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Economic Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Trump forms task force to oversee 'safe, seamless' 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Synopsis President Donald Trump has established a federal task force, chaired by himself and Vice President JD Vance, to ensure the Los Angeles Olympics are secure and successful. This move, marked by an executive order, underscores his administration's commitment to safeguarding the 2028 Games, potentially involving National Guard deployment. Signing the executive order on Tuesday, President Donald Trump emphasised that his administration would do 'anything necessary' to safeguard the Games, including deploying the National Guard or military if needed. (Image Credit: X) President Donald Trump has launched a federal task force aimed at ensuring the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are 'safe, seamless, and historically successful'. The group, which he will chair alongside Vice President JD Vance as vice-chair, will coordinate federal involvement in the Games, giving Trump and his administration potential influence over the event's security and logistics. Signing the executive order on Tuesday, Trump emphasised that his administration would do 'anything necessary' to safeguard the Games, including deploying the National Guard or military if needed. — WhiteHouse (@WhiteHouse) His remarks come amid ongoing tension with California leaders, particularly Governor Gavin Newsom, after Trump unilaterally ordered National Guard deployment in June to suppress protests against federal immigration raids in Los Angeles. That move, made without state approval, drew criticism from both city and state officials. Trump also reignited his feud with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, calling her 'not very competent', referencing her handling of wildfires earlier in the year. Despite the political friction, Casey Wasserman, chair of the LA 2028 Olympic organising committee, joined Trump for the announcement and praised his support. Wasserman even offered Trump the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch again, as he did in New York before the 2004 Athens Games. The 2028 Olympics, awarded to Los Angeles in 2017 during Trump's first term, will coincide with another major global event hosted by the US - the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Trump used the occasion to double down on his stance against transgender athletes, vowing that 'men will not steal trophies from women at the 2028 Olympics'. When asked about testing protocols, he promised strict gender verification measures for all task force signals Trump's intent to make a visible mark on the country's upcoming role as a global sporting host.
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Fortuner That Hit And Killed Marathoner Fauja Singh Identified: Cops
The car which hit 114-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway and sped away has been identified almost 24 hours after the incident, cops said. The world's oldest marathoner died in the accident. The cops, using CCTV footage, have identified a Punjab-registered white Toyota Fortuner, which was allegedly involved in the hit-and-run, but a search is still on for the driver. Multiple teams have been formed to identify the accused who rammed Fauja Singh. The legendary runner suffered head injuries in the incident and died in the hospital. Mr Singh, popularly known as 'Turbaned Tornado', was a global icon. He was born on April 1, 1911 and lived through history, witnessing two world wars, two global pandemics, and India's partition in 1947. In the 90s, he moved to England to live with one of his sons. The death of his son Kuldip and his wife forced him to search for a worthwhile alternative in life. Age was never a barrier for him. In 2000, at the age of 89, he made his debut at the iconic London marathon, which grabbed the world's attention. He went on to participate in Toronto, New York, and other cities within his age group. He was a torchbearer for the 2004 Athens Games and 2012 London Olympics, and appeared in an advertisement for a major sports brand alongside legends like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. In 2012, Malaysia organised the 2nd Annual Chardikala Run with the theme of "101 and running". The event was a tribute to Fauja Singh's achievements, and he was honoured with the BrandLaureate Award. In 2013, Fauja participated in the Hong Kong marathon, where he completed the race in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds. Following this, he announced his retirement from running at the age of 102. However, he continued running for his well-being and charitable causes. People from the sporting community and political leaders mourned Fauja Singh's death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary due to his unique personality and his approach to inspiring India's youth on the crucial topic of fitness. He was a remarkable athlete with unwavering determination. His passing has caused great sorrow. My condolences are with his family and his countless admirers around the world." Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of centenarian marathon legend, the globally celebrated 'Turbaned Tornado,' Fauja Singh ji. His life, a testament to unwavering determination and unbridled resilience, serves as a profound inspiration for fitness enthusiasts, aspiring athletes and the young and old alike." "My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and admirers," he added.
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Who Was Fauja Singh? 114-Year-Old Marathoner Who Defied Age And Became An Inspiration
The entire sports fraternity of India mourned the loss of the world's oldest marathoner, Fauja Singh. The 114-year-old passed away on Monday after he was involved in a road accident. According to a report in BBC Punjabi, a car hit him on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway on Monday afternoon. He suffered a serious head injury and was immediately rushed to a hospital. However, he succumbed to the injuries. Condolences from all over the country started to pour in as India lost an icon, who was considered an inspiration for the masses. Who was Fauja Singh? Popularly known as the "Turbaned Tornado", Fauja was born on April 1, 1911 in Beyas village, Jalandhar, Punjab. Being born even before the first World War, Fauja saw a lot of historic moments getting unfold during his lifetime. The biggest and the darkest moment came in 1947 during India's partition, which completely turned his life upside down. In the 90s, he shifted to England to live with one of his sons. In 2000, at the age of 89, Fauja made his debut at the London Marathon. He then grabbed everyone's attention as he went on to join international marathons in Toronto, New York, and others within his age group. He was a torchbearer for the 2004 Athens Games and 2012 London Olympics, and appeared in an advertisement for a major sports brand several years ago alongside the likes of David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. In 2012, Malaysia organised the 2nd Annual Chardikala Run with the theme of "101 and running". The event was a tribute to Fauja's marvelous achievements and was honoured on stage with the BrandLaureate Award during the closing ceremony. In 2013, Fauja participated in the Hong Kong marathon, where he completed the race in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds. Following this, he announced his retirement from running at the age of 102. However, he continued running for his well-being and charitable causes.
Fox News
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird highlight Basketball Hall of Fame class
Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice, and LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that's headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end. Anthony and Howard were announced as members of the Class of 2025 on Saturday, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team they played on — dubbed the "Redeem Team," the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball's men's program. Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford. "I made it to the real basketball heaven," Howard said. Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. "When the call comes and, in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone," Anthony said on the televised announcement. "You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, 'You're in.' And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders." Donovan won back-to-back titles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami's path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years. "For some, this is an individual honor," Arison said. "But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together." Combined, the five players selected as individuals – Bird, Moore, Fowles, Howard and Anthony – were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, won 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 All-NBA or All-WNBA appearances and were named as All-Stars 45 times in their careers. "Surreal," Bird said of her selection. "I don't think there's any way to really wrap your head around it." Added Fowles: "I don't think [any] one of us go into this thinking that we're going to be Hall of Famers. You just do your job ... and when it's all said and done, the job is complete and here we are." The Redeem Team's selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince. The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball's place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points. "USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame," USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. "The Redeem Team's celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men's Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals. "Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, members of that team and individual inductees, are two of the many legends in this Class who have contributed to our organization's success over the last 20-plus years, including Sue Bird, Billy Donovan, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles," Tooley added. UConn's women's program already had coach Geno Auriemma, Swin Cash (enshrined as a player) and Rebecca Lobo (enshrined as a contributor) in the Hall of Fame, and Bird and Moore going in together will obviously add to what's always a huge weekend in New England. "They're hall of famers for me, they're hall of famers for their family, they're hall of famers for everybody — they're even hall of famers for UConn haters," Auriemma said. "That's one thing they can all agree on." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mike Krzyzewski honored as 2008 Olympic men's team inducted into 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame
The Redeem Team is officially in the Naismith Hall of Fame. The 2008 men's Olympic basketball team, led by then-Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, was among the inductees for the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2025 released on Saturday. Advertisement The 2008 men's Olympic basketball team earned the moniker "Redeem Team" after an underperformance at the 2004 Athens Games with a bronze medal. The Krzyzewski-coached team bounced back to win the gold medal in 2008. The US won its first seven games by at least 20 points and defeated Spain 118-107 in the gold medal game. REQUIRED READING: Duke basketball brings Justin Robinson back home to San Antonio for Final Four It featured Kobe Bryant as a captain, but also featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard. Both Anthony and Howard were also inducted individually into the Hall of Fame. 'USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The Redeem Team's celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men's Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals," said USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley. Advertisement "Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, members of that team and individual inductees, are two of the many legends in this Class who have contributed to our organization's success over the last 20+ years, including Sue Bird, Billy Donovan, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and we look forward to celebrating you in Springfield." James is still currently in the NBA, while Bryant was inducted in 2020 and Wade in 2023. Krzyzewski ― affectionately known as Coach K ― was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. Who was on the 2008 Redeem Team? The Redeem Team had some of the sport's eminent names, with the oft-discussed 2003 draft class getting heavy representation. Here's a look at the full roster: Advertisement 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame class Billy Donovan Carmelo Anthony Dwight Howard Sue Bird Maya Moore Danny Crawford Sylvia Fowles Micky Arison 2008 US Men's Olympic Team This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 2008 US Olympic men's team inducted into 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame
