Latest news with #Tokyo2020Games
Ottawa Citizen
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
King Charles' visit brought out these noteworthy names in Ottawa
Thousands of Ottawans welcomed King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, to Ottawa on their historic royal visit to tour the capital and open Parliament. Article content Article content Scott is a Canadian Olympian soccer player from Winnipeg. She won gold in the Tokyo 2020 Games and is also a two-time bronze medallist from London 2012 and Rio 2016. Scott currently plays for the Canadian national team and Ottawa Rapid FC. Article content Phillips was a member of the Ottawa Senators for 17 seasons as a defenceman. Article content Scott and Phillips were the designated hockey captains who participated in a ceremonial puck drop with the King at Lansdowne Park on May 26. Article content Over 70 years ago, 50 girls from across Canada were in attendance to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. After being nominated by their high schools, the teenagers were taken on a seven-week tour of the United Kingdom for a life-changing trip. Article content Article content On Monday, they were on the grounds of Rideau Hall to greet Charles and Camilla. Article content Also in attendance was Douglas Arrowsmith, a Canadian film director. Article content Article content As Charles and Camilla stepped off a Royal Canadian Air Force plane, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, were there to greet the Royals after their journey from London. This was the first of many photo ops throughout the two-day visit. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
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First Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Paralympic gold medal-winning judoka Shahana Hajiyeva handed life ban for faking blindness, claims report
Shahana Hajiyeva, who had won gold while competing in the 48kg category in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, was found to be faking blindness after failing a medical classification test ahead of the World Para Judo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan earlier this month. read more Azerbaijani judoka Shahana Hajiyeva had won gold while competing in the 48kg category of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Reuters Nearly three years after making her country proud with a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Azerbaijani judoka Shahana Hajiyeva has been handed a ban for failing a medical classification test which suggested that she was faking blindness to compete in the categories where she found so much success. Hajiyeva had stood on top of the podium while competing in the 48kg event in the Tokyo 2020 Games and was also a gold medallist at the European Para Championships in 2023 while competing in the 48kg J2 category. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And after missing the Paralympic Games in Paris last year, Hajiyeva was scheduled to compete at the World Para Judo Championships that took place in Astana Kazakhstan earlier this month. The 24-year-old, however, was found to have failed a medical classification test for partially sighted judokas that took place before the event, according to a report on Hajiyeva's national federation claims change of rules to blame for her failed test Hajiyeva thus was handed a lifetime ban from competing in her original categories. Azerbaijan's National Paralympic Committee, however, cited a change in regulations for her failed test. 'At the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Parajudo competitions were held in categories B1, B2 and B3. However, in the run-up to the Paralympic Games in Paris and at the Games themselves, the number of categories was reduced, and competitions were organised in two new categories - J1 and J2," the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan said in a statement. 'As a result of the changes, many eye diseases previously included in the J2 category were excluded from the list. 'Despite the fact that Gadzhieva represented our country in the J2 category until 2024, due to the changes it became clear that she will no longer be able to compete in parajudo,' it added. Hajiyeva, however, wasn't the only athlete who had failed the medical classification test – compatriot Elnara Nizamli was moved from the J1 to J2 category after she was found to have partial vision.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former UConn Star Suffers Unfortunate Setback Before WNBA Season
It was announced two weeks ago, on May 1, by the Washington Mystics that forward Aaliyah Edwards would be sidelined at least two weeks because she was diagnosed with a low-back contusion during training camp. It is unclear exactly how Edwards sustained the injury. The press release stated that she would be re-evaluated again in two weeks. On Friday, hours before the team's WNBA season opener, it was reported by Underdog WNBA on X that Edwards will not be playing again for at least two more weeks as she continues to recover from her back injury. Advertisement The Mystics concluded their 2025 preseason with two losses, falling 79–74 in overtime to the Indiana Fever on May 3 and 80–70 to the Atlanta Dream last Wednesday. Aaliyah Edwards poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number six overall pick by the Washington Mystics in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Penner-USA TODAY Sports Before joining the WNBA in 2024, Edwards had a strong college career at UConn alongside Paige Bueckers. Over four seasons, she amassed 1,861 points and 1,020 rebounds, ranking 15th and 8th, respectively, in UConn's records. She is one of only six players in the program's history to achieve both 1,800 points and 1,000 rebounds. The 22-year-old Canadian basketball player was selected sixth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Mystics and signed her rookie contract shortly thereafter. In her debut season, Edwards played in 34 games and averaged 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Advertisement Internationally, Edwards has represented Canada and made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games as the youngest member of the Canadian women's basketball team. Additionally, she participated in the 2025 season of Unrivaled, a women's 3-on-3 basketball league, where she reached the finals of the 1-on-1 tournament. Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lee-Imagn Images The Mystics are set to start their official WNBA season on Friday evening against the Atlanta Dream at 4:30 p.m. PT. Related: Wings Reveal Major News Ahead Of Paige Bueckers' First Season
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Bloom BMX's Ride Like A Girl WKND At Woodward PA Nurtures Young BMXers
When BMX freestyle made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, it could have been framed as the triumphant end point of a narrative. The roots of the sport can be traced back to the 1970s, and, though it has enjoyed peaks and endured valleys, it has persisted, finally gaining entry to the most mainstream sporting event on the planet. But the Olympics aren't the mountaintop for BMX freestyle; they are just a stop on the way. The end goal for BMX freestyle is to be a sport that enjoys continued growth, attracting riders of all genders and backgrounds, and provides opportunities for them to take it as far as they want. To do that, the sport needs help from likeminded partners and organizations—such as Woodward, the Bloom BMX and Ride Like a Girl, all of whom came together April 18–20 to host the latest Ride Like a Girl WKND at Woodward's Pennsylvania facility. The event welcomed 55 female and non-binary participants who were able to explore Woodward's 400,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor facilities alongside some of the biggest names in BMX, including the Bloom BMX cofounder and professional BMX athlete Angie Marino, Olympic gold medalist Charlotte Worthington, BMX freestyle world champion Perris Benegas and Olympic silver medalist Hannah Roberts. When Marino first attended Woodward BMX camp in 2005, she was the only girl in attendance. The last 20 years have brought dramatic changes in participation demographics, in no small part to the work Marino has done as a pro and with the Bloom BMX to grow the sport. When BMX freestyle was approved for Olympic inclusion in 2017, Woodward, which was founded as a gymnastics camp in 1970 but now specializes in action sports experiences across its eight facilities in the U.S., played a crucial role in preparing athletes for that level of competition. By 2024, of the 112 BMX and skateboard athletes who competed at the Paris Olympics, 36 had ties to Woodward, and 23 had trained at Woodward in the year leading up to the Games. These aren't just American athletes; Woodward's programming and facilities attract action sports athletes from around the globe. BMX freestyle's Olympic designation was a catalyst for the sport's growth among female riders, Marino says. 'The Olympics helped with equal prize money, federations financially supporting women riders and attracting more sponsors,' Marino told me. 'With more financial support and more exposure, BMX has been able to grow, especially for the women. A lot of women had minimal to zero support prior.' Charlotte Worthington won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women's BMX freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Games. But when she started out, she was one of the few girls riding BMX in the entire United Kingdom. North America dominated the global BMX market in 2024, per Cognitive Market Research, accounting for around 40 percent of the total $361.2 million global revenue. But Europe, and the United Kingdom in particular, is seeing rapid growth. Europe accounts for more than 30 percent of global revenue and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0 percent from 2024 to 2031. The UK will grow at an even larger CAGR of 4.8 percent, with BMX sales in the UK seeing a spike due to a robust youth participation program. Worthington, with her highly visible Olympic success, shares no small part of the responsibility for BMX's growth in the UK. For many girls, all it takes is seeing someone like Worthington, Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Roberts or Paris 2024 silver medalist Benegas succeed to stoke the desire to follow in their footsteps. Riding alongside them at an event like Ride Like a Girl WKND is next level. At 28, Worthington represents a nexus point in the sport. Being in the prime of her career has allowed her to take advantage of opportunities like BMX's Olympic debut in 2021 as well as the first-ever X Games women's BMX medal event in 2024, after years of advocacy from the sport's forebears. Riding with the women from that generation was a highlight of the Bloom BMX WKND for Worthington. 'They loved BMX for everything it is and wanted to see other girls shred, no ego or competition,' Worthington said. 'They felt like role models.' 'The older generation is showing what's possible, how to fall and get back up, and how to be your personal best while having fun,' said Phoebe Mills, VP of Camp Experiences & Programming at Woodward Global. 'It's one thing to see your hero on TV, but it's a whole different experience to ride alongside them and learn new bike skills together.' There is a perception that Woodward is only for experts and professionals, but that couldn't be farther from the truth, Mills said, highlighting Woodward's new Progression Centre park, built in 2023, that is tailored to athletes who have just taken up skateboarding, scooter and BMX. 'There is truly something for everyone at Woodward, no matter your ability level,' Mills said. 'Events like this help our athletes build confidence and enjoy our parks in a laid-back atmosphere open to exploration and progression.' Cory Coffey, the first women's BMX world champion and first woman to land a backflip, fell in love with the sport as a teenager in California. There was nothing like this event when she started out, and a few years after taking up the sport, she started teaching at OP Girls Learn to Ride clinics. Now she's teaching her own girls to ride. 'I take my young daughters with me to the local skate parks, and we see more and more girls often riding BMX,' Coffey said. 'I think it's time to grow the sport even more though, especially as we head into the next Olympic Quad for LA28,' she added. 'When I first started riding, opportunities like this just didn't exist,' said Jessica Ausec, who began riding BMX in the early 2000s and was also in attendance at Woodward PA. 'There were a few companies that helped riders travel to different destinations, but they weren't easily accessible and more often than not you had to be invited. It's nothing like this event, where everyone is welcome, and that's truly incredible. 'The thought of having this many women gathered in one space for riding wasn't even something we could imagine back then,' Ausec added. 'That's what makes this moment so powerful!'
Reuters
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Olympic relay champion Bol to skip individual indoor races this season
Jan 28 (Reuters) - Femke Bol will not compete individually this indoor season, the Dutchwoman said on social media on Tuesday, leaving her 400 metres world indoor crown up for grabs in Nanjing in March. Bol, who took Olympic bronze in the 400 hurdles at the Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021 because of the pandemic, said she wanted to spend "more time processing everything that has happened" and to prioritise life outside of sport. "After the last Olympic cycle with years full of amazing competitions indoor and outdoors, we've decided to do it a bit different this year," she said on Instagram. "I'm training hard and preparing myself for another successful year on the track, but I also felt that I needed a bit more time away from competing." Bol, who helped the Netherlands to Olympic gold in the 4x400 mixed relay in Paris, said she could not resist competing at a home championship and would participate in the relays at the March European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn. "I am looking forward to what this year will bring me and I want to thank you all for the support," she said.
