Indian hockey team&#39;s captain PR Sreejesh has apologised for letting the nation down after his team&#39;s 1-3 loss to Belgium in the quarterfinals at the Rio Olympics. 
 
&quot;Unfortunately we are touching the moon, but still we couldn&#39;t reach there, we have fallen from there. It&#39;s hitting really hard because the expectation was very high on us back home,&quot; Sreejesh said after the loss yesterday. &quot;I think we disappointed our country but still I think we players need to work really hard and perform well in the next coming tournaments.&quot; 
 
India were up 1-0 by Akashdeep Singh&#39;s goal inside the first quarter, but the Sreejesh&#39;s men conceded thrice in the second half to hand Belgium their first Olympics semifinal since Antwerp 1920. 
 
Stephan Dockier&#39;s double in the third quarter and Tom Boon sealed the win in the 50th minute. The Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh was brilliant and saved a penalty corner to maintain India&#39;s lead in the first half.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s very difficult, especially, for me as a goalkeeper, I feel like saves never count because it&#39;s all about the scoring, the goal-line.&quot; 
 
Asked about captaining India at the coveted Olympics, he said: &quot;I never dreamt about this, leading the team anywhere. But still it&#39;s a great honour and a great responsibility for me. In hockey, captaincy isn&#39;t the most important, but it&#39;s all about outside of the field, how you are coordinating with the players, how you are bringing them together, getting their potential out.&quot; 
 
India coach Roelant Oltmans too was a disappointed man and said they should have won the match.&nbsp;&quot;Of course I&#39;m disappointed and not only about losing the quarterfinal, because you can win matches, you can lose.&nbsp;I&#39;m disappointed about the kind of game that we played today. I have to give all the credit to Belgium who forced us to play like this. I have to look into my players, why they didn&#39;t perform in the way that we had planned,&quot; he said. 
 
The eight-time former Olympic champions India still had a decent run at the Rio 2016 by making the quarters. 
 
&quot;We are getting closer and closer (to the top of world hockey), but the next step still needs to be made. That&#39;s what has been proven in today&#39;s game,&quot; the Dutchman said. 
 
(PTI)

'It's hitting really hard because the expectation was very high on us back home,' PR Sreejesh said after India lost 1-3 to Belgium yesterday

Indian hockey team's captain PR Sreejesh has apologised for letting the nation down after his team's 1-3 loss to Belgium in the quarterfinals at the Rio Olympics. "Unfortunately we are touching the moon, but still we couldn't reach there, we have fallen from there. It's hitting really hard because the expectation was very high on us back home," Sreejesh said after the loss yesterday. "I think we disappointed our country but still I think we players need to work really hard and perform well in the next coming tournaments." India were up 1-0 by Akashdeep Singh's goal inside the first quarter, but the Sreejesh's men conceded thrice in the second half to hand Belgium their first Olympics semifinal since Antwerp 1920. Stephan Dockier's double in the third quarter and Tom Boon sealed the win in the 50th minute. The Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh was brilliant and saved a penalty corner to maintain India's lead in the first half. "It's very difficult, especially, for me as a goalkeeper, I feel like saves never count because it's all about the scoring, the goal-line." Asked about captaining India at the coveted Olympics, he said: "I never dreamt about this, leading the team anywhere. But still it's a great honour and a great responsibility for me. In hockey, captaincy isn't the most important, but it's all about outside of the field, how you are coordinating with the players, how you are bringing them together, getting their potential out." India coach Roelant Oltmans too was a disappointed man and said they should have won the match. "Of course I'm disappointed and not only about losing the quarterfinal, because you can win matches, you can lose. I'm disappointed about the kind of game that we played today. I have to give all the credit to Belgium who forced us to play like this. I have to look into my players, why they didn't perform in the way that we had planned," he said. The eight-time former Olympic champions India still had a decent run at the Rio 2016 by making the quarters. "We are getting closer and closer (to the top of world hockey), but the next step still needs to be made. That's what has been proven in today's game," the Dutchman said. (PTI)

Rio Olympics 2016: Indian hockey captain apologises for letting nation down

Bahrain&#39;s Ruth Jebet blew away the competition to win the women&#39;s 3,000 metres steeplechase gold on Sunday, but narrowly missed out on the world record. 
 
Jebet ran a bold race, bursting into the lead after a few laps and setting a blistering pace to win in 8 minutes, 59.75 seconds, just shy of the 8:58.81 world record set by Russia&#39;s Gulnara Galkina at the 2008 Beijing Games. 
 
Kenya&#39;s Hyvin Kiyeng, who won the world title in Beijing last summer, was nearly 50m from the finish line when Jebet won&nbsp;and had to settle for silver. 
 
American Emma Coburn won United States&#39; first ever medal in the steeplechase after winning bronze. 
 
(Reuters)

Her time of 8:59:75 was just shy of the 8:58.81 world record set by Russia's Gulnara Galkina at the 2008 Beijing Games

Bahrain's Ruth Jebet blew away the competition to win the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase gold on Sunday, but narrowly missed out on the world record. Jebet ran a bold race, bursting into the lead after a few laps and setting a blistering pace to win in 8 minutes, 59.75 seconds, just shy of the 8:58.81 world record set by Russia's Gulnara Galkina at the 2008 Beijing Games. Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng, who won the world title in Beijing last summer, was nearly 50m from the finish line when Jebet won and had to settle for silver. American Emma Coburn won United States' first ever medal in the steeplechase after winning bronze. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: Bahrain's Ruth Jebet wins 3000m steeplechase

Andy Murray became the first player to win two Olympic tennis singles gold medals yesterday when he defeated Argentina&#39;s Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in an epic final. 
 
The final will go down as one of the best in the Olympics, lasting over four hours and ending with both men embracing at the net. He ended with 10 aces and 46 crunching winners, while del Potro smashed 39 winners but was undone by 57 unforced errors. 
 
Played out against a background of deafening noise generated by a legion of passionate, screaming Argentine fans, Murray admitted the final had pushed him to the limit. 
 
&quot;It was probably one of the hardest matches I have had to play to win a big final,&quot; said the British star, who added Rio gold to his 2012 London Olympic title and Grand Slam collection of the 2012 US Open and 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon crowns.&nbsp;It also stretched the 29-year-old&#39;s current winning streak to 18. 
 
&quot;This was tough emotionally and physically, there were lots of ups and downs. This was much harder to win than London four years ago. The final then was more straightforward. Tonight anything could have happened,&quot; he said. &quot;I am very tired. We played four hours on a slow court which meant a lot of running. It was very humid and I served badly. All of that made the match tougher than it was already. But I managed to get the breaks of serve and then served well at the right moments.&quot; 
 
Murray said he was proud of his achievement, especially as it was sealed in a final which featured 15 breaks of serve and ended with both men exhausted and exchanging a lengthy embrace at the net. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s very hard to win two golds, I am proud to be the first, but it hasn&#39;t been easy. Lots can happen in four years. I have had back surgery since I won in London, I had tough times on court.&quot; 
 
With two golds in the bag, Murray refused to entertain thoughts of a third gold at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.&nbsp;&quot;I will be 33 in four years time, I don&#39;t know if I will still be playing at the same level then. I am happy to still be here and still playing.&quot; 
 
Del Potro, a bronze medallist in London four years ago, was inconsolable at the end, weeping as he sat courtside.&nbsp;The Argentine has fought his way back to the top after undergoing three surgeries. 
 
&quot;What he&#39;s had to go through over the last three years or so with his wrists, I can&#39;t imagine how mentally difficult that would have been, how frustrating that would have been for him,&quot; added Murray.&nbsp;&quot;To get himself back to playing at this level, fighting for the biggest events and competing against the greatest players in the world is an amazing credit to him. He should be very proud of his efforts.&quot; 
 
 
Brink of retirement 
 
Murray took a 5-2 career advantage over 2012 bronze medallist del Potro into the final and he was quickly in the ascendancy, breaking for a 2-0 lead. 
 
Del Potro, who was pushed to the brink of retirement last year after undergoing the wrist surgeries, was slow out of the blocks. That was hardly a surprise for a player who had defeated two of the top three seeds to make the final, starting with Novak Djokovic in the first round and then winning a three-hour epic to beat Rafael Nadal in Saturday&#39;s semi-finals. But he soon found his range, breaking in the third game before handing the advantage straight back, allowing Murray to stretch out to a 4-1 lead. 
 
Backed by vociferous Argentine support, all proudly sporting the sky blue and white shirts of their national football team, the 1.98m (6 foot 6 inch) giant clawed his back in the seventh game. But Murray was the more assertive in the closing stages, claiming the opener in the 12th game on a second set point with a pinpoint, down-the-line backhand after 74 minutes on court. 
 
Murray saved a break point in the first game of the second set with a sweet drop shot which del Potro was unable to reach despite a desperate scramble from the back of the court. 
 
The 2009 US Open champion slumped, head down on the net for a few moments to catch his breath. It did the trick as he soon unleashed a monster backhand to secure the break at the second opportunity. 
 
The final was all level in the 10th game as del Potro converted on a fourth set point, shrugging off a time violation from umpire Pascal Maria.&nbsp;The big Argentine was looking increasingly weary and he lost serve in the sixth game of the third set, allowing the British world number three to move ahead again, sealing the set with a cross-court forehand. 
 
Del Potro fought valiantly on, breaking for 2-1 in the fourth set, courtesy of a close combat exchange at the net but lacking the stamina to back it up and Murray was soon on level terms at 2-2. 
 
In a dramatic passage of play, the South American was another break to the good but faltered when he served for the set in the 10th game. Murray saved two break points for a 6-5 lead.&nbsp;In the dramatic conclusion, two Argentine fans were escorted out of the arena before Murray took victory on a second match point when del Potro netted a backhand. 
 
(AFP)

'It was probably one of the hardest matches' said Murray, refusing to entertain thoughts of a third gold at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo

Andy Murray became the first player to win two Olympic tennis singles gold medals yesterday when he defeated Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in an epic final. The final will go down as one of the best in the Olympics, lasting over four hours and ending with both men embracing at the net. He ended with 10 aces and 46 crunching winners, while del Potro smashed 39 winners but was undone by 57 unforced errors. Played out against a background of deafening noise generated by a legion of passionate, screaming Argentine fans, Murray admitted the final had pushed him to the limit. "It was probably one of the hardest matches I have had to play to win a big final," said the British star, who added Rio gold to his 2012 London Olympic title and Grand Slam collection of the 2012 US Open and 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon crowns. It also stretched the 29-year-old's current winning streak to 18. "This was tough emotionally and physically, there were lots of ups and downs. This was much harder to win than London four years ago. The final then was more straightforward. Tonight anything could have happened," he said. "I am very tired. We played four hours on a slow court which meant a lot of running. It was very humid and I served badly. All of that made the match tougher than it was already. But I managed to get the breaks of serve and then served well at the right moments." Murray said he was proud of his achievement, especially as it was sealed in a final which featured 15 breaks of serve and ended with both men exhausted and exchanging a lengthy embrace at the net. "It's very hard to win two golds, I am proud to be the first, but it hasn't been easy. Lots can happen in four years. I have had back surgery since I won in London, I had tough times on court." With two golds in the bag, Murray refused to entertain thoughts of a third gold at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. "I will be 33 in four years time, I don't know if I will still be playing at the same level then. I am happy to still be here and still playing." Del Potro, a bronze medallist in London four years ago, was inconsolable at the end, weeping as he sat courtside. The Argentine has fought his way back to the top after undergoing three surgeries. "What he's had to go through over the last three years or so with his wrists, I can't imagine how mentally difficult that would have been, how frustrating that would have been for him," added Murray. "To get himself back to playing at this level, fighting for the biggest events and competing against the greatest players in the world is an amazing credit to him. He should be very proud of his efforts." Brink of retirement Murray took a 5-2 career advantage over 2012 bronze medallist del Potro into the final and he was quickly in the ascendancy, breaking for a 2-0 lead. Del Potro, who was pushed to the brink of retirement last year after undergoing the wrist surgeries, was slow out of the blocks. That was hardly a surprise for a player who had defeated two of the top three seeds to make the final, starting with Novak Djokovic in the first round and then winning a three-hour epic to beat Rafael Nadal in Saturday's semi-finals. But he soon found his range, breaking in the third game before handing the advantage straight back, allowing Murray to stretch out to a 4-1 lead. Backed by vociferous Argentine support, all proudly sporting the sky blue and white shirts of their national football team, the 1.98m (6 foot 6 inch) giant clawed his back in the seventh game. But Murray was the more assertive in the closing stages, claiming the opener in the 12th game on a second set point with a pinpoint, down-the-line backhand after 74 minutes on court. Murray saved a break point in the first game of the second set with a sweet drop shot which del Potro was unable to reach despite a desperate scramble from the back of the court. The 2009 US Open champion slumped, head down on the net for a few moments to catch his breath. It did the trick as he soon unleashed a monster backhand to secure the break at the second opportunity. The final was all level in the 10th game as del Potro converted on a fourth set point, shrugging off a time violation from umpire Pascal Maria. The big Argentine was looking increasingly weary and he lost serve in the sixth game of the third set, allowing the British world number three to move ahead again, sealing the set with a cross-court forehand. Del Potro fought valiantly on, breaking for 2-1 in the fourth set, courtesy of a close combat exchange at the net but lacking the stamina to back it up and Murray was soon on level terms at 2-2. In a dramatic passage of play, the South American was another break to the good but faltered when he served for the set in the 10th game. Murray saved two break points for a 6-5 lead. In the dramatic conclusion, two Argentine fans were escorted out of the arena before Murray took victory on a second match point when del Potro netted a backhand. (AFP)

Rio Olympics 2016: Murray becomes first ever tennis player to win two golds

Usain Bolt roared into Olympic history here Sunday, capturing an unprecedented third consecutive 100m crown to confirm his place in the pantheon of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen.&nbsp; 
 
The 29-year-old Jamaican legend, competing in his final Olympics, powered over the line in 9.81seconds, vanquishing drug-tainted American rival Justin Gatlin who took silver, with Andre De Grasse of Canada claiming bronze. 
 
(AFP)

The 29-year-old Jamaican, competing in his final Olympics, scored a time of 9.81 seconds to beat drug-tainted American rival Justin Gatlin

Usain Bolt roared into Olympic history here Sunday, capturing an unprecedented third consecutive 100m crown to confirm his place in the pantheon of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. The 29-year-old Jamaican legend, competing in his final Olympics, powered over the line in 9.81seconds, vanquishing drug-tainted American rival Justin Gatlin who took silver, with Andre De Grasse of Canada claiming bronze. (AFP)

Rio Olympics 2016: Bolt makes history with third 100m gold

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said today the suspension of long jumper Darya Klishina at the Rio Games may not be the &quot;last provocation&quot; against Russian sportsmen, TASS news agency reported. 
 
The announcement about Klishina, the 25-year-old with an exemption to compete while the rest of Russia&#39;s track and field team was banned from the Games by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), came three days before she was due to compete. 
 
The IAAF did not explain its decision. A source familiar with the issue said the ban related to new evidence uncovered by an anti-doping probe into allegations Russia ran a systematic state-backed cheating programme. 
 
&quot;I can say that this may not be the last provocation. I have no words - they allowed her (to the Games) themselves ... These are some provocation moments which are being done on purpose. Its goal now is Russian sport,&quot; Mutko told TASS. 
 
Klishina defended herself, saying she was clean and was appealing against the decision to sport&#39;s highest tribunal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it expected to rule on it by Monday, the eve of women&#39;s long jump qualifying round. 
 
The IAAF barred the entire Russian athletics team from the Rio Games in response to the doping allegations. Klishina was among 136 Russian athletes to appeal the ban and was the only one given the green light to compete in Rio. 
 
Earlier this month, Russia was also barred from taking part in next month&#39;s Rio Paralympics, after International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said Russia&#39;s Paralympians were part of a doping system overseen by the Russian government. 
 
Vladimir Lukin, president of the Russian Paralympic Committee, told TASS news agency that the appeal against the ban is likely to be filed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, sport&#39;s highest court, by the end of Sunday. 
 
 
(Reuters)

Long jumper Darya Klishina has appealed to the Court of Arbitration which will rule on her suspension by tomorrow

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said today the suspension of long jumper Darya Klishina at the Rio Games may not be the "last provocation" against Russian sportsmen, TASS news agency reported. The announcement about Klishina, the 25-year-old with an exemption to compete while the rest of Russia's track and field team was banned from the Games by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), came three days before she was due to compete. The IAAF did not explain its decision. A source familiar with the issue said the ban related to new evidence uncovered by an anti-doping probe into allegations Russia ran a systematic state-backed cheating programme. "I can say that this may not be the last provocation. I have no words - they allowed her (to the Games) themselves ... These are some provocation moments which are being done on purpose. Its goal now is Russian sport," Mutko told TASS. Klishina defended herself, saying she was clean and was appealing against the decision to sport's highest tribunal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it expected to rule on it by Monday, the eve of women's long jump qualifying round. The IAAF barred the entire Russian athletics team from the Rio Games in response to the doping allegations. Klishina was among 136 Russian athletes to appeal the ban and was the only one given the green light to compete in Rio. Earlier this month, Russia was also barred from taking part in next month's Rio Paralympics, after International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said Russia's Paralympians were part of a doping system overseen by the Russian government. Vladimir Lukin, president of the Russian Paralympic Committee, told TASS news agency that the appeal against the ban is likely to be filed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, sport's highest court, by the end of Sunday. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: Russia says 'provocation' against Klishina may not be the last

Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt won his 100 metres heat after what he called a &quot;sluggish&quot; start today, but looked pained after the race as he prepared to fend off the challenge of American Jason Gatlin for the Olympic crown. 
 
Bolt, who turns 30 on the final day of the Games, is aiming high in what he has said will be his final Olympics, bidding to continue his streak of gold in the men&#39;s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, the unprecedented &quot;triple-triple.&quot; 
 
The superstar qualified in a leisurely 10.07 seconds, picking up the pace after lumbering from the blocks and looking stiff in his warm-up. 
 
&quot;It wasn&#39;t the best start, I feel kind of sluggish. I think it&#39;s the fact that it&#39;s the morning. I&#39;m not usually running this early in the morning,&quot; Bolt told reporters after the race that began at 12:42 pm local time in warm sunshine. &quot;Hopefully tomorrow I&#39;ll feel much better,&quot; he added of Sunday&#39;s action when the semis and final take place late in the evening. 
 
Gatlin, 34, turned in the fastest time of the morning, 10.01 as the 2004 champion seeks to become the oldest man to win a medal in the 100m and the first to do so after serving two doping bans. 
 
&quot;I felt good. I think I&#39;m going to have to run a bit faster (than my season&#39;s best of 9.80 seconds) to win this medal,&quot; Gatlin said. 
 
Ben Youssef Metie, 29, of the Ivory Coast, notched the morning&#39;s second-faster time of 10.03, edging US hopeful Trayvon Bromell&#39;s 10.13, which was still fast enough to quality. Canada&#39;s de Grasse, a 21-year-old who only took up running seriously three years ago after an early focus on basketball, ran a 10.04. 
 
(Reuters)

Bolt qualified in a leisurely 10.07 seconds as American Jason Gatlin turned in the fastest time of the morning - 10.01 seconds

Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt won his 100 metres heat after what he called a "sluggish" start today, but looked pained after the race as he prepared to fend off the challenge of American Jason Gatlin for the Olympic crown. Bolt, who turns 30 on the final day of the Games, is aiming high in what he has said will be his final Olympics, bidding to continue his streak of gold in the men's 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, the unprecedented "triple-triple." The superstar qualified in a leisurely 10.07 seconds, picking up the pace after lumbering from the blocks and looking stiff in his warm-up. "It wasn't the best start, I feel kind of sluggish. I think it's the fact that it's the morning. I'm not usually running this early in the morning," Bolt told reporters after the race that began at 12:42 pm local time in warm sunshine. "Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel much better," he added of Sunday's action when the semis and final take place late in the evening. Gatlin, 34, turned in the fastest time of the morning, 10.01 as the 2004 champion seeks to become the oldest man to win a medal in the 100m and the first to do so after serving two doping bans. "I felt good. I think I'm going to have to run a bit faster (than my season's best of 9.80 seconds) to win this medal," Gatlin said. Ben Youssef Metie, 29, of the Ivory Coast, notched the morning's second-faster time of 10.03, edging US hopeful Trayvon Bromell's 10.13, which was still fast enough to quality. Canada's de Grasse, a 21-year-old who only took up running seriously three years ago after an early focus on basketball, ran a 10.04. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: 'Sluggish' Bolt does enough in 100m heats

Britain&#39;s Andy Murray advanced to the men&#39;s Olympic final with a straight sets victory over Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori today, securing a chance to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back singles golds at the Games. 
 
In a commanding performance, the Wimbledon champion and number two ranked player broke Nishikori&#39;s serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1. After another service break early in the second set, Murray closed out the match 6-1 6-4. 
 
Though Nishikori&#39;s speed allowed him to punch back against Murray&#39;s blazing ground strokes, the Japanese player was plagued by too many unforced errors and could not break Murray&#39;s serve. 
 
In Sunday&#39;s gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain&#39;s Rafa Nadal or Argentina&#39;s Juan Martin del Potro, who play later on Saturday. 
 
Murray won gold at the 2012 London Games where he defeated Switzerland&#39;s Roger Federer in the final. 
 
But the Briton will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Del Potro, the bronze medallist in London, has drawn energy from boisterous crowds of fans from neighbouring Argentina at the Games. He pulled off an upset by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round in Rio. 
 
Nadal, who has been beset by a wrist injury, also appears to have returned to form. He claimed a gold medal for Spain in men&#39;s doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday. 
 
If Nadal makes the final he will have a chance to become the first player since 1924 to win a gold medal in both men&#39;s singles and doubles at a Games. 
 
(Reuters)

In tomorrow's gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain's Rafa Nadal or Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro

Britain's Andy Murray advanced to the men's Olympic final with a straight sets victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori today, securing a chance to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back singles golds at the Games. In a commanding performance, the Wimbledon champion and number two ranked player broke Nishikori's serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1. After another service break early in the second set, Murray closed out the match 6-1 6-4. Though Nishikori's speed allowed him to punch back against Murray's blazing ground strokes, the Japanese player was plagued by too many unforced errors and could not break Murray's serve. In Sunday's gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain's Rafa Nadal or Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, who play later on Saturday. Murray won gold at the 2012 London Games where he defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the final. But the Briton will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Del Potro, the bronze medallist in London, has drawn energy from boisterous crowds of fans from neighbouring Argentina at the Games. He pulled off an upset by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round in Rio. Nadal, who has been beset by a wrist injury, also appears to have returned to form. He claimed a gold medal for Spain in men's doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday. If Nadal makes the final he will have a chance to become the first player since 1924 to win a gold medal in both men's singles and doubles at a Games. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: Murray advances to final to defend London gold

Dawn comes misty and cold on the steep sides of the Nyaru escarpment as Kenya&#39;s Olympic men&#39;s marathon team begin their training run, a line-up of veteran athletes including a current lawmaker. 
 
With the Rio Olympics Games less than two months away, the team with two-time London marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge and 2012 Boston marathon champ Wesley Korir, have stepped up their preparations in a bid to reclaim the title they last won eight years ago. 
 
The 32-year-old Korir is also a serving member of the Kenyan parliament, well known as an anti-doping campaigner. 
 
A surprise inclusion in the squad, he joined the team for the first time to run the 40-kilometre (25-mile) course and was left bruised after the workout near Eldoret in Kenya&#39;s north-west region. 
 
&quot;The key now is to train hard, stay focused and remain healthy. I think we are going to take the top three positions in Rio,&quot; Korir, taking a break from politics to train, told AFP. 
 
Korir says he is &quot;excited to be the first-ever sitting Member of Parliament anywhere in the world to get the opportunity to run at the Olympics.&quot; 
 
He has been training alone around the Ngong Hills outside the capital Nairobi. 
 
&quot;I was scared at the beginning because I have never done a 40K here in Kenya,&quot; he told AFP. 
 
&quot;What I learnt today is that I need to do more hill work to build the strength in my legs. Today proved that I am on the right track -- so what I need to do is stay healthy and continue the training with my teammates.&quot; 
 
Kenya won its first-ever Olympic men&#39;s marathon medal in 2008, when the late Samuel Wanjiru powered his way through the streets of the Chinese capital Beijing, to become the youngest champion at age 21. 
 
At the 2012 Olympics in London, a relatively unknown Ugandan, Stephen Kiprotich, capitalised on the benefits of training at altitude in Kenya to steal the Kenyan thunder and become his country&#39;s first Olympic marathon champion. 
 
Kiprotich, 27, continues to base his training in Kenya and was part of the group doing the hilly workout under Kenyan Olympic marathon coach Richard Metto. 
 
Kiprotich, who added a World title to his Olympic crown in Moscow in 2013, is well aware of the tough competition that awaits him in Rio. 
 
&quot;Rio is saying I should defend my title, but the Kenyans and Ethiopians will be my biggest opponents,&quot; the Ugandan athlete told AFP. 
 
Among the Kenyans, Kipchoge, who won a 5,000-metre silver medal in Beijing behind Ethiopia&#39;s Kenenisa Bekele, is considered the favourite to win the Olympic marathon title. 
 
Unbeaten in the six races since making a successful transition from the track to the marathon, Kipchoge has twice come close to breaking the world record of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds currently held by compatriot Dennis Kimetto. 
 
But a world record will not be on the mind of the 31-year-old in Rio. 
 
&quot;I know many people see me as the favourite in Rio but I don&#39;t have any pressure. I will just go and enjoy running my own race. I always make sure I hit the target all the time&quot;, he said. 
 
&quot;It is great and a big boost to train with the current Olympic champion and one of our political leaders in this country.&quot; 
 
&quot;I will not focus on time in Rio, but we will be running as a team. My main focus will be to run good race and aim to finish in the top three positions,&quot; said Kipchoge. 
 
Kenya has also named one of the strongest line-ups in the women&#39;s team, including Helah Kiprop, the reigning world marathon silver medallist, and London marathon champion Jemima Sumgong. 
 
Kenya is yet to win the Olympic women&#39;s gold medal.

Wesley Korir is 'excited to be the first-ever sitting Member of Parliament anywhere in the world to...run at the Olympics'

Dawn comes misty and cold on the steep sides of the Nyaru escarpment as Kenya's Olympic men's marathon team begin their training run, a line-up of veteran athletes including a current lawmaker. With the Rio Olympics Games less than two months away, the team with two-time London marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge and 2012 Boston marathon champ Wesley Korir, have stepped up their preparations in a bid to reclaim the title they last won eight years ago. The 32-year-old Korir is also a serving member of the Kenyan parliament, well known as an anti-doping campaigner. A surprise inclusion in the squad, he joined the team for the first time to run the 40-kilometre (25-mile) course and was left bruised after the workout near Eldoret in Kenya's north-west region. "The key now is to train hard, stay focused and remain healthy. I think we are going to take the top three positions in Rio," Korir, taking a break from politics to train, told AFP. Korir says he is "excited to be the first-ever sitting Member of Parliament anywhere in the world to get the opportunity to run at the Olympics." He has been training alone around the Ngong Hills outside the capital Nairobi. "I was scared at the beginning because I have never done a 40K here in Kenya," he told AFP. "What I learnt today is that I need to do more hill work to build the strength in my legs. Today proved that I am on the right track -- so what I need to do is stay healthy and continue the training with my teammates." Kenya won its first-ever Olympic men's marathon medal in 2008, when the late Samuel Wanjiru powered his way through the streets of the Chinese capital Beijing, to become the youngest champion at age 21. At the 2012 Olympics in London, a relatively unknown Ugandan, Stephen Kiprotich, capitalised on the benefits of training at altitude in Kenya to steal the Kenyan thunder and become his country's first Olympic marathon champion. Kiprotich, 27, continues to base his training in Kenya and was part of the group doing the hilly workout under Kenyan Olympic marathon coach Richard Metto. Kiprotich, who added a World title to his Olympic crown in Moscow in 2013, is well aware of the tough competition that awaits him in Rio. "Rio is saying I should defend my title, but the Kenyans and Ethiopians will be my biggest opponents," the Ugandan athlete told AFP. Among the Kenyans, Kipchoge, who won a 5,000-metre silver medal in Beijing behind Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, is considered the favourite to win the Olympic marathon title. Unbeaten in the six races since making a successful transition from the track to the marathon, Kipchoge has twice come close to breaking the world record of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds currently held by compatriot Dennis Kimetto. But a world record will not be on the mind of the 31-year-old in Rio. "I know many people see me as the favourite in Rio but I don't have any pressure. I will just go and enjoy running my own race. I always make sure I hit the target all the time", he said. "It is great and a big boost to train with the current Olympic champion and one of our political leaders in this country." "I will not focus on time in Rio, but we will be running as a team. My main focus will be to run good race and aim to finish in the top three positions," said Kipchoge. Kenya has also named one of the strongest line-ups in the women's team, including Helah Kiprop, the reigning world marathon silver medallist, and London marathon champion Jemima Sumgong. Kenya is yet to win the Olympic women's gold medal.

Kenyan lawmaker prepares to run in Rio Olympics

Determined to exit swimming on his own terms, American swimmer Michael Phelps cleared a major hurdle on the road to Rio on Wednesday, qualifying for a fifth Olympics with a victory that paves the way to more glory. 
 
Phelps heads to Rio thanks to his 200 metres butterfly win at the US Olympic trials with the goal of adding this victory to his staggering record total of 22 medals, including 18 gold, and pen a happy ending to a brilliant career that he feels he denied himself at the 2012 London Olympics. 
 
&quot;Coming back and being able to have the opportunity to finish how I want,&quot; said Phelps, of his motivation. &quot;I`m doing this because I wanted to. 
 
&quot;Thinking about the ups and downs we`ve gone through, in and out of the pool, to get to this point and not feeling an absolute 100 percent, but still being able to get the job done... I think things are probably going to hit me a lot more emotionally now than what they would have in the past, because I`m enjoying the moment.&quot; 
 
According to Phelps, this Olympic journey is more important than the destination, a trip into retirement that he is determined to share with his fiancee Nicole and infant son Boomer, who were among the sellout crowd of 14,000 at the CenturyLink Centre. 
 
At London Olympics, which he had declared to be his last games, Phelps won four gold and overall six medals but walked away with the regret that he simply went through the motions. 
 
He subsequently talked of a golf career but eventually found himself testing the waters of a swimming comeback which was interrupted by a second drunk driving arrest in 2014 and a stint in rehab. 
 
After accepting the medal for his 200 fly win, Phelps searched the darkened arena for his partner and child, joining them poolside where he hugged Nicole and planted a kiss on his son`s forehead. 
 
&quot;I don`t see him every day. I try to, but if I do it`s for a very short moment, so any time I have with him is always very special,&quot; sayd the swimmer about his son. 
 
Aside from the result, very little in his 200m swim on Wednesday evening pleased Phelps, the winning time of 1:54.84 well off his world record mark of 1:51.51. 
 
&quot;Awful,&quot; he sais when asked to assess the last part of his swim.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I think with everything that has happened, being able to come back was probably harder than any swim I have had in my life. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Getting on the team was the most important thing and that was the only thing I had to do tonight.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

After drunk driving arrests and rehabs, the American swimmer secures his qualification with a 200 m butterfly win at the US Olympic trials

Determined to exit swimming on his own terms, American swimmer Michael Phelps cleared a major hurdle on the road to Rio on Wednesday, qualifying for a fifth Olympics with a victory that paves the way to more glory. Phelps heads to Rio thanks to his 200 metres butterfly win at the US Olympic trials with the goal of adding this victory to his staggering record total of 22 medals, including 18 gold, and pen a happy ending to a brilliant career that he feels he denied himself at the 2012 London Olympics. "Coming back and being able to have the opportunity to finish how I want," said Phelps, of his motivation. "I`m doing this because I wanted to. "Thinking about the ups and downs we`ve gone through, in and out of the pool, to get to this point and not feeling an absolute 100 percent, but still being able to get the job done... I think things are probably going to hit me a lot more emotionally now than what they would have in the past, because I`m enjoying the moment." According to Phelps, this Olympic journey is more important than the destination, a trip into retirement that he is determined to share with his fiancee Nicole and infant son Boomer, who were among the sellout crowd of 14,000 at the CenturyLink Centre. At London Olympics, which he had declared to be his last games, Phelps won four gold and overall six medals but walked away with the regret that he simply went through the motions. He subsequently talked of a golf career but eventually found himself testing the waters of a swimming comeback which was interrupted by a second drunk driving arrest in 2014 and a stint in rehab. After accepting the medal for his 200 fly win, Phelps searched the darkened arena for his partner and child, joining them poolside where he hugged Nicole and planted a kiss on his son`s forehead. "I don`t see him every day. I try to, but if I do it`s for a very short moment, so any time I have with him is always very special," sayd the swimmer about his son. Aside from the result, very little in his 200m swim on Wednesday evening pleased Phelps, the winning time of 1:54.84 well off his world record mark of 1:51.51. "Awful," he sais when asked to assess the last part of his swim. "I think with everything that has happened, being able to come back was probably harder than any swim I have had in my life. "Getting on the team was the most important thing and that was the only thing I had to do tonight." (Reuters)

Michael Phelps qualifies for Rio Olympics

The International Olympic Committee&#39;s decision to reject calls to ban all Russian competitors from the Rio Olympics could lead to &quot;lesser protection for clean athletes,&quot; the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Sunday. 
 
The global anti-doping agency said it stood by its earlier recommendation that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decline all entries for the Rio Games submitted by the Russian Olympic Committee. 
 
The IOC on Sunday resisted calls for a blanket ban on Russians competing in next month&#39;s Rio games due to the country&#39;s doping record, leaving decisions on individual athletes&#39; participation with their sports federations. 
 
&quot;WADA is disappointed that the IOC did not heed WADA&rsquo;s Executive Committee recommendations that were based on the outcomes of the McLaren Investigation and would have ensured a straight-forward, strong and harmonised approach,&rdquo; WADA President Craig Reedie said in a statement. 
 
&ldquo;The McLaren Report exposed, beyond a reasonable doubt, a state-run doping program in Russia that seriously undermines the principles of clean sport embodied within the World Anti-Doping Code,&quot; Reedie added. 
 
&#39;Why did IOC not allow Stepanova to run as independent athlete?&#39; 
 
WADA also joined other anti-doping leaders in expressing concern over the effect of the IOC decision. 
 
&quot;The approach taken and the criteria set forward will inevitably lead to a lack of harmonisation, potential challenges and lesser protection for clean athletes,&rdquo; WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said. 
 
He also questioned why the IOC had not allowed Russian whistleblower Yulia Stepanova to run as an independent athlete in Rio. 
 
&quot;Ms. Stepanova was instrumental in courageously exposing the single biggest doping scandal of all time,&rdquo; Niggli said. &ldquo;WADA is very concerned by the message that this sends whistleblowers for the future.&quot; 
 
Evidence from the McLaren report had also been sent to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), WADA said. 
 
The IPC will make its own decision on whether to permit Russian athletes in the Paralympics. It has already started suspension proceedings against Russia following the McLaren report. 
 
Responding to IOC calls that the agency review the anti-doping system, WADA said it was fully committed to further strengthening system. 
 
It also confirmed professor Richard McLaren would continue his investigative work into doping and &quot;identify athletes that might have benefited from manipulation of the doping control process to conceal positive doping tests&quot;. 
 
(Reuters)

The IOC resisted calls for a blanket ban on Sunday on Russians competing in next month's Rio games due to the country's doping record

The International Olympic Committee's decision to reject calls to ban all Russian competitors from the Rio Olympics could lead to "lesser protection for clean athletes," the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Sunday. The global anti-doping agency said it stood by its earlier recommendation that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decline all entries for the Rio Games submitted by the Russian Olympic Committee. The IOC on Sunday resisted calls for a blanket ban on Russians competing in next month's Rio games due to the country's doping record, leaving decisions on individual athletes' participation with their sports federations. "WADA is disappointed that the IOC did not heed WADA’s Executive Committee recommendations that were based on the outcomes of the McLaren Investigation and would have ensured a straight-forward, strong and harmonised approach,” WADA President Craig Reedie said in a statement. “The McLaren Report exposed, beyond a reasonable doubt, a state-run doping program in Russia that seriously undermines the principles of clean sport embodied within the World Anti-Doping Code," Reedie added. 'Why did IOC not allow Stepanova to run as independent athlete?' WADA also joined other anti-doping leaders in expressing concern over the effect of the IOC decision. "The approach taken and the criteria set forward will inevitably lead to a lack of harmonisation, potential challenges and lesser protection for clean athletes,” WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said. He also questioned why the IOC had not allowed Russian whistleblower Yulia Stepanova to run as an independent athlete in Rio. "Ms. Stepanova was instrumental in courageously exposing the single biggest doping scandal of all time,” Niggli said. “WADA is very concerned by the message that this sends whistleblowers for the future." Evidence from the McLaren report had also been sent to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), WADA said. The IPC will make its own decision on whether to permit Russian athletes in the Paralympics. It has already started suspension proceedings against Russia following the McLaren report. Responding to IOC calls that the agency review the anti-doping system, WADA said it was fully committed to further strengthening system. It also confirmed professor Richard McLaren would continue his investigative work into doping and "identify athletes that might have benefited from manipulation of the doping control process to conceal positive doping tests". (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: WADA 'disappointed' by IOC decision on Russia

Just a few days after wrestlers Narshing Yadav and Sandeep Yadav were caught for doping, another athlete who qualified for the Rio Olympics, shot putter Inderjeet Singh, has failed a dope test. His &#39;A&#39; sample returned positive for a banned substance. 
 
Inderjeet, 28, the reigning Asian Champion, tested positive for a banned steroid and he has been informed by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). His out-of-competition test was done on June 22, sources said. 
 
The NADA has asked the athlete from Haryana, a state in north India, who had won a silver in the 2014 Asian Games if he wants to test his &#39;B&#39; sample. If he does, he must do so within seven days. 
 
If the &#39;B&#39; sample also tests positive he will have to miss Rio Olympics, which start on August 5. He will also face the prospect of being banned for four years under the new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. 
 
Inderjeet is one of those athletes who do not train at the national camps. He normally trains on his own with his personal coach. 
 
He is one of the first track and field athletes who qualified for the Rio Olympics, as he made the cut in 2015. He had a training stint earlier this year in the United States under the funding of the Sports Ministry&#39;s Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme. 
 
(PTI)

His 'A' sample came back positive, and if his 'B' one does too he will be banned for four years under the new World Anti-Doping Agency code

Just a few days after wrestlers Narshing Yadav and Sandeep Yadav were caught for doping, another athlete who qualified for the Rio Olympics, shot putter Inderjeet Singh, has failed a dope test. His 'A' sample returned positive for a banned substance. Inderjeet, 28, the reigning Asian Champion, tested positive for a banned steroid and he has been informed by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). His out-of-competition test was done on June 22, sources said. The NADA has asked the athlete from Haryana, a state in north India, who had won a silver in the 2014 Asian Games if he wants to test his 'B' sample. If he does, he must do so within seven days. If the 'B' sample also tests positive he will have to miss Rio Olympics, which start on August 5. He will also face the prospect of being banned for four years under the new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. Inderjeet is one of those athletes who do not train at the national camps. He normally trains on his own with his personal coach. He is one of the first track and field athletes who qualified for the Rio Olympics, as he made the cut in 2015. He had a training stint earlier this year in the United States under the funding of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme. (PTI)

After wrestlers, Indian shot putter Inderjeet fails dope test

Australia&#39;s Olympic delegation in Rio de Janeiro said on Monday organisers had made &quot;fantastic&quot; progress in fixing problems with unfinished housing at the athletes&#39; village, after complaints from several countries about shoddy electricity and plumbing. 
 
Just under two weeks before the games begin on Aug 5, Australia&#39;s delegation had said on Sunday it would not move into the Olympic Village because it was &quot;not safe or ready&quot;, citing deficiencies like &quot;blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring&quot;. 
 
The litany of grievances from Australia, which moved members of its delegation into nearby hotels, revived concern over Brazil&#39;s readiness to host a major sporting event in the midst of its worst recession in decades and a deep political crisis. 
 
New Zealand and Italy&#39;s delegations both said they had been forced to fix problems with electricity and plumbing, while Argentina said on Monday it had reserved accommodation outside the Village for part of its delegation. 
 
However, the head of the Australian Olympic team, Kitty Chiller, thanked organisers on Monday for responding promptly to her concerns by deploying hundreds of maintenance people and cleaners. 
 
&quot;There was fantastic progress made today,&quot; Chiller told a news conference in the Olympic media centre. &quot;It&#39;s looking like, according to our plan, we will be able to move everybody in on Wednesday.&quot; 
 
The newly-built village will host more than 18,000 athletes, officials, staff and volunteers over the Aug 5-21 Olympics and the Sept 7-18 Paralympics, the first Games to be held in South America. 
 
Chiller said that her team had identified some 200 problems with the accommodation at the weekend, including water running down the walls, dirty floors and a strong smell of gas but the list was now down to single figures. 
 
Australia, which finished eighth in the medals table in London four years ago, is to bring 410 athletes for the games. It received three of its floors in the athletes accommodation on Monday, and it expects to receive the rest of the 15 floors by Wednesday, Chiller said. 
 
Australian Shelley Watts, competing in the 60 kilogram female boxing category, said she had been impressed by the official accommodation when she arrived on Monday. 
 
&ldquo;It looks absolutely amazing. I haven&rsquo;t had to concern myself with any of the leakages of the water or anything, but walking in there I just couldn&rsquo;t wipe the smile off my face,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;What Rio has done to be able to create this facility is amazing.&rdquo; 
 
 
Memories of World Cup: 
 
As many as 500,000 visitors are expected to travel to Brazil for the Games, many of them from the United States. Worries about security, the Zika virus, and Brazil&#39;s economic crisis might discourage some travellers and VIP guests and around 28 per cent of Olympic tickets have yet to be sold. 
 
The problems at the Village are not unlike those before other big spectacles in Brazil, like the 2014 World Cup, for which stadium crews were still wielding paintbrushes and screwdrivers even minutes before kickoff. 
 
The new subway line, which will connect the popular seaside neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema to the Olympic facilities in Barra de Tijuca, has suffered repeated delays and is still undergoing tests despite a scheduled inauguration next Saturday. 
 
Chiller said that a group of around 10 national Olympic committees, including Great Britain, New Zealand, Japan and Germany had worked together to alert the local organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to problems at the village. 
 
Rio&#39;s outspoken Mayor Eduardo Paes pledged to fix the problems, but had appeared to make light of the Australians&#39; complaints by saying he would place a kangaroo in front of their accommodation to make them feel at home. 
 
&quot;The mayor and I have a date on Wednesday and I believe there will be a ceremonial handing over of the keys. I have arranged a little present for the mayor as well,&quot; Chiller said. &quot;I still say that it will be the best village that I have ever been in once these issues are complete.&quot; 
 
Chiller said the Australian team had paid the cost of putting its members in hotels and some initial cleaning costs to make its accommodation habitable. &quot;We&#39;ll work out who pays the bill later on,&quot; she added. 
 
(Reuters)

The newly built Olympics village in Rio had been faced with complaints of leaking pipes, blocked toilets, and teams refusing to move in

Australia's Olympic delegation in Rio de Janeiro said on Monday organisers had made "fantastic" progress in fixing problems with unfinished housing at the athletes' village, after complaints from several countries about shoddy electricity and plumbing. Just under two weeks before the games begin on Aug 5, Australia's delegation had said on Sunday it would not move into the Olympic Village because it was "not safe or ready", citing deficiencies like "blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring". The litany of grievances from Australia, which moved members of its delegation into nearby hotels, revived concern over Brazil's readiness to host a major sporting event in the midst of its worst recession in decades and a deep political crisis. New Zealand and Italy's delegations both said they had been forced to fix problems with electricity and plumbing, while Argentina said on Monday it had reserved accommodation outside the Village for part of its delegation. However, the head of the Australian Olympic team, Kitty Chiller, thanked organisers on Monday for responding promptly to her concerns by deploying hundreds of maintenance people and cleaners. "There was fantastic progress made today," Chiller told a news conference in the Olympic media centre. "It's looking like, according to our plan, we will be able to move everybody in on Wednesday." The newly-built village will host more than 18,000 athletes, officials, staff and volunteers over the Aug 5-21 Olympics and the Sept 7-18 Paralympics, the first Games to be held in South America. Chiller said that her team had identified some 200 problems with the accommodation at the weekend, including water running down the walls, dirty floors and a strong smell of gas but the list was now down to single figures. Australia, which finished eighth in the medals table in London four years ago, is to bring 410 athletes for the games. It received three of its floors in the athletes accommodation on Monday, and it expects to receive the rest of the 15 floors by Wednesday, Chiller said. Australian Shelley Watts, competing in the 60 kilogram female boxing category, said she had been impressed by the official accommodation when she arrived on Monday. “It looks absolutely amazing. I haven’t had to concern myself with any of the leakages of the water or anything, but walking in there I just couldn’t wipe the smile off my face,” she said. “What Rio has done to be able to create this facility is amazing.” Memories of World Cup: As many as 500,000 visitors are expected to travel to Brazil for the Games, many of them from the United States. Worries about security, the Zika virus, and Brazil's economic crisis might discourage some travellers and VIP guests and around 28 per cent of Olympic tickets have yet to be sold. The problems at the Village are not unlike those before other big spectacles in Brazil, like the 2014 World Cup, for which stadium crews were still wielding paintbrushes and screwdrivers even minutes before kickoff. The new subway line, which will connect the popular seaside neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema to the Olympic facilities in Barra de Tijuca, has suffered repeated delays and is still undergoing tests despite a scheduled inauguration next Saturday. Chiller said that a group of around 10 national Olympic committees, including Great Britain, New Zealand, Japan and Germany had worked together to alert the local organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to problems at the village. Rio's outspoken Mayor Eduardo Paes pledged to fix the problems, but had appeared to make light of the Australians' complaints by saying he would place a kangaroo in front of their accommodation to make them feel at home. "The mayor and I have a date on Wednesday and I believe there will be a ceremonial handing over of the keys. I have arranged a little present for the mayor as well," Chiller said. "I still say that it will be the best village that I have ever been in once these issues are complete." Chiller said the Australian team had paid the cost of putting its members in hotels and some initial cleaning costs to make its accommodation habitable. "We'll work out who pays the bill later on," she added. (Reuters)

Australia: Organisers have made 'fantastic' progress in fixing problems in athletes' village

Indian sports establishment is going through a particularly frustrating phase with three of its athletes testing positive in the recent anti-doping tests. Wrestlers Narsingh and Sandeep Yadav, and more recently, shot put player Inderjeet Singh have tested positive in the doping tests conducted on them by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). &nbsp;Already chosen to be part of India&#39;s Olympic squad, neither Narsingh nor Inderjeet can now participate in the upcoming competition at Rio. Sandeep, though not part of the Indian squad, faces the possibility of years of expulsion from the game.&nbsp; 
 
Both Narshing and Sandeep had methandieone, an anabolic steroid in their urine. &nbsp;In case of Inderjeet, sources could not confirm the banned material found in his body other than referring to it as a &quot;fancy sounding drug&quot;. With largest ever contingent of 120 contestants registered to participate, this year&#39;s Olympic could have been one of the high-marks in independent India&#39;s sporting history instead the country squirms in the humiliation of the scandal.&nbsp; 
 
The Rio Olympic authorities have outlined Anti-Doping Rules, which will remain effective from the opening of the Athletes&#39; Village on 24 July until the closing ceremony on 21 August 2016. &nbsp;These rules are drafted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and the List of Prohibited Substance and Methods that are put together, updated and modified annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) . Founded in 1999, WADA&#39;s authority is pervasive in the sporting world with its Code been presently adopted by 600 sports organisations internationally.&nbsp; 
 
The Anti-Doping rules of the Rio Olympic states that all athletes registered to compete at the Game can be tested at anytime, anywhere in the world, including outside the Olympic Village. The test procedure specifies that two separate samples, A and B, &nbsp;will be collected from athletes. If the testers find some banned substance in sample A, they will look for the same substance the sample B. The concerned athlete will retain the right to either accept the result of the first test or request for another test on sample B. The two analysis should be consistent, else the entire test will be considered void. &nbsp; 
 
All the three concerned contestants from India have tested positive in both counts of tests. Shot put player Inderjeet Singh, however , had been protesting his innocence. He alleges to be the victim of a &quot;conspiracy&quot; because of his alleged critical attitude towards the authorities. &quot;I have been framed because I am outspoken. This is a conspiracy against me&quot;, Singh lashed out to TV channels. Singh had progressively improved his performance over the years both at the domestic and international competitions. In 2015, he won three Gold medals while representing India at the Asian Championship at Wuhan, the Asian Grand Prix at Bangkok and at the Summer Universiade at Gwangju.&nbsp; 
 
Though no direct comment was available from Narsingh Yadav, similar conspiracy theories, however, are making rounds. Deeply disturbed by this sudden turn of events, Narsingh&#39;s mother Bhulna Devi confidently quips, &quot;He is implicated in it....all these things in the papers are incorrect.&quot; She cannot seem to come in terms with the fact that the high-achiever son who have consistently won Gold (Common Wealth Games 2010), Silver (Commonwealth Championships 2011) and Bronze medals (Asian Games 2014, Asian and World Championships 2015) could miss the chance of representing India at the Olympics.&nbsp; 
 
Even if we decide to ignore Bhulna Devi&#39;s claims as emotionally-triggered, the doubts expressed by people who are reputed to have expertise on the science of doping cannot be easily brushed aside. Dr PSM Chandran, the former director of sports medicine at Sports Authority of India (SAI), for instance, expressed his confusion as to why, so close to the competition, will some sportman consume any banned substance. All athletes, in their right mind, know that any such intakes will show up in random tests both in India and in Rio. Particularly, as the kind of steroid Narsingh used is &quot;quite ancient in use&quot;, Chandran points out; he still fails to find a reasonable motive.&nbsp; 
 
Notwithstanding their protestations, Narsingh and his roommate Sandeep Yadav have appeared before the disciplinary committee of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) .&nbsp; 
 
India&#39;s sport personalities have repeatedly failed drug test. In 2004, Athens Olympics, weightlifters Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu were found to be using performance enhancing drugs. Chanu tested positive again before the beginning of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. This time She was banned for eight long years. Over the years Indian Weightlifting Federation had been banned in 2004, 2006 and 2009. The symptoms have affected other sporting fields too. In 2011 &nbsp;NADA handed out one year bans to its quartermilers Ashwini Akkunji, Sini Jose, Mary Tiana Thomas, Priyanka Pawar, Jauna Murmu, Mandeep Kaur who tested positive ahead of the Asian Championship. Last year NADA declared that 21 weightlifters have tested positive and they were provisionally suspended by the Indian Weightlifting Federation. 
 
Faster, Higher, Stronger: In adopting these three aspirational words as the Olympic motto, &nbsp;Pierre de Coubertin hardly realised that sportsperson would narrowly interpret it - focusing on its technical meaning- while leaving out its moral and educational perspectives. The temptation to give in to shortcuts often deafens athletes to the original call to challenge physical limitations through hard work, grit and patience. The recent doping trend has alarmed many a sportslover who have lamented the loss of sportsmanship from the game. But the pressure to win, to prove one&#39;s skill, and to retain sponsors have become such paramount objectives that athletes are often willing to make choices that are eventually ruining the very dream that made them love the sports at the very first place.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

Indian trio fails dope test, two will not make to Rio Oympics

Indian sports establishment is going through a particularly frustrating phase with three of its athletes testing positive in the recent anti-doping tests. Wrestlers Narsingh and Sandeep Yadav, and more recently, shot put player Inderjeet Singh have tested positive in the doping tests conducted on them by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Already chosen to be part of India's Olympic squad, neither Narsingh nor Inderjeet can now participate in the upcoming competition at Rio. Sandeep, though not part of the Indian squad, faces the possibility of years of expulsion from the game. Both Narshing and Sandeep had methandieone, an anabolic steroid in their urine. In case of Inderjeet, sources could not confirm the banned material found in his body other than referring to it as a "fancy sounding drug". With largest ever contingent of 120 contestants registered to participate, this year's Olympic could have been one of the high-marks in independent India's sporting history instead the country squirms in the humiliation of the scandal. The Rio Olympic authorities have outlined Anti-Doping Rules, which will remain effective from the opening of the Athletes' Village on 24 July until the closing ceremony on 21 August 2016. These rules are drafted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and the List of Prohibited Substance and Methods that are put together, updated and modified annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) . Founded in 1999, WADA's authority is pervasive in the sporting world with its Code been presently adopted by 600 sports organisations internationally. The Anti-Doping rules of the Rio Olympic states that all athletes registered to compete at the Game can be tested at anytime, anywhere in the world, including outside the Olympic Village. The test procedure specifies that two separate samples, A and B, will be collected from athletes. If the testers find some banned substance in sample A, they will look for the same substance the sample B. The concerned athlete will retain the right to either accept the result of the first test or request for another test on sample B. The two analysis should be consistent, else the entire test will be considered void. All the three concerned contestants from India have tested positive in both counts of tests. Shot put player Inderjeet Singh, however , had been protesting his innocence. He alleges to be the victim of a "conspiracy" because of his alleged critical attitude towards the authorities. "I have been framed because I am outspoken. This is a conspiracy against me", Singh lashed out to TV channels. Singh had progressively improved his performance over the years both at the domestic and international competitions. In 2015, he won three Gold medals while representing India at the Asian Championship at Wuhan, the Asian Grand Prix at Bangkok and at the Summer Universiade at Gwangju. Though no direct comment was available from Narsingh Yadav, similar conspiracy theories, however, are making rounds. Deeply disturbed by this sudden turn of events, Narsingh's mother Bhulna Devi confidently quips, "He is implicated in it....all these things in the papers are incorrect." She cannot seem to come in terms with the fact that the high-achiever son who have consistently won Gold (Common Wealth Games 2010), Silver (Commonwealth Championships 2011) and Bronze medals (Asian Games 2014, Asian and World Championships 2015) could miss the chance of representing India at the Olympics. Even if we decide to ignore Bhulna Devi's claims as emotionally-triggered, the doubts expressed by people who are reputed to have expertise on the science of doping cannot be easily brushed aside. Dr PSM Chandran, the former director of sports medicine at Sports Authority of India (SAI), for instance, expressed his confusion as to why, so close to the competition, will some sportman consume any banned substance. All athletes, in their right mind, know that any such intakes will show up in random tests both in India and in Rio. Particularly, as the kind of steroid Narsingh used is "quite ancient in use", Chandran points out; he still fails to find a reasonable motive. Notwithstanding their protestations, Narsingh and his roommate Sandeep Yadav have appeared before the disciplinary committee of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) . India's sport personalities have repeatedly failed drug test. In 2004, Athens Olympics, weightlifters Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu were found to be using performance enhancing drugs. Chanu tested positive again before the beginning of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. This time She was banned for eight long years. Over the years Indian Weightlifting Federation had been banned in 2004, 2006 and 2009. The symptoms have affected other sporting fields too. In 2011 NADA handed out one year bans to its quartermilers Ashwini Akkunji, Sini Jose, Mary Tiana Thomas, Priyanka Pawar, Jauna Murmu, Mandeep Kaur who tested positive ahead of the Asian Championship. Last year NADA declared that 21 weightlifters have tested positive and they were provisionally suspended by the Indian Weightlifting Federation. Faster, Higher, Stronger: In adopting these three aspirational words as the Olympic motto, Pierre de Coubertin hardly realised that sportsperson would narrowly interpret it - focusing on its technical meaning- while leaving out its moral and educational perspectives. The temptation to give in to shortcuts often deafens athletes to the original call to challenge physical limitations through hard work, grit and patience. The recent doping trend has alarmed many a sportslover who have lamented the loss of sportsmanship from the game. But the pressure to win, to prove one's skill, and to retain sponsors have become such paramount objectives that athletes are often willing to make choices that are eventually ruining the very dream that made them love the sports at the very first place. (WION)

Olympics: Saga of the game, glory and dope

Security at the Olympic Village has been tightened following the theft of a computer and team shirts from the Australiann delegation during a fire evacuation, team officials said on Sunday. 
 
Australia chef de mission Kitty Chiller told reporters that a laptop and team jerseys were stolen when the facility was evacuated for a small blaze on Friday. 
 
&quot;There was one laptop taken from one of our cycling officials on the fifth floor. Our IT equipment in our operational space had also been rifled through but nothing had been stolen,&quot; Chiller said. 
 
Chiller said during the evacuation she had noticed three fire marshals apparently stealing the Australia team shirts. 
 
&quot;When I arrived, which was halfway through the evacuation, I saw three fire marshals - I don&#39;t know who they were - walking out with team shirts,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;I thought maybe they have helped evacuate people and we&#39;ve given them a shirt. It doesn&#39;t seem to be what happened.&quot; 
 
&quot;We don&#39;t know how many team shirts were taken and, yes, that&#39;s concerning.&quot; 
 
After the fire, Chiller said Rio 2016 organisers had increased security throughout the Olympic Village. 
 
&quot;There is a much greater security presence than there had been at the start when there were a lot of contractors and workers in the village, getting the building done in time,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;Rio 2016 engaged a private security force and we now have private security and every building has (that) on either side of the doors. The security presence is there.&quot; 
 
Rio&#39;s crime rate has been one of the biggest concerns heading into the Olympics. China revealed on Friday members of its Olympic delegation had already fallen victim to theft. 
 
Chiller said the vast size of the Olympic Village, which houses thousands of athletes and support staff, &quot;theft is going to be inevitable&quot;. 
 
She rejected any suggestion Australia&#39;s delegation was being deliberately targeted, however. 
 
&quot;No one would target the Australians. They wouldn&#39;t dare,&quot; she said. 
 
(AFP)

Australian delegation head Kitty Chiller said that a laptop and team jerseys were stolen when people were being evacuated during a fire

Security at the Olympic Village has been tightened following the theft of a computer and team shirts from the Australiann delegation during a fire evacuation, team officials said on Sunday. Australia chef de mission Kitty Chiller told reporters that a laptop and team jerseys were stolen when the facility was evacuated for a small blaze on Friday. "There was one laptop taken from one of our cycling officials on the fifth floor. Our IT equipment in our operational space had also been rifled through but nothing had been stolen," Chiller said. Chiller said during the evacuation she had noticed three fire marshals apparently stealing the Australia team shirts. "When I arrived, which was halfway through the evacuation, I saw three fire marshals - I don't know who they were - walking out with team shirts," she said. "I thought maybe they have helped evacuate people and we've given them a shirt. It doesn't seem to be what happened." "We don't know how many team shirts were taken and, yes, that's concerning." After the fire, Chiller said Rio 2016 organisers had increased security throughout the Olympic Village. "There is a much greater security presence than there had been at the start when there were a lot of contractors and workers in the village, getting the building done in time," she said. "Rio 2016 engaged a private security force and we now have private security and every building has (that) on either side of the doors. The security presence is there." Rio's crime rate has been one of the biggest concerns heading into the Olympics. China revealed on Friday members of its Olympic delegation had already fallen victim to theft. Chiller said the vast size of the Olympic Village, which houses thousands of athletes and support staff, "theft is going to be inevitable". She rejected any suggestion Australia's delegation was being deliberately targeted, however. "No one would target the Australians. They wouldn't dare," she said. (AFP)

Olympics: Village security beefed up after Australia theft

The Cuban men&#39;s volleyball team will compete in the Rio Olympics despite the detention of six of its players in Finland over a suspected aggravated rape, said an official at the National Sports Institute (INDER), according to website Cubadebate and other state-run news outlets on Wednesday. 
 
The island nation will be sending 120 athletes to the games in Rio de Janeiro to compete in 18 disciplines, said Jos? Antonio Miranda, INDER director of high performance sports, the media outlets reported. 
 
&quot;After not qualifying in volleyball for 16 years, we had 18 athletes in our preselection and we are going to be there with 12 in the Olympic games,&quot; Miranda was quoted as saying. 
 
Police detained eight players earlier this month in the Finnish city of Tampere, where the Cuban team was playing in a World League tournament. The suspected rape occurred at the hotel where the team was staying. 
 
Two of the men were then released and are no longer suspects. The other six will remain in custody while the investigation continues. 
 
&quot;Preliminary information suggests that (these players) are linked to acts completely unrelated to the discipline, sense of integrity and respect that govern our sport,&quot; Cuba&#39;s Volleyball Federation said in a statement. 
 
Cuba performed better than any other Latin American country at the 2012 Olympic games, earning sixteenth place in the medals table. 
 
(Reuters)

Police detained 8 players in Tampere over suspected aggravated rape. Two were released, 6 are in custody while the investigation continues

The Cuban men's volleyball team will compete in the Rio Olympics despite the detention of six of its players in Finland over a suspected aggravated rape, said an official at the National Sports Institute (INDER), according to website Cubadebate and other state-run news outlets on Wednesday. The island nation will be sending 120 athletes to the games in Rio de Janeiro to compete in 18 disciplines, said Jos? Antonio Miranda, INDER director of high performance sports, the media outlets reported. "After not qualifying in volleyball for 16 years, we had 18 athletes in our preselection and we are going to be there with 12 in the Olympic games," Miranda was quoted as saying. Police detained eight players earlier this month in the Finnish city of Tampere, where the Cuban team was playing in a World League tournament. The suspected rape occurred at the hotel where the team was staying. Two of the men were then released and are no longer suspects. The other six will remain in custody while the investigation continues. "Preliminary information suggests that (these players) are linked to acts completely unrelated to the discipline, sense of integrity and respect that govern our sport," Cuba's Volleyball Federation said in a statement. Cuba performed better than any other Latin American country at the 2012 Olympic games, earning sixteenth place in the medals table. (Reuters)

Cuba's volleyball team to compete at Olympics despite rape probe

Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad is aiming to drive her sabre through bigotry when she becomes the first American athlete to compete at the Olympics wearing a hijab. 
 
The articulate 30-year-old African-American Muslim was catapulted to prominence in January after clinching her place on the US Olympic team at the World Cup in Greece. 
 
Muhammad&#39;s participation in Rio comes in the midst of a US presidential election campaign marked by anti-Islamic rhetoric while incidents of threats and vandalism at mosques reached an all-time high last year. 
 
The ugly atmosphere is all-too familiar for Muhammad, who has faced discrimination since childhood, when her skin color and hijab would often draw stares or abuse. 
 
Indeed, part of the attraction of fencing was the fact that Muhammad could blend in more or less seamlessly. 
 
&quot;I played different sports growing up and my mum and I just happened to be driving past a high school and saw fencing from the car window,&quot; she recalled.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;She saw that the athletes had on long tops and long pants and she didn`t know what the sport was but she wanted me to try it because she thought it would be accommodating for my religious beliefs.&quot; 
 
Muhammad was unconvinced at first but persisted when she realized the sport could be a passport to a college education. 
 
&quot;I saw that the top 10 schools in the country all had fencing programs so I saw fencing as a way for me to get to school so that&#39;s why I stuck at it initially,&quot; said Muhammad, who graduated from prestigious Duke University in 2007 with a degree in International Relations and African Studies. 
 
Muhammad hopes that her Olympic journey may play a small role in shifting the kinds of attitudes that have surfaced during the US election campaign. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a tough political environment that we&#39;re in right now, it&#39;s not easy,&quot; Muhammad said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Muslims are under the microscope and I&#39;m hoping to change the image that people may have of Muslim women. 
 
&quot;I know that Muslim women are very, very diverse, especially here in the United States. We come in all different shapes, colors and sizes and we come from different backgrounds and are productive members of society. I want people to see that.&quot; 
 
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been accused of fueling anti-Islamic sentiment, pointedly calling for Muslims to be prevented from entering the United States in December last year. 
 
Muhammad diplomatically declined to speculate on what life for American Muslims might be like if Trump is elected to the White House in November. 
 
&quot;I hate to talk about what ifs,&quot; she said. &quot;I&#39;m hoping we can change direction a little bit and see Muslims in more of a positive light and try to combat the negative imagery that we are shown every day. Can I influence the debate? I don&#39;t know. I&#39;m just trying to do well in Rio&#39;&#39;. 
 
The toxic climate has brought practical concerns. After several stories involving Muslims being barred from boarding planes, Muhammad revealed she had harbored fears of suffering a similar fate during qualifiers for Rio. 
 
&quot;When Muslims were being kicked off flights in the middle of Olympic qualifiers that was a real worry, am I going to be allowed to board my flight to make it to my Olympic qualifier?&quot; 
 
The fact that she is expected to speak about weighty issues relating to her race, religion and gender rather than merely her sport does sometimes take its toll, Muhammad acknowledged. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s something I struggle with every day. But ultimately I feel incredibly blessed to have been given this platform. And when I think of my predecessors and people who have spoken out against bigotry and hate, I feel like I owe it not just to myself but to my community to try to fight it,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;You have to not just think about yourself, but everyone. And there are people in America right now who don&#39;t feel safe going to work every day, who don&#39;t feel safe in their community. That&#39;s a problem. 
 
&quot;I remember being a kid and people telling me I didn&#39;t belong in my sport because of my skin color, because I was Muslim. So if I can be a source of change for other minorities I feel fortunate to be able to do that.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad participation in Rio comes in the midst of a US presidential election campaign marked by anti-Islamic rhetoric

Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad is aiming to drive her sabre through bigotry when she becomes the first American athlete to compete at the Olympics wearing a hijab. The articulate 30-year-old African-American Muslim was catapulted to prominence in January after clinching her place on the US Olympic team at the World Cup in Greece. Muhammad's participation in Rio comes in the midst of a US presidential election campaign marked by anti-Islamic rhetoric while incidents of threats and vandalism at mosques reached an all-time high last year. The ugly atmosphere is all-too familiar for Muhammad, who has faced discrimination since childhood, when her skin color and hijab would often draw stares or abuse. Indeed, part of the attraction of fencing was the fact that Muhammad could blend in more or less seamlessly. "I played different sports growing up and my mum and I just happened to be driving past a high school and saw fencing from the car window," she recalled. "She saw that the athletes had on long tops and long pants and she didn`t know what the sport was but she wanted me to try it because she thought it would be accommodating for my religious beliefs." Muhammad was unconvinced at first but persisted when she realized the sport could be a passport to a college education. "I saw that the top 10 schools in the country all had fencing programs so I saw fencing as a way for me to get to school so that's why I stuck at it initially," said Muhammad, who graduated from prestigious Duke University in 2007 with a degree in International Relations and African Studies. Muhammad hopes that her Olympic journey may play a small role in shifting the kinds of attitudes that have surfaced during the US election campaign. "It's a tough political environment that we're in right now, it's not easy," Muhammad said. "Muslims are under the microscope and I'm hoping to change the image that people may have of Muslim women. "I know that Muslim women are very, very diverse, especially here in the United States. We come in all different shapes, colors and sizes and we come from different backgrounds and are productive members of society. I want people to see that." Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been accused of fueling anti-Islamic sentiment, pointedly calling for Muslims to be prevented from entering the United States in December last year. Muhammad diplomatically declined to speculate on what life for American Muslims might be like if Trump is elected to the White House in November. "I hate to talk about what ifs," she said. "I'm hoping we can change direction a little bit and see Muslims in more of a positive light and try to combat the negative imagery that we are shown every day. Can I influence the debate? I don't know. I'm just trying to do well in Rio''. The toxic climate has brought practical concerns. After several stories involving Muslims being barred from boarding planes, Muhammad revealed she had harbored fears of suffering a similar fate during qualifiers for Rio. "When Muslims were being kicked off flights in the middle of Olympic qualifiers that was a real worry, am I going to be allowed to board my flight to make it to my Olympic qualifier?" The fact that she is expected to speak about weighty issues relating to her race, religion and gender rather than merely her sport does sometimes take its toll, Muhammad acknowledged. "It's something I struggle with every day. But ultimately I feel incredibly blessed to have been given this platform. And when I think of my predecessors and people who have spoken out against bigotry and hate, I feel like I owe it not just to myself but to my community to try to fight it," she said. "You have to not just think about yourself, but everyone. And there are people in America right now who don't feel safe going to work every day, who don't feel safe in their community. That's a problem. "I remember being a kid and people telling me I didn't belong in my sport because of my skin color, because I was Muslim. So if I can be a source of change for other minorities I feel fortunate to be able to do that." (AFP)

American athlete to compete at the Olympics wearing a hijab

Adjusting quickly to the Olympic atmosphere and its unfamiliar environment will be key for Andy Murray as he bids to defend the title he won in London four years ago, the world number two has said. 
 
The Scot, who beat Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer en route to gold in 2012, is representing Britain in the men&#39;s singles in Rio and will also partner his brother Jamie in the men&#39;s doubles. 
 
&quot;Here it&#39;s totally different conditions, different venue, different country, so I&#39;ll try and treat it like any other tournament and prepare as best I can,&quot; he told reporters. 
 
&quot;I remember when I was in Beijing (in 2008), the whole atmosphere surrounding an Olympics is different because you&#39;re around loads of the best athletes in the world. 
 
&quot;It was just nice being surrounded by the best athletes from your country, seeing them coming back with medals, it feels a lot more like a team environment.&quot; 
 
Half of the men&#39;s top 10 will miss this month&#39;s Olympics. World number four Stan Wawrinka pulled out with an injury on Tuesday, joining his Switzerland team mate Federer in sitting out the Games. 
 
Other notable absentees include Canadian Milos Raonic and Czech Republic&#39;s Tomas Berdych, who withdrew citing concerns over the Zika virus, and Austrian Dominic Thiem, who has decided to focus on the ATP Tour. 
 
Murray, however, said the competition would still be fierce. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s still a pretty strong field, a lot of the top-20 players are here even if unfortunately there&#39;s a few of the top 10 missing,&quot; the 29-year-old added. 
 
The tennis competition at the Rio Games takes place from Aug. 6-14. 
 
(Reuters)

'Here it's totally different conditions, different venue, different country, so I'll try and treat it like any other tournament'

Adjusting quickly to the Olympic atmosphere and its unfamiliar environment will be key for Andy Murray as he bids to defend the title he won in London four years ago, the world number two has said. The Scot, who beat Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer en route to gold in 2012, is representing Britain in the men's singles in Rio and will also partner his brother Jamie in the men's doubles. "Here it's totally different conditions, different venue, different country, so I'll try and treat it like any other tournament and prepare as best I can," he told reporters. "I remember when I was in Beijing (in 2008), the whole atmosphere surrounding an Olympics is different because you're around loads of the best athletes in the world. "It was just nice being surrounded by the best athletes from your country, seeing them coming back with medals, it feels a lot more like a team environment." Half of the men's top 10 will miss this month's Olympics. World number four Stan Wawrinka pulled out with an injury on Tuesday, joining his Switzerland team mate Federer in sitting out the Games. Other notable absentees include Canadian Milos Raonic and Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych, who withdrew citing concerns over the Zika virus, and Austrian Dominic Thiem, who has decided to focus on the ATP Tour. Murray, however, said the competition would still be fierce. "It's still a pretty strong field, a lot of the top-20 players are here even if unfortunately there's a few of the top 10 missing," the 29-year-old added. The tennis competition at the Rio Games takes place from Aug. 6-14. (Reuters)

Rio 2016: Andy Murray bids to defend title he won in London four years ago

Security at Rio&#39;s Olympic Village was handed a further blow on Wednesday when Danish athletes revealed they have had items stolen while organisers issued a public apology to competitors who have fallen victim to crime. 
 
Denmark&#39;s chef de mission Morten Rodtwitt told broadcaster TV 2 that mobile phones, clothing and an iPad had gone missing. 
 
&quot;In connection with the many extra workers, cleaners and housekeepers who have been squeezed into the Olympic village because of our requirements and requests, we have been subjected to a series of thefts,&quot; he said, adding that he himself had his iPad stolen. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s everything from phones, iPads and clothes to something as trivial as bed sheets.&quot; 
 
Since July 18 the Danish delegation has lodged around 150 complaints over problems in its 36 apartments in the Olympic village. 
 
&quot;The buildings are simply not in order,&quot; Ulrik Wilbek, sports director of the Danish Handball Federation, told TV 2. 
 
The news follows the theft of a laptop and team shirts from the Australian delegation during a fire evacuation on Friday. 
 
Australia chef de mission Kitty Chiller said during the evacuation she had noticed three fire marshals apparently stealing the Australia team shirts. 
 
&quot;When I arrived, which was halfway through the evacuation, I saw three fire marshals -- I don&#39;t know who they were -- walking out with team shirts,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;I thought maybe they have helped evacuate people and we&#39;ve given them a shirt. It doesn&#39;t seem to be what happened. 
 
&quot;We don&#39;t know how many team shirts were taken and, yes, that&#39;s concerning.&quot; 
 
After the fire, Chiller said Rio 2016 organizers had increased security throughout the Olympic village. 
 
Rio&#39;s crime rate has been one of the biggest concerns heading into the Olympics. 
 
China revealed on Friday members of its Olympic delegation had already fallen victim to theft. 
 
Mario Andrada, spokesman of Rio 2016, apologised to the tourists and athletes who have been victims. 
 
&quot;They are our guests in Brazil. We feel very sorry. I hope they understand that we are very sorry about this,&quot; he told China&#39;s Xinhua news agency. 
 
&quot;We will communicate with the security to make sure we find quickly an answer about why they were robbed, where they were robbed and by whom to see if something could be recovered.&quot; 
 
Rio Olympics overall security personnel is around 88,000 - the figure is more than double that used for the the London Olympics in 2012. 
 
&quot;Don&#39;t count money in the street. If you have a nice camera, put it into a bag and only use when you have to take pictures,&quot; advised Andrada. 
 
&quot;If you are alert, if you are looking around and paying attention, your chance of being a victim will be decreased. The bad guys usually look for people who are not paying attention.&quot; 
 
Chiller said the vast size of the Olympic Village, which houses thousands of athletes and support staff, theft was &quot;inevitable&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

Denmark's chef de mission Morten Rodtwitt told broadcaster TV 2 that mobile phones, clothing and an iPad had gone missing

Security at Rio's Olympic Village was handed a further blow on Wednesday when Danish athletes revealed they have had items stolen while organisers issued a public apology to competitors who have fallen victim to crime. Denmark's chef de mission Morten Rodtwitt told broadcaster TV 2 that mobile phones, clothing and an iPad had gone missing. "In connection with the many extra workers, cleaners and housekeepers who have been squeezed into the Olympic village because of our requirements and requests, we have been subjected to a series of thefts," he said, adding that he himself had his iPad stolen. "It's everything from phones, iPads and clothes to something as trivial as bed sheets." Since July 18 the Danish delegation has lodged around 150 complaints over problems in its 36 apartments in the Olympic village. "The buildings are simply not in order," Ulrik Wilbek, sports director of the Danish Handball Federation, told TV 2. The news follows the theft of a laptop and team shirts from the Australian delegation during a fire evacuation on Friday. Australia chef de mission Kitty Chiller said during the evacuation she had noticed three fire marshals apparently stealing the Australia team shirts. "When I arrived, which was halfway through the evacuation, I saw three fire marshals -- I don't know who they were -- walking out with team shirts," she said. "I thought maybe they have helped evacuate people and we've given them a shirt. It doesn't seem to be what happened. "We don't know how many team shirts were taken and, yes, that's concerning." After the fire, Chiller said Rio 2016 organizers had increased security throughout the Olympic village. Rio's crime rate has been one of the biggest concerns heading into the Olympics. China revealed on Friday members of its Olympic delegation had already fallen victim to theft. Mario Andrada, spokesman of Rio 2016, apologised to the tourists and athletes who have been victims. "They are our guests in Brazil. We feel very sorry. I hope they understand that we are very sorry about this," he told China's Xinhua news agency. "We will communicate with the security to make sure we find quickly an answer about why they were robbed, where they were robbed and by whom to see if something could be recovered." Rio Olympics overall security personnel is around 88,000 - the figure is more than double that used for the the London Olympics in 2012. "Don't count money in the street. If you have a nice camera, put it into a bag and only use when you have to take pictures," advised Andrada. "If you are alert, if you are looking around and paying attention, your chance of being a victim will be decreased. The bad guys usually look for people who are not paying attention." Chiller said the vast size of the Olympic Village, which houses thousands of athletes and support staff, theft was "inevitable". (AFP)

Olympics: Rio sorry as Village suffers new theft

Armed police and security personnel are patrolling Olympic venues and streets in Rio de Janeiro as Brazil tightens security with the 2016 Summer Olympic Games just around the corner. 
 
In addition to the increased security presence, vendors who usually sell beverages and snacks have been banned from working during the games due to the safety concerns. Only those who are officially authorised can trade in designated areas. 
 
According to authorities, neither water nor unpacked foods are allowed in Olympic venues, and all personal items must go through security checks. 
 
&quot;I feel very good about that [security measures] because there was a lot of fear about the Olympic Games, about all the things happening in Europe, in the United States. And I feel more secure with police here and all the security here. I feel better,&quot; said Melanie, an Argentine tourist. 
 
During the games, the Brazilian federal police, army and air force, as well as Rio police officers, will work together to patrol all venues, stadiums and related areas 24/7. 
 
The enhanced security measures have been hailed by those covering and competing in the Olympics. 
 
&quot;You never know all the stuff going outside here, but I don&#39;t feel any danger right now,&quot; said Michal Gasiorowski, a Polish reporter. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t have any fears, I feel pretty secure,&quot; said Alexander Choupenitch, a Czech foil fencer. 
 
(Reuters)

According to authorities, neither water nor unpacked foods are allowed in venues and all personal items must go through security checks

Armed police and security personnel are patrolling Olympic venues and streets in Rio de Janeiro as Brazil tightens security with the 2016 Summer Olympic Games just around the corner. In addition to the increased security presence, vendors who usually sell beverages and snacks have been banned from working during the games due to the safety concerns. Only those who are officially authorised can trade in designated areas. According to authorities, neither water nor unpacked foods are allowed in Olympic venues, and all personal items must go through security checks. "I feel very good about that [security measures] because there was a lot of fear about the Olympic Games, about all the things happening in Europe, in the United States. And I feel more secure with police here and all the security here. I feel better," said Melanie, an Argentine tourist. During the games, the Brazilian federal police, army and air force, as well as Rio police officers, will work together to patrol all venues, stadiums and related areas 24/7. The enhanced security measures have been hailed by those covering and competing in the Olympics. "You never know all the stuff going outside here, but I don't feel any danger right now," said Michal Gasiorowski, a Polish reporter. "I don't have any fears, I feel pretty secure," said Alexander Choupenitch, a Czech foil fencer. (Reuters)

Brazil steps up security arrangements ahead of Rio Olympics 2016

The Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony will display Brazilian creativity to the world, the ceremony&#39;s executive producer Marco Balich said on Thursday, just one day before the official opening of the Games. 
 
Balich said that although its organizers come from around the globe, the curtain-raiser and its creative elements will show the world a wonderful Brazil from various aspects. 
 
&quot;There was no problem between a strong international team supporting and all Brazilian creativity. So what you are going to see is all Brazilian, pure, beautiful creativity from Brazil that will touch the heart,&quot; the Italian producer said at a press conference. 
 
The opening ceremony has three themes: the garden, diversity and joy, according to organizers. 
 
The limited space in the opening ceremony&#39;s venue, Maracana Stadium, meant organizers had to overcome many challenges to ensure they could present a wonderful event. 
 
&quot;The entrance of the Maracana Stadium is less than two meters high. The stadium is a football stadium, not a track and field stadium, and there is no track in it. So the stadium is relatively small and the stage is also small. Our budget is less than what we expected, but we are used to such things. It is important to be flexible,&quot; said Daniela Thomas, a director of the opening ceremony. 
 
The Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony will be held today.Some 21 million US dollars have been spent on the show, about half of London&#39;s outlay four years ago. 
 
(Reuters)

According to organisers, the opening ceremony has three themes, the garden, diversity and joy

The Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony will display Brazilian creativity to the world, the ceremony's executive producer Marco Balich said on Thursday, just one day before the official opening of the Games. Balich said that although its organizers come from around the globe, the curtain-raiser and its creative elements will show the world a wonderful Brazil from various aspects. "There was no problem between a strong international team supporting and all Brazilian creativity. So what you are going to see is all Brazilian, pure, beautiful creativity from Brazil that will touch the heart," the Italian producer said at a press conference. The opening ceremony has three themes: the garden, diversity and joy, according to organizers. The limited space in the opening ceremony's venue, Maracana Stadium, meant organizers had to overcome many challenges to ensure they could present a wonderful event. "The entrance of the Maracana Stadium is less than two meters high. The stadium is a football stadium, not a track and field stadium, and there is no track in it. So the stadium is relatively small and the stage is also small. Our budget is less than what we expected, but we are used to such things. It is important to be flexible," said Daniela Thomas, a director of the opening ceremony. The Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony will be held today.Some 21 million US dollars have been spent on the show, about half of London's outlay four years ago. (Reuters)

Rio set for 'all Brazilian' Olympic opening ceremony: Organisers

On the eve of Rio 2016 opening ceremony today, the Sydney Opera House was lit up in Australia&#39;s Olympic colours of green and gold with the Olympic rings and national emblem covering the sails of the iconic building. 
 
Despite media reports over the past months of possible difficulties surrounding the games, many are confident the games will be a success. 
 
&quot;I think they&#39;ve got some great facilities and I know a lot of people are knocking all the problems they&#39;ve had but, you know what, on the day, I think they&#39;ll deliver,&quot; said John Beadle from London. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m really looking forward to the opening ceremony and all the different colours of the flags and the different uniforms, they look really cool,&quot; said school girl, Charlotte Mowler. 
 
&quot;I think Rio will pull it off and I&#39;m hoping all the best for all the teams and all the countries that are there and it&#39;s going to be a wonderful spectacle, and here down in Australia we&#39;re going to be watching TV and making sure we watch our home town Canada do the best they can,&quot; added Canadian tourist, John Vantol. 
 
The Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony will be held today. Some $21 million US dollars have been spent on the show, about half of London&#39;s outlay four years ago. 
 
(Reuters)

The Rio Olympics opening ceremony will be held today. Some $21 million were spent on the show, about half of what London spent 4 years ago

On the eve of Rio 2016 opening ceremony today, the Sydney Opera House was lit up in Australia's Olympic colours of green and gold with the Olympic rings and national emblem covering the sails of the iconic building. Despite media reports over the past months of possible difficulties surrounding the games, many are confident the games will be a success. "I think they've got some great facilities and I know a lot of people are knocking all the problems they've had but, you know what, on the day, I think they'll deliver," said John Beadle from London. "I'm really looking forward to the opening ceremony and all the different colours of the flags and the different uniforms, they look really cool," said school girl, Charlotte Mowler. "I think Rio will pull it off and I'm hoping all the best for all the teams and all the countries that are there and it's going to be a wonderful spectacle, and here down in Australia we're going to be watching TV and making sure we watch our home town Canada do the best they can," added Canadian tourist, John Vantol. The Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony will be held today. Some $21 million US dollars have been spent on the show, about half of London's outlay four years ago. (Reuters)

Sydney Opera House lights up in green and gold

First-time Olympian Zhang Mengxue secured China&#39;s first gold medal of the 2016 Olympics on Sunday by winning the women&#39;s 10-metre air pistol event and extending China&#39;s gold medal streak in the sport. 
 
With a score of 199.4 points in 20 shots, the 25-year-old Zhang handily defeated Vitalina Batsarashkina from Russia, the silver medalist with a score of 197.1. 
 
Anna Korakaki from Greece won the bronze. Zhang kept China in top standing in the event after countrywoman and London 2012 and Beijing 2008 gold medallist Guo Wenjun failed to qualify for the finals, finishing in 30th place. 
 
Zhang established her lead midway through the event and pulled away with a 10.9 perfect shot in the final rounds. Her score is an Olympic record under the new finals format. Ranked fifth in the world, Zhang said she struggled in qualification, where she came in seventh out of eight finalists. 
 
&quot;I was pretty calm for the final actually, because the qualification was a bit tough for me,&quot; Zhang said. China has six medals so far in the Games, Zhang&#39;s gold, two silvers and three bronzes. &quot;I am still feeling the competition, I am still in that mood, and winning at the Olympic Games was my goal since I was young,&quot; Zhang said. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

With a score of 199.4 points in 20 shots, the 25-year-old Zhang handily defeated Vitalina Batsarashkina from Russia

First-time Olympian Zhang Mengxue secured China's first gold medal of the 2016 Olympics on Sunday by winning the women's 10-metre air pistol event and extending China's gold medal streak in the sport. With a score of 199.4 points in 20 shots, the 25-year-old Zhang handily defeated Vitalina Batsarashkina from Russia, the silver medalist with a score of 197.1. Anna Korakaki from Greece won the bronze. Zhang kept China in top standing in the event after countrywoman and London 2012 and Beijing 2008 gold medallist Guo Wenjun failed to qualify for the finals, finishing in 30th place. Zhang established her lead midway through the event and pulled away with a 10.9 perfect shot in the final rounds. Her score is an Olympic record under the new finals format. Ranked fifth in the world, Zhang said she struggled in qualification, where she came in seventh out of eight finalists. "I was pretty calm for the final actually, because the qualification was a bit tough for me," Zhang said. China has six medals so far in the Games, Zhang's gold, two silvers and three bronzes. "I am still feeling the competition, I am still in that mood, and winning at the Olympic Games was my goal since I was young," Zhang said. (Reuters)

Zhang Mengxue secures China's first gold medal in Olympics 2016

United States star Katie Ledecky bagged her second gold medal of the Olympic Games on Tuesday after powering to victory in the women&#39;s 200m freestyle. 
 
Ledecky, who shattered the 400m freestyle world record in winning gold on Sunday, was second at the 100m mark but had moved into first at the final turn, holding off Sweden&#39;s Sarah Sjostrom with Australia&#39;s Emma McKeon claiming bronze. 
 
Ledecky touched in 1min 53.73sec and is two-thirds of the way to a rare treble. 
 
She can become the first Olympian since Debbie Meyer in Mexico City in 1968 to sweep the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyles. 
 
The 19-year-old from suburban Washington DC burst onto the international scene with her 800m free triumph in London four years ago, and has steadily expanded her range. 
 
But she admitted the 200m is her toughest challenge, and Tuesday&#39;s race was no exception, but she held on against a determined Sjostrom who came into the race buoyed by her own world record-setting win in the 100m butterfly on Sunday. 
 
&quot;That was a really tough race and it hurt really badly,&quot; Ledecky said. &quot;I&#39;m pretty sure that&#39;s the closest I&#39;ve come to throwing up in the middle of a race. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m just so glad I got my hand on the wall first -- it was all worth it.&quot; 
 
Sjostrom, whose fly win made her the first Swedish woman to win Olympic swimming gold, was delighted with silver in 1:54.08. 
 
McKeon, who led through the first 100m but was overtaken by both Ledecky and Sjostrom by the 150m mark, clocked 1:54.92. 
 
Ledecky said the 200m remains a bigger mental challenge than the longer races she cut her teeth on. 
 
&quot;The 200 free is a much more stressful race than the 400 or the 800,&quot; Ledecky said. &quot;It always just feels good when it&#39;s over. &quot;Once I was ahead I knew I wasn&#39;t going to let it out of my hands. 
 
&quot;The last 50 I just had to dig deep, do my own thing and see if I could get my hand on the wall first.&quot; 
 
Italy&#39;s Federica Pellegrini, who set the world record in 2009 in the era of the now-banned high-tech bodysuits, was fourth in 1:55.18 -- ahead of China&#39;s 2014 Asian Games champion Shen Duo. 
 
(AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

Katie Ledecky can become the first Olympian since Debbie Meyer in Mexico City in 1968 to sweep the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyles

United States star Katie Ledecky bagged her second gold medal of the Olympic Games on Tuesday after powering to victory in the women's 200m freestyle. Ledecky, who shattered the 400m freestyle world record in winning gold on Sunday, was second at the 100m mark but had moved into first at the final turn, holding off Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom with Australia's Emma McKeon claiming bronze. Ledecky touched in 1min 53.73sec and is two-thirds of the way to a rare treble. She can become the first Olympian since Debbie Meyer in Mexico City in 1968 to sweep the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyles. The 19-year-old from suburban Washington DC burst onto the international scene with her 800m free triumph in London four years ago, and has steadily expanded her range. But she admitted the 200m is her toughest challenge, and Tuesday's race was no exception, but she held on against a determined Sjostrom who came into the race buoyed by her own world record-setting win in the 100m butterfly on Sunday. "That was a really tough race and it hurt really badly," Ledecky said. "I'm pretty sure that's the closest I've come to throwing up in the middle of a race. "I'm just so glad I got my hand on the wall first -- it was all worth it." Sjostrom, whose fly win made her the first Swedish woman to win Olympic swimming gold, was delighted with silver in 1:54.08. McKeon, who led through the first 100m but was overtaken by both Ledecky and Sjostrom by the 150m mark, clocked 1:54.92. Ledecky said the 200m remains a bigger mental challenge than the longer races she cut her teeth on. "The 200 free is a much more stressful race than the 400 or the 800," Ledecky said. "It always just feels good when it's over. "Once I was ahead I knew I wasn't going to let it out of my hands. "The last 50 I just had to dig deep, do my own thing and see if I could get my hand on the wall first." Italy's Federica Pellegrini, who set the world record in 2009 in the era of the now-banned high-tech bodysuits, was fourth in 1:55.18 -- ahead of China's 2014 Asian Games champion Shen Duo. (AFP)

Rio Olympics 2016: Ledecky wins 200m freestyle to clinch second gold

Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra&#39;s quest for a second Olympics medal ended in heartbreak as he missed a medal by a whisker in a tense shoot-off in the men&#39;s 10m air rifle event on the third day of competitions at the Rio Games on Monday. 
 
Bindra, the country&#39;s lone individual Olympic gold medallist, lost the shoot-off against Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish after both were tied for third place at 163.8 points after 16 shots. 
 
Bindra, taking part in his fifth and final Olympics, was deprived of a fairytale ending of his glorious career as he was the fifth shooter to be eliminated in the race for the podium. He could at least have bagged a bronze had he won the shoot-off. 
 
The 33-year-old Indian, who won a gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics in the same event, was at the second spot at one time but lost places later on. He was fourth at first elimination round but jumped to second after the second elimination round. 
 
Bindra scored a fantastic 10.7 in his 11th shot to jump to second spot but moved back to third after the third elimination round. 
 
Two mediocre shots took him to fourth spot after the fourth elimination round but he bounced back in the next round with scores of 10.6 and 10.2. 
 
But that was not enough for Bindra to stay clear in the top three as he was tied at third spot with Ukrainian Kulish at 163.8 points. 
 
Despite a strong backing of Indian supporters cheering him, Bindra just could not make it count in the shoot-off as he was beaten by his opponent and with it ended his dreams of becoming a double Olympic medallist. 
 
Italy&#39;s Niccolo Campriani, silver medalist in the London Games four years ago, won the gold while Kulish and Russian Vladimir Maslennikov took the silver and bronze respectively. 
 
Earlier in the day, Bindra had qualified for the finals at seventh spot while London Olympics bronze-medallist Gagan Narang missed out after finishing at a lowly 23rd position. 
 
Bindra had scored 625.7 to book a berth in the finals. This is the only event Bindra is competing in the ongoing Olympics. 
 
(PTI)

He lost the shoot-off against Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish after both were tied for third place at 163.8 points after 16 shots

Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra's quest for a second Olympics medal ended in heartbreak as he missed a medal by a whisker in a tense shoot-off in the men's 10m air rifle event on the third day of competitions at the Rio Games on Monday. Bindra, the country's lone individual Olympic gold medallist, lost the shoot-off against Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish after both were tied for third place at 163.8 points after 16 shots. Bindra, taking part in his fifth and final Olympics, was deprived of a fairytale ending of his glorious career as he was the fifth shooter to be eliminated in the race for the podium. He could at least have bagged a bronze had he won the shoot-off. The 33-year-old Indian, who won a gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics in the same event, was at the second spot at one time but lost places later on. He was fourth at first elimination round but jumped to second after the second elimination round. Bindra scored a fantastic 10.7 in his 11th shot to jump to second spot but moved back to third after the third elimination round. Two mediocre shots took him to fourth spot after the fourth elimination round but he bounced back in the next round with scores of 10.6 and 10.2. But that was not enough for Bindra to stay clear in the top three as he was tied at third spot with Ukrainian Kulish at 163.8 points. Despite a strong backing of Indian supporters cheering him, Bindra just could not make it count in the shoot-off as he was beaten by his opponent and with it ended his dreams of becoming a double Olympic medallist. Italy's Niccolo Campriani, silver medalist in the London Games four years ago, won the gold while Kulish and Russian Vladimir Maslennikov took the silver and bronze respectively. Earlier in the day, Bindra had qualified for the finals at seventh spot while London Olympics bronze-medallist Gagan Narang missed out after finishing at a lowly 23rd position. Bindra had scored 625.7 to book a berth in the finals. This is the only event Bindra is competing in the ongoing Olympics. (PTI)

Rio 2016: Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra misses out on medal by slim margin

Kohei Uchimura completed his collection of gymnastics titles on Monday by leading Japan to men&#39;s Olympics team gold, with Russia returning to the podium for the first time since 2000 to take silver. 
 
But two-time reigning champions China were restricted to bronze in a thrilling final which went down to the wire at the Rio Olympic Arena. 
 
The 27-year-old Uchimura had already won all-around gold in London 2012 and 10 world medals including six consecutive individual titles. 
 
But despite his individual accolades the gymnast known as &quot;King Kohei&quot; had taken just two silver in the Olympic team event behind China in 2008 and 2012. 
 
&quot;We put in a lot of effort to come this far. This was the event in which I wanted to win gold,&quot; Uchimura said of his sixth Games medal, with the possibility of two more in the all-around and on floor to come. 
 
China were devastated by the loss of a title which represents everything to the country, after losing their world crown last year to Japan. 
 
Team leader Zhang Chenglong, the only member of the 2012 gold-medal winning team, paid tribute to their rivals. 
 
&quot;We have to be happy for Japan because every athlete wants to be the best,&quot; said 27-year-old Zhang. 
 
&quot;Team gold is the most important and precious for us Chinese because everyone has to be excellent. You have to be solid and united.&quot; 
 
Victory put Japan back on top of the podium for the first time since 2004 with a seventh gold in an event the country dominated through five Olympic Games in the 1960s and 1970s. 
 
But they had to battle a determinated Russia, who they competed alongside and had led for the first four rotations, with Denis Abliazin outscoring Olympic champion Arthur Zanetti of Brazil on the rings. 
 
The five-man Japanese team, which also included Koji Yamamuro, Ryohei Kato, Yusuke Tanaka and Kenzo Shirai, pulled ahead on horizontal bar to lead by just 0.208 going into their final floor rotation. 
 
World floor champion Shirai set Japan on their way with a soaring 16.133. Competing last Uchimura scored 15.600 to seal the title. 
 
&quot;It was tough. My first emotion was that I was just exhausted,&quot; said a visibly tired Uchimura. 
 
Russia return 
 
Russia were delighted just to be back on the podium. 
 
&quot;Silver is more important for us right now than gold,&quot; said Russia&#39;s Ivan Stretovich. 
 
&quot;Russia hasn&#39;t won (a team medal) in the Olympic Games for 16 years. We are really excited that we did it.&quot; 
 
Japan scored 274.094 after the six rotations with Russia, who led early, finishing on 271.453 and China 271.122. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s not too much to say that it was the worst day for my heart,&quot; said and emotional Shirai. 
 
&quot;But there is no doubt it became the happiest day ever.&quot; 
 
Uchimura started on the pommel horse, clinching his fist to the crowd after competing, although team-mate Yamamuro fell off the apparatus. 
 
He was controlled on rings and nailed his vault despite a little hop back on landing with Shirai scoring 15.633. 
 
China paid for errors starting with a shaky start for Lin Chaopan and Deng Yang on the floor, with You Hao struggling on his rings dismount. 
 
China impressed on the parallel bar, on which You Hao scored 16.166, and needed a strong final rotation on the high bar, but failed to produce the needed fireworks. 
 
It was another blow for the Chinese, whose 12-year reign as world champions ended last October when Uchimura helped Japan to gold for the first time in 37 years. 
 
Britain finished two points off bronze, in fourth ahead of the United States, who had been second in qualifying. 
 
Hosts Brazil were sixth ahead of Germany and Ukraine respectively in the eight-team final. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Gymnast Kohei Uchimura scored 15.600 to seal the title, leading Japan to the top for the first time since 2004

Kohei Uchimura completed his collection of gymnastics titles on Monday by leading Japan to men's Olympics team gold, with Russia returning to the podium for the first time since 2000 to take silver. But two-time reigning champions China were restricted to bronze in a thrilling final which went down to the wire at the Rio Olympic Arena. The 27-year-old Uchimura had already won all-around gold in London 2012 and 10 world medals including six consecutive individual titles. But despite his individual accolades the gymnast known as "King Kohei" had taken just two silver in the Olympic team event behind China in 2008 and 2012. "We put in a lot of effort to come this far. This was the event in which I wanted to win gold," Uchimura said of his sixth Games medal, with the possibility of two more in the all-around and on floor to come. China were devastated by the loss of a title which represents everything to the country, after losing their world crown last year to Japan. Team leader Zhang Chenglong, the only member of the 2012 gold-medal winning team, paid tribute to their rivals. "We have to be happy for Japan because every athlete wants to be the best," said 27-year-old Zhang. "Team gold is the most important and precious for us Chinese because everyone has to be excellent. You have to be solid and united." Victory put Japan back on top of the podium for the first time since 2004 with a seventh gold in an event the country dominated through five Olympic Games in the 1960s and 1970s. But they had to battle a determinated Russia, who they competed alongside and had led for the first four rotations, with Denis Abliazin outscoring Olympic champion Arthur Zanetti of Brazil on the rings. The five-man Japanese team, which also included Koji Yamamuro, Ryohei Kato, Yusuke Tanaka and Kenzo Shirai, pulled ahead on horizontal bar to lead by just 0.208 going into their final floor rotation. World floor champion Shirai set Japan on their way with a soaring 16.133. Competing last Uchimura scored 15.600 to seal the title. "It was tough. My first emotion was that I was just exhausted," said a visibly tired Uchimura. Russia return Russia were delighted just to be back on the podium. "Silver is more important for us right now than gold," said Russia's Ivan Stretovich. "Russia hasn't won (a team medal) in the Olympic Games for 16 years. We are really excited that we did it." Japan scored 274.094 after the six rotations with Russia, who led early, finishing on 271.453 and China 271.122. "It's not too much to say that it was the worst day for my heart," said and emotional Shirai. "But there is no doubt it became the happiest day ever." Uchimura started on the pommel horse, clinching his fist to the crowd after competing, although team-mate Yamamuro fell off the apparatus. He was controlled on rings and nailed his vault despite a little hop back on landing with Shirai scoring 15.633. China paid for errors starting with a shaky start for Lin Chaopan and Deng Yang on the floor, with You Hao struggling on his rings dismount. China impressed on the parallel bar, on which You Hao scored 16.166, and needed a strong final rotation on the high bar, but failed to produce the needed fireworks. It was another blow for the Chinese, whose 12-year reign as world champions ended last October when Uchimura helped Japan to gold for the first time in 37 years. Britain finished two points off bronze, in fourth ahead of the United States, who had been second in qualifying. Hosts Brazil were sixth ahead of Germany and Ukraine respectively in the eight-team final. (AFP)

Olympics 2016: Uchimura completes medal haul with Japan triumph in gymnastics

Rio Olympics 2016: Medal Tally

Veteran American Kristin Armstrong completed a remarkable Olympic cycling hat-trick of gold medals after coming out of retirement for the second time to win the women&#39;s 29.7 km time-trial in Rio today.&nbsp; 
 
Just a day before she turns 43, Armstrong added to her gold medals from Beijing and London to become the first cyclist to win three Games titles in the same discipline. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t have words to describe it. When you&#39;ve already been two times at the pinnacle of the sport, why risk coming back for the gold medal? The best answer I can give is that I can,&quot; said Armstrong, who retired after each of her two previous Olympic success, only to come back in search of more glory. 
 
In wet and windy conditions, she posted a time of 44 minute and 26.42 seconds to edge out Russian Olga Zabelinskaya, who only returned from an 18-month doping suspension last year, by 5.55 seconds, with Olympic road race champion Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands third at 11.38 seconds.&nbsp; 
 
Armstrong said she was inspired by her American team-mate Mara Abbott&#39;s near miss in the road race, when she was heading for gold only to be caught 150 metres from the line and settling for fourth. 
 
&quot;Today the stars aligned. I knew it was going to be a close race. My coach said to me, &#39;OK, you decide what colour medal you want to have.&#39; 
 
&quot;I dug so deep. I thought about Mara, and I gave everything for her in the final 5 km. To hear the national anthem on the podium, that&#39;s my favourite part of the Olympics,&quot; added Armstrong, who was greeted at the finish with a hug from her five-year-old son Lucas. 
&nbsp;
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>I don&#39;t have words to describe it. When you&#39;ve already been two times at the pinnacle of the sport, why risk coming back for the gold medal? The best answer I can give is that I can - Armstrong</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" describe="" have="" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I don" it.="" t="" to="" when="" words="" you="">&nbsp;<a></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
 
Armstrong, a two-time world champion, hit the first time check atop the 1.3 km Grumari climb after 10km with a 4.9sec lead over Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy and 6.32sec to Van der Breggen. 
 
Zabelinskaya was sixth then but by the second, at the top of the 2.1km Grota Funda climb and 10km from the finish, she was first, 2.88sec ahead of Armstrong with Longo Borghini third at 6.98sec. 
 
Armstrong, though, finished the strongest and pulled back the time she&#39;d lost on the second climb to streak down the final descent and claim the gold medal. 
 
Zabelinskaya was only allowed to race after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reversed an IOC ruling that banned Russian athletes from the Games that had already served a doping suspension. 
 
Four years ago in London, she won bronze medals in both the time-trial and road race. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s very important, because it&#39;s the Olympic Games. It&#39;s important for me, and for Russia,&quot; she said. 
 
The treacherous conditions caught out 2013 world champion Ellen van Dijk, who skidded off the road and into a ditch, although without hitting the deck. 
 
That mistake perhaps cost the Dutch rider a medal as she finished fourth, just 11sec behind her team-mate Van der Breggen. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

This is the second time Armstrong has come out of retirement

Veteran American Kristin Armstrong completed a remarkable Olympic cycling hat-trick of gold medals after coming out of retirement for the second time to win the women's 29.7 km time-trial in Rio today. Just a day before she turns 43, Armstrong added to her gold medals from Beijing and London to become the first cyclist to win three Games titles in the same discipline. "I don't have words to describe it. When you've already been two times at the pinnacle of the sport, why risk coming back for the gold medal? The best answer I can give is that I can," said Armstrong, who retired after each of her two previous Olympic success, only to come back in search of more glory. In wet and windy conditions, she posted a time of 44 minute and 26.42 seconds to edge out Russian Olga Zabelinskaya, who only returned from an 18-month doping suspension last year, by 5.55 seconds, with Olympic road race champion Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands third at 11.38 seconds. Armstrong said she was inspired by her American team-mate Mara Abbott's near miss in the road race, when she was heading for gold only to be caught 150 metres from the line and settling for fourth. "Today the stars aligned. I knew it was going to be a close race. My coach said to me, 'OK, you decide what colour medal you want to have.' "I dug so deep. I thought about Mara, and I gave everything for her in the final 5 km. To hear the national anthem on the podium, that's my favourite part of the Olympics," added Armstrong, who was greeted at the finish with a hug from her five-year-old son Lucas. I don't have words to describe it. When you've already been two times at the pinnacle of the sport, why risk coming back for the gold medal? The best answer I can give is that I can - Armstrong Armstrong, a two-time world champion, hit the first time check atop the 1.3 km Grumari climb after 10km with a 4.9sec lead over Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy and 6.32sec to Van der Breggen. Zabelinskaya was sixth then but by the second, at the top of the 2.1km Grota Funda climb and 10km from the finish, she was first, 2.88sec ahead of Armstrong with Longo Borghini third at 6.98sec. Armstrong, though, finished the strongest and pulled back the time she'd lost on the second climb to streak down the final descent and claim the gold medal. Zabelinskaya was only allowed to race after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reversed an IOC ruling that banned Russian athletes from the Games that had already served a doping suspension. Four years ago in London, she won bronze medals in both the time-trial and road race. "It's very important, because it's the Olympic Games. It's important for me, and for Russia," she said. The treacherous conditions caught out 2013 world champion Ellen van Dijk, who skidded off the road and into a ditch, although without hitting the deck. That mistake perhaps cost the Dutch rider a medal as she finished fourth, just 11sec behind her team-mate Van der Breggen. (AFP)

Rio Olympics 2016: Veteran American Kristin Armstrong completes hat-trick of time-trial golds

Indian women&#39;s hockey team dished out a disappointing performance to suffer a 1-6 thrashing at the hands of a rampaging Australia in their third fixture at the Rio Olympics today. 
 
The Indians, who were playing in the Olympics after a gap of 36 years, were simply outplayed by the higher-ranked Australians who exposed the defensive frailties of their opponents with a comprehensive win in a lop-sided match. Jodie Kenny struck twice (43rd and 46th minute) while Kathryn Slattery (5th), Georgina Morgan (9th), Jane Claxton (35th), Georgina Parker (36th) scored once each to route the Indians. 
 
For India, Thokchom Anuradha scored the lone goal with just 8.3 seconds left on the clock.&nbsp;The Australians, who were the 2014 World Cup losing finalists, laid seize of the Indian 25-yard with waves of attacking runs and forced seven penalty corners from which they scored four times. 
 
India, on the other hand, got just one penalty corner which they failed to convert. They could barely string a goal-bound attack in the whole match as they suffered their second consecutive match.&nbsp;The Indian forwards could not make any opening and Rani Rampal was fielded for very less time. The margin of loss would have been bigger for India had goalkeeper Savita Punia not come up with some fine saves in the match. 
 
With today&#39;s loss, India is at the bottom of Pool B with just one point which they earned from the drawn match against Japan in their opening match. They had lost to Great Britain 0-3 in their previous match. 
 
India has two matches to play in the six-team Pool B, against higher ranked Argentina and United States. Only the top four finishers will advance to the quarterfinals. 
 
Australia took a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter of 15 minutes before the Indians denied them any goal in the second quarter. They scored three goals in the third quarter before pumping in another one in the final quarter to win the one-sided match. The Hockeyroos went into the attacking mode as soon as the match began and with better trapping and faster movement, they surged ahead in the fifth minute itself with Kathryan sounding the board from the first penalty corner they got. 
 
Two minutes later, Preeti Dubey earned the only penalty corner for India in the match. However, her deflected shot from a penalty corner variation went wide. 
 
Australia scored their second goal in the ninth minute with Georgina Morgan sounding the board from the second penalty corner they earned. Indian goalkeeper could have saved that low shot to her right, but she failed to do that. 
 
In the 20th minute, Anuradha got a rare chance to shoot at the Australian goal but her effort went over the bar. Next minute, Australia got a penalty corner but the Indian was up to the task. The Indians put up a better performance in the second quarter and denied them a goal. 
 
The Indian resistance in the second quarter did not last long as Australia scored in the fifth minute of the third quarter with Jane Claxton scoring a field goal. Georgina Parker than scored another field goal barely one minute later to make it 4-0 for Australia. 
 
Jodie Kenny struck her double late into the match, one from a penalty stroke after Indian captain Sushila Chanu was hit on her foot just in front of the goal following a penalty corner. 
 
In the final quarter, Kenny got the sixth goal for Australia from the penalty corner to complete the route. 
 
India scored the consolation goal through Anuradha with barely nine second left in the match as she volleyed a high ball into the Australian goal. 
 
(PTI)

With today's loss, India is at the bottom of Pool B and has two matches to play against higher ranked Argentina and US

Indian women's hockey team dished out a disappointing performance to suffer a 1-6 thrashing at the hands of a rampaging Australia in their third fixture at the Rio Olympics today. The Indians, who were playing in the Olympics after a gap of 36 years, were simply outplayed by the higher-ranked Australians who exposed the defensive frailties of their opponents with a comprehensive win in a lop-sided match. Jodie Kenny struck twice (43rd and 46th minute) while Kathryn Slattery (5th), Georgina Morgan (9th), Jane Claxton (35th), Georgina Parker (36th) scored once each to route the Indians. For India, Thokchom Anuradha scored the lone goal with just 8.3 seconds left on the clock. The Australians, who were the 2014 World Cup losing finalists, laid seize of the Indian 25-yard with waves of attacking runs and forced seven penalty corners from which they scored four times. India, on the other hand, got just one penalty corner which they failed to convert. They could barely string a goal-bound attack in the whole match as they suffered their second consecutive match. The Indian forwards could not make any opening and Rani Rampal was fielded for very less time. The margin of loss would have been bigger for India had goalkeeper Savita Punia not come up with some fine saves in the match. With today's loss, India is at the bottom of Pool B with just one point which they earned from the drawn match against Japan in their opening match. They had lost to Great Britain 0-3 in their previous match. India has two matches to play in the six-team Pool B, against higher ranked Argentina and United States. Only the top four finishers will advance to the quarterfinals. Australia took a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter of 15 minutes before the Indians denied them any goal in the second quarter. They scored three goals in the third quarter before pumping in another one in the final quarter to win the one-sided match. The Hockeyroos went into the attacking mode as soon as the match began and with better trapping and faster movement, they surged ahead in the fifth minute itself with Kathryan sounding the board from the first penalty corner they got. Two minutes later, Preeti Dubey earned the only penalty corner for India in the match. However, her deflected shot from a penalty corner variation went wide. Australia scored their second goal in the ninth minute with Georgina Morgan sounding the board from the second penalty corner they earned. Indian goalkeeper could have saved that low shot to her right, but she failed to do that. In the 20th minute, Anuradha got a rare chance to shoot at the Australian goal but her effort went over the bar. Next minute, Australia got a penalty corner but the Indian was up to the task. The Indians put up a better performance in the second quarter and denied them a goal. The Indian resistance in the second quarter did not last long as Australia scored in the fifth minute of the third quarter with Jane Claxton scoring a field goal. Georgina Parker than scored another field goal barely one minute later to make it 4-0 for Australia. Jodie Kenny struck her double late into the match, one from a penalty stroke after Indian captain Sushila Chanu was hit on her foot just in front of the goal following a penalty corner. In the final quarter, Kenny got the sixth goal for Australia from the penalty corner to complete the route. India scored the consolation goal through Anuradha with barely nine second left in the match as she volleyed a high ball into the Australian goal. (PTI)

Rio Olympics 2016: Indian women's hockey team lose 1-6 to Australia

Catch the events at the Rio Games live, do not miss any part of the action

Rio Olympics 2016: Schedule and Live Blog

Doping tensions in Olympic swimming erupted after American Lilly King beat tainted Russian rival Yulia Efimova and US superstar Michael Phelps demanded life bans for swimmers with a drug record. 
 
Booing broke out in the swimming arena on Monday as Efimova -- twice convicted of doping but securing an Olympic place on a last-ditch appeal -- lined up to challenge the women&#39;s 100m breaststroke final. 
 
King narrowly beat her then, stoking the controversy over revelations of Russian stated-sponsored doping. 
 
&quot;I think it just proved that you can compete clean and still come out on top,&quot; King said of her win. She had also criticised Efimova before the race. 
 
Russia springs to defence&nbsp; 
 
Clearly devastated, Efimova burst into tears after the race. 
 
Russia sprang to her defense, with Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko describing her as a &quot;good girl&quot;, according Moscow&#39;s R-Sport news agency. The attacks were described as a &quot;terrible ordeal.&quot; 
 
The red-faced International Olympic Committee (IOC) sought to calm the choppy waters, saying the Games were about &quot;respecting the right of others to compete.&quot; 
 
But King was joined in the war of words by US legend Phelps and Frenchman Camille Lacourt among others who lashed out at a Chinese winner. 
 
Phelps, who will attempt the astonishing feat of winning his 20th Olympic gold medal later Tuesday, launched a broadside at drug abusers and encouraged others to speak out. 
 
Phelps said those punished for doping should face permanent exile from the sport. 
 
&quot;I think you&#39;re going to see a lot of people speaking up more,&quot; the all-time highest Olympic medal winner said. 
 
China&#39;s Sun Yang, who won the 200m freestyle on Monday, came under fierce attack from a furious Lacourt. 
 
&quot;Sun Yang, he pisses purple,&quot; an enraged Lacourt who came fifth in the 100m backstroke told French radio. &quot;When I see the 200m podium I want to be sick.&quot; 
 
Sun has already been at the center of a verbal battle with Australia&#39;s Mack Horton who beat Sun in the 400m race. 
 
The Sun-Horton dispute has turned into a social media war. China&#39;s state-controlled Global Times newspaper called Australia a former British &quot;offshore prison&quot; because of Horton&#39;s &quot;drug cheat&quot; remarks about Sun. 
 
&#39;I once made a mistake&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Efimova sought to defend her doping record. 
 
&quot;I once made a mistake and served my ban,&quot; she said, referring to a 16-month suspension incurred after testing positive for a banned steroid in 2014. 
 
She was given a provisional ban this year after testing positive for meldonium but that was overturned in May by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 
 
Following the Richard McLaren report for the World Anti-Doping Agency, Efimova was suspended again. The report implicated the Russian government in doping. 
 
But another appeal to the CAS last week let Efimova and six other Russian swimmers into Rio. 
 
The United States and other western countries had wanted a complete ban on Russian athletes. 
 
The row largely overshadowed a day that saw a first gold medal for the Brazilian hosts. It was won by judoka Rafaela Silva, who grew up in Rio&#39;s notorious City of God slum. 
 
Silva upset world No. 1 Sumiya Dorjsuren in the 57kg final for a hugely welcome win for Brazil after apathy and protests in the run-up to South America&#39;s first Olympics. 
 
China got more medals in diving, where Chen Aisen and Lin Yue won the men&#39;s 10m platform. China finished the day with five gold medals in total. 
 
Japan&#39;s &#39;King Kohei&#39; Uchimura led Japan to victory in the men&#39;s team gymnastics, completing his collection of major titles in the sport. 
 
Russia took gold and silver in the women&#39;s sabre fencing as Yana Egorian beat Sofiya Velikaya, who again suffered heartbreak after also losing the 2012 Olympic final. 
 
Thailand enjoyed a one-two in the women&#39;s 58kg weightlifting as Sukanya Srisurat beat Pimsiri Sirikaew by 8kg. 
 
And in rugby, Australia&#39;s women beat New Zealand to become the Olympics&#39; first rugby sevens champions. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

Lily King narrowly beat her rival, Yulia Efimova, stoking the controversy over revelations of Russian state-sponsored doping

Doping tensions in Olympic swimming erupted after American Lilly King beat tainted Russian rival Yulia Efimova and US superstar Michael Phelps demanded life bans for swimmers with a drug record. Booing broke out in the swimming arena on Monday as Efimova -- twice convicted of doping but securing an Olympic place on a last-ditch appeal -- lined up to challenge the women's 100m breaststroke final. King narrowly beat her then, stoking the controversy over revelations of Russian stated-sponsored doping. "I think it just proved that you can compete clean and still come out on top," King said of her win. She had also criticised Efimova before the race. Russia springs to defence Clearly devastated, Efimova burst into tears after the race. Russia sprang to her defense, with Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko describing her as a "good girl", according Moscow's R-Sport news agency. The attacks were described as a "terrible ordeal." The red-faced International Olympic Committee (IOC) sought to calm the choppy waters, saying the Games were about "respecting the right of others to compete." But King was joined in the war of words by US legend Phelps and Frenchman Camille Lacourt among others who lashed out at a Chinese winner. Phelps, who will attempt the astonishing feat of winning his 20th Olympic gold medal later Tuesday, launched a broadside at drug abusers and encouraged others to speak out. Phelps said those punished for doping should face permanent exile from the sport. "I think you're going to see a lot of people speaking up more," the all-time highest Olympic medal winner said. China's Sun Yang, who won the 200m freestyle on Monday, came under fierce attack from a furious Lacourt. "Sun Yang, he pisses purple," an enraged Lacourt who came fifth in the 100m backstroke told French radio. "When I see the 200m podium I want to be sick." Sun has already been at the center of a verbal battle with Australia's Mack Horton who beat Sun in the 400m race. The Sun-Horton dispute has turned into a social media war. China's state-controlled Global Times newspaper called Australia a former British "offshore prison" because of Horton's "drug cheat" remarks about Sun. 'I once made a mistake' Efimova sought to defend her doping record. "I once made a mistake and served my ban," she said, referring to a 16-month suspension incurred after testing positive for a banned steroid in 2014. She was given a provisional ban this year after testing positive for meldonium but that was overturned in May by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Following the Richard McLaren report for the World Anti-Doping Agency, Efimova was suspended again. The report implicated the Russian government in doping. But another appeal to the CAS last week let Efimova and six other Russian swimmers into Rio. The United States and other western countries had wanted a complete ban on Russian athletes. The row largely overshadowed a day that saw a first gold medal for the Brazilian hosts. It was won by judoka Rafaela Silva, who grew up in Rio's notorious City of God slum. Silva upset world No. 1 Sumiya Dorjsuren in the 57kg final for a hugely welcome win for Brazil after apathy and protests in the run-up to South America's first Olympics. China got more medals in diving, where Chen Aisen and Lin Yue won the men's 10m platform. China finished the day with five gold medals in total. Japan's 'King Kohei' Uchimura led Japan to victory in the men's team gymnastics, completing his collection of major titles in the sport. Russia took gold and silver in the women's sabre fencing as Yana Egorian beat Sofiya Velikaya, who again suffered heartbreak after also losing the 2012 Olympic final. Thailand enjoyed a one-two in the women's 58kg weightlifting as Sukanya Srisurat beat Pimsiri Sirikaew by 8kg. And in rugby, Australia's women beat New Zealand to become the Olympics' first rugby sevens champions. (AFP)

Doping war erupts as American King beats tainted Russian swimmer to gold in Rio

Dutch gymnast Yuri van Gelder has been expelled from the Olympics for &quot;gravely&quot; violating team rules by going out for a night of drinking in Rio after qualifying for the finals of the rings event, the Dutch team said. 
 
The 33-year-old left the Olympic village on Saturday evening and spent the night celebrating before he returned in the early hours of Sunday morning, violating rules concerning alcohol consumption and leaving the team base.&nbsp; 
 
&#39;This kind of behaviour is unacceptable&#39;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It`s terrible for Yuri, but this kind of behaviour is unacceptable,&quot; Dutch team chef de mission Maurits Hendriks said in a statement today.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;In sports terms this is a disaster, but we had no other choice given the violation of our values.&quot; 
 
Van Gelder, the rings world champion in 2005, has a previous instance of violating rules at a major sporting event. In 2009, he was suspended from the Dutch Gymnastics Union for taking cocaine three days before the national championships. 
 
The Dutch team has imposed strict living conditions on its athletes. According to media reports, they are forbidden from entering Rio for safety reasons, while athletes who have completed their events must return home to avoid distracting team mates. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Yuri van Gelder left the Olympic village on Saturday evening and spent the night out celebrating

Dutch gymnast Yuri van Gelder has been expelled from the Olympics for "gravely" violating team rules by going out for a night of drinking in Rio after qualifying for the finals of the rings event, the Dutch team said. The 33-year-old left the Olympic village on Saturday evening and spent the night celebrating before he returned in the early hours of Sunday morning, violating rules concerning alcohol consumption and leaving the team base. 'This kind of behaviour is unacceptable' "It`s terrible for Yuri, but this kind of behaviour is unacceptable," Dutch team chef de mission Maurits Hendriks said in a statement today. "In sports terms this is a disaster, but we had no other choice given the violation of our values." Van Gelder, the rings world champion in 2005, has a previous instance of violating rules at a major sporting event. In 2009, he was suspended from the Dutch Gymnastics Union for taking cocaine three days before the national championships. The Dutch team has imposed strict living conditions on its athletes. According to media reports, they are forbidden from entering Rio for safety reasons, while athletes who have completed their events must return home to avoid distracting team mates. (Reuters)

Rio 2016: Dutch gymnast expelled for night of drinking

rio-olympics-2016

Rio Olympics 2016, News on Rio Olympics 2016, stories on Rio Olympics 2016, articles on Rio Olympics 2016, Rio Olympics 2016 stories at Wion, Rio Olympics 2016 news, Rio Olympics 2016 latest news

rio olympics-2016