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Ivan Litvinovich, a Belarusian athlete competing as a neutral at the Paris Olympics, has become the first to win gold in this capacity. However, his victory will not be reflected in the official medals table.Litvinovich, 23, successfully defended his title in the men's trampoline final, with China's Wang Zisai and Yan Langyu claiming silver and bronze respectively. The Belarusian's triumph marks a significant moment for neutral athletes, who are gradually returning to international competitions under strict conditions.Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from world sport. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has since overseen their return under a neutral banner, subject to rigorous screening.To qualify as "neutral individual athletes," competitors must demonstrate exceptional results and undergo a double check by international sports federations and the IOC. They must also prove that they do not actively support the war in Ukraine or have any ties to their countries' armies.Neutral athletes are prohibited from participating in the opening ceremony or competing under their national flags. Additionally, their achievements on the podium are not recognized in the medals table.Only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians accepted the invitation to compete as neutrals at the Paris Games. Instead of hearing the Belarusian national anthem after receiving his medal, Litvinovich listened to a generic tune commissioned by the IOC."It's different," Litvinovich said. "Our anthem is better, and I hope we'll be able to participate in competitions listening to it."Litvinovich declined to comment on his presence at the Games, particularly in relation to his previous expressions of support for Belarus.Earlier in the day, Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya from Belarus won the first medal of any kind by a neutral athlete at the Paris Games, taking silver in the women's trampoline.

Leon Marchand's "perfect week" culminated in a historic triumph at the Paris Olympics, as he became the first male swimmer since Michael Phelps in 2008 to win four individual gold medals at a single Games. The 22-year-old Frenchman capped off his remarkable performance with an emphatic victory in the 200m individual medley, setting an Olympic record of 1min 54.06sec.Marchand's dominance was evident throughout the race. After trailing China's Wang Shun in the opening butterfly leg, he surged ahead during the backstroke and extended his lead with a powerful breaststroke 50. Despite a valiant effort from Britain's Duncan Scott, Marchand held on to his advantage in the final freestyle leg, eliciting thunderous applause from the ecstatic home crowd.The victory marked Marchand's fourth gold medal of the Games, following his triumphs in the 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, and 400m individual medley. His success has been attributed to his meticulous training under Bob Bowman, Phelps' former coach."It was just a complete success in terms of the way I see things," Bowman said. "He's just 100% successful. I'm so very proud of him. It takes a lot to be perfect."Marchand's impact on the sport has been profound, according to Scott. "He's becoming a sort of global superstar now and he kind of runs France now," Scott said. "It's amazing, and the kid, he's loved it. You can see he's doing it with a smile on his face and the crowd's giving him so much energy, it's been amazing to witness it."Despite his remarkable achievements, Marchand remains focused on the future. "It's not over for me. It's only the beginning," he said. "I'm really excited.... my next goal is LA."

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's eligibility for the Paris Olympics has sparked a heated debate about gender in sports. The controversy erupted after her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew from their bout moments after it began.Khelif's eligibility has been questioned since she was disqualified from the 2023 world championships for failing unspecified eligibility tests for women's competition. The lack of transparency surrounding these tests has fueled further controversy.Despite the controversy, Khelif meets the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) threshold for eligibility in boxing, as she was assigned female at birth and her passport reflects this. However, the ongoing rift between the sport's governing body and the IOC has made this a point of contention.Carini initially expressed regret over her actions in the bout, stating that she "wants to apologize" to Khelif. However, she later told an Italian newspaper that she "had to preserve her life" in that moment.The IOC has stood by Khelif, stating that everyone must be allowed to play the sport "without discrimination." The IOC also condemned the abuse that Khelif and other athletes have received.The incident has highlighted the complex and sensitive issue of gender in sports. It has also raised questions about the fairness and transparency of eligibility tests. As the debate continues, it is crucial to ensure that all athletes are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their gender identity.

Indian distance runner Parul Chaudhary narrowly missed her national record in the women's 5000m race at the Paris Olympics, finishing 24th overall. Despite her impressive performance, Chaudhary and fellow Indian Ankita Dhyani failed to qualify for the final round.Chaudhary, who holds the national record of 15 minutes 10.35 seconds, clocked 15:10.68 in heat number one, finishing 14th. Dhyani placed 20th and last in the same heat, finishing 40th overall.The qualification round was dominated by reigning Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, who topped the standings with a time of 14:57.56. Tokyo Games gold medallist Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands followed closely behind with a time of 14:57.65. Current 5000m world record holder Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia finished fifth overall with a time of 14:57.84.Only the top eight finishers in each of the two heats advanced to the final round. Chaudhary, who had qualified for the 5000m race through world ranking quota, was unable to meet the direct entry time of 14:52.00. Dhyani also qualified through world ranking quota and made the cut at the last minute.Chaudhary's primary event at the Paris Olympics is the 3000m steeplechase, which she will compete in on Sunday. She had hoped to qualify for the 5000m final as well, but her narrow miss by one-third of a second proved costly.Despite the disappointment, Chaudhary's performance is a testament to her talent and determination. She remains a strong contender in the 3000m steeplechase and will be looking to make a mark in that event at the Paris Olympics.

Indian Athletes Receive Portable ACs to Combat Paris HeatIndian athletes competing at the Paris Olympic Games have been provided with 40 portable air conditioners by the country's sports ministry to alleviate the discomfort caused by soaring temperatures and inadequate cooling in their rooms at the Olympic Village.The decision to provide the ACs was made after discussions with the Indian Olympic Association and the French Embassy in India. The ministry recognized the challenges faced by athletes due to the extreme heat and humidity in Paris, which have been exacerbated by the organizers' decision to minimize air conditioning to reduce the event's carbon footprint.Temperatures in Paris and Chateauroux, the two main Olympic venues, have reached uncomfortable levels, with reports indicating that they have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius on some days. During the men's 50m rifle 3-positions event, all eight finalists, including India's bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale, were visibly sweating profusely at the Chateauroux shooting range.Prior to the Games, several contingents expressed concerns about the weather conditions in Paris, prompting the USA contingent to bring their own portable air conditioners. Other countries have reportedly followed suit, and India has now joined the bandwagon.The portable ACs provided by the Indian sports ministry are plug-and-play units that have been distributed to athletes in their rooms at the Olympic Village. The ministry expects that the ACs will provide a more comfortable living environment and facilitate better rest, which is crucial for optimal performance.The decision to provide the ACs was made on Friday, and the cost is being borne by the ministry. The move has been welcomed by athletes, who have expressed their gratitude for the support and the improved living conditions.

Beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, convicted of child rape in 2016, has faced intense backlash from spectators during his first two matches at the Paris Olympic Games. The 29-year-old Dutch athlete was met with loud boos each time he served the ball, reflecting the public's outrage over his inclusion on the Olympic team.Van de Velde's presence at the Games has sparked controversy, with many questioning the decision to allow an admitted rapist to compete. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl he met online and served 13 months in prison. Despite his conviction, he resumed his athletic career shortly after his release and has continued to compete internationally.The Netherlands Volleyball Federation has defended Van de Velde's inclusion on the team, citing his professional counseling and efforts towards self-reflection. However, this stance has not quelled public anger, which has been vocal both online and in the stands.During his opening match against Italy, Van de Velde was initially met with a mix of boos and some applause from Dutch fans. His partner, Matthew Immers, received only cheers. The duo lost to the Italian team after three sets. In their subsequent match against Chile, the crowd's reaction was more jarring, with Van de Velde being booed every time he served. Despite winning the game in two sets, the audience did not offer the customary applause.Immers expressed disappointment with the crowd's reaction but emphasized his commitment to supporting his teammate. "I cannot do anything about his past anymore. I'm here to play with him. We're going to get through this together," he told the media.In a departure from standard IOC policy, Van de Velde has been disallowed from speaking to the media during the Games. Additionally, he has been relocated to alternative accommodations in Paris, away from the athletes' village, which houses competitors as young as 11. According to team spokesman John van Vliet, the Dutch team's decision aims to maintain focus on the athletic competition.The IOC does not influence athlete selection, leaving that responsibility to national committees while ensuring eligibility criteria are met. The International Volleyball Federation acknowledged the issue's sensitivity but reiterated that team selection is the prerogative of the national Olympic committee.

Atlys CEO Mohak Nahta's recent LinkedIn post has sparked excitement among Indians and visa seekers alike. In a bold move, Nahta pledged to provide free visas to all users if Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, wins gold again at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Nahta's initial post, which garnered over 1,100 reactions, stated, "I will personally send a free visa to everyone if Neeraj Chopra wins a gold at the Olympics. Let's go, India." However, he later clarified the details of the offer in a subsequent post.According to Nahta, if Chopra wins gold on August 8th, Atlys will offer one free visa to all users for an entire day. The visa will cost "Zero" and cover "all countries." To avail the offer, users need to follow Atlys on LinkedIn and comment on the post with their email address.The announcement has been met with enthusiasm and appreciation from LinkedIn users. Many expressed their support for Chopra and their eagerness to take advantage of the free visa offer. Some users also suggested that Atlys create a Google form for users to submit their email addresses instead of posting them in the comments section.Atlys, founded in 2020, is a visa application assistance company with offices in the USA, Mumbai, and Gurugram. The company's mission is to simplify the visa application process for individuals and businesses.Nahta's offer is a testament to the growing confidence and optimism surrounding Chopra's chances of winning gold in Paris. The 24-year-old athlete has been in impressive form since his historic triumph at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He recently won the silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and is considered one of the favorites for gold in Paris.If Chopra does indeed win gold, Atlys' free visa offer will provide a significant boost to international travel and tourism. It will also serve as a symbol of India's growing stature in the global sporting arena.

Nikhat Zareen's Olympic debut ended in disappointment as she bowed out in the Round of 16 of the women's 50kg boxing event at the Paris Games. The two-time world champion was outclassed by top seed Wu Yu of China, losing unanimously 5-0.Despite the setback, Zareen remained composed after the bout, acknowledging her opponent's superior performance. However, she later broke down in tears, expressing her regret for not bringing home a medal for India.Zareen admitted to being dejected by the loss but emphasized that she had given it her all. She acknowledged the tough draw, which pitted her against Wu in the second round, but insisted that she was not expecting an easy path.The Indian boxer struggled to find her rhythm against Wu's aggressive style. She landed few punches in the first round, while Wu dominated with her speed and power. Zareen showed more determination in the second round but was unable to overcome Wu's defensive tactics."When I was attacking, she moved quickly and stepped away," Zareen said. "She was faster than me. I couldn't take the lead in the first round since I hadn't faced her, so I didn't have an idea how to play."Zareen's defeat marks a setback in her Olympic aspirations. She had been one of India's medal hopes in Paris, having won two world championships in the past. However, she vowed to learn from the experience and return stronger."I wouldn't put this among my disappointments," she said. "Because I worked extremely hard. I wouldn't blame it on my performance. I've put in all the effort that I could. I will take this as a lesson and will return stronger."Zareen plans to take a break before starting afresh. She will spend time with her family and embark on a solo trip to clear her mind and prepare for the future.

Italian Boxer Angela Carini Abandons Bout Amidst Gender Eligibility ControversyAt the 2024 Paris Olympics, Italian boxer Angela Carini made a shocking decision to abandon her bout against Algerian Imane Khelif after just 46 seconds. The incident has sparked a major debate in the boxing community, as Khelif was previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championship due to failing an unspecified gender eligibility test.Carini's decision to walk out of the ring left her in tears. She had taken a few punches from Khelif, who had been cleared to compete in Paris despite her previous disqualification. Carini's headgear was dislodged at least once before she decided to end the fight.After the bout, Carini revealed that she had suffered a suspected broken nose and felt intense pain. "I felt a severe pain in my nose, and with the maturity of a boxer, I said 'enough,' because I didn't want to, I couldn't finish the match," she said.Khelif's presence at the Olympics has raised questions about the International Boxing Association's (IBA) gender eligibility criteria. The IBA has not disclosed the specific reasons for Khelif's disqualification from the 2023 World Championship, leading to speculation and concerns about the fairness of the process.Carini's decision to abandon the bout has also highlighted the challenges faced by female boxers in a sport that has historically been dominated by men. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for greater transparency and inclusivity in boxing.