Sports

Japan’s emperor Naruhito declares Tokyo Olympics open

Published

4 years ago

July 23, 2021

Mayowa

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito officially opened the Tokyo Olympics on Friday in a nearly empty stadium after the Games were postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I declare open the Games of Tokyo,” Naruhito said during a three-hour ceremony attended by just a few hundred officials and dignitaries and several thousand athletes in the 68,000-capacity Olympic Stadium.

Also, Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic cauldron as the Tokyo Games opened on Friday.

Osaka lifted the torch to the gleaming cauldron, which had unfurled at the top of a ramp representing Mount Fuji, in the highlight of a ceremony that was stripped back over virus fears.

She was handed the torch by a group of children from the region around Fukushima which was devastated by a tsunami and a nuclear disaster in 2011.

It was an uplifting moment in a low-key ceremony that unfolded in front of fewer than 1,000 VIPs and several thousand athletes.

In another high point, nearly 2,000 synchronised drones formed a revolving globe over the stadium, to a cover version of John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

A reduced parade of about 5,700 athletes, far lower than the usual numbers, filed into the stadium, not all of them socially distanced but all wearing masks.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach acknowledged the Games would be “very different from what all of us had imagined”.

But “today is a moment of hope”, he said in an address.

The 16-day Games, with 339 gold medals across 33 sports, have a surreal air after the pandemic compelled organisers to make this the first Games with virtually no spectators.

Athletes are tested daily but they are performing on the biggest stage under the constant risk that a positive test could wreck their Olympic dreams.

(AFP)

Sports

Chelsea name Enzo Maresca as new manager

Published

1 year ago

June 3, 2024

Mayowa

Enzo Maresca on Monday appointed as the new manager of the men’s team at Chelsea FC.

The West London Premier League team made this announcement on its website in a statement, saying, commencing July 1, 2024, Maresca will assume his new position. The Blues put the Italian under contract for five years.

Reacting, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said: “We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea.

“He has proven himself to be an excellent coach capable of delivering impressive results with an exciting and identifiable style.”

Sports

Kylian Mbappé to join Real Madrid as new signing next week

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2024

Mayowa

After winning the Champions League, Kylian Mbappé is expected to be announced as a new signing by Real Madrid the following week.

In February, the 25-year-old international athlete made his choice. He can now be regarded as a new Real player because every document has been completed, sealed, and signed.

As per media reports, Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. “.. I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks. I will play my last game as Parc des Princes on Sunday,” Mbappe said in a video statement on X.

“It’s a lot of emotions. (For) many years I had the chance and great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world which allowed me to travel here,” Mbappe added.

“It’s hard and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that I will leave the country, France, the league and the Championship. But I think, I needed this, a new challenge after seven years.”