Indonesia has submitted a bid to host the 2032 Olympics, the state news agency said on Tuesday, after winning praise for hosting last year's Asian Games, though it could face competition from India and a joint bid by North and South Korea.&nbsp;

Indonesia's ambassador to Switzerland submitted a letter from President Joko Widodo to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week.&nbsp;

"The IOC has acknowledged Indonesia's capabilities during the Asian Games and Asian Paragames of 2018," the Antara news agency quoted Ambassador Muliaman D&nbsp;Hadad as saying.&nbsp;

"We feel that is a strong foundation."&nbsp;

A senior official in the coordinating ministry for human development and culture, Gunawan, who goes by one name, confirmed the bid.&nbsp;

If Southeast Asia's most populous nation wins the opportunity to host the summer Olympics, it would become the fourth Asian country to do so, after Japan, China and South Korea. The IOC will pick the 2032 host by the year 2025.&nbsp;

Tokyo is to host the next Summer Olympics in 2020, with Paris holding the 2024 Games and Los Angeles confirmed to host the event four years later.&nbsp;

Indonesia has submitted a bid to host the 2032 Olympics, the state news agency said on Tuesday, after winning praise for hosting last year's Asian Games, though it could face competition from India and a joint bid by North and South Korea.

Indonesia has submitted a bid to host the 2032 Olympics, the state news agency said on Tuesday, after winning praise for hosting last year's Asian Games, though it could face competition from India and a joint bid by North and South Korea. Indonesia's ambassador to Switzerland submitted a letter from President Joko Widodo to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week. "The IOC has acknowledged Indonesia's capabilities during the Asian Games and Asian Paragames of 2018," the Antara news agency quoted Ambassador Muliaman D Hadad as saying. "We feel that is a strong foundation." A senior official in the coordinating ministry for human development and culture, Gunawan, who goes by one name, confirmed the bid. If Southeast Asia's most populous nation wins the opportunity to host the summer Olympics, it would become the fourth Asian country to do so, after Japan, China and South Korea. The IOC will pick the 2032 host by the year 2025. Tokyo is to host the next Summer Olympics in 2020, with Paris holding the 2024 Games and Los Angeles confirmed to host the event four years later.

Indonesia submits bid to host 2032 Olympics

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

The 18-year-old was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month after her record-breaking exploits in the Jakarta pool.

"I was feeling ill and urgently came home from Australia, underwent testing and the diagnosis was leukaemia," Ikee wrote on Twitter.

"I can't believe it, it's a confusing situation. But with treatment this is a disease that can be cured."

The diagnosis will deprive the world junior 50 metres freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly champion of the chance to race at the senior world championships in Gwangju, South Korea later this year.

Ikee, who swam the fastest time in the world in the 100m butterfly and second fastest in the 50m butterfly last year, said she would miss Japan's swimming trials to focus on treatment.

"I am going to take some time off and focus on treatment and as soon as possible I want to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee," she added.

Ikee's coach Jiro Miki held out hope she could compete in Tokyo, saying the "possibility was not zero", Kyodo News Agency reported.

"I'm told we wouldn't have been able to discover the disease in ordinary circumstances," Kyodo quoted Japan Swimming Federation Vice Chairman Koji Ueno as saying at a news conference.

"We were able to find her irregularities because she was swimming. In that sense, we were able to find the disease early."

Only North Korean shooter So Gin Man, who won seven golds and a silver at New Delhi in 1982, has won more titles at one Asian Games than Ikee.

Ikee, whose gold medal haul was the most for a female athlete at a single Asian Games, also picked up two relay silvers to match So's record tally of eight medals.

Winning all six of her gold medals in record times in Jakarta propelled her onto the world stage and made her a major name in Japan.

Coming home sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Rio Games as a 16-year-old, Ikee had been expected to compete for medals at Tokyo 2020 but must now focus on getting healthy before thoughts turn to the summer showpiece in 528 days' time.

After news of Ikee's illness broke, Japanese rugby player Ayumu Goromaru offered words of support on Twitter, telling her to "Strive on," while former Olympic swimmer Hanae Ito said: "Everyone is praying".

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia. The 18-year-old was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month after her record-breaking exploits in the Jakarta pool. "I was feeling ill and urgently came home from Australia, underwent testing and the diagnosis was leukaemia," Ikee wrote on Twitter. "I can't believe it, it's a confusing situation. But with treatment this is a disease that can be cured." The diagnosis will deprive the world junior 50 metres freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly champion of the chance to race at the senior world championships in Gwangju, South Korea later this year. Ikee, who swam the fastest time in the world in the 100m butterfly and second fastest in the 50m butterfly last year, said she would miss Japan's swimming trials to focus on treatment. "I am going to take some time off and focus on treatment and as soon as possible I want to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee," she added. Ikee's coach Jiro Miki held out hope she could compete in Tokyo, saying the "possibility was not zero", Kyodo News Agency reported. "I'm told we wouldn't have been able to discover the disease in ordinary circumstances," Kyodo quoted Japan Swimming Federation Vice Chairman Koji Ueno as saying at a news conference. "We were able to find her irregularities because she was swimming. In that sense, we were able to find the disease early." Only North Korean shooter So Gin Man, who won seven golds and a silver at New Delhi in 1982, has won more titles at one Asian Games than Ikee. Ikee, whose gold medal haul was the most for a female athlete at a single Asian Games, also picked up two relay silvers to match So's record tally of eight medals. Winning all six of her gold medals in record times in Jakarta propelled her onto the world stage and made her a major name in Japan. Coming home sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Rio Games as a 16-year-old, Ikee had been expected to compete for medals at Tokyo 2020 but must now focus on getting healthy before thoughts turn to the summer showpiece in 528 days' time. After news of Ikee's illness broke, Japanese rugby player Ayumu Goromaru offered words of support on Twitter, telling her to "Strive on," while former Olympic swimmer Hanae Ito said: "Everyone is praying".

Tokyo Olympics medal hopeful Rikako Ikee diagnosed with leukaemia

Tokyo 2020 organisers on Thursday unveiled plans for a centre to monitor extreme weather, after concerns the city's scorching summer could cause heatstroke or even deaths during the Games.

The next Olympics will also overlap with Japan's typhoon season, and the potential for extreme conditions has become a major headache for the event after a string of weather-related disasters.

Organisers will work with a private weather company and the government's meteorological agency to analyse climate data in areas with Olympic venues, a Tokyo 2020 official told AFP.

The centre will send warnings about weather-related emergencies, including the risk of heatstroke and even evacuation information if necessary, she added.

Last year Japan was rocked by a number of weather emergencies, including record rainfall in the west of the country that killed more than 200 people.

A deadly heatwave also gripped the country during the summer, raising concerns about outdoor events during the Games, particularly the marathon.

Japanese medical groups have warned the event could "lead to deaths" from heatstroke.

In December, Tokyo 2020 officials announced they would move up the start of the marathon to "between 5:30am and 6am." They had previously moved it up to 7am.

Organisers have toyed with various ways of beating the heat including the introduction of daylight saving time -- an idea that appears to have fallen by the wayside.

Last time Japan hosted the Olympics, in 1964, the competition was held in October to avoid the hot summer conditions.

Tokyo 2020 organisers on Thursday unveiled plans for a centre to monitor extreme weather, after concerns the city's scorching summer could cause heatstroke or even deaths during the Games.

Tokyo 2020 organisers on Thursday unveiled plans for a centre to monitor extreme weather, after concerns the city's scorching summer could cause heatstroke or even deaths during the Games. The next Olympics will also overlap with Japan's typhoon season, and the potential for extreme conditions has become a major headache for the event after a string of weather-related disasters. Organisers will work with a private weather company and the government's meteorological agency to analyse climate data in areas with Olympic venues, a Tokyo 2020 official told AFP. The centre will send warnings about weather-related emergencies, including the risk of heatstroke and even evacuation information if necessary, she added. Last year Japan was rocked by a number of weather emergencies, including record rainfall in the west of the country that killed more than 200 people. A deadly heatwave also gripped the country during the summer, raising concerns about outdoor events during the Games, particularly the marathon. Japanese medical groups have warned the event could "lead to deaths" from heatstroke. In December, Tokyo 2020 officials announced they would move up the start of the marathon to "between 5:30am and 6am." They had previously moved it up to 7am. Organisers have toyed with various ways of beating the heat including the introduction of daylight saving time -- an idea that appears to have fallen by the wayside. Last time Japan hosted the Olympics, in 1964, the competition was held in October to avoid the hot summer conditions.

Tokyo 2020 plans weather monitoring after heatstroke fears

The Indian&nbsp;women's football team will play two matches each against Hong Kong and Indonesia in a bid to qualify for the 2020&nbsp;Olympics.&nbsp;

The official handle of football India tweeted to inform that a twenty-five&nbsp;member Indian women's senior national team will travel to Hong Kong to play back-to-back friendlies on January 21 and 23.&nbsp;

After that, they will travel to&nbsp;Indonesia to play matches on January 27 and January 30.&nbsp;

"In our quest to qualify from the Round 2, we have to play against tough teams and both Hong Kong and Indonesia will provide us with challenges of their own and help in our development," head coach Maymol Rocky said.

"The Olympic qualifiers will be a test and a challenge for all of us and we are preparing to script history and make the nation proud," he added.&nbsp;

The second round of the Tokyo Olympic qualifiers is slated to be held from April 1-9 with the draw for the same yet to take place.&nbsp;

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A 25 member Indian women's senior national team preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers Round 2, will be travelling to Hong Kong &amp; Indonesia to play 2 matches each against the senior national teams of both nations. The Indian team will depart on January 19.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BackTheBlue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BackTheBlue</a> <a href="https://t.co/30AS0IJpqk">pic.twitter.com/30AS0IJpqk</a>
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Squad: 
Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, M&nbsp;Linthoingambi Devi, Sowmiya Narayansamy, Shreya Hooda 
Defenders: Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Jabamani Tudu, Dalima Chhibber, Lako Phuti, Michel Castanha, Poly Koley 
Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Sanju Yadav, Sumithra Kamaraj, Ranjana Chanu, Indumathi Kathiresan, Ranjita Devi, Manisha 
Forwards: Roja Devi, Anju Tamang, Ratanbala Devi, Pyari Xaxa, Dangmei Grace, Sandhiya R, Mamta.

The Indian women's football team will play two matches each against Hong Kong and Indonesia in a bid to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. The official handle of football India tweeted to inform that a twenty-five member Indian women's senior national team will travel to Hong Kong to play back-to-back friendlies on January 21 and 23.

The Indian women's football team will play two matches each against Hong Kong and Indonesia in a bid to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. The official handle of football India tweeted to inform that a twenty-five member Indian women's senior national team will travel to Hong Kong to play back-to-back friendlies on January 21 and 23. After that, they will travel to Indonesia to play matches on January 27 and January 30. "In our quest to qualify from the Round 2, we have to play against tough teams and both Hong Kong and Indonesia will provide us with challenges of their own and help in our development," head coach Maymol Rocky said. "The Olympic qualifiers will be a test and a challenge for all of us and we are preparing to script history and make the nation proud," he added. The second round of the Tokyo Olympic qualifiers is slated to be held from April 1-9 with the draw for the same yet to take place. A 25 member Indian women's senior national team preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers Round 2, will be travelling to Hong Kong & Indonesia to play 2 matches each against the senior national teams of both nations. The Indian team will depart on January 19.#BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/30AS0IJpqk — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 15, 2019 × Squad: Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, M Linthoingambi Devi, Sowmiya Narayansamy, Shreya Hooda Defenders: Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Jabamani Tudu, Dalima Chhibber, Lako Phuti, Michel Castanha, Poly Koley Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Sanju Yadav, Sumithra Kamaraj, Ranjana Chanu, Indumathi Kathiresan, Ranjita Devi, Manisha Forwards: Roja Devi, Anju Tamang, Ratanbala Devi, Pyari Xaxa, Dangmei Grace, Sandhiya R, Mamta.

Indian women's football team prepares for 2nd round of 2020 Olympic qualifiers

The 2020 Summer Olympics budget remains unchanged at $12.6 billion after increases in some areas were offset by reductions in others, with Games organisers acknowledging on Friday that more work was needed to curb spending.

Organisers have been working to cut expenses since a study warned they could balloon to four times estimates made during the bidding process, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants Tokyo to set a good example for future host cities.

However, the third version of the budget announced on Friday was equal to the projection issued last year, after organisers had managed to reduce it from the $14 billion outlay unveiled two years ago.

"There is still a lot of work to be done to control expenditure," Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said in a statement.

"But with the cooperation of the IOC, Tokyo 2020 will continue to make best efforts to maximize revenues, contain costs and keep its budget within 600 billion yen ($5.6 billion)," he said, referring to the organising committee's portion of the overall budget.

Organisers said requirements were becoming clearer with less than 600 days to go until the event, prompting them to bump up estimates for transportation and Games operations by $100 million apiece.

However, those increases were offset by a reduction in a contingencies reserve and through other savings, with organisers also highlighting robust domestic sponsor revenues, up $100 million from last year to $3 billion.

Of the overall budget, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government accounts for $5.6 billion and the central government $1.4 billion, unchanged from last year.

(Figures are based on the 107 yen per dollar rate set in version 1 of the budget.)

The 2020 Summer Olympics budget remains unchanged at $12.6 billion after increases in some areas were offset by reductions in others, with Games organisers acknowledging on Friday that more work was needed to curb spending.

The 2020 Summer Olympics budget remains unchanged at $12.6 billion after increases in some areas were offset by reductions in others, with Games organisers acknowledging on Friday that more work was needed to curb spending. Organisers have been working to cut expenses since a study warned they could balloon to four times estimates made during the bidding process, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants Tokyo to set a good example for future host cities. However, the third version of the budget announced on Friday was equal to the projection issued last year, after organisers had managed to reduce it from the $14 billion outlay unveiled two years ago. "There is still a lot of work to be done to control expenditure," Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said in a statement. "But with the cooperation of the IOC, Tokyo 2020 will continue to make best efforts to maximize revenues, contain costs and keep its budget within 600 billion yen ($5.6 billion)," he said, referring to the organising committee's portion of the overall budget. Organisers said requirements were becoming clearer with less than 600 days to go until the event, prompting them to bump up estimates for transportation and Games operations by $100 million apiece. However, those increases were offset by a reduction in a contingencies reserve and through other savings, with organisers also highlighting robust domestic sponsor revenues, up $100 million from last year to $3 billion. Of the overall budget, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government accounts for $5.6 billion and the central government $1.4 billion, unchanged from last year. (Figures are based on the 107 yen per dollar rate set in version 1 of the budget.)

Tokyo keeps budget at $12.6 billion, more work needed

Boxing is fighting for its Olympic future, here are 5 Olympic boxing greats

The possibility of extreme summer heat and typhoons in Tokyo is a "major issue" for the 2020 Olympics, a top official said Thursday, admitting there would be a knock-on effect on the budget.

Speaking to bosses from Olympic Committees around the world, Tokyo CEO Toshiro Muto said the Japanese capital had endured "unprecedented heat weather and typhoons last summer."

"Tokyo 2020 considers those as major issues," said Muto, adding that organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were working together on ways to mitigate the impact on athletes and fans.

IOC chief Thomas Bach said on Wednesday that medical experts were proposing measures to protect competitors and supporters throughout the Games.

Tokyo sweltered through a series of deadly heatwaves last summer, raising concerns for the wellbeing of athletes, especially competitors of endurance events such as the marathon and race walking.

Organisers have already brought forward the marathon start time to 7am to get cooler conditions but officials are considering bringing the event even further forward.

Japanese medical groups have suggested that failure to start the marathon earlier could "lead to deaths" from heatstroke.

When Japan last hosted the Olympics, in 1964, the Games were held in October to avoid the country's stifling summer humidity and heat.

Muto said he would transmit weather data to national Olympic Committees to help their athletes prepare for the conditions they are likely to face.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Muto acknowledged that measures to beat the heat had increased demands on the budget.

Organisers plan countermeasures from solar-blocking paint on roads to mobile misting stations.

The CEO said that while the heat countermeasures could boost the budget, Tokyo 2020 had been able to make cuts in other areas.

Tokyo 2020 was "absolutely determined" that the next version of the budget, due to be unveiled next month, would not exceed the $12.6 billion earmarked last year to pay for the Games, Muto said.

The CEO laid out a rosy picture of preparations for the Games, with just more than 600 days to go until the Opening Ceremony.

"Venue construction is on track and will be completed in time for the test events," which will take place in the run-up to the Games.

IOC chief Thomas Bach said Wednesday: "I do not remember any host city which was so far in its preparations two years before the Olympic Games than Tokyo."

The possibility of extreme summer heat and typhoons in Tokyo is a "major issue" for the 2020 Olympics, a top official said Thursday, admitting there would be a knock-on effect on the budget.

The possibility of extreme summer heat and typhoons in Tokyo is a "major issue" for the 2020 Olympics, a top official said Thursday, admitting there would be a knock-on effect on the budget. Speaking to bosses from Olympic Committees around the world, Tokyo CEO Toshiro Muto said the Japanese capital had endured "unprecedented heat weather and typhoons last summer." "Tokyo 2020 considers those as major issues," said Muto, adding that organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were working together on ways to mitigate the impact on athletes and fans. IOC chief Thomas Bach said on Wednesday that medical experts were proposing measures to protect competitors and supporters throughout the Games. Tokyo sweltered through a series of deadly heatwaves last summer, raising concerns for the wellbeing of athletes, especially competitors of endurance events such as the marathon and race walking. Organisers have already brought forward the marathon start time to 7am to get cooler conditions but officials are considering bringing the event even further forward. Japanese medical groups have suggested that failure to start the marathon earlier could "lead to deaths" from heatstroke. When Japan last hosted the Olympics, in 1964, the Games were held in October to avoid the country's stifling summer humidity and heat. Muto said he would transmit weather data to national Olympic Committees to help their athletes prepare for the conditions they are likely to face. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Muto acknowledged that measures to beat the heat had increased demands on the budget. Organisers plan countermeasures from solar-blocking paint on roads to mobile misting stations. The CEO said that while the heat countermeasures could boost the budget, Tokyo 2020 had been able to make cuts in other areas. Tokyo 2020 was "absolutely determined" that the next version of the budget, due to be unveiled next month, would not exceed the $12.6 billion earmarked last year to pay for the Games, Muto said. The CEO laid out a rosy picture of preparations for the Games, with just more than 600 days to go until the Opening Ceremony. "Venue construction is on track and will be completed in time for the test events," which will take place in the run-up to the Games. IOC chief Thomas Bach said Wednesday: "I do not remember any host city which was so far in its preparations two years before the Olympic Games than Tokyo."

Extreme weather 'major' issue for Tokyo 2020

The Indian women's football team on Tuesday qualified for the Olympic Qualifiers second round for the first time, despite going down to hosts Myanmar 1-2 in a hard-fought clash here.&nbsp;

The Indian women's team advanced to the second round after finishing second in Group C with four points from three matches, behind table-toppers Myanmar.&nbsp;

The second round of the Olympic Qualifiers will be played in April next year.

The first half of the match at the Thuwunna Stadium was an exciting affair, with both sides finding the back of the net once.&nbsp;

The Indian team, who went into the match with the same starting lineup from their 7-1 win against Bangladesh, was jolted after conceding a goal in just the third minute.&nbsp;

A cross from the right flank caused havoc in the Indian penalty area and the ball fell to Myanmar's Win Theingi Tun, whose shot deflected off an Indian defender and rolled into the net past custodian Aditi Chauhan.&nbsp;

However, much to their credit, the Indian women responded immediately and pushed forward for the equaliser.&nbsp;

Bala Devi, who scored four in the previous game, found space to shoot from a range but she lost her footing at the last moment in the eighth minute.&nbsp;

The next chance also fell to India's way six minutes later after Sanju charged down the left flank to collect a long-range pass from Kamala Devi and came up with a curling first-time shot. However, the Myanmar keeper was alert and made the save while conceding a corner.&nbsp;

The hosts, who drew their last match against Nepal, looked to catch the Indians out on the counter and created two chances in quick succession.&nbsp;

In the 19th minute, Myanmar hit the Indian crossbar with a long-range effort that rebounded back into play.&nbsp;

India continued their pursuit of the equaliser and were rewarded in the 23rd minute as Grace Dangmei broke free down the right. She was fouled just on the edge of the penalty box.&nbsp;

From the resulting free-kick, 19-year-old Ratanbala Devi unleashed a sizzling shot right into the top corner of the net, leaving the goalie with no chance.

Bala, playing as a playmaker, looked dangerous every time she received the ball.&nbsp;

The second half was also an absorbing affair, with India creating the first chance as Bala Devi's cross-cum-shot from the left flank kissed the top of the crossbar before going out of play.&nbsp;

After that, the home side put continuous pressure on the Indian goal but the defence stood tall in response.&nbsp;

In the 50th minute, Aditi showed her alertness as she dived swiftly to collect a low cross from the right and nine minutes later, produced the save of the match as she dived sharply to her left to keep out a header that seemed to be heading into the top corner of the net.&nbsp;

Bala had another shot saved by the Myanmar keeper but it was Aditi who was India's best player of the second half as she pulled off a number of saves, most notably in the 73rd minute as she flung to her left to palm away a low shot from the edge of the box.&nbsp;

The Indian resistance, however, was broken with just seven minutes to play as Nge Nge Htwe placed her shot low into the corner of the net after a quick break from the hosts.&nbsp;

India pressed for the equaliser till the final whistle and looked to have found one through a header from a corner but the effort, deep into injury time, was cleared off the line by the home side defenders.

The Indian women's football team on Tuesday qualified for the Olympic Qualifiers second round for the first time, despite going down to hosts Myanmar 1-2 in a hard-fought clash here.

The Indian women's football team on Tuesday qualified for the Olympic Qualifiers second round for the first time, despite going down to hosts Myanmar 1-2 in a hard-fought clash here. The Indian women's team advanced to the second round after finishing second in Group C with four points from three matches, behind table-toppers Myanmar. The second round of the Olympic Qualifiers will be played in April next year. The first half of the match at the Thuwunna Stadium was an exciting affair, with both sides finding the back of the net once. The Indian team, who went into the match with the same starting lineup from their 7-1 win against Bangladesh, was jolted after conceding a goal in just the third minute. A cross from the right flank caused havoc in the Indian penalty area and the ball fell to Myanmar's Win Theingi Tun, whose shot deflected off an Indian defender and rolled into the net past custodian Aditi Chauhan. However, much to their credit, the Indian women responded immediately and pushed forward for the equaliser. Bala Devi, who scored four in the previous game, found space to shoot from a range but she lost her footing at the last moment in the eighth minute. The next chance also fell to India's way six minutes later after Sanju charged down the left flank to collect a long-range pass from Kamala Devi and came up with a curling first-time shot. However, the Myanmar keeper was alert and made the save while conceding a corner. The hosts, who drew their last match against Nepal, looked to catch the Indians out on the counter and created two chances in quick succession. In the 19th minute, Myanmar hit the Indian crossbar with a long-range effort that rebounded back into play. India continued their pursuit of the equaliser and were rewarded in the 23rd minute as Grace Dangmei broke free down the right. She was fouled just on the edge of the penalty box. From the resulting free-kick, 19-year-old Ratanbala Devi unleashed a sizzling shot right into the top corner of the net, leaving the goalie with no chance. Bala, playing as a playmaker, looked dangerous every time she received the ball. The second half was also an absorbing affair, with India creating the first chance as Bala Devi's cross-cum-shot from the left flank kissed the top of the crossbar before going out of play. After that, the home side put continuous pressure on the Indian goal but the defence stood tall in response. In the 50th minute, Aditi showed her alertness as she dived swiftly to collect a low cross from the right and nine minutes later, produced the save of the match as she dived sharply to her left to keep out a header that seemed to be heading into the top corner of the net. Bala had another shot saved by the Myanmar keeper but it was Aditi who was India's best player of the second half as she pulled off a number of saves, most notably in the 73rd minute as she flung to her left to palm away a low shot from the edge of the box. The Indian resistance, however, was broken with just seven minutes to play as Nge Nge Htwe placed her shot low into the corner of the net after a quick break from the hosts. India pressed for the equaliser till the final whistle and looked to have found one through a header from a corner but the effort, deep into injury time, was cleared off the line by the home side defenders.

Indian women's football team enters Olympic Qualifiers 2nd round for first time

Ask a teenager... Do you have dreams for your life? Do you believe you can achieve them? The teen in all probability will snap back, saying: “Let me follow my dreams. Don’t get so obsessed with what I can achieve.” &nbsp;

The Indian Olympic dream is full of such stories. With no past glory to fall back upon, Indian society has constantly pursued any teenager who makes the headlines. This time, it is no different.

The moment one talks about 18-year-old sprinter Hima Das or 15-year-old weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga or shooters Saurabh Chaudhary (16), Shardul Vihan (15), Anish Bhanwala (15) and Manu Bhaker (16), the first question is this: can they win India a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games?&nbsp;

The Indian athletics arena has never promised so much. Hima, nicknamed the 'Dhing Express’, holds the current Indian national record in 400 metres with a timing of 50.79, which she clocked at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.&nbsp;

Till 2016, the youngest of five children of a rice farmer Ronjit Das and Jonali, Hima had no intention of being an athlete. In fact, she was playing in the mud fields of her village Dhing. It was her coach Nipon Das who first took her to state championship in Guwahati, where she won a bronze without any training or proper practice.

Hima’s story is akin to many teenagers across India who have been deprived of proper facilities while growing up. Now that she has access to real scientific training, she is living the Olympic dream. &nbsp;

The story of a 15-year-old boy from Mizoram runs on similar lines. The latest Indian weightlifting sensation, Jeremy Lalrinnunga, has bigger things to achieve in less than two years.&nbsp;

The Mizo teen is being touted as the next best thing in Indian weightlifting. His recent herculean effort in the 62 kg category to help India clinch its first-ever gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, has not just revived the dead weigh-lifting federation of our country, but has also made him a certain hope of a medal at Japan and beyond, because age is on his side. &nbsp;

Son of national-level boxer Lalneihtluanga, Lalrinnunga aspired to don the gloves too, but shifted to weightlifting at the tender age of eight, as the power involved in it attracted him more than any other sport.&nbsp;

Shooting probably gives India’s sports fans most hopes of a medal. In fact, there seems to be an air of certainty around it, something not enjoyed thus far by any Indian sports squad ahead of 2020 Olympics, since the halcyon golden days of Indian hockey three decades ago, in the 1980s.

With the rise of teenage young guns at the recent Asian Games in Jakarta, jokes are doing the rounds that the Indian government has diluted the 1959 Arms Act and the 1962 Arms Rules, among other things, where a citizen needed to be 21 to get a gun licence.

Four teenage sensations --- 16-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary, 15-year-olds Shardul Vihan and Anish Bhanwala, and 16-year-old Manu Bhaker --- now have the firepower to kill their opponents to bring in gold medals for India.&nbsp;

Apart from child prodigy Abhinav Bindra, what has helped is the formulation of a robust junior programme by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), which has ensured a steady supply of ‘finished products’, when it comes to competing internationally in various ranges and conditions.&nbsp;

That is why this fabulous four were picked to train with senior shooters with an eye on Youth Olympics held in Buenos Aires recently. Meerut boy Chaudhary scripted history by winning gold in the 10m Air Pistol shooting event not just in Argentina, but before that at the Jakarta Asian Games.&nbsp;

Born to an engineer from the Merchant Navy and a school principal, Bhaker has always been a natural. The girl added the Commonwealth gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol to the glowing list of achievements in her relatively nascent career. Though it was a heartbreak for her at Jakarta, finishing 6th out of eight qualifiers in the final, her double gold at the ISSF Junior World Cup came good to keep her in high spirits.&nbsp;

Vihan and Bhanwala are others in this growing list of youngsters, post-2012, led by NRAI’s system of appointing personalised coaches. For example, Bhaker herself is mentored by multiple CWG gold medallist Jaspal Rana.

The most critical thing now is to find ways to protect these teens from the lure of money and petty politics. Hima’s coaches are praying that their prodigy keep her level-head after the kind of reception she got on her return from Jakarta, while Bhanwala has already been under scanner for disciplinary issues.&nbsp;

In a nation starved of sporting glory, it is important to put a tag of “handle with care” around these young prodigies. The sudden flow of money may turn these “fearless souls” into “careless waste”, if not handled properly! 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-fearless-souls-in-line-for-2020-tokyo-olympic-glory-2680687">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Ask a teenager... Do you have dreams for your life? Do you believe you can achieve them? The teen in all probability will snap back, saying: “Let me follow my dreams.

Ask a teenager... Do you have dreams for your life? Do you believe you can achieve them? The teen in all probability will snap back, saying: “Let me follow my dreams. Don’t get so obsessed with what I can achieve.” The Indian Olympic dream is full of such stories. With no past glory to fall back upon, Indian society has constantly pursued any teenager who makes the headlines. This time, it is no different. The moment one talks about 18-year-old sprinter Hima Das or 15-year-old weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga or shooters Saurabh Chaudhary (16), Shardul Vihan (15), Anish Bhanwala (15) and Manu Bhaker (16), the first question is this: can they win India a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games? The Indian athletics arena has never promised so much. Hima, nicknamed the 'Dhing Express’, holds the current Indian national record in 400 metres with a timing of 50.79, which she clocked at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Till 2016, the youngest of five children of a rice farmer Ronjit Das and Jonali, Hima had no intention of being an athlete. In fact, she was playing in the mud fields of her village Dhing. It was her coach Nipon Das who first took her to state championship in Guwahati, where she won a bronze without any training or proper practice. Hima’s story is akin to many teenagers across India who have been deprived of proper facilities while growing up. Now that she has access to real scientific training, she is living the Olympic dream. The story of a 15-year-old boy from Mizoram runs on similar lines. The latest Indian weightlifting sensation, Jeremy Lalrinnunga, has bigger things to achieve in less than two years. The Mizo teen is being touted as the next best thing in Indian weightlifting. His recent herculean effort in the 62 kg category to help India clinch its first-ever gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, has not just revived the dead weigh-lifting federation of our country, but has also made him a certain hope of a medal at Japan and beyond, because age is on his side. Son of national-level boxer Lalneihtluanga, Lalrinnunga aspired to don the gloves too, but shifted to weightlifting at the tender age of eight, as the power involved in it attracted him more than any other sport. Shooting probably gives India’s sports fans most hopes of a medal. In fact, there seems to be an air of certainty around it, something not enjoyed thus far by any Indian sports squad ahead of 2020 Olympics, since the halcyon golden days of Indian hockey three decades ago, in the 1980s. With the rise of teenage young guns at the recent Asian Games in Jakarta, jokes are doing the rounds that the Indian government has diluted the 1959 Arms Act and the 1962 Arms Rules, among other things, where a citizen needed to be 21 to get a gun licence. Four teenage sensations --- 16-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary, 15-year-olds Shardul Vihan and Anish Bhanwala, and 16-year-old Manu Bhaker --- now have the firepower to kill their opponents to bring in gold medals for India. Apart from child prodigy Abhinav Bindra, what has helped is the formulation of a robust junior programme by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), which has ensured a steady supply of ‘finished products’, when it comes to competing internationally in various ranges and conditions. That is why this fabulous four were picked to train with senior shooters with an eye on Youth Olympics held in Buenos Aires recently. Meerut boy Chaudhary scripted history by winning gold in the 10m Air Pistol shooting event not just in Argentina, but before that at the Jakarta Asian Games. Born to an engineer from the Merchant Navy and a school principal, Bhaker has always been a natural. The girl added the Commonwealth gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol to the glowing list of achievements in her relatively nascent career. Though it was a heartbreak for her at Jakarta, finishing 6th out of eight qualifiers in the final, her double gold at the ISSF Junior World Cup came good to keep her in high spirits. Vihan and Bhanwala are others in this growing list of youngsters, post-2012, led by NRAI’s system of appointing personalised coaches. For example, Bhaker herself is mentored by multiple CWG gold medallist Jaspal Rana. The most critical thing now is to find ways to protect these teens from the lure of money and petty politics. Hima’s coaches are praying that their prodigy keep her level-head after the kind of reception she got on her return from Jakarta, while Bhanwala has already been under scanner for disciplinary issues. In a nation starved of sporting glory, it is important to put a tag of “handle with care” around these young prodigies. The sudden flow of money may turn these “fearless souls” into “careless waste”, if not handled properly! (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Fearless souls in line for 2020 Tokyo Olympic glory

Promising Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen settled for a silver medal after he lost the men's singles summit clash against Li Shifeng of China in straight games at the Youth Olympics here.&nbsp;

Sen, the reigning junior Asian champion, lost 15-21, 19-21 in a 42-minute final match to bag the silver. He had beaten Shifeng in straight games in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships in July but on Friday evening, it was the turn of the Chinese to turn the tables on the 17-year-old.

In both the games, Shifeng led all through and Sen was playing catch-up, eventually failing to succeed.&nbsp;

In the first game, Shifeng took an early lead and raced to 14-5 in no time. Sen made a fine recovery to narrow down the gap to 13-16 but he could not sustain it and Shifeng went ahead 18-13 and then made it 20-14 to have six game points. Though Sen saved one game point, the Chinese won the next one to pocket the first game in 17 minutes.

The second game was a closer fight than the first but the Chinese was leading all the time. Shifeng was ahead 8-7 initially but the gap widened to 12-7 before Sen made it 11-14. The three-point gap remained for some time before the Chinese made it 18-14 and then 19-14.&nbsp;

Sen made a last-ditch effort to save the match by winning three straight points but Shifeng still made it 20-17 to have three match points.&nbsp;

Sen was still not throwing the towel as he reeled off two straight points to make it 19-20 and just one point away from a deuce. But his Chinese opponent was a hard nut to crack as Shifeng won the final point to clinch the match and the gold.&nbsp;

India admitting to committing early mistakes and gave full credit to his Chinese rival.&nbsp;

"He was very good and won the crucial points. I couldn't push myself tough I managed to prolong the inevitable," said Sen after his final.&nbsp;

"But I am happy to be the second Indian to bring back a medal in badminton from such an elite championship," he added.&nbsp;

It was a sort of a revenge for the Chinese whom the Indian had beaten in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships earlier this year.&nbsp;

Congratulating on Sen's performance, Badminton Association of India president Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Lakshya is a world-class prospect and I would like to congratulate him on his medal winning performance at the Youth Olympics.

"I was particularly happy with the way he fought his way back in the semifinals and can certainly say that world badminton has a new rising star in him.

"He showed tremendous character and fighting spirit and this surely is not the end of it."

This was India's fourth silver along with three gold in the ongoing Youth Olympics.

Promising Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen settled for a silver medal after he lost the men's singles summit clash against Li Shifeng of China in straight games at the Youth Olympics here.

Promising Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen settled for a silver medal after he lost the men's singles summit clash against Li Shifeng of China in straight games at the Youth Olympics here. Sen, the reigning junior Asian champion, lost 15-21, 19-21 in a 42-minute final match to bag the silver. He had beaten Shifeng in straight games in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships in July but on Friday evening, it was the turn of the Chinese to turn the tables on the 17-year-old. In both the games, Shifeng led all through and Sen was playing catch-up, eventually failing to succeed. In the first game, Shifeng took an early lead and raced to 14-5 in no time. Sen made a fine recovery to narrow down the gap to 13-16 but he could not sustain it and Shifeng went ahead 18-13 and then made it 20-14 to have six game points. Though Sen saved one game point, the Chinese won the next one to pocket the first game in 17 minutes. The second game was a closer fight than the first but the Chinese was leading all the time. Shifeng was ahead 8-7 initially but the gap widened to 12-7 before Sen made it 11-14. The three-point gap remained for some time before the Chinese made it 18-14 and then 19-14. Sen made a last-ditch effort to save the match by winning three straight points but Shifeng still made it 20-17 to have three match points. Sen was still not throwing the towel as he reeled off two straight points to make it 19-20 and just one point away from a deuce. But his Chinese opponent was a hard nut to crack as Shifeng won the final point to clinch the match and the gold. India admitting to committing early mistakes and gave full credit to his Chinese rival. "He was very good and won the crucial points. I couldn't push myself tough I managed to prolong the inevitable," said Sen after his final. "But I am happy to be the second Indian to bring back a medal in badminton from such an elite championship," he added. It was a sort of a revenge for the Chinese whom the Indian had beaten in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships earlier this year. Congratulating on Sen's performance, Badminton Association of India president Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Lakshya is a world-class prospect and I would like to congratulate him on his medal winning performance at the Youth Olympics. "I was particularly happy with the way he fought his way back in the semifinals and can certainly say that world badminton has a new rising star in him. "He showed tremendous character and fighting spirit and this surely is not the end of it." This was India's fourth silver along with three gold in the ongoing Youth Olympics.

Shuttler Lakshya stumbles in final hurdle, settles for silver in Youth Olympics

Manu Bhaker won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed international event at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Friday.

She became the second Indian after&nbsp;Tababi Devi to win two medals at the YOG.

In a unique format, Manu combined with Tajikistan's Behzan Fayzullaev and settled for a silver after losing the gold medal match 3-10 to Germany's Vanessa Seeger and Bulgaria's Kiril Kirov.

The India-Tajik pair had on Thursday come through qualification with a score of 751.&nbsp;

They then beat an Egyptian-Thai pair 10-4 in the round of 16 at the Parque Polideportivo Roca shooting range in the Argentine capital.&nbsp;

They beat a pair from Lithuania and Moldova 10-8 in the quarterfinals and then overcame Andria Ibarra of Mexico and Dymtro Honta of Ukraine 10-3 in the semifinals.

Earlier, she claimed a gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event.&nbsp;

Bhaker, who failed to leave a mark in the recently-concluded Asian Games, displayed a spectacular performance and shot 236.5 to stand at the top of the points table in the women’s 10m air pistol event.&nbsp;

Bhaker, who was India’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympics, topped the qualifying with 576, which included a series of 95, 96, 96, 96, 95, 98, finishing second and third in the qualification.

Manu Bhaker won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed international event at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Friday. She became the second Indian after Tababi Devi to win two medals at the YOG.

Manu Bhaker won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed international event at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Friday. She became the second Indian after Tababi Devi to win two medals at the YOG. In a unique format, Manu combined with Tajikistan's Behzan Fayzullaev and settled for a silver after losing the gold medal match 3-10 to Germany's Vanessa Seeger and Bulgaria's Kiril Kirov. The India-Tajik pair had on Thursday come through qualification with a score of 751. They then beat an Egyptian-Thai pair 10-4 in the round of 16 at the Parque Polideportivo Roca shooting range in the Argentine capital. They beat a pair from Lithuania and Moldova 10-8 in the quarterfinals and then overcame Andria Ibarra of Mexico and Dymtro Honta of Ukraine 10-3 in the semifinals. Earlier, she claimed a gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Bhaker, who failed to leave a mark in the recently-concluded Asian Games, displayed a spectacular performance and shot 236.5 to stand at the top of the points table in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Bhaker, who was India’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympics, topped the qualifying with 576, which included a series of 95, 96, 96, 96, 95, 98, finishing second and third in the qualification.

Youth Olympic Games: Manu Bhaker wins silver in 10m air pistol mixed international

Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga notched up India's maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics, claiming the top honours in the men's 62 kg category here.&nbsp;

The 15-year-old from Aizwal, who is also a world youth silver-medallist, lifted a total of 274 kg (124 kg +150 kg) to finish on top in the Argentine capital on Monday night.

The silver medal went to Turkey's Toptas Caner, who lifted 263 kg (122 kg + 141 kg), while Colombia's Villar Estiven Jose took the bronze with an effort of 260 kg (115 kg + 143 kg).&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LevantamientoDePesas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LevantamientoDePesas</a> - 62kg hombres<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Weightlifting?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Weightlifting</a> - Men's 62kg 
 
Oro 🥇 JEREMY Lalrinnuga IND 🇮🇳 
Plata 🥈 TOPTAS Caner TUR 🇹🇷 
Bronce 🥉 VILLAR MANJARES Estiven Jose COL 🇨🇴 <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpicoCol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpicoCol</a><a href="https://twitter.com/iwfnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iwfnet</a> <a href="https://t.co/7M6AZe8YNp">pic.twitter.com/7M6AZe8YNp</a>
— Buenos Aires 2018 (@BuenosAires2018) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuenosAires2018/status/1049483414875922432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Mizo sensation, who will turn 16 on October 26, is being touted as the next big name in Indian weightlifting.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Lalrinnunga claimed a silver (youth) and a bronze (junior) in the Asian Championships, smashing two national records in the process.

Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga notched up India's maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics, claiming the top honours in the men's 62 kg category here. The 15-year-old from Aizwal, who is also a world youth silver-medallist, lifted a total of 274 kg (124 kg +150 kg) to finish on top in the Argentine capital on Monday night.

Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga notched up India's maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics, claiming the top honours in the men's 62 kg category here. The 15-year-old from Aizwal, who is also a world youth silver-medallist, lifted a total of 274 kg (124 kg +150 kg) to finish on top in the Argentine capital on Monday night. The silver medal went to Turkey's Toptas Caner, who lifted 263 kg (122 kg + 141 kg), while Colombia's Villar Estiven Jose took the bronze with an effort of 260 kg (115 kg + 143 kg). #LevantamientoDePesas - 62kg hombres#Weightlifting - Men's 62kg Oro 🥇 JEREMY Lalrinnuga IND 🇮🇳 Plata 🥈 TOPTAS Caner TUR 🇹🇷 Bronce 🥉 VILLAR MANJARES Estiven Jose COL 🇨🇴 @OlimpicoCol@iwfnet pic.twitter.com/7M6AZe8YNp — Buenos Aires 2018 (@BuenosAires2018) October 9, 2018 × The Mizo sensation, who will turn 16 on October 26, is being touted as the next big name in Indian weightlifting. Earlier this year, Lalrinnunga claimed a silver (youth) and a bronze (junior) in the Asian Championships, smashing two national records in the process.

Jeremy Lalrinnunga wins India's first Youth Olympics gold

India opened its medal account in the Youth Olympic Games with shooter Tushar Mane bagging a silver in the men's 10m air rifle on the opening day of competitions here on Sunday.

Mane, who qualified third for the final, shot 247.5 to win the silver while Grigorii Shamakov took the gold with 249.2. Aleksa Mitrovic of Serbia won the bronze with a score of 227.9.

It was a close fight among the three podium finishers till the end and Mane edged out Mitrovic for the silver medal by collecting 228.0 as against 227.9 of the Serbian shooter in the penultimate round.

But, the final round was not the best one for the Indian as he shot 9.6 and 9.99 while the eventual gold winner had 10.4 and 10.7.

In the qualification round held earlier in the day, Mane had shot 623.7 to finish third and qualify for the final.

India is being represented by 46 athletes in 13 sports in the prestigious event. This is India's largest ever contingent at the Youth Olympics.

India won two medals - a silver and a bronze - in the last Youth Olympics in 2014 in Nanjing in China.

India opened its medal account in the Youth Olympic Games with shooter Tushar Mane bagging a silver in the men's 10m air rifle on the opening day of competitions here on Sunday.

India opened its medal account in the Youth Olympic Games with shooter Tushar Mane bagging a silver in the men's 10m air rifle on the opening day of competitions here on Sunday. Mane, who qualified third for the final, shot 247.5 to win the silver while Grigorii Shamakov took the gold with 249.2. Aleksa Mitrovic of Serbia won the bronze with a score of 227.9. It was a close fight among the three podium finishers till the end and Mane edged out Mitrovic for the silver medal by collecting 228.0 as against 227.9 of the Serbian shooter in the penultimate round. But, the final round was not the best one for the Indian as he shot 9.6 and 9.99 while the eventual gold winner had 10.4 and 10.7. In the qualification round held earlier in the day, Mane had shot 623.7 to finish third and qualify for the final. India is being represented by 46 athletes in 13 sports in the prestigious event. This is India's largest ever contingent at the Youth Olympics. India won two medals - a silver and a bronze - in the last Youth Olympics in 2014 in Nanjing in China.

Youth Olympics: Shooter Tushar Mane clinches silver to open India's medal account

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has no backup plan for the 2026 Winter Games if more cities drop out of the race, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Saturday.

Calgary, Stockholm and an Italian bid involving Cortina D'Ampezzo and Milan made the IOC shortlist this week, with Turkey's Erzurum dropped.

But all three bids face major obstacles that could potentially end their candidacies.

Calgary has planned a non-binding plebiscite in November which could bury the Canadian bid to host the winter Olympics for the second time since 1988 as early as next month.

The Italian bid and Stockholm have both struggled with getting crucial government support for their projects, while Torino pulled out of the Italian bid over project differences.

Three other cities -- Austria's Graz, Switzerland's Sion and Japan's Sapporo -- have dropped out in recent months, scared off by the size and cost of the Games or after facing strong local opposition to the bids.

"There is no Plan B and we will not enter into any speculation," Bach told reporters when asked about what the IOC would do if more cities dropped out ahead of next year's vote for the 2026 Games host.

Bach said although there was a need to continue with cost-reducing measures for the Olympics, especially the Winter Games, there was still strong demand for them.

"We have more than a dozen sports who would like to join Olympic programme," he said in the Argentine capital ahead of the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympics.

"Quite a number of interested cities, big number of interested cities (for the 2032 summer Games). We should not be worried for the future."

Indonesia, North and South Korea and India, among other, have expressed an interest in bidding for the 2032 Olympics.

Tokyo will stage the 2020 summer Games, Beijing will host the 2022 winter Olympics while Paris and Los Angeles will organise the 2024 and the 2028 summer editions respectively.

"What is true is we have to continue our efforts, particularly with regard to winter sports, to be more flexible in order to reduce costs, avoid construction of sports facilities that have no legacy," Bach said.

The IOC will no longer demand the construction of new sliding centres for luge and bobsleigh for future Olympics -- apart from Beijing 2022 -- as it looks to cut costs and make the Games more attractive to potential hosts.

"The same goes for the ski jumping. There is no need for further (new) ski jumping venues for the Olympics," he said.

"We have made good progress in this respect."&nbsp;

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has no backup plan for the 2026 Winter Games if more cities drop out of the race, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Saturday.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has no backup plan for the 2026 Winter Games if more cities drop out of the race, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Saturday. Calgary, Stockholm and an Italian bid involving Cortina D'Ampezzo and Milan made the IOC shortlist this week, with Turkey's Erzurum dropped. But all three bids face major obstacles that could potentially end their candidacies. Calgary has planned a non-binding plebiscite in November which could bury the Canadian bid to host the winter Olympics for the second time since 1988 as early as next month. The Italian bid and Stockholm have both struggled with getting crucial government support for their projects, while Torino pulled out of the Italian bid over project differences. Three other cities -- Austria's Graz, Switzerland's Sion and Japan's Sapporo -- have dropped out in recent months, scared off by the size and cost of the Games or after facing strong local opposition to the bids. "There is no Plan B and we will not enter into any speculation," Bach told reporters when asked about what the IOC would do if more cities dropped out ahead of next year's vote for the 2026 Games host. Bach said although there was a need to continue with cost-reducing measures for the Olympics, especially the Winter Games, there was still strong demand for them. "We have more than a dozen sports who would like to join Olympic programme," he said in the Argentine capital ahead of the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympics. "Quite a number of interested cities, big number of interested cities (for the 2032 summer Games). We should not be worried for the future." Indonesia, North and South Korea and India, among other, have expressed an interest in bidding for the 2032 Olympics. Tokyo will stage the 2020 summer Games, Beijing will host the 2022 winter Olympics while Paris and Los Angeles will organise the 2024 and the 2028 summer editions respectively. "What is true is we have to continue our efforts, particularly with regard to winter sports, to be more flexible in order to reduce costs, avoid construction of sports facilities that have no legacy," Bach said. The IOC will no longer demand the construction of new sliding centres for luge and bobsleigh for future Olympics -- apart from Beijing 2022 -- as it looks to cut costs and make the Games more attractive to potential hosts. "The same goes for the ski jumping. There is no need for further (new) ski jumping venues for the Olympics," he said. "We have made good progress in this respect."

No plan B for 2026 Winter Games campaign: IOC's Thomas Bach

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers said Friday that tests using underwater "screens" to filter water had successfully reduced bacteria at a venue for triathlon and marathon swimming.

The announcement comes after organisers revealed last year that prolonged summer rain had temporarily brought high levels of bacteria into the waters in Tokyo's Odaiba Bay.

Samples taken between July and September last year showed levels of e-coli bacteria more than 20 times higher than international standards, raising concerns about the safety of the venue.

In a bid to reassure competitors, organisers began testing this summer a system that uses screens to effectively quarantine an event area and filter the water inside.

They tested the use of single and triple-layer underwater screens, reportedly 20 metres (66 feet) long and three metres wide, during July and August, when the Games will be held in 2020.

"The triple-layer screens were shown to reduce the quantity of coliforms to well within targeted levels,' the organisers said in a statement.

The single-layer screens also reduced levels, but not always to within the target figure.

"It's obvious that triple-layer screens were effective on coliforms considered most problematic," Hidemasa Nakamura, executive director of sports unit, told reporters.

"We don't know yet exactly in what forms, but we are planning to use the screens at the 2020 Games," he added.

Officials said the testing process had cost 75 million yen ($660,000) and that bacteria levels in the water were higher this year because a series of typhoons had caused heavy rain and sewage runoff.

John Coates, vice president of International Olympic Committee, warned during his Tokyo visit last year that the Japanese capital should prepare for the worst possible weather conditions.

This year, beaches in Odaiba were opened for swimming for nine days as a trial, with the water quality checked daily.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers said Friday that tests using underwater "screens" to filter water had successfully reduced bacteria at a venue for triathlon and marathon swimming.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers said Friday that tests using underwater "screens" to filter water had successfully reduced bacteria at a venue for triathlon and marathon swimming. The announcement comes after organisers revealed last year that prolonged summer rain had temporarily brought high levels of bacteria into the waters in Tokyo's Odaiba Bay. Samples taken between July and September last year showed levels of e-coli bacteria more than 20 times higher than international standards, raising concerns about the safety of the venue. In a bid to reassure competitors, organisers began testing this summer a system that uses screens to effectively quarantine an event area and filter the water inside. They tested the use of single and triple-layer underwater screens, reportedly 20 metres (66 feet) long and three metres wide, during July and August, when the Games will be held in 2020. "The triple-layer screens were shown to reduce the quantity of coliforms to well within targeted levels,' the organisers said in a statement. The single-layer screens also reduced levels, but not always to within the target figure. "It's obvious that triple-layer screens were effective on coliforms considered most problematic," Hidemasa Nakamura, executive director of sports unit, told reporters. "We don't know yet exactly in what forms, but we are planning to use the screens at the 2020 Games," he added. Officials said the testing process had cost 75 million yen ($660,000) and that bacteria levels in the water were higher this year because a series of typhoons had caused heavy rain and sewage runoff. John Coates, vice president of International Olympic Committee, warned during his Tokyo visit last year that the Japanese capital should prepare for the worst possible weather conditions. This year, beaches in Odaiba were opened for swimming for nine days as a trial, with the water quality checked daily.

Tokyo 2020 says venue water safe after 'screens' installed

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event. 
 
"I have been in contact with the Japanese authorities; Tokyo is a safe place, with first class construction, technology and people with experience, we are confident that the Games will succeed," Thomas Bach said at a press conference in Mexico City. 
 
When asked about whether the recent natural disasters in Japan, including an earthquake on September 25 in Hokkaido, will affect the Olympics, Bach responded no and praised Japan for its good work. 
 
On Thursday morning, the Olympic president met with the president-elect of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who told Bach of his idea about prioritising sports during his six-year mandate starting from this December.

Bach then toured the venues of the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968 and met with Mexican Olympic athletes of that time.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event. "I have been in contact with the Japanese authorities; Tokyo is a safe place, with first class construction, technology and people with experience, we are confident that the Games will succeed," Thomas Bach said at a press conference in Mexico City. When asked about whether the recent natural disasters in Japan, including an earthquake on September 25 in Hokkaido, will affect the Olympics, Bach responded no and praised Japan for its good work. On Thursday morning, the Olympic president met with the president-elect of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who told Bach of his idea about prioritising sports during his six-year mandate starting from this December. Bach then toured the venues of the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968 and met with Mexican Olympic athletes of that time.

Thomas Bach says he is confident of the success of Tokyo Olympic Games

In any field, higher you go, tougher it gets to go further up. It is valid in sports as well. In sports, the hierarchy for any sportsperson goes like this, talented player – international success - world beater - undisputed best (legend). &nbspThe transition gets tougher as the level goes up.&nbsp

Star shuttler P V Sindhu has been one of the most outstanding Indian sportspersons in the recent times. Her accomplishments and achievements are unparalleled and words can’t give her enough compliments. She rose up in the hierarchy quickly. First, she became an international success after winning medals at the World Championships. Then she catapulted herself to the class of World Beater after her tremendous show at the RIO-2016. She was outstanding in RIO and missed the gold medal by a whisker.

Now she just needs to take one upward step to go into the class of undisputed Best or Legend of the game and this is something which we Indians have been anxiously waiting for a while now.

Despite all the calibre and sea-change in her game over the past few years, Sindhu’s tendency of just letting things go away at the big stages keeps her away from the immortality.

So it was another heartbreak at All England Championship when Sindhu lost out in the semi-final to the World No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi. &nbspDuring this year’s All England Championship, Sindhu had a dream run till the first game of the semi-final match. During the first game against Yamaguchi, Sindhu was once leading by 16-10 and it looked, Sindhu, all the way. But then she lost the momentum and Yamaguchi bounced back. Sindhu though managed to win the first game by 21-19 but lost out next two games in a close fight.

Sindhu has been outstanding as such during the tournament. She defeated world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the quarter-final in another epic three-game match but could not clear the hurdle of the semi-final.&nbsp

Sindhu’s career is clearly divided into different compartments. Pre 2014. Between 2013 and 2016 and then post 2016 RIO.

With Bronze Medal in 2013 World Championship, Sindhu struck in the global top league of women shuttlers. She won another bronze in the World Championship in 2014. During this era, though she had all the ingredients of a world beater she was highly inconsistent. On her day, she would be devastatingly good but just ordinary on some other day.

Gopichand worked very hard on her game during the run-up for the RIO 2016. Sindhu was far more consistent and matured player in 2016. Gopichand not only worked on her skills and stamina but also on the mental part of the game. Sindhu developed a knack for holding her nerves in tough situations and Gopichand taught her to capitalize on her natural aggressive game.

But the undisputed summit position has still been dodging her. In 2017, World Championship she lost out to Nozomi Okuhara in a marathon nailbiter, which many believe was one of the all-time greatest matches in women’s badminton. It was a match, which lasted for whopping 110 minutes. At 21-20 in the second game, Sindhu wan the point and the game after a gruelling and jaw-dropping 73 shots rally.

Call it her bad luck or her tendency to just losing nerves the final moment to seal things in her favour, Sindhu has lost three biggest matches of her career after a hard-fought battle. She lost in RIO 2016 final by 21-19, 12–21, 15-21, lost the final of World Championship in 2017 by 19-21, 22–20, 20-22 and now this defeat in the All England Championship by 21-19,19-21,18-21.

These are top three championships (Olympic, World Championship and All England), which Sindhu is yet to win. At this moment, she is just a notch below from being the undisputed best and a legend of the game. Sindhu is a tough campaigner. After her loss in All England Championship, she vowed to come back stronger. At just 22 years of age, she has a long career ahead of her.

With kind of talent she carries, the kind of fighter she is and the kind of mentor she has in form of Gopichand, Sindhu is bound to attain immortality. It just matters just some more time. 
&nbsp 
&nbsp(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

P V Sindhu just needs to take one upward step to go into the class of undisputed Best or Legend of the game and this is something which we Indians have been anxiously waiting for a while now.

In any field, higher you go, tougher it gets to go further up. It is valid in sports as well. In sports, the hierarchy for any sportsperson goes like this, talented player – international success - world beater - undisputed best (legend). &nbspThe transition gets tougher as the level goes up. Star shuttler P V Sindhu has been one of the most outstanding Indian sportspersons in the recent times. Her accomplishments and achievements are unparalleled and words can’t give her enough compliments. She rose up in the hierarchy quickly. First, she became an international success after winning medals at the World Championships. Then she catapulted herself to the class of World Beater after her tremendous show at the RIO-2016. She was outstanding in RIO and missed the gold medal by a whisker. Now she just needs to take one upward step to go into the class of undisputed Best or Legend of the game and this is something which we Indians have been anxiously waiting for a while now. Despite all the calibre and sea-change in her game over the past few years, Sindhu’s tendency of just letting things go away at the big stages keeps her away from the immortality. So it was another heartbreak at All England Championship when Sindhu lost out in the semi-final to the World No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi. &nbspDuring this year’s All England Championship, Sindhu had a dream run till the first game of the semi-final match. During the first game against Yamaguchi, Sindhu was once leading by 16-10 and it looked, Sindhu, all the way. But then she lost the momentum and Yamaguchi bounced back. Sindhu though managed to win the first game by 21-19 but lost out next two games in a close fight. Sindhu has been outstanding as such during the tournament. She defeated world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the quarter-final in another epic three-game match but could not clear the hurdle of the semi-final. Sindhu’s career is clearly divided into different compartments. Pre 2014. Between 2013 and 2016 and then post 2016 RIO. With Bronze Medal in 2013 World Championship, Sindhu struck in the global top league of women shuttlers. She won another bronze in the World Championship in 2014. During this era, though she had all the ingredients of a world beater she was highly inconsistent. On her day, she would be devastatingly good but just ordinary on some other day. Gopichand worked very hard on her game during the run-up for the RIO 2016. Sindhu was far more consistent and matured player in 2016. Gopichand not only worked on her skills and stamina but also on the mental part of the game. Sindhu developed a knack for holding her nerves in tough situations and Gopichand taught her to capitalize on her natural aggressive game. But the undisputed summit position has still been dodging her. In 2017, World Championship she lost out to Nozomi Okuhara in a marathon nailbiter, which many believe was one of the all-time greatest matches in women’s badminton. It was a match, which lasted for whopping 110 minutes. At 21-20 in the second game, Sindhu wan the point and the game after a gruelling and jaw-dropping 73 shots rally. Call it her bad luck or her tendency to just losing nerves the final moment to seal things in her favour, Sindhu has lost three biggest matches of her career after a hard-fought battle. She lost in RIO 2016 final by 21-19, 12–21, 15-21, lost the final of World Championship in 2017 by 19-21, 22–20, 20-22 and now this defeat in the All England Championship by 21-19,19-21,18-21. These are top three championships (Olympic, World Championship and All England), which Sindhu is yet to win. At this moment, she is just a notch below from being the undisputed best and a legend of the game. Sindhu is a tough campaigner. After her loss in All England Championship, she vowed to come back stronger. At just 22 years of age, she has a long career ahead of her. With kind of talent she carries, the kind of fighter she is and the kind of mentor she has in form of Gopichand, Sindhu is bound to attain immortality. It just matters just some more time. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: P V Sindhu is just a notch below from being a legend of the game

In any field, higher you go, tougher it gets to go further up. It is valid in sports as well. In sports, the hierarchy for any sportsperson goes like this, talented player &ndash; international success &ndash; world beater &ndash; undisputed best (legend). &nbsp;The transition gets tougher as the level goes up.&nbsp;

Star shuttler P V Sindhu has been one of the most outstanding Indian sportspersons in the recent times. Her accomplishments and achievements are unparalleled and words can&rsquo;t give her enough compliments. She rose up in the hierarchy quickly. First, she became an international success after winning medals at the World Championships. Then she catapulted herself to the class of World Beater after her tremendous show at the RIO-2016. She was outstanding in RIO and missed the gold medal by a whisker.

Now she just needs to take one upward step to go into the class of undisputed Best or Legend of the game and this is something which we Indians have been anxiously waiting for a while now.

Despite all the calibre and sea-change in her game over the past few years, Sindhu&rsquo;s tendency of just letting things go away at the big stages keeps her away from the immortality.

So it was another heartbreak at All England Championship when Sindhu lost out in the semi-final to the World No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi. &nbsp;During this year&rsquo;s All England Championship, Sindhu had a dream run till the first game of the semi-final match. During the first game against Yamaguchi, Sindhu was once leading by 16-10 and it looked, Sindhu, all the way. But then she lost the momentum and Yamaguchi bounced back. Sindhu though managed to win the first game by 21-19 but lost out next two games in a close fight. 
Sindhu has been outstanding as such during the tournament. She defeated world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the quarter-final in another epic three-game match but could not clear the hurdle of the semi-final.&nbsp;

Sindhu&rsquo;s career is clearly divided into different compartments. Pre 2014. Between 2013 and 2016 and then post 2016 RIO.

With Bronze Medal in 2013 World Championship, Sindhu struck in the global top league of women shuttlers. She won another bronze in the World Championship in 2014. During this era, though she had all the ingredients of a world beater; she was highly inconsistent. On her day, she would be devastatingly good but just ordinary on some other day.

Gopichand worked very hard on her game during the run-up for the RIO 2016. Sindhu was far more consistent and matured player in 2016. Gopichand not only worked on her skills and stamina but also on the mental part of the game. Sindhu developed a knack for holding her nerves in tough situations and Gopichand taught her to capitalize on her natural aggressive game.

But the undisputed summit position has still been dodging her. In 2017, World Championship she lost out to Nozomi Okuhara in a marathon nailbiter, which many believe was one of the all-time greatest matches in women&rsquo;s badminton. It was a match, which lasted for whopping 110 minutes. At 21-20 in the second game, Sindhu wan the point and the game after a gruelling and jaw-dropping 73 shots rally.

Call it her bad luck or her tendency to just losing nerves the final moment to seal things in her favour, Sindhu has lost three biggest matches of her career after a hard-fought battle. She lost in RIO 2016 final by 21-19, 12&ndash;21, 15-21, lost the final of World Championship in 2017 by 19-21, 22&ndash;20, 20-22 and now this defeat in the All England Championship by 21-19,19-21,18-21.

These are top three championships (Olympic, World Championship and All England), which Sindhu is yet to win. At this moment, she is just a notch below from being the undisputed best and a legend of the game. Sindhu is a tough campaigner. After her loss in All England Championship, she vowed to come back stronger. At just 22 years of age, she has a long career ahead of her.

With kind of talent she carries, the kind of fighter she is and the kind of mentor she has in form of Gopichand, Sindhu is bound to attain immortality. It just matters just some more time. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

In any field, higher you go, tougher it gets to go further up. It is valid in sports as well. In sports, the hierarchy for any sportsperson goes like this, talented player – international success – world beater – undisputed best (legend). The transition gets tougher as the level goes up. Star shuttler P V Sindhu has been one of the most outstanding Indian sportspersons in the recent times. Her accomplishments and achievements are unparalleled and words can’t give her enough compliments. She rose up in the hierarchy quickly. First, she became an international success after winning medals at the World Championships. Then she catapulted herself to the class of World Beater after her tremendous show at the RIO-2016. She was outstanding in RIO and missed the gold medal by a whisker. Now she just needs to take one upward step to go into the class of undisputed Best or Legend of the game and this is something which we Indians have been anxiously waiting for a while now. Despite all the calibre and sea-change in her game over the past few years, Sindhu’s tendency of just letting things go away at the big stages keeps her away from the immortality. So it was another heartbreak at All England Championship when Sindhu lost out in the semi-final to the World No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi. During this year’s All England Championship, Sindhu had a dream run till the first game of the semi-final match. During the first game against Yamaguchi, Sindhu was once leading by 16-10 and it looked, Sindhu, all the way. But then she lost the momentum and Yamaguchi bounced back. Sindhu though managed to win the first game by 21-19 but lost out next two games in a close fight. Sindhu has been outstanding as such during the tournament. She defeated world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the quarter-final in another epic three-game match but could not clear the hurdle of the semi-final. Sindhu’s career is clearly divided into different compartments. Pre 2014. Between 2013 and 2016 and then post 2016 RIO. With Bronze Medal in 2013 World Championship, Sindhu struck in the global top league of women shuttlers. She won another bronze in the World Championship in 2014. During this era, though she had all the ingredients of a world beater; she was highly inconsistent. On her day, she would be devastatingly good but just ordinary on some other day. Gopichand worked very hard on her game during the run-up for the RIO 2016. Sindhu was far more consistent and matured player in 2016. Gopichand not only worked on her skills and stamina but also on the mental part of the game. Sindhu developed a knack for holding her nerves in tough situations and Gopichand taught her to capitalize on her natural aggressive game. But the undisputed summit position has still been dodging her. In 2017, World Championship she lost out to Nozomi Okuhara in a marathon nailbiter, which many believe was one of the all-time greatest matches in women’s badminton. It was a match, which lasted for whopping 110 minutes. At 21-20 in the second game, Sindhu wan the point and the game after a gruelling and jaw-dropping 73 shots rally. Call it her bad luck or her tendency to just losing nerves the final moment to seal things in her favour, Sindhu has lost three biggest matches of her career after a hard-fought battle. She lost in RIO 2016 final by 21-19, 12–21, 15-21, lost the final of World Championship in 2017 by 19-21, 22–20, 20-22 and now this defeat in the All England Championship by 21-19,19-21,18-21. These are top three championships (Olympic, World Championship and All England), which Sindhu is yet to win. At this moment, she is just a notch below from being the undisputed best and a legend of the game. Sindhu is a tough campaigner. After her loss in All England Championship, she vowed to come back stronger. At just 22 years of age, she has a long career ahead of her. With kind of talent she carries, the kind of fighter she is and the kind of mentor she has in form of Gopichand, Sindhu is bound to attain immortality. It just matters just some more time. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: P V Sindhu is just a notch below from being a legend of the game 

South Korea brought the curtain down on its &quot;Peace Games&quot; on February 25, with winter sports athletes dancing and singing together at a vibrant closing ceremony, though there was little warmth between dignitaries from the United States and North Korea.

South Korea President Moon Jae-in, who hopes to use these Games as an opportunity to engage with the North, warmly greeted U.S. President Donald Trump&#39;s daughter Ivanka before offering a brief handshake to North Korean delegation leader Kim Yong Chol.

Despite the divisions and distrust between the two Koreas, they agreed to have their athletes march together at both the opening and closing ceremonies under a banner of unification. They also fielded a unified women&#39;s ice hockey team.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach paid tribute to the athletes, saying they were an example to the world.

&quot;You have shown how sport brings people together in our fragile world,&quot; he said.

During his speech, Bach invited several athletes to join him on stage, including South Korea&#39;s gold medallist skeleton rider Yun Sung-bin, North Korean figure skater Ryom Tae Ok, American skier Lindsey Vonn and Tongan flag carrier Pita Taufatofua.

Bach signed off by calling upon the youth of the world to gather in Beijing in four years&#39; time for the 2022 Winter Games.

With the ceremony showcasing cutting-edge South Korean technology and a remarkable drone show that dotted out the image of the Games mascot Soohorang, a white tiger, in the night sky, athletes marched into the stadium, many wearing their medals.

The Russian flag, absent at the opening ceremony, was again nowhere to be seen after the IOC decided not to lift the suspension on their country.

&nbsp;

Despite the divisions and distrust between the two Koreas, they agreed to have their athletes march together at both the opening and closing ceremonies under a banner of unification

South Korea brought the curtain down on its "Peace Games" on February 25, with winter sports athletes dancing and singing together at a vibrant closing ceremony, though there was little warmth between dignitaries from the United States and North Korea. South Korea President Moon Jae-in, who hopes to use these Games as an opportunity to engage with the North, warmly greeted U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka before offering a brief handshake to North Korean delegation leader Kim Yong Chol. Despite the divisions and distrust between the two Koreas, they agreed to have their athletes march together at both the opening and closing ceremonies under a banner of unification. They also fielded a unified women's ice hockey team. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach paid tribute to the athletes, saying they were an example to the world. "You have shown how sport brings people together in our fragile world," he said. During his speech, Bach invited several athletes to join him on stage, including South Korea's gold medallist skeleton rider Yun Sung-bin, North Korean figure skater Ryom Tae Ok, American skier Lindsey Vonn and Tongan flag carrier Pita Taufatofua. Bach signed off by calling upon the youth of the world to gather in Beijing in four years' time for the 2022 Winter Games. With the ceremony showcasing cutting-edge South Korean technology and a remarkable drone show that dotted out the image of the Games mascot Soohorang, a white tiger, in the night sky, athletes marched into the stadium, many wearing their medals. The Russian flag, absent at the opening ceremony, was again nowhere to be seen after the IOC decided not to lift the suspension on their country.

South Korea brings curtain down on 'Peace Games'

The United States has alleged that Russia hacked several hundred computers used by the authorities at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

They carried out the operation and tried to make it appear as though the intrusion was conducted by North Korea, what is known as a &quot;false-flag&quot; operation, said two US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.

Officials in Pyeongchang acknowledged that the Games were hit by a cyberattack during the February 9 opening ceremony but had refused to confirm whether Russia was responsible. The internet services were affected as well as the broadcast systems and the Olympics website. Many attendees were unable to print their tickets for the ceremony, resulting in empty seats.

As the days passed by, cybersecurity researchers had thought Russian hackers would retaliate against the International Olympic Committee for doping violations. Any Russian athletes that were allowed to attend were prohibited from competing under the Russian flag or anthem.

The Russian athletes were punished by the IOC before these games in response to Russia&#39;s alleged state-sponsored doping program that marred the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

However, 168 Russian athletes are allowed to compete in the Games under a neutral flag.

According to an intelligence report, the Russian military agency GRU had access to as many as 300 Olympic-related computers in February.&nbsp;

As per media reports, US officials are concerned the Russians may try to disrupt the closing ceremony on Sunday. &quot;We&#39;re watching it pretty closely,&quot; said one. &quot;It&#39;s essentially a Korean problem,&quot; the official added. &quot;We will help the Koreans as requested.&quot;

According to an intelligence report, the Russian military agency GRU had access to as many as 300 Olympic-related computers in February

The United States has alleged that Russia hacked several hundred computers used by the authorities at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea. They carried out the operation and tried to make it appear as though the intrusion was conducted by North Korea, what is known as a "false-flag" operation, said two US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. Officials in Pyeongchang acknowledged that the Games were hit by a cyberattack during the February 9 opening ceremony but had refused to confirm whether Russia was responsible. The internet services were affected as well as the broadcast systems and the Olympics website. Many attendees were unable to print their tickets for the ceremony, resulting in empty seats. As the days passed by, cybersecurity researchers had thought Russian hackers would retaliate against the International Olympic Committee for doping violations. Any Russian athletes that were allowed to attend were prohibited from competing under the Russian flag or anthem. The Russian athletes were punished by the IOC before these games in response to Russia's alleged state-sponsored doping program that marred the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. However, 168 Russian athletes are allowed to compete in the Games under a neutral flag. According to an intelligence report, the Russian military agency GRU had access to as many as 300 Olympic-related computers in February. As per media reports, US officials are concerned the Russians may try to disrupt the closing ceremony on Sunday. "We're watching it pretty closely," said one. "It's essentially a Korean problem," the official added. "We will help the Koreans as requested."

Olympics cyberattack planned by Russian hackers, attempted to blame North Korea: US

The 23rd edition of Winter Olympics is in its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/opinion-as-winter-olympics-bid-farewell-what-legacy-will-it-leave-33793">final phase</a>. Norway, the all-time favourites, is leading the medal tally at Pyeongchang.&nbsp; 
 
Norway is also the most successful nation in the history of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/opinion-as-winter-olympics-bid-farewell-what-legacy-will-it-leave-33793">winter sports</a> till now. 
 
The ongoing Olympics is one of the most controversial Olympics ever, from doping scandal to nation&#39;s rivalry, everything was encompassed. 
 
Russia, a very strong competitor was banned by IOC&nbsp;from participating.&nbsp;All thanks to Grigory Rodchenkov, the whistleblower, who revealed the conspiracy of &quot;state-sponsored&quot; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-again-suffers-doping-allegations-here-is-history-of-russian-doping-scandal-33344">doping in Russia</a> during 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

<div style="background:#eee;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:5px 10px;">What is IOC? 
International Olympic Committee is international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation which is the authority responsible for the Olympic Games</div>

<div style="background:#eee;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:5px 10px;">What is state-sponsored doping? 
State-sponsored doping when the whole scandal is planned and operated under the supervision of the government</div>

 
Initially barred from 2018 Olympics but laterwards some &#39;clean&#39; athletes were allowed to take part as a neutral, not representing Russia but participation under the Olympic flag as Olympic athletes from Russia (OAR).

Due to all <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-again-suffers-doping-allegations-here-is-history-of-russian-doping-scandal-33344">the allegations</a> and continuous scrutiny, Russia&#39;s performance got hampered. 
 
Apart from Russia, even the USA and Germany is not performing up to the mark. Both of the countries failed to give tough competition to Norway. 
 
Norway entered at the Pyeongchang Olympics with 109 athletes and the team USA arrived with 242 athletes but Norway earned almost twice the number of medals and also tied with Germany for the most gold medals.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/norway%20(2)-20180224072922.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Norway (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Sometimes, it is surprising that, how a country with a population of five million, is climbing past nations which has a comparatively high population, sound infrastructure and facilities. 
 
It is due to compilation of multiple&nbsp;reasons, first, in Norway sports facilities have formed part of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/winter-olympics-norway-leads-medal-tally-with-36-medals-33822">Norwegian public</a> health policies to increase physical activity among children and teenagers. In recent years, large sums of public money were spent on promoting sports facilities. 
 
Norway&#39;s sports philosophy is &quot;sport for all&quot; that helped the youth to get involved in all type of sports and flourish a future. 
 
Also, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/winter-olympics-norway-leads-medal-tally-with-36-medals-33822">Norway</a> provides free health care, which helps to keep young athletic talent in a good shape. 
 
Norwegian skier Ragnhild Mowinckel said, &quot;The culture and the environment we grow up in, it&rsquo;s great for us.&quot; 
 
Nearly half of population in Norway is the member of Norwegian Sports Federation. Three out of four Norwegian children regularly take part in sporting activities. Also, the government allocates 90 and 95 per cent of its revenues to the Sports Federation. 
 
The athletes excel majorly in winter sports. Some of the sports where Norway has been dominant for many years are speed-skaters, biathlon and ski jumpers and also in alpine skiers, curling and ice hockey Norway is slowly emerging as a champion. 
 
Though Norway is a small country, still it is sports enthusiast nations where sporting is considered as paramount.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/skiing%20in%20norway-20180224071833.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Skiing in Norway is considered as first love. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Norway enjoys a pleasant weather throughout the year and the average coldest temperature ranges around - 3-degree Celsius which is quite comfortable to enjoy and pursue winter sports. 
 
Skiing in Norway is impossible to miss but naturally is not possible for a country to be covered with feet of snow for the whole year. Hence, to fulfil the nation&#39;s skiing obsession, the government is coming up with world&#39;s largest indoor winter sports facility in the Oslo region.

The project is under construction but is expected to finish by the year 2019. The centre is not just for Norway&#39;s elite athletes, but for the whole community. 
 
In the ongoing games, Norway leads the medal table with a maximum number of medals, currently sits at the top with 38 medals and there are chances that it might increase. 
 
The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/opinion-as-winter-olympics-bid-farewell-what-legacy-will-it-leave-33793">Pyeongchang Olympics</a> is about to end and it seems, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/winter-olympics-norway-leads-medal-tally-with-36-medals-33822">Norway</a> will be the ultimate champions again, leaving behind the rest of the world.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Norway, a nation with population of five million leads the medal table with a maximum number of medals, currently sits at the top with 38 medals leaving behind rest of the other teams

The 23rd edition of Winter Olympics is in its final phase. Norway, the all-time favourites, is leading the medal tally at Pyeongchang. Norway is also the most successful nation in the history of winter sports till now. The ongoing Olympics is one of the most controversial Olympics ever, from doping scandal to nation's rivalry, everything was encompassed. Russia, a very strong competitor was banned by IOC from participating. All thanks to Grigory Rodchenkov, the whistleblower, who revealed the conspiracy of "state-sponsored" doping in Russia during 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. What is IOC? International Olympic Committee is international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation which is the authority responsible for the Olympic Games What is state-sponsored doping? State-sponsored doping when the whole scandal is planned and operated under the supervision of the government Initially barred from 2018 Olympics but laterwards some 'clean' athletes were allowed to take part as a neutral, not representing Russia but participation under the Olympic flag as Olympic athletes from Russia (OAR). Due to all the allegations and continuous scrutiny, Russia's performance got hampered. Apart from Russia, even the USA and Germany is not performing up to the mark. Both of the countries failed to give tough competition to Norway. Norway entered at the Pyeongchang Olympics with 109 athletes and the team USA arrived with 242 athletes but Norway earned almost twice the number of medals and also tied with Germany for the most gold medals. Norway (Others) × Sometimes, it is surprising that, how a country with a population of five million, is climbing past nations which has a comparatively high population, sound infrastructure and facilities. It is due to compilation of multiple reasons, first, in Norway sports facilities have formed part of Norwegian public health policies to increase physical activity among children and teenagers. In recent years, large sums of public money were spent on promoting sports facilities. Norway's sports philosophy is "sport for all" that helped the youth to get involved in all type of sports and flourish a future. Also, Norway provides free health care, which helps to keep young athletic talent in a good shape. Norwegian skier Ragnhild Mowinckel said, "The culture and the environment we grow up in, it’s great for us." Nearly half of population in Norway is the member of Norwegian Sports Federation. Three out of four Norwegian children regularly take part in sporting activities. Also, the government allocates 90 and 95 per cent of its revenues to the Sports Federation. The athletes excel majorly in winter sports. Some of the sports where Norway has been dominant for many years are speed-skaters, biathlon and ski jumpers and also in alpine skiers, curling and ice hockey Norway is slowly emerging as a champion. Though Norway is a small country, still it is sports enthusiast nations where sporting is considered as paramount. Skiing in Norway is considered as first love. (Others) × Norway enjoys a pleasant weather throughout the year and the average coldest temperature ranges around - 3-degree Celsius which is quite comfortable to enjoy and pursue winter sports. Skiing in Norway is impossible to miss but naturally is not possible for a country to be covered with feet of snow for the whole year. Hence, to fulfil the nation's skiing obsession, the government is coming up with world's largest indoor winter sports facility in the Oslo region. The project is under construction but is expected to finish by the year 2019. The centre is not just for Norway's elite athletes, but for the whole community. In the ongoing games, Norway leads the medal table with a maximum number of medals, currently sits at the top with 38 medals and there are chances that it might increase. The Pyeongchang Olympics is about to end and it seems, Norway will be the ultimate champions again, leaving behind the rest of the world. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Norway outplays US, Germany at Winter Olympics, here is why

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/kim-yo-jong-meet-the-ivanka-trump-of-north-korea-684#photo-37445">Ivanka Trump</a> has arrived in&nbsp;Seoul,&nbsp;South Korea to attend the closing ceremony of one of&nbsp;the biggest sporting events, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and also to support the team the USA. The event, whose theme revolves around promoting peace, started with the arrival of a&nbsp;northern guest, Kim Yo Jong, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/topic/kim-yo-jong">younger sister</a> of North Korea&#39;s supreme leader Kim Jong Un. The team USA currently stands at rank fourth with 21 medals in total.

A top North Korean general will also be present at the event. The concluding ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 25.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/kim-yo-jong-meet-the-ivanka-trump-of-north-korea-684#photo-37445">In pics: Kim Yo Jong: Meet the &#39;Ivanka Trump&#39; of North Korea</a>

&quot;We&#39;re very very excited to attend the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, to cheer for Team USA and to reaffirm our strong and enduring commitment with people of the Republic of Korea&quot;, she said after arriving at Incheon airport on a commercial flight.

The White House said Trump had asked his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/topic/ivanka">eldest daughter </a>-- who is also one of his top advisers -- to travel to Pyeongchang to lead up a &quot;high-level delegation&quot;.

The North will send an eight-member delegation Sunday headed by Kim Yong Chol, a top general who oversees inter-Korean relations for the ruling Workers&#39; Party, Seoul&#39;s unification ministry said.

The Games have seen a flurry of cross-border diplomacy, with North Korean leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/topic/kim-yo-jong">Kim Jong Un&#39;s sister</a> and US Vice President Mike Pence both attending the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang earlier this month.

But officials in both Seoul and Washington say there will not be a meeting between <a href="http://www.wionews.com/topic/ivanka">Ivanka Trump</a> and Kim Yong Chol.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Ivanka Trump has arrived in Seoul, South Korea to attend the closing ceremony of one of the biggest sporting events, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and also to support the team the USA

Ivanka Trump has arrived in Seoul, South Korea to attend the closing ceremony of one of the biggest sporting events, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and also to support the team the USA. The event, whose theme revolves around promoting peace, started with the arrival of a northern guest, Kim Yo Jong, younger sister of North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un. The team USA currently stands at rank fourth with 21 medals in total. A top North Korean general will also be present at the event. The concluding ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 25. In pics: Kim Yo Jong: Meet the 'Ivanka Trump' of North Korea "We're very very excited to attend the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, to cheer for Team USA and to reaffirm our strong and enduring commitment with people of the Republic of Korea", she said after arriving at Incheon airport on a commercial flight. The White House said Trump had asked his eldest daughter -- who is also one of his top advisers -- to travel to Pyeongchang to lead up a "high-level delegation". The North will send an eight-member delegation Sunday headed by Kim Yong Chol, a top general who oversees inter-Korean relations for the ruling Workers' Party, Seoul's unification ministry said. The Games have seen a flurry of cross-border diplomacy, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister and US Vice President Mike Pence both attending the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang earlier this month. But officials in both Seoul and Washington say there will not be a meeting between Ivanka Trump and Kim Yong Chol.

Watch: Ivanka Trump arrives in South Korea to attend closing ceremony of Winter Olympics

South Korea and the United States will announce plans before April for a postponed joint military drill, South Korea&rsquo;s defence minister said on Tuesday.

Seoul and Washington had agreed to postpone the regular joint military exercise until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics being hosted in South Korea, which ends on March 18.

After the decision to delay the joint exercise, North Korea agreed to hold the first official talks with South Korea in more than two years and send athletes to the Winter Games, easing a standoff over Pyongyang&rsquo;s nuclear and missile programmes.

Asked when the two countries will hold the postponed drill, Song Young-moo told parliament he and his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, would make an announcement between March 18 and the start of April.

&ldquo;The exercise was postponed according to the spirit of the Olympics,&rdquo; Song said. &ldquo;We have agreed to uphold the basis until after the Paralympics...and not to confirm nor deny anything regarding what we would do after that until we announce it&rdquo;.

Song added inter-Korean talks had not come about as a direct result of the postponed drill.

Pyongyang has warned it would not sit idle if the United States and South Korea push ahead with the postponed military exercises.

North Korea denounces the drills as preparations to invade it, and it has at times conducted missile tests or taken other aggressive action in response.

The South Korean and US militaries usually hold military exercises called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle in March and April, which can involve as many as 17,000 US troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans.

South Korea&rsquo;s Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon said talks to stage the postponed military drill were moving forward.

&ldquo;I&lsquo;m aware negotiations are moving towards a direction where the drills will be held,&rdquo; Cho said in a separate parliamentary session on Tuesday, without elaborating.

A restart of the joint drill is an &ldquo;act of ruthlessly trampling even a small sprout of peace that has been now seen on the Korean peninsula&rdquo;, the North&rsquo;s official KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Monday.

&ldquo;It is a provocative act of chilling the active efforts of the DPRK and enthusiasm of the international community to defuse tension and create a peaceful environment&rdquo;.

North Korea&rsquo;s official name is the Democratic People&rsquo;s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have eased since last year resulting in inter-Korean talks and the North sending a high-level delegation led by Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, and athletes to the Winter Olympics.

South Korea has also floated the idea of co-hosting the 2021 Asian Winter Games with North Korea, and a North Korean official said on Tuesday this may be possible, reported the South&rsquo;s Yonhap news agency.

North Korea may make the North&rsquo;s Masikryong ski resort available for the Games, said Chang Ung, the North&rsquo;s representative on the International Olympic Committee.

The host city for the 2021 event has not yet been decided.

Speaking to a Yonhap reporter at an airport in Beijing, the Chinese capital, Chang said it would be easier for the two sides to co-host the 2021 Asian Winter Games because there is less competition to host them, compared to the Olympics.

As to how that could come about, Chang declined to say, according to Yonhap. He was on his way back to North Korea after observing the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Reporting by Christine Kim and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez

Seoul and Washington had agreed to postpone the regular joint military exercise until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics being hosted in South Korea, which ends on March 18

South Korea and the United States will announce plans before April for a postponed joint military drill, South Korea’s defence minister said on Tuesday. Seoul and Washington had agreed to postpone the regular joint military exercise until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics being hosted in South Korea, which ends on March 18. After the decision to delay the joint exercise, North Korea agreed to hold the first official talks with South Korea in more than two years and send athletes to the Winter Games, easing a standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes. Asked when the two countries will hold the postponed drill, Song Young-moo told parliament he and his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, would make an announcement between March 18 and the start of April. “The exercise was postponed according to the spirit of the Olympics,” Song said. “We have agreed to uphold the basis until after the Paralympics...and not to confirm nor deny anything regarding what we would do after that until we announce it”. Song added inter-Korean talks had not come about as a direct result of the postponed drill. Pyongyang has warned it would not sit idle if the United States and South Korea push ahead with the postponed military exercises. North Korea denounces the drills as preparations to invade it, and it has at times conducted missile tests or taken other aggressive action in response. The South Korean and US militaries usually hold military exercises called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle in March and April, which can involve as many as 17,000 US troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. South Korea’s Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon said talks to stage the postponed military drill were moving forward. “I‘m aware negotiations are moving towards a direction where the drills will be held,” Cho said in a separate parliamentary session on Tuesday, without elaborating. A restart of the joint drill is an “act of ruthlessly trampling even a small sprout of peace that has been now seen on the Korean peninsula”, the North’s official KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Monday. “It is a provocative act of chilling the active efforts of the DPRK and enthusiasm of the international community to defuse tension and create a peaceful environment”. North Korea’s official name is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Tensions on the Korean peninsula have eased since last year resulting in inter-Korean talks and the North sending a high-level delegation led by Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, and athletes to the Winter Olympics. South Korea has also floated the idea of co-hosting the 2021 Asian Winter Games with North Korea, and a North Korean official said on Tuesday this may be possible, reported the South’s Yonhap news agency. North Korea may make the North’s Masikryong ski resort available for the Games, said Chang Ung, the North’s representative on the International Olympic Committee. The host city for the 2021 event has not yet been decided. Speaking to a Yonhap reporter at an airport in Beijing, the Chinese capital, Chang said it would be easier for the two sides to co-host the 2021 Asian Winter Games because there is less competition to host them, compared to the Olympics. As to how that could come about, Chang declined to say, according to Yonhap. He was on his way back to North Korea after observing the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Reporting by Christine Kim and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez

South Korea to announce joint military drill plan with US before April

In the second mishap&nbsp;at Pyeongchang&nbsp;winter games when a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/french-skater-suffers-dress-mishap-during-ice-dance-33357">French ice&nbsp;dancer faced embarrassment</a>&nbsp;when her halter top was unclipped and slipped sideways exposing her left breast.

French pair Guillaume Cizeron and Papadakis were heavy title favourite and&nbsp;were still able to finish their short dance as Papadakis tried to keep her chest covered, but she left the ice in tears.

The duo demonstrated remarkable composure and was in second place behind Canada&#39;s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

The mishap happened when the 22-year-old Papadakis leaned backwards early on and Cizeron inadvertently unclipped the back of her green costume.

Now, the designer of the dress worn by French ice skater Gabriella&nbsp;Papadakis in the Winter Olympics said Monday she felt &quot;terribly guilty&quot; after an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction caused the outfit to slip.

Designer Sophie Thomas, who has made all the pair&#39;s outfits for the past six years, told AFP: &quot;I feel terribly guilty, even though it&#39;s not my fault.

&quot;I just can&#39;t explain it, it&#39;s a real mystery. The top was firmly attached.

&quot;There were studs on the top and a hook which held up the back of it. And there was stitching over the top of it.

&quot;We just don&#39;t know why it came undone at that very moment. It&#39;s bad luck, there&#39;s just no rational explanation.&quot;

Designer Sophie Thomas, who has made all the pair's outfits for the past six years apologised after an unfortunate dress mishap

In the second mishap at Pyeongchang winter games when a French ice dancer faced embarrassment when her halter top was unclipped and slipped sideways exposing her left breast. French pair Guillaume Cizeron and Papadakis were heavy title favourite and were still able to finish their short dance as Papadakis tried to keep her chest covered, but she left the ice in tears. The duo demonstrated remarkable composure and was in second place behind Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. The mishap happened when the 22-year-old Papadakis leaned backwards early on and Cizeron inadvertently unclipped the back of her green costume. Now, the designer of the dress worn by French ice skater Gabriella Papadakis in the Winter Olympics said Monday she felt "terribly guilty" after an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction caused the outfit to slip. Designer Sophie Thomas, who has made all the pair's outfits for the past six years, told AFP: "I feel terribly guilty, even though it's not my fault. "I just can't explain it, it's a real mystery. The top was firmly attached. "There were studs on the top and a hook which held up the back of it. And there was stitching over the top of it. "We just don't know why it came undone at that very moment. It's bad luck, there's just no rational explanation."

'I feel terribly guilty,' says dress designer after French skater's dress mishap

Slovenian ice hockey player Ziga Jeglic failed a drugs test and has been suspended, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday, becoming the third doping case at the Pyeongchang Olympics.

In a statement, CAS said Jeglic had been ordered to leave the Olympic Village within 24 hours after testing positive for the banned <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-again-suffers-doping-allegations-here-is-history-of-russian-doping-scandal-33344">drug fenoterol</a>, which is used to treat breathing difficulties.

CAS said Jeglic &quot;accepted an anti-doping rule violation and, as a consequence, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-meldonium-and-why-was-it-banned-33353">the athlete is suspended</a> from competing in the remainder of the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018.&quot;

&nbsp;

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said in a statement that the accused player had been ordered to leave after testing positive for the banned drug fenoterol

Slovenian ice hockey player Ziga Jeglic failed a drugs test and has been suspended, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday, becoming the third doping case at the Pyeongchang Olympics. In a statement, CAS said Jeglic had been ordered to leave the Olympic Village within 24 hours after testing positive for the banned drug fenoterol, which is used to treat breathing difficulties. CAS said Jeglic "accepted an anti-doping rule violation and, as a consequence, the athlete is suspended from competing in the remainder of the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018."

Third doping case at winter games as Slovenian hockey player fails drug test

Canada&#39;s Justin Kripps and Germany&#39;s Francesco Friedrich won gold medals after a dramatic dead-heat in the men&#39;s Olympic two-man bobsleigh.

Latvia&#39;s Oskars Melbardis took bronze behind the Canadian and German crews who were involved in the first dead-heat in the event since Nagano in 1998.

Ahead of the final run at the Olympic Sliding Centre, the fastest five pilots were separated by less than a quarter of a second in blisteringly quick conditions due to low temperatures.

Kripps, who tops the world bobsleigh driver rankings, had run three good heats, consistently placing first or second, and he needed to pull out another one to secure his first Olympic gold medal.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
19FEB Bobsleigh -2-man 
2/19 봅슬레이 - 남자 2인승 
 
Gold???? Canada / KRIPPS Justin &amp; KOPACZ Alexander 
Gold???? Germany / FRIEDRICH Francesco &amp; MARGIS Thorsten 
Bronze???? Latvia / MELBARDIS Oskars &amp; STRENGA Janis 
 
Congratulations! 축하합니다???? <a href="https://t.co/JxcxYCTrTh">pic.twitter.com/JxcxYCTrTh</a>
&mdash; PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) <a href="https://twitter.com/pyeongchang2018/status/965587750983380992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Four-times world champion Friedrich set the fastest time but Kripps, in the final run of the competition, exactly matched his mark of three minutes 16.86 seconds.

&quot;It&#39;s great. It&#39;s two more people who are as happy as we are,&quot; Kripps told reporters. &quot;They&#39;re amazing competitors, we&#39;ve been friends and rivals for years so I couldn&#39;t be happier.&quot;

Germany equalled Switzerland&#39;s Olympic record of five golds in the event.

&nbsp;

Germany equalled Switzerland's Olympic record of five golds in the event

Canada's Justin Kripps and Germany's Francesco Friedrich won gold medals after a dramatic dead-heat in the men's Olympic two-man bobsleigh. Latvia's Oskars Melbardis took bronze behind the Canadian and German crews who were involved in the first dead-heat in the event since Nagano in 1998. Ahead of the final run at the Olympic Sliding Centre, the fastest five pilots were separated by less than a quarter of a second in blisteringly quick conditions due to low temperatures. Kripps, who tops the world bobsleigh driver rankings, had run three good heats, consistently placing first or second, and he needed to pull out another one to secure his first Olympic gold medal. 19FEB Bobsleigh -2-man 2/19 봅슬레이 - 남자 2인승 Gold???? Canada / KRIPPS Justin & KOPACZ Alexander Gold???? Germany / FRIEDRICH Francesco & MARGIS Thorsten Bronze???? Latvia / MELBARDIS Oskars & STRENGA Janis Congratulations! 축하합니다???? pic.twitter.com/JxcxYCTrTh — PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) February 19, 2018 × Four-times world champion Friedrich set the fastest time but Kripps, in the final run of the competition, exactly matched his mark of three minutes 16.86 seconds. "It's great. It's two more people who are as happy as we are," Kripps told reporters. "They're amazing competitors, we've been friends and rivals for years so I couldn't be happier." Germany equalled Switzerland's Olympic record of five golds in the event.

Bobsleigh: Canada, Germany in golden dead-heat

Tearful French figure skater Gabriella Papadakis called it her &quot;worst nightmare&quot; after she suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction on Monday in the Olympic ice dance competition.

A heavy title favourite along with partner Guillaume Cizeron, Papadakis&#39;s dress slipped during their routine in Pyeongchang but the French pair demonstrated remarkable composure and were in second place behind Canada&#39;s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

The mishap happened when the 22-year-old Papadakis leaned backwards early on and Cizeron inadvertently unclipped the back of her green costume.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/french-skater-suffers-dress-mishap-during-ice-dance-33357">Her halter-top</a>, complete with tassels and spangles, edged sideways to briefly expose her left breast.

The duo was still able to finish their short dance as Papadakis tried to keep her chest covered, but she left the ice in tears.

Compounding her embarrassment, the incident was replayed in slow motion on screens at the arena.

&quot;It was pretty distracting, my worst nightmare at the Olympics,&quot; Papadakis said after drying her eyes.

&quot;I felt it right away and I prayed.

&quot;I told myself &#39;you have to keep going&#39; and that&#39;s what we did and we have to be proud of ourselves, delivering a great performance with that happening.&quot;

Cizeron added: &quot;It&#39;s just frustrating to miss a few points because of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/french-skater-suffers-dress-mishap-during-ice-dance-33357">a costume issue</a>. It is not what we get ready for when we train.&quot;

The Vancouver 2010 champions Virtue and Moir posted a short-dance world record score of 83.67 points to take a lead of 1.74 into Tuesday&#39;s free dance.

Papadakis is not the first figure skater to have a wardrobe fail at these Games.

South Korean Min Yura won the hearts of skate fans on her Olympic debut after bravely battling on after a hook popped on her dress just seconds into her routine in the team short dance.

Focusing on executing her spins with partner Alexander Gamelin, Min had to keep adjusting her red top, winning rich praise from commentators for keeping her cool.

&nbsp;

A heavy title favourite Papadakis's dress slipped during their routine in Pyeongchang but the duo was still able to finish their short dance

Tearful French figure skater Gabriella Papadakis called it her "worst nightmare" after she suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction on Monday in the Olympic ice dance competition. A heavy title favourite along with partner Guillaume Cizeron, Papadakis's dress slipped during their routine in Pyeongchang but the French pair demonstrated remarkable composure and were in second place behind Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. The mishap happened when the 22-year-old Papadakis leaned backwards early on and Cizeron inadvertently unclipped the back of her green costume. Her halter-top, complete with tassels and spangles, edged sideways to briefly expose her left breast. The duo was still able to finish their short dance as Papadakis tried to keep her chest covered, but she left the ice in tears. Compounding her embarrassment, the incident was replayed in slow motion on screens at the arena. "It was pretty distracting, my worst nightmare at the Olympics," Papadakis said after drying her eyes. "I felt it right away and I prayed. "I told myself 'you have to keep going' and that's what we did and we have to be proud of ourselves, delivering a great performance with that happening." Cizeron added: "It's just frustrating to miss a few points because of a costume issue. It is not what we get ready for when we train." The Vancouver 2010 champions Virtue and Moir posted a short-dance world record score of 83.67 points to take a lead of 1.74 into Tuesday's free dance. Papadakis is not the first figure skater to have a wardrobe fail at these Games. South Korean Min Yura won the hearts of skate fans on her Olympic debut after bravely battling on after a hook popped on her dress just seconds into her routine in the team short dance. Focusing on executing her spins with partner Alexander Gamelin, Min had to keep adjusting her red top, winning rich praise from commentators for keeping her cool.

French skater suffers dress mishap during ice dance

A Russian Olympic curler has been implicated in a doping case in a potential setback as the country battles to recover from a major scandal which triggered its ban from the Pyeongchang Winter Games.

A fresh doping case would be deeply embarrassing for Russia, which has 168 athletes deemed clean competing in Pyeongchang as neutral Olympic Athletes from Russia.

A source close to the matter said the case involved meldonium. Now, here are some facts about this drug.

What is meldonium 
Meldonium is used to treat ischaemia: A lack of blood flow to parts of the body, particularly in cases of angina, chronic heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular disorders.The drug also helps to adjust the body&#39;s use of energy and can boost stamina and endurance. It increases blood flow, which improves exercise capacity in athletes and increased blood flow means more oxygen to muscle tissue.

Why it was banned 
It is categorised as an S4 substance under the Wada code, which addresses hormone and metabolic modulators. The drug was banned when a study revealed that 17 per cent of Russian athletes tested were found to have meldonium in their system.

When it was&nbsp;banned 
WADA placed the drug on its watch list in 2015 but the decision to add meldonium to the banned list was approved on 16 September 2015, and it came into effect on 1 January 2016.

Why is the drug under the spotlight 
Meldonium has been in the spotlight since Russian tennis player and former world number one Maria Sharapova tested positive for the drug in January 2016 and was later banned for 15 months. Sharapova said she was unaware that the drug had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency&#39;s (WADA) banned substances list.

This drug is available in which countries 
Meldonium is cheap and available over the counter in Russia and some eastern European countries, where it is marketed as Mildronate by the Latvian pharmaceutical firm Grindeks. It is not licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.

&nbsp;

Meldonium was developed to treat patients with heart conditions such as angina, chronic heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular disorders

A Russian Olympic curler has been implicated in a doping case in a potential setback as the country battles to recover from a major scandal which triggered its ban from the Pyeongchang Winter Games. A fresh doping case would be deeply embarrassing for Russia, which has 168 athletes deemed clean competing in Pyeongchang as neutral Olympic Athletes from Russia. A source close to the matter said the case involved meldonium. Now, here are some facts about this drug. What is meldonium Meldonium is used to treat ischaemia: A lack of blood flow to parts of the body, particularly in cases of angina, chronic heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular disorders.The drug also helps to adjust the body's use of energy and can boost stamina and endurance. It increases blood flow, which improves exercise capacity in athletes and increased blood flow means more oxygen to muscle tissue. Why it was banned It is categorised as an S4 substance under the Wada code, which addresses hormone and metabolic modulators. The drug was banned when a study revealed that 17 per cent of Russian athletes tested were found to have meldonium in their system. When it was banned WADA placed the drug on its watch list in 2015 but the decision to add meldonium to the banned list was approved on 16 September 2015, and it came into effect on 1 January 2016. Why is the drug under the spotlight Meldonium has been in the spotlight since Russian tennis player and former world number one Maria Sharapova tested positive for the drug in January 2016 and was later banned for 15 months. Sharapova said she was unaware that the drug had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) banned substances list. This drug is available in which countries Meldonium is cheap and available over the counter in Russia and some eastern European countries, where it is marketed as Mildronate by the Latvian pharmaceutical firm Grindeks. It is not licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.

What is meldonium and why was it banned

Roared on by the home crowd at the start of a lunar new year observed in Korea, the 23-year-old stormed to his country&#39;s second gold medal of the Games -- with plenty to spare.

Yun clocked a combined time of three minutes, 20.55 seconds for his four runs, with Nikita Tregubov, an Olympic Athlete From Russia, taking silver.

Dom Parson&#39;s celebrated with gusto after winning Britain&#39;s first skeleton medal in 70 years.

But the day belonged to Yun, who slides in an Iron Man-copy helmet that makes him look like a superhero as he rockets around the course.

&quot;It has been my dream to win the gold medal since I started off in skeleton,&quot; the South Korean told reporters after winning by a record margin of 1.63 seconds.

&quot;But this is just the beginning for me.&quot;

Yun sank to his knees as he soaked up the adulation of the crowd, thanking them for their raucous support as they chanted: &quot;Yun Sung-bin, Yun Sung-bin!&quot;

&quot;I was a little worried about racing on the morning of the lunar new year,&quot; added the former world silver medallist.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s a national holiday so I thought not many people would come to support. But so many people came to watch and I know many more watched on TV. That support really helped push me to win the gold medal.&quot;

Before these Games, only nine different countries had won medals in skeleton, where athletes throw themselves down an icy shute on the bellies head-first.

Typically the likes of the United States, Austria, Canada, Germany and Switzerland have dominated the sport but Yun upset the established order with his breath-taking speed.

&quot;It feels unbelievable to win Olympic gold,&quot; said Yun. &quot;It&#39;s a great honour.&quot;

Parsons, who finished just two hundredths off silver, was nevertheless ecstatic after claiming Britain&#39;s first medal of the Games.

&quot;I don&#39;t know, it hasn&#39;t really sunk in yet -- I thought I&#39;d lost it after that fourth run,&quot; he said after a mistake from Latvia&#39;s Tomass Dukurs allowed him to slip into medal contention.&nbsp;

&quot;I was very lucky to be able to move up. Martins is the last person I&#39;d expect to make those kind of mistakes. He&#39;s been dominant for so many years.

&quot;It&#39;s incredible, four years of work has gone into this.&quot;

&nbsp;

Yun clocked a combined time of three minutes, 20.55 seconds for his four runs, with Nikita Tregubov, an Olympic Athlete From Russia, taking silver

Roared on by the home crowd at the start of a lunar new year observed in Korea, the 23-year-old stormed to his country's second gold medal of the Games -- with plenty to spare. Yun clocked a combined time of three minutes, 20.55 seconds for his four runs, with Nikita Tregubov, an Olympic Athlete From Russia, taking silver. Dom Parson's celebrated with gusto after winning Britain's first skeleton medal in 70 years. But the day belonged to Yun, who slides in an Iron Man-copy helmet that makes him look like a superhero as he rockets around the course. "It has been my dream to win the gold medal since I started off in skeleton," the South Korean told reporters after winning by a record margin of 1.63 seconds. "But this is just the beginning for me." Yun sank to his knees as he soaked up the adulation of the crowd, thanking them for their raucous support as they chanted: "Yun Sung-bin, Yun Sung-bin!" "I was a little worried about racing on the morning of the lunar new year," added the former world silver medallist. "It's a national holiday so I thought not many people would come to support. But so many people came to watch and I know many more watched on TV. That support really helped push me to win the gold medal." Before these Games, only nine different countries had won medals in skeleton, where athletes throw themselves down an icy shute on the bellies head-first. Typically the likes of the United States, Austria, Canada, Germany and Switzerland have dominated the sport but Yun upset the established order with his breath-taking speed. "It feels unbelievable to win Olympic gold," said Yun. "It's a great honour." Parsons, who finished just two hundredths off silver, was nevertheless ecstatic after claiming Britain's first medal of the Games. "I don't know, it hasn't really sunk in yet -- I thought I'd lost it after that fourth run," he said after a mistake from Latvia's Tomass Dukurs allowed him to slip into medal contention. "I was very lucky to be able to move up. Martins is the last person I'd expect to make those kind of mistakes. He's been dominant for so many years. "It's incredible, four years of work has gone into this."

Korean 'Iron Man' Kim wins historic Olympic skeleton gold

There will be no big Valentine`s Day celebration for one husband and wife figure skating pair, who are choosing rest and relaxation over champagne and roses on Wednesday as another day of competition looms.

The duo in question are 26-year-old Alexa Scimeca Knierim and her 30-year-old husband Chris Knierim, two-time U.S. pairs champions making their Olympic debut, who started skating together in 2012 and were married four years later.

The two embraced and kissed after finishing their short programme on Wednesday, with Chris gently running a hand over his wife`s hair.

&quot;It`s Valentine`s Day and I think we showed how much we love each other and love to skate with each other during the programme,&quot; Chris told reporters after the pair finished 14th to just about qualify for the free skate.&nbsp;

Just two years ago, Alexa developed a rare gastrointestinal illness that saw her weight plummet to 36 kg (80 lb) before several abdominal surgeries solved the life-threatening issue.

Her absence took months off their training schedule as she was forced to learn the basic skating moves from scratch until her strength returned.

&quot;It makes this journey so much different and possibly more special than anyone who hasn`t experienced the super lows of life,&quot; Alexa said.

&quot;We`re just feeding off each other and reminding each other how lucky we are to be here. It`s keeping us humble and happy.&quot;

The two helped the U.S. figure skating team win bronze in the team competition earlier this week but struggled on Wednesday after she touched the ice with her hand in a throw triple flip.&nbsp;

Asked how they planned to celebrate making it into the top-16 pairs advancing to Thursday`s free skate, they both said they would rest.

&quot;We have another programme tomorrow and that will be the last of our Olympic journey,&quot; Chris said. &quot;So we`re just going to rest, recover and get ready for tomorrow morning.&quot;

The two embraced and kissed after finishing their short programme

There will be no big Valentine`s Day celebration for one husband and wife figure skating pair, who are choosing rest and relaxation over champagne and roses on Wednesday as another day of competition looms. The duo in question are 26-year-old Alexa Scimeca Knierim and her 30-year-old husband Chris Knierim, two-time U.S. pairs champions making their Olympic debut, who started skating together in 2012 and were married four years later. The two embraced and kissed after finishing their short programme on Wednesday, with Chris gently running a hand over his wife`s hair. "It`s Valentine`s Day and I think we showed how much we love each other and love to skate with each other during the programme," Chris told reporters after the pair finished 14th to just about qualify for the free skate. Just two years ago, Alexa developed a rare gastrointestinal illness that saw her weight plummet to 36 kg (80 lb) before several abdominal surgeries solved the life-threatening issue. Her absence took months off their training schedule as she was forced to learn the basic skating moves from scratch until her strength returned. "It makes this journey so much different and possibly more special than anyone who hasn`t experienced the super lows of life," Alexa said. "We`re just feeding off each other and reminding each other how lucky we are to be here. It`s keeping us humble and happy." The two helped the U.S. figure skating team win bronze in the team competition earlier this week but struggled on Wednesday after she touched the ice with her hand in a throw triple flip. Asked how they planned to celebrate making it into the top-16 pairs advancing to Thursday`s free skate, they both said they would rest. "We have another programme tomorrow and that will be the last of our Olympic journey," Chris said. "So we`re just going to rest, recover and get ready for tomorrow morning."

Olympics: Figure skating pair put Valentine's Day on ice to rest and relax

Olympic officials played down a suggestion that the unified Korean ice hockey team could be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on Tuesday and said there had been &quot;no formal discussion&quot; about proposing IOC chief Thomas Bach for the honour.

Mark Adams, a spokesman for the International Olympic Committee, said there had been &quot;no consideration whatsoever&quot; within the body of nominating the joint Korean team, following a suggestion by American IOC member Angela Ruggiero.

&quot;From an IOC administrative level, there&#39;s been no consideration whatsoever of this. Obviously, members are able to have their own personal views... but there&#39;s been no discussion,&quot; he said.

When asked if Bach should be proposed for the prize, after helping broker North Korea&#39;s attendance, Adams said: &quot;There&#39;s no formal discussion yet at all.&quot;

Bach is scheduled to visit North Korea after the Games, where their athletes marched together with South Korea at the opening ceremony. The two Koreas also formed their first unified Olympic team in the women&#39;s ice hockey.

North Korea&#39;s participation has triggered a burst of reconciliation with South Korea, including a visit by Kim Jong Un&#39;s sister Kim Yo Jong and an invitation to Pyongyang for South Korean leader Moon Jae-in.

Ruggiero, who is head of the IOC athletes commission and a former Olympic ice hockey gold medallist, said it was a personal opinion that the Korean team should be nominated.

&quot;I have heard a lot of support from other members just saying this is symbolic, this is what the Olympics is all about,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s not about an individual or&nbsp;sport&nbsp;or country. I&#39;m happy that it&#39;s resonated that way and it&#39;s starting the conversation and encouraged to have that dialogue with other members and all stakeholders for that matter.&quot;

Despite the rapid warming of ties -- which follows months of missile tests and threats of war -- some South Koreans are sceptical and US Vice-President Mike Pence warned the North was trying to &quot;hijack&quot; the Games.

In an interview with AFP on Monday, Bach dismissed fears North Korea was using the Games for political purposes, calling their participation a purely sporting matter.

&quot;This is about the sport&nbsp;and this the IOC made very clear,&quot; Bach said. &quot;This is about the role of&nbsp;sport&nbsp;to build bridges, to open doors and nothing more.&quot;

At the joint team&#39;s opening match -- an 8-0 thrashing by Switzerland -- Bach sat with Moon to his right and the North Korean delegation to his left, and addressed the players afterwards.

&quot;You&#39;ve given everything, you&#39;ve fought well and tomorrow you&#39;ll come to understand the full importance and significance of this,&quot; Adams quoted Bach as telling the team.

&nbsp;

Unified Korean ice hockey team could be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

Olympic officials played down a suggestion that the unified Korean ice hockey team could be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on Tuesday and said there had been "no formal discussion" about proposing IOC chief Thomas Bach for the honour. Mark Adams, a spokesman for the International Olympic Committee, said there had been "no consideration whatsoever" within the body of nominating the joint Korean team, following a suggestion by American IOC member Angela Ruggiero. "From an IOC administrative level, there's been no consideration whatsoever of this. Obviously, members are able to have their own personal views... but there's been no discussion," he said. When asked if Bach should be proposed for the prize, after helping broker North Korea's attendance, Adams said: "There's no formal discussion yet at all." Bach is scheduled to visit North Korea after the Games, where their athletes marched together with South Korea at the opening ceremony. The two Koreas also formed their first unified Olympic team in the women's ice hockey. North Korea's participation has triggered a burst of reconciliation with South Korea, including a visit by Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong and an invitation to Pyongyang for South Korean leader Moon Jae-in. Ruggiero, who is head of the IOC athletes commission and a former Olympic ice hockey gold medallist, said it was a personal opinion that the Korean team should be nominated. "I have heard a lot of support from other members just saying this is symbolic, this is what the Olympics is all about," she said. "It's not about an individual or sport or country. I'm happy that it's resonated that way and it's starting the conversation and encouraged to have that dialogue with other members and all stakeholders for that matter." Despite the rapid warming of ties -- which follows months of missile tests and threats of war -- some South Koreans are sceptical and US Vice-President Mike Pence warned the North was trying to "hijack" the Games. In an interview with AFP on Monday, Bach dismissed fears North Korea was using the Games for political purposes, calling their participation a purely sporting matter. "This is about the sport and this the IOC made very clear," Bach said. "This is about the role of sport to build bridges, to open doors and nothing more." At the joint team's opening match -- an 8-0 thrashing by Switzerland -- Bach sat with Moon to his right and the North Korean delegation to his left, and addressed the players afterwards. "You've given everything, you've fought well and tomorrow you'll come to understand the full importance and significance of this," Adams quoted Bach as telling the team.

Bach for Nobel peace prize? No 'formal discussion' says IOC

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