Latest news with #BeijingOlympics
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Olympic Champion Shooter David Kostelecky Hails Shooting League of India: 'More About Teams Than Individuals'
The two-time Olympic gold medallist turned 50 this year but remains as excited as ever to participate in this first-of-its-kind tournament. Czech trap shooter David Kostelecky, at 50, is one of the oldest athletes to have expressed interest in the upcoming Shooting League of India. The two-time Olympic gold medallist (gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver in 2020 Tokyo Olympics), who began shooting at the age of 14, turned 50 this year but remains as excited as ever to participate in this first-of-its-kind tournament. Kostelecky explained that his love for team events is the primary reason for his excitement about the league. 'I think it is more about the teams than about individual shooters. And I love it because this is what I am missing in our sport or my career," the Czech shooter said. 'I am excited to be a part of a team and try to win it together, because all my life I have competed for myself and for my country. I think our sport needs more team events. I also love to shoot the mixed events at the World Cups. Thus, for me, participating in this league is better than normal competition. So this was my motivation for sure," he added. Having started shooting 36 years ago, David also spoke about how he has adjusted his fitness regimen over the years to ensure he remains fit enough to continue in the sport. Kostelecky, who became the oldest Czech player to win an Olympic medal in 2020, said, 'I am happy to say that I think I have changed my fitness routine over the years. I have tried to be stronger also because I thought it was missing. I have seen the change it has brought to my sport." 'And obviously, when I was young, it was easy for me to stay fit normally, but now I am already aging, so I have to do more than before. So I try to control my food and do regular exercise, play some tennis and padel to stay fit." He signed off by expressing his excitement to play alongside some of the best shooting talent in the world and said, 'I think it is really great for the community to have an event like this, because despite seeing somebody for 10, 15 years, you do not know him. But now, if you participate with him in the team, you can become real friends and buddies. So that is really great and I think this can put all the people together." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'I'm glad he won it' - LeBron James expressed admiration for Kobe Bryant on his sole MVP win
LeBron James expressed admiration for Kobe Bryant on his sole MVP win (Image Credit: Getty Images) LeBron James was in complete awe of Kobe Bryant and always advocated giving accolades to the Los Angeles Lakers star. When Kobe Bryant won the MVP award in 2008, LeBron expressed deep admiration for the legendary player. Though he ended up fourth in the MVP voting, LeBron did not mind losing at all, as the recognition went to his loved player. He said that Kobe deserved the win and that he was glad that Kobe bagged the recognition. Kobe celebrated his win with his teammates and called his win 'team's win,' He said, "We won MVP", showing how much he valued team's support. LeBron James celebrated Kobe Bryant's MVP win in 2008 with kind words for him The Day Prime Kobe Faced MVP LeBron LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were contenders for the regular-season MVP award in 2008. The result was declared in favor of Kobe Bryant. LeBron was very happy with the decision. He admired his 2008 Beijing Olympics teammate and expressed pleasure over Bryant bagging the MVP award in 2008. Showering adulations on Bryant, LeBron said: 'I've said since two, three years ago that Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league. He's been the best player the last five, six years. I'm glad he won it. His team had a great year, finishing first in the West." Kobe Bryant undoubtedly deserved it. His two-way game led the Los Angeles Lakers to the top of the Western Conference. Not only that, the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 NBA finals, 4-1, with Kobe Bryant delivering a fantastic 30-point performance. Kobe Bryant dedicated his MVP award to his team Kobe Bryant displayed unparalleled humility while accepting the award. He called it a result of team effort and said: 'This is a team award. This is not an individual award. The special thing about this award is that we did it together. I couldn't have done it without them.' kobe bryant MVP 2007-2008 Bryant celebrated his MVP win with his teammates by calling every player to the court and greeting them individually. Later, while addressing reporters in the press conference, Bryant again showered praise on his teammates, saying: 'I couldn't have won this award without the play of my teammates… This is one of the awards that I couldn't have won on my own. This gets done because we all do it as a unit.' He made a powerful statement on teamwork by saying, "I can't thank these guys enough. These are my guys, are my brothers and WE have won MVP.' Previously, Kobe Bryant joked about why he never won MVP in 2000s, when he peaked. He called it work of media, as Bryant was not someone as media-friendly as required to get votes for such accolades. LeBron James Kobe Bryant FAQs Did LeBron James and Kobe Bryant play for the same team? LeBron James and Kobe Bryant played for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Summer Olympics. Which year did Kobe Bryant win MVP? Kobe Bryant won the MVP award for the regular season in 2008. How many times did LeBron James play Kobe Bryant? LeBron James and Kobe Bryant faced each other 22 times. Also Read: LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? Dwight Howard's shocking pick in the legendary NBA debate between his two former teammates Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Olympics-Russia's luge federation to appeal 2026 Games ban
2022 Beijing Olympics - Closing Ceremony - National Stadium, Beijing, China - February 20, 2022. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics logo is displayed during the closing ceremony. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (Reuters) -The Russian Luge Federation (FSSR) said it will take legal action over a decision by the sport's global governing body to bar the country's athletes from the qualifying process for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The International Luge Federation (FIL) voted at its congress in Tampere, Finland last month to extend an existing exclusion for Russian athletes from its competitions. It also voted to not authorise a programme for neutral Russian athletes. The FSSR said in a statement on Monday it had notified the governing body of its intention to challenge the decision in international courts. The FSSR told Russian news agency TASS it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. "We will defend the rights of our athletes to participate in the Olympic Games 2026," FSSR President Natalia Gart said. The FIL did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The International Olympic Committee said in May that Russian teams remained banned from next year's Games as part of sanctions following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Four Russian figure skaters in men's and women's singles have been approved by the International Skating Union to try to qualify for the 2026 Olympics as neutral athletes. (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Russia's luge federation to appeal 2026 Games ban
Find out what's new on ST website and app. 2022 Beijing Olympics - Closing Ceremony - National Stadium, Beijing, China - February 20, 2022. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics logo is displayed during the closing ceremony. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch The Russian Luge Federation (FSSR) said it will take legal action over a decision by the sport's global governing body to bar the country's athletes from the qualifying process for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The International Luge Federation (FIL) voted at its congress in Tampere, Finland last month to extend an existing exclusion for Russian athletes from its competitions. It also voted to not authorise a programme for neutral Russian athletes. The FSSR said in a statement on Monday it had notified the governing body of its intention to challenge the decision in international courts. The FSSR told Russian news agency TASS it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. "We will defend the rights of our athletes to participate in the Olympic Games 2026," FSSR President Natalia Gart said. The FIL did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The International Olympic Committee said in May that Russian teams remained banned from next year's Games as part of sanctions following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Four Russian figure skaters in men's and women's singles have been approved by the International Skating Union to try to qualify for the 2026 Olympics as neutral athletes. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms, 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Air India crash: SIA, Scoot find no issues with Boeing 787 fuel switches after precautionary checks Opinion What we can do to fight the insidious threat of 'zombie vapes' Singapore $230,000 in fines issued after MOM checks safety at over 500 workplaces from April to June Business 'Some cannot source outside China': S'pore firms' challenges and support needed amid US tariffs Opinion Sumiko at 61: Everything goes south when you age, changing your face from a triangle to a rectangle Multimedia From local to global: What made top news in Singapore over the last 180 years? Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Novak Djokovic confirms retirement plan after Wimbledon heartbreak
Novak Djokovic again came up short at Wimbledon as he lost in the semi-final on Friday to Jannik Sinner but the 38-year-old maintains he will be back at SW19 next year Novak Djokovic insisted Friday's semi-final loss was not his final outing at Wimbledon as the 38-year-old maintained he plans to come back next year - but wasn't committing beyond that. The Serbian has won the tournament in SW19 on seven occasions - only one shy of the record eight held by Roger Federer - but has struggled to mix it with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in more recent years. Djokovic has now lost his last five matches against Sinner. Rafael Nadal is the only other player to match that run, managing five in a row between the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the Madrid Open in 2009 with the Italian having his number whilst Alcaraz outclassed the Serbian 12 months ago in the final. He's closing in on 40 and age is appearing to catch up with him and his body. A late slip in his quarter-final meant he was carrying an injury issue, which became apparent as the match went on against Sinner, but the 23-time Grand Slam winner was adamant he hadn't played on Centre Court for the final time. Djokovic said: "I would be sad [if it was my last] but hopefully it's not my last match on Centre Court. I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. I'm planning to come back, definitely, at least one more time." READ MORE: Novak Djokovic makes stark admission after Wimbledon exit as record still eludes him The beaten semi-finalist confessed that he was struggling with his movement as the game against Sinner progressed, which was a frustration as he failed to put his best foot forward. He said: "Honestly, wasn't really a pleasant feeling on the court. Yeah, I don't want to talk, in details, about my injury and just whine about not managing to play my best. I want to congratulate Jannik for another great performance. That's it. He's in the finals. He was too strong. I do feel, yeah, disappointed that I just wasn't able to move as well as I thought or hoped that I would." Djokovic sung a different tune regarding his future at the French Open last month, where he also saw his hopes ended in the last four by Sinner. He is a three-time winner in Paris but confessed in the aftermath of the contest that he may have played on the clay for the final time. He said: "This could have been the last match ever I played here - I don't know. That's why it was a bit more emotional at the end. But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd." Pressed further on that he added: "I don't know right now. Twelve months at this point in my career is quite a long time. Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know. That's all I can say for the moment."
