Sport

WEDNESDAY 21 JULY 2021 SabalenkaS ready for ‘new challenge’

It’sIt my first Olympic Games and I’m really looking fforward to it. This is something new for me. I would say this is the new challenge and I’m really looking fforward to it.

Aryna Sabalenka Sport | 11

CRICKET: 2ND ODI IN COLOMBO: India beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets. 3RD ODI IN HARARE: Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets

The Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Jassim Rashid Al Buenain, posing for a photograph with Qatari athletes and officials while celebrating Eid Al Adha at the Athletes' Village in Tokyo, yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar's Ahmed Tijan (left) taking part in a practice session with members of the Dutch team at the Tokyo Games Beach Volleyball Venue yesterday. PICTURES: TWITTER / @JASSIMALBUENAIN AND QOC Games will send powerful message of peace: Bach

REUTERS – TOKYO we would face,” Bach said at the Days before the opening ceremony opening of the IOC session, with Japan’s in Tokyo, 68% of respondents in an Ugandan International Olympic Committee (IOC) Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga present. Asahi newspaper poll this week President Thomas Bach (pictured) “We could only overcome all these expressed doubt about the ability of who fled yesterday praised medical workers and challenges for the Olympic Games Olympic organisers to control corona- volunteers for making the Tokyo Games because throughout the past eight years virus infections, with 55% saying they pre-Olympic possible amid the coronavirus we were enjoying a trustful partnership were opposed to the Games going pandemic and said the event would (with Japan). We could always rely on ahead. camp found in send a powerful message of “peace and you,” he said. “We can only be together today solidarity”. As COVID-19 cases rise in Tokyo, because of the heroic efforts of all the central Japan The Games, postponed last year however, public concern has grown that doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and because of the novel coronavirus pan- hosting an event with tens of thousands the many volunteers around the world,” AP – TOKYO demic, begin on Friday but will be of overseas athletes, officials and jour- Bach said. without spectators after Japan’s decision nalists could accelerate infection rates Suga promised organisers would A Ugandan athlete who fled earlier this month to leave venues in Japan’s capital and introduce var- implement all necessary measures to during pre-Olympics training empty to minimise the risk of iants that are more infectious or seven-day moving average was just have safe Games even without in western Japan last week infections. deadlier. over 1,100. spectators. has been found and is being “When Japan set out 10 years ago Japan has recorded more than There have also been 58 cases of “But the significance of Tokyo will interviewed by police, offi- to bring the Olympic spirit back to 838,000 cases of COVID-19 and around Olympics-related positive cases that not be reduced by this,” Suga said in a cials said yesterday. Tokyo... none of us could have ever 15,000 deaths. Host city Tokyo con- have been recorded since athletes and brief address. “Now is the time to Mie prefectural police in imagined the unprecedented challenges firmed 727 cases on Monday, and the officials started arriving in Japan. unite.” central Japan said 20-year- old weightlifter Julius Sseki- toleko was in the Yokkaichi city, 170 kilometers (105 miles) east of his host town in western Japan. Police are asking him what happened since he fled his hotel in Izumisano in the Osaka prefecture Friday, leaving behind a note saying he didn’t want to return to his country. Ssekitoleko left behind The Olympic Rings are seen in front of the skyline during his luggage and a note saying sunset, three days ahead of the official opening of the Tokyo he wanted to stay in Japan 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. and work, Izumisano officials said. He did not meet Olympic standards in the latest international rankings released after he arrived Muto not ruling out last-minute Biles pushes her limits by Japan and was to return home this week. The pandemic-delayed cancellation of 2020 Olympics doing the ‘unimaginable’ Olympics open Friday despite mounting concern about an REUTERS – TOKYO front of a wall at the Olympic Village upsurge of infections in REUTERS – TOKYO coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we in Tokyo. Tokyo, which on Tuesday will think about what we should do when Olympic all-around champion Simone One of the alternate gymnasts on reported 1,387 cases, up 557 The chief of the Tokyo 2020 organising the situation arises.” Biles said the gymnast she most wants the US women’s team tested positive from a week ago. committee yesterday did not rule out a last- COVID-19 cases are rising in Tokyo and to beat in Tokyo is herself and that she for the coronavirus on Monday and On their arrival on June 19 minute cancellation of the Olympics, as the Games, postponed last year because is excited about trying things in the another alternate was determined to at Narita International more athletes tested positive for COVID-19 of the pandemic, will be held without spec- sport that were once “unimaginable”. be a close contact, USA Gymnastics Airport, a member of the team and major sponsors ditched plans to attend tators. Japan this month decided that par- The 24-year-old has won a record said in a statement on Monday, but the tested positive and was quar- Friday’s opening ceremony. ticipants would compete in empty venues 25 world championship medals, 19 of rest of the team was continuing to antined, while the remaining Asked at a news conference if the to minimise health risks. which are gold, and has won every all- prepare for the Games. eight members were allowed global sporting showpiece might still be There have been 67 case of COVID-19 around competition she has contested The Tokyo gymnastics competition to travel more than 500 kil- cancelled, Toshiro Muto said he would infections in Japan among those accredited since 2013. gets underway on July 24 with the ometers (300 miles) on a keep an eye on infection numbers and liase for the Games since July 1, when many ath- She also won four gold medals,dals, and men’smen s qualification chartered bus to Izumisano. with other organisers if necessary. letes and officials started arriving, organ- a bronze, at the Rio Games andd is fully round,round, and the Days later,later a second “We can’t predict what will happen isers said yesterday. expected to add to that tally inn TokTokyo.yo. women’s compe-compe- mmemberember ooff tthehe team tested with the number of coronavirus cases. So Muto, a former top financial bureaucrat “I’m trying to be better thanan I was titiontition stastartsrts a positive, forcinforcingg seven town wewe will continuecontinue discussionsdiscussions iiff withwith cclose ties to Japan’s ruling party, is at the last meet, so I’m trying to beatbeat dayday latelater.r. officialsofficials andand driversdriv who had therethere is a spikespike in knownknow for his careful choice of words, while myself,” Biles told NBC television.sion. closeclose contactcontact withw the team cases,”cases,” said Muto. officialsofficia are facing a domestic public angry “And so now I’m doing thingsngs that to self-isolate.self-isolate. “We“We hhaveave aboutabout coronavirus restrictions and con- were unimaginable to the sport,ort, and HeaHealthlth oofficialsffici said both agreed that cernedcerne over a possible spike in cases trig- even for myself, and it’s honestlyly crazy infected UgandansUgand had the basedbased on thethe geredgered by Games attendees arriving from but I’m really excited becausese I feel delta varianvariant,t, which is cocoronavirusronavirus abroad.abroa Organisers, for whom International like I’ve pushed my limits.” Earlierrlier this believedbelieved to be more situation,situation, we OlympicOlym Committee (IOC) President year Biles became the first womanoman to contagious.contagious. willwill convene ThomasThom Bach said cancelling the event had land a Yurchenko double-pikeke vault TheThe team,team, wwhich ended five-party nevernever been an option, have promised to in competition. itsits isolationisol and talkstalks again.again. At keepkeep thet Games “safe and secure”. Biles, who over the weekendnd trainedtrained from July 7, this point,point, the ButInBu a poll in the Asahi newspaper, confessed to being bored as shee headedh e ad to 68%68% ofo respondents expressed doubt about moved from her hotel room to Tokyo’sToky Olympic the abability of Olympic organisers to control practices under strict corona- villagevil yes- coronaviruscoc r infections, with 55% saying virus protocols, on Mondayy tterday theytth were opposed to the Games going posted a triumphant phototo withoutw Toshiro Muto Simone Biles ahead.a showing her and a team mate inin Ssekitoleko.S Sport WEDNESDAY 21 JULY 2021 11 India edge Athletes’ village COVID-19 isolation Sri Lanka in nervy run chase bubble already ‘broken’, says expert to clinch series REUTERS – TOKYO “It’s obvious that the REUTERS – COLOMBO bubble system is kind of The isolation bubble system broken,” said Shibuya, who in India beat Sri Lanka by three that Olympic organisers have April co-authored a British wickets in the second one-day set up at the Tokyo Games Medical Journal commentary international to take an unassailable village to control COVID-19 is that said the Olympics must 2-0 lead in the three-match series already broken, and there is be “reconsidered” due to after Suryakumar Yadav and a risk that infections could Japan’s inability to contain Deepak Chahar guided the tourists spread more widely from coronavirus cases. home with maiden half-centuries inside it, a prominent public “My biggest concern is, of yesterday. health expert said yesterday. course, there will be a cluster Chasing 276 for victory, India Games officials on Sunday of infections in the village or found themselves in trouble after reported the first coronavirus some of the accommodation they lost Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan case among competitors in the and interaction with local and skipper Shikhar Dhawan village in Tokyo where 11,000 people.” Insufficient testing at cheaply to leave the tourists strug- athletes are expected to stay. the bubble’s border and the gling at 65-3. There have been 67 cases impossibility of controlling Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu detected among those people’s movements mean Hasaranga picked up three wickets, accredited for the Games that the Games could exac- including the two openers, but since July 1, organisers said on erbate the spread of the infec- India’s tail wagged at the death to Tuesday. tious Delta variant of the deny Sri Lanka victory, overhauling International Olympic virus, he said. the target with five balls to spare. Committee President Thomas Continual reports of cases Yadav rallied India with some Bach said last week that that went undetected at the sublime strokeplay to reach his fifty testing and quarantine pro- airport, along videos showing Japanese surf pioneer Teruo ‘Ted’ Adegawa attends a torch event with fellow runners after before he was eventually dismissed tocols would leave “zero” risk interaction between athletes, their relay on a public road was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at Hasunuma Seaside for 53, trapped leg before by of Games participants staff and journalists, add to Park in Sammu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Lakshan Sandakan with 116 runs infecting residents in Japan. concerns that airborne trans- required to win. Kenji Shibuya, the former mission will occur within the Hasaranga also removed Krunal director of the Institute for village and venues, he added. increased mobility, and the have received at least one and logistical snags. By con- Pandya, who was looking dan- Population Health at King’s New COVID-19 cases in spread of the Delta variant COVID-19 vaccine dose, trast, Soma City in the gerous with a handy knock of 35 College London, said such Tokyo reached 1,410 on Sat- could lead to a surge past among the lowest rate among northern prefecture of Fuku- before he was bowled but Chahar declarations only served to urday, a near six month high, 2,000 cases per day in Tokyo wealthy countries, according shima, where Shibuya headed dug his heels in with an unbeaten confuse and anger people as while the Games are due to by next month, levels that to a Reuters tracker. The vac- its vaccination efforts, 69, supported at the other end by actual conditions on the start in just three days. could drive the city’s medical cination push has gained recently completed the bulk vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar ground were “totally Public health experts have system to breaking point. steam since last month, but of its inoculations, far ahead (19 not out). opposite”. warned that seasonal factors, Just 33% of people in Japan recently ebbed due to supply of most of Japan. Earlier, a fighting 65 off 68 balls from middle order batsman Charith Asalanka propelled Sri Lanka to 275-9 in 50 overs. Coronavirus outbreaks Asalanka walked in to bat with Triple trouble? Sri Lanka 124-3 and he held the at the Tokyo Olympics innings together with Chamika Kar- unaratne, who remained unbeaten REUTERS – TOKYO Hassan’s agenda with a quick-fire 44 off 33 balls. Opting to bat after winning the JUNE 20 - A coach with Uganda’s squad tests pos- raises eyebrows toss, the hosts got off to a slow but itive on arrival at Narita airport and is quarantined steady start, with Avishka at a government-designated facility. The rest of the Fernando (50) and Minod Bhanuka team heads by bus for their host city, Izumisano, near REUTERS – TOKYO (36) constructing a 77-run opening Osaka in western Japan. stand. JULY 4 - A member of Serbia’s rowing team tests Sifan Hassan is poised to tackle a rare Olympic treble in But both fell in quick succession positive on arrival. The other four team members are the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 metres in Tokyo, with her as the Indian attack made the most isolated as close contacts. name entered in all three events as of Tuesday to set up of a slow wicket where runs were JULY 9 - One Lithuanian and one Israeli athlete test a gruelling schedule in her bid for a first Games medal. Netherlands’ hard to come by. positive, according to reports. Later reports say the While the 28-year-old Dutchwoman could still pull Sifan Hassan Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal Lithuanian’s results were unclear and subsequently out of one of them, the mere prospect of seeing her winning a race was the pick of the Indian bowlers, tested negative. attempt all three turned heads this week, after her his- in this June 10 finishing with figures of 3-50 from JULY 14 - A masseur for the Russian women’s rugby toric double gold in the 1,500 metres and 10,000 metres file photo. his 10 overs while Bhuvneshwar sevens team tests positive, forcing the team into iso- at the 2019 world championships. (3-54) picked up the crucial wickets lation for two days. Hassan has become almost accustomed to beating of half-centurions Fernando and - The refugee Olympic team delays its arrival in Japan the odds, setting a world record 4:12.33 in the mile in Asalanka. after a team official tests positive in Doha. 2019, little more than a decade after she left Ethiopia as The series decider will be played - Seven staff at a hotel in Hamamatsu, central Japan, a 15-year-old refugee and moved to the Netherlands. at the same venue on Friday. where dozens of Brazilian athletes are staying, test She began running at a high level after taking a class INDIA 277 for 7 (Chahar 69*, positive, a city official says. in the Netherlands in 2011, finishing her first 1,500 metres Suryakumar 53, Hasaranga 3-37) - Twenty-one members of the South African rugby race in 4:20 and running a half marathon a couple days beat SRI LANKA 275 for 9 team are in isolation after they are believed to have later in roughly an hour and 17 minutes. (Asalanka 65, Fernando 50, Chahal been in close contact with a case on their flight. Hassan won’t just be chasing times in Tokyo - she’ll 3-50) JULY 15 - Eight athletes from the Kenya women’s have plenty of competition to watch out for too. rugby team are classified as close contacts after a In the 1,500 metres, there’s Kenyan Faith Kipyegon, positive coronavirus case is found on their flight to the reigning Olympic champion who beat her at the Tokyo. Monaco Diamond League meeting in a world-leading Tamim's - An Olympic athlete under a 14-day quarantine period time of 3:51.07. tests positive for the virus before moving to the And in the 10,000 metres, Hassan has a century guides Olympic Village. chance to take revenge on Ethiopia’s Letesenbet JULY 16 - Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur Gidey, who wiped out her world record last tests positive for COVID-19 before his departure for month after it had stood for only two days. Bangladesh Tokyo, the Australian Olympic Committee says. - A member of the Nigerian Olympics delegation is to series sweep in hospital after testing positive at Narita airport, according to media reports. REUTERS – HARARE - An Olympic-related non-resident under a 14-day Sabalenka ready for ‘new challenge’ quarantine period tests positive for the virus. Captain Tamim Iqbal scored a JULY 17 - Fifteen people test positive for the virus, REUTERS – TOKYO would say this is the new challenge rapid-fire century to lead Bang- including the first case at the athletes’ village - a visitor and I’m really looking forwardward to itit.. ladesh to a five-wicket win over from abroad involved in organising the Games. The Fresh from her breakthrough Grand “I’m really happy to rrepresentepresent Zimbabwe and a clean sweep of rest are two members of the media, seven contractors Slam performance at Wimbledon, world my country, my people andnd I want their three match one-day interna- and five members of the Games personnel. number three Aryna Sabalenka to do everything I can to mmakeake sure tional series in a high scoring game JULY 18 - Ten people, including two South African (pictured) is heading to the 2020 that Belarus is proud of mme.e. I want to at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. male soccer players staying at the athletes’ village, Olympics determined to win a medal for represent my country as strongrong people Tamim made 112 off 97 balls to tested positive for the virus, organisers say. This is Belarus and says she has no reason to who can fight throughh set the foundation as Bangladesh the first time athletes have been found positive within fear any of her rivals in Tokyo. everything.” easily chased down a competitive the village. The 23-year-old has won 10 titles on World number one Ashh target, reaching 302-5 with two JULY 19 - Three people - one member of the Games the WTA Tour but had never crossed the Barty of Australia and homeme overs to spare in reply to Zimba- personnel, one member of the media and one con- fourth round at a Grand Slam before this hope Naomi Osaka, who is bwe’s 298. tractor - tested positive for the virus, organisers say. month’s Wimbledon, where she made ranked second and wonn Bangladesh wasted no time in An alternate on the US women’s gymnastics team it to the semi-finals before losing in three four of the last six Grandd their reply with an 88-run opening tests positive and another alternate is a close contact, sets to Czech Karolina Pliskova. Slams held on hardcourts,s, partnership between Tamim and USA Gymnastics say. “It’s my first Olympic Games and I’m are expected to bee Liton Das who dominated the hosts’ JULY 20 - Nine people, including one athlete staying really looking forward to it,” she told the Sabalenka’s main chal-- bowling attack. at the Olympic village, tested positive for the novel International Tennis Federation. lengers at the Ariake Tennisis Zimbabwe had hopes of a con- coronavirus, the organisers say. “This is something new for me. I Park. solation victory after losing the first two ODIs when they were sent into bat and came close to a 300-run tally. Joshua to defend heavyweight titles vs Usyk in September Opener Regis Chakabva ham- mered 84 off 91 balls and Sikandar Raza (54) and Ryan Burl (59) AP – LONDON thethe super-super-heavyweightheavyweight ddivision and against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia in resistance and his ability to trouble weighed in with decent contribu- UsykUsyk reignedreigned supremesupre in the August was scuppered when a United the top heavyweights with his power. tions on a flat track but Zimbabwe Anthony Joshuaua (p(pictured)ictured) wwillill heavyweight bracket.brack States arbitrator ordered the WBC Usyk is also 34, three years older than were undone by a poor bowling defend his WBA,BA, IBF and WBO “We are two OlympicOl gold champion to take on Deontay Wilder Joshua. display. heavyweight titlestles aagainstgainst formeformerr medallists who haveh fought again. That contest is in October. Usyk’s most recent bout was a Bangladesh also won the undisputed worldrld cruiserweight ourour way to the toptop and never Renowned for his nimble footwork, points decision win over Joshua’s com- one-off test between the sides this champion Oleksandreksandr UsUsykyk at avoidedavoided challenges,”challeng Joshua exemplary hand speed and head patriot, Derek Chisora, last October. month. They will now play three Tottenham Hotspurtspur Stadium on saidsaid in a sstatement movement, Usyk collected all four Joshua (24-1, 22 KO) was scheduled Twenty20 internationals in Harare September 25. yesterday. major world belts at cruiserweight and to fight Kubrat Pulev at Spurs’ home starting on Friday. The fight pitsts two 2012 TheThe mandatorymanda WBO has won all 18 of his professional con- stadium in June last year but the coro- BANGLADESH 302 for 5 London Olympicpic gold title fightfigh fills a tests, 13 of them inside the distance. navirus pandemic led to the contest (Iqbal 112, Nurul 45 n.o., Madhevere medallists againstainst vacancyvacan after Having had just two fights in box- being switched to Wembley Arena in 2-45) beat ZIMBABWE 298 each other:er: Joshua’sJos all- ing’s blue riband division since December, when the Briton retained (Chakabva 84, Burl 59, Raza 57, Joshua toppedd BritishB stepping up, there remains lingering his titles with a ninth-round knockout Rahman 3-57, Saifuddin 3-87) by the podium inn blockbusterb questions about the Ukrainian’s punch victory. five wickets