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Nigerian boxer Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore's Olympic dreams have been shattered after she was suspended for violating anti-doping regulations. The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Saturday that a sample collected from Ogunsemilore on Thursday, a day before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, tested positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic and masking agent.Furosemide is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as it can be used to reduce weight or mask the presence of other performance-enhancing substances. The 22-year-old Ogunsemilore, who was set to make her Olympic debut in the under 60 kg category on Monday, has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter.The ITA stated that Ogunsemilore has been informed of the case and has the right to challenge her suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She can also request an analysis of the B sample.Ogunsemilore's suspension marks the third doping case at the Paris Olympics. Iraqi judoka Sajjad Sehen tested positive for anabolic steroids, while Dominican volleyball player Lisvel Eve Mejia also tested positive for furosemide.The ITA's swift action in detecting and suspending athletes for doping violations sends a strong message that the use of performance-enhancing substances will not be tolerated at the Olympics. It also highlights the importance of maintaining a level playing field and protecting the integrity of the Games.Ogunsemilore's suspension is a major setback for the Nigerian boxing team and a reminder that the fight against doping in sports remains an ongoing battle. It is crucial for athletes to adhere to anti-doping regulations and prioritize fair play and ethical competition.

The recent scandal involving three-time Olympic gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin has ignited a heated debate on animal welfare in equestrian sports. The video, which showed Dujardin repeatedly whipping a horse during training, has shocked riders and animal rights activists alike.American rider Boyd Martin, a four-time Olympian, expressed his horror at the video. "Horse welfare is incredibly important," he said. "What we saw was inexcusable."The incident has also highlighted the issue of "Rollkur," a prohibited movement that involves hyper-flexing a horse's neck. Carlos Parro, another rider, was formally warned by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) for potentially causing "unnecessary discomfort" to his horse Safira using this technique.PETA's senior vice president, Kathy Guillermo, expressed concern about the horse's well-being and called for the rider's disqualification.Martin emphasized the importance of positive reinforcement in training horses. "To get the best out of an animal, you've got to train in a way that it wants to please you," he said.The British team has faced intense scrutiny since the Dujardin video emerged. Rider Tom McEwen acknowledged the shock it caused but expressed confidence in showcasing the sport's positive aspects.Former American star David O'Connor, who now holds leadership positions in the FEI and U.S. Equestrian Federation, condemned Dujardin's actions as "completely unacceptable." He emphasized the need for public scrutiny to expose unethical behavior.O'Connor confirmed that any U.S. team rider found guilty of similar ill treatment would be removed from the team. He expressed optimism that increased scrutiny would improve horse welfare.The FEI has implemented reforms to address these concerns, including ethical training methods and clearer directives on horse treatment. An equine welfare coordinator is also present at the Olympics for the first time.The incident has also raised awareness of rider welfare. British rider Laura Collett nearly died in a fall in 2013, highlighting the risks associated with the sport.

Paris Olympics Triathlon Training Canceled Due to Seine River PollutionThe inaugural training session for triathletes at the Paris Olympics was abruptly canceled on Sunday due to concerns over water quality in the River Seine. Following a meeting and water quality tests, organizers from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon jointly decided to scrap the swimming portion of the orientation.Despite earlier tests in mid-July indicating the Seine's suitability for swimming, doubts lingered about its fitness for competition. "Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that the priority is the health of the athletes," the statement emphasized. "The analysis carried out yesterday in the Seine showed water quality levels that... do not present sufficient guarantees to allow the event to take place."Organizers attributed the poor water quality to recent rainfall, which can flush untreated sewage into the river. In the event of substandard water quality, a "Plan B" is in place to postpone the events or relocate the marathon swimming to Vaires-sur-Marne on the Marne river.The cancellation of the training session highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring the cleanliness of the Seine for the Olympics. In July 2022, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris 2024 chief organizer Tony Estanguet swam in the river to demonstrate its improved water quality. However, the recent pollution incident raises concerns about the river's ability to meet the standards required for Olympic competition.Organizers remain confident that water quality will improve before the triathlon competition begins on July 30. They are closely monitoring the situation and will make a decision on any necessary adjustments in due course.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting prodigy, has made history by becoming the first Indian female shooter to reach the final of an individual shooting event at the Olympic Games. Three years after the heartbreak of Tokyo, Bhaker produced a supremely confident performance to qualify for the women's 10m air pistol final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.Bhaker's journey to the final was not without its challenges. In the qualifications, she faced stiff competition from Hungarian ace Veronika Major, who claimed the top spot with a score of 582. However, Bhaker remained composed and shot 580 to finish third, securing her place in the final.The 22-year-old from Jhajjar has been through a rollercoaster of emotions since her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. A pistol malfunction during the qualifications reduced her to tears, but she has shown remarkable resilience to bounce back from that setback.Bhaker's personal coach, Jaspal Rana, was overcome with emotion after witnessing her performance. "What happened today doesn't matter anymore. Tomorrow is when it counts. We start afresh," he said.Bhaker's success is a testament to her hard work and determination. She has won numerous medals on the international stage, including a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. If she takes the top podium spot in the final on Sunday, she will become the only Indian shooter to win a gold medal at the Olympics.India has not won an Olympic medal in shooting since 2012, and Bhaker is well-placed to end that lean run. Her performance in the qualifications has given her a strong foundation for the final, and she will be determined to make history for her country.

The inaugural day of the Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a mixed bag of performances for the Indian contingent. While some athletes made their mark, others fell short of expectations.Shooting:India's shooting campaign got off to a disappointing start. In the 10m air rifle mixed team event, both Indian pairs failed to qualify for the medal matches. Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal finished 13th, while Elavenil Valarivan and Sandeep Singh placed 15th. In the men's 10m air pistol, Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Cheema failed to make the final eight. However, Manu Bhaker qualified for the final in the women's 10m air pistol, finishing third in the qualification round.Badminton:Lakshya Sen kicked off his Paris Olympics campaign with a straight-sets victory over Guatemala's Kevin Cordon in the men's singles. The Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also secured a win in the men's doubles, defeating France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. However, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto suffered a defeat in the women's doubles, losing to South Korea's Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong.Hockey:The Indian Men's Hockey Team made a strong start to their Olympic campaign, defeating New Zealand 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. Goals from Mandeep Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and Harmanpreet Singh sealed the victory for India.Table Tennis:Harmeet Desai advanced to the Round of 64 in the men's singles table tennis, beating Jordan's Zaid Abo Yaman 4-0. He will face Felix Lebrun of France in the next round.Boxing:Preeti Pawar progressed to the Round of 16 in the women's 54kg boxing, defeating Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh by a unanimous decision.Rowing:Balraj Panwar finished fourth in the first heat race of the men's single sculls, failing to qualify directly for the quarterfinals.

Paris Olympics 2024: India's Day 2 Schedule and Medal HopesDay 2 of India's campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be action-packed, with several medal contenders taking center stage.Shooting: Manu Bhaker's Redemption QuestManu Bhaker, India's pistol shooting sensation, will be the focus of attention as she aims to secure the country's first medal at the Games. After a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, Bhaker is determined to make amends. She will compete in the women's 10m air pistol final, where she will face stiff competition from Hungarian ace Veronika Major.Badminton: Sindhu and Prannoy Begin CampaignsTwo-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will kick off her women's singles campaign against FN Abdul Razzaq of Maldives. Sindhu, who was India's flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony, will be looking to add to her impressive medal tally. HS Prannoy will also begin his men's singles journey, facing Fabian Roth of Germany.Archery: Women's Team Targets SemifinalsThe Indian women's archery team, comprising Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Deepika Kumari, will aim for a semifinal spot in the team event. They will face either France or the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.Other EventsElavenil Valarivan will compete in the women's 10m air rifle qualification, while Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta will represent India in the men's 10m air rifle qualification.In table tennis, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, and Sreeja Akula will open their respective singles campaigns.Balraj Panwar will participate in the men's single sculls repechage in rowing.Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu will represent India in the men's 100m backstroke and women's 200m freestyle swimming events, respectively.In tennis, Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will play in the men's doubles round 1, while Sumit Nagal will face Corentin Moutet of France in the men's singles round 1.

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony witnessed a poignant display of resistance and defiance as athletes from Palestine and Afghanistan took to the Parade of Nations. Waseem Abu Sal, a 20-year-old boxer from Palestine, wore a shirt emblazoned with a chilling image of bombs falling on a child playing football. This powerful statement highlighted the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli forces have killed at least 350 athletes since last October.The Palestine Olympic Committee has appealed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA to ban Israel for its actions in Gaza. However, the IOC's stance on sanctions against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine appears to be inconsistent.Afghanistan's female athletes also defied the Taliban's oppressive regime by participating in the Olympics. Road cyclists Fariba and Yulduz Hashimi have faced threats and violence for daring to ride bicycles. They fled the country after the Taliban takeover and are now rebuilding their lives in Italy.The Olympics have a long history of serving as a platform for protest. In 1906, Irishman Peter O'Connor raised the Irish flag on the podium, refusing to be identified as British. In 1968, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a powerful act of defiance against racial segregation.While the IOC has softened its stance on protest, demonstrations during matches or medal ceremonies are still prohibited. However, the Games venue itself has seen protests from French civil liberties groups and environmental organizations.The Palestinian athletes in Paris are determined to make a statement. They flashed peace signs and wore keffiyehs, symbols of their national identity. Waseem, who trained for the Olympics during the war, will return to his conflict-ridden country after the Games.The opening ceremony also featured a rendition of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Imagine," a poignant reminder of the need for peace. As the performance concluded, the words "We stand and call for peace" appeared on the screen.

Women's Sports Shine Bright at Paris Olympics: Overcoming Adversity and Inspiring TriumphThe upcoming Paris Olympics will witness a historic moment as women take center stage in sports. Among the 5250 female athletes, several stand out for their remarkable journeys and unwavering determination.Overcoming Health Challenges:Rikako Ikee, a Japanese swimmer, faced a life-altering diagnosis of leukemia in 2019. After 10 months of hospitalization, she made a miraculous comeback, qualifying for the Olympic freestyle and medley relay teams. Similarly, Marloes Oldenburg, a Dutch rower, overcame a near-fatal bicycle accident that left her with six pins in her back. Despite the challenges, she returned to rowing and became a world champion.Faith and Resilience:Maddie Musselman, a 26-year-old water polo player, has drawn strength from her Catholic faith to cope with her husband's lung cancer. She aims for her third consecutive Olympic gold medal, while Sunisa Lee, a gymnast, has reset her goals after a setback in the USA trials.Clearing Names and Pursuing Dreams:Shayna Jack, an Australian swimmer, was banned for four years after testing positive for a banned substance. Despite the controversy, she has worked tirelessly to clear her name and is now part of the world record-breaking 4x100m relay team. Yasameen Al-Raimi, an air pistol shooter from Yemen, has overcome war and lack of training facilities to pursue her Olympic dream.Inspiring Stories of Triumph:These women's stories are not just about medals but about overcoming adversity and inspiring others. They represent the resilience, determination, and passion that drive women's sports forward. Their presence at the Paris Olympics will not only showcase their athleticism but also serve as a testament to the power of human spirit.

India's men's hockey team made a winning start to their Paris Olympics campaign, edging out New Zealand 3-2 in a thrilling Pool B encounter on Saturday. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal from the spot a minute before full time.New Zealand drew first blood through Sam Lane's penalty corner in the 8th minute. However, India responded with a penalty corner conversion by Mandeep Singh in the 24th minute. Vivek Sagar Prasad gave India the lead four minutes into the second half, but Simon Child equalized for New Zealand with another penalty corner in the 53rd minute.As the match entered its final stages, India pressed relentlessly for the winning goal. Sukhjeet Singh's smart play earned them a penalty corner, which was initially saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Dominic Dixon. However, the ball struck Child on the body, resulting in a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick to secure a vital victory for India.Despite the win, India's chief coach Craig Fulton may have some concerns about the team's penalty corner conversion rate. India earned five penalty corners but converted only one, while New Zealand had nine set pieces and utilized two.India will face a formidable challenge in their next Pool B match against Argentina on Monday.