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Olympic Latest: Iran refugee falls short in gold medal bid
Iranian refugee Kimia Alizadeh has fallen short in her bid for a historic taekwondo gold medal, losing in the semifinals after three consecutive stirring victories in the women’s 57-kilogram division.
Alizadeh lost 10-3 to Russian Tatiana Minina, endangering Alizadeh’s bid to win the Refugee Olympic Team’s first-ever medal. Alizadeh still could win bronze in the evening session at the Makuhari Messe convention center.
Alizadeh also won bronze as a teenager in Rio de Janeiro, claiming the first Olympic medal for an Iranian woman. She defected from Iran to Germany early last year, citing institutional sexism and disappointment at being used as a propaganda tool.
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April Ross, left, of the United States, greets teammate, Alex Klineman, during a woman s beach volleyball match against China at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Petros Giannakouris - staff, AP
Chase Kalisz, of the United States, celebrates winning the final of the men s 400-meter individual medley at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Martin Meissner - staff, AP
Yui Ohashi, of Japan, celebrates after winning the final of the women s 400-meter Individual medleyat the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Martin Meissner - staff, AP
Ahmed Hafnaoui, of Tunisia, celebrates after winning the final of the men s 400-meter freestyle at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
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Tokyo Olympic organizers say there have been early transport problems getting athletes to their venues on time.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams acknowledged: âThere are always teething problems and this is a very serious (one).â
Officials from the IOC and Tokyoâs local organizing committee were asked Sunday about athletes taking a taxi to their training site because of a late bus.
Tokyo spokesman Masa Takaya they are âaware that transport is experiencing some issues including delaysâ and that buses should always be on standby to meet demand.
Osaka wins her opening tennis match at Olympics
Naomi Osaka made quick work of her first match in nearly two months. The Japanese superstar who lit the Olympic cauldron eased past 52nd-ranked Zheng Saisai of China 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the tennis tournament at the Tokyo Games.
The Canadian Press Naomi Osaka , The Canadian Press
TOKYO (AP) Naomi Osaka is back playing, still winning, and also talking to the media again.
The Japanese superstar who lit the Olympic cauldron defeated 52nd-ranked Zheng Saisai of China 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday in her first match in nearly two months.