Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed gratitude and motivation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his contribution to the sport during a visit to the Netherlands, highlighting the team's World Cup aspirations.
The flame will be on show from Tuesday at the Japanese Olympic Museum, located next to the National Stadium purpose-built for the Games which were due to take place this year but were rescheduled for 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
As COVID-19 cases rise in Tokyo, however, public concern has grown that hosting an event with tens of thousands of overseas athletes, officials and journalists could accelerate infection rates in Japan's capital and introduce variants that are more infectious or deadlier.
The Japanese doctor who created a media firestorm with videos criticising the quarantine of a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship said he now believes the Tokyo 2020 Olympics should not go on. Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious disease at Kobe University, said on his blog on Thursday that it's not clear that the outbreak in Japan will have subsided by the planned start of the Games in July. Also, the flood of foreign visitors could exacerbate the spread of the disease, known as COVID-19.
According to AP, minor scuffles broke out after the police stopped the protesters along their march around 20 meters away from the venue of the IOC's meeting.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India's decision to remove him as junior men's team coach after 17 months, questioning the preference for foreign coaches. Hockey India has rejected Sreejesh's claims, stating his contract ended as scheduled and a new coach was selected through a formal process.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India for removing him from his role as junior men's team coach after just 17 months, questioning the organisation's preference for foreign coaches. Hockey India has rejected Sreejesh's claims, stating that his contract ended as scheduled and a new coach was selected through a formal process.
Ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Thursday endured the pain of missing out on a medal after he finished a lowly eighth at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Back as chief coach of the Indian women's hockey team after a four-year hiatus, Sjoerd Marijne is focussed on bringing back unity, discipline and culture in the side, with eyes firmly set on creating a group to qualify for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Defending champion Sarah Chelangat and Harbert Kibet aim for Ugandan victories in the TCS World 10K, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. Chelangat is fit and seeks to improve her time, while Kibet's impressive form makes him a favourite. Challengers include Brenda Jepchirchir and Fantaye Belayneh in the women's race, and Rodrigue Kwizera and Gemechu Dida in the men's race.
Several dozen protesters in masks gathered in front of Japan's National Stadium on Friday, the day the Olympic Games should have begun, to protest against holding them next year given the danger of the novel coronavirus. The Games were postponed in March as the coronavirus swept the world and the government is determined that they go ahead next year. But there's growing opposition in Japan to holding the Games, even next year, over doubts that a big sporting event can be held safely.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is likely to miss the All England Championships due to travel disruptions caused by airspace closures in the Gulf region.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India's decision to remove him as junior men's team coach after a successful 17-month tenure, questioning the organisation's preference for foreign coaches.
The villagers have pinned their hopes for development on Ravi, whose success has much to do with the sacrifices and moral guidance of one man -- his father Rakesh Kumar Dahiya.
Two-time Olympic and world champion Danish badminton player Viktor Axelsen has announced his retirement due to a persistent back injury.
Asian Games silver medallist Deepak Punia discusses the impact of the wrestlers' protest on his career and his aspirations for the upcoming Asian Games.
India will be a threat and a strong contender for a podium finish at next year's Hockey World Cup, said Belgium's star drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx
It's been well over two decades but missing an Olympic medal after coming reasonably close to it rankles Mohammed Riaz to this date even though some of his regret has eased after seeing the national team claim podium finishes in the mega-event's last two editions.
From a side that promised much after a fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian women's team has collapsed into a seemingly direction-less outfit.
Indian boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav is setting his eyes on a gold medal in the third Olympics of his life in Tokyo
India, having already secured a World Cup berth, will compete against Italy in the semi-final of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, aiming to win the tournament.
Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak is focusing on increasing her difficulty level for the Asian Championships after winning a silver medal at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Tashkent. She is balancing execution and difficulty in preparation for the Asian Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.
Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen and coach Vimal Kumar have paid tribute to Viktor Axelsen after the two-time Olympic champion announced his retirement due to ongoing back problems.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has invited Dutch hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander to help strengthen hockey in the state, particularly ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy. Mann emphasised the government's commitment to restoring the sport's glory and highlighted Punjab's rich hockey legacy.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said P R Sreejesh had been offered the role of coach for the development team but he had refused to take up the role.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India for allegedly favouring foreign coaches over Indian talent, despite his successful tenure with the junior men's team. Hockey India has rejected the claims.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India for allegedly favouring foreign coaches over Indian coaches, despite his successful tenure with the junior men's team. Hockey India has rejected Sreejesh's claims.
The Olympics were postponed on Tuesday to 2021, the first such delay in the Games' 124-year modern history, as the coronavirus crisis wrecked the world's last sporting showpiece still standing this year. Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita told reporters it was now time to be positive and prepare.
Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil, supported by Neeraj Chopra, has filed a complaint with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) accusing coach Naval Singh of mental harassment and verbal abuse.
India's top players, including P V Sindhu, may not be going through the best of times, but national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand is still hopeful of a best-ever Olympics outing in Tokyo. Gopichand has produced two Olympic medallists -- Saina Nehwal (bronze in 2012) and Sindhu (silver in 2016).
With the Olympics postponed until 2021, organisers had been discussing how best to store and present the Olympic flame whilst in Japan.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Friday.
India's skeet shooters are set to compete against a strong international field at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Tangier, Morocco. The event features Olympic and world champions, marking a competitive start to the season as athletes begin their journey towards Olympic qualification.
The Shanghai Archery World Cup last month marked the emergence of Parth Salunkhe, and the 21-year-old former youth world champion will look to shine again
Due to the delay the Beijing Games will now start just over six months after Tokyo.
India's top track and field athletes will compete in Ranchi for a chance to represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The event marks the first time the Athletics Federation of India will conduct SRY Gene Tests at the national level to ensure fair competition in the women's category. The meet will also serve as trials for the inaugural Asian U23 Championships.
American Katie Moon created history as she became the first woman to win three consecutive World Championships pole vault titles.
The 29-year-old has played over 100 games for Australia and was a member of the team that won the men's silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
Manika Batra became the first Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 in the Olympics singles competition after thrashing higher-ranked Prithika Pavade of France in Paris on Monday.
'I have defied critics who suggested that I should retire,' Magnificent Mary tells Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi.
