Category: Olympics

War, asylum and near death at sea have shaped a karateka’s journey from Afghanistan to Australia and now the Olympics

Pitch black waves crash against the small, overcrowded boat carrying a group of asylum seekers. The fumes given off by the vessel’s engine hang uncomfortably in the air alongside a bitter odour of terrified, desperate vomit. But the most pungent smell is that of fear. Then, the boat breaks down.

“I honestly thought then that might be the end of my journey. That’s where I might die,” says Asif Sultani, an Afghanistan-born refugee whose fate mercifully was not sealed that day in the murky waters off Indonesia, and whose journey may yet take him to Japan, where he hopes to represent the Refugee Olympic Team at this year’s Games in Tokyo.

A normal child may enjoy life with their friends and family but I found myself getting bullied, kicked, punched, people spitting on me, humiliating me, and telling me that I have to kill myself because I wasn’t good, because I can’t be like everyone else.

• Davis rewarded for winning British trials with marathon place
• Steph Twell and Jess Pisecki also named in GB team

Steph Davis says she is still waiting for her whirlwind journey from club runner to elite athlete to sink in after being officially named on Thursday in the Team GB marathon squad for the Tokyo Olympics.

Davis, who combines running for her local club Clapham Chasers with working for an asset management company, said her life had been “exciting but a bit mad” since she won the British trials last week – with numerous well-wishers hailing her story as an inspiration.

Related: Stephanie Davis reaches Olympics less than three years after first marathon

• Walking Together range pays respect to 52 past competitors
  
• New green and gold kits features latest cooling technology

Australia’s Olympic fashion past may be as chequered as the shirts of its 2018 Winter Games collection, but the latest offering has eschewed any bold sartorial statements in favour of a hi-tech but functional competition range that pays respect to the country’s past Indigenous athletes.

The Australian Olympic Committee on Wednesday unveiled the uniforms its athletes will wear around the Olympic village and during competition in Tokyo later this year, consisting of a number of styles in traditional green and gold colours.

Related: 'Fresh set of eyes': Katrina Powell named new Hockeyroos coach for Olympics

Related: ‘Why not me?’: Rohan Browning targets rare Australian 100m Olympic medal | Kieran Pender

• Two-time gold medallist contracted until end of Tokyo Games
• Powell replaces Paul Gaudoin, who resigned two weeks ago

Katrina Powell has been announced as the new Hockeyroos coach, with the two-time Olympic gold medallist tasked with transforming a dysfunctional women’s program into a world-beating powerhouse in time for the Tokyo Games.

The Hockeyroos have been mired in off-field dramas for years, the issue coming to a head in 2020 when serious concerns about the broader culture were aired by current and former players.

Related: Hockeyroos uncertainty prevails with no way back in sight for excluded duo

• Americans lose 2-1 to Honduras in must-win to reach Olympics
• US last missed three straight Olympics in 1960, 1964 and 1968

American players fell to the field at the final whistle. Another missed Olympics soccer tournament for the US men. Another failed four-cycle.

Juan Carlos Obregón scored in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, goalkeeper David Ochoa committed a blunder that gifted Luis Palma a goal two minutes into the second half and Honduras beat the United States 2-1 on Sunday in an Olympic qualification game at Guadalajara, Mexico.

• Australia’s most decorated male in track and field retires
• Tallent won gold and two silvers between 2008 and 2016

Australia’s former Olympic champion racewalker Jared Tallent has announced his retirement after injury stymied his bid to qualify for a fourth Summer Games in Tokyo later this year.

The 36-year-old, who won gold in the 50km walk at the 2012 Olympics retrospectively and also took silver in the event at the 2008 and 2016 Games, ends his career as the most decorated male Australian in track and field.

Related: Hockeyroos uncertainty prevails with no way back in sight for excluded duo

• Americans lose to Mexico on first-half gaffe by Sebastian Soto
• US must beat Honduras or Canada on Sunday to reach Olympics

Sebastian Soto’s sloppy giveaway cost the United States in a 1-0 loss to Mexico.

Now comes the winner-take-all semi-final Sunday night against Honduras or Canada for a trip to the men’s Olympic soccer tournament.

Mexico strikes first! @AntunaUriel takes advantage of a loose USYNT pass to put @miseleccionmxEN up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/lnmTCvXNGh

The Olympic torch relay to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games began its 120-day journey across Japan following a low-key ceremony at a football training complex in Fukushima. The ceremony was closed to the public as Japan maintains strict restrictions around the Covid-19 pandemic. Azusa Iwashimizu, a member of the Japanese team that won the women’s World Cup in 2011 was the first torchbearer, running through sparsely populated local streets. Large crowds have been discouraged from gathering, and the few who did attend were asked to wear masks, socially distance and refrain from cheering or shouting

• Tokyo Olympic torch relay begins as sign of hope in Japan amid Covid curbs

• Players’ association calls for swift resolution to appeal
  
• Four months have passed since two key players dropped

Two central Hockeyroos players remain excluded from the national squad less than four months out from the Tokyo Olympics with no sign if or when they will reinstated.

Four months after former captain Georgina Morgan and world goalkeeper of the year Rachael Lynch lodged formal appeals against their omissions from the team, the players’ association has called for a “swift resolution” of the protracted process.

Related: Hockey Australia report reveals 'dysfunctional culture' as coach resigns months out from Olympics

Torchbearers ran through sparsely populated streets in Fukushima as large crowds and cheering were discouraged due to the pandemic

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The official countdown to the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games has begun as the first group of runners carried the Olympic torch through Fukushima, in the first test of measures that organisers insist will ensure a “safe and secure” event in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

After a brief opening ceremony (which was closed to the public) on a football pitch inside the J-Village training complex, members of the Japan women’s football team began the torch’s 120-day journey through 859 locations, culminating in the opening ceremony at the Olympic stadium on 23 July.

Related: New Tokyo Olympics chief acknowledges 'great public concern' over Covid

Related: Overstretched medics may 'struggle to cope' with Tokyo Games