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World Athletics and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (LA28) have announced a groundbreaking shift in the competition schedule. In a historic move, athletics will now take center stage during the first week of the Olympic Games at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum. This unprecedented change marks the first time a stadium will host events at three Olympic Games.The decision to prioritize athletics in the opening week is a testament to the sport's global appeal and its ability to captivate audiences. By showcasing the world's greatest track and field athletes at the outset of the Games, LA28 aims to create an electrifying atmosphere and set the tone for an unforgettable Olympic experience."We are thrilled to support this visionary timetable change for LA28," said Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics. "This move underscores our commitment to innovation in athletics and elevating the global profile of our athletes. By prioritizing athletics in the first week, the Games will witness the most thrilling of starts, captivating audiences worldwide and setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic journey for global audiences."The schedule adjustment, which sees swimming events move to the second week, is expected to unlock unparalleled opportunities for athletics in pre-Games promotion and Games-time viewership. The first-week scheduling positions athletics at the forefront of the Games, ensuring a strong start and sustained excitement throughout the event.The historic marathon events will remain over the last weekend, with medals presented during the closing ceremony – a tradition that befits an event that has been part of the programme since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.The swap allows athletics, for the first time in memory, to benefit from the high level of interest and excitement provided by the opening ceremony. And not just any opening ceremony, but one crafted in the storytelling and creative capital of the world in Los Angeles."Over the past months, LA28 has worked closely with World Athletics, World Aquatics, the IOC, and OBS to assess the opportunities around this competition schedule swap," said Janet Evans, Chief Athlete Officer of LA28. "We believe the positive effects of this change will extend beyond the two sports involved, strengthening the LA28 Games as a whole and ultimately benefiting all sports in the LA28 sport programme."The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be held from 14-30 July 2028, featuring over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations competing in 35 sports currently in the LA28 sport programme. This marks the third time Los Angeles will host the Olympics, following the 1932 and 1984 Games.

India's ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games is gaining momentum, with sports administrators preparing to lobby hard during the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Authority of India has submitted a detailed report to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, outlining the measures necessary for a successful bid.The report identifies six disciplines for potential inclusion in the 2036 Olympics if India's bid is successful: yoga, kho kho, kabaddi, chess, T20 cricket, and squash. These indigenous sports would not only enhance India's medal chances but also showcase the country's rich sporting heritage.However, the road ahead is not without challenges. India will need to extend support to other nations to ensure that these sports have a global presence. The proposed events will first need to be introduced as demonstration events in the 2032 Brisbane Games before receiving final approval.The MOC has also identified the need to address doping, increase accountability in national federations, and attract private investment in sports. India will face stiff competition from countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China for the hosting rights.Despite the challenges, the MOC is confident in India's ability to prepare for the bid. The inclusion of indigenous sports would not only boost India's medal tally but also promote the country's cultural identity on a global stage.

Hockey India has announced a 27-member core group of players for a pre-Olympic national camp, which will be held from June 21 to July 8 at the SAI center in Bengaluru. The camp is part of India's preparations for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, where they will face a tough challenge in Pool B, alongside Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland.The core group includes experienced players who have been instrumental in India's recent success in the FIH Hockey Pro League, where they currently occupy the fourth spot. Goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak, PR Sreejesh, and Suraj Karkera will be joined by defenders Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Amir Ali.The midfield will be led by captain Manpreet Singh, along with Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sumit, Shamsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Vishnukant Singh, and Akashdeep Singh. Mohammed Raheel Mouseen will also be part of the midfield contingent.The forward line will feature Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Boby Singh Dhami, and Araijeet Singh Hundal. Notably, striker Dilpreet Singh is a notable absentee from the core list.Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton believes the Pro League outing against top teams of the world was a great experience for his side. "We are looking to start an important block of training in this camp, and we need to make sure that we are in the best form ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The players have learned a lot from their matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24," he said."It has helped us in realizing where we need to improve. We have a lot of time to work on those areas. We have a strong mix of players who are capable of winning anything," the South African added.The Indian men's hockey team will be hoping to build on their bronze medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics and challenge for a podium finish in Paris. The pre-Olympic camp will provide them with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their skills and tactics ahead of the Games.

Harpal Singh Bedi, a veteran sports journalist who chronicled the highs and lows of Indian sports for over four decades, passed away on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 72.Bedi's illustrious career spanned eight Olympic Games, countless Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Cricket and Hockey World Cups, and national and international championships in various sports. He served as the national Olympic contingent's press attaché in 2012, where his wit and warmth charmed the media box.As the former sports editor of United News of India (UNI) and consulting editor of the Statesman newspaper, Bedi was a towering figure in Indian sports journalism. His expertise extended beyond reporting, as he mentored young journalists, easing their nerves with his trademark humor."Harpal Singh Bedi was a quintessential newsman, loved and respected," said veteran journalist and sports administrator G Rajaraman. "His finger was on the pulse of Indian sport and sports administration."Bedi's close friendship with legendary cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi often led to mistaken identities. "We are close friends you know, I am BSB, he is HSB. We go back a long way," the late spin great once quipped.An alumnus of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Bedi witnessed the transformation of India's sporting landscape, from P.T. Usha's fourth-place finish in the 1984 Olympics to Abhinav Bindra's historic gold medal in 2008.Bedi's reputation extended beyond India's borders. He became a popular figure with Pakistani journalists during tours with the Indian cricket team in 2004 and 2005. "His understanding of the Indo-Pak relationship was at par with the best foreign affairs experts," Rajaram recalled.Pakistani sports journalist Rasheed Shakoor fondly remembered Bedi's jovial personality. "He was a treasure trove of both news and jokes," Shakoor said. "It was so easy to become his friend."Despite his cheerful demeanor, Bedi's frustration was evident when the Indian hockey team underperformed. "The only journalist I knew who could laugh at himself," said Vijay Lokapally, former senior editor of 'The Hindu'. "The press box will not be the same without him."Bedi's health had declined in recent years, but his legacy as a respected and beloved sports journalist will endure.

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has extended its support to several Indian athletes preparing for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The MOC has approved proposals from renowned sportspersons, including wrestler Vinesh Phogat, pistol shooter Arjun Cheema, paddler Manika Batra, and boxer Lovlina Borgohain.Vinesh Phogat, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has received financial assistance for a competition and training camp in Madrid, Spain, followed by a training camp in Boulogne sur-Mer, France. She will compete in the Grand Prix in Spain in July before spending a week in training there. She will then head to Boulogne sur-Mer, France, for a 20-day training camp ahead of the Olympic Games.Pistol shooter Arjun Cheema has also secured approval for an 11-day training camp in Austria. The MOC has also approved overseas training camps for Indian javelin throwers Ajeet Singh and Sandeep Choudhary, who will train in Germany for 45 and 41 days, respectively.Para-Club and Discus Thrower Pranav Soorma's request for assistance under the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) to compete in the Para Athletics Championship in Krusevac, Serbia, and train for 10 days at the same location has also been approved.Triple jumper Eldhose Paul, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and table tennis players Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra have also received assistance to compete in various international tournaments. Manika Batra's proposal for assistance towards the purchase of a DHS Table to train in India and Para-Athlete Bhagyashree Jadhav's proposal for assistance towards procurement of wheelchair and shot-put equipment were also sanctioned.Wrestler Antim Panghal's request for assistance towards the boarding and lodging of her coach during the UWW 2nd Ranking Series and the training camp at Olympic Training Centre, Tata, Hungary, and badminton players Rakshitha Sree and Anmol Kharab's request for assistance to compete in the Kaohsiung Masters (BWF super 100) event were also approved.In addition, the MOC has promoted five TOPS Athletes to the Core Group from the Development Group. These are boxers Nishant Dev, Jaismine Lamboria, and Preeti Pawar as well as table Tennis players Manav Thakkar and Archana Kamath.

Nishant Dev, India's Olympic-bound boxer in the 71kg weight category, exudes an unwavering confidence that stems from his belief in his exceptional abilities. He attributes his success to a harmonious blend of speed, timing, and power, which he considers a divine gift.Dev's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2021, he made a remarkable debut at the World Championships, reaching the light middleweight quarterfinals. Two years later, he secured a bronze medal at the same event, solidifying his status as one of India's most promising boxers.When asked to elaborate on his strengths, Dev confidently stated, "I am god-gifted. I have everything in me. Power, speed, and timing. But the main thing is skills. If you have that, you can win against any kind of boxer."Dev's path to the Olympics was not without its challenges. He had struggled with a persistent shoulder niggle for years. However, he overcame this obstacle through rigorous training and unwavering determination.At the final qualifying event in Bangkok, Dev showcased his dominance, securing his place in the Paris Games. He had previously narrowly missed out at the previous qualifiers after a heartbreaking loss to Omari Jones of the USA.Reflecting on that defeat, Dev admitted that it fueled his anger and determination. "I have done a lot of work for the competition. I have changed my strategy a bit. This time, I put in the effort from the very first second of the very first round and continued till the last second of the bout. I took out my anger from America (the bout against Jones). I had a lot of confidence that I will win this time."While Dev acknowledges his natural talent, he emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication. "Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard as well. I used my skills, I hit more body shots to completely exhaust my opponent, drain him of his energy. I have a lot of power inside me, but you cannot win a boxing match on the basis of just power. You will have to add small things in it, like speed, timing, power, boxing mind as well. So I mixed up all these things."Dev's success is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of excellence. As he prepares for the Paris Olympics, he carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, determined to make India proud on the world stage.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has made a significant move by joining World Boxing, a breakaway organization from the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA). This decision aims to safeguard the future of boxing in the Olympics, as the IOC has threatened to exclude the sport from the 2028 Los Angeles Games if national federations continue to align with the IBA.BFI President Ajay Singh emphasized the importance of retaining boxing's Olympic status, stating, "It is absolutely vital to the sustainability of boxing that it retains its Olympics status, so we are delighted to join World Boxing." He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the WB Executive Board to shape the sport's future and provide a brighter outlook for boxers worldwide.World Boxing, led by former IBA presidential candidate Boris van der Vorst, was established in April 2023 with the goal of ensuring boxing's place in the Olympic movement. The BFI's membership application was approved by its General Assembly and will be ratified by World Boxing's Executive Board.Van der Vorst welcomed the BFI's decision, acknowledging India's significance in international boxing. He stated, "India is a very important country in international boxing and we look forward to welcoming the BFI into the growing World Boxing family. This is a very exciting development which will significantly increase our presence in Asia and I look forward to working closely with the BFI in delivering our common goals."On May 7, WB held its first formal meeting with the IOC, marking the beginning of a collaboration aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games. The IOC had de-recognized the IBA in 2019 due to ongoing financial, sports integrity, and governance issues.As a result, boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be overseen by the IOC, marking the second consecutive time that the IBA will have no involvement in the sport at the mega-event.

Former Indian shooting ace Jaspal Rana has vehemently criticized the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) decision to send Olympic-bound shooters to the World Cup in Munich, commencing on Friday. Rana, an Asian Games gold medalist, questioned the rationale behind selecting Olympic-bound shooters for the World Cup just before the quadrennial event.Rana emphasized that the World Cup will not benefit shooters in their Olympic preparations, as it is challenging to maintain peak performance for an extended period. "No player wants to perform badly in the World Cup. But if you're at your peak now, will you be at your peak after one month also? Which sports science center will tell you that players can stay at their peak for three months? You can't stay at peak level for long," Rana asserted.He further criticized the NRAI's inconsistent policy, stating, "The policy was wrong, and when you've made the policy, just stick to it. You're not sticking to your policy. If there is no ranking and point system in the Munich World Cup, why are you delaying the names of the selected shooters for the Olympics? Even if you have to adjust one to two players, then reveal the rest of the players so that they can start their preparations."Rana suggested that India should have followed the approach adopted by other countries like China and the USA, who have sent their second-string squads to the World Cup in Germany. "Other countries have sent their B or C category squad for the World Cup. Very less Olympic-bound shooters will participate in it. This is not an opportunity for the Olympic team," he said.With less than two months remaining for the Paris Olympics, there is still no clarity on India's shooting squad for the event. Rana expressed concern about the lack of leadership within the NRAI, stating, "I've failed to understand that if NRAI doesn't have the president, chairman of the selection committee, and policy-making committee, then how are they selecting the team? It could be one of the reasons that the chairman of the NRAI selection committee is not there, that's why they're delaying the announcement."Despite the challenges, Rana remains optimistic about the Indian shooters' performance in Paris. "Yes, we were well prepared last time. This time too, our preparations are pretty well. The only thing that went wrong last time was the postponement of the Games due to Covid-19. Our team was at its peak at the time of the Olympics (as per the original schedule in 2020). After that, due to a lot of problems, we couldn't manage it properly," he said. "I'm quite positive," Rana added, expressing his belief in India's medal chances at the Paris Olympics.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is seeking clarification from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) regarding the rules for mixed team events at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This clarification could potentially impact India's Olympic selection process.NRAI has conducted four rounds of Olympic Selection Trials (OST) to select the shooting team, but the final squad announcement is pending. The trials produced some unexpected results, with 2022 World Champion Rudrankksh Patil finishing third in the 10m air rifle event, behind Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta.According to NRAI's selection policy, the top two shooters in the trials automatically qualify for the Olympics. However, for mixed team events, the ISSF rule for Paris Olympics states that if the number of mixed teams entered exceeds the available firing points, the Qualification Ranking for Olympic Games (QROG) will be used to determine the final entry list.The QROG considers the combined points of both members of the mixed team in their respective individual events. Rudrankksh currently ranks second in the QROG for 10m air rifle, while Babuta is 33rd and Singh is 48th. This means that Rudrankksh, who did not qualify for the Olympics individually, could have a better chance of qualifying for the mixed team event based on his QROG ranking.NRAI has sought clarification on the number of mixed teams that will be selected and the criteria that will be followed. The association has also issued fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for personal coaches who wish to accompany their wards during training in the lead-up to the Olympics.