SPORT Friday 30 November 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Nobody knows Olympic what to champion Le Clos expect from praises Aspire Woods Academy Summer heat a major issue for Tokyo 2020 AFP TOKYO IOC chief lauds Tokyo The possibility of extreme summer heat and typhoons in Tokyo is a “major issue” for the 2020 Olympics, a top official said yesterday, admitting Olympics reparations there would be a knock-on effect on the budget. Speaking to bosses from Olympic Com- REUTERS Minister Shinzo Abe, and Tokyo mittees around the world, Tokyo CEO Toshiro TOKYO 2020 offices and venues, Bach Muto said the Japanese capital had endured has lavished praise on the hosts “unprecedented heat weather and typhoons last The “diligent” preparations for of the next Summer Games that summer.” the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and start in July, 2020. “Tokyo 2020 considers those as major issues,” Paralympic Games are setting a With concerns over can- said Muto, adding that organisers and the Inter- fine example for future bids, didate cities for the 2026 Winter national Olympic Committee (IOC) were working according to International Olympics, the recent Russian together on ways to mitigate the impact on ath- Olympic Committee (IOC) Pres- doping scandal and a contro- letes and fans. ident Thomas Bach. versial election of a new chief IOC chief Thomas Bach said on Wednesday Speaking at the Association overseeing amateur boxing, Bach that medical experts were proposing measures to of National Olympic Committees will be pleased at the stability protect competitors and supporters throughout (ANOC) General Assembly in provided by Tokyo’s solid the Games. Tokyo on Thursday, Bach progress. Tokyo sweltered through a series of deadly praised his hosts following their During his presentation to the heatwaves last summer, raising concerns for the presentation to delegates. General Assembly, Tokyo 2020 wellbeing of athletes, especially competitors of “For everything, there are organising committee CEO endurance events such as the marathon and race solutions and there are solutions Toshiro Muto said the focus of the walking. already underway,” the German Games would be on a “soft When Japan last hosted the Olympics, in 1964, said during his keynote speech. legacy”. the Games were held in October to avoid the coun- “The facilities are ready or will “The 1964 Games (in Tokyo) try’s stifling summer humidity and heat. be ready in time. You will expe- transformed the city with new Muto said he would transmit weather data to rience great test events next year. infrastructure, such as the national Olympic Committees to help their ath- “Tokyo is really an example shinkansen (bullet train) and the letes prepare for the conditions they are likely to for a diligent preparation for an metropolitan expressway having face. Olympic Games and I would like boosted economic development Speaking to reporters afterwards, Muto to thank and to congratulate our in Japan,” he explained. H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee acknowledged that measures to beat the heat had friends from the Tokyo organ- “The Tokyo 2020 Games will (QOC), speaks with International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach during increased demands on the budget. The CEO also ising committee once more.” be long remembered as a cat- said that while the heat countermeasures could the General Assembly of The Association Of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), in During this week’s visit to alyst of the biggest social trans- boost the budget, Tokyo 2020 had been able to Tokyo, Japan yesterday. The largest-ever general assembly of the ANOC convened Japan, which included trips to formation for Tokyo and Japan make cuts in other areas. yesterday discuss matters relating to the 2020 Summer Olympics and the Paralympics. Fukushima with Japanese Prime in this era.” Warm welcome for award-winning Hassan AFC Player of the Year award winner Abdelkarim Hassan is greeted by the General Manager of the AL Sadd club, Turki Al Ali, upon his return from Muscat, Oman at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. Apart from Al Ali, a host of other officials and well- wishers were also there to welcome the influential Qatari left back. Qatar Manateq Baja: Stage set for Round 4 THE PENINSULA January 18 to 19. In the provi- some new faces like Al Attiyah DOHA sional list, Abdullah Al Raban and Mohannadi are taking part (Baja) and Mohammed Al Mannai in our Qatar Manateq Baja. It is The fourth round of the 2018 (Baja) will be battling for top good to see them exhibiting Qatar Manateq Baja series will be honours in the T1 class along with good driving skills in testing held tomorrow, organisers Sheikh Hamed. conditions,” QMMF President confirmed yesterday. In the T2 class, the battle for Abdulrahman Al Mannai said at Qatar Motor and Motorcycle victory will involve Mohamed the end of last round held in Federation (QMMF), organisers Hargan (Nissan Patrol), Jamal October. of the hugely popular series, said Fakhro (Nissan Patrol), Rashid Al “This a tough sport and it’s a strong field will be finalised by Mohannadi (Nissan Patrol) and expensive and sustainability is evening today. Mohammed Al Meer (Nissan always an issue. So I am glad to Sheikh Hamed Al Thani won Patrol). see drivers continuing a com- Round 3 with co-driver Feras Meanwhile also tomorrow peting,” he added. Allouh in their Nissan Patrol in Nayef Al Nasr (Can-am Maverick The final list of drivers will be the T1 class. A veteran in off-road X3), Mohammed Al Attiyah announced today 9:00pm at racing, Sheikh Hamed is set to tag (Can-am Maverick X3) and QMMF headquarters. The actual along with co-driver Nasser Al Abdulaziz Al Bshayer (Can-am race will commence at 10:25 am Mutari for Round 4. Maverick) will battle for honours tomorrow. The next round will be held in the T3 class. The prize distribution cer- from December 21 to 22. The sixth “We have a good mix of emony will take place by 4:00pm, and final round will be held from some experienced drivers and organisers said. FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 Dortmund and Atletico Madrid AFC award a big achievement qualify with Schalke, Porto for Qatar football, says Hassan AFP PARIS THE PENINSULA “I am very happy with this I dedicate this achievement to the Amir Borussia Dortmund, Atletico MUSCAT achievement because it has come at an Madrid, Schalke and Porto all important point in my career. H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the secured their tickets to the Asian Player of the Year award winner “I now return to Qatar as the second Personal Representative of the Amir H H Champions League last 16 on Abdelkarim Hassan is thrilled to have player to have won this prestigious Wednesday. been named the best player in the award,” the lanky Qatar national team Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to Dortmund earned their continent after a tireless year of key player added. the people of Qatar: Abdelkarim Hassan presence in the knockout performances. Hassan’s former Al Sadd team-mate stages in a goalless draw at The 25-year-old Al Sadd left-back on and national team striker Khalfan Ibrahim home to Club Brugge. Wednesday edged Kashima Antlers duo bagged the same trophy for his solid per- family, my club-mates and my coaches World Cup which will be held in our Atletico claimed a spot in Yuma Suzuki and Kento Misao to bag the formances in 2006. for helping me along in my journey,” he country,” Hassan said. the knock-out stages beating top Asian honour at a special gathering “I take this opportunity to thank my added. “As we continue to prepare a strong Monaco 2-0 thanks to first staged by AFC in the Omani capital. “You see this is a collective effort squad, I am sure football players in Qatar half efforts from Antoine “I aamm veryvery happyhappy andand proudpror udu becausebece aua see andaannd youyoou neednneed bothboth handshahandnds to clap,” he will also push themselves,” he added. Griezmann and Koke in it is a bigbig achievementacchievemmene t forfor QatarQQataar football,”fooootbaall,” said.ssaaidd. Hassan spoke highly of former team- Madrid on Wednesday. HassanHaassan saidsaiid afterafftet r receivingrer ceivvini g thetht e trophytrt opphhy “When““WWheh n I waswas nominatednonommina for this mate Nadir Belhadj who now plays for Porto and Schalke made fromfrfromom AFCAFCC PresidentPreressidentn SheikhShheeikikh SalmanSSalmmaan bbininn award,awwardd, I thoughtthoh ugghtht thatthat was a good Al Kharaitiyat. it through from Group D EbrahimEbraahihim AlAl Khalifa.Khhaalliifaa. achievementachiieevvemmene t sincesisincnce I waswas upu against two “In my early days I was hugely before the Portugese side veryveverryy goodgooood players.ppllayyeerrs. ButButut nowno that I have impressed with the former Brazilian star beat their German visitors wonwwoon theththe award,awawara dd,, I wantwannt toto work harder Roberto Carlos, but honestly I think the 3-1 as Galatasary lost 2-0 to tot becomebeecomome a betterbetttterer player,”plaay Hassan early success in my career came after Lokomotiv Moscow earlier said.saaidid. Nadir Belhadj returned from (Algeria’s in Russia. HassanHaHassssanan saidsaaiid thethe awardawawa is enough stint at) the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” Barcelona claimed top motivationmootitivvaatitionn forforr himhimim toto ggegetet better in the Hassan said. spot of Group B with a 2-1 comingccoomim ngg years,yeeaarss, especiallyesespeec with the “I thank him for his support because victory over a resilient PSV 202220202222 FFIFAIFI A WWoWorldr Cup set to he was a great influence on my person- Eindhoven as Lionel Messi bee hostedhosted in QQatar. ality and career. He helped me become scored and created a goal for “This“T“Thhis awarda is an stronger mentally,” Hassan said.