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COVID-19 Surge Impacts Paris Olympics: Over 40 Athletes Test PositiveThe World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over a global resurgence of COVID-19 cases, highlighting the infection of over 40 athletes at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics. The WHO emphasized the need for countries to enhance their response systems as the virus continues to circulate.Prominent athletes have fallen victim to COVID-19 at the Games. British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive after winning silver in the 100m breaststroke, while Australian medal hopeful Lani Pallister withdrew from the women's 1500m freestyle due to illness.Data from 84 countries indicates a steady rise in the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Wastewater surveillance suggests that the virus's circulation is significantly higher than reported, potentially two to 20 times more."This is concerning because the virus continues to evolve, posing a risk of more severe variants that could evade detection and medical interventions," said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness director.The high circulation of the virus is unusual for respiratory viruses, which typically experience seasonal surges. However, in recent months, many countries have witnessed COVID-19 spikes, including at the Olympics."It's not surprising that athletes are being infected, given the rampant circulation of the virus," Van Kerkhove added.The WHO urged countries to strengthen their surveillance, testing, and vaccination efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus. The organization also emphasized the importance of adhering to public health measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

India's Olympic hopes in men's table tennis were dashed on Tuesday as they succumbed to a 0-3 defeat against table tennis powerhouse China in the pre-quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics.The Indian duo of Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar faced an uphill battle in the opening doubles match, losing 2-11 3-11 7-11 to the formidable Chinese pair of Ma Long and Chuqin Wang.Veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal, India's lone medal hope, displayed resilience in the first singles against Olympic champion Fan Zhendong. Sharath stunned the Chinese star by winning the first game 11-9. However, Zhendong regrouped and showcased his class, outplaying Sharath 11-7 11-7 11-5 in the subsequent three games.With India trailing 0-2, the onus fell on 24-year-old Manav Thakkar to salvage the tie. However, Thakkar struggled against Chuqin, losing 9-11 6-11 9-11.The Indian women's team had earlier made history by defeating higher-ranked Romania 3-2 in a thrilling quarterfinal encounter. Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamat displayed exceptional skill and determination to secure India's place in the quarterfinals.Despite the disappointing result, the Indian men's team can take solace in their spirited performance against one of the world's strongest table tennis nations. Sharath Kamal's resilience and the young players' determination bode well for the future of Indian table tennis.

Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulting sensation, has once again etched his name in the annals of sporting history by breaking his own world record and securing the Olympic gold medal in Paris.In a thrilling climax to the fifth day of track and field at the Stade de France, Duplantis soared over the bar set at an astonishing 6.25 meters, surpassing his previous best of 6.24m set in April. The crowd of 69,000 erupted in thunderous applause as the 24-year-old star shattered the world record by 1cm.Duplantis's triumph was not only a testament to his exceptional athleticism but also a display of his unwavering determination. It marked the ninth time the US-born Swede had broken the record, cementing his status as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time.In the competition, American Sam Kendricks claimed the silver medal with a best of 5.95m, while Greece's Emmanouil Karalis took bronze (5.90) on countback. Duplantis's gold medal made him the first man to retain the pole vault title since American Bob Richards in 1952 and 1956.After his historic victory, Duplantis celebrated in a unique way, mimicking the shooting pose of Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who had gone viral on social media for his casual celebration after winning a silver medal in the Paris Games. Dikec himself took to Twitter to congratulate Duplantis, adding to the camaraderie and sportsmanship on display.Duplantis described his record-breaking performance as an "out-of-body experience." He expressed his gratitude for the support of the crowd, saying, "The biggest dream since a kid was to break the world record at the Olympics, and I've been able to do that in front of the most ridiculous crowd I've ever competed in front of."As he made an emotional lap of the track, draped in the Swedish flag and with Abba's "Dancing Queen" playing in the background, Duplantis rang the victory bell, symbolizing another exceptional display from the irrepressible young athlete.Duplantis's victory was not only a personal triumph but also a moment of national pride for Sweden. The country's Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, tweeted, "Congratulations to Armand Duplantis on his fantastic world record and Olympic gold! What an incredible achievement!"The Swedish pole vaulting star's success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities. His record-breaking performance in Paris will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes and leave a lasting legacy in the sport.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in javelin, is poised to defend his Olympic title at the upcoming Paris Games. The reigning world champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist will embark on his quest for a second consecutive Olympic gold on Tuesday at the iconic Stade de France.Chopra's journey to Paris has been marked by consistency and determination. Despite a minor abductor issue that forced him to withdraw from the Ostrava Golden Spike, he has showcased his prowess with a season-best throw of 88.36m at the Doha Diamond League. He also claimed gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games with a throw of 85.97m.Chopra's main rival in Paris is Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who currently holds the top spot in the men's javelin throw rankings. Vadlejch defeated Chopra in the Diamond League in the lead-up to the Summer Games and is a strong contender for gold.Another threat to Chopra's title is Anderson Peters of Grenada, the two-time world champion. Peters has recovered from an injury-marred 2023 season and has a best throw of 86.62m in 2024. His career-best throw of 93.07m remains unmatched by any of the javelin throwers competing in Paris.European champion Julian Weber of Germany is also a formidable opponent. With a personal best of 89.54m, Weber has consistently thrown over 85m in all five competitions he has participated in this season.Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who won silver at the World Championships last year, is another athlete to watch. Nadeem has a personal best of 90.18m, but has yet to cross the 85m mark this season.As Chopra prepares to defend his Olympic crown, he will face a formidable field of rivals. However, his unwavering determination and exceptional talent make him a strong favorite to add another golden chapter to India's athletics history.

Avinash Sable, India's most decorated track and field athlete after Neeraj Chopra, has become the first Indian man to qualify for the 3000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics. Sable finished fifth in his heat with a time of 8:15.43 minutes, securing a spot in the final round.Sable's heat was won by Morocco's Mohamed Tindouft (8:10.62 minutes), followed by Samuel Firewu of Ethiopia (8:11.61 minutes). Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya (8:12.02 minutes) and Ryuji Miura of Japan (8:12.41 minutes) finished third and fourth, respectively.Despite leading the first two laps, Sable slowed down strategically to conserve energy and qualify for the final. His heat timing was below his personal best of 8:09.91 minutes, which he set at the Paris Diamond League last month.In the women's 400m, Kiran Pahal failed to secure an automatic semi-final berth after finishing seventh in her heat. Pahal clocked 52.51 seconds, well below her season's and personal best of 50.92 seconds.World champion Marileidy Paulino of Dominica won Pahal's heat with a time of 49.42 seconds, followed by Aaliyah Butler (50.52 seconds) of the USA and Susanne Gogl-Walli (50.67 seconds) of Austria.Pahal will now compete in the repechage round on Tuesday, where she will have a second chance to qualify for the semi-finals. The repechage round was introduced in the Paris Olympics for all individual track events from 200m to 1500m, including hurdles events.

Simone Biles, the legendary American gymnast, concluded her remarkable Paris Olympics campaign with a silver medal in the floor exercise on Monday. Despite a fall on the balance beam, Biles showcased her resilience and determination, finishing behind Brazilian Rebeca Andrade.Biles entered the final day of competition with the potential to break the record for most gold medals won by a woman in a single Olympics. She had already led the United States to team gold, regained her all-around crown, and soared to vault gold. However, she faced setbacks on Monday.On the balance beam, Biles suffered a major hiccup, falling off the apparatus. It was her first significant error of the Games, three years after the "twisties" forced her to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics. Biles finished fifth in the beam final, with Italy's Alice D'Amato claiming gold.Despite the disappointment on the beam, Biles rebounded with a breathtaking floor routine. However, two out-of-bounds errors proved costly, preventing her from reaching the top of the podium. Andrade secured gold with 14.166 points, while Biles earned 14.133 for silver.Biles expressed pride in her performance, acknowledging that she had accomplished more than she could have ever imagined. With a total of 11 Olympic and world medals, including 30 golds, she remains one of the most decorated gymnasts in history."I've accomplished way more than my wildest dreams not just at this Olympics but in the sport," Biles said. "So I can't be mad at my performances."Biles's legacy extends beyond her medal count. She has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has inspired countless young athletes. Her return to the Olympics after the challenges she faced in Tokyo is a testament to her perseverance and resilience.In other apparatus finals, Japan's Shinnosuke Oka won his third gold medal of the Games, adding the horizontal bar title to his team and all-around victories. China's Zou Jingyuan retained his parallel bars title, while Ukraine's Illia Kovtun took silver and Oka earned bronze.

India's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, has emerged as a formidable force at the Paris Olympics, defying adversity and showcasing unwavering resilience. Their stunning victory against Great Britain in the quarterfinals has ignited a belief within the squad that they possess something special.The team's journey to the semifinals has been marked by a series of challenges, including a narrow escape against New Zealand and a hard-fought draw with Ireland. However, they have risen to the occasion, displaying exceptional attacking prowess against Australia and a masterclass in defense against Great Britain.Harmanpreet Singh attributes their success to a newfound team spirit and a belief that they can overcome any obstacle. "The kind of situation that happened in the match and we still managed to win, I think something is there," he said. "We are just two steps (away)."The next step for India is a daunting semifinal clash against Germany, the reigning World Cup champions. Germany boasts a formidable attack, led by drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat, and a strong defense. However, India's confidence is sky-high after their victory against Great Britain."If we can win from one man down, then we can definitely beat any team playing with 11 men," said Manpreet Singh, the captain of the Tokyo Olympics team. "If we have beaten Australia, we can beat any team in the world."Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton has played a crucial role in developing the team's resilience. "We've worked hard on it, but it was only ever going to be revealed when the rubber hit the road," he said. "Now we've seen they have resilience."Despite the suspension of Amit Rohidas for the Germany match, India remains determined to make history. They have proven their ability to adapt and overcome adversity, and they are now within touching distance of a medal of a different color than the bronze they won in Tokyo.

Paris, the heart of the 2024 Olympics, reverberates with the global spirit of track and field. Amidst the 80,000-strong crowd at the Stade de France, athletes from diverse nations converge, united by their passion for sport.Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic champion, returns to the javelin throw arena, his presence transcending national boundaries. From Tokyo to Paris, Chopra's journey has transformed him into a global icon, inspiring athletes and fans alike.Max Dehning, a rising star from Germany, acknowledges Chopra's impact on the sport. "He brought more attention to javelin throw and athletics," Dehning says. "He is one of the most famous athletes there is."Chopra's affability and kindness have endeared him to fellow athletes. Ukraine's Kokhan Mykhaylo, a bronze medalist in hammer throw, recalls their interactions in international meets. "He's a good guy. He's very kind. You can always talk with him," Mykhaylo says.Chopra's dedication to his craft is evident in his training regimen. He spends significant time away from home, seeking optimal conditions for his preparation. Like Mykhaylo, who trains in Turkey, Chopra often visits Antalya for training.As Chopra embarks on his Paris Olympics campaign, the world eagerly anticipates his performance. Mykhaylo, having achieved his medal, extends his support to the Indian star. "I wish him good, good luck to secure his Olympic title here," Mykhaylo says.Chopra's journey in Paris is a testament to the global reach of the Olympics and the transformative power of sport. His presence on the world stage inspires millions, showcasing the aspirations and achievements of athletes from all corners of the globe.

Indian wrestler Nisha Dahiya's Olympic dream was shattered in heartbreaking fashion on Monday as she suffered a devastating injury in her quarterfinal bout against North Korea's Pak Sol Gum at the Paris Olympics 2024.Dahiya, competing in the women's 68 kg freestyle category, had dominated the match early on, leading 8-1 with just over 90 seconds remaining. However, tragedy struck when she sustained a severe injury to her right hand, leaving her in excruciating pain.Despite a medical break, Dahiya's right hand was rendered useless, and Pak Sol Gum seized the opportunity to execute a ruthless leg-hold, scoring nine consecutive points to secure a 10-8 victory.The injury was a cruel blow for Dahiya, who had fought valiantly throughout the match. With just 10 seconds remaining, the score was tied at 8-8, but the Haryana wrestler was unable to muster any resistance in the dying moments.Dahiya's loss was met with an outpouring of sympathy and admiration from fans and fellow athletes alike. Despite the setback, she has been hailed as a true warrior for her unwavering spirit and determination."What a fighter, Nisha Dahiya," tweeted former Indian cricketer Farzi Cricketer. "Win or lose, you've made India proud."The Bharat Army, a fan group supporting Indian sports teams, echoed the sentiment: "Nisha might have a shot at repechage if her North Korean opponent reaches the final, but whether she will be in a position to even take the mat is a bigger question."Dahiya's injury is a reminder of the unforgiving nature of sport. However, her resilience and fighting spirit have inspired countless others, proving that true victory lies not only in winning but also in overcoming adversity with grace and determination.