ok, three alpine skiers, three cross-country skiers and two short-track skaters flew in to join 12 ice hockey players who arrived in South Korea last month

North Korean winter Olympics team members and officials arrived at the athletes' village in Gangneung late on Thursday night (February 1) after flying into Yangyang Airport. The team, including figure skating pair Kim Ju Sik and Ryom Tae Ok, three alpine skiers, three cross-country skiers and two short-track skaters flew in to join 12 ice hockey players who arrived in South Korea last month. North and South Korea had agreed to march under a single flag at the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Olympics and field a united team in the women's ice hockey after rare inter-Korean talks were launched in early January.

North Korean Olympians arrive at athletes' village

The International Olympic Committee on Friday provisionally suspended Brazil&#39;s national Olympic body over the alleged involvement of its head Carlos Nuzman in a vote-buying scandal.

The IOC also suspended Nuzman from all his positions, stripped him of his honorary membership and removed him from the coordination committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Nuzman was arrested in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday as part of a probe into allegations he helped buy votes from the IOC to secure Rio&#39;s hosting of the 2016 Games.

The IOC said that &quot;to protect the interests of the Brazilian athletes&quot;, the decision had no bearing on the country&#39;s teams.

&quot;Therefore, the IOC will accept a Brazilian Olympic Team in the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018,&quot; it said in a statement.

Also&nbsp;watch:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/former-british-olympic-skier-breaks-world-record-for-towed-speed-skiing-5682" target="_blank">Former British Olympic skier breaks world record for towed speed skiing</a>

The Brazilian Olympic Committee was suspended over the alleged involvement of its head Carlos Nuzman in a vote-buying scandal

The International Olympic Committee on Friday provisionally suspended Brazil's national Olympic body over the alleged involvement of its head Carlos Nuzman in a vote-buying scandal. The IOC also suspended Nuzman from all his positions, stripped him of his honorary membership and removed him from the coordination committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Nuzman was arrested in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday as part of a probe into allegations he helped buy votes from the IOC to secure Rio's hosting of the 2016 Games. The IOC said that "to protect the interests of the Brazilian athletes", the decision had no bearing on the country's teams. "Therefore, the IOC will accept a Brazilian Olympic Team in the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018," it said in a statement. Also watch: Former British Olympic skier breaks world record for towed speed skiing

Olympics: IOC suspends Brazilian national Olympic body

Australian cyclist Jack Bobridge, who won silver medals in the team pursuit at the last two&nbsp;Olympics, was arrested in Perth this week on charges of dealing in the ecstasy drug, local media reported on Friday.

Bobridge, who was forced into retirement last year because of the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, was arrested after police raided his home in the western Australian capital on Wednesday, the ABC reported.

&quot;The investigation led detectives to charge the 28-year-old man with two counts of sell and supply a trafficable quantity of MDMA and three counts of sell and supply MDMA,&quot; Perth police said in a statement to the national broadcaster.

Bobridge was bailed to appear at a Perth magistrates court to face the charges next month, ABC added.

In a highly successful career, Bobridge rode in four versions of the Giro d&#39;Italia and won the Australian road race national title for the second time in Ballarat in January 2016.

On the track, he competed in three&nbsp;Olympics, won three world championship gold medals, four Commonwealth Games titles and still holds the world record for the 4km individual pursuit with the time he set in Sydney in 2011.

Jack Bobridge arrested in Perth in the case of drug dealing

Australian cyclist Jack Bobridge, who won silver medals in the team pursuit at the last two Olympics, was arrested in Perth this week on charges of dealing in the ecstasy drug, local media reported on Friday. Bobridge, who was forced into retirement last year because of the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, was arrested after police raided his home in the western Australian capital on Wednesday, the ABC reported. "The investigation led detectives to charge the 28-year-old man with two counts of sell and supply a trafficable quantity of MDMA and three counts of sell and supply MDMA," Perth police said in a statement to the national broadcaster. Bobridge was bailed to appear at a Perth magistrates court to face the charges next month, ABC added. In a highly successful career, Bobridge rode in four versions of the Giro d'Italia and won the Australian road race national title for the second time in Ballarat in January 2016. On the track, he competed in three Olympics, won three world championship gold medals, four Commonwealth Games titles and still holds the world record for the 4km individual pursuit with the time he set in Sydney in 2011.

Olympic silver medalist arrested in drug dealing case

Mo&nbsp;Farah&nbsp;won the final&nbsp;track&nbsp;race&nbsp;of his career by the skin of his teeth on Thursday, clinching a dramatic 5,000 metres win after three chasing rivals collided with each other in the&nbsp;last&nbsp;couple of metres.

World champion Muktar Edris, who beat&nbsp;Farah&nbsp;at the World Championships in London two weeks ago, was among the trio left sprawled on the&nbsp;track&nbsp;in the Briton&#39;s wake as&nbsp;Farah&nbsp;dived over the line.

With quadruple Olympic and six-time world champion&nbsp;Farah&nbsp;leading going into the final straight, Ethiopian Edris came powering through and appeared set to snatch victory on the line.

But Edris tripped after being clipped on the shoulder by Paul Chelimo as the American tried to force his way through a gap and he, in turn, bowled over Yomif Kejelcha, another Ethiopian, on the outside.

Chelimo stumbled over the line in second and Edris&#39;s momentum took him over in third.

Britain&#39;s greatest&nbsp;racer,&nbsp;and perhaps the best the world has seen too after 10 global title&nbsp;wins, will take to the roads next season to run marathons.

Farah&nbsp;stayed on Edris&#39;s shoulder for almost the whole&nbsp;race&nbsp;as they gradually moved up to the field, determined not to be outsmarted by his rivals.

&quot;It&#39;s amazing to come away with a win today,&quot;&nbsp;Farah&nbsp;told reporters.

&quot;I&#39;ve been resting up and watching Edris, what tactics he normally uses, studying, working out and tonight the game plan was to sit on him and make him do a lot of the work,&quot; he added.

&quot;Going into the&nbsp;last&nbsp;lap, the plan was not to give anyone an inch, and that&#39;s what I did.&quot;

&quot;I will really miss it but everything must come to an end sometime.&quot;

There was plenty of drama elsewhere, not least in the 400 metres which were won by Botswana&#39;s Isaac Makwala who was barred from the same event in London by the IAAF after falling ill despite the athlete saying he was fit to run.

Olympic champion Ruth Jebet, fifth in London, ran the second-fastest time in history in the women&#39;s 3,000 metres steeplechase, the Bahraini winning in 8:55.29, nearly 20 seconds ahead of fourth-placed world champion Emma Coburn of the United States.

Justin Gatlin, who upstaged Usain Bolt in the Jamaican&#39;s final 100 metres in London, was fourth in his&nbsp;race, won by Britain&#39;s Chijindu Ujah in 9.97 seconds.

Dafne Schippers, world champion in the 200 metres, was also fourth as Shaunae Miller-Uibo produced a late surge over the&nbsp;last&nbsp;few metres to win in a Bahamas record time of 21.88 seconds. Olympic champion Elaine Thompson was second.

Norway&#39;s Karsten Warholm, a surprise world champion in the 400 metres hurdles, was upstaged by Kyron McMaster of British Virgin Islands after he faltered at the eighth barrier.

Timothy Cheruiyot, the silver medallist in London, won the men&#39;s 1,500 metres while world champion and fellow Kenyan Elijah Manangoi was third.

There were no surprises, however, in the women&#39;s 800 metres where South African Caster Semenya powered into the lead with around 200 metres left to win comfortably.

Other world champions who celebrated their triumphs in style included Qatar&#39;s Mutaz Essa Barshim who won the high jump with 2.36 metres and Sam Kendricks of the United States who took the pole vault with 5.87 metres.

"It's amazing to come away with a win today," Farah told reporters.

Mo Farah won the final track race of his career by the skin of his teeth on Thursday, clinching a dramatic 5,000 metres win after three chasing rivals collided with each other in the last couple of metres. World champion Muktar Edris, who beat Farah at the World Championships in London two weeks ago, was among the trio left sprawled on the track in the Briton's wake as Farah dived over the line. With quadruple Olympic and six-time world champion Farah leading going into the final straight, Ethiopian Edris came powering through and appeared set to snatch victory on the line. But Edris tripped after being clipped on the shoulder by Paul Chelimo as the American tried to force his way through a gap and he, in turn, bowled over Yomif Kejelcha, another Ethiopian, on the outside. Chelimo stumbled over the line in second and Edris's momentum took him over in third. Britain's greatest racer, and perhaps the best the world has seen too after 10 global title wins, will take to the roads next season to run marathons. Farah stayed on Edris's shoulder for almost the whole race as they gradually moved up to the field, determined not to be outsmarted by his rivals. "It's amazing to come away with a win today," Farah told reporters. "I've been resting up and watching Edris, what tactics he normally uses, studying, working out and tonight the game plan was to sit on him and make him do a lot of the work," he added. "Going into the last lap, the plan was not to give anyone an inch, and that's what I did." "I will really miss it but everything must come to an end sometime." There was plenty of drama elsewhere, not least in the 400 metres which were won by Botswana's Isaac Makwala who was barred from the same event in London by the IAAF after falling ill despite the athlete saying he was fit to run. Olympic champion Ruth Jebet, fifth in London, ran the second-fastest time in history in the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase, the Bahraini winning in 8:55.29, nearly 20 seconds ahead of fourth-placed world champion Emma Coburn of the United States. Justin Gatlin, who upstaged Usain Bolt in the Jamaican's final 100 metres in London, was fourth in his race, won by Britain's Chijindu Ujah in 9.97 seconds. Dafne Schippers, world champion in the 200 metres, was also fourth as Shaunae Miller-Uibo produced a late surge over the last few metres to win in a Bahamas record time of 21.88 seconds. Olympic champion Elaine Thompson was second. Norway's Karsten Warholm, a surprise world champion in the 400 metres hurdles, was upstaged by Kyron McMaster of British Virgin Islands after he faltered at the eighth barrier. Timothy Cheruiyot, the silver medallist in London, won the men's 1,500 metres while world champion and fellow Kenyan Elijah Manangoi was third. There were no surprises, however, in the women's 800 metres where South African Caster Semenya powered into the lead with around 200 metres left to win comfortably. Other world champions who celebrated their triumphs in style included Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim who won the high jump with 2.36 metres and Sam Kendricks of the United States who took the pole vault with 5.87 metres.

Mo Farah wins final track race after rival trio collide

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