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TOKYO 2020 QUALIFICATION SHOULD BE OUR BIRTH RIGHT, SAYS TAEKWONDO BRONZE MEDALIST, CHUKWUMERIJIE

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Three-time Olympian and bronze medalist at the Beijing 2008, Chika Chukwumerije, has expressed his optimism that the Nigeria taekwondo team will arrive in Rabat Morocco on time to compete at the African Qualification tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic to be held between 21 and 23 February 2020.

Nigeria will be represented at the Olympic qualifiers by the quartet of African Champion, 25-year-old Chinazum Nwosu, African Bronze medalists 24-year-old Benjamin Okuomose and 20-year-old Elizabeth Anyanacho and Nigeria Open gold medalist 21-year-old Ifeoluwa Ajayi.

Earlier reports have indicated that the team was yet to secure funds to make the important qualification event, which is the only chance left for Nigeria to secure Olympic tickets for the Taekwondo event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Chukwumerije, who is currently the technical director, allayed the fears of the team missing out on the Olympic qualifications while noting how important it is for Nigeria to be at the qualification event.

“This qualification tournament is very important and the Ministry knows this and has affirmed their support. 

“They are on top of issues and I am hopeful that the team will depart and arrive in time for the Olympic qualification tournament. The leadership have been very gracious and supportive of our preparations so I am sure it will be sorted it ASAP.”

Chukwumerije, who won a Bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, threw it historical facts to explain why Taekwondo should be fully supported.

“Taekwondo is one of only five sports to win Olympic medals for Nigeria, the others being football, athletics, boxing and weightlifting.

“We have the history and experience to do it again and can only do so if Nigeria give itself that opportunity by making attend the necessary qualification events in our full strength.”

The former African Champion and Commonwealth medalist backed the team to do well in Rabat after all the sacrifices made over the past four years.

Honestly, they have made a lot of personal sacrifices in order to achieve their Olympic dream.

To reach this point where you have a shot at representing your country at the Olympic is a life-long dream, especially in taekwondo where the Olympic is the biggest stage.

They have worked very hard and made so many sacrifices so they know what they must do in Morocco”

Schedule on the World Taekwondo website shows that Nigeria’s Elizabeth Anyanacho and Benjamin Okuomose are expected to compete on the 22nd of February in the female -67kg and male +80g, while current African Champion Chinazum Nwosu and Ifeoluwa Ajayi will fight for an Olympic ticket on 23rd February 2020 in the female -57kg and male -68kg categories respectively.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Olympics

Olympic rings removed from Eiffel Tower

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The Eiffel Tower and the Olympic Rings

The Olympic rings installed on the Eiffel Tower since June to celebrate the upcoming Olympic Games were removed from the Parisian monument early on Friday morning, as confirmed by an AFP photographer. But the Paris City Hall intends to replace them with a more permanent structure until 2028.

The five-coloured rings, measuring 29 metres in length and 15 metres in height, were placed between the first and second levels of the iconic iron structure on 7 June. 

According to Inside the Games publication, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo  wants the Olympic symbol to continue decorating the monument until the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

But the descendants of the tower’s creator, Gustave Eiffel are opposing the move. They are insisting that the Olympic rings are aesthetically in conflict with the concept and design of the Tower.

The 30-tonne rings initially installed on the Eiffel Tower were also not designed to withstand winter weather conditions.

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Despite Egypt winning 3 medals at Paris Olympics, President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul

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Ahmed El-Gendy won Egypt's only gold at the Paris Olympics

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered  a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that  participatedat the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.

The mandate includes a thorough expenditure check and a performance review to better highlight areas of improvement and fund allocation in future Games.

Additionally, the president plans to take necessary measures against federations —such as limiting funds— that had negative results in the Paris Games.

Egypt’s participation in sports where it lacks a competitive advantage will also be limited, as the president aims to direct resources to promising athletes to ensure optimal results. The president also aims to reduce administrative and technical staff within Olympic delegations and task relevant ministries with preparing future Olympic athletes.

Al-Sisi’s Olympic overhaul is to be presented to the cabinet for approval and urged the government to prioritise amending the sports law for the House of Representatives for review. 

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Egypt took home a total of three medals in the Summer Games. Ahmed El-Gendy triumphed in modern pentathlon, Sara Samir claimed the silver in weightlifting, and 21-year-old fencer Mohamed El-Sayed earned the bronze.

-Insidethegames

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Paris 2024 Games break record ticket sales

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Beach Volleyball - Men's Gold Medal Match - Sweden vs Germany (Ahman/Hellvig vs Ehlers/Wickler) - Eiffel Tower Stadium, Paris, France - August 10, 2024. REUTERS/Esa Alexander/File Photo

Paris 2024 sold a record 12 million tickets for the Olympics and Paralympics, beating the Games record previously set by London 2012, organisers said on Sunday.

Some 9.5 million tickets were sold for the Olympics and 2.5 million for the Paralympics, which end on Sunday.

In 2012, London organisers set the record for the Paralympics with 2.7 million tickets sold but only 8.2 million were sold for the Olympics.

-Reuters

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