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Outrage as Paralympian gets disqualified for "unfair" reason

Elena Congost, had just finished the T12/B2 run in third place, but was disqualified and had the bronze medal taken from her, for this one simple move. The 36-year-old was running in the vision-impaired category with guide Mia Carol Bruguera. When her guide faltered with a cramp in the final metres before the finish line, Congost instinctively helped him from falling over and let go of the rope that binds them together. This is not allowed within Paralympic rules as all runners must be connected to their guide via a tether. As a result, Japan’s Misato Michishita was elevated to the bronze medal after finishing fourth. In a heartbreaking interview after the race, a devastated Congost said: “It’s unfair, surreal.” “The next athlete was three minutes behind me. It was just a reflex action that any human being would have done – holding on to someone who is falling.” “But that doesn’t mean that there is any kind of benefit or help. In fact, it is clear that I stop dead. “I can’t find any explanation for this. It’s sad because, in addition, I had just been without a scholarship. And I’m not going to get one now. They will leave me out of everything again when I have shown everything I can do. “I have not been disqualified for cheating, but for being a person, for helping someone.” In a separate interview with Spanish outlet Marca, she said that despite being disqualified, she is proud of her actions. “I would like everyone to know that I have not been disqualified for cheating, but rather I have been disqualified for being a person and for an instinct that comes to you when someone is falling and is to help or support them,” she said. “I’m devastated, to be honest, because I had the medal. I’m super proud of everything I’ve done and in the end they disqualify me because 10 metres from the finish line I let go of the rope for a second because a person next to me fell face first to the ground and I grabbed the rope again and we crossed the finish line. “The next athlete is three minutes away from me, so it was a reflex action of any human being to hold on to a person who is falling next to you.” Fans around the world were outraged at the disqualification verdict and have called for officials to overturn it. “Shame on you. Give the medal back to Elena Congost,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Where is the Olympic spirit? Elena Congost was disqualified after running 42km and helping her guide not to fall to the ground. She has lost the bronze medal and her sports scholarship. Disgusting," another wrote. "Give the medal to Elena Congost. This decision ruins the paralympics. How can you be called inclusive if you can’t help a person from falling?” a third added. Image: X

Caring

Why aren’t the Olympics and Paralympics combined into one Games? The reasoning goes beyond logistics

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-misener-992664">Laura Misener</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-university-882">Western University</a> As the lights go out on an outstanding Olympic Games in Paris, with <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/7-in-10-canadians-tune-in-for-paris-2024">record-breaking media attention</a> and <a href="https://olympic.ca/press/paris-2024-team-canada-brings-home-historic-medal-haul/">excellent medal results for Team Canada</a>, it’s important to remember the Games aren’t over — it’s just the halfway mark. While the closing ceremonies on Aug. 11 seemed like the end of the event with the <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/as-the-olympic-flame-heads-for-los-angeles-what-can-we-expect-from-the-2028-games-1.6997247">official handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games</a>, the 2024 Games are really just on pause. This two-week break between Olympic and Paralympic Games isn’t a respite at all. Paris is now getting ready to host the Paralympic Games, which will <a href="https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/information/competition-schedule-for-the-paralympic-games">begin on Aug. 28 with the opening ceremony</a>. In two weeks, a whole new set of elite international athletes will descend on Paris for the <a href="https://olympics.com/en/sports/paralympic/">third largest sporting event</a> in the world. Canada will be sending <a href="https://paralympic.ca/news/team-of-126-canadian-athletes-set-to-compete-at-paris-2024-paralympic-games/">126 athletes to the Paris Paralympics</a> to compete in 18 sports. Staff will be working hard to set up venues for the Paralympic sports. This means tearing down some temporary venues and putting up others that facilitate accessibility for Paralympic sports, athletes and their entourage. Transforming <a href="https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/the-games/village">the village</a>, which housed just over 14,000 athletes and team personnel for the Olympics, to get it ready for the 8,000 para athletes and staff for the Paralympic Games is no simple feat. <h2>A logistical nightmare</h2> At this juncture, the question often arises as to why the Olympics and Paralympics aren’t combined together into one Games. The reasoning behind the decision is more complicated than it might appear. In 2001, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee signed the <a href="https://www.paralympic.org/feature/2-historic-one-bid-one-city-agreement">One Bid, One City</a> agreement to protect the interests of the Paralympic Games. The agreement requires host cities to stage both the Olympic and Paralympic Games using the same venues, facilities and infrastructure. This also unites the two sporting movements. The sheer size of such an event would make it impossible for almost any city to host a single combined Olympic and Paralympic Games. Consider the logistics of an event that would include approximately 15,000 athletes over 50 sporting disciplines. In the current iteration, there are already 15 cities outside of Paris playing host to events. For instance, sailing was <a href="https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/venues/marseille-marina">held in Marseille</a>, shooting was <a href="https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/venues/chateauroux-shooting-centre">held in Châteauroux</a> and the rowing and canoe-kayak events were <a href="https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/venues/vaires-sur-marne-nautical-stadium">held in Vaires-sur-Marne</a>. Even a city with the resources and infrastructure of Paris could not, and would not, host an event of that size. Combining the games would necessitate a change in structure, and inevitably sports — likely Paralympic sports — would be dropped. Hence the two-week break between Games. <h2>Paralympics deserve their own spotlight</h2> The discussion about the separation of the two events goes much deeper than logistical concerns. Some supporters of the Paralympic Games see the need and value for a <a href="https://time.com/7004176/olympic-paralympic-games-separate/">separate event</a> that showcases and highlights elite athletes with disabilities. IPC President Andrew Parsons, for example, argues that hosting the Paralympic Games separately <a href="https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1147694/merging-olympic-and-paralympic-games">focuses on their broader mission</a> of drawing attention to “issues of disability rights, accessibility, and broader areas of inclusion for the legacy of the event.” The distinct Paralympic event showcases the elite performances of Para athletes, giving them the attention and celebration deserved. All too often, Para athletes’ successes are overshadowed by the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795221103410">tendency of media to prioritize non-disabled athletes</a>, often marginalizing or overlooking the achievements of athletes with disabilities. The challenge, then, is for the host city to maintain the momentum from the Olympics and ensure Paralympic athletes receive the recognition they deserve for their sporting successes. The Canadian Paralympic Committee launched their <a href="https://paralympic.ca/games/paris-2024/">Greatness Moves Us</a> campaign recently to highlight the stories of excellence of Paralympic athletes and galvanize support and viewership. <h2>A lasting legacy</h2> Ultimately, the Paralympic Games showcase elite sporting excellence in a way that no other event does. But the Games are about so much more — championing inclusion, disability rights and a lasting legacy of social change. Paris is an example of a city that has stepped up to the challenge. It put <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/06/travel/paris-olympics-accessibility-disabled.html">accessibility at the centre of its bid</a>, knowing full well the challenge ahead of them in the historic city. Leading into the Games, the city has made good on <a href="https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1147595/paris-accessibility-paralympics-games">many promises around accessibility</a> and increasing opportunities for people with disabilities. The city upgraded the overground transportation network by adding fully accessible bus and tram lines, and introduced 1,000 accessible taxis. They also tackled some challenging tasks, such as upgrading historic venues into accessible sporting spaces. More than €10 million was allocated to improve the accessibility of six major sports facilities, including the <a href="https://www.paris.fr/en/pages/georges-vallerey-swimming-pool-reopens-after-renovation-work-27046">Georges Vallerey swimming pool</a> and the <a href="https://www.paris.fr/en/pages/the-pierre-de-coubertin-stadium-has-been-renovated-for-the-olympic-games-27211">Pierre de Coubertin stadium</a>. The aim is to sustain the momentum, not only between the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but long after they conclude, with the goal of creating a more <a href="https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/our-commitments/promoting-the-role-of-sports/more-inclusive-society">inclusive society</a> in France. Leading up to the start of the Paralympics, there is some concern about whether the momentum will be there from a viewership perspective and spectators in the stands. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games set records for viewership in a Games that was largely devoid of spectators in the stand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. American <a href="https://www.wkar.org/wkar-news/2022-01-17/opinion-sports-are-a-shared-human-experience-bringing-us-joy-and-drama-so-it-is-time-to-appreciate-the-paralympics-on-par-with-the-olympics">television network NBC</a> reported 15.5 million viewers per night for the 2020 Olympic Games, in contrast to 14 million viewers in total for the 2020 Paralympic Games. But many of us will be looking more at the momentum of the event to be a catalyst for inclusion, access and opportunity beyond the events. Once all the lights go out on the Games, it is the lasting legacy of social change that will be the ultimate judge of the success of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236670/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-misener-992664">Laura Misener</a>, Professor & Director, School of Kinesiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-university-882">Western University</a> Image credits: ALI HAIDER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-arent-the-olympics-and-paralympics-combined-into-one-games-the-reasoning-goes-beyond-logistics-236670">original article</a>.

International Travel

"You are terrible": Brutal comment that drove Paralympian to greatness

From a young age, Paralympian Madison de Rozario knew that people treated her differently. "There's an enormous lack of expectation in what we [people with disabilities] are able to do in sport, in workplaces, in school," she told 9honey. "It can be the death of potential … I didn't recognise that's what I was experiencing as a young kid." Born in Perth, Western Australia, De Rozario developed a neurological disease at just four-years-old and has used a wheelchair ever since. It didn't hold her back from playing sports with her two sisters, and now she is a Paralympic champion with six medals to her name - two golds, three silvers, and a bronze medal. De Rozario recalled how Frank Ponta – a silver medallist at the first ever Paralympics in 1960, an inaugural Australian Paralympic Hall of Famer, and coach to several Paralympic icons – helped her overcome her early doubts. "There was a lot of sympathy, a lot of pity, which I didn't recognise as pity at the time," she said. "And then there was Frank, and he had none of it." Ponta was part of a generation of para athletes that fought for recognition and support back when most Australia treated them as if they were invisible. She recalled how the first time Ponta saw her try to play basketball at just 12-years-old, he told her, "you are terrible at this sport". While it's not exactly what a young athlete would expect to hear, she acknowledged that she was terrible, but Ponta saw her potential. He dug an old racing wheelchair out of a storage cupboard, strapped her in and told her to go for a spin around the carpark. "It was way too big for me and I absolutely fell in love with it," she recalled. Not long after, Ponta was training her multiple times a week even in the toughest conditions. Not only did he believe in her, he expected her to achieve great things and that expectation changed everything. "I think he was the first person that didn't treat me carefully," she said. "He just treated me like an athlete." A year later, one of Ponta's protegees, Sauvage, took over De Rozario's coaching and helped her nab a last-minute spot at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. De Rozario debuted 48 years after Ponta and brought home the silver medal, the same medal he won at his debut. Ponta sadly died in 2011, a year before De Rozario competed in London, leaving behind a legacy for all para athletes to come. "I feel so just incredibly lucky that I had one of them in my corner. I didn't even realise it until he was gone," she said. "I feel so lucky that that's how my career started, with someone who just embodied all of those things that now as a 30-year-old, I hold very, very close." These memories help fuel her as she prepares for her fifth Paralympics in Paris this month. This year she hopes to make Ponta proud and be the inspiration to the next generation of para athletes. "That part still sits so restlessly in me," she said. Image: DARREN ENGLAND/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial

International Travel

Hard to watch! Paralympic champion given the worst gifts ever

A Spanish Paralympic cyclist has been given the worst trophy gifts in history, with his calm and collected reaction making waves online. Ricardo Ten Argiles was last week crowned world champion in three separate events at the 2023 UCI World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. During the post race ceremonies, he was presented with two gold medals, along with two very surprising gifts from the event's major sponsor: international watch company Tissot. The 47-year-old was gifted not one, but TWO watches in a fancy display case, despite having both his arms amputated at the forearm. A video of Ten keeping a straight face while being handed one of the watches has started to spread across the internet with more than 800,000 views. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Not a very well thought gift. <a href="https://t.co/hRhaTfnGsE">pic.twitter.com/hRhaTfnGsE</a> — Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) <a href="https://twitter.com/OutOfCycling/status/1691136594747469836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote> One video shows Ten standing on the podium and exchanging some friendly words with an official as he holds the watch case tightly between his arms. Understandably, the mortifying moment has been met with outrage and black humour. The athlete himself has been laughing off the incident and has embraced the way his social media pages have exploded with comments. Many of the comments suggested that Ten regift the expensive watches at Christmas, while others wondered how officials at the event could've let the awkward gifts happen. Despite the outrage from fans, Ten responded to one news story about the “tactless blunder” by writing on Twitter, “I am very happy to have won two TISSOTs, one for each arm, but above all for what it means for Paralympic cycling, total inclusion of the sport at the highest level”. Image credits: Twitter

Body

10 incredible things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo is a city that defies definitions. An intersection at which modern living combines with old-fashioned sensibilities, Tokyo has been captivating tourists for years. We’re going to take a look at the top 10 things to do when visiting this famous city. It’s fair to say a visit to this famous city is not complete without trying these experiences. We've also included a selection of photographs depicting these experiences. To see them all, scroll through the gallery above. The pictures correspond to the list below. 1. Tsukiji Market – If you’re an early riser, Tsukiji Market offers world famous tuna auctions that start around 5am and are truly an experience for travellers to behold. 2. Meiji-jingū – The centrepiece of this captivating shrine is the towering, 12 metre high gate created from 1500-year-cyprus, which gives the region an authentic feel. 3. Shibuya Crossing – We’ve covered this <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/shibuya-pedestrian-crossing-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pedestrian crossing before</a>, but it’s definitely worth a second mention. Controlled chaos on an unimaginable scale. 4. Sensō-ji – One of Japan’s most-famous temples, which is home to a golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and a variety of captivating sights. 5. Tokyo Sky Tree – Opening in May 2012 as the world’s tallest free standing tower, Tokyo Sky Tree provides glorious, panoramic views of the enchanting surrounds. 6. Tokyo National Museum – This captivating museum has a range of exhibits including pottery, sculptures, weapons and the world’s largest collection of Japanese art. 7. Ōedo Onsen Monogatari – An onsen (hot spring)-themed amusement park gives you the real onsen (hot spring) experience and provides utter relaxation. 8. Kabuki-za – Providing a captivating observation of Japanese culture, this ancient theatre allows visitors to experience a range of memorable performances. 9. Sumo wrestling – A traditional sumo wrestling tournament is a must-see experience for anyone visiting Japan and is a captivating look at this ancient culture. 10. Zoetrope – Whisky fans need look no further than Zoetrope, which has more than 300 varieties of Japanese whisky, including some no longer commercially available. Image: Getty

Travel Tips

Cafe won’t let guests leave until they finish their work

If you struggle a lot with procrastination then the only thing left for you to do is to book a ticket to Japan and head to this one cafe. Unless you procrastinate that too, but hear us out. Manuscript Writing Cafe in Tokyo is the one-stop destination for procrastinators looking to get their work done. There are 10 workstations and people are allowed to leave ONLY when they have finished their work. And the staff will make sure you have completed your projects as they come to check in on you at least six times an hour. They also bring with them free snacks, tea, coffee, water and high-speed wifi. Once you have completed all your tasks, you are given a paper with an orange stamp and you are free to leave. The video was shared to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@leanneinjapan/video/7095383871398694149?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> and has been viewed more than 624,000 times and has received around 120,000 likes with many commenting about how they need to be at the cafe all the time. “Yup, I definitely need to work there.. ah.. maybe later,” one wrote. “Kindness and torture at the same time,” someone commented. “I guess I'm bringing a sleeping bag,” another joked. “I’ll go later,” another joked about procrastinating their visit. “So essentially I'd be living there,” read another. Images: TikTok

International Travel

World’s tallest athlete towering in Tokyo

The world’s tallest athlete Morteza Mehrzad, who competes sitting down, is 246cm tall and he’s part of the Iranian men’s sitting volleyball team which is on track for back-to-back gold medals at the Paralympics. The middle-eastern nation has dominated the sport for decades — winning six of the past eight gold medals in the men’s game — but it’s the addition of Mehrzad which has made the team even more unbeatable. The 33-year-old is the second tallest man alive and the tallest Paralympian in history. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.12648221343875px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843639/tallest-athlete-2-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3b9a155aa6764bbe9dc77eaf510d451a" /> In a sport where players with a variety of ailments sit down and try to get the ball over the net which is approximately 1.15m off the floor, it’s very easy for Mehrzad. Iran will meet the sport’s other powerhouse Bosnia Herzegovina in the semi-finals on Thursday night in a rematch of the gold medal game in Rio four years ago. On that occasion, Mehrzad made the difference and Iran won the medal. Iran’s coach asked Mehrzad to join Iran’s coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani saw Mehrzad on a TV program about physical disorders and got in contact with him, asking him to join the team. He took up the sport nine years ago and made his international debut in 2016 and immediately started winning awards. He’s only improved, continuing to dominate at the Paralympics. Even sitting down, when Mehrzad raises his right arm, it reaches a height of 1.93 metres. When spiking — the term used to describe a forceful attacking shot to get the ball over the net — he can get his dominant hand up to 2.3m in the air. It’s not all good news for the Iranian sports star While it’s easy to see why Mehrzad would be happy with his progress, it isn’t all good news for the Iranian superstar. He suffers from acromegaly - a medical condition which arises from the brain’s pituitary gland producing too much growth hormone after the body’s growth plates have closed. By the age of 16 he was already over 1.9m tall. Mehrzad rarely stands up though because he seriously injured his pelvis in a bike accident as a teenager, meaning he now spends significant amounts of time either on crutches or in a wheelchair. His right leg has stopped growing and it’s about 15cm shorter than his left. The sad reality is that while he’s helping his teammates to win and bringing recognition to his country in Tokyo at the moment, his condition does not bode well for his long term future. A spokesperson for his team said: “His health is not going well. His health is currently declining because he’s getting taller. I think he’s still growing. The first time we saw him he could walk better but now he has to walk with crutches.” But now is a time for Mehrzad and his team to focus on the positives. Iran has won six gold medals and two silvers across the past eight Paralympics, and with Mehrzad’s help, it looks likely they’ll be heading home from these Games with some more medals as well. Image: Getty Images

Body

China re-jigs Olympic medal tally to place itself first

Sections of the Chinese media have been caught out changing the 2021 Olympics medal tally by placing China at the top of the list, ahead of the USA. This year's Olympics in Tokyo saw the USA finish first with 39 gold medals with China coming in a close second with 38 gold medals and the host nation, Japan, finished third with 27 golds. But China Central Television (CCTV), which is a state-controlled broadcaster run by the Chinese Communist Party, has been caught out listing China as having won 42 gold medals and winning the overall medal tally. This re-jigged tally came to light after it was seen on the Chinese social media platform - Weibo. From this platform, the graphic appeared all over mainstream social media with people on Twitter seeing the rejigged tally. Some have said the new tally is because the CCTV found a way to boost their medals by including Taiwan and Hong Kong in their overall tally. But even with these two nations’ medals, this only adds three gold medals to China’s overall tally, so it’s unclear where the 42 gold medals comes from. Hong Kong earned just one gold medal at the Games, while Taiwan, which competes as 'Chinese Taipei', earned two gold medals. Image: Getty and Twitter

Legal

Team GB rocked by doping controversy at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Great Britain's men’s track team is in danger of having their silver medal being stripped, after one of its athletes tested positive for banned substances. Britain's Olympic 4x100m relay silver medallist Chijindu 'CJ' Ujah has been provisionally suspended for allegedly breaching strict anti-doping rules at the games. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) reported that athlete had returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from a test carried during the Olympics in Japan. The substances detected were Ostarine and S-23, which are both classified by the World Anti-doping Organisation, as they have similar effects to steroids. The substances have been banned from the Olympics for some time, as they help build muscle and enhance overall sporting performance. CJ responded to the news of the doping scandal with a cryptic Instagram post that said, “Stay focused… Because truth is madder than fiction.” CJ is allowed to request independent analysis of the sample to prove his innocence and keep his Olympic title. If he is found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs, it could be devastating for his fellow members of the relay team. Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake will also be at risk of being stripped if the positive is confirmed. The news comes after three other track and field athletes were suspended during the Games for suspected doping. Moroccan-born Bahraini 1,500m runner Sadik Mikhou, Georgian shot putter Benik Abramyan and Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno Odhiambo were listed for using performance-enhancing drugs, and remain under investigation by the AIU. Image credit: Getty Images

Legal

“I’m in shock”: Olympian stuns the world with “impossible” run

Norway’s Karsten Warholm has had an incredible run by smashing his own “impossible” world record, taking the gold in the men's 400m hurdles. Warholm clocked in at a remarkable 45.94 seconds. He beat his previous world best of 46.70sec. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842812/norway-world-record-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4a6da1c59057416f9b46990d2d57993b" /> Image: Supplied He went head to head with American Rai Benjamin, who came under the previous world record mark and won silver. Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos claimed bronze in 46.72. Warholm’s feat is something never-before-seen, as only four runners in history have ever clocked sub-47sec times, let alone sub-46. Seven of the eight runners also recorded their personal best times. The race was one that came down to the final 20m. As Warholm’s world record time flashed on the big screen, he roared and ripped open his shirt. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842813/norway-world-record.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/60445dd9738a4b799bc26111795783a6" /> Image: Getty Aussie icon and commentator Bruce McAvaney, described the win as one of the most iconic performances ever seen at the Olympics. He said it competed with Usain Bolt's 9.63sec 100m run at the London Olympics. "It will go down as the greatest 400m hurdles ever run and arguably the greatest race we have seen at an Olympic Games. What a contest," McAvaney said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Karsten Warholm's 45.95 in the 400-meter hurdles took .75 of a second off of the world record. To take that much off of the WR in an event human beings have been running for 120+ years should not be possible. It should not be possible! — Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgault13/status/1422399636698923010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote> Former Aussie athletics star Tamsyn Manou said the shock of the race left her speechless. "I'm in shock. Bruce, I'm in shock. I cannot believe for the men's 400m hurdles there is a 45 second run," she said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Ppl, I don’t think you realize what you just watched. A man just ran Sub 46 in the 400M Hurdles. That’s Beamon’s jump in Mexico City, Bolt’s sub 9.6 in 100 meters. I saw Kevin Young run 46.78 in Barcelona, still can’t believe Warholm ran that fast. Geeeeezzz — shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShannonSharpe/status/1422400410812252165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote> "We've taken this event to a place where I don't think anybody (expected). "Everybody was talking about a world record, but I don't think anybody would have said it will be won in sub-46 seconds." American sports commentator Tom Harrington said: "That 400 meters hurdles was the greatest in history". Image: Getty

News

World reacts with shock to Olympic athlete slapped on live TV

Judo fans were left in shock when German athlete Martyna Trajdos was shaken and slapped in the face by her coach before an Olympic bout in Tokyo. The live broadcast showed the bizarre moment ahead of Trajdos' elimination round of 32 fight with Hungary's Szofi Ozbas on Tuesday afternoon. The German ultimately lost the fight, with Ozbas emerging triumphant by Waza-Ari. However, the footage of Trajdos and her coach inevitably caught the attention of viewers, with many voicing their concern for her well-being. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CR1VL4nqyy6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CR1VL4nqyy6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Martyna Trajdos (@martyna_trajdos)</a> </div> </blockquote> But Trajdos defended the pre-fight ritual <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR1VL4nqyy6/" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>: "Don't worry guys! That's the ritual which I chose before fights. My coach is just doing what I want him to do to fire me up! "I wish I could have made a different headline today. "As I already said that’s the ritual which I chose pre competition! My coach is just doing what I want him to do to fire me up!"

News

Barty's brilliantly blunt take on Tokyo heat

As the weather in Tokyo reached the mid-30s, many players have been complaining about being forced to play at the peak of the heat. But, Aussie tennis star Ash Barty had no qualms about the inclement weather and gave a blunt response when asked for her opinion on the conditions. “We’re Aussies, mate. We’re alright,” she told News Corp after her and Storm Sanders’ loss in the women’s doubles against Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. Meanwhile, Spain’s Paula Badosa was taken off the court in a wheelchair after collapsing from heat exhaustion during her quarter-final match against Marketa Vondrousova. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Suspect scenes like these may have played a part in the decision of Olympic organisers to take tennis out of the worst of the heat. Paula Badosa taken off court in a wheelchair with heat exhaustion. <a href="https://t.co/I6GZ4Uq7KY">pic.twitter.com/I6GZ4Uq7KY</a> — James Gray (@jamesgraysport) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesgraysport/status/1420352664236404739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> “It was a shame to finish my participation in this way,” Badosa said. “The conditions have been demanding from day one. We tried to adapt as best as possible but today the body has not responded as needed. “I have suffered a heat stroke as you all have seen and I did not feel ready to continue.” Russian Daniil Medvedev also struggled with the soaring temperatures during his third round win over Fabio Fognini. Medvedev took two medical timeouts and asked who would be responsible for his death. “I can finish the match but I can die,” he told chair umpire Carlos Ramos when asked if he could continue. “If I die, are you going to be responsible?” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Still alive🥵　<a href="https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tokyo2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/xEJqMGUNsq">pic.twitter.com/xEJqMGUNsq</a> — Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaniilMedwed/status/1420306048758554629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> “I just had darkness in my eyes, like between every point I didn’t know what to do to feel better. “I was bending over and I couldn’t get my breathing together. I was ready to just fall down on the court.” After complaints from world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and several other plays, organisers have since moved the start of play to 3pm local time to offer players some added protection against the heat.

News

Roger Federer’s distressing announcement

Roger Federer has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics after a major “setback” in his knee injury recovery. The 20-time Grand Slam champion was beaten by Hubert Hurkacz during Wimbledon in the quarter-finals last week. Last year however, the 39-year-old underwent two surgeries on his right knee. He has been training to win an Olympic singles gold medal, but now it looks like the star might have to wait another four years. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRhJdfFBgE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRhJdfFBgE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Roger Federer (@rogerfederer)</a> </div> </blockquote> The global pandemic delayed the 2020 Olympic Games by a year, and while it will still go ahead – it will largely be held behind closed doors. Strict health restrictions will also be in place. The Olympic singles title is the only major tournament Federer is yet to win. The tennis star lost during the semi-finals in 2000, in Sydney. In 2012, he would go on to be beaten by Andy Murray in London, just weeks after dominating the Brit on the same Centre Court in the Wimbledon final. Federer did however win doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka in Beijing 13 years ago. The star’s loss to Hurkacz was only his 14th defeat at Wimbledon in over 119 matches. It is also the first time he has been beaten in the tournament in straight sets since 2002. Additionally, it was Federer’s first time he’s lost a set 6-0 at Wimbledon, and just the third time at a Slam. “With everything that comes after Wimbledon, we were always going to sit down and talk about it because clearly now Wimbledon is over,” Federer announced. “I got to take a few days. Just see, OK, what do I need to do to get in better shape so I can be more competitive.” He slipped to ninth in the ATP rankings after Wimbledon, which is his lowest position since March 2017.

News

Prince Harry refers to "darkest of places" in new Netflix documentary

Prince Harry refers to the "darkest of places" in the latest Netflix documentary Rising Phoenix, which focuses on the creation of the Paralympics and the challenges competitors have faced. To promote the new documentary, Harry appeared via Zoom alongside other athletes. "There isn't anything else in the world that can bring you back from the darkest of places than sport," the Prince explained. Other athletes in the group included Tatyana McFadden and Matt Stutzman from the US, Bebe Vio from Italy, Jean-Baptiste Alaize from France and Ntando Mahlangu from South Africa. "With COVID and everything else that is happening at the moment, your stories and the strength that you guys show, is incredible and that needs to be seen more," the Duke of Sussex says. "It needs to be spoken about more, to try and get rid of the stereotyping to get rid of those preconceptions. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The Duke of Sussex spoke to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RisingPhoenix?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RisingPhoenix</a> stars <a href="https://twitter.com/ArmlessArcher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArmlessArcher</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jbalaize?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jbalaize</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TatyanaMcFadden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TatyanaMcFadden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VioBebe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VioBebe</a> and Ntando Mahlangu about the power of sport to change the world and the way we think. Rising Phoenix – the extraordinary story of the <a href="https://twitter.com/Paralympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Paralympics</a> - is out now on Netflix. <a href="https://t.co/Kzq0COg6RF">pic.twitter.com/Kzq0COg6RF</a> — HTYT Stories (@HTYTstories) <a href="https://twitter.com/HTYTstories/status/1301523211667099649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2020</a></blockquote> "My biggest hope is that people will watch this film and go, 'No matter how hard my life is, no matter how hard a day or a week can be, this what I aspire to, not just for me but for my family and all the loved ones around me'. "It is that element that I think will end up changing the world, so well done and thank you very much." The Duke of Sussex is a long-time advocate for overcoming adversity as he created the Invictus Games, which gives wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women the chance to compete in sports to assist their recovery and rehabilitation. Rising Phoenix is now available to watch on Netflix.

News

Paralympic gold medallist dies by euthanasia at age 40

Paralympian gold medallist Marieke Vervoort has passed away by euthanasia at the age of 40, 11 years after making a promise to herself. The Belgian Paralympian suffered from an incurable degenerative spinal condition which was diagnosed at the age of 21. The diagnosis followed years of pain, and Vervoort continued to suffer after receiving her diagnosis. "I know how I feel now, but I don't know how I'll feel after half an hour," she says. "It can be that I feel very, very bad, I get an epileptic attack, I cry, I scream because of pain. I need a lot of painkillers, valium, morphine,” she told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/50150513" target="_blank">the BBC.</a> "A lot of people ask me how is it possible that you can have such good results and still be smiling with all the pain and medication that eats your muscles. For me, sports, and racing with a wheelchair - it's a kind of medication." Vervoort was a strong advocate for euthanasia, as she first signed the documents necessary back in 2008, just six years after euthanasia was made legal in Belgium. "I was a very depressed person. I was thinking about how I was going to kill myself,” she said. "All those people who get those papers here in Belgium – they have a good feeling. They don't have to die in pain. "They can choose a moment, and be with the people they want to be with. With euthanasia you're sure that you will have a soft, beautiful death." <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3x0kvcH4ud/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3x0kvcH4ud/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Can’t forget the good memories!</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/wielemie.marieke.vervoort/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Marieke Vervoort</a> (@wielemie.marieke.vervoort) on Oct 18, 2019 at 4:45pm PDT </div> </blockquote> A statement from the Belgian Paralympic Committee and IPC called her a “source of inspiration in our society”. "We will not forget Marieke Vervoort's great sporting achievements, as well as her courage in the face of illness," said President of the Belgian Paralympic Committee, Anne d'Ieteren. Marc Vergauwen, Secretary General of the Belgian Paralympic Committee, shared the same sentiment. “Marieke Vervoort brought the disabled into the light with her two medals at the London Paralympic Games. "Her performances as well as her spontaneous interviews after her races generated great media attention for Paralympic sport in Belgium and were a source of inspiration for our society."

Caring

Surprising holiday photos that can land you in trouble

On holidays people tend to take photos of everything that they see, from old rustic buildings and narrow streets, to food at a restaurant and the view of city lights. But there are some photos in particular that can get you in trouble with the law. A British tourist in Egypt was arrested over mobile phone footage of the airport which happened to capture a military helicopter in the background. Muhammed Fathi Abulkasem, 19, from Manchester was arrested and charged with collecting intelligence on the Egyptian military, reported the Associated Press. The teenager innocently filmed the landing of his flight, which showed a helicopter in the background. Taking unauthorised photos or videos of military facilities, equipment or personnel is illegal in Egypt. “We all have one of those landing videos on our phones,” his cousin Shareen Nawaz from the UK told AP. “They shouldn’t have military helicopters in public spaces if this is what will happen.” Many countries have outlawed the photographing or filming of military related materials, equipment and personnel. The strictness of these laws are related to the country’s level of secrecy. More seemingly innocent photographs can also land tourists in hot water from places of worship, airports, museums and galleries, bridges, tunnels and railway stations – and even shopping centres and buildings. These all seem like normal things a tourist would capture on camera – but taking snaps of these places could be illegal without you even knowing it. The most surprising things people can’t take pictures of include some of the most famous photographs in the world, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris at night. The reason being, under European copyright law, works are protected for the lifetime of the artist, plus an additional 70 years. The tower’s designer, Gustave Eiffel, died in 1923 and the building entered the public domain 10 years later. Although the lights weren’t installed until 1985 by Pierre Bideau and are an artwork, they are still protected under European copyright law. Therefore, taking photos of the Eiffel Tower with the lights off isn’t breaking the law, although at night when the lights are flashing and dazzling over the city, it could get you in trouble with the law. Tokyo’s most famous night bar location in Golden Gai in the centre of the Shinjuku district is an iconic spot jam-packed with around 200 miniature bars with a labyrinth of really narrow alleys winding through the block. Signs throughout the district warn tourists of the banning of photographs. The Sistine Chapel in Rome also forbids photographs, although not for the reasons you may assume. The Sistine Chapel contains the famous artworks of Michelangelo and Cosimo Rosselli. People assume the reason is that the flash could damage the artwork, and although it is a concern for the longevity of the priceless art, that’s not the primary reason. A Japanese TV company owns the exclusive rights to these famous artworks. It attained these rights when they helped fund a major restoration project. The TV corporation offered US$4.2 million to spend on restoration in exchange for the exclusive rights to photograph and film the restored art. The company produced many documentaries and art books from the deal. The photo ban extends from buildings, artwork and iconic landmarks to animals. In particular, Chinese pandas. This ban comes after tourists have attempted to get dangerously close to the endangered creatures. In an attempt to maintain safety for tourists and the pandas, animal groups encouraged the ban. The tightly controlled and regulated country of North Korea consists of many photography bans, which extend to almost everything. Getty Images photographer Carl Court spent a week in the country documenting people’s daily life. Court explained the things he was an wasn’t allowed to photograph. The biggest rule for his photos included having to capture only full-frame images of Kim II-sung and Kim Jong-il statues and iconography. “You can’t crop the feet off the statues. You can’t cut a bit of the corner off,” Court said. Tourists are only allowed to enter the country if they are with a state-approved travel group that closely monitors where they go and what they see. Electronics and mobile phones may be searched by Korean authorities at any time.

Travel Trouble

The Japanese hotel room that comes with a life-size flight simulator

For aviation enthusiasts, the flight may be the best part of a trip. But that might change after a Japanese hotel came up with a special accommodation option. The Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu has installed a <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/japan-hotel-flight-simulator-intl-hnk/index.html">flight simulator</a> inside one of its rooms. Guests can come in and enjoy a 90-minute flying session in the “Superior Cockpit Room” suite, where they will simulate the experience of piloting a Boeing 737-800 from Haneda to Itami Airport in Osaka. The hotel said visitors can “experience the sense that you are actually maneuvering by tilting the landscape by operating your control stick.” The hotel, which is located at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport, offers the simulator experience for 30,000 Yen (NZ$414), complete with a flight instructor to guide you through the cockpit. You can also book the room for an additional 25,300 Yen (NZ$350) per night.

International Travel

Naked man shocks commuters at train station

Commuters at a busy train station in Tokyo, Japan have been greeted with a brazen display of unexplained nudity. The bizarre incident occurred at Akihabara Station on Sunday, according to images shared on social media. They show a man wearing nothing but a backpack casually attempting to buy his train tickets. <img width="498" height="275" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/26204/train-image-in-text_498x275.jpg" alt="Train Image In Text" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> In one photo, the naked man can be seen crouching down and rummaging through his backpack, much to the bewilderment of one passenger near him. However, within minutes the man was surrounded by station officials, who worked quickly to protect his modesty, shielding him from view with a sheet. It is not yet known why the man was walking around naked, but the Akihabara district is famous for catering to various fetishes, with its plethora of maid cafes and adult stores. Have you ever encountered anything like this on a commute? Let us know in the comments. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Related links: <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/07/the-real-reason-your-luggage-is-lost-in-transit/">The real reason your luggage is lost in transit</a> <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/07/tips-for-handling-airports-with-mobility-issues/">Tips for handling airports with mobility issues</a> <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/07/10-items-you-need-in-your-holiday-backpack/">10 items you need in your holiday backpack</a>

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Prince Harry refers to "darkest of places" in new Netflix documentary

Paralympic gold medallist dies by euthanasia at age 40

Surprising holiday photos that can land you in trouble

The Japanese hotel room that comes with a life-size flight simulator

Naked man shocks commuters at train station