Others

Jonnie Peacock's journey to Paralympic stardom is a testament to resilience and the unwavering support of his mother, Linda. Diagnosed with meningitis at age five, Peacock faced the possibility of losing his life. However, thanks to the quick thinking of his mother and the skill of surgeon Per Hall, he survived, albeit with the amputation of his lower right leg.Initially, Peacock struggled to accept his new reality, blaming his mother for his amputation. But with time, their bond grew stronger, and Linda became an integral part of his recovery and athletic pursuits. She ferried him to countless events and training sessions, instilling in him the resilience that would fuel his Paralympic success.Peacock's Paralympic debut in London 2012 was a triumph, as he claimed the 100m title at just 19 years old. He repeated the feat in Rio four years later, but a bronze medal in Tokyo 2021 left him hungry for more.Now, at 31, Peacock is determined to reclaim his 100m crown in Paris. He believes his experience and the pressure of competing in a packed stadium will give him an edge over his rivals.Peacock's success extends beyond the track. He is a role model for countless young people, promoting the Tackle Meningitis campaign and raising awareness about the devastating effects of the disease. He credits his mother for his positive outlook and the unwavering support that has shaped his life.

Tragedy has struck the hockey world as Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were tragically killed in a bicycle accident on Thursday night in New Jersey. The 31-year-old Gaudreau, known affectionately as "Johnny Hockey," and his 29-year-old brother were struck by a vehicle in Oldmans Township, approximately 50 miles from Trenton.The driver of the car, a 43-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The Gaudreau brothers were reportedly returning home for their sister's wedding on Friday.Gaudreau's death has sent shockwaves through the NHL. Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his profound sadness, stating that Gaudreau's "infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey.'"Gaudreau, a native of New Jersey, played his first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before joining the Blue Jackets in 2022. He represented Team USA in world championships and was known for his electrifying play and infectious personality.The Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement expressing their devastation over the loss of Gaudreau, who they described as "not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.""He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him," the statement read.The Calgary Flames also paid tribute to their former player, stating that "Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary."Gaudreau's death is a tragic loss for the hockey community and beyond. His infectious spirit and exceptional talent will be deeply missed.

Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to make history as he joins Mercedes in Formula One next season, replacing the legendary Lewis Hamilton. The 18-year-old from Bologna has had a remarkable youth career, winning multiple championships and showcasing exceptional talent.Antonelli's journey to Formula One began in 2022, when he dominated the Italian and German Formula 4 championships. He continued his winning streak in 2023, claiming the Middle East and European regional Formula championships. This season, he skipped Formula 3 and jumped straight into Formula 2, where he has impressed despite a slow start.Antonelli's breakthrough came at the Silverstone sprint race in July, where he secured his first victory. He followed this up with a win in the main race in Budapest two weeks later. Currently, he sits seventh in the championship with four rounds remaining.Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff expressed his excitement about the partnership between Antonelli and George Russell, another product of the team's junior program. "Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth, and raw speed," Wolff said. "We are confident that George and Kimi will bring a winning combination to the team."Antonelli's move to Mercedes is a testament to his exceptional talent and the team's belief in his potential. He will replace Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari after this season. The young Italian will have the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history and contribute to Mercedes' continued success.

India's Schedule at Paris Paralympics 2024: Saturday, August 31India's Paralympic contingent will continue their quest for glory on Saturday, August 31, with a packed schedule of events. Among the highlights will be the performance of armless archer Sheetal Devi, who has already made a strong impression in the women's individual compound open event.Morning Session:* 12:00 PM: Para badminton - Mandeep Kaur vs Celine Aureline Vinot (Australia) - Women's Singles SL3 Group B (Group Stage)* 1:00 PM: Para shooting - Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar - R1 Men's 10m Air Rifle SH1 Standing (Qualification)* 1:20 PM: Para badminton - Nitish Kumar vs Mongkhon Bunsun (Thailand) - Men's Singles SL3 Group A (Group Stage)* 1:30 PM: Para cycling - Jyoti Gaderiya - Women's 500m Time Trial C1-C3 (Qualification)* 1:49 PM: Para cycling - Arshad Shaik - Men's 1000m Time Trial C1-C3 (Qualification)* 2:00 PM: Para badminton - Manoj Sarkar vs Ynag Jianyuan (China) - Men's Singles SL3 Group A (Group Stage)Afternoon Session:* 2:40 PM: Para rowing - Anita/Narayana - PR 3 Mixed Doubles Sculls (Repechage)* 2:40 PM: Para badminton - Sukant Kadam vs Siripong Teamarrom (Thailand) - Men's Singles SL4 Group B (Group Stage)* 3:20 PM: Para badminton - Tarun Dhillon vs Lucas Mazur (France) - Men's Singles SL4 Group D (Group Stage)* 3:30 PM: Para shooting - Rubina Francis - P2 Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1 (Qualification)* 3:45 PM: Para shooting - Subject to Qualification - R1 Men's 10m Air Rifle SH1 Standing (Finals)* 4:00 PM: Para badminton - Manisha Ramadas vs Yang Qiu Xia (China) - Women's Singles SU5 Group C (Group Stage)Evening Session:* 5:05 PM: Para cycling - Subject to Qualification - Women's 500m Time Trial C1-C3 (Finals)* 5:32 PM: Para cycling - Subject to Qualification - Men's 1000m Time Trial C1-C3 (Finals)* 6:15 PM: Para shooting - Subject to Qualification - P2 Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1 (Finals)* 7.00 PM: Para archery - Sarita vs Eleonara Sarti (Italy) - Women's Individual Compound Open (Round of 16)* 8:59 PM: Para archery - Sheetal Devi vs Mariana Zuniga (Chile) - Women's Individual Compound Open (Round of 16)* 9:16 PM: Para archery - Subject to Qualification - Women's Individual Compound Open (Quarterfinals)* 10:24 PM: Para archery - Subject to Qualification - Women's Individual Compound Open (Semifinals)* 10:30 PM: Para athletics - Parveen Kumar - Men's Javelin F57 (Finals)* 11:13 PM: Para archery - Subject to Qualification - Women's Individual Compound Open (Bronze Medal Match)* 11:30 PM: Para archery - Subject to Qualification - Women's Individual Compound Open (Finals)

Mona Agarwal, a mother of two, has overcome immense challenges to achieve her dream of winning a Paralympic medal. Despite being away from her children and facing financial difficulties, she persevered and clinched the bronze medal in women's 10m air rifle at the Tokyo Paralympics.Mona's journey to the Paralympics was filled with obstacles. She left home in 2010 to pursue a career in sports, but it wasn't until 2016 that she discovered the Paralympics. She experimented with various sports before settling on shooting, where she found her niche.The financial burden of training and competing was another hurdle Mona had to overcome. However, she remained determined and sought support from her family and friends. Their encouragement and belief in her abilities gave her the strength to push through the tough times.Mona's children were a constant source of motivation for her. Despite being away from them, she made regular video calls to stay connected. However, the children's innocent remarks about her forgetting her way home would often bring tears to her eyes."I used to cry every evening when I would speak with my kids," Mona said. "I then started calling them once a week."Mona's perseverance and resilience paid off when she secured a spot on the Indian Paralympic team. She entered the competition with the goal of winning a medal, and she delivered. Her bronze medal is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit."This is my first Paralympics, I just started shooting two-and-a-half years back and within this period I reached this platform and performed my best and achieved my (goal of winning a) medal," Mona said.Mona's victory is an inspiration to all who face adversity. It shows that with determination and support, anything is possible. Her story is a reminder that dreams can come true, no matter the obstacles that stand in our way.

Indian middle-distance runner Parvej Khan, who recently gained recognition for his impressive performances in the NCAA circuit in the United States, has been provisionally suspended after failing a dope test. The 19-year-old faces a potential four-year ban if found guilty of doping.Khan's provisional suspension was confirmed by a source privy to the development. The date of commencement and the nature of the banned substance remain undisclosed. It is believed that his dope sample was collected during the National Inter-State Championships in Panchkula, where he competed for the first time since the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar in June 2023.Khan's suspension comes as a major setback for the young athlete, who had emerged as a rising star in Indian track and field. He became the first Indian to qualify for the final of a track event in the NCAA Championships earlier this year, representing the University of Florida on scholarship.Hailing from a humble farming family in Haryana, Khan's journey to the top has been marked by determination and hard work. He won the 1500m gold at the 2022 National Games and has consistently improved his personal bests.Khan's provisional suspension serves as a reminder of the importance of clean sport and the consequences of doping. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is responsible for enforcing anti-doping regulations in India and ensuring the integrity of sports competitions.The outcome of Khan's case will be closely watched by the Indian sporting community and beyond. If found guilty, he will face a significant setback in his career and will serve as a cautionary tale for other athletes tempted to engage in doping.

Seasoned Indian archer Rakesh Kumar made a strong start to his Paralympic campaign, securing a 136-131 victory over Senegal's Aliou Drame in the compound men's open category pre-quarterfinals on Friday. The fifth-seeded Rakesh will now face Indonesia's Ken Swagumilang (12th seed) for a place in the quarterfinals.Rakesh, who won a silver medal at the Asian Para Games but was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Paralympics, began the match with a perfect 10 in the first end, giving him a three-point lead. Aliou took the second end by a single point, but Rakesh maintained his lead and extended it by five points in the third end with two more 10s.The Indian archer continued his dominance, winning the fourth end to establish a six-point lead. Aliou managed to win the final end by three arrows, dropping just one point, but Rakesh's substantial lead ensured his progression to the last 16.Another Indian archer, Shyam Sunder Swami, who was seeded 15th in the qualification round, will begin his campaign later in the day against Comsan Singpirom of Thailand.Rakesh's victory marks a promising start for India's archery contingent at the Paralympics. The experienced archer will be aiming to improve on his performance in Tokyo and secure a medal for his country.

Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto is set to make his Formula One debut at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, becoming the first driver from his country to compete in the sport in over two decades. Colapinto will replace Logan Sargeant at Williams, who has struggled this season.Despite the excitement surrounding his debut, Colapinto has downplayed comparisons to football legend Lionel Messi, who is considered one of the greatest players of all time."It's very difficult to feel as Lionel Messi, I don't know how it is to feel that," Colapinto said. "But sometimes I see that they compare me and I'm like, you guys are crazy, like Messi is God, it's like you cannot, how are you comparing me?"Colapinto has set modest expectations for his debut, acknowledging that Williams has had a challenging season."I am not expecting much... I just want to go step by step, I want to focus on myself," he said. "That's the main thing I think. To be able to be focused on my job. To be able to do what the team expects. And I am, to be honest, more than sure that I can do it."Colapinto's debut will be a significant moment for Argentine motorsport, and he is eager to make the most of the opportunity."I'm very excited to be here, to be honest," he said. "It's a dream come true. I've been working for this for my whole life, so it's a very special moment for me."The Italian Grand Prix will take place at the iconic Monza circuit, which is known for its high speeds and challenging layout. Colapinto will have two practice sessions on Friday to familiarize himself with the track before qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra has emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health training for Indian athletes across all sports. He acknowledges that while progress is being made, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the benefits of mental health support reach the grassroots level.Bindra believes that mental health directly influences an athlete's overall well-being and performance. He stresses that sports administrators share equal responsibility in ensuring the well-being of athletes. He cites the presence of a mental health expert with the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics as a positive step in the right direction.Bindra rejects the notion that athletes today are "softer" than those in the past. He argues that the results and history of sports show that the "softer" athletes are actually winning more. He shares his personal experience of how a meditation course helped him rediscover his love for shooting after winning the Olympic gold in 2008.Bindra acknowledges that he was guilty of not realizing his full potential because he judged himself based on tournament outcomes. He believes that athletes need to humanize their efforts and not equate their worth to their rankings or achievements. By focusing on the process and enjoying the journey, athletes can reach their true potential.Bindra emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to athleticism, where both physical and mental health are prioritized. He believes that this balance will help athletes achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives beyond sports.