According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)&nbsp;President Thomas Bach on Friday, IOC&nbsp;is thinking about allowing Russian athletes who oppose their nation's invasion of Ukraine to compete again.&nbsp;

In February, the IOC instructed sports governing organisations to exclude Russian and Belarusian competitors from competing. Russia's invasion, which Moscow refers to as a "special military operation," was staged in Belarus.&nbsp;

"It is not about necessarily having Russia back. It's about having athletes with a Russian passport who do not support the war back in competition," Bach told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.

"Here comes our dilemma – this war has not been started by the Russian athletes. But we saw that some governments did not want to respect anymore the autonomy of international sports... This is why we've had to take these protective measures to be at least still a little bit in the driving seat and not lose all autonomy. And this is why, on the other hand, we also have to see, and to study, to monitor, how and when we can come back to accomplish our mission to have everybody back again, under which format whatsoever," he added.

The German emphasised that the existing advice for Russian athletes remained valid, but he also said that the IOC needed to consider the future. Olympic qualifying competitions for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris have already begun.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/data-lab-the-case-of-afghan-refugees-where-do-they-move-to-520573">Data Lab | The case of Afghan refugees: Where do they move to?</a>

"There is no change in the recommendations... We are very grateful to the International Federations that they are following them," Bach added.

"The Olympic Movement has as a mission to contribute to peace, so we have to see how we can contribute to peace.&nbsp;I think our major contribution is to have the Olympic Games and to have a sport in general, as something that still unifies people and humanity," he continued.

(with inputs from agencies)

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According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on Friday, IOC is thinking about allowing Russian athletes who oppose their nation's invasion of Ukraine to compete again.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on Friday, IOC is thinking about allowing Russian athletes who oppose their nation's invasion of Ukraine to compete again. In February, the IOC instructed sports governing organisations to exclude Russian and Belarusian competitors from competing. Russia's invasion, which Moscow refers to as a "special military operation," was staged in Belarus. "It is not about necessarily having Russia back. It's about having athletes with a Russian passport who do not support the war back in competition," Bach told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera. "Here comes our dilemma – this war has not been started by the Russian athletes. But we saw that some governments did not want to respect anymore the autonomy of international sports... This is why we've had to take these protective measures to be at least still a little bit in the driving seat and not lose all autonomy. And this is why, on the other hand, we also have to see, and to study, to monitor, how and when we can come back to accomplish our mission to have everybody back again, under which format whatsoever," he added. The German emphasised that the existing advice for Russian athletes remained valid, but he also said that the IOC needed to consider the future. Olympic qualifying competitions for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris have already begun. Also Read: Data Lab | The case of Afghan refugees: Where do they move to? "There is no change in the recommendations... We are very grateful to the International Federations that they are following them," Bach added. "The Olympic Movement has as a mission to contribute to peace, so we have to see how we can contribute to peace. I think our major contribution is to have the Olympic Games and to have a sport in general, as something that still unifies people and humanity," he continued. (with inputs from agencies)

Russian athletes not supporting Ukraine invasion could return to competing: IOC President

Egypt's sports minister Ashraf Sobhi&nbsp;announced on Saturday during a reception for IOC president Thomas Bach in Cairo that Egypt intends to submit an application to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

"President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi has given his permission for<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/plastic-collected-from-the-nile-river-makes-a-pyramid-in-cairo-518647"> Egypt</a> to put itself forward as host for the 2036 Olympics," Sobhi said.

If successful with its bid, Egypt would become the first African or Arab nation ever to host the Olympics.

"Egypt has solid sporting infrastructures and if it can host the Olympic Games, it will be historic," Bach said during a joint press conference with Sobhi.

Early in the month, a senior <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-wants-action-to-address-climate-loss-damage-payments-518689">Egyptian official</a> revealed that Egypt, Greece, and Saudi Arabia were in discussions to co-host the 2030 football World Cup.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Egypt hosted both the 2018 and 2019 editions of the handball world tournament.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Egypt's sports minister Ashraf Sobhi announced on Saturday during a reception for IOC president Thomas Bach in Cairo that Egypt intends to submit an application to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

Egypt's sports minister Ashraf Sobhi announced on Saturday during a reception for IOC president Thomas Bach in Cairo that Egypt intends to submit an application to host the 2036 Olympic Games. "President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi has given his permission for Egypt to put itself forward as host for the 2036 Olympics," Sobhi said. If successful with its bid, Egypt would become the first African or Arab nation ever to host the Olympics. "Egypt has solid sporting infrastructures and if it can host the Olympic Games, it will be historic," Bach said during a joint press conference with Sobhi. Early in the month, a senior Egyptian official revealed that Egypt, Greece, and Saudi Arabia were in discussions to co-host the 2030 football World Cup. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Egypt hosted both the 2018 and 2019 editions of the handball world tournament. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Egypt to bid for 2036 Olympics, could be first African, Arab nation to host Games

A former executive director of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has made some stunning revelations to expose the deep-rooted corruption culture at the Olympics and the World Championships. The ex-official revealed how Azerbaijan was once offered a gold medal at the Olympics in exchange for $10 million&nbsp;and how he was involved in bribing top IOC members to secure taekwondo's place in the Olympic Games.

In an exclusive interview with The Times, 66-year-old Ho Kim, a South Korean sports official, made the startling revelations. Ho Kim served as the marketing and PR at the World Taekwondo Federation before he took over as the executive director of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) and served in the top position for a decade.

Ho Kim revealed that during his time at the AIBA, there was a cash-for-medals culture at the organisation and bribes amounting to millions of dollars were paid to guarantee a medal at the Olympics. The South Korean claimed Azerbaijan were offered a guaranteed gold medal in boxing at the London Olympics in 2004 and that the country paid $10 million in the form of a loan.

While admitting to bribing top International Olympic Committee officials on his own, Ho Kim claimed he was just a 'delivery boy' working for Dr Kim Un-yong and Wu Ching-kuo — two of the most influential figures in the IOC. 
 
Dr Kim was the founding president of the global taekwondo federation and later became the vice-president of the IOC, Wu was a former president of the AIBA, who later joined the IOC's executive board in 2012.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rights-groups-turn-to-sponsors-to-press-fifa-qatar-on-migrant-worker-compensation-518162">Rights groups turn to sponsors to press FIFA, Qatar on migrant worker compensation</a>

Bribing officials for Taekwondo's inclusion at the Olympics&nbsp;

Taekwondo was included in the Olympics for the first time in the 2000 Summer Games after a vote at the IOC Congress in 1994. Dr Kim was the major force behind the inclusion of the Korean martial arts discipline&nbsp;at the Games as he instructed his staff to do whatever possible in ensuring it was included in the Olympics.

Working under Dr Kim at the time, Ho Kim revealed he was involved in bribing top IOC officials, some of whom flew down to the South Korean capital of Seoul to collect cash. First-class flight tickets were arranged for the officials who travelled to South Korea.&nbsp;

Ho Kim claimed he also arranged for two luxury Daewoo cars to be sent to Lamine Keita, an IOC member from Mali at the time in order to convince him to vote in their favour for Taekwondo's inclusion at the Olympics. “Taekwondo started as an Olympic sport from Sydney in 2000 because of that,” Ho Kim told The Times.

Dr Kim, who was the major conspirator behind Taekwondo's inclusion at the Olympics, was a South Korean businessman. He was accused of bribery and forced to resign from the IOC later and died in 2017.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lithuanias-aleksandr-sorokin-runs-3196-km-in-24-hours-to-set-new-world-record-518023">Lithuania's Aleksandr Sorokin runs 319.6 km in 24 hours to set new world record</a>

Rigged&nbsp;election and medals up for sale in boxing

During his time at the AIBWA, Ho Kim worked under Wu, who he revealed, offered a gold medal to Azerbaijan at the London Olympics in exchange for a loan of $10 million for some initiative in the sport. Ho Kim also claimed he was offered bribes of up to $20,000 to fix bouts at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku.

Ho Kim alleged there was a cash-for-medals culture in boxing and the sport suffered due to the deep-rooted corruption. He also revealed how Wu bought several delegates from national federations in order to get elected as the President of the AIBA in 2006.

“We put all the cash in the envelopes. Different amounts. Our team had been involved in this before and would tell us how much for each of the federations they believed would accept a bribe. In our campaign office in Santo Domingo, people arrive and then we have to bribe. When they arrive they are expecting to get paid. We won, 83 votes to 79," Ho Kim recalled.

When asked why he is speaking out now, Ho Kim said he doesn't want boxing to suffer amid IOC's warning to the rebranded International Boxing Federation (IBA) that the game will be removed from the Olympics. Boxing has been part of the Olympics since 1904 but is not listed in the programme for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Russia's Umar Kremlev is currently the president of the IBA and the IOC had recently expressed concerns over the governance and existing corruption in the boxing body. However, Ho Kim claims IOC has threatened IBA only to get a clean slate themselves.

Ho Kim alleged it was IOC that 'pushed' Wu to run for the president's post of AIBA in 2006. The South Korean whistleblower also revealed Wu had at the time, met with the then president of IOC Jacques Rogge, and had his backing in the AIBA election.

Ho Kim alleged IOC has many such 'dirty secrets' and is trying to punish the boxing body to clean its own image amidst the controversy. “There are a lot of dirty stories hidden but what the IOC is doing to boxing right now, they also have to do something to clean their position also,” Ho Kim said.

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A former executive director of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has made some stunning revelations to expose the deep-rooted corruption culture at the Olympics and the World Championships.

A former executive director of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has made some stunning revelations to expose the deep-rooted corruption culture at the Olympics and the World Championships. The ex-official revealed how Azerbaijan was once offered a gold medal at the Olympics in exchange for $10 million and how he was involved in bribing top IOC members to secure taekwondo's place in the Olympic Games. In an exclusive interview with The Times, 66-year-old Ho Kim, a South Korean sports official, made the startling revelations. Ho Kim served as the marketing and PR at the World Taekwondo Federation before he took over as the executive director of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) and served in the top position for a decade. Ho Kim revealed that during his time at the AIBA, there was a cash-for-medals culture at the organisation and bribes amounting to millions of dollars were paid to guarantee a medal at the Olympics. The South Korean claimed Azerbaijan were offered a guaranteed gold medal in boxing at the London Olympics in 2004 and that the country paid $10 million in the form of a loan. While admitting to bribing top International Olympic Committee officials on his own, Ho Kim claimed he was just a 'delivery boy' working for Dr Kim Un-yong and Wu Ching-kuo — two of the most influential figures in the IOC. Dr Kim was the founding president of the global taekwondo federation and later became the vice-president of the IOC, Wu was a former president of the AIBA, who later joined the IOC's executive board in 2012. Also Read: Rights groups turn to sponsors to press FIFA, Qatar on migrant worker compensation Bribing officials for Taekwondo's inclusion at the Olympics Taekwondo was included in the Olympics for the first time in the 2000 Summer Games after a vote at the IOC Congress in 1994. Dr Kim was the major force behind the inclusion of the Korean martial arts discipline at the Games as he instructed his staff to do whatever possible in ensuring it was included in the Olympics. Working under Dr Kim at the time, Ho Kim revealed he was involved in bribing top IOC officials, some of whom flew down to the South Korean capital of Seoul to collect cash. First-class flight tickets were arranged for the officials who travelled to South Korea. Ho Kim claimed he also arranged for two luxury Daewoo cars to be sent to Lamine Keita, an IOC member from Mali at the time in order to convince him to vote in their favour for Taekwondo's inclusion at the Olympics. “Taekwondo started as an Olympic sport from Sydney in 2000 because of that,” Ho Kim told The Times. Dr Kim, who was the major conspirator behind Taekwondo's inclusion at the Olympics, was a South Korean businessman. He was accused of bribery and forced to resign from the IOC later and died in 2017. Also Read: Lithuania's Aleksandr Sorokin runs 319.6 km in 24 hours to set new world record Rigged election and medals up for sale in boxing During his time at the AIBWA, Ho Kim worked under Wu, who he revealed, offered a gold medal to Azerbaijan at the London Olympics in exchange for a loan of $10 million for some initiative in the sport. Ho Kim also claimed he was offered bribes of up to $20,000 to fix bouts at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku. Ho Kim alleged there was a cash-for-medals culture in boxing and the sport suffered due to the deep-rooted corruption. He also revealed how Wu bought several delegates from national federations in order to get elected as the President of the AIBA in 2006. “We put all the cash in the envelopes. Different amounts. Our team had been involved in this before and would tell us how much for each of the federations they believed would accept a bribe. In our campaign office in Santo Domingo, people arrive and then we have to bribe. When they arrive they are expecting to get paid. We won, 83 votes to 79," Ho Kim recalled. When asked why he is speaking out now, Ho Kim said he doesn't want boxing to suffer amid IOC's warning to the rebranded International Boxing Federation (IBA) that the game will be removed from the Olympics. Boxing has been part of the Olympics since 1904 but is not listed in the programme for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Russia's Umar Kremlev is currently the president of the IBA and the IOC had recently expressed concerns over the governance and existing corruption in the boxing body. However, Ho Kim claims IOC has threatened IBA only to get a clean slate themselves. Ho Kim alleged it was IOC that 'pushed' Wu to run for the president's post of AIBA in 2006. The South Korean whistleblower also revealed Wu had at the time, met with the then president of IOC Jacques Rogge, and had his backing in the AIBA election. Ho Kim alleged IOC has many such 'dirty secrets' and is trying to punish the boxing body to clean its own image amidst the controversy. “There are a lot of dirty stories hidden but what the IOC is doing to boxing right now, they also have to do something to clean their position also,” Ho Kim said. ×

Election rigging to medals for cash: Former boxing body official exposes corruption culture at Olympics

A swimming cap designed specifically for athletes with Afro hair has been approved for swimming competitions – at all levels – after the product was barred from being worn at the Olympics last year. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

WION Fineprint | Swimming cap for Afro hair finally approved after being barred

Dutch athlete Soloman Bockarie -- &nbsp;part of the Netherlands 4x100m relay team -- failed his doping test by testing positive&nbsp;for growth hormone GHRP-2 during an out-of-competition check last month and went on to claim that he didn't consume any of the banned substance. Now, in a bizarre statement, Bockarie has shifted the blame for failing the dope test to having 'chicken with hormones'.

"I don’t know how this product got into my body,” Bockarie was quoted as saying by the Netherlands public broadcaster,&nbsp;NOS. He added, "I only know one thing for sure. And that is that I have not used doping. If anyone is vehemently against using banned stimulants, it’s me. "I have a lot of questions about this check and the results. Let me emphasize that an athlete is at all times responsible for the substances found in his body. But in this case, so much is unclear that I would like some clarification."

In a report by the&nbsp;NOS, it was mentioned&nbsp;that Bockarie’s spokesperson Robbin Pieterman had blamed the cheap chicken bought by the athlete in the market&nbsp;in&nbsp;The Hague. "It could be that this chicken had been treated with hormones and that he got this hormone in his body from eating this chicken,"&nbsp;Pieterman was quoted as saying.

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"Fortunately, Solomon still has pieces of this chicken at home. We will try to have it examined to show that the hormone entered Solomon’s body through this route,” he further opined.

While it might sound like a bizarre claim, Bockarie has made his feelings known courtesy of some strong remarks. Given his spokesperson is confident that it was the cheap chicken consumption that caused the Olympics athlete to fail the dope test, it will be interesting to see if they can give a more clearer picture in this regard. The 35-year-old athlete was part of the Netherlands'&nbsp;relay team at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

Dutch athlete Soloman Bockarie -- part of the Netherlands 4x100m relay team -- failed his doping test by testing positive for growth hormone GHRP-2 during an out-of-competition check last month and went on to claim that he didn't consume any of the banned substance.

Dutch athlete Soloman Bockarie -- part of the Netherlands 4x100m relay team -- failed his doping test by testing positive for growth hormone GHRP-2 during an out-of-competition check last month and went on to claim that he didn't consume any of the banned substance. Now, in a bizarre statement, Bockarie has shifted the blame for failing the dope test to having 'chicken with hormones'. "I don’t know how this product got into my body,” Bockarie was quoted as saying by the Netherlands public broadcaster, NOS. He added, "I only know one thing for sure. And that is that I have not used doping. If anyone is vehemently against using banned stimulants, it’s me. "I have a lot of questions about this check and the results. Let me emphasize that an athlete is at all times responsible for the substances found in his body. But in this case, so much is unclear that I would like some clarification." In a report by the NOS, it was mentioned that Bockarie’s spokesperson Robbin Pieterman had blamed the cheap chicken bought by the athlete in the market in The Hague. "It could be that this chicken had been treated with hormones and that he got this hormone in his body from eating this chicken," Pieterman was quoted as saying. ALSO READ | Paul Pogba's brother Mathias makes shocking allegations, accuses Juventus star of witchcraft "Fortunately, Solomon still has pieces of this chicken at home. We will try to have it examined to show that the hormone entered Solomon’s body through this route,” he further opined. While it might sound like a bizarre claim, Bockarie has made his feelings known courtesy of some strong remarks. Given his spokesperson is confident that it was the cheap chicken consumption that caused the Olympics athlete to fail the dope test, it will be interesting to see if they can give a more clearer picture in this regard. The 35-year-old athlete was part of the Netherlands' relay team at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

Bizarre! Solomon Bockarie fails dope test, Dutchman shifts blame on ‘chicken with hormones’

A board member for the Tokyo Olympics was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of taking bribes, prosecutors said, along with three other men connected to the scandal.

Haruyuki Takahashi allegedly received $380,000 from high-street business suit retailer Aoki Holdings, an official partner of last year’s pandemic-delayed 2020 Games.

The 78-year-old was arrested along with Aoki chairman Hironori Aoki, 83, and two other executives from the retailer, according to Tokyo Prosecutors Office documents seen by AFP.

They accuse Takahashi of accepting bribes “with the understanding they were meant as thank-you money for the beneficial and preferential treatment" he bestowed on Aoki.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/the-game-would-be-losing-something-fundamental-if-we-just-watch-t20-franchise-stuff-nasser-hussain-507746">The game would be losing something fundamental if we just watch T20 franchise stuff: Nasser Hussain</a>

According to the prosecutors, Takahashi had a total of 51 million yen ($380,000 at today’s rates) transferred to the bank account of a company he runs, in more than 50 transactions between October 2017 and March 2022.

The arrests came after Takahashi’s Tokyo home was raided last month by investigators, according to Japanese media, with searches also conducted at the Aoki chairman’s home and the disbanded Tokyo 2020 organising committee office.

Takahashi, a former executive at Japan’s biggest advertising agency, Dentsu, served on the Tokyo 2020 board from June 2014.

During that time he was reportedly considered a quasi-civil servant who was not permitted to accept money or gifts related to his position.

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The Tokyo 2020 organising committee wound down operations last month, but it maintains a presence to deal with assets and liabilities.

The Tokyo Olympics were held in 2021 after an unprecedented one-year delay because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Stadiums were largely empty with fans banned over surging virus infections in Japan.

A board member for the Tokyo Olympics was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of taking bribes, prosecutors said, along with three other men connected to the scandal.

A board member for the Tokyo Olympics was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of taking bribes, prosecutors said, along with three other men connected to the scandal. Haruyuki Takahashi allegedly received $380,000 from high-street business suit retailer Aoki Holdings, an official partner of last year’s pandemic-delayed 2020 Games. The 78-year-old was arrested along with Aoki chairman Hironori Aoki, 83, and two other executives from the retailer, according to Tokyo Prosecutors Office documents seen by AFP. They accuse Takahashi of accepting bribes “with the understanding they were meant as thank-you money for the beneficial and preferential treatment" he bestowed on Aoki. Also Read: The game would be losing something fundamental if we just watch T20 franchise stuff: Nasser Hussain According to the prosecutors, Takahashi had a total of 51 million yen ($380,000 at today’s rates) transferred to the bank account of a company he runs, in more than 50 transactions between October 2017 and March 2022. The arrests came after Takahashi’s Tokyo home was raided last month by investigators, according to Japanese media, with searches also conducted at the Aoki chairman’s home and the disbanded Tokyo 2020 organising committee office. Takahashi, a former executive at Japan’s biggest advertising agency, Dentsu, served on the Tokyo 2020 board from June 2014. During that time he was reportedly considered a quasi-civil servant who was not permitted to accept money or gifts related to his position. Also Read: 'Not buying any sports team' - Elon Musk clarifies after claiming he is going to buy Manchester United The Tokyo 2020 organising committee wound down operations last month, but it maintains a presence to deal with assets and liabilities. The Tokyo Olympics were held in 2021 after an unprecedented one-year delay because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Stadiums were largely empty with fans banned over surging virus infections in Japan.

Tokyo Olympics executive arrested over bribery allegations

Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi has arrived in Australia to start afresh just over a year after carrying the Afghan flag into the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games, competing in the 100-meters, and then having to watch from afar as the Taliban regained control of her country.

The Australian Olympic Committee on Wednesday said Yousofi and Asian Games taekwondo medalist Ahmad Abasy, an activist for women's sports inclusion, were among the members of five Afghan families with ties to the Olympic movement to have recently arrived in Australia. "It's been a journey for me but I am very happy to be here,&nbsp;Yousofi said in a statement. I am essentially starting a new life here.

Yousofi, who arrived with her mother and one of her three brothers, is aiming to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, whether it be for Afghanistan or for the International Olympic Committee's Refugee Team. 
Yousofi was living in Iran when she gained selection for the Afghan team to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she carried the flag in the opening ceremony. She had the same honor in Tokyo last year and is hoping, despite another relocation, to get another chance. "I am going to be training very hard and it would be exciting to go to Paris,&nbsp;she said. I am definitely going to be competing.

She also thanked the people who helped her family resettle and said she's still seeking visas for two of her brothers. The group with Olympic links joins more than 100 other Afghan athletes, including women's soccer players and cricketers, who resettled in Australia last year after the Taliban took control amid the U.S. Military's withdrawal from Kabul after 20 years of war.

The Taliban on Monday marked a year since they seized the Afghan capital. The former insurgents struggle to govern and remain internationally isolated, while the economic downturn has driven millions more Afghans into poverty. The Taliban-led government also has imposed restrictions on access to education and jobs for girls and women, despite initial promises to the contrary. Teenage girls are barred from school and women are required to cover themselves head-to-toe in public, with only the eyes showing.

Abasy, who has competed internationally and coached in Taekwondo, said the girls and women of his country were being denied the right to sports. "This is a great loss for the sport of Afghanistan and the world," Abasy said. "Afghan girls have good talent in sports and have made significant achievements that should not be ignored.

"Afghan girls should actively participate in international competitions, and we will witness one of the Afghan girls winning a ... Medal. I will fight for their rights." Australia's Olympic committee worked with the Department of Home Affairs to secure visas and flights for the Afghan families and with sponsors for their financial support and help with accommodation and employment.

"For the families involved, the stress and uncertainty over this time has been enormous, AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said in the statement. These brave people have endured significant hardship. It's a proud moment for the Olympic movement in Australia that we have them here, safe and settling well.

Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi has arrived in Australia to start afresh just over a year after carrying the Afghan flag into the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games, competing in the 100-meters, and then having to watch from afar as the Taliban regained control of her country.

Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi has arrived in Australia to start afresh just over a year after carrying the Afghan flag into the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games, competing in the 100-meters, and then having to watch from afar as the Taliban regained control of her country. The Australian Olympic Committee on Wednesday said Yousofi and Asian Games taekwondo medalist Ahmad Abasy, an activist for women's sports inclusion, were among the members of five Afghan families with ties to the Olympic movement to have recently arrived in Australia. "It's been a journey for me but I am very happy to be here, Yousofi said in a statement. I am essentially starting a new life here. Yousofi, who arrived with her mother and one of her three brothers, is aiming to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, whether it be for Afghanistan or for the International Olympic Committee's Refugee Team. Yousofi was living in Iran when she gained selection for the Afghan team to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she carried the flag in the opening ceremony. She had the same honor in Tokyo last year and is hoping, despite another relocation, to get another chance. "I am going to be training very hard and it would be exciting to go to Paris, she said. I am definitely going to be competing. She also thanked the people who helped her family resettle and said she's still seeking visas for two of her brothers. The group with Olympic links joins more than 100 other Afghan athletes, including women's soccer players and cricketers, who resettled in Australia last year after the Taliban took control amid the U.S. Military's withdrawal from Kabul after 20 years of war. The Taliban on Monday marked a year since they seized the Afghan capital. The former insurgents struggle to govern and remain internationally isolated, while the economic downturn has driven millions more Afghans into poverty. The Taliban-led government also has imposed restrictions on access to education and jobs for girls and women, despite initial promises to the contrary. Teenage girls are barred from school and women are required to cover themselves head-to-toe in public, with only the eyes showing. Abasy, who has competed internationally and coached in Taekwondo, said the girls and women of his country were being denied the right to sports. "This is a great loss for the sport of Afghanistan and the world," Abasy said. "Afghan girls have good talent in sports and have made significant achievements that should not be ignored. "Afghan girls should actively participate in international competitions, and we will witness one of the Afghan girls winning a ... Medal. I will fight for their rights." Australia's Olympic committee worked with the Department of Home Affairs to secure visas and flights for the Afghan families and with sponsors for their financial support and help with accommodation and employment. "For the families involved, the stress and uncertainty over this time has been enormous, AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said in the statement. These brave people have endured significant hardship. It's a proud moment for the Olympic movement in Australia that we have them here, safe and settling well.

Afghan Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi resettles in Australia to start afresh

India's tryst with the Olympics has spanned over 100 years with fair share of highs and lows. India first participated at the Olympics in 1900 when Norman Pritchard was the lone athlete from the country.

India@75: India's remarkable journey at the Olympics

Abhinav Bindra created history when he became the first-ever Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics in 2008. The then 25-year-old had scripted a unique feat by winning the country's first gold in an individual event when he returned with the yellow metal&nbsp;in the 10-m air rifle competition.&nbsp;

In addition, the legendary shooter Bindra had secured as many as four consecutive gold medals in the Commonwealth Games,&nbsp;from 2002 to 2014, and also ended as&nbsp;the top-prize winner at the&nbsp;World Championships held in 2006. While he was close to winning another Olympic medal in Rio 2016, he ended at the fourth spot. Nonetheless what followed was a surprising move from Bindra as he retired from the sport in the same year.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/two-pakistani-boxers-mysteriously-disappear-in-birmingham-in-the-aftermath-of-the-commonwealth-games-505946">Two Pakistani boxers mysteriously disappear in Birmingham after Commonwealth Games 2022</a>

Recently, a fan commented on a video of Bindra's memorable Olympic gold medal triumph on August 11, 2008, shared by The Bridge's account. A Twitter user wrote,&nbsp;"Why he retired too early is something he will answer someday to his fans.." To this, the 39-year-old Bindra broke his silence and also replied to the user.

He wrote, "1.) Recognised my fading skills 2). Failed in two successive Games 3). Was the appropriate time to give my spot to a younger athlete and talent ! (did not just want to hold on to it)"

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1.) Recognised my fading skills 2). Failed in two successive Games 3). Was the appropriate time to give my spot to a younger athlete and talent ! ( did not just want to hold on to it )
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhinav_Bindra/status/1557623597971415040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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For the unversed, Abhinav wasn't India's first-ever Olympic medallist among shooters.&nbsp;Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had secured&nbsp;silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics, however, Bindra moved past him and ensured a top-spot finish&nbsp;in the 2008 edition.&nbsp;After Bindra, Gagan Narang claimed&nbsp;bronze&nbsp;in the same 10m Air Rifle category in the 2012 London Olympics whereas Vijay Kumar matched Rathore's feat and won&nbsp;silver in the 25 m rapid fire pistol competition. These four&nbsp;are the only elite members from the shooting fraternity to have&nbsp;won Olympic medals&nbsp;for the country.

Abhinav Bindra created history when he became the first-ever Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics in 2008. The then 25-year-old had scripted a unique feat by winning the country's first gold in an individual event when he returned with the yellow metal in the 10-m air rifle competition.

Abhinav Bindra created history when he became the first-ever Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics in 2008. The then 25-year-old had scripted a unique feat by winning the country's first gold in an individual event when he returned with the yellow metal in the 10-m air rifle competition. In addition, the legendary shooter Bindra had secured as many as four consecutive gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, from 2002 to 2014, and also ended as the top-prize winner at the World Championships held in 2006. While he was close to winning another Olympic medal in Rio 2016, he ended at the fourth spot. Nonetheless what followed was a surprising move from Bindra as he retired from the sport in the same year. ALSO READ | Two Pakistani boxers mysteriously disappear in Birmingham after Commonwealth Games 2022 Recently, a fan commented on a video of Bindra's memorable Olympic gold medal triumph on August 11, 2008, shared by The Bridge's account. A Twitter user wrote, "Why he retired too early is something he will answer someday to his fans.." To this, the 39-year-old Bindra broke his silence and also replied to the user. He wrote, "1.) Recognised my fading skills 2). Failed in two successive Games 3). Was the appropriate time to give my spot to a younger athlete and talent ! (did not just want to hold on to it)" 1.) Recognised my fading skills 2). Failed in two successive Games 3). Was the appropriate time to give my spot to a younger athlete and talent ! ( did not just want to hold on to it ) — Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 11, 2022 × For the unversed, Abhinav wasn't India's first-ever Olympic medallist among shooters. Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had secured silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics, however, Bindra moved past him and ensured a top-spot finish in the 2008 edition. After Bindra, Gagan Narang claimed bronze in the same 10m Air Rifle category in the 2012 London Olympics whereas Vijay Kumar matched Rathore's feat and won silver in the 25 m rapid fire pistol competition. These four are the only elite members from the shooting fraternity to have won Olympic medals for the country.

Why did shooter Abhinav Bindra retire in 2016? Olympic gold medallist responds to a fan's query

Cricket's much-anticipated inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics received a shot in the arm as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortlisted it for a review along with eight other sporting disciplines. 
Cricket has only featured once at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, with Great Britain and hosts France as only participants.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, The development comes a day after the International Cricket Committee (ICC) was formally invited by both the LA28 and IOC to submit presentation in order to make their case considered. However, a final decision is expected to be announced ahead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai sometime in mid-2023.

The other eight sports in consideration for the showpiece event are baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kick-boxing, squash, and motorsport. In February this year, the IOC said that a total of 28 sporting events will be part of the Los Angeles Games and also added that the 'potential new sports' will be considered with a focus on youth.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/saurav-ghosal-creates-history-becomes-1st-indian-squash-player-to-win-a-singles-medal-in-cwg-503368">Saurav Ghosal creates history, becomes 1st Indian squash player to win a singles medal in CWG</a>

As per IOC diktat, a sport should clear some set of criteria in order to be considered for inclusion. 
This includes priorities to cost and complexity reduction, engaging the best athletes and sports with safety and health first, global appeal, host country interest, gender equality, youth relevance, upholding integrity and fairness to support clean sports, and long-term sustainability. Cricket is currently being featured in the ongoing Commonwealth Games with the women's T20 format being played among eight nations, albeit only the women's teams are participating in it.

However, for a sporting event to be featured at the Olympic Games, it must be for both men and women. 
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said he was pleased the way the cricket was viewed during the Birmingham Games and the sport has been a "star attraction" at the showpiece event. "We've seen from the Commonwealth Games how much the world's best players have enjoyed playing in front of big crowds and what I'm sure will be large TV audiences," Allardice told the website.

Cricket's much-anticipated inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics received a shot in the arm as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortlisted it for a review along with eight other sporting disciplines.

Cricket's much-anticipated inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics received a shot in the arm as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortlisted it for a review along with eight other sporting disciplines. Cricket has only featured once at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, with Great Britain and hosts France as only participants. According to ESPN Cricinfo, The development comes a day after the International Cricket Committee (ICC) was formally invited by both the LA28 and IOC to submit presentation in order to make their case considered. However, a final decision is expected to be announced ahead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai sometime in mid-2023. The other eight sports in consideration for the showpiece event are baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kick-boxing, squash, and motorsport. In February this year, the IOC said that a total of 28 sporting events will be part of the Los Angeles Games and also added that the 'potential new sports' will be considered with a focus on youth. ALSO READ | Saurav Ghosal creates history, becomes 1st Indian squash player to win a singles medal in CWG As per IOC diktat, a sport should clear some set of criteria in order to be considered for inclusion. This includes priorities to cost and complexity reduction, engaging the best athletes and sports with safety and health first, global appeal, host country interest, gender equality, youth relevance, upholding integrity and fairness to support clean sports, and long-term sustainability. Cricket is currently being featured in the ongoing Commonwealth Games with the women's T20 format being played among eight nations, albeit only the women's teams are participating in it. However, for a sporting event to be featured at the Olympic Games, it must be for both men and women. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said he was pleased the way the cricket was viewed during the Birmingham Games and the sport has been a "star attraction" at the showpiece event. "We've seen from the Commonwealth Games how much the world's best players have enjoyed playing in front of big crowds and what I'm sure will be large TV audiences," Allardice told the website.

IOC to contemplate cricket's inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra scripted history as he bagged his maiden silver medal in the men's javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships 2022. He spoke to WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo and stated that it was important to be on the podium one again, here's the full interview, listen in.

Silver for Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in Eugene, ends India's 19-year wait

Japan's two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu retired from competition aged 27 on Tuesday, after struggling with injuries at this year's Beijing Games. It brings down the curtain on a glittering career that has seen the elegant skater become a national icon who is trailed around the world by adoring fans.

It follows a string of injuries, including at February's Games, where the "Ice Prince" was dethroned as Olympic champion by rival Nathan Chen of the United States, with Hanyu finishing a disappointing fourth in Beijing.

Wearing a dark suit and bowing deeply as he took to the stage, Hanyu told a packed press conference in Tokyo that he was finished as a competitive athlete.

"I'll no longer be compared with other skaters as a competitor," Hanyu said, saying he will concentrate on skating in exhibition shows for his fans. "I have no sadness. I want to continue to do my best."

Hanyu made clear his discomfort with the idea of being considered retired.

"I don't like using the word 'retire'. Ice shows tend to be considered something elegant and fun, but I want to remain more of an athlete.... I want people to see me as I continue to fight," he said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/japans-figure-skating-star-yuzuru-hanyu-sparks-retirement-rumours-498715">Japan's figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu sparks retirement rumours</a>

With his graceful skating style and delicate, boyish looks, Hanyu is an icon for his "Fanyu" supporters, who shower the ice with Winnie the Pooh toys after his routines.

He won his first Olympic singles title at the 2014 Sochi Games and then became the first man in 66 years to defend his crown four years later in Pyeongchang.

He also won the world championships in 2014 and 2017 but he has been dogged by injury in recent years, including an ankle ligament problem that he had to overcome to win his second Olympic gold.

The same ankle forced him to miss the 2021 Grand Prix season, but he made a successful return at last year's Japanese national championships.

It was there that he attempted to become the first skater to land a quadruple axel jump, which was expected to be his secret weapon at the Beijing Games. But instead, he tumbled twice and said afterwards: "It feels like everything has gone wrong this time around."

Hanyu said Tuesday he had considered ending his competitive career after Pyeongchang in 2018, but decided instead to continue to fight for his goal of the quadruple axel.

"As far as competitions go, as far as their results, I think I have been able to take all the things I wanted to take. I think I have grown in such a way that I don't seek that kind of evaluation anymore," he said.

The elusive quadruple axel remains on his mind, he admitted, and the skating sensation said he would "work harder" so he could one day "land it successfully in front of everyone".

"What I want is to remain someone who continues to work hard toward dreams and goals," he said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/daria-kasatkina-comes-out-as-gay-slams-russian-stance-on-homosexuality-498664">Daria Kasatkina comes out as gay, slams Russian stance on homosexuality</a>

Hanyu is a national hero in Japan, where he became the youngest recipient of his country's prestigious People's Honour Award in 2018, and his every move is headline news.

But he still remains something of an enigma despite the huge attention, rarely granting interviews and having no social media presence. His fans spend fortunes watching him compete and even carve sculptures of the rake-thin star, who is known as "Yuzu" to his devotees.

Hanyu began skating as a child in his native Sendai, in Japan's northeast. When the massive earthquake and tsunami hit the region in 2011, he was practising on the ice and was forced to flee the rink on his skates. 
&nbsp;

Japan's two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu retired from competition aged 27 on Tuesday, after struggling with injuries at this year's Beijing Games.

Japan's two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu retired from competition aged 27 on Tuesday, after struggling with injuries at this year's Beijing Games. It brings down the curtain on a glittering career that has seen the elegant skater become a national icon who is trailed around the world by adoring fans. It follows a string of injuries, including at February's Games, where the "Ice Prince" was dethroned as Olympic champion by rival Nathan Chen of the United States, with Hanyu finishing a disappointing fourth in Beijing. Wearing a dark suit and bowing deeply as he took to the stage, Hanyu told a packed press conference in Tokyo that he was finished as a competitive athlete. "I'll no longer be compared with other skaters as a competitor," Hanyu said, saying he will concentrate on skating in exhibition shows for his fans. "I have no sadness. I want to continue to do my best." Hanyu made clear his discomfort with the idea of being considered retired. "I don't like using the word 'retire'. Ice shows tend to be considered something elegant and fun, but I want to remain more of an athlete.... I want people to see me as I continue to fight," he said. Also Read: Japan's figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu sparks retirement rumours With his graceful skating style and delicate, boyish looks, Hanyu is an icon for his "Fanyu" supporters, who shower the ice with Winnie the Pooh toys after his routines. He won his first Olympic singles title at the 2014 Sochi Games and then became the first man in 66 years to defend his crown four years later in Pyeongchang. He also won the world championships in 2014 and 2017 but he has been dogged by injury in recent years, including an ankle ligament problem that he had to overcome to win his second Olympic gold. The same ankle forced him to miss the 2021 Grand Prix season, but he made a successful return at last year's Japanese national championships. It was there that he attempted to become the first skater to land a quadruple axel jump, which was expected to be his secret weapon at the Beijing Games. But instead, he tumbled twice and said afterwards: "It feels like everything has gone wrong this time around." Hanyu said Tuesday he had considered ending his competitive career after Pyeongchang in 2018, but decided instead to continue to fight for his goal of the quadruple axel. "As far as competitions go, as far as their results, I think I have been able to take all the things I wanted to take. I think I have grown in such a way that I don't seek that kind of evaluation anymore," he said. The elusive quadruple axel remains on his mind, he admitted, and the skating sensation said he would "work harder" so he could one day "land it successfully in front of everyone". "What I want is to remain someone who continues to work hard toward dreams and goals," he said. Also Read: Daria Kasatkina comes out as gay, slams Russian stance on homosexuality Hanyu is a national hero in Japan, where he became the youngest recipient of his country's prestigious People's Honour Award in 2018, and his every move is headline news. But he still remains something of an enigma despite the huge attention, rarely granting interviews and having no social media presence. His fans spend fortunes watching him compete and even carve sculptures of the rake-thin star, who is known as "Yuzu" to his devotees. Hanyu began skating as a child in his native Sendai, in Japan's northeast. When the massive earthquake and tsunami hit the region in 2011, he was practising on the ice and was forced to flee the rink on his skates.

Two-time Olympic skating champion Japan's 'ice prince' Yuzuru Hanyu retires aged 27

Athletes from Russia and Belarus may not be allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Games over Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Craig Reedie said. The IOC issued guidance to sports governing bodies in February to remove the two countries` athletes from competition. Belarus has been used as a staging ground for Russia`s invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military operation".

"A decision is going to have to be taken on what happens to each of these two countries, and my guess is that the general feeling would be that they should not qualify," former IOC vice-president Reedie told British media.

"Most people are struggling with how we could achieve some degree of representation, but at the moment, there is no clear way to do it. Therefore, you maintain the status quo."

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dont-think-i-need-roger-federer-hints-at-calling-it-quits-after-skipping-wimbledon-2022-496682">&nbsp;'Don't think I need....' - Roger Federer hints at calling it quits after skipping Wimbledon 2022</a>

Athletes will miss qualification events for Paris as a result of the measures, and IOC President Thomas Bach said in May that Russia`s participation was unclear. It has, however, not sanctioned or banned Russian members who sit on the IOC from taking part in Olympic meetings and has also not sanctioned the Russian Olympic Committee.

Of the sports on the Olympic programme, only cycling, tennis and judo have allowed Russians and Belarusians to continue to compete but Reedie said he doubted even athletes from those sports would be permitted to participate in qualifying events.

Reedie, former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), said it would be unrealistic to allow athletes to enter qualifying competitions once they have begun.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/they-should-be-ashamed-vettel-hamilton-slam-racist-crowd-after-fans-face-abuse-during-austrian-gp-496644">'They should be ashamed': Vettel, Hamilton slam racist crowd after fans face abuse during Austrian GP</a>

"It`s quite difficult halfway through to say, `All of you who have now qualified we`ve changed the rules`," Reedie said.

"So there`s a real issue for the federations, who have a clear instruction which they`ve agreed to that they won`t invite Russians and Belarusians to take part in events.

"On the face of it, it`s unlikely that anybody would qualify other than those three sports which don`t do it that way. And will they be able to qualify (from those three sports)? I`m not sure."

A Russian doping scandal, involving revelations of a state-backed system across many sports, following the Sochi 2014 Olympics led to Russian athletes competing as neutrals at the Games as part of IOC sanctions.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus may not be allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Games over Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Craig Reedie said.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus may not be allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Games over Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Craig Reedie said. The IOC issued guidance to sports governing bodies in February to remove the two countries` athletes from competition. Belarus has been used as a staging ground for Russia`s invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military operation". "A decision is going to have to be taken on what happens to each of these two countries, and my guess is that the general feeling would be that they should not qualify," former IOC vice-president Reedie told British media. "Most people are struggling with how we could achieve some degree of representation, but at the moment, there is no clear way to do it. Therefore, you maintain the status quo." Also Read: 'Don't think I need....' - Roger Federer hints at calling it quits after skipping Wimbledon 2022 Athletes will miss qualification events for Paris as a result of the measures, and IOC President Thomas Bach said in May that Russia`s participation was unclear. It has, however, not sanctioned or banned Russian members who sit on the IOC from taking part in Olympic meetings and has also not sanctioned the Russian Olympic Committee. Of the sports on the Olympic programme, only cycling, tennis and judo have allowed Russians and Belarusians to continue to compete but Reedie said he doubted even athletes from those sports would be permitted to participate in qualifying events. Reedie, former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), said it would be unrealistic to allow athletes to enter qualifying competitions once they have begun. Also Read: 'They should be ashamed': Vettel, Hamilton slam racist crowd after fans face abuse during Austrian GP "It`s quite difficult halfway through to say, `All of you who have now qualified we`ve changed the rules`," Reedie said. "So there`s a real issue for the federations, who have a clear instruction which they`ve agreed to that they won`t invite Russians and Belarusians to take part in events. "On the face of it, it`s unlikely that anybody would qualify other than those three sports which don`t do it that way. And will they be able to qualify (from those three sports)? I`m not sure." A Russian doping scandal, involving revelations of a state-backed system across many sports, following the Sochi 2014 Olympics led to Russian athletes competing as neutrals at the Games as part of IOC sanctions.

Russia, Belarus athletes may face ban at Paris Olympics 2024, says IOC member Craig Reedie

Hamidi is an Afghan Taekwondo champion who escaped Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and took refuge in France. She is currently training for the 2024 summer Olympics.

Afghan Taekwondo champ escapes Taliban and trains for 2024 summer Olympics

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from this month's Wimbledon championships for personal reasons, but her agent said that world number two will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics.

Japan's Osaka quit the French Open last month following her first-round victory after organizers fined her $15,000 and threatened her with expulsion from the tournament when she refused to attend mandatory post-match press conferences.

The 23-year-old, who said she has "social anxiety", explained that the media's line of questioning after matches impacted her mental well-being.

"Naomi won't be playing Wimbledon this year. She is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans," Osaka's agent told Reuters via email.

Wimbledon organizers, the All England Lawn&nbsp;Tennis&nbsp;Club (AELTC), said Osaka would be "greatly missed" at the Grand Slam this year.

"We completely understand her decision," the AELTC said. "We wish her a happy time with her friends and family and look forward to welcoming her back to Wimbledon next year."

Osaka's participation at Wimbledon was in doubt this month when she pulled out of a WTA 500 grasscourt tournament in Berlin which was meant to serve as a tune-up for the Grand Slam.

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, had announced in the build-up to the French Open that she would not face the media and stuck to her stance.

A strongly-worded letter from the board of the four Grand Slam tournaments followed, warning her of possible expulsion from Roland Garros and future majors - after which she announced her withdrawal on social media.

Osaka's sudden withdrawal led to an outpouring of support from fellow&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;professionals and other athletes, including Venus and Serena Williams, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and former Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt.

Judy Murray, a mother of three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray, also spoke out in support of Osaka, saying&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;players faced extremely high demands from the media.

The reaction to Osaka's withdrawal put French Open organizers on the back foot. Although they defended their handling of the situation, they accepted that the governing bodies need to do better on mental health issues.

Osaka's withdrawal was a second major blow to Wimbledon on Thursday after 20-times Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal announced he was skipping the grasscourt major following a grueling claycourt season.

Spaniard Nadal also said he would be skipping the Olympics, which begin on July 23.

Born to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, Osaka grew up idolizing 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and turned professional in 2013 aged 15.

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from this month's Wimbledon championships for personal reasons, but her agent said that world number two will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics.

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from this month's Wimbledon championships for personal reasons, but her agent said that world number two will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics. Japan's Osaka quit the French Open last month following her first-round victory after organizers fined her $15,000 and threatened her with expulsion from the tournament when she refused to attend mandatory post-match press conferences. The 23-year-old, who said she has "social anxiety", explained that the media's line of questioning after matches impacted her mental well-being. "Naomi won't be playing Wimbledon this year. She is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans," Osaka's agent told Reuters via email. Wimbledon organizers, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), said Osaka would be "greatly missed" at the Grand Slam this year. "We completely understand her decision," the AELTC said. "We wish her a happy time with her friends and family and look forward to welcoming her back to Wimbledon next year." Osaka's participation at Wimbledon was in doubt this month when she pulled out of a WTA 500 grasscourt tournament in Berlin which was meant to serve as a tune-up for the Grand Slam. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, had announced in the build-up to the French Open that she would not face the media and stuck to her stance. A strongly-worded letter from the board of the four Grand Slam tournaments followed, warning her of possible expulsion from Roland Garros and future majors - after which she announced her withdrawal on social media. Osaka's sudden withdrawal led to an outpouring of support from fellow tennis professionals and other athletes, including Venus and Serena Williams, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and former Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt. Judy Murray, a mother of three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray, also spoke out in support of Osaka, saying tennis players faced extremely high demands from the media. The reaction to Osaka's withdrawal put French Open organizers on the back foot. Although they defended their handling of the situation, they accepted that the governing bodies need to do better on mental health issues. Osaka's withdrawal was a second major blow to Wimbledon on Thursday after 20-times Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal announced he was skipping the grasscourt major following a grueling claycourt season. Spaniard Nadal also said he would be skipping the Olympics, which begin on July 23. Born to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, Osaka grew up idolizing 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and turned professional in 2013 aged 15.

Tennis: Naomi Osaka pulls out of Wimbledon but aims for Olympics

The final price tag for last year's Tokyo Olympics was more than double the city's original 2013 estimate after a one-year coronavirus postponement added to the already hefty bill. The organising committee said Tuesday the Games had cost 1.42 trillion yen, the equivalent of $13 billion at the time. At today's rates, with the yen at a 24-year low against the dollar, the figure would be $10.4 billion.

Tokyo 2020 was held a year later than planned because of the pandemic — the first Olympics postponed in peacetime — and spectators were banned from nearly all events, which were held under strict Covid-19 countermeasures.

The Games cost twice the 734 billion yen that the Tokyo Games organisers had predicted in their bid to the International Olympic Committee in 2013, but less than the final pre-Games budget unveiled in December 2020.

Despite losing out on ticket sales, organisers saved some cash by simplifying events and avoiding the cost of hosting millions of fans.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/fina-bars-transgenders-athletes-in-womens-competitions-will-other-sporting-bodies-follow-suit-490377">FINA bars transgenders athletes in women's competitions: Will other sporting bodies follow suit?</a>

The organising committee, which disbands at the end of June, said the event's final cost was 200 billion yen less than projected in its pre-Games budget in 2020 and 29 billion yen less than the final slimmed-down costs prediction in December 2021.

"It's up to everyone involved in this event to pass on the legacy of the Tokyo Olympics to the next generation," said Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto.

Tokyo experienced a Covid-19 surge last year as the Olympics approached, fuelling fears the event could worsen outbreaks in Japan and possibly the world.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arsenal-sign-porto-midfielder-fabio-vieira-on-a-long-term-contract-490625">Arsenal sign Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira on a long-term contract</a>

The northern Japanese city of Sapporo is bidding to host the Winter Olympics in 2030.

A March survey of Sapporo and the surrounding region showed that a majority of the public are in favour of holding the event.

Officials have ruled out holding a public referendum on the 2030 bid.

The final price tag for last year's Tokyo Olympics was more than double the city's original 2013 estimate after a one-year coronavirus postponement added to the already hefty bill.

The final price tag for last year's Tokyo Olympics was more than double the city's original 2013 estimate after a one-year coronavirus postponement added to the already hefty bill. The organising committee said Tuesday the Games had cost 1.42 trillion yen, the equivalent of $13 billion at the time. At today's rates, with the yen at a 24-year low against the dollar, the figure would be $10.4 billion. Tokyo 2020 was held a year later than planned because of the pandemic — the first Olympics postponed in peacetime — and spectators were banned from nearly all events, which were held under strict Covid-19 countermeasures. The Games cost twice the 734 billion yen that the Tokyo Games organisers had predicted in their bid to the International Olympic Committee in 2013, but less than the final pre-Games budget unveiled in December 2020. Despite losing out on ticket sales, organisers saved some cash by simplifying events and avoiding the cost of hosting millions of fans. Also Read: FINA bars transgenders athletes in women's competitions: Will other sporting bodies follow suit? The organising committee, which disbands at the end of June, said the event's final cost was 200 billion yen less than projected in its pre-Games budget in 2020 and 29 billion yen less than the final slimmed-down costs prediction in December 2021. "It's up to everyone involved in this event to pass on the legacy of the Tokyo Olympics to the next generation," said Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto. Tokyo experienced a Covid-19 surge last year as the Olympics approached, fuelling fears the event could worsen outbreaks in Japan and possibly the world. Also Read: Arsenal sign Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira on a long-term contract The northern Japanese city of Sapporo is bidding to host the Winter Olympics in 2030. A March survey of Sapporo and the surrounding region showed that a majority of the public are in favour of holding the event. Officials have ruled out holding a public referendum on the 2030 bid.

Delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics cost double original estimate at 1.42 trillion yen

World Athletics Day is celebrated every year globally in May to raise awareness about the importance of fitness and encourage them to play sports, especially athletics.

The day was first introduced in 1996 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF)—now known as World Athletics—the international governing body for athletics.

The IAAF organises various events, tournaments, and competitions in schools and colleges, but it was stopped in 2020 owing to Covid pandemic

When is World Athletics Day celebrated?

In 2022, World Athletics Day will be celebrated on May 6. Last year, it was observed on May 7. The date is subject to change and is announced by World Athletics every year.

&nbsp;History of World Athletics Day

In 1996, World&nbsp;Athletics&nbsp;Day was started by the then IAAF President Primo Nebiolo. The World Athletics federation and an international governing body for the field of athletics, IAAF, organises and sponsors this day every year since then, with a focus on fitness and health.&nbsp;

Significance&nbsp;of World Athletics Day

World Athletics Day allows schools, colleges and various other institutions to promote their students’ interests in several athletic sports, from running to shot put, which require strength and stamina. The IAAF sponsors and organises these events. However, this has been disrupted in recent times owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A key goal of World Athletics is to establish athletics as the top sport in schools globally in terms of participation. The federation believes schools are the best place to promote physical activity and that no other environment can compete with schools in terms of their ability to nurture and coach youngsters.

The federation believes athletics is a core sport that develops children in a well-rounded way and allows them to flourish in other physical activity, and that athletics must be made central to schools' sport programmes.

Objectives of&nbsp;World Athletics Day

<ul>
	<li>Popularising sports among the youth</li>
	<li>Giving a boost to Athletics and making it the primary sport in schools and institutions</li>
	<li>Increasing public awareness about sports and&nbsp;imparting education to youngsters about the importance of sports</li>
	<li>To establish an important link between the youth, sport, and environmental conservation</li>
</ul>

(With inputs from agencies)

World Athletics Day is celebrated every year globally in May to raise awareness about the importance of fitness and encourage them to play sports, especially athletics.

World Athletics Day is celebrated every year globally in May to raise awareness about the importance of fitness and encourage them to play sports, especially athletics. The day was first introduced in 1996 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF)—now known as World Athletics—the international governing body for athletics. The IAAF organises various events, tournaments, and competitions in schools and colleges, but it was stopped in 2020 owing to Covid pandemic When is World Athletics Day celebrated? In 2022, World Athletics Day will be celebrated on May 6. Last year, it was observed on May 7. The date is subject to change and is announced by World Athletics every year. History of World Athletics Day In 1996, World Athletics Day was started by the then IAAF President Primo Nebiolo. The World Athletics federation and an international governing body for the field of athletics, IAAF, organises and sponsors this day every year since then, with a focus on fitness and health. Significance of World Athletics Day World Athletics Day allows schools, colleges and various other institutions to promote their students’ interests in several athletic sports, from running to shot put, which require strength and stamina. The IAAF sponsors and organises these events. However, this has been disrupted in recent times owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. A key goal of World Athletics is to establish athletics as the top sport in schools globally in terms of participation. The federation believes schools are the best place to promote physical activity and that no other environment can compete with schools in terms of their ability to nurture and coach youngsters. The federation believes athletics is a core sport that develops children in a well-rounded way and allows them to flourish in other physical activity, and that athletics must be made central to schools' sport programmes. Objectives of World Athletics Day Popularising sports among the youth Giving a boost to Athletics and making it the primary sport in schools and institutions Increasing public awareness about sports and imparting education to youngsters about the importance of sports To establish an important link between the youth, sport, and environmental conservation (With inputs from agencies)

World Athletics Day 2022: History, significance, everything you need to know

Neeraj Chopra created history last year at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming just the second Indian and first from the sport of Athletics to be crowned Olympic Champion. That performance saw Chopra win Sportsman of the Year Male (track & Field) as well as Sportstar of the Year at the Sportstar Aces Award in Mumbai. WION Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo caught up with Chopra to find out his preparations for the new season which include the World Championships as well as the Asiad and the Commonwealth Games.

WION Exclusive with India's Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra scripted history on August 07 last year when he clinched India's first-ever gold medal in athletics, bringing an end to a long and agonising wait. Chopra finished on top of the podium in the final of men's javelin throw with a stunning effort of 87.58 metres to become India's only second individual Olympic gold medallist after Abhinav Bindra.

Bindra had won India's first individual gold medal at the Olympics in shooting back in 2008. He shot 10.8 in his last shot in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting event at the Beijing 2008 Olympics to etch his name in history. Bindra had started his Olympic journey in the year 2000 when he first took part in the Sydney Games and eventually managed to realise his golden dream eight years later in Beijing.

During an interaction with WION, India's only two individual Olympic gold medallists came together to talk about the paradigm shift in Indian sports that has happened over the years. Bindra, who finished on top of the podium at the Olympics in his third attempt, lauded Chopra who achieved the elusive feat in his debut Olympic campaign.

When asked if he had thought, it will take India 13 years to win another gold medal at the Olympics, Bindra was at his candid best and said the only thing he was thinking of following his Olympic triumph was to use the bathroom. However, he lauded Chopra, who he believes represents new India and the new era of Indian athletes, who are supremely confident of their abilities.

"I don't have such a large brain, I wasn't thinking so far ahead. When I won the gold medal, the only thing I wanted to do was, use a bathroom. I didn't have so many thoughts but so happy that he has won the gold medal and so proud of him. He represents the new age Indian athletes. He represents a new India with so much more confidence," Bindra told WION in an exclusive conversation.

"I came from a generation where my constant companion in my sporting career was self-doubt. But he represents an Indian athlete whose companion is self-belief. That's absolutely fantastic and I hope his gold medal starts a new era and we many many more in the years ahead," he went on to add.

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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-how-has-veteran-shooter-abhinav-bindra-inspired-neeraj-chopra-javelin-star-answers-464672">EXCLUSIVE | How has veteran shooter Abhinav Bindra inspired Neeraj Chopra? Javelin star answers</a>

India delivered its best-ever performance at the Tokyo Olympics last year with a total of seven medals, including two silver and one gold. Three of those seven medals (a gold, silver and a bronze) were won by Indian athletes making their debut at the Olympics.

When asked about the newfound self-confidence and the belief that they can win against the best in the world, Bindra said Indian sports is heading in the right direction and athletes of the present generation believe they are good enough to go out there and win.

"Absolutely, it's the self-belief that they are good enough. He won a gold medal in his first Olympic appearance so that validates this jury to a great degree and that's absolutely wonderful to see. That means we are doing a few things right in Indian sport," said the 2008 Olympic gold medallist, who retired from shooting in the year 2017.

&nbsp;

Neeraj Chopra scripted history on August 07 last year when he clinched India's first-ever gold medal in athletics, bringing an end to a long and agonising wait. Chopra finished on top of the podium in the final of men's javelin throw with a stunning effort of 87.

Neeraj Chopra scripted history on August 07 last year when he clinched India's first-ever gold medal in athletics, bringing an end to a long and agonising wait. Chopra finished on top of the podium in the final of men's javelin throw with a stunning effort of 87.58 metres to become India's only second individual Olympic gold medallist after Abhinav Bindra. Bindra had won India's first individual gold medal at the Olympics in shooting back in 2008. He shot 10.8 in his last shot in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting event at the Beijing 2008 Olympics to etch his name in history. Bindra had started his Olympic journey in the year 2000 when he first took part in the Sydney Games and eventually managed to realise his golden dream eight years later in Beijing. During an interaction with WION, India's only two individual Olympic gold medallists came together to talk about the paradigm shift in Indian sports that has happened over the years. Bindra, who finished on top of the podium at the Olympics in his third attempt, lauded Chopra who achieved the elusive feat in his debut Olympic campaign. When asked if he had thought, it will take India 13 years to win another gold medal at the Olympics, Bindra was at his candid best and said the only thing he was thinking of following his Olympic triumph was to use the bathroom. However, he lauded Chopra, who he believes represents new India and the new era of Indian athletes, who are supremely confident of their abilities. "I don't have such a large brain, I wasn't thinking so far ahead. When I won the gold medal, the only thing I wanted to do was, use a bathroom. I didn't have so many thoughts but so happy that he has won the gold medal and so proud of him. He represents the new age Indian athletes. He represents a new India with so much more confidence," Bindra told WION in an exclusive conversation. "I came from a generation where my constant companion in my sporting career was self-doubt. But he represents an Indian athlete whose companion is self-belief. That's absolutely fantastic and I hope his gold medal starts a new era and we many many more in the years ahead," he went on to add. × Also Read: EXCLUSIVE | How has veteran shooter Abhinav Bindra inspired Neeraj Chopra? Javelin star answers India delivered its best-ever performance at the Tokyo Olympics last year with a total of seven medals, including two silver and one gold. Three of those seven medals (a gold, silver and a bronze) were won by Indian athletes making their debut at the Olympics. When asked about the newfound self-confidence and the belief that they can win against the best in the world, Bindra said Indian sports is heading in the right direction and athletes of the present generation believe they are good enough to go out there and win. "Absolutely, it's the self-belief that they are good enough. He won a gold medal in his first Olympic appearance so that validates this jury to a great degree and that's absolutely wonderful to see. That means we are doing a few things right in Indian sport," said the 2008 Olympic gold medallist, who retired from shooting in the year 2017.

Exclusive! Neeraj Chopra represents new India, hope his gold starts a new era in Indian sport: Abhinav Bindra

India had to wait for long before veteran shooter Abhinav Bindra became the first individual from the country to win gold in the&nbsp;10m Air Rifle in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Bindra made heads turn worldwide and soon became the darling of the nation.&nbsp;

However, the wait for India's second gold in the individual event continued from thereon. Neeraj Chopra finally ended the drought with his sensational performance in his maiden Olympic appearance during last year's Tokyo 2020 as the 23-year-old javelin thrower returned with an elusive gold in the men's javelin final in Tokyo, Japan. With a record throw of 87.58m,&nbsp;in his second attempt at Tokyo Games, Neeraj became the poster boy of Indian sports and his popularity continues to grow with each passing day.&nbsp;

Neeraj added another feather to his illustrious hat as he won the Sportstar of the year (male) in the recently-held Sportstar Aces Award. Getting a chance to talk to India's two Olympic champions Neeraj and Abhinav, WION Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo asked Neeraj how the veteran shooter has been an inspiration for him over the years. In addition, he revealed&nbsp;how both had a&nbsp;similar approach to the Olympics.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/throwback-when-neeraj-chopra-danced-like-there-was-no-tomorrow-before-tokyo-2020-blitz-watch-431432">THROWBACK: When Neeraj Chopra danced like there was no tomorrow before Tokyo 2020 blitz - Watch</a>

Thus, Neeraj said, "I believe if you chase a medal or trophy, you will only add pressure on yourself. The result is not in our hands, but we can always try to give our best. I was discussing with Abhinav on our flight to Mumbai, that there is an obsession towards practice and training. It is common between us. Until I complete my training routine, I cannot focus on anything else. I think this 'madness' towards training is common among all top athletes."

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Courtesy Neeraj's blitz in the Tokyo Games, India returned with their best-ever medal tally at an Olympic event last year (with seven medals). Both Neeraj and Abhinav will hope to have inspired another generation of Indian athletes and that the medal-winners continue to emerge out of India in the upcoming big-ticket events.

India had to wait for long before veteran shooter Abhinav Bindra became the first individual from the country to win gold in the 10m Air Rifle in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

India had to wait for long before veteran shooter Abhinav Bindra became the first individual from the country to win gold in the 10m Air Rifle in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Bindra made heads turn worldwide and soon became the darling of the nation. However, the wait for India's second gold in the individual event continued from thereon. Neeraj Chopra finally ended the drought with his sensational performance in his maiden Olympic appearance during last year's Tokyo 2020 as the 23-year-old javelin thrower returned with an elusive gold in the men's javelin final in Tokyo, Japan. With a record throw of 87.58m, in his second attempt at Tokyo Games, Neeraj became the poster boy of Indian sports and his popularity continues to grow with each passing day. Neeraj added another feather to his illustrious hat as he won the Sportstar of the year (male) in the recently-held Sportstar Aces Award. Getting a chance to talk to India's two Olympic champions Neeraj and Abhinav, WION Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo asked Neeraj how the veteran shooter has been an inspiration for him over the years. In addition, he revealed how both had a similar approach to the Olympics. ALSO READ | THROWBACK: When Neeraj Chopra danced like there was no tomorrow before Tokyo 2020 blitz - Watch Thus, Neeraj said, "I believe if you chase a medal or trophy, you will only add pressure on yourself. The result is not in our hands, but we can always try to give our best. I was discussing with Abhinav on our flight to Mumbai, that there is an obsession towards practice and training. It is common between us. Until I complete my training routine, I cannot focus on anything else. I think this 'madness' towards training is common among all top athletes." × ALSO READ | Joint interaction with India's only two individual Olympic Champions Abhinav Bindra & Neeraj Chopra Courtesy Neeraj's blitz in the Tokyo Games, India returned with their best-ever medal tally at an Olympic event last year (with seven medals). Both Neeraj and Abhinav will hope to have inspired another generation of Indian athletes and that the medal-winners continue to emerge out of India in the upcoming big-ticket events.

EXCLUSIVE | How has veteran shooter Abhinav Bindra inspired Neeraj Chopra? Javelin star answers

All along, Chinese officials insisted that the Olympics were not about politics, but rather sports. In the end, controversy and scandal haunted those, too.

For all of China’s efforts to carry on the Winter Games with a festive spirit, Beijing 2022 unfolded as a joyless spectacle: constricted by a global health disaster, fraught with geopolitical tensions, tainted once again by accusations of doping and overshadowed by the crisis in Ukraine.

Athletes marched into the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing on Sunday night to the sound of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, closing the most contentious Olympics in years, with a display of traditional Chinese knots, red lanterns and a final burst of fireworks that lighted up a cold, clear night.

Amid the pomp of the closing ceremony, China could celebrate pulling off The Games on schedule, despite everything. It is a success, however, as measured by the low bar of avoiding total disaster.

The most indelible memory of these Winter Olympics — beside images of Olympic workers and volunteers enrobed in hazmat gear — will very likely be that of a 15-year-old Russian skater falling on the ice after being allowed to compete despite a test showing traces of a banned heart medicine.

The skater, Kamila Valieva, broke into tears after her dismal performance, only to be berated by her coach, leaving organizers and observers alike to ponder how much they demand of athletes who are, after all, still children.

The International Olympic Committee, which spent years fending off doubts about choosing an authoritarian nation as host, spent much of the past two weeks dodging controversy in Beijing.

In addition to troubling issues raised by the Valieva episode, it faced questions about the conditions for athletes who isolated after testing positive for COVID; about the fate of Peng Shuai, the tennis player and former Olympian who accused a senior Chinese official of sexual assault; about the inevitable injection of politics into an event meant to rise above them.

“What can one say, except to heave a sigh,” said Orville Schell, the director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society in New York. “Such an august occasion, designed to promote openness, good sportsmanship and transnational solidarity, ended up being a heavily policed, brittle, Potemkin-like simulacrum of the Olympic ideal.”

The IOC has since revised the selection process for host cities, in part to avoid the chance of once again making a Faustian bargain like the one seven years ago, when Beijing edged out Almaty, the former capital of another authoritarian nation, Kazakhstan.

During Sunday’s ceremony, Mayor Chen Jining of Beijing passed the Olympic flag to the mayors of two Italian cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which will host the Winter Olympics in 2026.

The next Summer Games will be in Paris in 2024, in Los Angeles in 2028 and in Brisbane, Australia, in 2032 — places where it is hoped that questions of human rights will not dominate the preparations.

China became the first nation to organize winter and summer editions in the same city, an accomplishment held up as a triumph of Communist Party might. The country’s leader, Xi Jinping, attended the closing, as he did the opening 16 days ago, greeted by a roar equaled only when the large Chinese team entered.

The 2008 Summer Olympics, which took place in many of the same venues in the Chinese capital, felt then like an appeal for respect after decades of poverty and political chaos.

To China’s critics, these Games felt instead like a demand.

Chinese officials accused the United States and other nations of politicizing the Olympics, denouncing President Joe Biden’s diplomatic boycott as “a farce.” And yet China also injected its own political elements.

Xi met the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, only hours before the opening ceremony, a show of support in the face of Western threats to punish Moscow if its forces invade Ukraine.

China also chose as an Olympic torch bearer a soldier wounded in a deadly border clash with India in 2020. The Olympic flame was lit by a cross-country skier from Xinjiang, the province experiencing a mass detention and re-education campaign that the United States has called genocidal.

One official with the Beijing Organizing Committee warned participants not to violate the Olympic Charter’s rule against making political statements. Another official violated it by restating China’s claims on Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy, and denouncing criticism of its policies in Xinjiang as lies.

Those comments prompted Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, to issue a public rebuke of the hosts, although it was mild. The committee’s overall deference prompted searing criticism from China’s critics, who said that The Games were allowed to “sportswash” grave violations of basic rights.

“The government is not only committing crimes against humanity,” Yaqiu Wang, a China researcher for the advocacy organization Human Rights Watch, said on Friday. “The government is flaunting its atrocities.”

Through it all, the sports did shine through.

Norway, a nation of just 5 million people, repeated its extraordinary success in the Winter Olympics, topping the medals table with 16 golds, a record, and 37 medals overall. Eileen Gu, an 18-year-old skier from San Francisco who competed for China, became the event’s breakout star.

Some athletes, focused on their sports above all, praised China’s preparations. Nick Baumgartner, the veteran American snowboarder who, with Lindsey Jacobellis, won a gold medal in snowboardcross, described the mountain venues northwest of Beijing as “amazing.”

“I will say, out of the four Olympics I’ve been to, the manicuring and just how precise and beautiful everything is, is above and beyond,” he said after his winning race in Zhangjiakou.

The events unfolded inside what organizers called a “closed loop” system that turned hotels and venues into islands in an Olympic archipelago, separated from ordinary Chinese by temporary fences and checkpoints. Everyone inside received a daily test for COVID.

As a tool of China’s “zero COVID” policy, it worked. Only a few athletes had to miss their competitions, and by the end, there were days when not a single test came back positive. Many athletes accepted the measures. Some saw the upside in them.

“To be honest, you get a mouth swab every day and you get your own bedroom,” Meryeta O’Dine, a Canadian snowboarder and bronze medal winner, said, referring to the decision not to assign roommates to minimize close contacts. “It’s actually been pretty sweet.”

After the final parade into the closing ceremony, the national teams lingered on the stadium’s illuminated floor, meant to resemble a sheet of ice, as if eager to make the moment last a bit longer.

Outside the closed loop, the mood around Beijing was subdued. No foreign spectators were allowed, and only specially invited and screened Chinese visitors could attend.

“It is a Winter Olympics that makes China’s leadership happy,” Wu Qiang, an independent political analyst in Beijing, said. “It has nothing to do with the common people.”

The half-empty arenas rarely pulsed with excitement, although fans perked up for the Chinese athletes. The Chinese team had its best haul of medals in a Winter Olympics, winning nine gold medals and 15 overall.

It was, perhaps, a result of Xi’s pledge to create a nation of more than 300 million winter sports enthusiasts in a country with little tradition of them.

Bach, the IOC president, praised that accomplishment on Sunday. “The positive legacy of these Olympic Games,” he said, “is ensured.”

Even so, The Games underscored the concerns facing the Olympic movement. For much of the world, these Games passed by with a shrug. Television viewership in the United States was down about 50% from the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics; there were similar drops in Canada, Britain and other countries.

What The Games mean for China itself in the end remains to be seen. Within the other closed loop, that of the country’s media and propaganda ecosystem, China triumphed.

Outside China, The Games are likely to have little effect on the world’s perception. “Getting some positive coverage, or at least less-negative coverage, doesn’t necessarily translate into transformation of public perceptions about China,” said Maria Repnikova, an expert at Georgia State University on China’s “soft power.”

Nils van der Poel, a Swedish speedskater who won two gold medals, said that it was “terrible” to award the Olympics to China, and referenced Nazi Germany’s hosting The Games in 1936. “I think it is extremely irresponsible to give it to a country that violates human rights as blatantly as the Chinese regime is doing,” he told a newspaper.

In 2008, China’s holding the Olympics actually led to more negative views of the country, according to global opinion surveys, as international attention threw light on the nature of the political system.

Back then, many wondered whether being an Olympic host would induce positive change in the country. This time around, few people have entertained such hopes.&nbsp;

All along, Chinese officials insisted that the Olympics were not about politics, but rather sports. In the end, controversy and scandal haunted those, too. For all of China’s efforts to carry on the Winter Games with a festive spirit, Beijing 2022 unfolded as a joyless spectacle: constricted by a global health disaster, fraught with geopolitical tensions, tainted once again by accusations of doping and overshadowed by the crisis in Ukraine.

All along, Chinese officials insisted that the Olympics were not about politics, but rather sports. In the end, controversy and scandal haunted those, too. For all of China’s efforts to carry on the Winter Games with a festive spirit, Beijing 2022 unfolded as a joyless spectacle: constricted by a global health disaster, fraught with geopolitical tensions, tainted once again by accusations of doping and overshadowed by the crisis in Ukraine. Athletes marched into the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing on Sunday night to the sound of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, closing the most contentious Olympics in years, with a display of traditional Chinese knots, red lanterns and a final burst of fireworks that lighted up a cold, clear night. Amid the pomp of the closing ceremony, China could celebrate pulling off The Games on schedule, despite everything. It is a success, however, as measured by the low bar of avoiding total disaster. The most indelible memory of these Winter Olympics — beside images of Olympic workers and volunteers enrobed in hazmat gear — will very likely be that of a 15-year-old Russian skater falling on the ice after being allowed to compete despite a test showing traces of a banned heart medicine. The skater, Kamila Valieva, broke into tears after her dismal performance, only to be berated by her coach, leaving organizers and observers alike to ponder how much they demand of athletes who are, after all, still children. The International Olympic Committee, which spent years fending off doubts about choosing an authoritarian nation as host, spent much of the past two weeks dodging controversy in Beijing. In addition to troubling issues raised by the Valieva episode, it faced questions about the conditions for athletes who isolated after testing positive for COVID; about the fate of Peng Shuai, the tennis player and former Olympian who accused a senior Chinese official of sexual assault; about the inevitable injection of politics into an event meant to rise above them. “What can one say, except to heave a sigh,” said Orville Schell, the director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society in New York. “Such an august occasion, designed to promote openness, good sportsmanship and transnational solidarity, ended up being a heavily policed, brittle, Potemkin-like simulacrum of the Olympic ideal.” The IOC has since revised the selection process for host cities, in part to avoid the chance of once again making a Faustian bargain like the one seven years ago, when Beijing edged out Almaty, the former capital of another authoritarian nation, Kazakhstan. During Sunday’s ceremony, Mayor Chen Jining of Beijing passed the Olympic flag to the mayors of two Italian cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which will host the Winter Olympics in 2026. The next Summer Games will be in Paris in 2024, in Los Angeles in 2028 and in Brisbane, Australia, in 2032 — places where it is hoped that questions of human rights will not dominate the preparations. China became the first nation to organize winter and summer editions in the same city, an accomplishment held up as a triumph of Communist Party might. The country’s leader, Xi Jinping, attended the closing, as he did the opening 16 days ago, greeted by a roar equaled only when the large Chinese team entered. The 2008 Summer Olympics, which took place in many of the same venues in the Chinese capital, felt then like an appeal for respect after decades of poverty and political chaos. To China’s critics, these Games felt instead like a demand. Chinese officials accused the United States and other nations of politicizing the Olympics, denouncing President Joe Biden’s diplomatic boycott as “a farce.” And yet China also injected its own political elements. Xi met the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, only hours before the opening ceremony, a show of support in the face of Western threats to punish Moscow if its forces invade Ukraine. China also chose as an Olympic torch bearer a soldier wounded in a deadly border clash with India in 2020. The Olympic flame was lit by a cross-country skier from Xinjiang, the province experiencing a mass detention and re-education campaign that the United States has called genocidal. One official with the Beijing Organizing Committee warned participants not to violate the Olympic Charter’s rule against making political statements. Another official violated it by restating China’s claims on Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy, and denouncing criticism of its policies in Xinjiang as lies. Those comments prompted Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, to issue a public rebuke of the hosts, although it was mild. The committee’s overall deference prompted searing criticism from China’s critics, who said that The Games were allowed to “sportswash” grave violations of basic rights. “The government is not only committing crimes against humanity,” Yaqiu Wang, a China researcher for the advocacy organization Human Rights Watch, said on Friday. “The government is flaunting its atrocities.” Through it all, the sports did shine through. Norway, a nation of just 5 million people, repeated its extraordinary success in the Winter Olympics, topping the medals table with 16 golds, a record, and 37 medals overall. Eileen Gu, an 18-year-old skier from San Francisco who competed for China, became the event’s breakout star. Some athletes, focused on their sports above all, praised China’s preparations. Nick Baumgartner, the veteran American snowboarder who, with Lindsey Jacobellis, won a gold medal in snowboardcross, described the mountain venues northwest of Beijing as “amazing.” “I will say, out of the four Olympics I’ve been to, the manicuring and just how precise and beautiful everything is, is above and beyond,” he said after his winning race in Zhangjiakou. The events unfolded inside what organizers called a “closed loop” system that turned hotels and venues into islands in an Olympic archipelago, separated from ordinary Chinese by temporary fences and checkpoints. Everyone inside received a daily test for COVID. As a tool of China’s “zero COVID” policy, it worked. Only a few athletes had to miss their competitions, and by the end, there were days when not a single test came back positive. Many athletes accepted the measures. Some saw the upside in them. “To be honest, you get a mouth swab every day and you get your own bedroom,” Meryeta O’Dine, a Canadian snowboarder and bronze medal winner, said, referring to the decision not to assign roommates to minimize close contacts. “It’s actually been pretty sweet.” After the final parade into the closing ceremony, the national teams lingered on the stadium’s illuminated floor, meant to resemble a sheet of ice, as if eager to make the moment last a bit longer. Outside the closed loop, the mood around Beijing was subdued. No foreign spectators were allowed, and only specially invited and screened Chinese visitors could attend. “It is a Winter Olympics that makes China’s leadership happy,” Wu Qiang, an independent political analyst in Beijing, said. “It has nothing to do with the common people.” The half-empty arenas rarely pulsed with excitement, although fans perked up for the Chinese athletes. The Chinese team had its best haul of medals in a Winter Olympics, winning nine gold medals and 15 overall. It was, perhaps, a result of Xi’s pledge to create a nation of more than 300 million winter sports enthusiasts in a country with little tradition of them. Bach, the IOC president, praised that accomplishment on Sunday. “The positive legacy of these Olympic Games,” he said, “is ensured.” Even so, The Games underscored the concerns facing the Olympic movement. For much of the world, these Games passed by with a shrug. Television viewership in the United States was down about 50% from the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics; there were similar drops in Canada, Britain and other countries. What The Games mean for China itself in the end remains to be seen. Within the other closed loop, that of the country’s media and propaganda ecosystem, China triumphed. Outside China, The Games are likely to have little effect on the world’s perception. “Getting some positive coverage, or at least less-negative coverage, doesn’t necessarily translate into transformation of public perceptions about China,” said Maria Repnikova, an expert at Georgia State University on China’s “soft power.” Nils van der Poel, a Swedish speedskater who won two gold medals, said that it was “terrible” to award the Olympics to China, and referenced Nazi Germany’s hosting The Games in 1936. “I think it is extremely irresponsible to give it to a country that violates human rights as blatantly as the Chinese regime is doing,” he told a newspaper. In 2008, China’s holding the Olympics actually led to more negative views of the country, according to global opinion surveys, as international attention threw light on the nature of the political system. Back then, many wondered whether being an Olympic host would induce positive change in the country. This time around, few people have entertained such hopes.

With Olympics closing ceremony, China celebrates a joyless triumph

When it comes to Eileen Gu, the 18-year-old Olympic gold medalist freestyle skier who was born in San Francisco but competed for China, Chinese Americans have lots of opinions.

There are those who love her, moved by her ability to soar over treacherous slopes with ease. Others are inspired by her efforts to navigate the uneasy political tension between two countries and cultures. Some believe she chose to represent China simply to cash in on the lucrative opportunities it has afforded her.

But like her or not, many Chinese Americans interviewed in the New York region this week agreed on one thing: When Gu says, as she often does, “When I’m in the U.S., I’m American, but when I’m in China, I’m Chinese,” it resonates with them.

“I think what I’m seeing is somebody who isn’t afraid to love her identities and share that with people,” said Sarah Belle Lin, 28, a Harlem resident. “I think it’s so brave, actually, for her to speak about that on a public platform.”

To Lin and more than two dozen other Chinese Americans interviewed in the New York metro area, home to the country’s largest Chinese American population as of 2019, Gu’s statement expresses a duality that resembles their lived experiences. And they find that duality comfortable, they said, not counterintuitive.

For that reason, many expressed dismay about social media users and conservative pundits calling Gu a “traitor” and “ungrateful,” painting her as somehow not quite an American because she had chosen to compete for China, and suggesting that her identity must fall into a binary — Chinese or American, but not both.

Gu has repeatedly stated that she made her choice because she wanted to serve as a role model for female athletes in China, and raise the profile of skiing in a country where it is still largely a nascent sport.

Some of those interviewed said they viewed the questioning of her loyalty as a troubling reminder of ongoing Orientalist stereotypes of Asian Americans as “perpetual foreigners” with the potential to undermine the United States, even though many of them call the country their home.

“I think, if political tensions continue to rise, we will find ourselves in situations, whether we’re in the States or in China, where people will push us to identify with one over the other,” said Easten Law, 38, of Princeton, New Jersey.

“For us everyday Chinese Americans, we’re going to have to deal with the same issues of, you know, claiming versus disassociating, and parsing through what to identify with and what not to,” he said. “I think it’s inevitable.”

For others, the criticism against Gu felt personal. Several described experiencing the weight of other people’s narrow expectations of how Asian Americans should act, think and identify.

Jessica Wu, a Queens resident, never felt this projection more clearly than in 2017, when she flew from Portugal to Philadelphia. While passing through immigration with others from her flight, Wu said, a Transportation Security Administration agent laughed when he saw her U.S. passport and asked if she was actually an American citizen.

“Even though I never felt like I have to choose or even think about my identity, I think other people make that assumption for me, or they put their own racist assumptions on me,” Wu said.

Though Gu, who was born to a Chinese mother and an American father, has described herself as a typical Asian American teen, she had an unusually privileged childhood. She was raised in an affluent neighborhood of San Francisco, attended an elite private school and spent most summers in Beijing.

Her experience since then has been similarly uncommon. She has been allowed to compete with an ambiguous citizenship status: China does not allow dual citizenship, but there is no record of Gu having renounced her American citizenship.

And then there’s the fact that she has been able to tap into a vast pool of sponsorships, in part because competitive skiing is still a growing field in China.

She has contracts with more than 30 international brands, according to The Wall Street Journal, including Tiffany &amp; Co. and Louis Vuitton, and her rising modeling career has put her on the covers of the Chinese editions of Vogue and Marie Claire.

Lai Ling Li, 38, who said she was a fan of Gu, said she thought China’s audience of 1.4 billion people likely drove the athlete’s decision.

“It really comes down to opportunity,” said Li, noting Gu’s impressive sponsorship roster.

“I don’t know any other athlete who’s able to do that, especially at 18 years old,” she added.

Whether or not Gu was motivated by identity or national preference, her story is one that is now inextricably tangled up in both.

The relationship between China and the United States has reached a new low in recent years as China’s economic and military global power has grown. The tension was compounded by former President Donald Trump’s punitive trade policies and explicit anti-Chinese statements at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. As assaults against Asian Americans spiked across the country over the past two years, many attackers parroted the former president’s rhetoric.

Under the shadow of today’s antagonism, Gu has had to field countless questions about everything from whether she intends to renounce her U.S. citizenship to her thoughts on China’s censorship policies and the sexual assault allegations made by Peng Shuai, one of the country’s star tennis players, against a senior government official.

Gu has stressed repeatedly that she wants to avoid discussing politics when it comes to China, telling The New York Times in a previous interview that she did not want to be “divisive” and that her mission is “all about inclusivity.”

In New York, many of those interviewed said her decision to compete for China should not be conflated with a political preference, arguing that it was unfair to expect someone’s identity to represent a country or its political climate. (Others noted that she was just 15 when she made the choice.)

“To be Chinese doesn’t mean that you are always in support of China’s government,” said Lucy Yu, 27, who recently opened Yu and Me Books, a bookstore in Manhattan’s Chinatown. “I can respect that and also understand the difficulties that come with expressing that.”

Some said they were confused as to why Gu had chosen to compete for a country facing widespread allegations of human rights abuses, such as accusations of carrying out a genocide against Uyghurs and other Muslim residents, and a history of suppressing those who have attempted to sound the alarm over social unrest or government wrongdoing.

Others said that although they did not believe Gu was obligated to speak up on issues affecting Chinese people, they did not understand why she had chosen to stay tight-lipped on matters in China while making her position clear on issues relevant to Americans, such as the rise in anti-Asian attacks and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Ricky Yeh, 37, said as a Taiwanese American, he was troubled by Gu’s choice. Beijing considers the island part of China and has long demanded unification, but an increasing number of Taiwanese people have distanced themselves from mainland culture.

“If you are a supporter of human rights, according to her public speech, then why do you support that kind of country?” Yeh said. “Maybe that’s not her priority. But in recent days, every country has recognized that China has been harming human rights in every way they can.”

And some, such as Ming Xia, a professor of political science at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, feared that the longer Gu competes for China, the more vulnerable she may become to any of the country’s attempts to exploit her image for political propaganda.

“She was recruited to compete on behalf of China, but she was not recruited to become the spokesperson for China’s toxic patriotism,” Xia said.

Perhaps at the heart of the controversy is the question of what it means to be Asian American, and how that evolving description stretches and bends for each person.

Lin, the Harlem resident, plans to live in Hong Kong or Shanghai for a few years. She said that wherever she ends up moving, she would be just as American there as she is Asian while living in the U.S.

The idea that someone would feel justified in questioning her identity or even her political loyalty over this choice, she said, angered her. And although members of the public may have already made up their minds about who Gu is and what she stands for, she said, only the athlete herself will know the answer.

“I’m Asian American, now and forever,” Lin said. “And I feel like the same goes for anybody who wants to say the same.”

When it comes to Eileen Gu, the 18-year-old Olympic gold medalist freestyle skier who was born in San Francisco but competed for China, Chinese Americans have lots of opinions.

When it comes to Eileen Gu, the 18-year-old Olympic gold medalist freestyle skier who was born in San Francisco but competed for China, Chinese Americans have lots of opinions. There are those who love her, moved by her ability to soar over treacherous slopes with ease. Others are inspired by her efforts to navigate the uneasy political tension between two countries and cultures. Some believe she chose to represent China simply to cash in on the lucrative opportunities it has afforded her. But like her or not, many Chinese Americans interviewed in the New York region this week agreed on one thing: When Gu says, as she often does, “When I’m in the U.S., I’m American, but when I’m in China, I’m Chinese,” it resonates with them. “I think what I’m seeing is somebody who isn’t afraid to love her identities and share that with people,” said Sarah Belle Lin, 28, a Harlem resident. “I think it’s so brave, actually, for her to speak about that on a public platform.” To Lin and more than two dozen other Chinese Americans interviewed in the New York metro area, home to the country’s largest Chinese American population as of 2019, Gu’s statement expresses a duality that resembles their lived experiences. And they find that duality comfortable, they said, not counterintuitive. For that reason, many expressed dismay about social media users and conservative pundits calling Gu a “traitor” and “ungrateful,” painting her as somehow not quite an American because she had chosen to compete for China, and suggesting that her identity must fall into a binary — Chinese or American, but not both. Gu has repeatedly stated that she made her choice because she wanted to serve as a role model for female athletes in China, and raise the profile of skiing in a country where it is still largely a nascent sport. Some of those interviewed said they viewed the questioning of her loyalty as a troubling reminder of ongoing Orientalist stereotypes of Asian Americans as “perpetual foreigners” with the potential to undermine the United States, even though many of them call the country their home. “I think, if political tensions continue to rise, we will find ourselves in situations, whether we’re in the States or in China, where people will push us to identify with one over the other,” said Easten Law, 38, of Princeton, New Jersey. “For us everyday Chinese Americans, we’re going to have to deal with the same issues of, you know, claiming versus disassociating, and parsing through what to identify with and what not to,” he said. “I think it’s inevitable.” For others, the criticism against Gu felt personal. Several described experiencing the weight of other people’s narrow expectations of how Asian Americans should act, think and identify. Jessica Wu, a Queens resident, never felt this projection more clearly than in 2017, when she flew from Portugal to Philadelphia. While passing through immigration with others from her flight, Wu said, a Transportation Security Administration agent laughed when he saw her U.S. passport and asked if she was actually an American citizen. “Even though I never felt like I have to choose or even think about my identity, I think other people make that assumption for me, or they put their own racist assumptions on me,” Wu said. Though Gu, who was born to a Chinese mother and an American father, has described herself as a typical Asian American teen, she had an unusually privileged childhood. She was raised in an affluent neighborhood of San Francisco, attended an elite private school and spent most summers in Beijing. Her experience since then has been similarly uncommon. She has been allowed to compete with an ambiguous citizenship status: China does not allow dual citizenship, but there is no record of Gu having renounced her American citizenship. And then there’s the fact that she has been able to tap into a vast pool of sponsorships, in part because competitive skiing is still a growing field in China. She has contracts with more than 30 international brands, according to The Wall Street Journal, including Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton, and her rising modeling career has put her on the covers of the Chinese editions of Vogue and Marie Claire. Lai Ling Li, 38, who said she was a fan of Gu, said she thought China’s audience of 1.4 billion people likely drove the athlete’s decision. “It really comes down to opportunity,” said Li, noting Gu’s impressive sponsorship roster. “I don’t know any other athlete who’s able to do that, especially at 18 years old,” she added. Whether or not Gu was motivated by identity or national preference, her story is one that is now inextricably tangled up in both. The relationship between China and the United States has reached a new low in recent years as China’s economic and military global power has grown. The tension was compounded by former President Donald Trump’s punitive trade policies and explicit anti-Chinese statements at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. As assaults against Asian Americans spiked across the country over the past two years, many attackers parroted the former president’s rhetoric. Under the shadow of today’s antagonism, Gu has had to field countless questions about everything from whether she intends to renounce her U.S. citizenship to her thoughts on China’s censorship policies and the sexual assault allegations made by Peng Shuai, one of the country’s star tennis players, against a senior government official. Gu has stressed repeatedly that she wants to avoid discussing politics when it comes to China, telling The New York Times in a previous interview that she did not want to be “divisive” and that her mission is “all about inclusivity.” In New York, many of those interviewed said her decision to compete for China should not be conflated with a political preference, arguing that it was unfair to expect someone’s identity to represent a country or its political climate. (Others noted that she was just 15 when she made the choice.) “To be Chinese doesn’t mean that you are always in support of China’s government,” said Lucy Yu, 27, who recently opened Yu and Me Books, a bookstore in Manhattan’s Chinatown. “I can respect that and also understand the difficulties that come with expressing that.” Some said they were confused as to why Gu had chosen to compete for a country facing widespread allegations of human rights abuses, such as accusations of carrying out a genocide against Uyghurs and other Muslim residents, and a history of suppressing those who have attempted to sound the alarm over social unrest or government wrongdoing. Others said that although they did not believe Gu was obligated to speak up on issues affecting Chinese people, they did not understand why she had chosen to stay tight-lipped on matters in China while making her position clear on issues relevant to Americans, such as the rise in anti-Asian attacks and the Black Lives Matter movement. Ricky Yeh, 37, said as a Taiwanese American, he was troubled by Gu’s choice. Beijing considers the island part of China and has long demanded unification, but an increasing number of Taiwanese people have distanced themselves from mainland culture. “If you are a supporter of human rights, according to her public speech, then why do you support that kind of country?” Yeh said. “Maybe that’s not her priority. But in recent days, every country has recognized that China has been harming human rights in every way they can.” And some, such as Ming Xia, a professor of political science at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, feared that the longer Gu competes for China, the more vulnerable she may become to any of the country’s attempts to exploit her image for political propaganda. “She was recruited to compete on behalf of China, but she was not recruited to become the spokesperson for China’s toxic patriotism,” Xia said. Perhaps at the heart of the controversy is the question of what it means to be Asian American, and how that evolving description stretches and bends for each person. Lin, the Harlem resident, plans to live in Hong Kong or Shanghai for a few years. She said that wherever she ends up moving, she would be just as American there as she is Asian while living in the U.S. The idea that someone would feel justified in questioning her identity or even her political loyalty over this choice, she said, angered her. And although members of the public may have already made up their minds about who Gu is and what she stands for, she said, only the athlete herself will know the answer. “I’m Asian American, now and forever,” Lin said. “And I feel like the same goes for anybody who wants to say the same.”

Why Chinese Americans are talking about Eileen Gu

Despite major defeats in Syria and Iraq, ISIS still remains the greatest threat to security and stability in the world. The terrorists have switched recently to single hostile activities and heinous acts of terror in the EU and throughout Asia.

Social media became quite a good platform for ISIS recruiters to disseminate and spread information on the guidelines for ‘lone wolves’. Brainwashers urge them to organize and commit terrorist attacks in cities, social gathering places during public events and Christian holidays.

Major sporting events facilities are also a prior target for the jihadists.&nbsp;According to the Sun, ISIS radicals were planning to carry out attacks during the Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games. The masterminds posted the step-by-step guide, which includes 17 different attack methods, on social network Telegram. The terrorists awaited the hostile activities to be implemented by the experienced militants as well as common people willing to swear allegiance to ISIS.

According to&nbsp;Mustaqila Press Agency, quite an interesting information has appeared recently on ISIS-supporters discussing via Telegram channels how to organize attacks on Olympic sites in South Korea. For its part, a year ago official Seoul claimed terror threat would rise. On June 19, 2016, the Yonhap news agency with the reference to the national intelligence service of South Korea&nbsp;reported on&nbsp;a series of attacks aimed at various military and government facilities. The intelligence sources said, not only the Koreans would be in danger but also the people of other states.

PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games venues seem to be the main ISIS targets in the near future. While losing control over territories and energy resources in Syria and Iraq with every passing day, the radicals are trying to increase their credibility by organizing attacks, which could lead to numerous human casualties.

At the same time, the level of 2018 sports events’ attendance is in question. Currently, just only one-third of tickets have been sold. Most likely, the main reasons are the terrorist attacks’ threats and provocations from North Korea.

A number of European countries are considering the security measures at the Olympic Games in PyeongChang. France’s Winter Olympics team will not go to the 2018 Games in South Korea if its security cannot be guaranteed, France’s sports minister, Laura Flessel&nbsp;said&nbsp;on September 21, 2017. The more so, British Olympic leaders have plans in place to&nbsp;evacuate&nbsp;athletes from the 2018 Pyeongchang Games amid terrorist and nuclear threats.

The 2018 Olympic Games would be attended by sports fans from more than 80 countries. Ensuring security of such a number of people will become a serious challenge for the special security services and interior ministry of South Korea. People should realize that the trip to PyeongChang is quite dangerous as for someone it will be a festival of sport, and for the terrorists, it would be a festival of violence.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

&nbsp;

People should realise that the trip to PyeongChang is quite dangerous as for someone it will be a festival of sport, and for the terrorists, it would be a festival of violence.

Despite major defeats in Syria and Iraq, ISIS still remains the greatest threat to security and stability in the world. The terrorists have switched recently to single hostile activities and heinous acts of terror in the EU and throughout Asia. Social media became quite a good platform for ISIS recruiters to disseminate and spread information on the guidelines for ‘lone wolves’. Brainwashers urge them to organize and commit terrorist attacks in cities, social gathering places during public events and Christian holidays. Major sporting events facilities are also a prior target for the jihadists. According to the Sun, ISIS radicals were planning to carry out attacks during the Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games. The masterminds posted the step-by-step guide, which includes 17 different attack methods, on social network Telegram. The terrorists awaited the hostile activities to be implemented by the experienced militants as well as common people willing to swear allegiance to ISIS. According to Mustaqila Press Agency, quite an interesting information has appeared recently on ISIS-supporters discussing via Telegram channels how to organize attacks on Olympic sites in South Korea. For its part, a year ago official Seoul claimed terror threat would rise. On June 19, 2016, the Yonhap news agency with the reference to the national intelligence service of South Korea reported on a series of attacks aimed at various military and government facilities. The intelligence sources said, not only the Koreans would be in danger but also the people of other states. PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games venues seem to be the main ISIS targets in the near future. While losing control over territories and energy resources in Syria and Iraq with every passing day, the radicals are trying to increase their credibility by organizing attacks, which could lead to numerous human casualties. At the same time, the level of 2018 sports events’ attendance is in question. Currently, just only one-third of tickets have been sold. Most likely, the main reasons are the terrorist attacks’ threats and provocations from North Korea. A number of European countries are considering the security measures at the Olympic Games in PyeongChang. France’s Winter Olympics team will not go to the 2018 Games in South Korea if its security cannot be guaranteed, France’s sports minister, Laura Flessel said on September 21, 2017. The more so, British Olympic leaders have plans in place to evacuate athletes from the 2018 Pyeongchang Games amid terrorist and nuclear threats. The 2018 Olympic Games would be attended by sports fans from more than 80 countries. Ensuring security of such a number of people will become a serious challenge for the special security services and interior ministry of South Korea. People should realize that the trip to PyeongChang is quite dangerous as for someone it will be a festival of sport, and for the terrorists, it would be a festival of violence. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Will ISIS blow up Olympics in Korea?

To make an Olympic ski jump, China clad a hillside in steel and blanketed it with artificial snow. To construct a high-speed rail line linking the venues and Beijing, engineers blasted tunnels through the surrounding mountains. And to keep the coronavirus at bay, workers are conducting tens of thousands of PCR tests on Games participants every day.

Hosting the Winter Olympics is costing China billions of dollars, a scale of expenditure that has made the event less appealing to many cities around the world in recent years. More and more of them have concluded that the Games are not worth being left with a hefty bill, white elephant stadiums, and fewer benefits from tourism than they had hoped.

But China looks at the Games with a different calculus. Beijing has long relied on heavy investments in building railway lines, highways and other infrastructure to provide millions of jobs to its citizens and reduce transportation costs. With the 2022 Games, it also hopes to nurture an abiding interest in skiing, curling, ice hockey and other winter sports that could increase consumer spending, particularly in the country’s chilly and economically struggling northeast.

Perhaps most important of all to China’s leader, Xi Jinping, the Olympics are a chance to demonstrate to the world his country’s unity and confidence under his leadership.

“For China’s international image, prestige, and face, as the Chinese would say, nothing is too expensive,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Still, with China’s economy already slowing, and a dimming outlook for global growth, as well as concerns that the omicron variant of the coronavirus would lead to more shutdowns and choking of global supply chains, Beijing has been wary of spiraling costs. Even Xi acknowledged the event had to be streamlined, saying last year that the aim was to hold a “simple, safe, splendid” event.

Practically every Olympic Games in recent years has triggered disputes over cost overruns. A study at Oxford University had found that the operating costs of Olympics held since 1960 have averaged nearly three times what the host cities originally bid.

The city of Sochi in Russia, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 2014, spent and invested more than $50 billion — half of which was on infrastructure. When Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, it said it spent $6.8 billion, but that did not include the tens of billions more it used to build roads, stadiums, subway lines and an airport terminal.

This time, China has set a budget of about $3 billion, a figure that includes the building of competition venues, but not projects like a $1 billion high-speed rail line and a $5 billion expressway.

The pandemic is making the Games even more expensive. The bill for last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo included $2.8 billion in coronavirus prevention costs alone. China’s “zero COVID” strategy, which focuses on eradicating outbreaks, has meant infection control measures are much more elaborate.

China’s concerns about the pandemic have dashed hopes that the Games would draw tourists. Organizers said last autumn they would not sell tickets to foreign spectators. Then they announced last month that most Chinese residents would not get to go either, prompting a last-minute rush by hotel managers in Beijing to cut drastically the high room rates they had set for February.

Despite these difficulties, Chinese authorities have insisted that they have stayed within the operating budget.

Officials have said the lack of spectators has meant fewer employees are needed at the Games. China also saved money by canceling a welcoming ceremony for foreign visitors and shortening the torch relay to just three days, the Beijing organizing committee said in an emailed reply to questions. Beijing has also been able to reuse competition venues, a giant media center and other facilities built for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

At $3.1 billion, China’s operating budget is comparable to the average, inflation-adjusted cost of hosting previous Winter Olympics, according to the University of Oxford researchers.

“Judging by the cost of previous Winter Olympics, that should be enough to cover the cost, especially when you consider that many of the facilities have already been built,” said one of the experts, Bent Flyvbjerg, a professor of major program management at Oxford.

But it is hard to assess what portion of the coronavirus prevention costs, if any, is actually being included in the budget, Flyvbjerg said. Chinese accounting is often opaque, and there are many budgets in which health spending can be counted, he said.

The government has also pressed businesses to take on more of the cost of hosting the Games. Other host cities of previous Olympics have spent heavily to build lodging for athletes and journalists and a media center. China has taken a different approach.

In Zhangjiakou, an area near Beijing where some competitions are being held, Chinese authorities have temporarily taken over the Malaysian-owned Genting Secret Garden ski resort. The resort expanded its capacity to 3,800 rooms and vacation apartments, up from 380 before China won its Olympic bid. Lim Chee Wah, founder and co-owner of the resort, said in an interview that he had not been told how much he would be compensated by the government for the use of the resort for most of the winter season, but that he trusted it would be fair.

“We said, fine, thank you, but we’ll negotiate how to do the compensation — that will be done later,” he said.

China also doesn’t count long-term infrastructure investments made in the years before the Games.

The national government spent $2 billion building an expressway from northwest Beijing to Yanqing, where Olympic sliding and Alpine skiing events are being held, and an additional $3.6 billion to extend the expressway to the Taizicheng valley, where the ski resorts are.

Before Beijing won its bid to host the 2022 Olympics, the government began spending $8.4 billion on a high-speed rail line that whisks travelers from Beijing toward Inner Mongolia at speeds of up to 217 mph. After winning the Olympics, Beijing added $1 billion to that project to build an extra segment that peels off the main line and goes up into the mountains to Taizicheng.

“The Chinese are not counting any of that — they say they would have built that anyway,” said Andrew Zimbalist, a professor at Smith College who has published three books about the economics of the Olympics. “I question whether they were going to do it anyway, and if they were going to do it anyway, why do they have to host the Olympics.”

Resort owners like Lim of Genting hope the new infrastructure will help develop the industry. In expanding the resort 10-fold before the Olympics, he said, he had been told to expect that the national rail service would run 15 or 20 trains a day to the Taizicheng valley.

In an email reply to questions, China’s national railway said that it ran 15 bullet trains daily in each direction when the line opened at the end of 2019. But the schedule was cut drastically just a month later when the pandemic began, to five trains on most days, and an extra five on peak travel days.

China regards the Olympics as transforming Beijing, which gets only a foot of natural snow most winters, into a global destination for winter sports.

“The success in opening the Winter Olympics has brought positive economic benefits and created new sources of growth for the local economy,” said the top spokesman for the city of Beijing, Xu Hejian.

To make an Olympic ski jump, China clad a hillside in steel and blanketed it with artificial snow. To construct a high-speed rail line linking the venues and Beijing, engineers blasted tunnels through the surrounding mountains.

To make an Olympic ski jump, China clad a hillside in steel and blanketed it with artificial snow. To construct a high-speed rail line linking the venues and Beijing, engineers blasted tunnels through the surrounding mountains. And to keep the coronavirus at bay, workers are conducting tens of thousands of PCR tests on Games participants every day. Hosting the Winter Olympics is costing China billions of dollars, a scale of expenditure that has made the event less appealing to many cities around the world in recent years. More and more of them have concluded that the Games are not worth being left with a hefty bill, white elephant stadiums, and fewer benefits from tourism than they had hoped. But China looks at the Games with a different calculus. Beijing has long relied on heavy investments in building railway lines, highways and other infrastructure to provide millions of jobs to its citizens and reduce transportation costs. With the 2022 Games, it also hopes to nurture an abiding interest in skiing, curling, ice hockey and other winter sports that could increase consumer spending, particularly in the country’s chilly and economically struggling northeast. Perhaps most important of all to China’s leader, Xi Jinping, the Olympics are a chance to demonstrate to the world his country’s unity and confidence under his leadership. “For China’s international image, prestige, and face, as the Chinese would say, nothing is too expensive,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University. Still, with China’s economy already slowing, and a dimming outlook for global growth, as well as concerns that the omicron variant of the coronavirus would lead to more shutdowns and choking of global supply chains, Beijing has been wary of spiraling costs. Even Xi acknowledged the event had to be streamlined, saying last year that the aim was to hold a “simple, safe, splendid” event. Practically every Olympic Games in recent years has triggered disputes over cost overruns. A study at Oxford University had found that the operating costs of Olympics held since 1960 have averaged nearly three times what the host cities originally bid. The city of Sochi in Russia, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 2014, spent and invested more than $50 billion — half of which was on infrastructure. When Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, it said it spent $6.8 billion, but that did not include the tens of billions more it used to build roads, stadiums, subway lines and an airport terminal. This time, China has set a budget of about $3 billion, a figure that includes the building of competition venues, but not projects like a $1 billion high-speed rail line and a $5 billion expressway. The pandemic is making the Games even more expensive. The bill for last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo included $2.8 billion in coronavirus prevention costs alone. China’s “zero COVID” strategy, which focuses on eradicating outbreaks, has meant infection control measures are much more elaborate. China’s concerns about the pandemic have dashed hopes that the Games would draw tourists. Organizers said last autumn they would not sell tickets to foreign spectators. Then they announced last month that most Chinese residents would not get to go either, prompting a last-minute rush by hotel managers in Beijing to cut drastically the high room rates they had set for February. Despite these difficulties, Chinese authorities have insisted that they have stayed within the operating budget. Officials have said the lack of spectators has meant fewer employees are needed at the Games. China also saved money by canceling a welcoming ceremony for foreign visitors and shortening the torch relay to just three days, the Beijing organizing committee said in an emailed reply to questions. Beijing has also been able to reuse competition venues, a giant media center and other facilities built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. At $3.1 billion, China’s operating budget is comparable to the average, inflation-adjusted cost of hosting previous Winter Olympics, according to the University of Oxford researchers. “Judging by the cost of previous Winter Olympics, that should be enough to cover the cost, especially when you consider that many of the facilities have already been built,” said one of the experts, Bent Flyvbjerg, a professor of major program management at Oxford. But it is hard to assess what portion of the coronavirus prevention costs, if any, is actually being included in the budget, Flyvbjerg said. Chinese accounting is often opaque, and there are many budgets in which health spending can be counted, he said. The government has also pressed businesses to take on more of the cost of hosting the Games. Other host cities of previous Olympics have spent heavily to build lodging for athletes and journalists and a media center. China has taken a different approach. In Zhangjiakou, an area near Beijing where some competitions are being held, Chinese authorities have temporarily taken over the Malaysian-owned Genting Secret Garden ski resort. The resort expanded its capacity to 3,800 rooms and vacation apartments, up from 380 before China won its Olympic bid. Lim Chee Wah, founder and co-owner of the resort, said in an interview that he had not been told how much he would be compensated by the government for the use of the resort for most of the winter season, but that he trusted it would be fair. “We said, fine, thank you, but we’ll negotiate how to do the compensation — that will be done later,” he said. China also doesn’t count long-term infrastructure investments made in the years before the Games. The national government spent $2 billion building an expressway from northwest Beijing to Yanqing, where Olympic sliding and Alpine skiing events are being held, and an additional $3.6 billion to extend the expressway to the Taizicheng valley, where the ski resorts are. Before Beijing won its bid to host the 2022 Olympics, the government began spending $8.4 billion on a high-speed rail line that whisks travelers from Beijing toward Inner Mongolia at speeds of up to 217 mph. After winning the Olympics, Beijing added $1 billion to that project to build an extra segment that peels off the main line and goes up into the mountains to Taizicheng. “The Chinese are not counting any of that — they say they would have built that anyway,” said Andrew Zimbalist, a professor at Smith College who has published three books about the economics of the Olympics. “I question whether they were going to do it anyway, and if they were going to do it anyway, why do they have to host the Olympics.” Resort owners like Lim of Genting hope the new infrastructure will help develop the industry. In expanding the resort 10-fold before the Olympics, he said, he had been told to expect that the national rail service would run 15 or 20 trains a day to the Taizicheng valley. In an email reply to questions, China’s national railway said that it ran 15 bullet trains daily in each direction when the line opened at the end of 2019. But the schedule was cut drastically just a month later when the pandemic began, to five trains on most days, and an extra five on peak travel days. China regards the Olympics as transforming Beijing, which gets only a foot of natural snow most winters, into a global destination for winter sports. “The success in opening the Winter Olympics has brought positive economic benefits and created new sources of growth for the local economy,” said the top spokesman for the city of Beijing, Xu Hejian.

Hosting the Olympics is costly. For China, it’s worth every billion

Alexander Bolshunov, representing the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), won the gold medal in the men`s 2x15 km skiathlon at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday. Bolshunov's teammate Denis Spitsov took the silver medal, with Finland`s Iivo Niskanen coming in third to take the bronze.

Alexander Bolshunov, representing the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), won the gold medal in the men`s 2x15 km skiathlon at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday. Bolshunov's teammate Denis Spitsov took the silver medal, with Finland`s Iivo Niskanen coming in third to take the bronze.

Beijing Winter Olympics: Russian Alexander Bolshunov wins skiathlon gold

Fireworks exploded all over Beijing and its infamous "Bird’s Nest" Stadium again as the 24th Winter Olympics kicked off on February 4, making Beijing the first city to host both a summer and Winter Olympics.

After a rapturous welcome was given to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the solemn ceremony directed by legendary Chinese film director Zhang Yimou was intricately planned. As the ceremony progressed, one couldn’t help but notice a political reference in each element.

Not to forget, even before the games began, the Chinese had already politicised the sporting event, something they had urged the west to not do. In the buildup to the ceremony, China’s chosen torchbearer for the games’ Torch Relay was a People's Liberation Army’s regimental commander who was involved in the deadly border skirmish with Indian troops on the countries’ Himalayan border. With this, while India joined the many other countries diplomatically boycotting the games, it did not deter China’s spirit.

On the February 4, the ceremony began at 8:00 pm local time with an overarching theme of "One World, One Family".

The elegantly choreographed presentation used a snowflake to carry forward this theme. It was a reference to renowned Chinese poet Li Bai’s description of snowflakes "as big as a mattress,", reiterating the idea that "they’re all different but together they form one family."

From the start to the end, this narrative of "One China" was pushed throughout the ceremony. Right from the start, representatives from all 56 ethnic groups in China, including the Uyghur, stood in unison as they passed an unfurled Chinese flag from hand to hand before it was hoisted.

What followed next was a treat for the eyes.

Aided by a dazzling series of LED lights, the ceremony began with a celebration of the Chinese New Year spring festival. While the computerised graphics played a major role in the ceremony, one couldn’t help but notice a lack of celebrity performers among the some 3000 who participated, contrary to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics opening ceremony, which featured an array of artists, both Chinese and international, such as Sarah Brightman and Jackie Chan. So what changed?

Well, the simple answer is China. Or more specifically, its leadership.

Since the 2008 Olympics games, China has not only grown from a developing nation to full-fledged world power. it has also seen a shift in the country’s culture. Back in 2008, ahead of the Olympics, Beijing lifted its ban on YouTube and also loosened restrictions on foreign journalists as a sign of goodwill.

As a result, when Xi Jinping took power, observers expected China to continue to move toward greater liberties and eventually become more like Western democracies.

Boy, they couldn’t have been more wrong.

Fourteen years later, China portrays a radically different image. Under a strongman’s rule with an unending term, it has seen a rise in fervent nationalism with a crackdown on anyone who tries to distort this ideology.

So the decision to only use ordinary citizens, most of them teenagers, perfectly coincided with two things. First, was its crackdown on celebrities. Exactly a year ago, the China Association of Performing Arts, run by the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, released a set of "professional norms that performers should consciously abide by" in order to "establish a good professional image for the performer,", or I might say for Xi. Since then, many have run afoul of the government.

And second, with most of the performers being teenagers, the idea was in line with Mr. Xi’s message at the Chinese Communist Party’s centennial last year, which emphasised the importance of youth to carry the nation (and, of course, Chinese communism) into the future.

As the ceremony progressed, Mr. Xi’s blatant propaganda attempt to portray "one China" as a place where everyone lives together peacefully and happily, only intensified. The communist regime's decision to pick an athlete with an Uyghur identity to help light the Olympic flame was a direct retort to the West's criticism, which has often accused China of committing genocide against the Muslim minority in the country’s Xinjiang region.

While Mr. Xi’s China seems to think it can control everything. There is one thing it cannot do- emotions.

As the parade of nations began, most of the athletes showed excitement as they walked across the stadium. The Jamaican contingent danced a little, the French contingent greeted all the performers, and even the contingent from the United States, which diplomatically boycotted the games, seemed thrilled when they entered the arena.

However, there was one tiny contingent that entered with no hint of excitement. And that belonged to "Chinese Taipei". The contingent, made up of three, merely walked across the stadium.

The team, who neither marched under the name of "Taiwan" nor with the traditional "Taiwanese flag", was set to boycott the ceremony, but had to attend it because they were "notified" by the International Olympic Committee that "it was required to cooperate in sending personnel to attend the opening and closing ceremonies."

The intention of skipping the ceremony was over the nation’s name. You see, the games are happening at a time when the relationship between China and Taiwan is at its lowest. In the past year, China has made repeated incursions in Taiwan’s airspace, with the latest one on January 24.

So, the self-governing island feared that China would use the games as a linguistic opportunity to assert its sovereignty over it.

The dispute centres around the name of the delegation in the local language. The Taiwanese delegation is officially referred to as "Zhonghua Taipei". Yet, many officials in mainland China often refer to the delegation as "Zhongguo Taipei". Zhongguo is the Chinese name for China; thus implying that Taiwan and its athletes represent China.

While the announcers of the ceremony stuck with the official name. Many Chinese viewers, watching the ceremony on China’s state broadcaster CCTV, however, claimed that they heard the announcers call the delegation "Zhongguo Taipei" or "Taipei, China".

This wasn’t all.

China has also been accused by South Korean leaders of "stealing" their culture after a female performer who represented one of the 56 ethnic groups in China during the ceremony was seen wearing a Hanbok, a traditional Korean outfit. The leaders of South Korea viewed this act of appropriating the tradition of a sovereign state as "rude".

All in all the opening ceremony was an interesting spectacle to watch. One can only eagerly wait to see if China once again pushes the Olympic motto of "Faster, higher, stronger - together" at the closing ceremony. For now, let the games begin!

Fireworks exploded all over Beijing and its infamous "Bird’s Nest" Stadium again as the 24th Winter Olympics kicked off on February 4, making Beijing the first city to host both a summer and Winter Olympics.

Fireworks exploded all over Beijing and its infamous "Bird’s Nest" Stadium again as the 24th Winter Olympics kicked off on February 4, making Beijing the first city to host both a summer and Winter Olympics. After a rapturous welcome was given to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the solemn ceremony directed by legendary Chinese film director Zhang Yimou was intricately planned. As the ceremony progressed, one couldn’t help but notice a political reference in each element. Not to forget, even before the games began, the Chinese had already politicised the sporting event, something they had urged the west to not do. In the buildup to the ceremony, China’s chosen torchbearer for the games’ Torch Relay was a People's Liberation Army’s regimental commander who was involved in the deadly border skirmish with Indian troops on the countries’ Himalayan border. With this, while India joined the many other countries diplomatically boycotting the games, it did not deter China’s spirit. On the February 4, the ceremony began at 8:00 pm local time with an overarching theme of "One World, One Family". The elegantly choreographed presentation used a snowflake to carry forward this theme. It was a reference to renowned Chinese poet Li Bai’s description of snowflakes "as big as a mattress,", reiterating the idea that "they’re all different but together they form one family." From the start to the end, this narrative of "One China" was pushed throughout the ceremony. Right from the start, representatives from all 56 ethnic groups in China, including the Uyghur, stood in unison as they passed an unfurled Chinese flag from hand to hand before it was hoisted. What followed next was a treat for the eyes. Aided by a dazzling series of LED lights, the ceremony began with a celebration of the Chinese New Year spring festival. While the computerised graphics played a major role in the ceremony, one couldn’t help but notice a lack of celebrity performers among the some 3000 who participated, contrary to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics opening ceremony, which featured an array of artists, both Chinese and international, such as Sarah Brightman and Jackie Chan. So what changed? Well, the simple answer is China. Or more specifically, its leadership. Since the 2008 Olympics games, China has not only grown from a developing nation to full-fledged world power. it has also seen a shift in the country’s culture. Back in 2008, ahead of the Olympics, Beijing lifted its ban on YouTube and also loosened restrictions on foreign journalists as a sign of goodwill. As a result, when Xi Jinping took power, observers expected China to continue to move toward greater liberties and eventually become more like Western democracies. Boy, they couldn’t have been more wrong. Fourteen years later, China portrays a radically different image. Under a strongman’s rule with an unending term, it has seen a rise in fervent nationalism with a crackdown on anyone who tries to distort this ideology. So the decision to only use ordinary citizens, most of them teenagers, perfectly coincided with two things. First, was its crackdown on celebrities. Exactly a year ago, the China Association of Performing Arts, run by the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, released a set of "professional norms that performers should consciously abide by" in order to "establish a good professional image for the performer,", or I might say for Xi. Since then, many have run afoul of the government. And second, with most of the performers being teenagers, the idea was in line with Mr. Xi’s message at the Chinese Communist Party’s centennial last year, which emphasised the importance of youth to carry the nation (and, of course, Chinese communism) into the future. As the ceremony progressed, Mr. Xi’s blatant propaganda attempt to portray "one China" as a place where everyone lives together peacefully and happily, only intensified. The communist regime's decision to pick an athlete with an Uyghur identity to help light the Olympic flame was a direct retort to the West's criticism, which has often accused China of committing genocide against the Muslim minority in the country’s Xinjiang region. While Mr. Xi’s China seems to think it can control everything. There is one thing it cannot do- emotions. As the parade of nations began, most of the athletes showed excitement as they walked across the stadium. The Jamaican contingent danced a little, the French contingent greeted all the performers, and even the contingent from the United States, which diplomatically boycotted the games, seemed thrilled when they entered the arena. However, there was one tiny contingent that entered with no hint of excitement. And that belonged to "Chinese Taipei". The contingent, made up of three, merely walked across the stadium. The team, who neither marched under the name of "Taiwan" nor with the traditional "Taiwanese flag", was set to boycott the ceremony, but had to attend it because they were "notified" by the International Olympic Committee that "it was required to cooperate in sending personnel to attend the opening and closing ceremonies." The intention of skipping the ceremony was over the nation’s name. You see, the games are happening at a time when the relationship between China and Taiwan is at its lowest. In the past year, China has made repeated incursions in Taiwan’s airspace, with the latest one on January 24. So, the self-governing island feared that China would use the games as a linguistic opportunity to assert its sovereignty over it. The dispute centres around the name of the delegation in the local language. The Taiwanese delegation is officially referred to as "Zhonghua Taipei". Yet, many officials in mainland China often refer to the delegation as "Zhongguo Taipei". Zhongguo is the Chinese name for China; thus implying that Taiwan and its athletes represent China. While the announcers of the ceremony stuck with the official name. Many Chinese viewers, watching the ceremony on China’s state broadcaster CCTV, however, claimed that they heard the announcers call the delegation "Zhongguo Taipei" or "Taipei, China". This wasn’t all. China has also been accused by South Korean leaders of "stealing" their culture after a female performer who represented one of the 56 ethnic groups in China during the ceremony was seen wearing a Hanbok, a traditional Korean outfit. The leaders of South Korea viewed this act of appropriating the tradition of a sovereign state as "rude". All in all the opening ceremony was an interesting spectacle to watch. One can only eagerly wait to see if China once again pushes the Olympic motto of "Faster, higher, stronger - together" at the closing ceremony. For now, let the games begin!

As the opening ceremony kicked off the Winter Olympics, China ticked 'almost' all the boxes 

A week ago, Taiwan said it would not participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing. Then the island democracy reversed its decision, citing pressure from the International Olympic Committee.

In at first declining, Taiwanese officials had pointed to inconvenient flight schedules and pandemic restrictions. But they are also engaged in a political rivalry with Beijing over the Olympics, embodied in one persistent issue: the name of Taiwan’s delegation.

Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its territory, has for decades been compelled to compete in international sports events as “Chinese Taipei” rather than as Taiwan or under its formal name, Republic of China. The International Olympic Committee’s rules prohibit delegations from Taiwan from using any symbols suggesting that the island is a sovereign nation.

When Taiwan said on Monday that it had decided to take part in the opening ceremony, officials from the island urged China not to try to use the Games to suppress Taiwan. They did not go into specifics, but some Taiwanese officials worry that Beijing might use the Games to undermine the island’s status.

The dispute centres on the Chinese rendering of the Taiwanese delegation’s name, “Chinese Taipei.” Officially, the delegation’s Chinese name is Zhonghua Taipei. But officials on the mainland often refer to the Taiwanese delegation as Zhongguo Taipei. Zhongguo is the Chinese name for China; referring to the Taiwanese delegation as such implies that the athletes and the island they represent are part of China.

In 2008, when the Taiwan delegation marched into the National Stadium in Beijing for the Summer Olympics, the event’s Chinese announcer stuck to the official version of the delegation’s name. But relations between the two sides have since deteriorated, and concerns have grown that this time, China might use the ceremonies as an opportunity to assert its claim over Taiwan.

On Friday, the island’s delegation will not get to use the name Taiwan on their national team uniforms, sing their anthem or carry the island’s flag during the opening ceremony.

“I actually feel a bit disappointed that I can’t compete with the name of Taiwan,” Lin Sin-rong, a luger who is competing in Beijing, said in January. “When it comes to China, I do what I should and keep what I shouldn’t say in my heart.”

A week ago, Taiwan said it would not participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing. Then the island democracy reversed its decision, citing pressure from the International Olympic Committee.

A week ago, Taiwan said it would not participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing. Then the island democracy reversed its decision, citing pressure from the International Olympic Committee. In at first declining, Taiwanese officials had pointed to inconvenient flight schedules and pandemic restrictions. But they are also engaged in a political rivalry with Beijing over the Olympics, embodied in one persistent issue: the name of Taiwan’s delegation. Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its territory, has for decades been compelled to compete in international sports events as “Chinese Taipei” rather than as Taiwan or under its formal name, Republic of China. The International Olympic Committee’s rules prohibit delegations from Taiwan from using any symbols suggesting that the island is a sovereign nation. When Taiwan said on Monday that it had decided to take part in the opening ceremony, officials from the island urged China not to try to use the Games to suppress Taiwan. They did not go into specifics, but some Taiwanese officials worry that Beijing might use the Games to undermine the island’s status. The dispute centres on the Chinese rendering of the Taiwanese delegation’s name, “Chinese Taipei.” Officially, the delegation’s Chinese name is Zhonghua Taipei. But officials on the mainland often refer to the Taiwanese delegation as Zhongguo Taipei. Zhongguo is the Chinese name for China; referring to the Taiwanese delegation as such implies that the athletes and the island they represent are part of China. In 2008, when the Taiwan delegation marched into the National Stadium in Beijing for the Summer Olympics, the event’s Chinese announcer stuck to the official version of the delegation’s name. But relations between the two sides have since deteriorated, and concerns have grown that this time, China might use the ceremonies as an opportunity to assert its claim over Taiwan. On Friday, the island’s delegation will not get to use the name Taiwan on their national team uniforms, sing their anthem or carry the island’s flag during the opening ceremony. “I actually feel a bit disappointed that I can’t compete with the name of Taiwan,” Lin Sin-rong, a luger who is competing in Beijing, said in January. “When it comes to China, I do what I should and keep what I shouldn’t say in my heart.”

What’s in a name? For Taiwan, a lot

Beijing kicked off the 2022 Winter Olympics with the opening ceremony on Friday. As many as 84 countries are participating in the games.

Athletes from around the world would also be competing on ice and snow around Beijing for the next two weeks—except that much of the snow that is being witnessed in one of the largest cities is actually fake.

According to CNN, the Beijing Games is the first Winter Olympics to use virtually 100 per cent artificial snow.

Beijing has extremely dry winters, averaging only 0.4 inches of precipitation for December, January, and February combined. There’s just not enough moisture for consistent snowfall in this part of the world.

Hence in order to give an illusion of a wintery climate, the Beijing Organising Committee has deployed more than 100 snow generators and 300 snow-making guns.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-falls-asleep-as-ukraine-athletes-enter-beijing-stadium-during-olympics-opening-ceremony-450552">Putin falls asleep as Ukraine athletes enter Beijing stadium during Olympics opening ceremony</a>

But in order to make fake snow real, vast amounts of water and energy are needed.

According to reports, an estimated 49 million gallons of water -- that would fill 74 Olympic-sized pools —have been used for creating artificial snow.

For the Beijing winter Olympics, China has borrowed a machine from Italy that has been pumping snow since November 2021.

The machine sprays ice particles and a thin mist of water vapour, 60 metres from above the ground, where these particles combine to become snow and then fall.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-recognises-taiwan-as-part-of-china-opposes-islands-independence-450437" hreflang="en">Russia recognises Taiwan as part of China, opposes island's independence</a>

The Italian company has been using around 290 snow pumping machines for the winter games, according to The Sunday Times.

However, this is not the first time that artificial snow is being used for the Olympics.

According to the Sport Ecology Group, artificial snow has been used in the Winter Olympics since the 1980 games in Lake Placid.

The 2014 Sochi Olympics, which were located in an unusually warm climate for the Winter Olympics, was 80 per cent artificial.

(With inputs from agencies)

Beijing kicked off the 2022 Winter Olympics with the opening ceremony on Friday. As many as 84 countries are participating in the games. Athletes from around the world would also be competing on ice and snow around Beijing for the next two weeks—except that much of the snow that is being witnessed in one of the largest cities is actually fake.

Beijing kicked off the 2022 Winter Olympics with the opening ceremony on Friday. As many as 84 countries are participating in the games. Athletes from around the world would also be competing on ice and snow around Beijing for the next two weeks—except that much of the snow that is being witnessed in one of the largest cities is actually fake. According to CNN, the Beijing Games is the first Winter Olympics to use virtually 100 per cent artificial snow. Beijing has extremely dry winters, averaging only 0.4 inches of precipitation for December, January, and February combined. There’s just not enough moisture for consistent snowfall in this part of the world. Hence in order to give an illusion of a wintery climate, the Beijing Organising Committee has deployed more than 100 snow generators and 300 snow-making guns. Also read | Putin falls asleep as Ukraine athletes enter Beijing stadium during Olympics opening ceremony But in order to make fake snow real, vast amounts of water and energy are needed. According to reports, an estimated 49 million gallons of water -- that would fill 74 Olympic-sized pools —have been used for creating artificial snow. For the Beijing winter Olympics, China has borrowed a machine from Italy that has been pumping snow since November 2021. The machine sprays ice particles and a thin mist of water vapour, 60 metres from above the ground, where these particles combine to become snow and then fall. Also read | Russia recognises Taiwan as part of China, opposes island's independence The Italian company has been using around 290 snow pumping machines for the winter games, according to The Sunday Times. However, this is not the first time that artificial snow is being used for the Olympics. According to the Sport Ecology Group, artificial snow has been used in the Winter Olympics since the 1980 games in Lake Placid. The 2014 Sochi Olympics, which were located in an unusually warm climate for the Winter Olympics, was 80 per cent artificial. (With inputs from agencies)

Beijing is hosting 2022 Winter Olympics with 100% artificial snow: Report

The 2022 Winter Olympics got underway in Beijing on Friday with 31-year-old Arif Khan from the Kashmir valley carrying the Indian tri-color at the opening ceremony.

31-year-old Arif Khan, the only Indian to qualify for 2022 Winter Olympics

Fabien Galthie, the coach of France`s national rugby union team, has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is therefore unlikely to be present pitch-side for France`s opening Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday, Galthie said.

"This morning, I tested positive COVID-19. I am doing well and I have light symptoms," wrote Galthie on his Twitter account (@FGalthie) on Friday. "As a result, I am going to self-isolate and will be working remotely this week. Raphaël Ibañez and the rest of my staff, in whom I have full confidence, will be acting as my go-betweens on the pitch," added Galthie.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beijing-2022-czech-republic-ice-hockey-player-david-krejci-isolating-after-positive-covid-test-450227">Beijing 2022: Czech Republic Ice hockey player David Krejci isolating after positive COVID test</a>

France start their Six Nations campaign on Feb. 6 against Italy at the Stade de France, but the team - known "Les Bleus" - have been hit by COVID-19 cases within their squad.

Fabien Galthie, the coach of France`s national rugby union team, has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is therefore unlikely to be present pitch-side for France`s opening Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday, Galthie said.

Fabien Galthie, the coach of France`s national rugby union team, has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is therefore unlikely to be present pitch-side for France`s opening Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday, Galthie said. "This morning, I tested positive COVID-19. I am doing well and I have light symptoms," wrote Galthie on his Twitter account (@FGalthie) on Friday. "As a result, I am going to self-isolate and will be working remotely this week. Raphaël Ibañez and the rest of my staff, in whom I have full confidence, will be acting as my go-betweens on the pitch," added Galthie. ALSO READ | Beijing 2022: Czech Republic Ice hockey player David Krejci isolating after positive COVID test France start their Six Nations campaign on Feb. 6 against Italy at the Stade de France, but the team - known "Les Bleus" - have been hit by COVID-19 cases within their squad.

Beijing Winter Olympics: French national rugby union coach Fabien Galthie tests positive for COVID-19

More than 200 Olympics-linked personnel have been infected by Covid-19 since January 23rd. China's much-hyped 'closed' loop is an 'open' invitation for the virus. Palki Sharma tells you how Beijing is crushing the Olympic spirit.

Gravitas: China's Olympics bubble turns virus hotspot

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