CCYCLINGYCLING | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 Germans, More could Dutch end follow Stokes’ British reign in example, says velodrome India’s Kohli

Wednesday, August 4, 2021 ATHLETICS Dhul-Hijjah 25, 1442 AH Thompson-Herah GULF TIMES completes sprint ‘double-double’ SP RT Page 4 Team Qatar celebrates impressive performances

MEDALS TALLY

Country G S B T 1. 32 21 16 69 2. United States 24 28 21 73 3. Japan 19 6 11 36 4. Australia 14 4 15 33 HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Dr Thani al-Kuwari, Second Vice-President of the QOC and President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, and 5. ROC 13 21 18 52 other off icials celebrated fantastic performances by Team Qatar athletes, particularly gold medallists — weightlifter Fares Ibrahim and high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim. With two gold medals, Qatar 6. 13 17 13 43 is the top Gulf and Arab nation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It is the tenth edition that Qatar has participated in. Fares Ibrahim, who set an Olympic record in Tokyo, is the first weightlifting gold 7. 8 8 14 30 medal winner from the Gulf region, while Barshim now has three medals from three Olympic appearances. 8. France 6 10 8 24 9. Netherlands 6 7 7 20 10. South Korea 6 4 9 19 ATHLETICS / 400M HURDLES 11. New Zealand 6 4 5 15 12. 5 9 15 29 13. Hungary 4 4 3 11 14. Cuba 4 3 4 11 15. Czech Republic 4 3 1 8 16. Canada 3 4 7 14 17. Switzerland 3 4 5 12 18. Brazil 3 3 8 14 Warholm smashes 19. Croatia 3 3 2 8 20. Chinese Taipei 2 4 4 10 21. Sweden 2 3 0 5 22. Poland 2 2 2 6 23. Denmark 2 1 3 6 24. Jamaica 2 1 2 5 25. Norway 2 1 1 4 world record for gold 25. Slovenia 2 1 1 4 27. Ecuador 2 1 0 3 Norwegian dips under 46sec to win ahead of Benjamin; Samba runs season’s best for fifth place 28. Greece 2 0 1 3 28. Uzbekistan 2 0 1 3 AFP record time fl ashed up on the 30. Kosovo 2 0 0 2 Tokyo, Japan big screen, Warholm roared 30. QATAR 2 0 0 2 and spontaneously ripped 32. Spain 1 4 4 9 open his shirt. orway’s Karsten There were national records 33. Georgia 1 4 1 6 Warholm produced for British Virgin Islands’ Kyron 34. Romania 1 3 0 4 a devastating per- McMaster in fourth, Turkey’s 34. Venezuela 1 3 0 4 formance to smash 2017 world silver medallist Yas- 36. Hong Kong 1 2 0 3 hisN own world record and win mani Copello in sixth and Esto- 36. South Africa 1 2 0 3 the Olympic men’s 400m hur- nian Rasmus Magi in seventh. 36. Slovakia 1 2 0 3 dles gold yesterday, saying he Qatar’s 2019 world bronze 39. Austria 1 1 3 5 dreamed about the medal “like medallist Abderrahman Sam- 39. 1 1 3 5 a maniac”. ba, one of the four runners to Touted as one of the stand- have dipped under 47 seconds 39. Serbia 1 1 3 5 out events of the 10-day track in his career, was fi fth in a sea- 42. Belgium 1 1 1 3 and fi eld programme at the Ol- son’s best of 47.12. 42. Ethiopia 1 1 1 3 ympic Stadium, the cream of a The result caps a remarkable 44. Philippines 1 1 0 2 fi ne hurdling crop did not fail Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba renaissance for the event, both 44. Tunisia 1 1 0 2 to deliver in a thrilling race de- (right) congratulates Warholm for men and women. 46. Turkey 1 0 5 6 spite stifl ing midday heat and on his win. (AFP) There were similar upheav- 47. Ireland 1 0 2 3 humidity in Tokyo. als in the women’s 400m 47. Israel 1 0 2 3 Warholm clocked a remark- “The Olympic gold medal is hurdles when American Syd- 49. Belarus 1 0 1 2 able 45.94 seconds, pulveris- what everybody talks about. I ney McLaughlin became the ing his previous world best of knew this race was going to be fi rst woman to dip below the 49. Estonia 1 0 1 2 46.70sec — only four runners the toughest of my life, but I 52-second mark. 49. Fiji 1 0 1 2 in history have clocked sub- Karsten Warholm (also inset) of Norway celebrates after winning the men’s 400m hurdles gold in a was ready.” McLaughlin clocked 51.90sec 49. Iran 1 0 1 2 47sec times, let alone sub-46. world record time at the Tokyo Olympics yesterday. (Reuters) The Norwegian two-time to also win the US trials after 49. Latvia 1 0 1 2 American arch-rival world champion dug deep and a superb tactical race against 54. Bermuda 1 0 0 1 Rai Benjamin won silver in ous personal bests. maniac,” he said. “I sleep all Warholm added: “I didn’t found just enough energy for reigning Olympic and world 54. Morocco 1 0 0 1 46.17sec, with Brazil’s Alison Warholm described his gold night on it. I spend all my time touch one hurdle. I was even an extra spurt in the fi nal 40m champion Dalilah Mohamed. 54. Puerto Rico 1 0 0 1 dos Santos claiming bronze in medal as defi ning everything thinking about this, so just able to fi nd another gear coming to surge through the line ahead The women’s fi nal, featur- 54. Thailand 1 0 0 1 46.72, both regional records he does. getting this last medal into my home, so ‘wow’. It’s just so big. of Benjamin. ing McLauglin and Mohamed, that also smashed their previ- “I dream about it like a collection, it’s complete.” It’s almost like history here. Eyes bulging at the world is set up nicely for today. 58. Armenia 0 2 1 3 58. Colombia 0 2 1 3 58. Dominican Republic 0 2 1 3 BEACH VOLLEYBALL 61. Ukraine 0 1 6 7 62. Mongolia 0 1 2 3 62. Portugal 0 1 2 3 64. India 0 1 1 2 World No. 1 Younousse-Tijan all set for today’s quarter-fi nal 64. Kenya 0 1 1 2 64. Kyrgyzstan 0 1 1 2 Younousse’s Rio Games campaign ended on a Games, the Italian pair defeated Poland’s Fijalek By Sports Reporter 64. Nigeria 0 1 1 2 Doha disappointing note, as he and his partner Jeff er- Grzegorz and Bryl Michal 2-0 (22-20, 21-18) on son Santos Pereira fi nished ninth after two wins Monday to enter the quarter-fi nals. 64. San Marino 0 1 1 2 and two losses. “We have so much respect for the Polish team, 64. Uganda 0 1 1 2 atar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed “I said that, sooner or later we will be at the because they are really strong. They play great 70. Bulgaria 0 1 0 1 Tijan are set to face Italian rivals Dan- top. We are patient and we have confi dence in and really consistent,” said Nicolai. 70. Jordan 0 1 0 1 iele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai in the our process,” he said. “It was a very tough match. But we know that 70. North Macedonia 0 1 0 1 quarter-fi nals of the beach volleyball The Qatari duo was ranked World No 2 before our level is good enough to win every game, so 70. Namibia 0 1 0 1 eventQ at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics today. their fi rst match of the Olympic competition. that’s what we are doing. It was an amazing 70. Turkmenistan 0 1 0 1 The newly-crowned World No 1 pair’s dream of Younousse and Tijan have had a phenomenal feeling today. Every game here at the Olympics winning an Olympic medal moved a step closer to run in the fi rst half of 2021, where they entered is something that makes us really proud and I 75. Azerbaijan 0 0 3 3 reality with a battling win in the pre-quarter-fi nal fi ve fi nals out of the seven four-star tourna- think we are showing this feeling every ball and 75. Kazakhstan 0 0 3 3 against Americans Nick Lusina and Philip Dal- ments on the FIVB World Tour. They won one, every match.” 75. Mexico 0 0 3 3 hauser by two sets to one at Shiokaze Park. the Cancun Hub tournament in May, and went In the other quarter-fi nals, Germany’s Julius 78. Egypt 0 0 2 2 Younousse and Tijan, who have lost only two down in hard-fought contests in the other four. Thole and Clemens Wickler will take on Via- 79. 0 0 1 1 sets in their fourth consecutive wins, are confi - But their task is only getting harder in Tokyo. cheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy of 79. Côte d’Ivoire 0 0 1 1 dent of a good show again today. The pair is now up against the other unbeat- ROC, while ROC’s Llya Leshukov-Konstantin 79. Finland 0 0 1 1 “Not many expected that we would achieve en team in Tokyo Games, that is also one of the Semenov will meet Norway’s Anders Mol- 79. Ghana 0 0 1 1 such a big result, but we knew it from the start,” most experienced pairs in international beach Christian Sorum and Latvia’s Martins Plavins- Qatar’s Cherif Younousse (left) and Ahmed Tijan 79. Kuwait 0 0 1 1 said Younousse, who is taking part in his second volleyball. Edgars Tocs and Brazil’s Alvaro Morais Filho and react during their beach volleyball round of 16 Olympic Games. The silver medallists at the Rio 2016 Olympic Alison Cerutti. match against the US in Tokyo on Sunday. (AFP) 79. Malaysia 0 0 1 1 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 4, 2021

CYCLING FOCUS IOC to probe Belarus offi cials Germany, Netherlands over athlete’s forced fl ight triumph to end British reign in velodrome AFP Tokyo

‘We always take the British team very seriously. But we have proved our dominance in recent years’ lympic offi cials said yesterday they will in- AFP vestigate Belarus over Shizuoka, Japan claims the team tried toO force an athlete now shelter- ing in Poland’s Tokyo embassy ermany and the Netherlands to return home after she criti- both claimed gold in the velo- cised her coaches. Krystsina drome yesterday as crushing Tsimanouskaya says she fears victories over Britain fi nally for her safety if she returns to Be- Gsignalled the end of British dominance larus, and she is expected to trav- in the sport. The Germans broke the el to Poland this week after being world record for a third time in two days off ered a humanitarian visa. to beat Britain by more than six seconds US Secretary of State Antony in the women’s team pursuit fi nal. Blinken accused Belarus of an The British team were over three sec- “act of transnational repres- onds behind in the fi nal of the men’s sion” over the alleged attempt to team sprint, as the Netherlands cruised force her home. Tsimanouskaya to victory. “To win the gold medal with spent the night in Poland’s em- a world record, it’s just unbelievable,” bassy in Tokyo after arriving said Germany’s Mieke Kroeger. “This is there Monday evening. Warsaw the dream of every athlete.” has denounced what it calls a The Netherlands arrived as the three- “criminal attempt” to kidnap the time world champions in the men’s athlete. Polish Prime Minister team sprint. Their gold medal is their Mateusz Morawiecki said he had fi rst in men’s track cycling since 1936. spoken to the “courageous” Tsi- “We always take the British team very manouskaya, who is “currently seriously,” said Roy van den Berg. “But well taken care of and safe”. we have proved we have dominance of “I assured her that she can our own in recent years. To show it here count on the support and soli- at the Olympics is amazing.” darity of Poland. In the com- Two silver medals still represents ing days, she will fl y to Warsaw, a decent return for Britain but it falls where she will be able to thrive below their previous high standards. without obstacles and, if she so Britain had won the last three Olympic chooses, will receive further as- golds in the men’s team sprint and the sistance,” he wrote on Facebook. previous two in the women’s team pur- Tsimanouskaya’s husband Ar- suit. Their disappointment was inten- seny Zdanevich said he had fl ed sifi ed by an extraordinary crash in the From left: Germany’s Franziska Brausse, Lisa Brennauer, Lisa Klein and Mieke Kroeger celebrate after winning women’s team pursuit gold in Shizuoka, Japan. (Reuters) Belarus and was hoping to join men’s team heat against Denmark, with his wife “in the near future”. “I the Danes awarded victory despite their legs and undervests, to re- I don’t think there is any alternative. third consecutive gold while Laura Ken- Jason Kenny made history, becoming believe it would not be safe for Frederik Madsen smashing into the duce resistance. “The rules are clear. It says you cannot ny’s remarkable streak of winning gold the fi rst athlete to win eight Olympic me to be there,” the 25-year- back of Britain’s Charlie Tanfi eld. “I Instead, Denmark went un- apply something to the skin. They have in every Olympic event she had entered medals in track cycling, moving ahead old fi tness trainer said by phone was so tired, I didn’t know if Charlie punished for the garments while applied something to the skin.” was broken. Kenny had previously won of compatriots Chris Hoy and Bradley from Ukraine. Tsimanouskaya, a was 10 or 20 metres away. I couldn’t Madsen was considered to have Britain could have no complaints team pursuit and omnium in both 2012 Wiggins, who both won seven. specialist, criticised react,” said Madsen. “It’s awful for this caught Tanfi eld. Denmark advance against Germany, who broke the wom- and 2016. “It’s nice, it’s special. I limped over the Belarusian athletics federa- to happen in an Olympic semi-fi nal.” to Wednesday’s fi nal against Italy while en’s team pursuit world record twice in The Americans clinched a bronze the line with a silver,” Kenny said. “I tion after they tried to force her Denmark were on the cusp of a clear Britain were handed a race for seventh less than two hours, having already set a medal, their time of 4:08.040 enough know it will annoy Chris, he will prob- to run in a relay. She said that victory, the crash happening as Madsen against Switzerland. new world best on Monday in the heats. to see off Canada. The Netherlands ably make a comeback now! The Games outburst led to the attempt to went to overtake a tiring Tanfi eld, who “My take on it was he caused the The German quartet of Franziska were almost as emphatic in the men’s get harder every time.” forcibly send her home. had been dropped by the trailing Brit- crash of an opponent,” said British Brausse, Lisa Brennauer, Lisa Klein team sprint as Van den Berg, Harrie La- On whether this is the end of an era Belarus strongman Alexan- ish team. But Britain believed Denmark coach Iain Dyer. “We feel pretty let and Kroeger clocked 4min 04.242sec vreysen and Jeff rey Hoogland set a new for Britain on the track, Kenny said: der Lukashenko has cracked should have been disqualifi ed for the down by the UCI.” On the illegal tape in the fi nal, below their earlier time of Olympic record of 41.369sec to destroy “We have two silvers. We weren’t good down on any form of dissent collision, having already complained and undervests, British cycling’s per- 4:06.159 and streets ahead of Britain’s Britain, who managed 44.589. France enough today and we’ve got three years since mass protests erupted af- about the Danes wearing illegal gar- formance director Stephen Park said: 4:10.607 in the fi nal. took bronze. now to get back on the right side of that ter elections last year that were ments on Monday, including tape on “Do I think they should be disqualifi ed? Victory ended Britain’s hopes of a A silver medal did mean Britain’s fi ne line again.” deemed unfair by the West. Tsi- manouskaya was one of more than 2,000 Belarusian sports fi gures who signed an open letter HOCKEY calling for new elections and for political prisoners to be freed. Poland is a staunch critic of Lukashenko’s regime and has Australia sink Germany to set up Belgium showdown become home to a growing Reuters team’s fate with a late-game goal, could make the fi nal said Alexander number of dissidents. Moraw- Tokyo marking a painful end to their Tokyo Hendrickx, who is top scorer at the To- iecki said off ering the athlete campaign. “The Aussies were more ef- kyo tournament. “In the end, the op- help was an important gesture fective in both circles,” Germany cap- portunities that we created were enough “to get the word out on the in- ustralia set up a showdown tain Tobias Hauke said. “If you lose the to win the game,” said Hendrickx, who ternational arena as to what is with world champions Bel- game in this style... it’s really hard, that made the equaliser off a penalty corner happening across our eastern gium in the men’s hockey fi nal is why there are tears.” halfway through the second quar- border,” telling Belarusians “we at the Tokyo Olympics after Australia and Belgium play their ter. With 11 minutes left, Hendrickx won’t leave you stranded!” handingA 2016 Olympic bronze medal- gold medal match tomorrow, while again lived up to his reputation as a Activist group Global Athlete lists Germany a 3-1 defeat yesterday. India and Germany will battle for superb drag-fl icker by scoring off a called overnight for the IOC to Young forward Tim Brand opened the bronze. Belgium’s Red Lions beat penalty corner to put Belgium 3-2 immediately suspend Belarus’s scoring for Australia with a seventh- India 5-2 earlier yesterday. “We’re ahead. Olympic committee and allow minute goal when he pushed in a pow- very proud for making the fi nals, but Hendrickx, who played with a band- the country’s athletes to com- erful shot from teammate Flynn Ogilvie the last step is yet to be made,” Belgium age around his head to protect a wound pete as neutral athletes. that crossed the striking circle. “Luck- captain Felix Denayer said. on his forehead, completed his hat-trick IOC spokesman Mark Adams ily I was so close to the goal because it They needed less than two minutes by scoring a penalty stroke and veteran said the body was launching a (the ball) went pretty high,” Brand said. to get the opening goal when defender John-John Dohmen added another goal formal investigation and also “We’ve beaten two top teams, Holland Loick Luypaert scored off a penalty cor- in the fi nal minute. The outcome was expected to receive a report from and Germany, so I think we’re on a bit ner. Eight-times Olympic champions heartbreaking for India, experienced Belarus’s Olympic committee of a roll.” Australia’s Blake Govers (left) and Germany’s Constantin Staib vie for the ball India, who last claimed the top prize at defender Rupinder Pal Singh said. “We today. “We’re going to need to Germany equalised off a penalty during the men’s semi-final match at the Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo. (AFP) the 1980 Moscow Games, went ahead were here to win a gold medal. That was establish facts,” he told report- corner by fl icker Lukas Windfeder, but through goals from Harmanpreet Singh our aim, but we lost today,” said Singh. ers in Tokyo, adding that the IOC were not able to keep the Kookaburras the lead shortly before halftime. After capitalise on their circle penetrations. and striker Mandeep Singh. “The great thing is we have a chance to would “need to hear everyone at bay, with Blake Govers giving them the teams returned, Germany could not Lachlan Sharp sealed the German But Belgium always believed they fi nish third so we will focus on that.” involved.”

FOOTBALL Superb Asensio’s extra-time winner puts Spain into fi nal against Brazil AFP bronze medal match. Mexico lost 4-1 inside the area and bending his eff ort ment — including six in their quarter- Tokyo on penalties to Brazil in Kashima fol- beyond Tani’s despairing dive. fi nal victory over South Korea. Their lowing 120 goalless minutes. Earlier, Brazil goalkeeper San- best period against a disciplined Bra- Having needed a last-gasp equal- tos saved Eduardo Aguirre’s penalty zil came at the end of the fi rst half as pain will play reigning cham- iser against Ivory Coast in the previ- in a shootout before Johan Vasquez Luis Romo forced an excellent save pions Brazil in the Olym- ous round before prevailing 5-2 after smacked the post with Mexico’s sec- from Santos, with Uriel Antuna’s pic men’s football fi nal af- extra time, Spain created the bet- ond attempt. Dani Alves, Gabriel goalbound eff ort then blocked by Di- ter Marco Asensio’s superb ter chances over the 90 minutes Martinelli, Bruno Guimaraes and ego Carlos. extra-timeS winner yesterday secured against Japan without making Reinier all scored for Brazil, who Brazil saw a penalty decision over- a 1-0 victory over host nation Japan the breakthrough. will be appearing in a fi fth Ol- turned by VAR after Jose Esquivel in Saitama. The Real Madrid winger Japan goalkeeper Kosei Tani ympic fi nal on Saturday in Yoko- appeared to foul Douglas Luiz in the came off the bench as a substitute and produced a key save to deny Rafa hama. “It’s very special to be able to box. Everton forward Richarlison, curled in a terrifi c strike in the 115th Mir in the fi rst half, while VAR inter- take part in an Olympic Games and to the competition’s top scorer with fi ve minute, sending Spain through to a vened to overturn a penalty awarded get to the fi nal. It’s a really happy mo- goals, nearly won the game for Brazil fi rst Olympic fi nal since they fi nished to Spain after a tackle by Maya Yosh- ment for me,” said veteran Brazil cap- just before the end of normal time runners-up at the 2000 Games in ida on Mikel Merino. Takefusa Kubo tain Alves, who at 38 is one of three but his glancing header bounced back Sydney. “We knew it was going to be had a shot batted away by Unai Simon over-age players in the squad. “Since off the post. Brazil won the 2016 fi nal diffi cult against a good team that was before Japan withstood a late siege, as the very start we set ourselves the aim against Germany on penalties and are having a great tournament. We knew Kou Itakura threw himself in the way of seeking gold, and I think we are de- attempting to join Britain, Uruguay, what we had to do and with patience, of Martin Zubimendi’s strike before servedly in the fi nal.” Hungary and Argentina by defending eff ort and hard work the reward had to Mir fi red against the legs of Tani. As a Mexico, who beat Brazil to win gold their Olympic crown. come.” shootout beckoned Asensio conjured at 2012, had scored 14 goals Spain won the 1992 Games on home Spain’s midfielder Marco Asensio celebrates after scoring against Japan during the Japan will take on Mexico in Friday’s up a touch of magic, spinning free in four matches in this year’s tourna- soil in Barcelona. Tokyo Olympic Games semi-final match at Saitama Stadium yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, August 4, 2021 3 SPORT

HORSE RACING FOOTBALL / GOLD CUP Shedaresthedevil shines with third Group 1 win Qatar’s Almoez wins Agencies Del Mar, United States Qatar Racing’s Future gets off the mark top-scorer award

The Qatar Racing Limited- QNA roducing one of her owned Future opened her ac- Austin, United States best performances to count in style when taking the date, Shedaresthedevil Fitzdares Supports The British proved much too strong Racing School Fillies’ Novice lmoez Ali of Qatar Pfor her rivals when winning Stakes at Windsor Racecourse national football team the Clement L Hirsch Stakes, on Monday. earned the 2021 Con- a Grade 1 for three-year-old Future is trained by John and cacaf Gold Cup Top and older fi llies and mares over Thady Gosden, and was fourth ScorerA Award, after topping the 1,700m, for her owners Flurry on her racecourse debut at tournament with four goals in Racing Stables, Qatar Racing Chelmsford last month before fi ve games. and Autry Lowry Jr. progressing well to finish The Gold Cup award is the Now a triple Grade 1 winner, second at Windsor two weeks second honour Almoez Ali has Shedaresthedevil is trained by later. With experience standing won at a continental tourna- Brad H Cox and was ridden on Florent Geroux rides Shedaresthedevil to victory in the Clement L. her in good stead, Future then ment. The Qatari footballer was Sunday at Del Mar in the Unit- Hirsch Stakes in Del Mar, United States, on Sunday. (Benoit Photo) returned to Windsor to get off Oisin Murphy rides Future to the top scorer at the AFC Asian ed States, by her regular jockey the mark on her third start, victory in Windsor, , Cup in 2019 with a record of nine goals in fi ve games as a guest team. Florent Geroux. Following this lenged around the home turn as she was further three-and-a- under jockey Oisin Murphy. on Monday. (Francesca Altoft) goals, becoming the fi rst player Ali’s goals played a pivotal part success, the four-year-old bay and easily drew clear of her rivals, half lengths back. Breaking alertly from the in history to be the top scorer in in Qatar advancing to the Gold fi lly now qualifi es automatically galloping clear to a three and a Bred by WinStar Farm, Sh- stalls, Future tucked in behind faced challenges from both two continents. Cup semi-fi nals, with the striker for a place at the Breeders’ Cup half-length success and was even edaresthedevil now boasts an early leader Royal Harmony Crystal Starlet and Thefast- Almoez is also the fi rst player scoring twice in the group stage Distaff in November. eased down closer home. impressive record of three Grade and settled well. Future was nthecurious. Thefastnthecuri- in history to score in three con- and a brace in the 3-2 quarter- Drawn widest of fi ve, Shedar- Venitian Harbour fi nished 1, a Grade 2 and two Grade 2 vic- asked to take closer order ous hung violently left inside tinental tournaments. The star fi nal win against El Salvador. esthedevil broke smartly and was second for trainer Richard Bal- tories. The superstar fi lly started 600m from home and moved the final 200m, allowing scored goals in the Asian Cup, Qatar’s brilliant run was even- slotted in third position through tas and jockey Mario Gutierrez. her career in June 2019 and has through to lead against the Future to gallop to a comfort- Copa America and the Concacaf tually stopped by the United the early part of the race. With The Simon Callaghan-trained bagged eight wins in 13 starts so rail. Inside the final 400m able three-quarters-of-a-length Gold Cup. States, who defeated Mexico 1-0 Venitian Harbour making her and Flavien Prat-ridden Paige far, which is a sparling strike rate Future travelled strongly but success. Qatar impressed at this year’s in the fi nal on Sunday to lift the running, Shedaresthedevil chal- Anne stuck on well to claim third by all means. Concacaf Gold Cup, scoring 12 Gold Cup for a seventh time.

CRICKET FOCUS Josoor continues to build expertise as Qatar 2022 nears More could FIFA World Cup legacy regular panel sessions involving programme will ensure leading international experts. knowledge is passed to the At the same time, our re- next generation of sports and search team works to produce events professionals proprietary knowledge to im- prove our courses and stimulate By Afraa al-Noaimi debate among alumni, associ- follow Stokes’ Executive Director, Josoor Institute ates and other key stakeholders; and establish Qatar as a leader in the sports and events manage- ith only 15 months to ment industries. Recently, we go until Qatar hosts have been conducting two cru- the FIFA World Cup, cial research projects – one of the Josoor Institute which involves tracking sports Wcontinues to deliver on its strategic and events in Qatar, and an- example: Kohli role as the education and training other studying diff erent sports arm of the Supreme Committee edented insight into Qatar 2022 institutes in the country and the ‘It is a stressful job to be a captain and manage a team’ for Delivery & Legacy (SC). preparations and the opportu- Mena region. As the tournament edges nity to be part of a vibrant alumni In 2020, life as we know it came AFP players who have previously closer, we will continue to lever- community and professional to a halt. The Covid-19 pandemic London, England toured England. age Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA network. presented us with a challenge to “Look, you can have all the World Cup to build expertise in Many of our graduates are em- continue the delivery of courses, experience in the world. It all the sports and events industries ployed by the SC and its numer- and an opportunity to accelerate ndia captain Virat Kohli be- boils down to execution in to ensure the knowledge gained ous stakeholders, all of who are online off erings which was al- lieves more players could crunch moments,” he said. from staging this mega-event is supporting Qatar’s delivery of the ready part of our strategic devel- follow the example of Eng- The 32-year-old, who averag- passed to the next generation of FIFA World Cup. Applications for opment plans. Almost two years land all-rounder Ben Stokes es over 52 in his 92 Tests, added: professionals. the next cohort of professional after our switch to remote learn- Iunless gaps are created in a con- “I’ve loved every moment of it. Our fl agship professional di- diploma programmes, that will ing, Josoor is proud to have deliv- gested global fi xture schedule. “In my opinion, you cannot ploma programmes in sports take place from September 2021 ered more than 30 courses online Stokes is missing the upcom- you cannot play at this level for and major events management to March 2022, are now open. with overwhelmingly positive ing fi ve-Test series against India a long period of time if you’re – delivered in partnership with In addition to our diploma feedback from participants. starting at Trent Bridge today not literally wanting to be in SDA Bocconi School of Manage- programmes, we off er an ar- With Qatar 2022 right around while he takes an indefi nite break situations which are absolutely ment – remain our core off er- ray of education and training the corner, Josoor Institute will from the game to “prioritise his opposite of what your comfort ing. These courses are designed courses in sports management, prioritise the delivery of edu- mental health” amid the strain of zone is.” to enhance the knowledge and event management, leadership cation and training to build the playing top-level sport during the Kohli’s pacemen may enjoy experience of professionals who development, workforce and re- capacity of key groups in the coronavirus pandemic. English conditions as much the are keen to advance their careers lated areas to more than 4,000 industry ahead of the event India go into the campaign India’s Virat Kohli (left), Ajinkya Rahane and other players take part hosts’ attack. in two ever-evolving sectors. The participants in Qatar and around and creating a lasting legacy of having had several weeks rest, in a training session at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham, India certainly got the better programmes off er a world-class the world. Josoor Institute also knowledge and expertise in Qatar barring one tour match, since England, on Monday. (AFP) of England’s batsmen during learning experience, unprec- runs a Knowledge Hub that hosts and across the Middle East. losing the inaugural World Test a 3-1 series win at home to Joe Championship fi nal against New cently saw Stokes took a break top of that you confi ne a player Root’s side earlier this year on Zealand at Southampton in June. from cricket and we have been to a bubble then things become largely spin-friendly pitches. NEW ADDITION Star batsman Kohli, like operating in a bubble in the last complicated.” Meanwhile, Kohli insisted he Stokes a multi-format inter- one-and-a-half-years. India have won just two of had no interest in joining Ajit national playing for one of the “It is not easy and periodic their last 14 Tests in England Wadekar (1971), Kapil Dev (1986) world’s most in-demand teams, breaks like these are important but Kohli said: “For us, it’s all and Rahul Dravid (2007) as a WBC president joins Save the was glad to get off the treadmill, in my opinion, to take people about wanting tough cricket and series-winning India captain in telling a conference call yester- away from the game and bring wanting to win in conditions England just for its own sake. day: “This break was important them back refreshed. which are not ours.” “We are going to play with the Dream High-Level Council because you get little time to “In the current environment Kohli — without a Test hun- same passion, same commit- switch off . it is a stressful job to be a cap- dred in nearly two years — is, ment, same belief that we play By Sports Reporter terms of inspiring youth through “And also because you re- tain and manage a team and on however, one of several India every series with,” he said. Doha boxing, providing safe, fair, and inclusive sporting environment regardless of one’s religion, race SPOTLIGHT auricio Sulaiman or creed.” Saldivar, President Massimiliano Montanari, Chief of the World Boxing Executive Offi cer of the ICSS and Council (WBC), has Save the Dream, said: “Through- ISC hosts inter-organisational badminton Mjoined Save the Dream High- out his career, the highly es- Level Council, to help promote teemed WBC President has con- By Sports Reporter the positive values of sport stantly and consistently showed Doha among young people all around passion and dedicated commit- the world. Envoy of the Secretary-General ment to promoting the values of The WBC President is a wel- of the Arab League for Humani- sport. He created, shaped, and ndian Sports Centre (ISC), come addition to the Save the tarian Aff airs; Youssou N’Dour, moulded various and diverse ini- an apex body under the Dream High-Level Council Senegalese music legend; Iván tiatives via social and reintegra- aegis of Indian embassy, comprising of eminent interna- Dibos, IOC Member; Marcia tion programmes aimed at pro- organised the Indian In- tional personalities from diff er- L. Dyson, civic-social activist; moting women’s boxing, helping Iter-organisational Badminton ent fi elds including: Staff an De and Raff aele Chiulli, President boxers in need, and commemo- Championship, with as many Mistura, Former Under-Secre- of Sport Accord and of the Glo- rating classic fi ghts.” as 33 teams in doubles and 25 tary-General and United Na- bal Association of International Honored by the President of teams in singles with an over- tions Special Envoy for Syria, Sports Federations (GAISF). Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez all participation of 80 players. Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon; Commenting on his new role, Obrador, with the 2020 National The event was organized strictly Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Prize Sulaiman said: “I am very pleased Sports Award for the Protection in adherence with Ministry of Laureate and former President of to be joining Save the Dream High and Promotion of the Practice Public Health’s Covid-19 proto- East Timor; Mohamed Hanzab, -Level Council, and for having of Sports, Sulaiman established col and guidelines. Chairman of the International the privilege to contribute to this the Clean Boxing Program (CBP) In a very close encounter in Centre for Sport Security (ICSS); movement in a meaningful way. which aims to raise awareness the men’s fi nal, Arjun Shine HE Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad We at WBC believe in and share among athletes about the dan- from QIA overcame the chal- bin Khalifa al-Thani, Special the same values and objectives in gers and risks of doping. lenge from Rehan Arshad to grab the singles title. Meanwhile, Indian ambassador to Qatar Dr Deepak Mittal handed over the trophies to the winners of the Indian Ajmal Ali and Philip from TJSV Inter-organisational Badminton Championship. won the doubles trophy with a England’s tour of Former FIFA interim Russell to drive for spectacular performance over winners of the tournament. Director, Abdul Rahman, at the ath showcased the activities of Bangladesh moved president banned Mercedes in tyre test Manoj Sahibjan and Vineeth Dr Mohan Thomas, the ISC event. Other sponsors of the the body, while ISC MC member Nandan from New Vision Bad- president, said that the or- event were Brain Technologies, Boban Varkey delivered the vote England’s tour of Bangladesh, Former FIFA interim president Williams driver George Russell minton. ganisation is planning for more Spirit Events, Absolute Sports, of thanks. Head of badminton which was scheduled to take Issa Hayatou, 74, has been will join F1 champions Mercedes Indian ambassador to Qatar Dr physical activity events in ad- New Vision Badminton, Radio Safeeru Rahman managed with place in September and October, banned for one year and fined for a test of next year’s tyres in Deepak Mittal inaugurated the herence with protocols as fi t- Mirchi, Al Aqsa Neon and Link event with support of Sippy has been pushed back to March $33,189.51. FIFA’s investigated Hungary. The Briton has been fi nal ceremony in an exhibition ness and sportsmanship is very Mei. Rusiya Group, ITI Group, Jose, Anil Boloor. The event 2023. The move means that Eng- the Cameroonian’s conduct as tipped to replace Valtteri Bottas match, teaming up with Coor- crucial for the development of a Land Royal Properties and Sa- was inaugurated earlier by ICBF lish players will be able to take CAF president in deals for media as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate dination Offi cer Captain Mohan healthy society. voy Insurance Brokers are ISC’s president Ziad Usman, while part in the rescheduled Indian and marketing rights of CAF next year. The team have said a Atla against the winners of the Care n Cure group was the ti- annual sponsors for 2021. General Secretary T Sreenivas Premier League that resumes in competitions with France-based decision will be taken over the doubles tournament. Dr Mittal tle sponsor of the event and was During the closing ceremony, welcomed the participants and the UAE from Sep 19. Lagardère Sports from 2014-2017. August break. handed over the trophies to the represented by their Managing ISC vice-president Sheji Valiy- dignitaries. Wednesday, August 4, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

ATHLETICS GYMNASTICS Fearless Biles caps comeback Thompson-Herah with beam bronze Reuters able candour about her deci- Tokyo sion to prioritise her mental and physical well-being. “Mentally I still have a lot of things that I imone Biles made a fear- have to work on but to bring the completes sprint less return to competi- topic of conversation on mental tion yesterday, capping health to light means the world a tumultuous Tokyo to me,” said Biles. GamesS with a bronze medal on But if there was any linger- the and then us- ing apprehension when Biles ing the Olympic stage to remind entered the arena for her fi nal everyone that athletes are hu- shot at a medal, it did not show man beings. The fi nal gold of as she blew kisses to the televi- ‘double-double’ the women’s sion cameras. After a hug from programme would go to China’s her coach and a quick intake of Guan Chenchen with a score of breath, it was back to work as ‘It really means a lot to me to be in that history book, because I’ve been through a lot’ 14.633 and the silver to her com- Biles stepped up to the beam patriot Tang Xijing but it was with a look of determination. Biles who grabbed the spotlight With billions of viewers trans- for her courageous comeback. fi xed on Biles as she mounted the “I was proud of myself just to 10cm-wide apparatus, she did go out there after what I’ve been not waver as she began to show- through,” said Biles, who arrived case a number of complex skills in Tokyo having already won four with a triple spin in the squat golds and a bronze in Rio fi ve position. But as she prepared to years ago. “This one is defi - get ready for her dismount, nitely sweeter. I’ll treasure everyone held their breath, this one a lot more after willing the American to everything I have been make a safe landing. through.” While still deal- She broke out into a huge ing with the traumatic events smile and clutched her heart of the past week, Biles did not as soon as she completed her rule out returning to the Olym- routine before performing a de- pic stage at 2024 Games. lightful jig. The prolonged tight “I have to process this Olympics embrace she then shared with before I think about Paris,” said her coach summed up the huge Biles, who owns a combined 32 relief they were both feeling. Olympic and world champion- Her performance was clearly ship medals. “Right now I’m go- not the normal perfection ex- ing to focus on myself a little bit pected from a gymnast billed as more often rather than push stuff the greatest of all-time but was under the rug.” fearless in its execution. The Three times a world cham- third of eight competitors to per- pion on the beam, Biles might form, Biles’ mark of 14.000 did have fi nished third but her mere not look as if it might be enough presence in the fi nal was consid- for a place on the podium but in ered a victory after she abruptly the end the only one to leapfrog dropped out of last Tuesday’s the American would be the last team competition — where she one to compete — Guan. The failed to complete the planned bronze was the second medal number of twists in her — Biles picked up at the Tokyo citing mental health issues. Games, to go along with the sil- The 24-year-old came to To- ver she shared in the team event. kyo eyeing a record haul of six The two medals bring her Olym- golds, which would have made pic total to seven. her the most successful female The women’s beam fi nal was Olympian of all-time across sandwiched between the men’s any sport, but instead suff ered parallel bars and horizontal bar a crisis of confi dence that led to fi nals. her withdrawing from the all- Twice parallel bars world around, vault, asymmetric bars champion Zou Jingyuan secured and fl oor exercise fi nals. gold for China on the apparatus Biles said she was dealing with for the third time in four Games Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah (right) crosses the finish line to win the women’s 200m final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) the “twisties” — a type of men- with a score of 16.233, fi nishing tal block where gymnasts get ahead of Germany’s Lukas Daus- AFP four individual Olympic track golds. been laying down, not sleeping but I’ve laika Mihambo prevailed in a classic duel disoriented during their gravity- er. Japan also fi nished on a golden Tokyo “It really means a lot to me to be in that still managed to come out here.” with 2012 gold medallist and four-time defying sequences. It was that high when all-around champion history book, because I’ve been through Namibian teen Mboma was only run- world champion Brittney Reese of the pressure and expectation that Daiki Hashimoto added to his a lot and it tells my story,” Thompson- ning the 200m because she and com- United States. Mihambo was lying in the appeared to derail Biles’ Olym- haul with a win on the horizontal laine Thompson-Herah made Ol- Herah said. The Jamaican favourite had patriot Beatrice Masilingi, who fi nished bronze medal position ahead of her fi nal pics and she spoke with remark- bar to close out the competition. ympic history in Tokyo yesterday, got off to a blazing start, building a lead sixth in 22.28sec, are barred from their jump, but hammered down the runway to emulating fellow Jamaican Usain off the bend which she never relinquished preferred distance of 400m under inter- register a season-best of 7.00 metres and Bolt to complete an unprecedent- as she motored to the line. national rules because they have height- emerge victorious. edE women’s sprinting “double-double” It looked as if Thomas and Jamaica’s ened testosterone levels. Under World Armand Duplantis won the men’s pole with victory in the 200 metres. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce would take Athletics regulations, they would have vault with a best mark of 6.02m. Howev- Thompson-Herah, the 2016 Olympics the silver and bronze, but that duo to undergo treatment to lower their er, there was more drama than during the 100m and 200m gold medallist who de- were passed by a scorching fi nish testosterone if they want to compete actual competition after he had secured fended her 100m title on Saturday, sealed over the fi nal 20 metres from the in distances from 400m to a mile. the gold. The Swedish star went devil- a record fourth individual gold after 18-year-old Mboma who plundered The USA may have struggled to ishly close in two of his three attempts at storming home in a blistering 21.53sec. silver. “The mission was to go again translate fi nalists into gold over the beating his own world record of 6.18m. Namibian teenager Christine Mboma and capture the medal, which was the opening fi ve days of track and fi eld, but The fi eld event fraternity would not took silver in 21.81sec while the USA’s plan,” said Thompson-Herah. two of their next generation showed there permit the track glamour brigade to have Gabby Thomas won bronze in 21.87sec. Thompson-Herah had faced a bat- is plenty of talent on the way up. all the headlines. Poland’s Anita Wlo- The 29-year-old Thompson-Herah’s tle to qualify for Tokyo, with a niggling Athing Mu, 19, was an impressive win- darczyk became the fi rst female athlete to time was the second fastest in history af- Achilles problem hampering her fi tness ner of the women’s 800 metres — the fi rst win the same track and fi eld event three ter Florence Griffi th Joyner’s world record earlier this season. She fi nished third in American to do so since Madeline Man- times with victory in the hammer. of 21.34sec set at the drug-tarnished 1988 the 100m and 200m at the Jamaican tri- ning in 1968. Her fellow teenager Erriyon The 35-year-old Pole, who won golds Seoul Olympics. As well as becoming the als behind Fraser-Pryce, who had entered Knighton qualifi ed for today’s men’s in the 2012 and 2016 Games, succeeded fi rst woman to claim a 100m-200m dou- the Olympics as Jamaica’s main threat. 200m fi nal — the youngest fi nalist since where Valerie Adams (shot put), Sandra ble-double, emulating Bolt, who eventu- “It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Thompson-He- fellow 17-year-old Ade Mafe of Britain in Perkovic (discus) and Shelly-Ann Fraser- ally won three consecutive 100m-200m rah said. “I don’t want to get too excited, 1984. Pryce (100m) had fallen short at these Olympic titles, Thompson-Herah is the because I haven’t slept since the 100m fi - The fi eld event fi nals also had their fair Games. “I was dreaming of becoming the of the US reacts after performing on the balance beam only female track and fi eld athlete to win nal. “I don’t know how I’ve done it, I’ve share of drama. German long jumper Ma- queen of the hammer throw,” she said. during the Tokyo Olympics at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre. (Reuters)

Italy chief blasts Jacobs doping suspicions SPOTLIGHT

Doping suspicions aimed at Italy’s 100 metres Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs are embarrassing and unpleasant, the Iglesias joins Cuban Olympic boxing greats with gold Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president Giovanni Malago said yesterday. Jacobs claimed a stunning gold on Sunday, setting a Eu- AFP became the fi rst Japanese woman to win ropean record time of 9.80 seconds in the showcase final in Tokyo Tokyo Olympic boxing gold with a unanimous despite having not gone under 10 seconds until this year. However, points victory over Nesthy Petecio of the the 26-year-old’s unexpected victory resulted in the Washington Philippines. Women’s boxing entered the Post and The Times writing that “the history of track and field casts oniel Iglesias added his name Olympics for the fi rst time at London suspicion on sudden and immense improvement”, a reference to to Cuba’s Olympic boxing hall 2012, when there were only three weight previous doping cases. of fame after winning a second categories, but there are fi ve in Tokyo and But Malago blasted any suggestion of wrongdoing. “The remarks gold medal yesterday, as women women’s boxing is more popular than of some of your colleagues are a source of great regret and em- fiR ghters voiced their determination to get ever. But women boxers say more needs to barrassment from every point of view,” Malago said. Jacobs was more girls into the sport. The 32-year- be done. Underlining the challenge that one of several high-profile athletes to wear new running spikes old Iglesias put on a masterclass to defeat women’s boxing still faces for recognition featuring “performance-enhancing” carbon soles as he won gold. British hope Pat McCormack on unani- in some countries and the stereotypes Athletes in Tokyo have also praised a fast track that has produced mous points and claim the welterweight that endure, Irie said that some people a host of world, continental and national records from sprint to title in style in Tokyo. have the impression that women fi ghters middle distances. Iglesias has now won three Olympic “are violent or scary or aggressive”. medals, adding Tokyo gold to his London “That’s not the case,” said the 20-year- Durant leads USA into semis against Australia 2012 light-welterweight gold and bronze old home fi ghter after winning the feath- at 2008. In doing so he joins a star erweight title. “I want to wipe out those The United States kept their basketball gold medal dreams on cast of Cuban boxers to seal a hat-trick aggressive images of boxers.” track yesterday by sweeping past world champions Spain 95-81 of Olympic boxing medals. They also That defi ant message was echoed by and into the semi-finals, while Olympic debutants Slovenia crushed include Felix Savon (three gold), Teofi lo Irma Testa, the bronze medallist from It- Germany to set up a last-four clash with France. Stevenson (three gold) and Lazaro Alvarez aly. “I can only say that I am really proud,” Kevin Durant poured in 29 points and four assists for the Ameri- (three bronze). Iglesias, who failed to win Cuba’s Roniel Iglesias (right) celebrates after winning against Britain’s Pat McCormack said the 23-year-old, who had also made cans while Boston’s Jayson Tatum chipped in with 13, nullifying a medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, said he after their men’s welterweight (63-69kg) final bout in Tokyo. (AFP) a small piece of boxing history for her Ricky Rubio’s dazzling 38-point spree for Spain. The three-time does not plan to stop there and is al- country. defending champions will next face Patty Mills’ Australia, who con- ready eyeing the Paris 2024 Games. not make it in these Games,” he said. have been proven wrong and those who “For me it was really important to win vincingly beat Argentina 97-59, for a place in Saturday’s final. He said that, following injury “Many people said that this was the believed in me were right.” a medal in order to make women’s box- Slovenia progressed after their 94-70 rout of Germany. They will and his disappointment in Rio, end of the line for me. But only us The knockers spurred on him, said Ig- ing in Italy more popular. So it’s the fi rst meet France who edged Italy 84-75 in a nail-biter, with Utah Jazz some people in Cuba had written boxers know what is happening, we lesias. “That was an extra push for me to medal ever for women’s boxing (in Italy), center Rudy Gobert drilling 22 points and fellow NBA mainstay him off . “There are always fans who know the injuries that we suff er and get up every morning and give that extra and with this medal I can show young Evan Fournier getting 21. have their opinions and it is true that what we have to overcome. I always knew bit of eff ort,” he added. girls in Italy that boxing is also a sport for many people thought that Roniel would that I had it in me. Now those doubters In the women’s competition, Sena Irie women, not just men.”