Olympics
U.S. athletes praise Paris Games prize money plan
World Athletics’ (WA) plan to offer prize money to Olympic gold medallists is a much needed step in the right direction, said American track and field athletes, with the high costs of training and competition weighing on competitors.
WA President Sebastian Coe bucked 128 years of tradition when he said last week that the athletics governing body would pay gold medal winners in Paris $50,000, a move that athletes were quick to endorse.
“You can lose money in track and field as soon as you step out the door,” Tara Davis-Woodhall, the indoor world champion in long jump, told reporters this week at the Team USA Media Summit in New York.
Davis-Woodhall said even travelling to competitions presents a major financial burden for many athletes.
“If I don’t have a sponsorship, who’s going to pay for this? I’m going to go in debt like 100%,” said Davis-Woodhall, who won a silver medal at the 2023 world championships in Budapest. “It’s not a sustainable thing to do at all.”
Under the WA plan, a $2.4 million prize pot will be split between the 48 athletics gold medallists at the Paris Games, which start on July 26.
Silver and bronze medal winners will also receive prize funds beginning at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“It’s about time,” said Olympic 200 metres silver medallist Kenny Bednarek. “You have athletes that work their butt off, blood, sweat and tears every single day, every single year. And, you know, some compensation is needed for them.”
Their remarks echoed the endorsement of United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) CEO Sarah Hirshland, who applauded the plan.
“Any time we can put resources in the hands of athletes, we should all celebrate,” Hirshland told reporters in New York on Monday.
“We need more resources to get into the hands of athletes, so that they have both the ability to sustain themselves from a just day-to-day lifestyle perspective, but then also (to) continue to invest in their training.”
But the prize money plan has attracted plenty of criticism from other corners of international sport.
British Olympic Association chief Andy Anson told Sky Sports on Wednesday that World Athletics created a problem by moving unilaterally on the issue.
The head of cycling’s global governing body said on Tuesday that WA had gone against the Olympic spirit, while World Rowing head Jean-Christophe Rolland said he wished WA had discussion with other sports, saying the decision has “other implications.”
Twice Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser said he struggles to see how anyone could oppose the prize money.
“I know athletes that have medalled at world championships are still working two jobs and living with a room mate,” the world record holder said.
“It’s just the misconception that kind of lingers that athletes, regardless of what level you’re at, if you’re making the Olympics, that you’re that you’re financially secure and you are absolutely not.”
-Reuters
Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Secretary General Babatunde Popoola says the committee, in collaboration with the Nigeria Sport For All Commission, is set for the country’s 2024 edition of Olympic Day celebration on 29 June.
Olympic Day is an annual international event that takes place in the month of June that is aimed at people of all ages and abilities to experience the magic of the Olympic Games in their own communities. Popoola says the event highlights the benefits of physical activity and for people to learn about Olympic values and practise them in their everyday life.
“Engaging in exercises promotes health fitness for individuals; jogging and walking burns calories, tones muscles, shapes your body and helps de-stress the mind.” NOC’s Secretary General stated.
“Olympic Day has always been celebrated by NOC with fanfare nationwide and this year’s programme will not be an exception as many states are already preparing to organise the programme.
“The states that have so far registered to participate are Anambra, Gombe, Taraba, Bayelsa, Imo, and Ondo, while others are still being expected to indicate their interest in the programme,” he continued.
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Olympics
Opeyori becomes Nigeria’s first back-to-back qualifier as Badminton Olympic qualifiers are finalised
Anuoluwapo Opeyori is one of the 173 badminton players who have qualified for a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His qualification means that he is the first Nigerian player to qualify for two Olympic Games. He featured at the delayed Tokyo 2020 and will thus made a back-to-back appearance.
The list of qualifiers has been released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). This includes 166 regular quota places (83 men and 83 women), three universality places from the IOC Tripartite Commission (two men and one woman), plus an additional place for IOC Refugee Olympic Team athlete Dorsa Yavarivata, whose participation was confirmed earlier this month in a special announcement by the IOC
Opeyori dominated Africa in the men’s singles from 2019 till date winning four African Championship titles and two African Games titles.
An elated Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) remarked on Saturday that Anuoluwapo Opeyori has broken the jinx in Nigeria badminton by making it to the Olympic Games in Paris.
Orbih said Opeyori’s qualification shows that the current leadership of BFN’s target of producing world class players is beginning to manifest.
He revealed that BFN will leave no stone unturned in supporting the dreams and aspirations of the young players in making podium finishes.
Orbih said, “History has been made in badminton as Anuoluwapo Opeyori has secured a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the release made by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“I am excited and full of joy because Anuoluwapo Opeyori is the first Nigerian badminton player to feature in the men’s singles at the Olympic Games and also the first Nigerian to attend two Olympics and back to back.
“Three years ago, it was Dorcas Adesokan in the women’s singles and Opeyori with his partner Godwin Olofua in the men’s doubles that made it to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Today, Anuoluwapo Opeyori will represent Nigeria in the men’s singles; the leadership of BFN and Nigeria are proud of him”.
Orbih charged Anuoluwapo Opeyori not to relent but continue to train and attain top form ahead of the Olympic Games.
He said, “I want to urge Anuoluwapo Opeyori to continue training hard for the Games; we are going to ensure he attends training tours before the Olympic Games”
Guinea booked their place at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in Paris after Ilaix Moriba’s penalty sealed a 1-0 play-off victory over Indonesia on Thursday.
With the qualification via play-off, Africa will have four teams at the men’s football event of the Olympic Games.
Guinea now joins Morocco, Egypt and Mali.
The Guinean midfielder’s first-half strike from 12 yards proved the difference at Clairefontaine as the Syli Nationale secured qualification for just their second Olympic Games.
With the 16-team line-up for this summer’s event now complete, Guinea have been drawn in a daunting Group A alongside hosts France, USA and New Zealand.
The decisive moment came on the half-hour mark when Algassime Bah was brought down in the box by Indonesia’s Witan Sulaeman after a rapid Guinea counter-attack.
Moriba made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick, lashing the ball beyond the reach of the Indonesian goalkeeper to put the African side ahead.
Guinea had opportunities to extend their lead, with Mohamed Soumah’s close-range effort hacked off the line shortly after the restart.
But Indonesia rallied and went agonisingly close to an equaliser on the hour, substitute Alfeandra Dewangga’s glancing header drifting just wide.
Dewangga was soon at the centre of the action again, conceding a penalty after fouling Bah in the box – an award that prompted angry protests from the Indonesian bench and saw coach Shin Tae-yong dismissed.
After a lengthy delay, Bah took responsibility from 12 yards himself but could only strike the upright as Guinea missed the chance to put the result beyond doubt.
Indonesia pushed for a late leveller but Guinea’s defence stood firm to seal their historic place at Paris 2024 – 56 years after their Olympic debut in 1968.
The hard work starts now for the West Africans as they prepare to take on the might of France, USA and New Zealand in a daunting group stage
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