Sports

Canada Officially Withdraws From 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Published

5 years ago

March 23, 2020

Canada has announced withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics over coronavirus fears, as the International Olympic Committee(IOC) dilly-dallies over the postponement.

Australia also told its athletes to prepare for a Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as expectations grew that the Games — scheduled to start on July 24 — would be postponed as the virus crisis convulses the globe.

The IOC admitted a delay may be “inevitable”, but said a decision would not come until some weeks.

Japanese and Olympic officials had stuck resolutely to the line that the Summer Games will go ahead on time, but criticism from athletes and sports bodies has swelled to a crescendo in recent days.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament that Japan was still committed to a “complete” Games, but added: “If that becomes difficult, in light of considering athletes first, it may become inevitable that we make a decision to postpone.”

It was the second major concession in a matter of hours after the IOC said “the scenario of postponement” was one of the options under consideration, with a final decision due within four weeks.

“Human lives take precedence over everything, including the staging of the Games,” IOC president Thomas Bach wrote in an open letter to athletes after emergency talks.

“Cancellation would not solve any problem and would help nobody,” Bach added. “Therefore it is not on our agenda.”

Athletes and sports bodies have become increasingly vocal after restrictions imposed because of COVID-19 trashed competition schedules and often made training impossible — and risky.

Canada highlighted the dangers to the broader community as they became the first team to withdraw from the Olympics and Paralympics, urging a year’s postponement.

For more Nigerian Breaking News in Entertainment, Politics, Sports and Crime, please visit our website.

Related Topics:Canada Coronavirus Tokyo Olympic

Up Next

World Athletics Chief Coe Calls For Olympics Postponement

Don't Miss

Enyimba Confirm Midfielder Dayo Ojo Kidnapped

Sports

No strange things – Maresca Singles Out One Chelsea Player After Tottenham Win

Published

2 hours ago

December 9, 2024

The Pledge

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has said Cole Palmer has not changed at all since he became one of the Premier League’s biggest stars.

Maresca was speaking after watching his team beat Tottenham 4-3 on Sunday.

Palmer scored twice from the penalty spot as the Blues went within four points of leaders Liverpool.

The result also takes them two points clear of Arsenal in second place.

Maresca managed Palmer with the Manchester City under-23s and has praised the 22-year-old’s mentality after registering his 50th goal involvement from 48 Premier League games.

“I know Cole from four or five years ago,” Maresca said.

“The best thing from him is that four, five years ago when he was with me he was one way and now after two years, 20-30 goals and everyone considers him one of the [best] he is exactly the same guy.

“Loves football, humble, no strange things. This is the best thing for Cole and for young players because today, young players if they play one game good, they think they are [top] and they lose the balance.

“He is always the same, doesn’t change, and we are very happy with Cole.”

For more Nigerian Breaking News in Entertainment, Politics, Sports and Crime, please visit our website.

Sports

Ex-Man Utd winger, Nani retires from football

Published

2 hours ago

December 9, 2024

The Pledge

Former Manchester United winger, Nani, announced his retirement from professional football on Sunday.

The 38-year-old was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2007 from Sporting CP.

Nani left United to join Fenerbahçe on a permanent deal in 2015.

He eventually played for 10 clubs in total during his 19-year career.

At the start of 2024, Nani signed for Estrela Amadora.

“As everyone knows, everything comes to an end,” Nani said in a statement.

“I’ve taken the time to make a very important decision. Perhaps the most important decision of my professional life, which is the decision to stop playing as a professional player. I’m going to, as they say, hang up my boots. But I do so with a sense of duty fulfilled.

“I believe it was a beautiful career, a career filled with many achievements.”

Nani scored 130 goals in more than 620 career matches.