PARIS: Sarah Storey says every race is different. Yet, the outcome — gold medal — always seems the same.
The British cycling star won the women’s C4-5 road race for the fourth time straight for her 19th gold medal at a Paralympic Games.
But the 46-year-old Storey was pushed harder than ever on Friday as French teenager Heidi Gaugain almost snatched the victory in a dramatic finish in front of the flag-waving cheering home fans lining the streets in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois.
Gaugain, 19, made her break on the final climb of the 71-kilometer course and opened a promising lead.
The experienced Storey recovered in the final 100 meters to get her front wheel to the line first in 1 hour, 54 minutes, 24 seconds. Gaugain, just half a wheel behind, was left with her third silver medal of the Games.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a bike race here at the Paralympics, at the Olympics, in a grand tour, you just have to trust your instincts and race,” Storey told The Associated Press.
“And if you have as many tools in the toolkit as you can, you pull a different one out and win a bike race in a different way. And I’ve been so fortunate that I’ve always managed to find the right tool for the right race.”
Storey is taking part in her ninth Paralympics. After winning the C5 individual time trial on Wednesday, she became the only athlete from any sport to have won a medal at all nine editions going back to the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Storey was a swimmer then, winning the first of her gold medals in the pool. She switched to cycling after an ear infection at the 2004 Athens Paralympics stopped her swimming for months. Storey won the first of her Paralympic golds in cycling at the 2008 Beijing Games.
“Every single race is different, and you have to see how it plays out and make good judgment. And that’s what makes it exciting,” she said. “So it’s not easy to find motivation when there’s so many unknowns and you need to try and win a race. You don’t know what’s going to happen until it happens.”
Storey, who was born with a disabled left hand because her arm got entangled with the umbilical cord in the womb, has long campaigned for greater accessibility for people with disabilities.
“Paralympic athletes have been provided with incredible support and opportunity. And that’s the metaphor for society,” said Storey, who said disabled people can “thrive” if given opportunities and support.
“It’s about unpicking and unpacking how this is so incredible and why athletes are so well supported, and how you then translate that into something that can enable society. That enablement, that’s really key.”
Storey, who will be 47 next month, is not ruling out defending her titles at the next Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028, though she acknowledged age’s impact.
“I was creaking before the race. Absolutely. But that’s normal, right?” she posed. “It’s about finding ways to manage the process of and the privilege of getting older as an athlete. And I wanted to be an athlete for as long as I possibly could. I never anticipated eight Games, let alone nine.”
Friday’s close finish and the fight with emerging star Gaugain set the stage for more contests.
“You put yourself out there every time you get on the start line,” Storey said. “I keep doing that and keep finding ways to win a bike race. So, yeah, long may that continue.”
British cycling star Sarah Storey wins her 19th Paralympic gold
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British cycling star Sarah Storey wins her 19th Paralympic gold
- The British cycling star won the women’s C4-5 road race for the fourth time straight for her 19th gold medal at a Paralympic Games
- “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a bike race here at the Paralympics, at the Olympics, in a grand tour, you just have to trust your instincts and race,” said Storey
Formula 1 races take an unpredictable turn as McLaren boss Zak Brown revels in ‘best season’
- There have been six different winners in the last eight races, representing four different teams
- Verstappen’s dominance in 2022 and 2023 broke records
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown, whose driver Lando Norris is Max Verstappen’s closest title challenger, says he’s enjoying the best show he’s seen in his eight years in F1.
There have been six different winners in the last eight races, representing four different teams. Verstappen, whose dominance in 2022 and 2023 broke records, still leads the standings but his last win was in June.
“I think this is the best season I can think of ever in Formula 1 since I’ve been here,” Brown told The Associated Press from the IndyCar season finale at Nashville Superspeedway in Tennessee.
Could it even be better than the 2021 fight between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, which was decided on the final lap of the year and helped fuel F1’s Netflix boom? Brown thinks it might be.
“That was mega exciting, but it’s just two guys, two good guys. Now you’ve got four good teams in today’s race,” he said.
“To have four teams that can win any weekend, and (Sergio) Perez was obviously back on form today, eight drivers going into Singapore and we’re going ‘I don’t know which of these four teams might win. I don’t know which of these eight drivers might win,’ I can’t recall Formula 1 having that level of competitiveness.”
There was non-stop action Sunday.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took the win in Baku, but only after a daring overtake on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Perez was in the mix for Red Bull until he and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. collided, handing third to Mercedes driver George Russell.
Further back, Norris surged through the field from 15th on the grid to finish fourth ahead of Verstappen and take another bite out of the champion’s standings lead.
Teams’ performances fluctuate week by week, depending on upgrades from the factories, track conditions and setup changes, like the one which Verstappen blamed for ruining his weekend in Azerbaijan.
Even a change of tires can turn an also-ran into a contender, Russell said Sunday.
“Just in this one race, we had a car that could have won if you took the pace from half of the race and a car that should have been outside the top 10 from the other half,” he said, adding: “So I hope we’ve got the faster version” for next week’s race in Singapore.
The Singapore street track hosted one of the most competitive races of an otherwise Red Bull-dominated 2023 season. On worn tires, Sainz held off Norris’ McLaren and the two Mercedes of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and Russell, who crashed from third on the last lap.
Piastri is F1’s on-form driver with the most points of anyone in the last seven races. He knows just how many moving parts are involved in success this year, and how quickly it can all change.
“We’ve been in with a chance everywhere, and I think today was definitely one of those days where we weren’t necessarily the quickest, but we had a car that could put us in the fight,” the Australian said.
“We had a pit stop that could put us in the fight. We had some teamwork that put us in the fight. And it all managed to pay off.”
Expanded NEOM Beach Games return in November
- Third edition of games takes place from Nov. 3-23, 2024 with athletes from around the world in six international sports events
NEOM: NEOM Beach Games is returning for its third edition this November with an expanded lineup of athletes and competitive events.
Olympic gold medallists Cassandre Beaugrand and Alex Yee (triathletes), Worthy De Jong (3x3 basketball player) and Veddriq Leonardo (speed climber) will be among the 1,000 athletes, coaches and team officials attending NEOM for six sports events that will start on Nov. 3.
NEOM Beach Soccer and NEOM Titan Desert will return to the event.
The sixth sport at the 2024 NEOM Beach Games, the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup NEOM, is a new event for this year. Welcoming the world’s leading open water swimmers, the concluding activity for the latest edition of NEOM Beach Games will be held in the Red Sea.
Jan Paterson, managing director of sport at NEOM, said: “It is hugely exciting to be hosting the NEOM Beach Games for its third edition, including welcoming a number of athletes and medalists from the recent Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“With the addition of the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup NEOM and two compact venues at NEOM Bay and Bajdah Desert, we are looking forward to offering an exciting experience for athletes and spectators alike and helping to establish NEOM as a destination for global sports amongst our natural sporting landscapes.”
MOD UAE triumphs in jiu-jitsu finale in Abu Dhabi
- Commando Group secures second place at AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-jitsu Championship
ABU DHABI: MOD UAE were crowned champions at the AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship which concluded on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.
The tournament, organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro, drew elite athletes from across the globe, and included those competing in the purple, brown, and black belt divisions.
Commando Group secured second place, followed by Al-Wahda Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.
This year’s championship had a 50 percent increase in professional competitors compared to last year. On offer were crucial ranking points and the opportunity to qualify for the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship later this year.
Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAEJJF, said the championship was a “premier platform for the finest professional athletes.”
“This tournament is not just a sporting event; it reflects the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s vision to grow and elevate the sport both locally and internationally.
“It plays a key role in boosting the athletes’ rankings and improving their performances, both for seasoned professionals and emerging talent.”
Masilva Noza, coach of MOD Academy, said: “This tournament truly stands out due to the fierce level of competition, particularly with black belt athletes from various countries showcasing their skills.
“It offers professionals a valuable opportunity to implement new strategies and put their techniques to the test against highly seasoned opponents on the mat.”
He said the tournament gave athletes the chance to enhance their international rankings. “That’s why we entered over 150 male and female athletes, ensuring we gained the maximum advantage from this prestigious event.”
Emirati champion Khalid Al-Shehhi, a black belt from Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, who won gold in the 62 kg professional category, said: “The competition today was incredibly tough, as I faced highly skilled and experienced opponents.”
He said the tournament has helped him prepare for the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Greece and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Al-Ittihad rising: 5 talking points from Round 3 of the SPL season
- Benzema-inspired Jeddah giants thrash We had to go top as Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq also maintain 100 percent starts
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League swung back into action after the two-week international break with Al-Ittihad — champions in 2022-2023 — signalling their intention to once again challenge for the title after a crushing 7-1 win over Al-Wehda that puts them top of the table.
Al-Ittihad explode into action on and off the pitch
As Sunday morning dawned, Al-Ittihad knew that they needed to beat old rivals Al-Wehda by six goals to move above Al-Hilal into top spot and they did just that, winning 7-1.
It started with 60,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City putting on a show with top-class tifos. Al-Wehda had started the season well but were unable to live with the Tigers who seem to be enjoying life under new coach Laurent Blanc. Karim Benzema certainly is, firing home a hat-trick (which included one spectacular strike) to remind the rest of the league that Al-Ittihad have a world-class striker but also a team full of firepower as well as a desire to get back the title after a disappointing season last time around.
And there’s more. New signing Moussa Diaby recorded no less than four assists, a feat that has never been bettered in the history of the league. If he continues this way and Benzema stays fit and in this kind of form, then Ittihad have a real chance. No wonder, at the end, that fans chanted “Bring on Al-Hilal.” Saturday’s clash against the champions should be a classic.
Al-Hilal and Al-Dawsari looking ominous
Three games, three wins, but did anyone really expect anything different? After the 3-0 win over Al-Riyadh, the opposition coach Sabri Lamouchi said that Al-Hilal are the best team in Asia. Few would argue with that.
Especially when they have Salem Al-Dawsari in such form. The 2022 Asian Player of the Year returned from international duty in China to inspire the champions. Not only did he open the scoring, he then made both for Aleksandar Mitrovic — the Serbian striker is also picking up where he left off last season. Al-Dawsari said that the new boys Marcos Leonardo and Joao Cancelo have slotted right in.
That is what happens under coach Jorge Jesus. Just like Manchester City in England, Al-Hilal are looking ominous even at this early stage. The positive for the rest of the league is that they have not yet played one of their title rivals and they also have the Asian Champions League this week to focus on. Their next opponents, Al-Ittihad, do not.
Ronaldo may benefit from midweek rest
After Al-Nassr’s 1-1 draw with Al-Ahli, fans in Iraq may be devastated that Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the trip for their AFC Champions League clash, but it could help Al-Nassr’s domestic challenge. It will not have gone unnoticed in the yellow corner of Riyadh that last season, Al-Hilal dropped six points over the whole campaign. Already in the first three games, Al-Nassr have dropped four. There is still a long way to go but they really need to get into their groove. Only a 99th minute own goal gave them a share of the points against Al-Ahli.
It ended a memorable match. These are two of the biggest teams in Asia, with an impressive following from Al-Ahli generating a great atmosphere. There are more twists to come this season, but Nassr cannot afford to fall too far behind the leaders.
Steven Gerrard setting the pace
A 2-1 win at Al-Fateh made it three wins from three for Al-Ettifaq this season. Last season, Steven Gerrard’s men also started well but this already looks a more solid version of the team from Dammam. The Greens have conceded only one goal in the three games and are looking hard to beat.
Gerrard has brought in a number of new players since the start of last season but Moussa Dembele remains arguably the most vital, scoring winning goals in the first two games including an impressive 1-0 victory at Al-Shabab on the opening day. At the back, former Al-Nassr centre-back Abdullah Madu already looks to be a rock and new goalkeeper Marek Rodak has settled in quickly. With Gini Wijnaldum and Seko Fofana looking good in midfield, there are reasons for fans in the east to be optimistic. Next week’s clash against Al-Nassr, who will be looking for revenge for last season’s early loss, is going to be one to watch.
Al-Qadsiah get a reality check
The newly-promoted team from the east lost their first game of the season, 1-0 to an Al-Shabab team that is looking more solid than in recent years. Al-Qadsiah made waves in the summer with signings such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Marseille and Nacho from Real Madrid. With two wins in the first two games, it was all looking a little easy but Al-Shabab demonstrated that life in the big time is going to be anything but. Going up against a well-organised defence with Nader Al-Sharari a standout, was a different challenge.
That is OK, as Al-Qadsiah — owned by Aramco — are still a work in progress. Even with the big names that coach Michel has at his disposal, there are no expectations for a title challenge this season. Fans will be excited to see where they place at the end of it all but, more pressing, is how they bounce back from their first defeat. There are two winnable fixtures before the big clash against Al-Ahli.
Pakistan face China in Asian Champions Trophy hockey semifinal today
- Pakistan, who lost to India 2-1 on Saturday, thumped hosts China 5-1 last week
- Pakistan captain Ammad Butt says team will go “all-out” against China in semifinal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will lock horns with hosts China in the first semifinal of the Asian Champions Trophy field hockey today, Monday, after losing their first match of the tournament to arch-rivals India last week.
Pakistan are placed at number two on the points table, with undefeated India occupying the top spot. The green shirts have played five matches in the tournament out of which they have lost only one against India. Pakistan drew 2-2 against both Malaysia and South Korea last week before notching their first win of the tournament against Japan 2-1 on Wednesday.
The South Asian country then beat China 5-1 on Thursday before losing to India 2-1 in a close encounter on Saturday.
“The first semifinal of the Asian Champions Trophy of Hockey will be played between Pakistan and China at Moqi tomorrow [Monday],” Radio Pakistan said on Sunday. “The match will start at 12:30 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time.”
Pakistan captain Amad Butt said on Sunday that his side would go “all-out” against China, saying that his teammates were well aware of the hosts’ strengths and weaknesses.
“It also helps that we arrived for this tournament very early and played quite a few matches against China,” Butt said. “We look forward to a good game and if we win, there is nothing better than an India-Pakistan final.”
India, who have so far remained unbeaten in the tournament, will play against South Korea today in the second semifinal of the tournament.
China began the tournament on a poor note with a 0-3 loss to India but had mixed results in their campaign with a 4-2 win against Malaysia, a 2-3 loss to South Korea and a 1-5 loss to Pakistan.
However, they will take the field today against Pakistan confident after beating Japan 2-0 last week.
