TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 SPORTS

Looking up: Climbing sets sights on 2020 Olympics

MADISON: Climbing is on the precipice of late-night television . States. One young climbing star, 16-year- climbing wall. The physical demands can petition would only take place on man- of becoming an Olympic sport, raising There were roughly 35 million old Kai Lightner , got his start indoors be extreme, but Canavan is attracted by made structures, though it hasn’t been the profile of a recreational activity that climbers worldwide in 2015, according after visiting a gym in Fayetteville, North the mental side of climbing. Finding the determined if walls would be construct- is seeing a surge in young participants. to the International Federation of Sport Carolina, a decade ago. right route and piecing it together with ed indoors or outdoors. Participants The ascent to potential Olympic Climbing, up 40 percent from two years the right movements is like solving a would take part in the disciplines of inclusion got a boost on June 1 after the earlier. As of last fall, about half of the TECHNIQUES CAN BE PERFECTED puzzle. “So you can be the strongest per- speed, and lead (also known International Olympic Committee execu- total was younger than 25 “thanks to the “Kids like me have access to these son ever and not be able to climb as as sport), with results combined into one tive board gave its approval to include latest trend of urban/action sports,” the resources that did not exist decades (well) as someone who isn’t strong,” overall ranking system to determine climbing along with four other sports: federation said in a report. ago,” Lightner said. “When you are able Canavan said. medalists. Waggoner said he likes the baseball-softball, surfing, karate and USA Climbing had almost 3,800 regis- to start training at high levels, as young She was among 134 participants at strides American climbers have made on skateboarding. The IOC will decide in tered members age 19 and under as of as 6, 7 years old, it shouldn’t be surpris- USA Climbing’s Bouldering Open the youth level in international competi- August whether to add the sports to the the 2015-16 season, an increase of near- ing that kids are becoming more skilled National Championships in Madison this tion. If the Olympics were held now, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. ly 90 percent in nine years - a boom that at younger ages.” year, an increase of 47 percent from United States would be competing with Japanese organizers initially pro- could position the United States to Indoor climbing removes barriers 2010. The youth nationals in Madison a top contenders including France, posed the new sports in September and emerge as a top Olympic contender. inherent outdoors, like weather, travel month later drew 499 competitors, up Austria, Germany and . looked at climbing as a competition that The United States “is already a very and expensive equipment, said Ian 37 percent from last year and almost 55 Waggoner stopped short of predict- could appeal to teens and young adult, active country for climbing and we trust McIntosh, president of Mesa Rim percent from 2010. ing how success now might translate to an age where there is already increasing the national federation will keep on Climbing Center in San Diego. USA Climbing’s goal over the last 10 performance in four years, even with top interest. “My dream is to ... keep on help- developing its expertise and keep on Techniques can be perfected year- years has been to focus on developing young climbers like Shiraishi and ing getting (climbing) bigger and bigger bringing kids to our competitions, which round indoors. It’s an option to fill time its youth program. While Olympics inclu- Lightner presumably in the mix. so hopefully I can compete in the would be definitely a plus for a possible between soccer seasons for the average, sion has never influenced the organiza- One wrinkle is that climbers usually Olympics and win it maybe,” said 15- medal in 2020,” said Anne Fuynel, on-the-go pre-teen in the suburbs. tion’s decisions, CEO Kynan Waggoner specialize in one or two disciplines. For year-old Ashima Shiraishi, a New Yorker spokeswoman for the international fed- Lily Canavan of Boston is one of the said, the potential addition to the the Olympics, they would need to take whose parents were Japanese immi- eration in Turin, Italy. Many young top competitors at her age bracket. Now Summer Games “can’t do anything part in three. “I don’t know who we’ll grants. Her spider-like ascents up rock climbers are getting a foothold indoors 18, she got into the sport about eight except promote the sport and raise the have ready to go in 2020,” Waggoner walls and cliffs have made her a viral at climbing gyms, which have grown in years ago while attending a birthday profile level, period.” said. “I do know some of our best U.S. sensation online and drawn the curiosity number to nearly 400 across the United party at a gymnastics facility that had a In the 2020 Olympics proposal, com- athletes ... are starting to train.” — AP Aussie chief defends 16-page Kyrgios letter

SYDNEY: ’s team boss for the Rio a US$25,000 fine. Chiller said similar letters were Olympics has defended the decision to send sent to shooter Michael Diamond, who is facing controversial tennis star Nick Kyrgios a 16-page drink-driving and firearms charges, and field letter asking him to explain his behaviour if he hockey player Anna Flanagan, who is at the cen- wanted to be picked for the Games. tre of an alleged drink-driving cover up. Kyrgios, Australia’s highest-ranked male ten- nis player at 19 in the world, responded to the ‘IT’S HIS DECISION’ letter by declaring himself unavailable for selec- “(They) received exactly the same letter that tion, saying he had been subjected to “unwar- Nick Kyrgios did,” Chiller said. “Admittedly, Nick’s ranted attacks” from the Australian Olympic letter was 16 pages long. Theirs wasn’t quite that Committee (AOC). long.” An outspoken and combative figure on But Australia’s chef de mission for Rio, Kitty and off the court, Kyrgios announced Friday he Chiller, rejected his claims, saying Kyrgios was was pulling out of Olympic contention because never singled out and that she was just follow- the AOC had “chosen to publicly and privately ing the rules governing the behaviour of all disparage me”. He said no one from the AOC had team members. sought a meeting “to discuss their concerns”-a “Someone needs to stand up,” she told claim disputed by Chiller. reporters at the weekend. “Why I’m doing this is, “I was surprised actually because, contrary to TOKYO: Graham Vigrass (L) of Canada spikes the ball over Chen Longhai (R) of China we fought long and hard for the last three years what was in his statement, we had reached out during the men’s volleyball world final qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics to establish a set of behaviours for our team in to him,” she said. “He received a letter on the 2016 in Tokyo on Sunday. — AFP Rio. “I’m doing this for the 428 other athletes that 30th of May asking him to basically please we will have in Rio.” explain, to explain his side of the story. So we Chiller confirmed that the AOC sent Krygios had reached out to get that from him. the 16 pages last week chronicling potentially “He chose to not respond to that and to with- Long jumper Lapierre eyes Rio disreputable conduct and asking him to “please draw. So, ultimately, it’s his decision.” explain”. Volatile 21-year-old Kyrgios has fre- If Kyrgios changes his mind, he has until June SYDNEY: A file photo taken on December 4, medal amid ‘best-ever’ form quently fallen foul of tennis authorities, most 17 to respond and the AOC executive would 2015, shows Kitty Chiller, Australia’s Olympic recently receiving a code violation at the French then “determine whether indeed he had chef de mission for the 2016 Rio Olympics, in MELBOURNE: Australian long jumper jumped in my life consistency-wise. When it Open for shouting at a ball boy, and being fined brought himself, the sport or the Olympic move- Sydney. Australia’s team boss for the Rio Fabrice Lapierre can see himself landing comes to a major championship, I’m always for an audible obscenity during his thrashing at ment into disrepute”. Olympics has defended the decision yester- on the podium at the Rio Olympics after going to lift. “I’ve got two months to get the hands of Richard Gasquet. Tennis Australia, which said in a statement day, to send controversial tennis star Nick another encouraging performance at stronger ... Once I do that, that’s when I’ll He also infamously made crude remarks last last Friday that it was disappointed that Kyrgios Kyrgios a 16-page letter asking him to explain the Diamond League event in jump my jumps — 8.40 and 8.50.” year about the girlfriend of Swiss ace Stan “has been put in this position”, is due to nomi- his behaviour if he wanted to be picked for Birmingham at the weekend. A world sil- Lapierre, runner-up behind Olympic Wawrinka, earning a suspended 28-day ban and nate its players for selection on June 30. —AFP the Games. — AFP ver medalist in Beijing last year, Lapierre champion Greg Rutherford at last year’s posted a jump of 8.21 meters to finish world championships, is hoping to be third behind winner Marquise Goodwin among the Briton’s biggest threats in Rio. (8.42) and another American in Mike He recorded his personal best of 8.40 back Australia’s Ashwood shines in Santa Clara Hartfield (8.29) on Sunday. in 2010 and the Phoenix-based Australian It was the 32-year-old’s fourth Diamond felt he would have smashed that mark but LOS ANGELES: Jessica Ashwood notched an back in 2:08.57. James Magnusson won the side the 59.80 she produced in February, but League podium of the year, having finished for an error on his final jump in Australian record of 8min 18.14sec Sunday to men’s 100m free in 48.99, leading an Australian put her comfortably in front of runner-up Tasija third in Rome and Shanghai and second Birmingham. “Instead of holding my hips win the 800m freestyle at the Pro Swim meeting one-two ahead of Kyle Chalmers (49.70). Emma Karosas (1:01.11). last month in Rabat. “I’m really confident,” up, I leant forward,” Lapierre said of his error in Santa Clara, California. With the Rio de Janeiro McKeon lifted her third title of the meet, win- In the 800 free, Friis cruised to victory in Lapierre told Australian media. “I’ve been in flight, which he estimated cost him up to Olympics beckoning in August, Ashwood is the ning the 100m free in 53.30 with fellow Aussie 8:24.33 ahead of North Baltimore Aquatic Club racking up the podiums and if I keep doing 30 centimeters. “It would’ve been a really second-fastest woman in the event this year. Brittany Elmslie second in 53.77. training mate Cierra Runge (8:28.64.). Phelps, that, then going to Rio with the big stage, big jump.” Goodwin recorded the best Only American Katie Ledecky has gone faster, Thiago Pereira, looking to be among the aiming to add to his tally of 18 Olympic gold the momentum and the adrenaline, any- jump of the year with his 8.45, a personal setting a world record of 8:06.68 at Austin, Texas, medal contenders in front of home fans in Rio, medals in Rio, scratched the final of the 200m thing can happen. “This is the best I’ve ever best, at Guadeloupe last month.— Reuters in January and posting a time of 8:13.20 in April. won the 200m individual medley in 1:57.77, medley in Austin, where he had qualified fifth- Ashwood led a strong Australian showing moving ahead of US superstar Michael Phelps fastest in his fourth event of the week. Phelps on the final day of the meeting, one of three and into third in this year’s world rankings. At finished the meeting with a victory in the 100m this weekend in which US Olympic hopefuls the Longhorn Elite Invitational in Austin, Texas, freestyle, a second place in the 100m butterfly Olympic refugee team to are tuning up for their trials in Omaha this 2012 Olympic gold medallists Matt Grevers and a fourth-placed finish in the 200m free. At month and overseas swimmers are prepping and Missy Franklin posted 100m backstroke the Indianapolis Pro Swim, the Bahamas’ be ‘symbol of hope’ in Rio for the Rio Games themselves. Aussie Mitch victories, while Denmark’s Lotte Friis won the Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace added the 100m Larkin won the men’s 200m backstroke in 800m free. Grevers won the men’s 100m back freestyle title to the 50m free she won earlier in LAUSANNE: Ten refugee athletes from Africa conflicts in Syria, Africa, South Asia and oth- 1:55.38 ahead of Ryan Murphy (1:56.10), com- in 53.48. Franklin’s winning time in the the week. Her time of 54.18sec was nearly half a and the Middle East were selected Friday to er regions. “Having had their sporting patriot Emily Seebohm won the women’s 200m women’s 100m back of 1:00.50 was well out- second ahead of Olivia Smoliga (54.66).—AFP compete under the Olympic flag at the Rio careers interrupted, these high-level de Janeiro Games in what the IOC said repre- refugee athletes will finally have the chance sents a “symbol of hope” for migrants and to pursue their dreams,” UN High refugees around the world. The members of Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi the first ever Olympic refugee team include said. “Their participation in the Olympics is athletes from South Sudan, Syria, Congo and a tribute to the courage and perseverance Ethiopia who will compete in track and field, of all refugees in overcoming adversity and swimming and judo. building a better future for themselves and The team of six men and four women their families.” will march together behind the Olympic The team includes Syrian swimmers flag in the opening ceremony in Rio’s Yusra Mardini, now based in Germany, and Maracana stadium on Aug 5. “We’re con- Rami Anis, living in Belgium; South vinced this refugee Olympic team can Sudanese runners Yiech Pur Biel (800 send a symbol of hope to all refugees in meters), James Nyang Chiengjiek (400), the world,” IOC President Thomas Bach Anjelina Nada Lohalith (1,500), Rose Nathike said at the close of a three-day IOC execu- Lokonyen (800) and Paulo Amotun Lokoro tive board meeting in Lausanne. “It is also (1,500); Congolese judo athletes Yolande a signal to the international community Bukasa Mabika (70-kilogram category) and that refugees are our fellow human Popole Misenga (90 kgs), both living and beings and are an enrichment to society.” training in Brazil; and Ethiopian marathon The team, selected from an initial pool of runner Yonas Kinde, now based in 43 candidates, will be overseen by Kenya’s Luxembourg. The South Sudanese runners Tegla Loroupe, the former women’s had been staying at the sprawling Kakuma marathon world record-holder. Five refugee camp in northwestern Kenya when coaches and five other team officials were they were selected as potential Olympic also named by the IOC. athletes. They were then taken to a training Officially called the Refugee Olympic camp near Nairobi run by Loroupe. Team (ROT), the athletes will walk into the Mardini, the teenage Syrian swimmer, opening ceremony just ahead of the huge has generated heavy media attention. She team from Brazil, the host nation that and her sister, Sarah, were on a flimsy inflat- marches last in the parade of athletes from able boat with other refugees making the more than 200 countries. “These refugees perilous trip from Turkey to Greece when have no home, no team, no flag, no national the dinghy started taking on water. While anthem,” Bach said. “We will offer them a most of the refugees couldn’t swim, the home in the Olympic Village together with Mardini sisters jumped into the water and all the athletes of the world. ... These helped guide the boat to the Greek island refugee athletes will show the world that of Lesbos. The sisters eventually made it to despite the unimaginable tragedies that Germany, where they began training at a they have faced, anyone can contribute to swimming pool in Berlin near their refugee society through their talent, skills and center. Also Friday, the IOC nominated eight strength of the human spirit.” new members - including a The plan was first announced by the IOC film producer, Colombia’s former ambassa- RIO DE JANEIRO: Rowers protest the pollution of Marapendi lagoon where the lagoon’s brown waters empty into the Atlantic, in Rio de Janeiro, at the United Nations last October amid the dor to the US and the female founder of an Brazil, Saturday. A leading Brazilian biologist who has fought for the cleanup of Rio de Janeiro’s polluted waterways called Saturday on interim influx of migrants and refugees from armed Indian charitable foundation.—AP President Michael Temer to release emergency funds to pay for the dredging of toxic lagoons hugging the Olympic Park. — AP