Beijing Olympics closes after drama, doping and golden Gu

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, at the end of the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Sunday. (Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 21 February 2022
Follow

Beijing Olympics closes after drama, doping and golden Gu

  • ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium was the scene for a celebratory, snowflake-themed closing ceremony

BEIJING: A Beijing Winter Olympics which saw sporting drama and milestones but was tarnished by a Russian doping scandal ended on Sunday with an uplifting closing ceremony.

The Games will be remembered for new stars such as Eileen Gu but also for the doping controversy which engulfed 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva and because they took place inside a vast COVID-secure “bubble.”

The “Bird’s Nest” stadium, which also took center stage when Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Games, was the scene for a celebratory, snowflake-themed closing ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping and a socially distanced crowd seated among red lanterns.

Declaring the Games closed and handing over to 2026 hosts Milano-Cortina, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach hailed an “unforgettable Olympic experience.”

 

 

There was no feared mass outbreak of COVID at the Games or in the wider community in the Chinese capital, but Bach said: “If we want to finally overcome this pandemic, we must be faster, we must aim higher, we must be stronger — we must stand together.

“In this Olympic spirit of solidarity, we call on the international community: Give equal access to vaccines for everybody around the world.”

Fireworks lit up the night sky as the ceremony reached its crescendo, spelling out the words “ONE WORLD.”

Since the opening ceremony on February 4, a new global star emerged in the form of 18-year-old freestyle skier Gu, who was born in California but switched to China in 2019 and became the unofficial face of the Games.

There was a new men’s figure skating champion in 22-year-old Nathan Chen of the United States, who dethroned two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, in what could be the Japanese legend’s final appearance at a Games.

Another iconic figure of winter sports, the American snowboarder Shaun White, will definitely not return to competition of any sort after calling it quits.

The 35-year-old’s last event ended agonizingly out of the medals and he was in tears as he bid farewell to snowboarding — “the love of my life.”

There was bitter disappointment for his fellow American, the alpine ski star Mikaela Shiffrin, one of the biggest names at the Games but who went home without a medal.

There were tears from Valieva after it emerged that she had failed a drugs test prior to the Games, catapulting her to the forefront of yet another Russian doping controversy to mar an Olympics and piling intense pressure on the teenager.

In what will go down as a notorious episode in the history of the Winter Olympics, the pre-tournament favorite for singles gold fell several times on the ice in the finals, to audible gasps from the socially distanced crowd of hand-picked spectators.

Her doping case looks certain to drag on in the coming months, long after the Games have packed up. She was allowed to skate in the Chinese capital but has not been cleared of doping.

In a Games first, the skating team medals were not awarded after Valieva played a starring role in propelling the Russians to gold, ahead of the United States and Japan.

The American skaters made an 11th-hour court bid on Saturday to get their hands on their medals before they went home, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected it. China and its ruling Communist Party will look back on a soft-power success.

Fears about a mass COVID outbreak in the “closed loop” bubble sealing the nearly 3,000 athletes and about 65,000 others never materialized.

Some athletes did though catch the illness and the pandemic was never far away — Russia and Canada’s women ice hockey teams played each other wearing medical masks after the results of their daily PCR tests failed to arrive in time.

Concerns about human rights had dominated the buildup, with the United States leading a diplomatic boycott by its closest allies over China’s rights record, especially the fate of the Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. Their athletes did however compete.

China warned in the fraught lead-up that foreign athletes criticizing the authorities could face consequences, but in the end, any protests against the hosts were extremely muted.

There were numerous records — among them American bobsleigher Elana Meyers Taylor becoming the most decorated Black athlete in the history of the Winter Olympics.

Snowboarder Zoi Sadowski Synnott made history for New Zealand, winning her country’s first Winter Games gold; with Gu pocketing two golds, the hosts enjoyed a significant medal bump and finished third in the medals table with nine golds.

That was easily their best performance in the Winter Games, a place ahead of chief geopolitical rival the United States, on eight golds.

For the second Games in a row, Norway topped the medals table, with 16 golds. Germany were second on 12.


Early goal holds up as Benfica beats Bayern Munich to advance to knockouts

Updated 4 sec ago
Follow

Early goal holds up as Benfica beats Bayern Munich to advance to knockouts

  • Anatoliy Trubin made four saves to keep Benfica’s second consecutive clean sheet

Andreas Schjelderup scored early and Benfica held on amid oppressive conditions for a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Tuesday afternoon in Charlotte.
Anatoliy Trubin made four saves to keep Benfica’s second consecutive clean sheet and preserve its first-ever competitive victory over Bayern as the Portuguese club finished atop Group C and extended their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Benfica (2-0-1, 7 points) will face either Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis, who play later Tuesday to decide the second spot in Group D, in a Saturday round- of-16 clash also in Charlotte.
A heavily rotated Bayern (2-1-0, 6 points) had already clinched their spot in the knockout phase and will face Group D winner Flamengo on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Florida
Benfica went in front 13 minutes into a sluggish first half that was played amid temperatures hovering around 97 degrees and beneath bright sunshine.
Ángel Di María played a ball wide down the right for Fredrik Aursnes, who then dragged a low cross back to the penalty area. That’s where Schjelderup met it in stride and fired a low first-time finish past Manuel Neuer.
Trubin was exceptional after halftime as Benfica weathered increasing Bayern pressure.
In the 51st minute, Leroy Sané ran onto Joshua Kimmich’s ball over the top but was denied by Trubin, who also made a more comfortable save of Thomas Müller’s follow-up effort seconds later.
Kimmich thought he’d scored from the edge of the penalty area in the 61st minute, but the goal was ruled offside because Harry Kane was standing in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s view.
In the 74th minute, he denied Aleksandar Pavlovic with an outstretched leg from about 10 yards after Bayern’s initial cross from the right rattled off a few bodies inside the area.
Then in the 87th, he thwarted Sané on the break for a second time after Sané ran onto Harry Kane’s excellent through ball.


Lyon handed Ligue 2 relegation by financial regulator

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Lyon handed Ligue 2 relegation by financial regulator

  • During a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince DNCG to lift the restrictions
  • Lyon can appeal the decision

LYON: Seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon have been relegated to the second-tier by French football’s financial watchdog, the French professional league (LFP) announced on Tuesday.

During a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince the regulator (DNCG) to lift the restrictions it had put on the club in November.

Lyon can appeal the decision.

Before the meeting, Lyon’s president John Textor said he was confident of avoiding the drop to Ligue 2 for next season, where the club has not played since 1989.

“We have made a variety of investments in recent weeks,” he said. “Everything is good financially.”

American Textor sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League outfit Crystal Palace earlier in the week. Lyon have reduced their salary bill and sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como.

Lyon qualified for next season’s Europa League after finishing sixth in the French top-flight.

If their relegation is confirmed, they would be replaced in Ligue 1 by Reims.

Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles.


Arab Golf Federation launches elite scholarship program with training camp in Riyadh

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Arab Golf Federation launches elite scholarship program with training camp in Riyadh

  • 4-day camp marks first phase of broader initiative

RIYADH: A group of promising young Arab golfers has gathered in Riyadh this week for the launch of a new regional initiative aimed at preparing future champions for the international stage.

The Arab Golf Federation has begun its Elite Sports Scholarship Camp, a flagship program designed to identify and nurture top golfing talent from across the Arab world.

Held at Riyadh Golf Club, the four-day training camp marks the first phase of a broader scholarship initiative that will see selected players offered full-time development opportunities at the renowned IMG Academy in the US.

The camp, which includes 16 male and female golfers under the age of 18, has brought together rising stars from across the region, based on their performances in regional and international events.

The program is structured into two intensive phases. The first is focused on technical, physical and psychological assessments, and the second on simulated competitive rounds designed to test performance under pressure.

At the end of the camp, the top-performing players will be awarded full scholarships, beginning in August.

The package includes elite golf training, academic education, and access to sports science facilities, including strength and conditioning and mental performance coaching.

The initiative forms a key part of the federation’s long-term strategy to elevate Arab golf and create a pipeline of talent capable of competing at the highest levels by 2035.

Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, president of the Arab Golf Federation, said: “While we continue to lay a strong and sustainable foundation locally, we are also committed to partnering with the best international institutions to provide world-class training and professional development for our promising young players.

“This initiative reflects our dedication to investing in youth talent based on global best practices, empowering them to compete on the international stage.

“In the coming years, as we achieve our ambitious goals, we will be able to rely entirely on our local capabilities and deliver a comprehensive Arab system for developing future champions.”

Noah Alireza, secretary-general of the federation, described the camp as a pivotal moment for the sport in the region.

“This camp represents a turning point in our journey to establish a clear competitive pathway for Arab golfers,” he said.

“By combining world-class training, international exposure, and meticulous evaluation, we are laying a strong foundation for young Arab talents to rise to the top levels of the sport.

“The Elite Sports Scholarship Camp is a genuine launchpad toward realizing the Arab Golf Federation’s vision of producing a new generation of Arab champions capable of competing globally.

“Through comprehensive assessment programs and strategic partnerships with leading institutions, the federation is laying the groundwork for a promising future for golf in the Arab world, built on planning, professionalism, and investment in youth potential.”


Saudi Sport Ministry signs deals for new hotels at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Saudi Sport Ministry signs deals for new hotels at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah

  • The project will include 2 world-class hotels offering integrated services designed to meet the needs of international sporting delegations and other visitors
  • Development will also feature a fan zone, fitness and sports clubs, swimming pools, restaurants, shops, areas for athletes, and conference and event spaces

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport on Tuesday signed agreements with local and international companies to develop, build, manage and operate two new hotels at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

The ministry said the hotels will be world-class establishments built to the highest engineering standards, and offer integrated services designed to meet the needs of international sporting delegations and other visitors.

The ministry’s acting director general of investment, Badr Al-Juraissi, attended signing ceremonies for the agreements with Kushan Real Estate Development Company, represented by its CEO, Marwan Al-Qaidi; Zuhair Fayez Partnership, which will provide design and engineering consultancy services and was represented by its chairperson, Zuhair Fayez; and IHG Hotels and Resorts, which will provide hotel services and was represented by Haitham Mattar, its regional managing director.

The hotels, expected to provide a total of 585 rooms, will be built on a 16,000-square-meter site at the sports city, the ministry said, and will help support the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to attract major sporting events.

The development will also include a fan zone, fitness and sports clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail stores, dedicated areas for athletes, and conference and event spaces.

The ministry said the initiative forms part of its ongoing efforts to achieve its strategic goals, including engagement with the private sector in the development of the nation’s sports industry. It will also support environmental improvements through infrastructure development, and in doing so directly contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, officials said.


Abdulaziz bin Moammar promises ‘to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi’ at PFL MENA Showdown

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Abdulaziz bin Moammar promises ‘to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi’ at PFL MENA Showdown

  • Fighting in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in Bin Moammar’s career
  • Saudi fighter says his connection to combat sports began long before joining PFL

RIAYDH: Saudi fighter Abdulaziz bin Moammar continues his preparations for his second bout in the Professional Fighters League – Middle East and North Africa, scheduled for July 4 in Riyadh.

The event is part of a major promotion organized by the PFL, featuring a strong lineup of top regional fighters — a large crowd is expected.

Bin Moammar said returning to fight in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in his career: “Fighting in Riyadh isn’t just another match — it’s a responsibility. This is my city, where I grew up. My real fans are here. Fighting in front of them gives me a different kind of energy. There’s no room for complacency or backing down.”

He said that his connection to combat sports began long before joining the PFL, but his debut with the organization significantly expanded his visibility and fan base.

“I had a decent following before joining, but after my first fight in Jeddah, I felt a real surge in engagement. People started to recognize me more, follow me, and anticipate my next fights,” the Saudi fighter said.

The fight in Jeddah was an important first step for Bon Moammar who said: “It gave me confidence, and winning lit a fire inside me to keep going. But now in Riyadh, the challenge is bigger, and expectations are higher.”

Discussing his current training, the fighter revealed that he is in the middle of an intense local training camp in Riyadh, dedicating nearly all his time to preparation.

“Full focus on training has kept me away from my family, but I believe every moment of sacrifice now will pay off later. The camp is physically and mentally exhausting, but I’m determined to bring the best version of myself into the cage,” he said.

He further promised his fans “to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi who dreams of excelling in this sport.”

Bin Moammar knows the road is long and that professionalism is not easy but said: “I’m ready to walk it to the end. Your support is my greatest weapon.”