Russian wrestling team boycotts Paris 2024 Olympics
Paris: The Russian Olympic wrestling team has announced a boycott of the Paris 2024 Games, protesting the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow only a select group of Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag.
The decision to permit certain athletes followed Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, prompting the IOC to initially bar all Russian athletes. The IOC later allowed participation for those who met stringent requirements, including not supporting, funding, or being associated with the Russian military efforts.
The Russian Wrestling Federation had ten athletes who passed the eligibility checks but chose not to participate. The Federation released a statement condemning the criteria used for selection, stating it undermined the unity of their team. Mikhail Mamiashvili, the Federation's President, criticized the event, calling it a "parody of competition."
Prominent wrestlers, including two-time Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev and double world champion Zaur Uguev, failed the IOC's eligibility test, potentially influencing the Federation's stance. The athletes eligible to compete under the "AIN" designation (Individual Neutral Athlete) did not partake in the opening ceremony and will not have their medals count towards official team standings.
Despite the controversy, the neutral athletes secured early success, with Ivan Litvinovich winning gold in men's trampoline and Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya taking silver in women's trampoline.
The Federation expressed disappointment that the wrestling world missed an opportunity to witness a competition featuring the sport's strongest athletes.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
