Brussels, Belgium | AFP | High-ranking Olympic official Pierre-Olivier Beckers on Saturday made plain that the delayed Tokyo Olympics “will be held in 2021 or not at all”. The Belgian was reiterating the stance put forward by Japan and International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach that next year was the last chance to hold …
Read More »For Japan’s Abe, Olympic delay may be no sweat
Tokyo, Japan | AFP | The stunt reflected his commitment to an event that was supposed to be the crowning glory of his tenure. But analysts say the historic delay of the Games over the coronavirus may not be all bad news for Abe. If the country’s longest-serving premier can see …
Read More »German woman boxer’s fight to wear headscarf in the ring
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Berlin boxer Zeina Nassar’s fighting spirit has won her plenty of titles, but her battle to wear the hijab in the ring has also made her an equal opportunity champion. Today, the 21-year-old, who discovered female boxing by watching online videos as a teenager, is a …
Read More »US swim stars aim to lay down marker for Tokyo 2020 at worlds
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky will spearhead a powerful US assault when the swimming world championships begin Sunday, with the Americans looking to make a big statement before next year’s Tokyo Olympics. The event in Gwangju is the biggest meeting on the 2019 calendar, …
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