The Winter Olympics sparked to life in a vivid, colourful ceremony of fire and ice in South Korea
Olympic officials have showered praise on South Korea's Winter Games organisers for staging a successful event against the odds, but they have also left it with a warning: don't leave any white elephants behind.
As the curtains fall on another year, Rediff.com brings you all the action from the sports field that defined 2019.
It was revealed that Valieva had earlier failed a drug test, and Olympic officials are now fighting Russia's decision to let her compete.
Blessed with a glut of superb all-rounders in B Sai Sudarshan, Abhinav Manohar and Vijay Shankar, as well as bowlers like Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan who can smoke the opposition bowling when the situation demands, Gujarat look set to put on another big show for their fans this season.
Here are some shots of top-class action from the Winter Games...
Rediff.com captures these moments and a lot more from the week gone by...
On a pitch that was difficult to score big runs, Punjab scored a par total of 147 for 8. Rajasthan scripted a late win thanks to Shimron Hetmyer's 10-ball 27.
French ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis on Monday was hit by a wardrobe malfunction
Russian teenager Alina Zagitova edged compatriot Evgenia Medvedeva with a stunning free skate on Friday that earned the Olympic Athletes from Russia a first gold at the Pyeongchang Games.
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Russian Skicross racer Maria Komissarova has been seriously hurt in training with doctors making an immediate decision to operate, the Russian Freestyle Federation said.
Russia has appealed to Olympic authorities to restore its Olympic status and allow its athletes to march with the national flag on Sunday at the Winter Games closing ceremony, but it could be waiting until the last minute for a decision.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winning goal to help Real Madrid become European champions, while Marin Cilic made an impressive comeback after a ban to claim the US Open crown in September. Also, Germany defeated Argentina to become football world champions. Rediff.com brings you the last instalment of the Best Sports Photos of the Year!
The International Olympic Committee dashed Russian athletes' hopes of marching behind their national flag at the Winter Games on Sunday, deciding against immediately lifting Russia's Olympic suspension after fresh doping violations
Day 11: What's hot at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics
Shafali Verma is by far the most decorated of the lot having already played in three World Cup finals at senior level.
They cheer, dance and sing in perfect unison. But these are not your ordinary cheerleaders.
No more Games for Americans Hubbell and Donohue
Be ready to be amazed as Rediff.com encapsulates all the sporting action from the past week in this super photo feature.
As another eventful year draws to a close, Rediff.com gives you a pictorial look back at the best and worst moments that shaped the sports stories this year.
Norway's Birk Ruud claimed the first men's freeski Big Air Olympic gold
There was also the exciting Rugby Union match that added that much more excitement to the past week. Rediff.com has that and more snapped right here. We bring you a glance of all the action from the week gone by
Japanese figure skater Mao Asada, who rebounded from a disastrous short programme at the Sochi Olympics to gain the best score of her career in the free skate, is now wavering on whether to retire from competition.
Chahal's figures of 3 for 29 spun the game in RCB's favour and was a reminder to the selectors about what India will be missing come the T20 World Cup later this month.
The United States has named former tennis star Billie Jean King, one of the first prominent athletes to publicly acknowledge her homosexuality, to be in the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, where Russia's anti-gay policies have stirred controversy.
Medvedeva sets world record, Canada lead team event
Be ready to be amazed as Rediff.com encapsulates all the sporting action from the past week in this super photo feature.
WADA identified Doctor Sergei Portugalov, former deputy director of the Russian Federal Research Centre of Physical Culture and Sports (VNIIFK), as the mastermind of the scheme, advising athletes on doping, administering injections and helping cover up positive drugs tests.
The situation around Valieva and the Russian team had been 'incredibly distracting' for other skaters.
Figure skater Ivan Shmuratko dodged questions about the mood in Ukraine, saying he was at the Olympics to do his best.
Sofia Goggia carved up the Jeongseon slope 'like a Samurai' to win the women's downhill on Wednesday and leave American Lindsey Vonn with a bronze medal in her final run in the marquee event of Olympic Alpine skiing.
Denis Oswald, the International Olympic Committee's permanent chair of the disciplinary commission, said Valieva claimed there was a mix-up at a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing into whether she should be allowed to continue competing.
Boston was selected on Thursday as the American candidate city that will bid to host the 2024 Olympics.
Rediff.com brings you a glance of all the action from the week gone by.
Olympic organisers say they will not reveal the final torchbearer's identity until the torch arrives in the stadium on live television, watched by billions of spectators.
North Korean pair given warm welcome on Pyeongchang debut
A quick calculation by Congress managers soon after the unprecedented walkout by Congress's friends and foes alike has thrown up the figure of 275 in the ruling alliance's kitty. This is just 3 more than the majority mark of 272, "and a matter of grave concern", said a senior Congress leader.
The two countries, technically still at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended with a truce, agreed on Tuesday that North Korea would send a large delegation across the border to next month's Games.
Several events were postponed or rescheduled, including Nordic combined, biathlon and Alpine skiing, and more than 60 tents were damaged by winds with a speed of seven metres per second as organisers warned of flying debris.
Valieva dominates the ice despite doping scandal
