Latest news with #Beijing2008
Forbes
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
She Was Bullied For Her Olympic Dream. Now She's President Of The IOC.
In her first wide-ranging interview since being elected President of the International Olympic Committee in March, Kirsty Coventry disclosed that it wasn't always easy for her as an Olympics-driven adolescent in Zimbabwe. During Coventry's childhood, Zimbabwe possessed a single Olympic medal, and her forthright declarations that she intended to win more were often met with skepticism from her peers.'I was bullied at school,' Coventry remarked during the interview, sitting near one of her swim caps from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she won a gold and three silvers. 'Part of the reason I was always bullied was because I would always talk about going to the Olympic Games and say 'I'm going to win a gold medal' and they would just look at me and call me names and tell me I was ridiculous,' she said. 'But those same people when I won my medal and I went back to Zimbabwe were the first people that wanted a picture with me.' Newly-elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry reacts prior to her first press conference during the ... More 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece on March 20, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) Today Coventry views the experience as a teachable lesson, one of several that she hopes to impress upon those watching her as the first woman to lead the IOC. 'You're always going to have people that aren't going to believe in your dream,' Coventry said. Her advice? Be nice anyway. 'I remember my mum and grandmother both saying, 'It takes nothing to say hello. It takes nothing from you. Be the bigger person. And I think that is extremely relevant when you have people that may doubt your capabilities. You've just got to smile and again, show them. Make believers of them.'The underdog comes into her ownCoventry's style — call it confidence without arrogance — helped her win crucial support as she stepped forward as only the second ever female candidate for the IOC Presidency this spring. She brings stellar Olympic credentials — with two golds, four silvers and a bronze in swimming, she is Africa's most successful Olympic athlete — then served on the IOC Athletes Commission and its Executive Board in addition to being Zimbabwe's minister for Sports, Art, and personal warmth and overarching goals for the Olympic movement drew the support and friendship of outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach, a fellow Olympic gold medalist. Despite abstaining from the presidential vote, Bach was seen as a staunch supporter of Coventry's candidacy and expressed delight when she stunned by winning the Presidency on the first ballot. She and Bach have collaborated closely during the transition period that ends Monday with Coventry's inauguration as IOC ascension is a significant moment for Africa as well as for women, and her platform at least for the moment seems to turn on finding ways to support athletes and help them attain the resources they need to optimize their potential. As a swimmer and later a political entity, she has often been the underdog. As a highly competitive person — 'I was banned from family card games because I hated to lose,' she said — it's a role she's come to cherish.'To all those people who may look at me and see one thing, it kind of excites me, because I think that they won't see what's coming when they realize what I do have to contribute,' she said.'I think it just comes down to knowing your own capabilities and being inwardly proud of that and confident about those capabilities. Not in an arrogant way or in a forceful way but in a way that will just allow you to show people that you are capable and you've got this. And that would be my same advice to women who are wanting to step into these different leadership roles: Know that you are capable. Hold that within yourself. Be confident enough to show them.' Kirsty Coventry earned gold in the women's 200m backstroke at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she ... More set a new world record with her time of two minutes 0.524 seconds in the final. Coventry came away from the Games with gold and three silvers. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) Coventry finds herself in rooms with some very powerful people these days. The challenge before her is not small: there will be broadcast deals to negotiate, stakeholders to satisfy, a whole world of people to inspire with the power and grandeur of the Olympics, some of whom will surely be watching and waiting and ready to level didn't scare her then and it doesn't now either. 'And know that sometimes people are going to pull you down, and be strong enough to get yourself out of or away from those situations,' she said. 'And sometimes your friends are not going to be the cool friends, and that's okay, because they will be cool, and you realize as you get older, well, we're the cool ones, right?'One way or another, she will play a big role in shaping the Olympics of the future. She's cognizant that the spirit of the Games, not the job she has ended up with, are what shaped her. 'I want people to remember me by saying, she never changed,' Coventry added. 'She was always humble, she was always approachable, the position never changed her. But she changed the position.'
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Peterborough Paralympic medallist recognised with blue plaque
A blue plaque is being unveiled for the Paralympic shooting gold medallist Matt will be on display at Whittlesey Rifle Club in the Cambridgeshire town, where Skelhon who is from Peterborough, won the gold medal in the SH1 10m prone air rifle event at the Beijing Olympics in plaque will be unveiled at 12:30 BST on Sunday, during the Whittlesey Big Bash annual summer event, where he is a guest of honour. A spokesperson for the club said: "Matt Skelhon is taking a break from training to be there and meet the public."The Whittlesey Big Bash 2025 is well worth visiting with 300 classic vehicles, a family disco and the chance to try other sports like archery, tennis and fishing, all for free."The rifle club is based at Manor Leisure Centre, which is due to be redeveloped with a new facility for the Whittlesey Big Bash begins on Sunday at 11:00 at the leisure centre. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
ABC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Equestrian Australia suspends Olympian Heath Ryan over horse whipping video
Australian Olympian Heath Ryan has been suspended by Equestrian Australia after a video emerged that appeared to show him repeatedly whipping a horse. Ryan, 66, represented Australia in dressage at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The video — reportedly about two years old — shows a man striking a horse around 40 times. Ryan issued a statement saying he was acting in "the horse's best interest". Ryan said the horse, named Nico, came to him after an accident that resulted in a female rider needing hospital treatment. The Australian said Nico "had always been a problem child and would just not stop" and after the video he was able to rehome the horse. "I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the knackery," Ryan said. "That video was a life or death moment for Nico and I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. "All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video." Britain's three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin missed the Paris Games last year after a video emerged of her repeatedly striking a horse around its legs with a long whip. She was subsequently banned for a year by the FEI, equestrian sport's world governing body. After the Ryan video drew attention, Equestrian Australia said it had received a formal complaint about one of its members and had imposed a provisional suspension from all competitions and events. "Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage," a statement read. "Our policies include high standards to protect all participants and their horses against any adverse physical, social, and emotional conditions."
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dressage Olympian suspended for repeatedly whipping horse
Australian Olympian Heath Ryan has been suspended by Equestrian Australia after a video emerged that appeared to show him repeatedly whipping a 66, represented Australia in dressage at the Beijing Olympic Games in video - said by Ryan to be about two years old - shows a man striking a horse around 40 times. Ryan issued a statement to say he was acting in "the horse's best interest".Ryan said the horse, named Nico, came to him after an accident which resulted in a female rider needing hospital Australian said that Nico "had always been a problem child and would just not stop" and after the video he was able to rehome the said, external: "I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the knackery."That video was a life or death moment for Nico and I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options."All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video."Britain's three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin missed the Paris Games last year after a video emerged of her repeatedly striking a horse around its legs with a long whip. She was subsequently banned for a year by the FEI, equestrian sport's world governing the Ryan video drew attention, Equestrian Australia said it had received a formal complaint about one of its members and had imposed a provisional suspension from all competitions and national body said:, external "Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage."Our policies include high standards to protect all participants and their horses against any adverse physical, social, and emotional conditions."
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Watch: Tom Daley reflects on being young and famous
Tom Daley expressed feeling "helpless" for his younger self, reflecting on the challenges of growing up in the public eye. Daley, who retired after the Paris 2024 Olympics, first gained fame at age 14 during the 2008 Beijing Games. He shared his reflections at the premiere of 1.6 Seconds, a documentary featuring unseen footage from his early career. Daley suggested that social media, if available during his youth, might have given him more control over his public image and narrative. Daley highlighted the difficulties of protecting himself from various challenges as a young athlete in the spotlight.
