THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016 SPORTS

China’s tough selection highlights likely domination

SHANGHAI: China’s table tennis team Chinese women’s team in the last 20 Tennis Federation, told Reuters. Beijing Olympics and repeated the feat Aug. 5-21. The youngest player to take travel to under a cloud of years”. The tough selection - which fell to In a handwritten letter published by a at the 2012 London Olympics. the stage will be 15-year-old Adrian Diaz, controversy as fans lament that even defending London champion Li Xiaoxia journalist from state broadcaster CCTV in In the men’s singles, China will be rep- who will be Puerto Rico’s first Olympic being the world champion does not and world number two Ding Ning - also May, 25-year-old Liu, who will play in the resented by London champion and table tennis player, while the oldest is guarantee a coveted Olympic singles underlines how China is likely to once team event instead, did not directly world number four Zhang Jike and world 54-year-old Chinese-born Spanish player spot in one of the world’s most competi- again dominate the medal tables at Rio address the decision, but said “all our number one Ma Long, while Fan He Zhiwen. tive sporting teams. as it did in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. efforts and preparations are for that Zhendong and Xu Xin-number two and Paralympians Natalia Partyka of The failure of world number one Liu “That’s a crazy story in itself that the moment when the red, five star flag is three respectively-will participate in the Poland and ’s Melissa Tapper are Shiwen to clinch one of China’s two world’s best ranked player won’t be play- raised up high.” team events. Germany, North Korea, notable participants, while surprises spots in the competition was greeted ing in the singles event, but that just Chinese table tennis players currently Japan and are expected to could come from Britain, whose men’s with an outcry at home described by shows the strength of the Chinese team,” make up the majority of the world’s top put up the hardest fights for medals at team broke a 33-year-long medal local news outlet Sina Sports as “one of Matthew Pound, from the sport’s gov- five ranked men and women. The coun- the Riocentro venue, where the matches drought in March with a bronze at the the most tragic things to happen to the erning body, the International Table try won all four medals in the 2008 will run throughout the Games from world team championships. — Reuters Putin to meet Russia’s dope-tainted Rio team

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin meet mem- ceremony in the Kremlin. The influential head of Russian competitors had been banned under bers of Russia’s Olympic team yesterday as the the country’s Orthodox Church will then bless strict criteria imposed by the IOC. That took the list of its athletes banned from the Rio Games the scandal-tainted team ahead of its departure number of Russian athletes banned since over revelations of state-run doping soared for Brazil on Thursday. The exact number who Sunday to 41, in addition to the 67 track and above 100. An AFP journalist at the Kremlin said will actually go remains unclear. field athletes already banned by the the athletes meet Putin included banned track “At the meeting there will be the team mem- International Association of Athletics and field stars Yelena Isinbayeva, Sergey bers who are going to Rio and those who are not Federations (IAAF). Shubenkov and Maria Kuchina, who are barred going as we are convinced anyway that they are Sixteen Russians from its fencing team have from competing next month in Rio. The also part of the team,” Kremlin spokesman though been cleared, the sport’s governing International Olympic Committee (IOC) sparked Dmitry Peskov told journalists. Russia’s track and body said. The head of Russia’s trampolining fed- fierce criticism on Sunday when it resisted a field team-including Isinbayeva and Co.-was eration, Nikolai Makarov, told TASS news agency blanket ban in favour of allowing individual already banned from Rio over state-sponsored that he had received “verbal permission” from sports federations to make the call on which doping, but its Olympic Committee last week the sport’s international authorities that the team will be allowed to compete. The latest doping scandal to rock Olympic and Russian sport was triggered this month by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren for the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA), whose report detailed an elaborate doping system directed by the Moscow sports ministry that affected more than 30 sports over four years.

LAST-GASP APPEALS Controversially, among the Russians banned BEVERLY HILLS: In this March 8, 2016, file photo, double trap and skeet is Yuliya Stepanova, the 800m runner who lifted shooter Kim Rhode poses for photos at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit in the lid on systematic doping and corruption in Beverly Hills, Calif. Mass shootings exacerbate the rift over gun control and Russian athletics. Stepanova, who fled Russia and is reviled by often put Olympic shooters in the crosshairs of hate. — AP many back home, is making one last-gasp appeal of her IOC ban. Her inclusion is backed by the IAAF and many Olympic shooters thrust anti-doping officials, who have praised her whistleblowing efforts, but was nixed by an IOC into gun-control debate ethics commission. Four-time world breaststroke champion Yulia LOS ANGELES: Kim Rhode sees the news hunting,” said Cogdell-Unrein, who is head- Efimova also plans to appeal her ban at the on television or social media. Another mass ed to Rio. “Hopefully that will not happen Court of Arbitration for Sport. shooting, in Aurora, San Bernardino, again. If it does, I will be better prepared for The IOC has received praise from Russia but Newtown, Orlando, Dallas, Baton Rouge. it this time. I definitely don’t support ani- stinging criticism from elsewhere for failing to For the two-time Olympic gold medalist mal cruelty and a lot of the things they MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin, looks at Russia’s pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva as impose a total ban on the country over shocking shotgun shooter, what comes next has were saying I was a part of.” she speaks at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, yesterday during a reception for the Russia’s evidence of a state-organised system to cheat. become routine. “I just wait for my phone As gun laws become stricter, the abili- Olympics team. At least 105 athletes from the 387-strong Russian Olympic team announced Germany’s Olympic discus champion to ring,” Rhode said. “I know the questions ty to obtain guns and ammunition could last week have been barred from the Rio Games in connection with the country’s doping scan- Robert Harting launched a verbal attack on are coming.” Shooting is one of the most become much tougher for Olympic dal. — AP IOC president Thomas Bach, calling his compa- divisive sports on the Olympic program. shooters. triot “part of the doping system not the anti- Guns, always a hot-button issue, have In California, where Rhode lives, Gov. Russians can go to Rio. International sports fed- optimistically named a 387-strong squad for the doping system”. Bach fired back that the deci- been thrust even further to the forefront of Jerry Brown recently signed a law requiring erations are now scrambling to vet Russian ath- Games. Since the IOC decision at the weekend, sion to leave individual sports federations to public debate with the spate of mass background checks for anyone purchasing letes as time ticks down to the start of the the number of Russian competitors allowed to decide which Russians could compete killings in recent years. Sport shooters are ammunition, among other restrictions. Games on August 5. Putin, who has made sport- take part has steadily decreased. “respects the right of every clean athlete staunch supporters of the Second Rhode burns through up to 1,000 shotgun ing success a priority in a bid to harness national Rowing’s international governing body FISA around the world,” noting that would-be Amendment, given their chosen event. shells a day in training and is concerned pride, is set to meet 49 athletes, including those was the latest to get tough with Russia, Russian Olympians must clear “the highest Because they are public figures, more so how the new laws will affect her ability to approved for Rio and those set to miss out, at a announcing late on Tuesday that 22 of 28 hurdles” to make the Games. — AFP during Olympic years, they have become properly prepare. targets for anti-gun groups. “I’m not sure how that’s going to work Mass shootings exacerbate the rift over out, how that’s going to affect me, what gun control and often put Olympic shoot- that’s going to entail,” she said. “It could name Rio replacement ers in the crosshairs of hate. “It’s unfortu- make things much more difficult for me to nate that we get lumped in with that,” said train.” Travel is another issue for Olympic Rhode, who is vying to become the first shooters. for ‘sabotaged’ wrestler American athlete to win medals in a Shooters and their liaisons must keep sixth straight Olympics at next month’s up on gun laws, not only for each of the 50 Rio Games. “There has to be some kind states, but any country they may travel to : Indian wrestler Narsingh of reality.” or through for competitions. For air gun Yadav’s allegations of ‘sabotage’ after failing When Rhode won her second career shooters, that sometimes means sending a dope test gained grounds but his Olympic gold, in skeet at the 2012 Olympics in their air canisters to their destination ahead hopes receded further with the country pro- London, one of the first questions she of time. Even knowing the regulations tectively naming a replacement for him at was asked by media was about the the- doesn’t always make things go smoothly. next month’s Rio Games. ater shooting at Aurora, Colorado, Rhode once had a flight from San which occurred a few days earlier and Marino delayed for hours after a competi- The United Federation (UWF) left 12 dead. tion because security officials were con- has confirmed in a statement that Parveen Sometimes it goes beyond inquiries. cerned she had multiple shotguns and Rana will compete in men’s 74kg freestyle at Several shooters have received death ammunition in her luggage. Jay Shi, an air Rio, replacing Yadav whose samples from an threats, requiring extra security. Trap shoot- gun and pistol shooter headed to his first out-of-competition test returned positive for er Corey Cogdell-Unrein needed extra pro- Olympics, had to wait nearly four hours to a banned steroid. Yadav, who will appear tection after someone posted hunting get cleared into China for a competition as before a National Anti-Doping Agency videos on her Facebook page without her security hand counted every bullet. The (NADA) panel later on Wednesday, has knowledge. process was repeated when he left. lodged a police complaint against a junior A two-time Olympian, she grew up in Shi had to stand by another time as a wrestler accusing him of contaminating his Alaska, where the family hunted for its security person took out his pistol to exam- food at the Sports Authority of India training food, and still hunts. Despite saying she ine it because of the strange-looking han- centre in Sonepat. “We at the federation also didn’t agree with the content of the videos, dle used on competition guns. believe that he has been a victim of conspir- Cogdell-Unrein received numerous death “The rule is not to touch the gun, but acy and the person behind it has also been threats before the 2012 Olympics. they took it out and were looking at it,” Shi identified,” Wrestling Federation of India said. “I was freaking because now they’re (WFI) assistant secretary Vinod Tomar told TOUGHER GUN LAWS waving a gun all around.” Reuters. After the London Games, where she The issues Olympic shooters face won’t “The UWF gave us until July 25 to NEW DELHI: Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav (C) arrives at the National Anti-Doping Agency won bronze, thousands of people signed a subside anytime soon. The debate over gun announce a replacement or vacate the quali- (NADA) in New Delhi yesterday. India’s wrestling body on July 25 threw its weight behind dope- petition to strip her of the medal. control is a divisive chasm that seems to fication spot. “So the immediate task was to tainted grappler Narsingh Yadav, saying he was innocent and should be given a chance to com- “Unfortunately, there were people who grow deeper with each mass shooting. pete at the Rio Games. India, which has a dismal medal record at the Olympics, is ranked third on decided to hone in on me as a public figure Athletes who use guns for their sport protect the spot. If we did not name a a global list of doping offenders compiled by the World Anti-Doping Agency, behind Russia and at the time and they wanted to push their will likely always be part of that debate - replacement, even Narsingh, provided he Italy. — AFP agenda of trying to stop animal cruelty and whether they want to be or not. — AP gets a clean chit, won’t be able to compete at Rio. “At least, we are now sure of sending someone in the event.” Yadav secured India a berth at the Games by winning a bronze S American riders gain ground in Rio medal at last year’s world championships in Las Vegas. The 26-year-old, however, had his SAO PAULO: In a sport long dominated by opment programmes over the past decade. With a new generation coming up, some medals than any other equestrian, told Olympic berth in jeopardy when Sushil Europeans, South American riders will be She noted a strong showing in last year’s notable veterans were left out. Brazil’s only Reuters. Germany’s Michael Jung is return- Kumar, who won bronze in the 66kg catego- out in force at the continent’s first Olympic Pan American Games in Toronto, where Olympic gold medal equestrian, the 2012 ing after winning team and individual gold ry in Beijing in 2008 and silver in London, Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro’s Venezuela claimed silver in individual jump- flag bearer Rodrigo Pessoa, is the alternate in eventing in London and Great Britain’s moved up a weight and sought a court order Deodoro area next month. ing and Argentina came second in team of the host nation’s show jumping team. dressage prodigy Charlotte Dujardin is back for a bout between the pair to determine Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, jumping to Canada. Riders from Chinese Canada’s Ian Millar, who holds the record with Valegro, the horse she won individual who should go to Rio. Uruguay and hosts Brazil are all repre- Taipei, the Dominican Republic, Palestine, for most Olympic appearances at 10 Games, and team gold medals on in 2012. Athletes Last month, the Delhi High Court ruled sented. Peru qualified for the individual Qatar and Zimbabwe will also be making has been sidelined due to an injured horse and the FEI, the sport’s governing body, against Kumar, the only Indian athlete to win show jumping competition for the first Olympic debuts, though the favorites are but his daughter Amy will make her show said they were pleased with the Deodoro two individual Olympic medals, clearing the time, as did Ecuador in individual three- coming from more traditional equestrian jumping debut. Among the Olympic cham- facility, which has been upgraded since day eventing. strongholds like Germany and Great Britain. pions returning are Germany’s four-time hosting the Panamerican Games in 2007. way for Yadav to compete in Rio. Yadav was “It’s more than the usual... The level has At the 2012 Olympics in London, New gold medallist Ludger Beerbaum, 52, in An episode of Glanders, a fatal disease for provided police security, a rare measure for increased tremendously so they are a force Zealand and Saudi Arabia were the only show jumping and New Zealand’s double horses, at a nearby military facility is no an Indian athlete, at the Sonepat training to contend with in the future,” Sabrina non-European countries to take home gold medallist Mark Todd, 60, in eventing. longer a concern after Deodoro was isolat- centre due to possible threats to his life. Ibanez, secretary general of the equestrian medals - bronze for team event- “The level of competition is so strong at ed for much of last year, Ibanez said. “The Asked if it meant end of Yadav’s dreams to International Equestrian Federation (FEI), ing and team show jumping respectively. the moment and you just need everything... agriculture ministry has guaranteed that compete at Rio, Tomar said: “If he manages to said of South American riders. Ibanez told In addition to the geographical diversity, it could go to any one of 10 different people the place is clean, they have done all tests get a clean chit from NADA, we’d approach Reuters more South Americans had quali- much of the 2016 equestrian field is young. and hopefully I might be one of those 10,” necessary so we are confident it is com- the governing body to allow him to compete fied after investment in grass-roots devel- The entire Brazil dressage team is under 25. Todd, who heads to Rio with more Olympic pletely free,” she said. —Reuters there.” — Reuters