Latest news with #Olympiads

Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
NHL legend Ovechkin calls for Russia's return to world sports
MOSCOW: NHL all-time record goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin called for Russian athletes to be allowed to compete at the world's top sporting events again, as he was greeted by hundreds of adoring fans during a visit to Moscow on Saturday. The Washington Capitals ace received a jubilant reception during his first trip home since scoring his 895th goal last April to overtake the previous all-time record held by Canadian ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. 'I hope that in the near future we will be allowed to participate and the guys will be able to take part in Olympiads and world championships to represent their country,' the ice hockey superstar told AFP. Surrounded by swarms of journalists and ecstatic fans, he walked a Moscow high-end street which had been decked out with 'Ovechkin 8' hockey jerseys and signs reading 'eternal record'. Russians have had little opportunity to celebrate international sporting success over the past three years, kicked out of a host of competitions over the Kremlin's Ukraine offensive. But Ovechkin's triumph offered them a rare chance to do so. 'That would be epic' Hundreds of fans lined up for an autograph at an outdoor ice rink, which serves as a football pitch during warm months. 'Ovi, Ovi,' the fans chanted Ovechkin's American nickname. This rink in a typical Moscow suburb is where the 39-year-old left wing striker took the first steps of his illustrious career. The rink stands out from the grey high-rise apartment blocks surrounding it, after having been carefully renovated by a sponsor, replete with a massive sign reading 'eternal record 895' freshly painted on its surface. Antonina Mikhailova, an IT manager wearing Ovechkin's jersey, told AFP: 'Whatever happens in the world, sport has no borders.' 'That would be epic, we must do that!' insisted Fyodor Troshin, an amateur hockey player also waiting for Ovechkin, of the prospect of Russian athletes returning to international sport events. 'People like Alexander Ovechkin are bringing Russian sport closer to (international) leagues,' the 40-year-old added. Despite his prowess on the ice, Ovechkin's politics and Russian connections have stoked some controversy, as he has been a prominent supporter of Vladimir Putin's 25-year rule, even after troops were sent to Ukraine. In a political balancing act, Ovechkin has not denounced Moscow's Ukraine offensive, but he has also carefully veered away from supporting it — despite knowing such a move would be welcomed by Putin. 'I felt proud of what we achieved, of breaking the record,' Ovechkin, who is famously missing a front tooth, told AFP of breaking Gretzky's 26-year mark. — AFP


Leaders
4 days ago
- Science
- Leaders
Saudi Students Participate in 2025 International Physics Olympiad in France
The Saudi National Physics Team is currently taking part in the 2025 International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) held in Paris, France, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Set to run until July 25, the Olympiad brings together outstanding high school students from all over the world. Four students are representing the Kingdom at this global scientific event after being qualified through the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba). In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and thanks to Saudi Aramco's support, Mawhiba has provided students with thousands of hours of intensive training ahead of the Olympiad. Launched in 1967 in Poland, International Physics Olympiad stands out as one of the most prestigious science competitions worldwide. It seeks basically to cultivate students' skills in innovation, scientific analysis, as well as complex problem-solving. Saudi Arabia has been participating at IPhO since 2011, securing (6) silver medals, (20) bronze medals, and (22) certificates of appreciation. Saudi Arabia has recently made bold strides towards establishing a more knowledge-based economy focused on elevating the scientific scene in the Kingdom. Through its participation in several international Olympiads, the Kingdom has been shown excellent performance and unparalleled skills with students securing several medals and recognitions across various fields. Related Topics: Saudi Team Competes in 66th International Mathematics Olympiad in Australia Scientific Creativity Olympiad Finals to Kick off in Riyadh on Feb 3 Saudi Team Secures First Place in Arab Math Olympiad Short link : Post Views: 23


Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
41st anniversary of The Times of India, Bengaluru: Of fun memes and 'cluesdays'
A Sunday evening at Church Street gets as lively as it could, with people of all age groups making it the city's most chosen hangout spot. Its stoned pavements adding to the aesthetics of the walking street. While for some, this stretch may be the go-to place to have a drink or unwind with friends after a week-long work, for a few, the street pubs are also a destination to spend their time testing their intellect and knowledge. Bengaluru is one of the few cities in India that can boast of a rare 'pub quizzing' culture, and Church Street Social has been one regular spot that hosts such events. Usually, these quizzes are hosted by third parties who are invited by the pubs. 4edge Quizzing is one group that conducts quiz events across pubs in the city throughout the week. The group was founded in 2016 by two friends, Himadri Banerjee and Anand Bhat, over their shared passion for quizzing. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Though certain quiz events in the city are themed around pop culture and anime, those conducted by 4edge follow a light general theme. Unlike Olympiads, these quizzes feature fun meme rounds and social media references. According to Bhat, meme-related questions play a huge role in making sure that everyone has a good time. 'The memes round is something that we've made a USP of ours because in these pub quizzes, we see a lot of beginner crowds, and we don't want it to be too daunting. So, we just try to include things that are relatable and based on current events,' he added. As soon as the quiz begins, the 20-odd teams participating in it get their eyes glued to the screen, and with each passing round, the competition intensifies. 'The team with the funniest name gets a shoutout,' Bhat announces through the microphone. The heterogeneous teams even include families. One such unit bearing the name 'Hot Chips' said it's a good way to spend time together as a fun activity, despite all of them being from different generations. At the end of the final round of one quizzing competition, a team named 'They bombed so I ran', comprising four men in their late 20s, is named the winner. 'It's good that they are making it very accessible because quizzing was usually done only by organisations or colleges as part of their annual fests. But this is pastime as an intellectual pursuit, that's what they've got right. A lot of people wanted that and the pubs have been very receptive towards staging these events,' said Suhas Pai, a team member. Pai's teammate Pranav Nandha, a corporate employee, feels quizzing is a great activity, especially on weekends. 'For the corporate lot, weekends are usually chosen for parties. But for us, this is a great way to spend some time and expand our knowledge.' Despite the prize for the winning team being a bottle of wine, both organisers and participants agree that such events have also made teetotallers enjoy pubs and bars. 'I'm a teetotaller. When I win, I pass the bottle on to my friends who drink. I didn't come here for the prize. Yes, there is joy when you get the answer right, but we've all been doing this for a very long time. So, it's a good recreation and we can meet new people as well,' Niyam Joshi, another participant, expressed. The Vapor Pub in Indiranagar has been organising a quiz called 'Cluesdays' on Tuesdays every week for the past 11 years. 'Cluesdays' works with a democratic model by allowing all regular participants to organise on a weekly rotation basis. Rajesh Radhakrishnan is one such participant who has been attending the quiz since its inception. When asked about the business aspect of pub quizzing, Radhakrishnan replied: 'On a Tuesday night, not many people would come in. In the case of 'Cluesdays', they (pub) take care of the drinks ordered by the winning table. But obviously, the other people will have to pay for it. It is very good of the pub that they're doing it because other quizzes don't fetch such a big prize.' Radhakrishnan further said that there are themed quizzes based on topics such as sports, music, and cinema. 'I generally host a full film and music quiz, but again, I try to keep it generic. All famous films and famous songs, equal mix of Hollywood and Bollywood,' he said. And it's not just limited to quizzing. 'Pool' and 'foosball' tables also figure prominently at the pubs. Roshan, a regular pool player at the city's watering holes, feels thatdrinking alcohol alone is not enough to keep the city engaged at night. 'Just drinking is not fun enough. For example, we play pool here and our bill goes shoots up because we spend more time here. Hence, there's also an incentive for the business, and I think the cityis maturing in terms of what it wants from a space right now, because back then, you opened an empty room and played some decent music and ran a pub. Now, people want something to do because the phone is already a distraction,' he explained. 'The pool table has been here only for four months, mostly working people come in to play. Most of them would at least purchase a bottle of beer while enjoying the game,' Hum Rana, the manager of a popular pub in Indiranagar, echoed Roshan's point. Rana also added that several bars and pubs around the city put an extra emphasis on sports and games. 'Doff Pub' in Indiranagar is one of the popular sports bars of Bengaluru. The space features around 20 screens, allowing for the simultaneous display of several sports. Rakesh Mohan, a regular at Doff, passionately said: 'I mostly come here to watch Formula One, there's a huge rivalry between the supporters of Red Bull and Ferrari. I'm a Max Verstappen fan and I love bantering when Max wins.' 'Not just foosball, but every sport is serious. We go crazy while playing foosball. It provides me with an adrenaline boost. Games are what keep these pubs going. I would love it if they introduce a mini basketball hoop as well, it would make the nightlife here and the pub culture even better,' Rakesh said before he got busy at the foosball table with his co-worker.


Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
NHL all-time record scorer Ovechkin calls for Russian return to global sports
Russian NHL star Alexander Ovechkin was honoured in his native Moscow after his 895th goal in April broke Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record. Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP MOSCOW — NHL all-time record goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin called for Russian athletes to be allowed to compete at the world's top sporting events again, as he was greeted by hundreds of adoring fans during a visit to Moscow on Saturday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Washington Capitals ace received a jubilant reception during his first trip home since scoring his 895th goal last April to overtake the previous all-time record held by Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. 'I hope that in the near future we will be allowed to participate and the guys will be able to take part in Olympiads and world championships to represent their country,' the hockey superstar told AFP. Surrounded by swarms of journalists and ecstatic fans, he walked a Moscow high-end street which had been decked out with 'Ovechkin 8' hockey jerseys and signs reading 'eternal record'. Russians have had little opportunity to celebrate international sporting success over the past three years, kicked out of a host of competitions over the Kremlin's Ukraine offensive. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But Ovechkin's triumph offered them a rare chance to do so. 'That would be epic' Hundreds of fans lined up for an autograph at an outdoor ice rink, which serves as a football pitch during warm months. 'Ovi, Ovi,' the fans chanted Ovechkin's American nickname. This rink in a typical Moscow suburb is where the 39-year-old left wing striker took the first steps of his illustrious career. The rink stands out from the grey high-rise apartment blocks surrounding it, after having been carefully renovated by a sponsor, replete with a massive sign reading 'eternal record 895' freshly painted on its surface. Antonina Mikhailova, an IT manager wearing Ovechkin's jersey, told AFP: 'Whatever happens in the world, sport has no borders.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'That would be epic, we must do that!' insisted Fyodor Troshin, an amateur hockey player also waiting for Ovechkin, of the prospect of Russian athletes returning to international sport events. 'People like Alexander Ovechkin are bringing Russian sport closer to (international) leagues,' the 40-year-old added. Despite his prowess on the ice, Ovechkin's politics and Russian connections have stoked some controversy, as he has been a prominent supporter of Vladimir Putin's 25-year rule, even after troops were sent to Ukraine. In a political balancing act, Ovechkin has not denounced Moscow's Ukraine offensive, but he has also carefully veered away from supporting it — despite knowing such a move would be welcomed by Putin. 'I felt proud of what we achieved, of breaking the record,' Ovechkin, who is famously missing a front tooth, told AFP of breaking Gretzky's 26-year mark. MMA World Toronto & GTA Tennis Celebrity


Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
NHL all-time record scorer Ovechkin calls for Russian return to global sports
Article content MOSCOW — NHL all-time record goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin called for Russian athletes to be allowed to compete at the world's top sporting events again, as he was greeted by hundreds of adoring fans during a visit to Moscow on Saturday. Article content The Washington Capitals ace received a jubilant reception during his first trip home since scoring his 895th goal last April to overtake the previous all-time record held by Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. Article content Article content 'I hope that in the near future we will be allowed to participate and the guys will be able to take part in Olympiads and world championships to represent their country,' the hockey superstar told AFP. Article content Article content Surrounded by swarms of journalists and ecstatic fans, he walked a Moscow high-end street which had been decked out with 'Ovechkin 8' hockey jerseys and signs reading 'eternal record'. Article content Russians have had little opportunity to celebrate international sporting success over the past three years, kicked out of a host of competitions over the Kremlin's Ukraine offensive. Article content Hundreds of fans lined up for an autograph at an outdoor ice rink, which serves as a football pitch during warm months. Article content 'Ovi, Ovi,' the fans chanted Ovechkin's American nickname. Article content This rink in a typical Moscow suburb is where the 39-year-old left wing striker took the first steps of his illustrious career. Article content Article content The rink stands out from the grey high-rise apartment blocks surrounding it, after having been carefully renovated by a sponsor, replete with a massive sign reading 'eternal record 895' freshly painted on its surface. Article content Antonina Mikhailova, an IT manager wearing Ovechkin's jersey, told AFP: 'Whatever happens in the world, sport has no borders.' Article content 'That would be epic, we must do that!' insisted Fyodor Troshin, an amateur hockey player also waiting for Ovechkin, of the prospect of Russian athletes returning to international sport events. Article content 'People like Alexander Ovechkin are bringing Russian sport closer to (international) leagues,' the 40-year-old added. Article content Despite his prowess on the ice, Ovechkin's politics and Russian connections have stoked some controversy, as he has been a prominent supporter of Vladimir Putin's 25-year rule, even after troops were sent to Ukraine. Article content In a political balancing act, Ovechkin has not denounced Moscow's Ukraine offensive, but he has also carefully veered away from supporting it — despite knowing such a move would be welcomed by Putin.