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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Udupi: Woman, bank employee arrested in property tax fraud case
Udupi: Udupi City Police have arrested two persons, including a woman, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of property tax funds belonging to the Udupi Municipal Council.
The accused have been identified as Shalini, who was working as a tax consultant outside the municipal office, and Ganesh, a bank employee.
According to police, Anand Suvarna had paid Rs 34,730 towards 12 years of property tax for his building in Kalmadi to Shalini on October 16, 2025. She reportedly issued him a receipt acknowledging the payment.
However, when Suvarna recently checked the status of the payment on the property tax portal, he found that the amount had not been credited and was still shown as pending. He then brought the matter to the notice of the Municipal Commissioner, who verified that the payment had not been recorded.
During questioning, Shalini allegedly admitted to the lapse. On February 16, 2026, she generated a new challan in Suvarna’s name and paid Rs 35,213 towards the dues.
Police said a case has been registered at the Udupi City Police Station against the accused for allegedly misappropriating tax money and defrauding the government by affixing the seal of Union Bank on the challan without remitting the amount initially received from the taxpayer.
Further investigation is under way.
