Latest news with #OlympicSport
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Kai Tak's new climbing wall can bring global scene to Hong Kong, ex-pro says
Just Climb founder Danny Ho Sin-fai said on Friday he hoped the opening of a new facility at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park could attract the sport's biggest events to the city. Climbing was first included as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo Games in 2021, when there was just one event that combined the three disciplines: lead, which sees the climber ascend while clipping the rope into protection; bouldering – without a rope or harness – and speed, where the athlete attempts to reach the top as quickly as possible. In Paris last year, speed climbing ran as a separate event, with lead and bouldering combined, but in Los Angeles 2028, all three disciplines will have individual medal potential. And Ho, a former member of the Hong Kong national climbing team, said this was the perfect incentive for young people in the city to take up the sport. 'The Olympics has encouraged the sport to grow,' Ho told the Post. 'Younger athletes now see climbing as a way to glory at the Olympics. Just Climb founder Danny Ho at the new climbing facilities at Kai Tak Sports Park. Photo: May Tse 'We want more young kids from different generations, at university or even young adults to add taking part in this sport to their daily lives.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish rugby figures to receive online protection service used by Arsenal & FIFA
Signify Group and its service 'Threat Matrix' will provide year-round protection against online abuse and threats for Test and provincial rugby players. The IRFU has announced a three-year partnership that will safeguard Men's, Women's, Academy, and Provincial players, key IRFU administrators, team coaches and match officials. Since 2023, Signify has worked with World Rugby to protect its match officials on a year-round basis and safeguarding players during the Men's Rugby World Cup 2023 and the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. FIFA and Arsenal, as well as Olympic Sport federations, also use a service that provides real time monitoring of online abuse and threats, identification of perpetrators, law enforcement support in the most serious cases plus education and training sessions for teams and individuals. 'Rugby is a game built on respect and abuse of any sort should never be tolerated," said IRFU CEO Kevin Potts. "In recent years we have heard from people in our game of the increasing threat from online abuse, and we have been identifying ways to offer more support and protection for them in this area. "Our colleagues in World Rugby used this service very successfully during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the Irish match officials who benefited from the service spoke very highly of it. "We are delighted to now offer the service of Threat Matrix to our players, coaches, match officials and any other key participants across the IRFU and the four provinces who feel they might be at risk. The welfare of our team is of the utmost importance to us, and we look forward to working with Signify on this important initiative.' IRFU CEO, Kevin Potts (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) Rugby Players Ireland CEO Simon Keogh added: "We are pleased to be working alongside the IRFU and the four provinces on this important initiative. "While protecting our players online is essential, this new service will also provide them with the tools to navigate the digital world confidently so that they can embrace its opportunities without being held back by the challenges it presents.' The IRFU claims that using a hybrid of AI technology and human analysis, Threat Matrix detects targeted abusive and threatening content across all major social media platforms. The proactive service risk assesses and investigates the most serious content which will provide the IRFU, provinces and RPI with actionable evidence for a range of sanctions, including venue and ticket bans, as well as reporting the most serious cases to police. The Threat Matrix service will also include a dedicated reporting and investigation process for harassment sent via direct messages. Signify will also deliver a number of in-person education and training workshops for players, officials, and other stakeholders. These will cover a variety of areas and will equip individuals with the awareness and knowledge they need to stay safe online. 'We are proud to partner with the IRFU to help protect its players, staff, and officials from the serious impact of online abuse,' said Jake Marsh, Head of Sport at Signify Group. 'We know through our work how sport's participants are affected both on and off the field of play by online abuse and threat. "The good news is that their mental health and performance can be protected while also taking action to tackle online abuse head-on. The IRFU's commitment to year-round protection and education in this area reflects real leadership in welfare and safeguarding.'
