BUDAPEST: Hungarian boxer Anna Luca Hamori, who will fight the Algerian embroiled in a gender eligibility row at the Paris Olympics, said Friday that her opponent’s inclusion was unfair.
Imane Khelif failed a gender eligibility test last year but is in the women’s boxing competition in Paris and will face Hamori on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the 66kg category.
“In my humble opinion I don’t think it’s fair that this contestant can compete in the women’s category,” the 23-year-old Hamori wrote on Facebook.
“But I cannot concern myself with that now, I cannot change it, it’s life.”
Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the 2023 world championships in New Delhi, run by the IBA, but both competed at the Tokyo Games in 2021 in the women’s competition and are also in Paris.
The boxing in the French capital is overseen by the International Olympic Committee, not the IBA.
The Algerian boxer’s inclusion sparked a furor after she scored a 46-second win against Italian rival Angela Carini on Thursday.
Neither Khelif nor Lin is known to identify as transgender.
The upcoming fight has caused outrage in Hungary.
Previously Hamori had defended Khelif’s participation, telling Hungary’s state news agency MTI that “if they let her compete here, they must know she’s a woman.”
Hamori is the Central European country’s first woman boxer at the Olympics.
The Hungarian Olympic Committee said it had reached out to the IOC over Khelif’s inclusion, saying it was a “fundamental requirement for equal opportunities for women that only competitors with just female biological characteristics... should be allowed to compete in the women’s field.”
“If the Olympic rules for participation in boxing do not fully guarantee this, the rules should be reviewed and, if necessary, amended,” it said.
The head of the Hungarian Olympic Committee has “initiated immediate consultations” with the IOC’s director of sport to “clarify the situation,” according to the statement.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the Olympic body’s eligibility criteria was based on the gender indicated on the boxers’ passports, but acknowledged that it’s “not a black and white issue.”
Earlier this week, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee expressed its indignation at the participation of Khelif and Lin at the Games and said it intended to lodge a formal complaint with the IOC.
Hungarian facing Algeria boxer at center of Olympic gender row says not fair
https://arab.news/jhvy2
Hungarian facing Algeria boxer at center of Olympic gender row says not fair
- “In my humble opinion I don’t think it’s fair that this contestant can compete in the women’s category,” the 23-year-old Hamori wrote on Facebook
- “But I cannot concern myself with that now, I cannot change it, it’s life“
Sabalenka set for WTA Finals in Riyadh after US Open victory
- World No. 2 to make her fourth consecutive appearance at finals, which start on Nov. 2
- Sabalenka won the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open, the Australian Open and the US Open this season.
RIYADH: The WTA announced that Aryna Sabalenka has secured qualification for the 2024 WTA Finals, which will be hosted for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Nov. 2-9, 2024.
The World No. 2, who will be making her fourth consecutive appearance at the prestigious event, where she was runner-up in 2022, joins PIF WTA World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the singles draw. Swiatek secured her place in Riyadh in August.
This announcement comes after Sabalenka’s incredible victory at Saturday’s US Open final, where she captured her third Grand Slam singles title, and her first in New York City, by defeating No. 6 Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5.
Sabalenka has been ever-present on the PIF Race to the WTA Finals leaderboard in 2024 having reached back-to-back finals at the start of the season, contesting the title match at the WTA 500 Brisbane International presented by Evie then defending her title at the Australian Open to earn her second singles Grand Slam crown.
The 26-year-old has three further WTA 1000 tournaments contributing vital PIF WTA ranking points, winning the Cincinnati Open last month in addition to consecutive runner-up finishes at the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Rome), falling to fellow qualifier Swiatek in both finals.
The 2024 WTA Finals features the top eight singles players and doubles teams in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals, competing in a round-robin format with the singles champion lifting the WTA Finals Billie Jean King Trophy and the doubles champions earning the WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy.
The championship is the first of a three year-partnership between the WTA and Saudi Tennis Federation. Tickets are now on sale for the week-long event.
Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career
- She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation
- Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012
- A young fan at the game held a sign that said ‘Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports’
SAN DIEGO: Fighting tears, Alex Morgan waved to the crowd and walked off the field for the last time on Sunday as she capped an impactful 15-year career.
The two-time Women’s World Cup winner announced on Thursday she was pregnant with her second child and retiring from the game.
She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.
“What a ride it’s been,” Morgan told the crowd after the match.
It was her 63rd appearance for the Wave, commemorated by a No. 63 jersey given to Morgan in a pregame ceremony. Overall, it was her 150th career appearance in National Women’s Soccer League play.
Before the match, the video scoreboard board showed snippets of Morgan’s retirement video, along with highlights from her career. Her 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, accompanied her on the field. She had more than 95 family members and friends at the game.
The Wave’s starters posed for a photo imitating Morgan’s iconic ‘tea sipping’ celebration, a homage to her iconic response to her go-ahead goal to beat England in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup in France.
Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. In club play, Morgan played for the NWSL champion Portland Thorns in the league’s first year and helped the Wave win the Shield in 2023.
Morgan played in 224 matches for the US national team, with 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and 53 assists (ninth). She was named the US Soccer Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018.
When she subbed off, she fought back tears as she removed her cleats at midfield. During the substitution, a tifo in the supporter’s section read “For Country, Club, Community.”
Despite the nearly 100-degree heat, a crowd of 26,516 fans filled Snapdragon for Morgan’s farewell match. Among them was San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove, who went to the match straight from his start against the San Francisco Giants.
“Twelve thousand tickets were sold in one day when she announced that this was going to be her last game” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said, “That’s the power of Alex Morgan.”
Wave fan Amber Brunner attended the match with her family, saying “My girls fell in love with soccer because of her.”
Off the pitch, Morgan advanced women’s soccer in her fight for equal pay with the men’s national team. The US women filed a lawsuit in 2019 that led to a historic agreement in 2022 that paid both the men and women equitably.
A young fan at the game held a sign that said “Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports.”
Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta
- The Slovenian wrapped up his fifth-career Grand Tour when he finished second in the closing time-trial on the streets of Madrid won by Stefan Kung
- His success completed Slovenia’s domination of the 2024 Grand Tours, with his countryman Tadej Pogacar winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France
MADRID: Primoz Roglic won the Vuelta a España for a record-equalling fourth time on Sunday, the perfect pick-me-up after crashing out of the Tour de France.
The Slovenian wrapped up his fifth-career Grand Tour when he finished second in the closing time-trial on the streets of Madrid won by Stefan Kung.
“It’s crazy — already four, I just want to enjoy it” he said before hugging his wife Lora and children.
Australia’s Ben O’Connor finished runner-up overall with Spain’s Enric Mas completing the podium.
With the sun setting on the streets of the Spanish capital Roglic, 34, drew level with Spaniard Roberto Heras for number of wins in the season’s third and closing Grand Tour.
Roglic finished the race 2min 36sec up on O’Connor, with Mas (Movistar) third at 3:13.
After 81 hours, 49 minutes and 18 seconds in the saddle an exhausted but happy Roglic said: “This is nice! The more you go to an end, you just want to finish it off.
“There’s a lot of sacrificing, not only by me, but also my family, everyone around me. We all live for it. I just feel happy I can do it.
“I really appreciate all the support from the people around me.”
Roglic, riding for Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team, had to fight for the red jersey after a gruelling race that began three weeks ago in Portugal and featured some of the toughest climbs the sport has to offer.
He won stage four to take the overall lead but then O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team) burst to the top of the general classification by almost five minutes.
Roglic slowly chipped away at the Australian’s massive cushion with a bunch of strong mountain place finishes.
He reclaimed the leader’s red jersey after his third win on stage 19.
This Vuelta triumph went a long way to making up for the disappointment of his Tour de France-ending crash before stage 13.
His success completed Slovenia’s domination of the 2024 Grand Tours, with his countryman Tadej Pogacar winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
“Incredible” observed Roglic of his country’s success.
While he may not have won, O’Connor was jubilant over his breakthrough first ever Grand Tour podium.
“I wasn’t expecting this, I expected to be good but not second overall. This calls for a pretty big celebration!” said the 28-year-old Aussie, who wore the red jersey for 13 stages.
Kung took the final day honors for his first Grand Tour stage win at the last throw of the dice in his 12th appearance in either the Giro, Tour or Vuelta.
“It’s been a long time in the making” the Swiss time trial expert said.
“It’s always nice if you win with more than half a minute,” added Kung, who completed the 24km 21st stage 31sec faster than Roglic.
“It shows that you were the best, there was no coincidence.”
One of the big names in the peloton who failed to make it to Madrid was Wout Van Aert.
The Belgian star claimed three Vuelta stages to occupy the top of the points (green) and mountain classifications only to suffer a heavy fall which not only ended his race but also his season.
With Van Aert’s race cut short, the mountains and green jersey competitions, went to two Australians — Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin Deceuninck).
Paris Paralympics close with a party after ‘historic summer’
- More than 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations partied despite persistent rain
- Estanguet said the closing ceremony marked the end of six weeks of Olympic and Paralympic fervor in the City of Light
PARIS: The Paralympics closed on Sunday with a giant music-fueled party as chief Paris 2024 organizer Tony Estanguet said the Games and the Olympics had created a “historic summer.”
The Paralympic flame and cauldron were extinguished before a concert featuring the best of French electronic music capped off proceedings at a packed Stade de France.
More than 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations partied despite persistent rain.
Estanguet said the closing ceremony marked the end of six weeks of Olympic and Paralympic fervor in the City of Light.
The former Olympic gold medal-winning canoeist said that period would remain “etched in people’s memories.”
“This summer, France had a date with history, and the country showed up,” he said.
“This summer when people talked to each other, this summer when France was happy,” said Estanguet, referring to how France had been left deeply divided by snap elections just weeks before the Olympics opened.
The next Paralympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.
In the official handover, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo passed the Paralympic flag to International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, who gave it to Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass.
Broadway star Ali Stoker then sang the American national anthem before a film was shown of a band performing on a Californian beach as skateboarders and wheelchair athletes performed tricks.
Despite initial fears about ticket sales, the Paralympics took place in mainly full stadiums, benefiting from the feelgood factor from the highly successful Olympics which ended on Aug. 11.
Parsons said the Paris Paralympics had shown that “change starts with sport.”
The level of the sport in Paris, the organization and the gender parity of the competitors had set a “benchmark” for future Paralympics, he said.
The hour-long electronic concert was kicked off by composer Victor Le Masne as LED bracelets worn by the crowd and athletes on the field lit up the stadium.
The 24-artist show with highlights including French synthesizer legend Jean-Michel Jarre, Cassius, Busy P and Kungs was rounded off in style by DJ Martin Solveig, who finished his set with 2010 hit “Hello” and then Daft Punk’s “One More Time.”
China finished top of the medals table in Paris, as they have at every Paralympics since Athens in 2004.
They had 94 golds, followed by Britain with 49 and the USA with 36.
Ukraine’s athletes overcame the formidable obstacles posed by their country’s war with Russia to finish in seventh place with 22 golds and host nation France were eighth with 19 golds.
In amputee track athletes Hunter Woodhall and 19-year-old Ezra Frech, the USA have found charismatic faces who are sure to play a prominent role in the buildup to LA2028.
On the final day of competition, Switzerland won both Paralympic wheelchair marathons while the Netherlands secured back-to-back women’s wheelchair basketball titles, denying the USA.
Early in the morning, Catherine Debrunner propelled her racing wheelchair through the streets of Paris to win the women’s marathon.
The 29-year-old Swiss athlete added to the four gold medals she has already won on the track at these Games, ranging from the 400 meters to the 5,000m.
Marcel Hug, 38, made up for a disappointing Games on the track by dominating the men’s wheelchair marathon, finishing three minutes and 40 seconds ahead of Hua Jin of China.
The Netherlands scored a convincing 63-49 win against the USA to retain the women’s wheelchair basketball title they won at Tokyo 2020.
The Americans must wait until 2028 on home soil before trying to win a title that their men secured for a third Games in a row on Saturday. The USA women’s last title came at the 2016 Rio Games.
Yang wins first PGA Tour Champions title in a playoff over Langer. Wallace wins in Switzerland
- Matt Wallace of England won his first European tour title in six years when he closed with an even-par 70
ST. LOUIS: Y.E. Yang forced a playoff with a 6-foot par putt for a 5-under 66 and made a 10-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole against Bernhard Langer to win the Ascension Charity Classic on Sunday for his first PGA Tour Champions title.
The 67-year-old Langer was trying to win for the 18th consecutive season on the 50-and-older circuit and nearly did. He hit a shot out of the rough to 15 feet on the 18th hole at Norwood Hills and made birdie for a 64.
They finished at 13-under 200.
Yang’s par putt sent them to a playoff at 13-under 200.
Missing from the playoff was Stewart Cink, going for his second straight win on the PGA Tour Champions. He had a one-shot lead until a bogey on the 17th hole, where Yang made birdie for a two-shot swing. Cink shot 67 and finished third.
European Tour
Matt Wallace of England won his first European tour title in six years when he closed with an even-par 70 and made an 8-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat Alfredo Garcia-Heredia in the Omega European Masters.
Garcia-Heredia birdied the 18th hole for a 66 to make up a four-shot deficit against Wallace.
They finished on 11-under 269.
Wallace, who won in the Dominican Republic on the PGA Tour last year to end a five-year drought, picked up his fifth career European tour title.
Andrew “Beef” Johnston had two straight birdies and pulled within one shot until he had to settle for three pars at the end for a 66 to finish alone in third, his best finish in four years.
Other tours
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark earned an instant promotion to the European tour when he won his third Challenge Tour event of the year, closing with an 8-under 64 to rally for a one-shot victory over John Axelsen in the Big Green Egg German Challenge. ... Kensei Hirata won for the second straight week on the Japan Golf Tour, this one over 72 holes, as he closed with a 6-under 66 for a one-shot victory over Travis Smith in the Shinhan Donghae Open. The tournament was tri-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and Korea PGA. Hirata won last week in Japan in a tournament shortened to 36 holes by bad weather. ... Fatima Fernandez Cano of Spain closed with a 5-under 67 for a one-shot victory Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden in the Guardian Championship on the Epson Tour. ... Will Cannon birdied the par-5 18th for a 1-under 69 and a one-shot victory in the Fortinet Cup Championship on the PGA Tour Americas in Canada. ... Rio Takeda held off a late charge from Miyu Yamashita and closed with a 3-under 69 for a one-shot victory in the Sony JLPGA Championship on the Japan LPGA. Yamashita birdied three of her last five holes for a 66. ... Hyunjo Yoo closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory in the KB Financial Group Star Championship on the Korea LPGA. ... Greig Hutcheon of France rallied with a 64 for a two-shot victory in the Legends Open de France, is first title on the European Legends Tour.
