Olympic 10,000m Champion Cheptegei Withdraws from 5,000m in Paris

Olympic 10,000m Champion Cheptegei Withdraws from 5,000m in Paris

Newly-crowned Olympic 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei has announced that he will not defend his 5,000m title in Paris. The Ugandan distance runner made the announcement on Instagram Tuesday, expressing his pride in his recent 10,000m victory and his decision to focus on other goals.

“I’m so proud of having won Olympic gold in the 10,000m,” said Cheptegei, who won silver in the event in the Tokyo Games. “So proud for Uganda. After the world junior 10,000m title, three times the world 10,000m titles, the world 10,000m record, this gold medal in an Olympic record time completes my collection.”

Cheptegei, who holds the world record in the 10,000m, explained that after consulting with his team, they decided it was best not to compete in the 5,000m in Paris. Heats for the 5,000m are scheduled for Wednesday, with the final slated for Saturday.

Cheptegei’s decision to skip the 5,000m in Paris is a strategic one. The Ugandan runner is currently focused on preparing for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he will be aiming to defend his 10,000m title. He is also eyeing the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he will be looking to repeat his 10,000m gold medal performance.

Cheptegei’s withdrawal from the 5,000m in Paris is a blow to the event, but it is also a testament to his commitment to his long-term goals. The Ugandan runner is one of the most talented distance runners in the world, and he is sure to continue to achieve great things in the years to come.

Sam Curran's Heroics Lead Oval Invincibles to Thrilling Last-Ball Victory

Sam Curran’s Heroics Lead Oval Invincibles to Thrilling Last-Ball Victory

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in a nail-biting last-ball thriller against Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a three-run victory to ascend to the top of the table.

Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, once again proved to be the match-winner for the Invincibles, showcasing his exceptional skills with both bat and ball. Curran’s blistering knock of 68 runs from 38 deliveries, including six towering sixes, propelled the Invincibles to a competitive total of 164 for 8.

Manchester Originals, despite a promising start, faltered in their chase, falling short by a mere three runs. Young opener Matthew Hurst impressed with a scintillating 50 from 29 balls, but his dismissal triggered a collapse in the Originals’ batting lineup.

Curran’s heroics with the ball were equally impressive. He conceded just three runs from the final five deliveries of the match, ensuring the Invincibles’ victory. His two wickets, along with the contributions of Will Jacks (2-16) and Adam Zampa (2-30), proved crucial in restricting the Originals to 161 for 7.

The defeat extinguished the Originals’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage, while the Invincibles extended their winning streak and cemented their position as title contenders. Curran’s consistent brilliance has been a key factor in the Invincibles’ success, and his ability to perform under pressure has earned him widespread admiration.

“I thought with the ball it felt like we bowled really well,” Curran said after the match. “I think our success at the moment is just the self-belief. Everyone is able to step up and it can always be someone different. The Hundred format is good because you can always feel in the game.”

Paris Olympics Faces Plastic Pollution Concerns Despite Green Pledge

Paris Olympics Faces Plastic Pollution Concerns Despite Green Pledge

The Paris Olympics organizing committee has set an ambitious goal of reducing single-use plastics by half compared to the 2012 London Games. However, the widespread use of plastic bottles by major sponsor Coca-Cola has raised concerns about the committee’s ability to meet this target.

Despite the ban on spectators bringing single-use containers to Olympic sites, Coca-Cola has been distributing Fanta, Sprite, and Coke in plastic bottles at venues. Staff have been observed emptying these bottles into reusable cups, a practice that some argue undermines the Games’ pledge to be the greenest in history.

Coca-Cola initially stated that nearly 10 out of 18 million refreshments served to spectators would be “without single-use plastic.” However, the company has since acknowledged the use of plastics due to “technical and logistical constraints.”

At the swimming events, for instance, glass bottles are being emptied into red-and-white cups. Georgina Grenon, head of sustainability for the Paris Games, explained that plastic bottles are being used where glass alternatives are not feasible.

Despite these challenges, the organizing committee maintains that the Paris Games will still significantly reduce plastics use compared to London 2012. Grenon estimates that the target of a 50% reduction in single-use plastics will be achieved.

However, environmental protection charity France Nature Environment (FNE) has criticized Coca-Cola for “unjustified plastic pollution” and awarded the company the “gold medal for greenwashing” during the Olympics.

Coca-Cola, one of the world’s largest plastics producers, manufactured 134 billion plastic bottles in 2022. The company has set a goal of using fully recycled plastic for all its bottles by 2030. Of the bottles being used at the Paris Games, approximately 6.2 million are made from recycled PET plastic.

Superchargers Crush Phoenix with Record-Low Score in The Hundred

Superchargers Crush Phoenix with Record-Low Score in The Hundred

Northern Superchargers continued their impressive run in The Hundred women’s competition with a resounding 61-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix, solidifying their position in the top three of the standings.

The Superchargers, who had previously dismissed Oval Invincibles for the lowest score in the competition (64), repeated the feat against Phoenix, bowling them out for a mere 54 runs, the lowest total in the tournament’s history.

Opting to bat first, Superchargers faced an early setback when Phoenix captain Ellyse Perry dismissed Holly Armitage with her third delivery. However, Annabel Sutherland and Alice Davidson-Richards steadied the innings, guiding the visitors to 68 for 3 before Sutherland departed.

Davidson-Richards remained unbeaten on 49 off 42 deliveries, anchoring the Superchargers’ innings and helping them post a competitive total of 115 for 5.

Phoenix’s chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost four key batters for just 14 runs. Sterre Kalis, Perry, Amy Jones, and Richa Ghosh all fell cheaply, leaving the home side in disarray.

The Superchargers bowlers shared the wickets around, with Linsey Smith and Georgia Wareham claiming three wickets each. Smith’s double-wicket maiden towards the end of the innings sealed the victory for the visitors.

Davidson-Richards, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, acknowledged the challenging batting conditions but expressed delight at her team’s performance. She highlighted the importance of building an innings and finding gaps for boundaries.

The Superchargers will now face table-toppers Welsh Fire in a crucial away match, aiming to continue their winning streak and strengthen their position in the top three.

Dominic Thiem Bids Farewell to Tennis Channel Bundesliga in Emotional Match

Dominic Thiem Bids Farewell to Tennis Channel Bundesliga in Emotional Match

Thousands of dedicated fans braved torrential rain in southern Germany to witness the final match of one of the Tennis Channel Bundesliga’s most celebrated stars, Dominic Thiem. The former US Open champion returned to TK GW Mannheim for a poignant farewell before his retirement later this year.

The Bundesliga boasts a reputation as the world’s premier tennis league, attracting a constellation of Top 100 players. Tennis legends such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have graced the German club courts. Thiem, a fan favorite, has been instrumental in Mannheim’s three Bundesliga titles between 2018 and 2021.

His final appearance was a bittersweet affair. Despite a singles defeat, Thiem rallied to secure a doubles victory, earning a point for his former club. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, with ballkids, players, staff, and fans alike expressing their admiration.

“Thank you, that’s the biggest word I can say,” Thiem said, his voice filled with emotion. “And also a thank you to the fans who stayed so long because the weather was difficult.”

“I’m very emotional. It really was a wonderful farewell. Of course one of the most special tournaments I’ve had in my life, the home tournament where so many beautiful things happened.”

Earlier this summer, Thiem announced his decision to retire from the ATP Tour in 2024, citing a persistent wrist injury and a desire to pursue other passions.

“I want to give you a very important, very sad, but also very beautiful message: The 2024 season will be my last,” he said in a statement. “I will end my career at the end of this season.”

“There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, my wrist is obviously not the way it should be and it’s not the way I wanted it to be. The second reason is my inner feeling. I thought about this decision for a very long time. I thought about it very carefully.”

The Tennis Channel Bundesliga has been one of the few tournaments Thiem has participated in this year. After his recent return to Kitzbühel, where he triumphed in 2019, Thiem will decide on his participation in the US Open. He plans to join Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Frankfurt before making his final appearance at his home tournament in Vienna.

Naomi Osaka Opens Up About Self-Worth Struggles After US Open Victory

Naomi Osaka Opens Up About Self-Worth Struggles After US Open Victory

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has opened up about her struggles with self-worth and the emotional toll of her 2018 US Open victory. In an interview on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Osaka revealed that she was deeply affected by the negative fan reaction to her win, which was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Serena Williams’ code violations.

“I went on social media the night after I won,” Osaka said. “I was reading a lot of people saying that I didn’t deserve to win. I remember I started crying a lot.”

Osaka’s victory was marred by multiple code violations against Williams, which led to a hostile atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The crowd booed Osaka during the trophy ceremony, causing her to hide her face behind her visor.

“Honestly, I never really processed it well,” Osaka said. “I just ignored it and kept moving on with my life.”

Osaka believes that her inability to process the emotional turmoil of her US Open victory contributed to her breakdown at the 2021 Roland Garros, where she withdrew from the tournament after refusing to participate in post-match press conferences.

“I didn’t see the worth I had as a human outside of tennis,” Osaka said. “I would lose a match and feel like my life is meaningless, like the only value I had was winning.”

Osaka’s time away from tennis has helped her to develop a healthier perspective on her career and her life outside of the sport. She is now a mother to daughter Shai and believes that her break from tennis was crucial for her mental health.

“I needed to learn how to live in the real world,” Osaka said. “The athlete’s life span is so short, it’s not like I’m going to be playing tennis forever.”

Osaka’s journey for self-worth is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a story of resilience, growth, and the realization that there is more to life than winning and losing.

National Bank Open: Sinner Favored in Montreal

National Bank Open: Sinner Favored in Montreal

The National Bank Open, an ATP Masters 1000 hard-court tournament, kicks off in Montreal on August 6th. With Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz absent, the field boasts a star-studded lineup including Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev.

The tournament’s fast court conditions favor power players and big servers. Past champions include Rafael Nadal (2018-2019), Daniil Medvedev (2021), and Pablo Carreno Busta (2022).

Players to Watch:

* Daniil Medvedev (+600): The former world No. 1 returns to hard courts after a disappointing Olympics. He faces a favorable draw until a potential fourth-round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

* Taylor Fritz (+2500): The American has a clear path to a deep run, with winnable matches against Sebastian Korda, Casper Ruud, and Alexander Zverev.

* Jannik Sinner (+150): The Italian is the favorite despite recent health issues. His elite serving and returning abilities make him a formidable opponent on fast surfaces.

Pick to Win:

Jannik Sinner (+150) is the player to beat in Montreal. His absence of rivals Djokovic and Alcaraz, combined with his exceptional skills on fast courts, makes him the most likely candidate for victory.

Sam Querrey Mocks Eugenie Bouchard's Instagram Photos, Gets Her Approval

Sam Querrey Mocks Eugenie Bouchard’s Instagram Photos, Gets Her Approval

Sam Querrey, the former ATP tennis star, has been making waves on social media with his humorous take on Eugenie Bouchard’s Instagram antics. Querrey has been posting photos of himself in skimpy swimwear, mimicking Bouchard’s penchant for wearing revealing bikinis.

Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, has been a good sport about Querrey’s antics, calling them “pure gold” and dubbing him “the funniest person in the world.” She has even promised to team up with Querrey for a joint photo shoot.

Querrey’s social media antics have been a hit with fans, racking up thousands of likes on Instagram. He has even teased a follow-up to his first copycat post, which featured Bouchard playing tennis in Saint Tropez while wearing a colorful two-piece bathing suit.

Bouchard is looking forward to the sequel and has promised to force Querrey to do it. “I know he’s gonna want to as well,” she said. “He probably wants it more than me. We’ll make it happen.”

Querrey’s social media antics are a testament to his good-natured sense of humor and his ability to poke fun at himself. They have also helped to raise Bouchard’s profile and show that she is a good sport about being the subject of humor.

India's Unbeaten Streak Against Sri Lanka Snapped in Surprise Series Loss

India’s Unbeaten Streak Against Sri Lanka Snapped in Surprise Series Loss

India’s dominance over Sri Lanka in bilateral series has been a long-standing tradition, with India remaining undefeated since 1997. However, the recent two-match series has thrown a curveball, with Sri Lanka emerging victorious in both encounters.

Despite India’s recent dominance, their batting performance in this series has been underwhelming. The middle order, in particular, has struggled, with no batter at positions 3, 4, 5, or 6 accumulating even 40 runs.

Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach in the powerplay and Axar Patel’s contributions from No. 7 have been the saving graces for India’s batting. However, Washington Sundar, an India player, has defended his team’s batting prowess, attributing their struggles to the challenging spin-friendly pitches.

“We’re quality players of spin,” Sundar asserted. “We’ve always played on these kinds of pitches, even at home, even in Test matches. In domestic cricket, we play a lot of games on such wickets.”

Sri Lanka’s lower-middle order batters, particularly Dunith Wellalage, have played a crucial role in their victories, forming vital partnerships in the last 10 overs. India’s inability to prevent these partnerships has been a major factor in their downfall.

“We’d love to get them out for 200 or less than that,” Sundar said. “We had them in that situation in both matches. With big tournaments coming up, we’ll be in similar situations, and it’s an opportunity for us to find a way to get the job done in crunch situations.”

India’s batting has also faced challenges against Sri Lanka’s unusual bowling attack, which includes a finger spinner who can bowl with either arm and a mystery spinner who bowls a mix of offbreaks, googlies, and legbreaks. India has attempted to counter this by maintaining a left-right combination at the crease, but the strategy has yet to fully succeed.

Coach Gautam Gambhir has been actively involved in helping the team develop their strategy against spin. “There’s been a lot of inputs from [Gambhir],” Sundar said. “He’s a high-quality player of spin. We’ve always seen him putting up great performances on such wickets, especially against quality spin-bowling.”

As India prepares for the Champions Trophy, where they may face similar spin-friendly conditions, the team is determined to improve their performance and regain their dominance over Sri Lanka.

Shapovalov Breaks Silence on DC Open Default, Calls for Better Fan Protection

Shapovalov Breaks Silence on DC Open Default, Calls for Better Fan Protection

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, has broken his silence after being defaulted from the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Friday. In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Shapovalov expressed his shock and disappointment over the decision, which he believes was unfair.

Shapovalov was match point down, trailing Ben Shelton 6-3 in the second-set tiebreaker, when he was issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The tournament supervisor was called to court and the decision was made to default the 25-year-old from the match.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) later ruled that Shapovalov would retain the points and prize money earned from his week in Washington, D.C., but would have to pay a $36,400 fine. Shapovalov expressed his gratitude for the reinstatement of his points and prize money but disagreed with the hefty fine.

“I must state however that I do not agree with the hefty fine I was given, which is more than half the prize money earned last week, and will continue to fight that,” Shapovalov wrote.

Shapovalov also called for better rules to protect players from abusive fans. “We all work extremely hard—our tennis careers are our lives and should not be derailed by unnecessary, subjective ruling,” he said.

Despite the disappointment of the default, Shapovalov thanked his fans and fellow players for their support. He will be back on court for his home tournament, the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal.

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