Head Coach Samson Siasia has described the performance of the Nigeria Olympic football team in reaching the semi finals at Rio 2016 as a great feat, saying his boys defeated “a very good Danish team.”
Siasia said at the post match conference: “I just want to give thanks to God, and also these players who did a great job. Yesterday (Friday), we were actually worried about our defence, but they came out and played very, very well against a good Danish team. I think these guys have to be applauded coming out like that, and getting those two goals. It wasn’t an easy game but I am happy we are in the semi finals.”
On the possibility of the African champions playing hosts Brazil in the final match, Siasia said: “We saw what the Brazilians did to the Danish team (4-0); they are a very good side. They didn’t start well but the most important thing is how well you end. It’s not easy scoring four goals against this Danish team.
“However, I don’t want to worry about Brazil right now. I have the semi final against Germany to think about and that is the only thing in my mind right now. After crossing the Germany hurdle, we will think of our opponents for the gold medal match. We have gone through a lot on this journey and we cannot get to the gold medal match and then freeze.”
Samson Siasia With Captain Mikel Obi
Captain John Mikel Obi, who scored Nigeria’s first against the Danes, said he was not surprised that the team has been able to come this far, given the quality of playing and coaching personnel. “We are all very excited reaching the semi finals but the ultimate is the gold medal and as the coach has said, we are still taking it one match at a time. My objective here, as with each of the other players, is to win the gold medal.”
The Nigeria delegation flew back to São Paulo on Sunday.
Meanwhile, NFF Technical Director, Coach Bitrus Bewarang joined the team in Salvador and was also on the flight to São Paulo on Sunday.
Rio 2016 will welcome Spain’s Marina Alabau back into the Olympic fold as she aims to defend the Women’s Windsurfer (RS:X) title she won at London 2012.
Alabau will be part of a 26 strong fleet that starts racing at 13:10 on Monday 8 August at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and as defending champion, will be considered one of the favourites. Even with this tag, does Alabau feel any pressure? “Not at all, not at all,” expressed the Spaniard.
Bryony Shaw at the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta 2015 Credit Jesus Renedo/Sailing Energy
“I feel more relaxed than four years ago. Four years ago I was quite stressed as I knew I could get a medal; it was my dream. Now I’ve done it, I have my gold and there’s nothing better than that so I’m going to enjoy the Olympic experience.
“Of course I want another medal but I feel no pressure, I’m one of the favourites but there are eight other favourites and just three medals.”
Sailors such as 2016 World Champion Malgorzata Bialecka (POL), 2015 World Champion Peina Chen (CHN), home nation favourite Patricia Freitas (BRA), World #2 Lilian de Geus (NED), World #4 Flavia Tartaglini (ITA), London 2012 silver medallist Tuuli Petaja Siren (FIN) and Maayan Davidovich (ISR) will all be in with a shot but there are two sailors who Alabau signified will cause her the biggest threat in Rio.
“Charline [Picon (FRA)] is one of the main rivals because she’s showed that over the first two years of the campaign she was three steps ahead of everybody. Slowly we have been catching her but also, Bryony Shaw (GBR) is a favourite.
“I know I can beat them; I know they are really good but sometimes I have my good moments as well. The Olympic Games is always a different event. I’ve already won it so I know how to do it. I think that’s why Charline and Bryony are so good, because they have the experience. There are some good young girls but they don’t have the experience.
“Definitely, for me, Charline and Bryony are my rivals.”
Charline Picon at the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta 2015 Credit: Jesus Renedo/Sailing Energy
France’s Picon has dominated on the Rio Olympic waters winning the 2014 and 2015 Olympic Test Events in a convincing manner. Sailing’s Olympic Test Event often acts as an indicator as to who the medallists at the main event will be. Eighteen of the 30 medallists at the London 2012 test event went on to claim a medal and Picon will certainly be in the driving seat to continue the trend.
Throughout 2016 the French sailor has tailored her preparations and will come into the Olympic Games as European Champion following victory in Helsinki, Finland earlier this month.
For Great Britain’s Shaw, she will enter Rio 2016 as World #1 in the Women’s RS:X after sustained excellence over the last 12-months and beyond. Shaw has three World Championship silver medals over the Rio 2016 quadrennial so knows what it takes to mix it up at the front. She also knows how to deliver in tough competitions, winning gold at the Sailing World Cup Final in 2015 as well as Sailing World Cup Miami at the turn of 2016.
Both Picon and Shaw have the Olympic experience that will allow them to focus on the task at hand. Shaw won bronze at Beijing 2008 and finished seventh at London 2012 with Picon a place behind.
Both sailors have had a full on campaign for Rio 2016 but for the defending champion, Alabau, it’s been quite the contrary.
“This campaign I have been a mum,” explained Alabau. “Everything has changed this time round. I had one year out with pregnancy and the second year I didn’t travel or compete much but it was a good year with a second in the Europeans and second in the worlds.
“This year has been the most difficult as I have been travelling a lot and my baby has been staying at home with my parents and I have been travelling with my husband and coach. It’s been hard travelling without your baby and being away for two weeks almost every month.”
Parenthood and Olympic campaigning is a delicate balancing act but it seems to be one that Alabau has mastered, simply by looking at her Instagram account – Instagram.com/marinalabau – where her daughter, Marta, makes regular appearances enjoying the beach life her mother and father loves.
But in the meantime, Alabau is finalising her Olympic preparations to be ready for the first Women’s RS:X starting gun that will be sounded at 13:10 on the Pão de Açucar racing area on Monday 8 August.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports will receive its budgetary allocation for the Rio Olympics by Wednesday July 20, 2016.
The Director General, Budget Office of the Federation Mr Ben Akabueze gave the assurance on Monday at a meeting of the House committee on Sports held with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Accountant- General of the federation, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the Director- General, Budget office of the federation at the House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja.
The Deputy Chairman, House committee on Sports, Hon Anayo Nnebe had enquired why funds budgeted for the Olympic Games in Rio were yet to be released barely three weeks to the opening ceremony.
“The committee resolved to invite the Minister of Finance, the Director General Budget, the Accountant -General of the federation, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, the Permanent Secretary and the President Nigeria Olympic Committee because Nigerians are worried that up till now, funds have not been released for the Olympics. The implication is that almost every part of preparations for the games is on hold. We cant prepare without funds. Releasing funds just a few days to the games will not be good enough to prepare the athletes for the games” Hon Nnebe said.
Barrister Solomon Dalung, Nigeria’s Minister For Youths and Sports
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barrister Solomon Dalung however assured that the Ministry had done its best in preparing 78 athletes for ten events despite the non availability of funds.
“Lack of funds has dampened the morale of the athletes at this time. They could have suffered from psychological inconveniences including poor nutrition, non -payment of allowances and other social problems and may not give you their best. The money is not just about training for the Olympics but other special needs of the participants. The failure to release funds up till this this time has placed us in great jeopardy. We have run out of goodwill because we haven’t even been able to pay back money borrowed in the cause of waiting for funds to be released” Dalung said.
In his response, the Director-general, Budget office of the federation Mr Ben Akabueze stated that his office had a budgetary allocation of N600m for the Olympics. N415.6m was for preparations of Olympic and Paralympic Games and an allocation of N184.6m to the Nigeria Olympic Committee to facilitate the games proper out of which the ministry had sought the release of N503, 977,710m.
“You will recall the late approval of the budget and the challenges of processing this release which was occasioned by the long public holidays. The bottom line is that in a day or two, the funds will be released” the DG assured.
One of the committee members and President, Cycling Federation of Nigeria Hon. Mohammed Nur Sheriff however urged the Budget office to also take a step further to ensure that the funds needed for the games were paid to the ministry in dollars to save them another long process of getting the foreign exchange value.
“We need to be proactive and engage the Central Bank of Nigeria in assisting in processing the procurement of foreign exchange pending when the funds are released”.
The Olympic village opens to athletes on July 24 while the opening ceremony is billed for August 5 2016.
With 25 days to go until the Opening Ceremony, “Rio 2016 is ready to welcome the world” according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel . The Olympic champion, who heads the IOC’s Commission that since 2009 has been following the preparations for the Olympic Games Rio 2016, made this statement after her final pre-Games visit to the Brazilian host city.
After meetings with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, all three levels of local government (Federal, State and City), and a tour of a number of sporting venues, El Moutawakel said, “Rio 2016 is ready to welcome the world. The Olympians of 2016 can look forward to living in an outstanding Olympic Village and competing in absolutely stunning venues.
OLYMPIA- GREECE – 21th April 2016: The Olympic Torch Lighting Ceremony for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The ceremony which dates back to 1936 takes place in the ancient ruins of Olympia, home of the Olympic Games which historical records day back to the year 776BC . IOC/Ian Jones
From views of the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain to the new state-of-the-art facilities in Barra or Deodoro and the iconic Maracanã Stadium and Copacabana Beach, I cannot imagine more spectacular backdrops for the world’s top sportsmen and women to showcase their talents to a watching world.”
She continued, “I have been visiting Rio regularly since 2009, and I love the Cariocas, and the Brazilians in general. They are a very warm and hospitable people, who know how to welcome guests and how to live life to the fullest. Spectators visiting Rio this August will be able to fully experience that spirit, as they go to the venues, visit the live sites and discover the city.
The Cariocas are going to be celebrating, and this means that Rio de Janeiro will be the place to be this August. The Brazilians have also transformed the city through a legacy vision that they have made a reality. Not just by delivering all the venues and services that the Games require on time, but also by creating a legacy that will benefit local citizens and the whole country for decades. The success of these Games will be their success.”
After successfully hosting 44 test events, the Rio 2016 team and the venues are ready for action, with all the facilities receiving their final Olympic touches before the athletes start to arrive in about two weeks’ time. The velodrome and equestrian venues, which were being monitored closely by the organisers, are also in the final stage of preparation, and will be ready for the Games.
The new Metro Line 4, which links Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca, and the Transolimpica Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), linking Barra to Deodoro, will also be fully operational for spectators at the Games. Trains are now running the full length of the metro line, as it enters the final stages of testing. This follows months of work by the Rio State authorities to test the personnel, rolling stock and safety technology of the new line, while the last bits of construction were being completed.
The metro will play a key role in a sophisticated transport plan that will see athletes, spectators and local residents take advantage of a number of new pieces of transport infrastructure, such as approximately 150km of new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines that have been built thanks to the catalyst of the Games and which are already, in some cases, changing local peoples’ lives for the better.
The subject of Zika was discussed during the visit. It was underlined that the latest advice of the WHO reaffirms that “there should be no general restrictions on travel and trade with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission, including the cities in Brazil that will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games” (full WHO advice here), while the local authorities and organisers explained the ongoing work that is being carried out to minimise the risk to visitors. It was also pointed out that the Games will take place during the winter months of August and September, when the drier, cooler climate greatly reduces the presence of mosquitoes and therefore the risk of infection.
On the wider security front, the Brazilian authorities reinforced their commitment to safe and secure Games, with a combined security force of 85,000 people guaranteeing the security of the Olympic Village, the sports venues and key infrastructure, such as the city’s airports and main roads. Security personnel from 55 countries will be involved in securing the Games.
El Moutawakel was also updated on the work that is being carried out ahead of the Games in the Guanabara Bay and Lagoa venues. The new belt of pipes that has recently been put into service around the Marina da Gloria area is showing its effectiveness, with the latest readings presenting much improved water quality levels in that area. Organisers restated their confidence that both areas of water would provide top-level conditions for the athletes.
Rio 2016: Olympic Torch Relay: Olympic Museum -29.04.2016 – Lausanne – Switzerland Copyright IOC/C. Moratal
Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman commented, “Our journey is now entering its most critical phase: Operation of the Games. We are obviously very proud that we are ready to welcome the world and we can also see the transformation of Rio everywhere we go.” He continued, “A lot of work lies ahead of us but we have plenty of energy. We will deliver great Games.”
With the Games only weeks away, the city of Rio de Janeiro is getting dressed-up, as elements of the Games’ Look go up across the city. Organisers and local authorities were keen to underline the Carioca and Brazilian spirit that athletes, visitors and Games spectators will find in the city this August. As well as seeing the world’s best Olympic athletes competing in outstanding settings, spectators will be able to take advantage of the Games’ live sites, including in the newly revitalised port area; experience the Olympic spirit Carioca style in the Barra and Deodoro Parks; hang out at the beach; and discover a city and people with an important cultural heritage and a reputation for hosting one of the world’s number one celebrations every year, the Carnival.
An explanation was also given of the legacy that the Olympic Games Rio 2016 has given to the city, and which is starting to materialise already today. This includes new transport infrastructure, sports venues that will become schools or sports facilities for local communities, around 70 new hotels, improved waste management, training for thousands of workers and volunteers, and investments in the city and local businesses that will make the city even more attractive in the years to come.
19-year-old FAN Zhendong has raised doubts about the Chinese Olympic table tennis team selection with his victory at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Laox Japan Open today in Tokyo, Japan.
The 2014 Youth Olympic Games champion defeated both ZHANG Jike and XU Xin, who were both selected ahead of FAN in Rio 2016 Chinese Olympic table tennis team en route to a seventh World Tour title.
FAN, who was motivated to prove the Chinese selectors wrong for his Rio 2016 snub, was in blistering form in the final, easily dispatching XU Xin 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8 to become the 2016 Japan Open champion.
XU earlier in the day had achieved the very rare feat of beating world champion and world number one MA Long who has only been beaten twice in the past 12 months in the semi final.
After the final, FAN reflected on his triumph and not being selected for his Olympic debut in Rio: “Today I played very well. No matter what difficulty I encountered,I had the ability to overcome it, which is why I became the champion. I am very satisfied. Of course I was disappointed not to be selected for Rio, but I used my opportunity here in Japan to show the coaches that I am ready to play in Rio if one of the selected players get injured. My main aim now is to become the 2020 Olympic champion!”
Youth Olympic Champion Fan Zhendong clinches seventh ITTF World Tour title in Tokyo, Japan!
Like FAN, LIU Shiwen had something to prove to the Chinese selectors, as she was chosen just to play in the team’s event at Rio 2016, and not the singles, despite being ranked number one in the world.
The 25-year-old did this in emphatic fashion, dispatching off the women who beat her in the 2015 World Championship final, DING Ning 17-19,11-7,11-6,8-11,12-10,11-7to win her 11th ITTF World Tour title.
A defiant LIU stated after the match: “I am very happy to be the champion, it is always tough to defeat DING, so of course I am excited. Every time I play in Japan, the atmosphere is very good for us, so it’s fun to play here.”
“It is a shame that I will not be playing singles in Rio, but I am still training hard so I can do my best to help China win the gold medal in the team event.”
MA Long made up for being knocked out in the singles semi finals by teaming up with XU Xin to win the men’s doubles gold. The Chinese duo defeated CHUANG Chih-Yuan & HUANG Sheng-Sheng (TPE) 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 in the final to clinch the title.
DING Ning recovered from her loss in the singles final to win the women’s doubles with team mate LI Xiaoxia, defeating ZHU Yuling and LIU Shiwen in the final 11-7,11-7,11-9.
The American shooter beat Germany’s Andreas Loew by 1 target in the Gold medal match. People’s Republic of China’s Pan claimed Bronze. World rank’s #1 Willet in fourth. Italy’s Chianese closes in 5th after swapping his shotgun during the semi-final.
It keeps on raining in San Marino, where the men’s Double Trap Final of the 3rd ISSF Shotgun World Cup stage of the season was conducted today.
The two-time World Champion Joshua Richmond of the United States of America (30) secured the brightest medal at the end of a thrilling Gold medal match, where he met and beat Germany’s top-ranked Double Trap shooter Andreas Loew (34) by 29 to 28 hits.
Richmond had scored 28 targets in the semi-final, beating China’s Pan Qiang in a shoot-off to join Loew in Gold medal match. The German athlete had shot a perfect semi-final, hitting 30 out of 30 targets, to qualify.
“It was another great day in San Marino for me, I shot here in 2009 and got a Bronze medal. I came here trying to stay consistent throughout the day. The weather conditions affected the targets, and the light was changing back and forth, but I staid focused, hitting one target after the other until the end,” said Richmond.
“When I got to the last pair I knew I had a small cushion, I tried to enjoy the moment and I knew I was going to hit one of the two… it was still a win!” Added the US shooter, who missed just one target in the medal match, on his last pair.
“I recently qualified for Rio 2016 throughout our selection process in the US. I will be going to the next ISSF World Cup in Baku, and then I will return back home to train with the rest of the team. The focus is now on August 10th, when we will compete in Rio.”
“I feel much more confident going into Rio: I know what to expect, and I am really excited for it. I shot well on that range in the past,” continued Richmond, who had won the 2007 Pan American Games held in Rio, on the same layout that will be used during the Olympics. “I think I will be a contender.”
The 2015 ISSF World Cup Final silver medalist Pan Qiang of the People’s Republic of China, 31, claimed today’s Bronze, beating 29 to 28 hits the winner of the last world cup stage in Rio de Janeiro, Australia’s James Willett, 20, who finished in fourth. Willet, currently ranked first in the world in this event, had finished on the podium also at the beginning of the season in Nicosia.
USA’s Richmond wins San Marino’s Double Trap final and sets his sights on Rio 2016
The winner of the first shotgun world cup stage of the season in Nicosia, Italy’s Alessandro Chianese, finished in 5th place after the semi-final. At his seventh double, the Italian shooter had a technical issue with his shotgun. He tried to fix it, but after the third malfunction in a row he was given a two-hit deduction according to the ISSF Rules. From there on, Chianese shot the rest of the match with the shotgun of his teammate Marco Innocenti, a gun with a totally different setup (competition shotguns are highly customized). The 26-year old athlete was still able to hit 14 out of remaining 16 targets, closing the match with 25 hits, an exceptional score given the situation.
Finland’s first-time finalist Sami Ritsila, 43, took the 6th place with 24 hits in the semi-final.
After three out of five events conducted, USA leads the medals standings with 1 Gold and 1 Silver medals, while Australia and the Czech Republic follow in join second place with 1 Gold medal each.
The ISSF Shotgun World Cup in San Marino will continue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow with the Skeet’s official and pre-event trainings. The next medal match, the women’s Skeet Final, will take place on June 9, at 6.45 PM. The men’s Skeet Final will close the competition on June 10, at 5.30 PM.
World Sailing, the governing body of the sport, has joined forces with the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, offering official support and promotion to Bart’s Bash.
Launched in 2014, Bart’s Bash is the world’s largest sailing event that is run by sailing clubs, community sailing programmes, sail training centres, yacht clubs, scout groups, sea cadets and even groups of sailors, all around the world.
Since its inception, Bart’s Bash has inspired thousands of new and seasoned sailors to participate in sailing whilst raising funds to improve the lives of young people around the world.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation continues to encourage more people to get on the water and promote the benefits it brings people of all abilities. In 2016 Bart’s Bash will be raising awareness and funds to support grassroots disabled sailing globally.
The 2016 edition of Bart’s Bash is scheduled for 17-18 September, falling at the same time as the conclusion of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition.
Rio 2016 will welcome 80 sailors from 23 nations, racing across three disciplines. Sailing will not be on the Tokyo 2020 programme after the International Paralympic Committee made a decision to remove the sport. Since its removal, World Sailing has been working closely with its members and the IPC to ensure reintroduction for 2024.
The sailing journey for Paralympic athletes will continue after the final boat crosses the finish line in Rio and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation will act as a valuable partner.
World Sailing will encourage its Member National Authorities across the globe to promote Bart’s Bash to their members as participants, volunteers or supporters of the event.
World Sailing Chief Executive Officer, Andy Hunt, said, “World Sailing is working tirelessly to ensure sailing is returned into the Paralympic program of sports. Once the competition ends at Rio 2016, it is vital that World Sailing maintain the momentum for inclusion back into the Paralympic Games.
“The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and Bart’s Bash continues to inspire the world with their efforts and we are delighted that this year’s event will be raising funds for Para Sailing around the world.
“I, along with the rest of the World Sailing team, will be taking to the water this September as a show of support during the Paralympic Games.”
Sir Ben Ainslie, trustee of the ASSF and skipper of America’s Cup team, Land Rover BAR, added, “People know how close the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is to my heart, and it was fantastic to see so many people supporting the charity at the last Bart’s Bash. It’s really good to see World Sailing now getting behind the event, and let’s hope we can get even more people out on the water this year in memory of Bart.”
To compete at Rio 2016, all the elements are essential, but to win, you must concentrate on one, gold.
Gold, or in its periodic table form, Au, is the one element sailors and Olympic athletes think about day and night. An Olympic gold medal is the end result of a lifetime of work but to get there, Sailing World Cup Hyères will play a key part as bragging rights, World Cup honours and national selections are on the line.
As the countdown to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games reached #100DaysToGo, the opening day of Sailing World Cup Hyères saw sailors turn their focus to the natural elements, wind and water.
Those elements came in strong in the form of the famous Mistral. The north westerly blew up to 28 knots with a slight sea state that enabled the 470s, 49er, Finn, Laser, Laser Radial and RS:X to complete a full schedule of racing. For the 49erFX and Nacra 17, scheduled in the afternoon, the breeze was simply too strong and only the Nacra 17 completed one race. The 2.4 Norlin OD and Sonar completed a race apiece.
49er
On Tuesday Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) could be seen meticulously practicing their tacking and gybing in huge breeze. The fluid, continuous motions that they rehearsed on Tuesday paid dividends as they took to the top of the table after three 49er races.
A bullet and a third was the ideal start but it could have been much better as Tuke explained, “We sailed the first two races well and 99% of the third race but we capsized right at the finish which is a bit of a pain. All in all, not a bad start.”
Burling and Tuke are on a run of 25 consecutive regatta victories, remaining unbeaten in the Rio 2016 quad. As a result, they are rightly labelled as favourites for Rio 2016 gold and with 100 days to go until the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, their run will count for nothing if they don’t take gold.
“It is exciting, 100 days to go. I saw that [World Sailing’s 100 Days to Go video] this morning on social media. It’s a good little landmark but for us, it’s business as usual and what we’ve been preparing for, for the last four years. We’re here at the World Cup event to win but Rio in 100 days’ time is fully on our mind and we’re just looking to get better.”
Their unbeaten run indicates pure perfection so how can they get better? “Well we could have been better today by not capsizing,” Tuke said through a smile.
“There’s still a lot of things that we can do better and we’re just going to look at those things, at the big picture in Rio and concentrate on getting better. Since we’ve been focusing on improving, the results have spoken for themselves.”
It is early days in the 49er and the Kiwis lead only stands at one point over Will and Sam Phillips of Australia but if they keep looking to improve then it’s going to take a special performance to overhaul them.
In advance of racing at World Cup Hyères, a keen observer of Olympic sailing remarked, “if the Mistral stays like this all week, Mat and Will are going to smoke it.”
True to that, Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS) did indeed smoke it in the Men’s 470 picking up a first and a third, holding the lead.
From training in Sydney, around Sydney Heads, the pair have learnt to thrive in big breeze, especially in France, winning Hyères twice and taking silver in 2015. “Growing up in Australia we’re used to a little bit more breeze,” remarked Ryan. “The French Mistral is definitely something special. The French are probably more adapted to that, more so than we are, especially the cold weather as we can’t feel our fingers and toes sometimes.
“We’re happy with how we are sailing and that is the main thing. We’re fresh off our Europeans and everyone is sailing the best they can, it’s going to be a long, hard couple of days.”
Luke Patience and Elliot Willis’ partnership for the Rio 2016 quad was cut short late in 2015 as Willis was diagnosed with cancer. Patience continued his journey to Rio, joining forces with Chris Grube and their progress towards Rio took a huge step forward with a first and a fifth to sit second overall, three points off the Aussie leaders.
In the Women’s 470, London 2012 Olympic gold medallists Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) kept things tight to post a first and a second. They lead Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Irmina Mrózek Gliszczynska (POL) by four points.
Nacra 17
It was survival mode in the Nacra 17 and out of the 33 starters, just 14 finished the single race.
There was high drama as a number of boats struggled in the breeze resulting in capsizes aplenty. Moana Vaireaux and Manon Audinet of France stayed firm and took the bullet followed by Fernando Echavarri and Tara Pacheco (ESP).
Laser and Laser Radial
Matt Wearn (AUS) and Philipp Buhl (GER) took a win apiece in the Laser but it’s the German who leads. A sixth in the opening race compared to Wearn’s seventh in the second hands him the advantage.
The Laser is one of the most competitive Olympic fleets and 10 – 15 sailors have the capabilities to take the title. Six fleet races follow before Sunday’s live Medal Races and one thing’s for sure, there will be chops and changes.
Belgium’s Evi Van Acker is aiming for a third consecutive Laser Radial victory in Hyères and she’s done her chances no harm in 2016 with a first a fourth. She is a point clear of Veronika Fenclova (CZE) and three ahead of the freshly crowned World Champion, Alison Young (GBR).
It’s a tale of two ups and a down for the leaders in the Men’s and Women’s RS:X.
Pawel Tarnowski (POL) in the men’s and Helene Noesmoen (FRA) in the women’s took a pair of bullets from the day’s racing however they also used their drop, discarding their 17th and a 20th respectively.
Poland’s Maja Dziarnowska is hot on the heels of Noesmoen in the women’s fleet, sitting a point behind having won the opening race. Following Dziarnowska are her compatriots Zofia Noceti-Klepacka and Malgorzata Bialecka.
In the Men’s, Tarnowski has a six-point lead over Joao Rodrigues, winner of the other men’s race.
Finn
Josh Junior (NZL) continued his winning ways from Princesa Sofia in Palma de Mallorca, Spain to take the early lead over Caleb Paine (USA) and Oliver Tweddell (AUS) after two windy races were held.
Anders Pedersen (NOR) made the most of the opening race to lead all the way to win from Jake Lilley (AUS), who moved into second place on the second upwind, overtaking Jonathan Lobert (FRA) who crossed in third.
Early on in the second race Junior was in the pack but climbed through to second on the second upwind, to take the lead on the final downwind to the finish to take the bullet from Paine and Tweddell.
Paralympic Events
With the wind hitting the higher limits in the Olympic classes, the Paralympic classes also fell foul with only one race completed in both the 2.4 Norlin OD and the Sonar fleets.
In the 2.4mR, the French could not take advantage of the home Hyères wind and Kevin Cantin, Xavier Dagault and favourite Damien Seguin could only manage seventh, eighth and ninth place respectively.
Australia’s Matthew Bugg took the bullet ahead of Italy’s Antonio Squizzato with Norway’s Bjonar Erikstad in third.
Great Britain’s Helena Lucas came in in fifth position while Germany’s Heiko Kroeger did not finish the race. A bad start for the German sailor means that he has less margin for error throughout the rest of the regatta than his competitors, but in the Hyères winds, anything can happen.
A bullet in the only race of the day puts Great Britain’s Hannah Stodel, John Robertson and Steve Thomas on top of the leaderboard in the Sonar fleet as four crews were either forced to retire or did not finish.
From the crews that did cross the line, France’s Bruno Jourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary hold second position with Ireland’s John C Twomey, Austin O’Carroll and Ian Costelloe just behind in third.
Racing on Thurday 28 April is scheduled to start at 11:00 local time and the 49erFX and Nacra 17 fleets will catch up on their missed races.
He is easily one of the most accomplished basketball players in Nigeria’s basketball history with an enviable collection of medals in the domestic basketball club level and he is well known in the basketball community, His name is Musa Usman and he is a three star basketball General, having won the prestigious professional basketball league in Nigeria with Royal Hoopers of Port-Harcourt back to back for two season and then most recently with Mark Mentors of Abuja.
Usman has expressed confidence that he can make an impact for Nigeria at the Olympics this year if selected for the Rio 2016 event in August.
According to Musa, who was the top performer for the Mark Mentors basketball team that won the Nation’s National basketball league in 2015, “I want to play for Nigeria’s D’ Tigers because the team certainly need experience and quality players like me that can add more value to the team at this critical period,” the lanky forward posited confidently.
Musa Usman who last December 2015, also won the Mark d’ ball trophy in Otukpo with the team called ”Blame It On Experience” re-affirmed his desire to be at the Olympics in Rio de Janiero with the D’ Tigers of Nigeria if given the opportunity to serve his country by coach William Voigt. “For me, to play at the Olympics would be a dream and a great honour to represent my country at the Games.
Musa Usman
Speaking on the chances of his team (Mark Mentors) retaining the league trophy this season, The Vice Captain of the Abuja Millionaires as the team is called, stated emphatically that nothing has changed, the team still remain relevant and will compete on all fronts for the league glory,
He was quick to warn that the departure of some of the key players that won the league title last year has not in any way affected or depleted the team’s chemistry rather it has given them a new synergy to forge ahead.
The stage is now set for the men’s and women’s Olympic Football Tournaments at Rio 2016, following Thursday’s draw at the Maracanã’s auditorium. The Olympic Football Tournaments will have a total of 58 matches, with 32 for the men, and 26 for the women. Please find the match schedule here.
The action gets under way on 3 August, with five other cities aside from Rio staging games: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Manaus, Salvador and Sao Paulo. Both finals will be played at the Maracanã, with the women going for gold on the 19th and the men doing likewise a day later.
“Just under two years ago, Brazil hosted a magical edition of the FIFA World Cup, and it will be glorious to see these cities again at the centre of the football world this August,” said Lydia Nsekera, deputy chairperson of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Football Tournaments, member of the Executive Committee and IOC member. “That is why I would like to express my gratitude to the Host Cities for bringing to life the legacy of that World Cup. There is no place for football like Brazil, and I can’t wait to see these six cities setting up a dream stage once again for football fans from across the globe.”
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