Others

Vinesh Phogat's appeal to overturn her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 50kg weight division will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday at 9am Paris time. The Indian wrestler was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight during her final weigh-in, resulting in her last place finish.Phogat's appeal seeks to overturn her disqualification and award her a shared silver medal. The hearing was initially scheduled for Thursday but has been postponed by a day. The Indian side, initially represented by pro bono lawyers, may now have an established lawyer to present Vinesh's case.The CAS has established an ad hoc division in Paris to hear cases during the Olympics, led by president Michael Lenard of the US. The division has dismissed several cases filed during the Games, including one by Spaniard David Sanchez Lopez on Thursday.The Indian contingent had previously appealed to the United World Wrestling (UWW), requesting that wrestlers not be disqualified for results achieved on days when they met the weigh-in requirements. However, the UWW declined to make any changes, emphasizing the need to adhere to rules without exception.Phogat's disqualification has sparked controversy, with many questioning the fairness of disqualifying an athlete for a minor weight discrepancy. The outcome of her appeal will be closely watched by the Indian sporting community and the international wrestling fraternity.

After a thrilling 2-1 victory over Spain, India secured the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, marking their 13th Olympic medal in men's hockey and fourth bronze. Captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed his gratitude and called for continued support for the team.Reflecting on the tournament, Harmanpreet acknowledged the disappointment of their semi-final loss to Germany but praised his team's resilience. "Medal is medal. Both medals are big, I think in terms of Indian hockey, we are going up again, showing that we can beat any team in the world," he said.Harmanpreet emphasized the team's commitment to restoring Indian hockey to its former glory. "India's history in hockey is huge. We are trying to get us back to the top again. It is my humble plea that please support us and we will definitely do better next time," he added.While expressing regret for not winning gold, Harmanpreet expressed satisfaction with the team's medal performance. "This is a big achievement for us. One has to wait for Olympics for four years. Our mentality is that we want to win always. We wanted to win gold and people believed in us that we can win gold, and for that, I apologize. We could have done it, but we just fell short. But we have won back-to-back medals, and that is a big achievement for India," he said.Harmanpreet specifically lauded goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, whose outstanding performance in the bronze medal match was pivotal. "There are kids in our team, who are younger than PR Sreejesh's career. He has been with us for such a long time and he has made India proud. It was an emotional moment for the team and we wanted to dedicate this tournament to PR Sreejesh," he concluded.

Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics has sent shockwaves through the Indian contingent and fans alike. The wrestler, who had emerged as a beacon of hope after her impressive performance on Tuesday, was found to be 100 grams over the 50kg weight limit during the weigh-in on Wednesday.Phogat, who normally competes in the 53kg category, had been forced to grapple in the 50kg weight class to qualify for the Olympics. She had overcome formidable opponents to reach the final, sparking immense pride and joy among Indians.However, the mood turned sour when news of her disqualification broke. Fans expressed heartbreak, dejection, and anger, while the Indian hockey team's loss to Germany in the semifinals added to the disappointment.Phogat's disqualification has raised questions about the risks involved in extreme weight cutting. Dr. Manoj Jain, a consultant for general surgery, explained that a person's body weight can fluctuate by 0.5 to 1 kg throughout a typical week. Phogat's nutritionist had planned for her to consume 1.5kg of food and liquids to ensure enough energy for her three duels on Tuesday.Despite following the normal weight cut procedure, Phogat was still 100 grams too heavy. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the chief medical officer, revealed that Phogat had spent the previous night cycling and jogging to lose the 2kg she had gained after her Tuesday's weight check and three bouts.Phogat's disqualification has sparked a debate about the need for stricter regulations regarding weight cutting. Some experts believe that the practice can be dangerous and should be discouraged, while others argue that it is a necessary evil in competitive sports.Despite the setback, Phogat's fighting spirit and determination have inspired many. Fans and fellow athletes alike have expressed their support and belief that she will bounce back stronger.

India's javelin star Neeraj Chopra has begun his Olympic title defense with a resounding performance in the qualification round at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Chopra's opening throw of 89.34m was his season best and just shy of his personal best (89.94m), securing him a direct entry into the final.Chopra's impressive throw in Group B was the second best of his career and showcased his remarkable fitness despite battling an adductor niggle in the lead-up to the Games. The 26-year-old reigning world champion topped the qualification round, which combined Group A and B, with his monstrous throw.Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada finished second in Group B with a throw of 88.63m, while Julian Weber of Germany, who won Group A with 87.76m, was third overall. Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan also qualified for the finals with a throw of 86.59m in Group B.Chopra's performance has sparked excitement among Indian fans, with cricketer Rishabh Pant making a bold promise on social media. Pant pledged to give Rs 1,00,089 to a lucky winner who likes and comments on his post if Neeraj wins gold on Thursday.Other Indian celebrities, including a parody account of star batter Virat Kohli, have also promised to reward fans if Chopra secures the gold medal. These gestures reflect the immense support and admiration for Chopra, who is widely regarded as one of India's greatest athletes.Chopra's qualification performance is a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional talent. As he prepares for the men's javelin throw final on Thursday, the nation will be rooting for him to repeat his historic gold medal victory from the Tokyo Olympics.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics has been marred by controversy. After defeating Angela Carini from Italy, Khelif faced accusations of being a trans woman, sparking a heated debate on social media. The International Boxing Association (IBA) subsequently disqualified her from world championships for being "male."Khelif's uncle, Rachid Jabeur, has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that she was born and raised as a female. He revealed that Khelif's talent was discovered while she was playing with boys on the streets. Despite her father's initial reluctance due to societal pressure, Jabeur and his wife took Khelif under their wing to support her boxing aspirations.Khelif's path to success was not without challenges. She faced bullying for being a female boxer and had to work hard to cover her training costs by selling scrap copper. However, she remained determined and overcame these obstacles with the support of her family and friends.The controversy surrounding Khelif's gender has raised questions about the IBA's eligibility criteria. The IOC has stripped the IBA of its status as the global governing body for boxing, citing concerns over its handling of the situation.Khelif's case highlights the ongoing debate about transgender athletes in sports. The IOC has guidelines in place to ensure fair competition, but the issue remains complex and controversial.Despite the setbacks, Khelif remains focused on her goal of competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She has appealed the IBA's decision and is determined to prove her eligibility. Her story serves as an inspiration for athletes who face discrimination and challenges in their pursuit of excellence.

Field Hockey: Scoring, Fouls, and Penalties in the Paris OlympicsField hockey is a fast-paced and exciting sport where the primary objective is to score the most goals within 60 minutes. This time is divided into four 15-minute quarters.Scoring:The game begins with a pushback, where a player plays the ball from the center of the court. Each team then attempts to gain control of the ball and score a goal by hitting it into the opposing team's net.Fouls and Penalties:During the game, either team can commit a foul or a forbidden player action. Fouls can be more severe if committed within the Dee, a designated area in front of the goal.Common fouls include:* Hitting the ball with the foot* Obstructing an opponent* Dangerous playEach foul results in one of three strike options for the opposing team:* Free Hit: Given for fouls outside the Dee.* Penalty Corner: Awarded for fouls within the Dee.* Penalty Stroke: A rare opportunity to score a goal, given for serious fouls within the Dee.Penalty Corner:A penalty corner is a strategic opportunity to score a goal. The team can aim the ball at an opposing player's foot to earn a penalty corner. The ball is then placed on the goal line, and the attacking team has five attempts to score.Penalty Stroke:A penalty stroke is a one-on-one opportunity for a player to score a goal. It is awarded for serious fouls within the Dee, such as deliberately blocking the ball with the foot or other body parts. The player takes a shot from the penalty spot, facing the goalkeeper.Conclusion:Field hockey is a dynamic sport that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork. Understanding the rules and penalties is crucial for players and spectators alike. The Paris Olympics will showcase the world's best field hockey teams competing for gold.

Day 13 of the Paris Olympics promises to be a pivotal day for India, with Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in men's javelin throw, set to defend his title in the final. Chopra's impressive qualification throw of 89.34m on his first attempt has positioned him as the frontrunner in the event. If successful, he will become only the fifth man in Olympic javelin throw history to retain the title and the first Indian to win multiple gold medals in singles events.Meanwhile, the Indian men's hockey team will face Spain in the bronze medal match after a narrow 2-3 defeat to Germany in the semi-final. Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates will be determined to secure a podium finish for the second consecutive Olympics.In wrestling, Aman Sehrawat and Anshu Malik will begin their campaigns in the round of 16 matches in the men's 57kg freestyle and women's 57kg freestyle categories, respectively.Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will represent India in the women's individual strokeplay round 2 golf event.

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal's Olympic debut in Paris has taken a disastrous turn after she was disqualified and deported for a serious breach of protocol. The incident has cast a shadow over the Indian contingent's participation in the Games.Panghal's troubles began after she was eliminated from the women's 53 kg wrestling event. She returned to her hotel, where her designated coach Bhagat Singh and actual coach Vikas were staying. Panghal handed her official accreditation to her younger sister Nisha to collect her belongings from the Olympic Games Village.However, Nisha was caught by security using the accreditation, which is strictly prohibited. She was detained by Paris police and questioned before being released. As a result, Antim's accreditation was revoked, and she will be deported back to India along with her entourage.The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has issued an official statement condemning the incident. "Indian wrestler Antim Panghal and her support staff to be flown back from Olympics following disciplinary breach in Paris," the statement read.The situation worsened when Panghal's personal support staff, Vikas and Bhagat, allegedly traveled in an inebriated state in a cab and refused to pay the fare. The driver called the police, further embarrassing the Indian contingent."We are fighting fire as of now," said an IOA source. "We have a bad situation at hand, our security officer is dealing with the situation."Panghal's Olympic hopes were dashed after she suffered a crushing 0-10 defeat to Turkish opponent Yetgil Zeynep in the first round. Despite the loss, she had a slim chance of qualifying for the repechage if Zeynep reached the final. However, Zeynep lost in the quarterfinals, ending Panghal's hopes of a medal.The incident has raised serious questions about the discipline and conduct of the Indian contingent at the Olympics. The IOA has vowed to take strict action against those responsible for the breach of protocol.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the Paris Games, placing fourth in the 49kg division on Wednesday. Despite battling persistent fitness issues, Chanu showcased her resilience and determination throughout the competition.Chanu's journey to Paris was marked by a series of setbacks, including a hip tendonitis injury sustained at the Asian Games. To address recurring muscle imbalances, she sought the expertise of strength and conditioning expert Dr. Aaron Horschig in St. Louis, USA.In the 12-woman contest, Chanu faced formidable competition from lifters with entry weights of 200kg or more. Her total lift of 199kg proved insufficient to secure a medal.Chanu opened with a successful 85kg snatch, equaling her personal best in her third attempt. However, she failed to lift 88kg in her second attempt. In the clean and jerk, Chanu initially listed 107kg but increased it to 111kg after witnessing Cambei's effortless 106kg lift.Despite a strong first attempt, Chanu missed her second throw. She returned for a 111kg lift, which she successfully executed. However, her total lift of 199kg placed her third at that stage, behind Cambei and Zhihui.Chanu and Khambao both attempted 113kg, with the Thai's clean lift propelling her to second place. The Romanian Cambei lifted 112kg to extend her lead, forcing Chanu to attempt 114kg.Chanu's first throw was successful, but she was unable to complete the lift, ending her competition with a total of 199kg.Despite the disappointment of missing out on a medal, Chanu's performance in Paris demonstrated her unwavering spirit and the progress she has made in overcoming her fitness challenges.