Parisian Volunteer Enchants Spectators at Eiffel Tower Olympic Venue

Parisian Volunteer Enchants Spectators at Eiffel Tower Olympic Venue

Joévin Burnel, a lifelong Parisian, has witnessed the Eiffel Tower countless times. Yet, the iconic structure continues to captivate him, especially during the Olympic Games. As a spectator experience volunteer at the Stade de Tour Eiffel, Burnel has spent countless hours at the venue, marveling at the beach volleyball matches and the breathtaking sunsets.

“It’s magical,” Burnel enthuses. “This is the best sports venue in the world, and it’s right in my city.” Despite not playing beach volleyball himself, Burnel is captivated by its fast-paced action and the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the temporary stadium.

Burnel’s Olympic experience has been enriched by the success of French swimmer Leon Marchand. However, he expresses a tinge of regret at not having collected any Olympic pins. “Everyone in the media tribune has so many pins,” he says, pointing to his empty lanyard.

Despite the long hours and physical demands of his volunteer role, Burnel remains enthusiastic. “I’m tired, but I’m happy,” he says. “This has been an incredible experience.”

Burnel’s passion for the Olympics and his love for Paris are evident in his dedication to providing a memorable experience for spectators. He believes that the Stade de Tour Eiffel is a testament to the city’s ability to host world-class sporting events.

As the Olympic Games draw to a close, Burnel reflects on the unforgettable moments he has shared at the Eiffel Tower. The magic of the structure, the excitement of the beach volleyball matches, and the camaraderie among volunteers have created memories that will last a lifetime.

Australia A Dominate India A in Second ODI, Secure Series Victory

Australia A Dominate India A in Second ODI, Secure Series Victory

Australia A’s dominant performance continued in the second one-day international against India A, securing an eight-wicket victory in Mackay. Led by Maddy Darke’s unbeaten century and Katie Mack’s half-century, Australia A chased down India A’s total of 219 with ease, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

India A’s innings got off to a shaky start as Tayla Vlaeminck dismissed Priya Punia early on. Nicola Hancock and Charli Knott then chipped away at the Indian batting lineup, removing Shweta Sehrawat and Shubha Satheesh respectively. Raghvi Bist and Tejal Hasabnis provided some resistance with a 124-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Parsons and Knott.

Parsons dismissed Hasabnis for 63, while Knott had Minnu Mani caught behind. Shipra Giri and Bist attempted to rebuild the innings, but Bist’s run-out in the 45th over triggered a collapse. Maitlan Brown cleaned up the tail with a triple-wicket maiden over, bowling out India A for 219 in 48 overs.

Australia A’s chase began aggressively, with Mack and Darke capitalizing on loose deliveries from Soppadhandi Yashasri and Sayali Satghare. Mack reached her half-century in the 16th over, while Darke followed suit in the 21st. Satghare eventually dismissed Mack for 68, but Darke continued to anchor the innings.

Darke’s 38-run partnership with Knott kept the asking rate under control, and Tahlia McGrath’s quickfire cameo of 24 runs off 15 balls extinguished any hopes of an Indian comeback. Darke completed her century in the 37th over, and she and McGrath remained unbeaten to guide Australia A to victory with 58 balls to spare.

The victory extends Australia A’s dominance over India A, having also swept the T20I series 3-0. The two teams will face off in the final ODI on Monday at the Gold Coast, where Australia A will aim to complete a clean sweep.

Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Faces Uncertain Future Amid Bangladesh Unrest

Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Faces Uncertain Future Amid Bangladesh Unrest

The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh, is facing an uncertain future due to political unrest and security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively exploring alternative venues, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a potential replacement.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains determined to retain hosting rights, but the ICC is facing time constraints with the tournament set to commence on September 27th. The BCB’s request for a five-day extension to present a revised hosting plan has been denied, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to step in as host due to monsoon season and a packed cricketing calendar.

The UAE, with its favorable time zone, predictable weather conditions, and established cricketing infrastructure, has emerged as a frontrunner. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly enthusiastic about hosting the tournament, further bolstering the UAE’s candidacy.

Despite the mounting pressure, the BCB remains optimistic, highlighting ongoing discussions with Bangladesh’s Army Chief regarding security assurances for the tournament. However, the recent exodus of key BCB officials, including President Nazmul Hassan, due to political unrest casts a shadow over their efforts.

Other nations, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, have also expressed interest in hosting the tournament, presenting the ICC with additional options to consider. The ICC is expected to reach a decision by August 20th, coinciding with a pre-scheduled board meeting primarily focused on finalizing the terms of reference for an inquiry into the recent Men’s T20 World Cup.

With just over 50 days remaining before the tournament’s start, the ICC faces a critical decision that will significantly impact the participating teams, fans, and the future of women’s cricket.

Paris 2024 Olympics: Customer Care Encounters Quirky and Amusing Inquiries

Paris 2024 Olympics: Customer Care Encounters Quirky and Amusing Inquiries

The Paris 2024 Olympics, a spectacle of athleticism and sporting excellence, also witnessed a flurry of peculiar and amusing inquiries directed at the event’s customer care service. While most queries were reasonable and straightforward, some stood out for their eccentricity and unexpected nature.

One such inquiry came from a self-proclaimed composer who offered a “very popular and quality hymn” for the Olympics. Another request, more specific in its nature, asked if any Olympic volunteers could sing Chinese love songs or revolutionary tunes from the Cultural Revolution era.

Among the more perplexing questions was a request for a boiled egg recipe, dubbed “Olympic eggs.” A table tennis enthusiast also came forward with an idea for presenting a table tennis table, suggesting a potential contribution to the event’s visual setup.

In a bold musical request, someone expressed their desire to perform a duet with world-renowned singer Céline Dion at the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony. Love was in the air for one spectator who attended a beach volleyball session, hoping to reconnect with a person they met but whose identity remained unknown.

One of the funniest requests came from a fan enamored with the Olympic mascot Phryge and swimmer Léon Marchand. The fan expressed their admiration for Phryge and requested an autograph from Marchand, despite not having social media accounts.

These bizarre queries, while not directly related to the sporting events, added a touch of humor and unexpectedness to the Paris 2024 Olympics. They showcased the diverse and sometimes quirky nature of human curiosity and the unique experiences that can arise during such grand sporting events.

Rohit Sharma Drives Lamborghini with Special Number Plate After Sri Lanka Tour

Rohit Sharma Drives Lamborghini with Special Number Plate After Sri Lanka Tour

Rohit Sharma Flaunts Lamborghini with Special Number Plate After Sri Lanka Tour

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has been spotted driving his luxurious Lamborghini in Mumbai after returning from the tour of Sri Lanka. The video of Rohit behind the wheel of his blue-colored Lamborghini went viral on social media, showcasing the special number plate “0264.” This number holds significance as it represents Rohit’s highest ODI score.

Despite India’s 0-2 ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, Rohit had an impressive performance as a batter. He emerged as the top run-scorer with 157 runs at an average of 52.33 and a strike rate of 141.44. Rohit notched two half-centuries, with his highest score being 64.

The Lamborghini is not the only luxury vehicle in Rohit’s collection. He also owns a BMW M5, a Mercedes-Benz GLS, and a Range Rover Vogue. His passion for cars is evident in his social media posts, where he often shares pictures of his prized possessions.

Rohit’s Lamborghini is a testament to his success and status as one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world. The special number plate adds a personal touch to the vehicle, reflecting his achievements on the field.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant Drawn in Group A of AFC Champions League Two

Mohun Bagan Super Giant Drawn in Group A of AFC Champions League Two

Mohun Bagan Super Giant Drawn in Group A of AFC Champions League Two

Indian club Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MB SG) has been drawn alongside Al-Wakrah SC of Qatar, Tractor FC of Iran, and FC Ravshan of Tajikistan in Group A of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Two. The draw was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

MB SG qualified for the newly-rebranded second-tier men’s AFC club competition by winning the 2023-24 Indian Super League Shield. The Mariners finished third in the 2023-24 AFC Cup Group Stage and failed to qualify for the knockout stage.

Al-Wakrah SC qualified for the Champions League Two by finishing fourth in the 2023-24 Qatar Stars League. This will be the Qatari side’s first appearance in Asia since the 2001-02 Asian Club Championship.

Iranian side Tractor FC also qualified with a fourth-place finish in the 2023-24 Persian Gulf Pro League. They have twice reached the Round of 16 of the erstwhile AFC Champions League in 2021 and 2016.

FC Ravshan booked their spot in the tournament as the runners-up of the 2023 Tajikistan Higher League. The side from Kulob has made four appearances in the AFC Cup but never managed to progress from the group stage.

The Champions League Two features 32 clubs divided into eight groups – four West, four East – of four teams each for the group stage, which will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from September 17 to December 5.

The top two finishers from each group will advance to the Round of 16, to be played in February 2025. This will be followed by the quarter-finals in March and semi-finals in April, before the tournament culminates in a single-leg final on May 17 next year.

East Bengal FC, the other club representing India in the 2024-25 AFC club competitions by virtue of being the 2024 Kalinga Super Cup champions, lost their Champions League Two qualifying round match to FC Altyn Asyr on Wednesday. They will feature in the 2024-25 AFC Challenge League (third-tier) Group Stage, the draw for which will be conducted on August 22.

Ishan Kishan to Return to Domestic Red-Ball Cricket in Duleep Trophy

Ishan Kishan to Return to Domestic Red-Ball Cricket in Duleep Trophy

India’s wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is set to make a grand return to domestic red-ball cricket in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Kishan, who last played a domestic game in 2022, will lead Team D in the tournament, which kicks off on September 2024.

Prior to the Duleep Trophy, Kishan will lead Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu tournament. The 25-year-old last played for India in the T20I series against Australia in November 2023. He was also part of the team for the subsequent tour of South Africa but withdrew due to personal reasons.

Kishan’s absence from domestic cricket towards the end of the 2023-24 season proved costly, as he was removed from the central contract list for not prioritizing domestic cricket. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasized the importance of Kishan playing domestic cricket to regain his place in the Indian side.

The Duleep Trophy marks the start of the new domestic season and will feature some of the finest players from the international circuit and emerging talents. The tournament will be played in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, and Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Despite reports that senior players might be picked for the Duleep Trophy, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin have not been selected. Shubman Gill, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shreyas Iyer will captain the four teams.

Kishan’s decision to participate in the Duleep Trophy is a significant step in his bid to regain his place in the Indian team. He has featured in two Tests, 17 ODIs, and 11 T20Is for India in 2023 and was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

SA20 Teams Finalize Star-Studded Rosters for Season 3

SA20 Teams Finalize Star-Studded Rosters for Season 3

The South African20 (SA20) league is gearing up for its third season, set to take place from January 9 to February 8, 2023. The six participating teams have finalized their pre-signings and retentions, adding a star-studded roster to the tournament.

League commissioner Graeme Smith expressed his satisfaction with the caliber of players joining the SA20, stating that it reflects the league’s commitment to creating a world-class experience. Among the notable signings are Joe Root, Dinesh Karthik, Ben Stokes, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Devon Conway, Azmatullah Omarzai, Jonny Bairstow, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Smith emphasized the importance of having both international stars and local heroes on the teams, highlighting the presence of Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, and Heinrich Klaasen. He also praised the retention of domestic players, including rookies who have been promoted to fully-contracted status for Season 3.

As of now, the teams have between 14 and 17 players on their rosters, with the remaining spots to be filled at the auction in Cape Town on October 1. Each team can have a maximum of 19 players, including one wildcard and one rookie player. Of the remaining 17, a minimum of ten must be South African, while a maximum of seven can be from overseas.

The SA20 2023 squads are as follows:

* Durban’s Super Giants: Brandon King, Quinton De Kock, Naveen ul Haq, Kane Williamson, Chris Woakes, Prenelan Subrayen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Noor Ahmed, Heinrich Klaasen, Jon-Jon Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Junior Dala, Bryce Parsons, Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Marcus Stoinis
* Joburg Super Kings: Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Maheesh Theekshana, Devon Conway, Gerald Coetzee, David Wiese, Leus Du Plooy, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Donavon Ferreira, Imran Tahir, Sibonelo Makhanya, Tabraiz Shamsi
* MI Cape Town: Rashid Khan, Ben Stokes, Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Azmatullah Omarzai, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Nuwan Thushara, Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Thomas Kaber, Chris Benjamin
* Pretoria Capitals: Anrich Nortje, Jimmy Neesham, Will Jacks, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Will Smeed, Migael Pretorius, Rilee Rossouw, Eathan Bosch, Wayne Parnell, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Steve Stolk, Tiaan van Vuuren
* Paarl Royals: David Miller, Mujeeb Ur-Rahman, Sam Hain, Joe Root, Dinesh Karthik, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Van Buuren, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Andile Phehlukwayo, Codi Yusuf, John Turner, Dayyaan Galiem, Jacob Bethell
* Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Aiden Markram, Zak Crawley, Roelof van der Merwe, Liam Dawson, Ottneil Baartman, Marco Jansen, Beyers Swanepoel, Caleb Seleka, Tristan Stubbs, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton, Tom Abell, Simon Harmer, Andile Simelane, David Bedingham

The schedule of matches for the SA20 2023 season will be announced at a later date.

Gautam Gambhir's Mixed Start as India's Head Coach

Gautam Gambhir’s Mixed Start as India’s Head Coach

Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach commenced with a mixed bag of results during the Sri Lanka tour. While the team emerged victorious in the T20I series, they succumbed to defeat in the ODIs despite fielding star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Gambhir’s appointment on July 9, 2024, marked a departure from Rahul Dravid’s tenure, which concluded after the T20 World Cup in June. Prior to the official announcement, rumors circulated about a potential hybrid coaching model, with different coaches assigned to different formats.

However, the BCCI opted for a traditional approach. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah explained the rationale behind Gambhir’s appointment as all-format coach: “We must respect the coach we hire. If Gautam Gambhir expresses interest in coaching in all three formats, who am I to restrict him? Approximately 70% of the players remain consistent across all formats.”

Shah also emphasized the availability of capable backups for the head coach role: “We have coaches from the NCA. VVS Laxman stepped in when Rahul Dravid took a break.”

Gambhir’s maiden Test assignment as head coach will be a two-match series against Bangladesh next month. Notably, key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah will not participate in the Duleep Trophy.

With the Border Gavaskar Trophy approaching later this year, selectors will closely monitor the performances of players competing in the tournament.

India Aspires to Host 2036 Olympics, Seeks Athletes' Input

India Aspires to Host 2036 Olympics, Seeks Athletes’ Input

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set his sights on hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in India. In his Independence Day speech, he called upon Indian athletes to provide their insights and recommendations for the smooth hosting of the quadrennial extravaganza.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has already initiated discussions with the Future Host Commission (FHC) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The FHC is responsible for evaluating potential host cities and making recommendations to the IOC Executive Board.

PM Modi invited the entire Indian contingent from the Paris Olympics to join him for Independence Day celebrations at his residence in New Delhi. He emphasized the importance of their input, stating, “India is preparing to host the 2036 Olympics. In this regard, the input from athletes who have played in previous Olympics is very important.”

He urged the athletes to share their observations and experiences from previous Games, highlighting the need to document their insights and share them with the government. “We want to document this and share it with the government so that we don’t miss out on any small details in the preparation for 2036,” he said.

PM Modi referred to the Indian contingent as an integral part of his “2036 team” and asked the sports ministry to draft a document and thoroughly consider player comments and suggestions. “In this way, you are an important part of my 2036 team, helping us host an Olympics like no other in the world,” he added.

He also encouraged the athletes to provide suggestions on how to improve Indian sports further. “Your feedback and suggestions are very important because it’s your responsibility to guide those who will represent the country in the future,” he said.

The IOC’s host selection process is rigorous and involves a detailed evaluation of potential host cities. The FHC engages in a dialogue with interested National Olympic Committees (NOCs), which progresses from a continuous dialogue to a targeted dialogue with selected NOCs.

Once the FHC completes its evaluation, the IOC Executive Board holds an election to award the hosting rights for the Olympic Games.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart