Hosting the Olympics amid a global pandemic Muhammad Ali
It was the year 2013 when Tokyo defeated cities of Istanbul and Madrid to win the rights to stage the 2020 Summer Olympics. I was very excited as I wanted Japan to win the hosting rights for the 2020 Olympics. Tokyo previously hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics. During my 24-year career in sports journalism, I have travelled almost in very corner of the world many a time for coverage of mega events like cricket and hockey World Cups, Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and many other major events involving other individual sports. But I have never been to Japan, the land of the rising sun, as I never got an opportunity. After covering the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, I had a meeting with the Pakistan Olympic Association President and Secretary General and made a request for media accreditation for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, which they happily accepted. I was all set to visit Japan in 2020 when
The practical and moral argument that our diversity is our strength has long been made. This team proves it
England players react during the penalty shootout at the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. Photograph: Carl Recine/AP
England players react during the penalty shootout at the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. Photograph: Carl Recine/AP
Mon 12 Jul 2021 01.00 EDT
Last modified on Mon 12 Jul 2021 08.52 EDT
And so we lost. After the shock and the grief, then, I guess, there is reflection and reckoning. Thereâs sadness for Gareth Southgate and his squad, who have shown themselves to be brilliant sportsmen with the mental and technical excellence to succeed on the field of play at a rarefied level. But we should all be a bit sad today, even those with little or no interest in football. This was about so much more than football.
New art exhibition pays tribute to frontline staff and raises cash for Paisley charity
Lorna Pirrie’s nationwide initiative saw nine artists from across Scotland offer to paint free portraits, landscapes and artworks for those who have delivered lifeline care and support.
Paisley-based artist Lorna launched the Thank You project last year (Image: Paisley)
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Tokyo 2020: Uncertainty persists over Olympics and Paralympics as IOC meets
By Dan RoanBBC sports editor
Last updated on
Tokyo 2020 organisers are adamant that the Games will go ahead this summer
When members of the International Olympic Committee s executive board dial in to their first video conference of the year on Wednesday, they will do so amid mounting uncertainty over this summer s delayed Tokyo Games.
Last year s unprecedented postponement was arguably the biggest peacetime decision ever taken in sport. But that would be completely overshadowed by an actual cancellation.
Such a seismic move would have profound consequences for Olympic and Paralympic sport, and be a crushing disappointment for athletes across the world, so what forces could prove decisive over the coming weeks?