Sports
Attention again on Paris as Paralympics take centre stage
The Place de la Concorde, set to host the opening ceremony on 28 August, promises a showcase of talent for over 4,000 athletes who will compete in a display of skill.
With 22 sports on the agenda and a total of 549 events across 19 stunning venues, epic Paralympic sporting stories will unfold.
At the Paralympic Games, fans from every corner will have the chance to rediscover the magic that made the Olympics unforgettable through the same iconic venues and fierce competition for medals. France will be dressed to impress with celebrations throughout the country, creating a unique sphere where everyone can experience the Paralympic excitement together, with renewed intensity and significance.
The party is far from winding down. For this reason, the French capital invites the public to extend the celebration by joining the thrilling athletic performances of the best Paralympic athletes from around the world. This is the message conveyed by the Organising Committee with the slogan “The Game isn’t over,” in their ground-breaking Paralympic campaign, signalling that there’s still plenty of success, excitement, tension, effort, and medals to be shared in the first weeks of September.
Just yesterday, the Olympic and Paralympic Gala Dinner of New South Wales took place at The Venue in Sydney, Australia, featuring one of the federations that will provide strong competition in Paris in just a few days. China, the champion of the Paralympic medal table at Tokyo 2020, aims to defend a throne that is increasingly being challenged by the Anglo-Saxon nations, Great Britain and the United States, with their blend of talent and experience across many disciplines. Not to be forgotten, the hosts, France, are eager after a stellar performance in the recent Games.
The excitement is palpable. In fact, ticket sales for the Paralympic Games have been booming recently and will continue to rise as the 28th approaches, marking the start of the event. Nearly 1.5 million tickets have been sold, including around 500.000 since the beginning of the Olympic Games, though many seats remain. They are likely to be snapped up, considering the frenzy of the Paralympics always delivers unique moments for spectators.
Some events have already surpassed demand: wheelchair fencing and adapted taekwondo at the Grand Palais are box office hits, as well as adapted cycling, adapted equestrian events at the majestic Château de Versailles, and adapted triathlon at the iconic Alexandre III Bridge. Likewise, wheelchair rugby finals at Arena Champ de Mars and the final rounds of wheelchair basketball and blind football at the Eiffel Tower Stadium have also vanished in the blink of an eye.
Recently, Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, spoke and promised an unforgettable experience: “After two weeks of extreme emotions and moments that will make history in the Games, we don’t want to say goodbye. But we’re in luck, because in two weeks, the Games return with 4,500 athletes ready to compete with the same wild energy.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, didn’t hold back on his enthusiasm with his recent statement, “After a successful Games, I am more convinced than ever that Paris 2024 will host the most spectacular Paralympic Games in history. The celebration continues, and people should get ready for a sporting event that will be astonishing and impressive like never before.”
By Francesca Hangeior.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2034, the club announced on Friday.
The 24-year-old Norwegian, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in the club’s recent successes.
His initial contract was set to expire in 2027, but the new deal reflects the club’s confidence in Haaland’s importance to their future.
“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement said.
Reflecting on the new contract, Haaland expressed his delight at extending his stay.
“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.
Haaland thanked his teammates, manager Pep Guardiola, and the City staff, stating, “They have made this such a special place to be, and now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better, and help us achieve more success going forward.”
Since his arrival, Haaland’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In his debut 2022/23 season, he scored 52 goals across all competitions, the highest-ever tally by a Premier League player in a single season, breaking the previous league record of 36 goals.
His goals were instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.
In addition to collective success, Haaland garnered numerous individual accolades in his debut season, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards.
Despite an injury that sidelined him for nearly two months during the 2023/24 season, Haaland continued his prolific form, scoring 38 goals in 45 appearances, including 27 in the Premier League, securing a second consecutive Golden Boot.
By Francesca Hangeior.
Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Adeyemi Adewale, a football player for the Ilesa West Local Government Area team, who slumped during a match in Osogbo, the state capital.
Adewale, 29, was participating in the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match at the Ataoja School of Science on Thursday when he collapsed on the field.
Efforts to save him proved futile as he was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead upon arrival.
Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death have commenced.
“Today, (Thursday) while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale ‘M’ 29yrs, a player of Ilesa West Football team, slumped on the pitch.
“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by a doctor,” the statement said.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the teaching hospital’s morgue.
Sports
Remarkable Comeback As Amad Diallo 12 Minute Hat-trick Seals Victory For Manchester United Vs Southampton
Three late goals from Amad Diallo dragged a below-par Manchester United to a 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday.
Amad Diallo proved the saviour for Manchester United once again as they came from behind to sneak a late win against basement club Southampton.
United will have fancied their chances of getting back to winning ways against bottom of the table Southampton, but the hosts were second best from the off, deservedly falling behind to a Manuel Ugarte own goal just before halftime.
Staring down the barrel of another home defeat, United upped the ante after the break, getting back on level terms through Diallo eight minutes from time, before the Ivorian completed the turnaround in the 90th minute.
Amad Diallo is the hero for the hosts, his hat-trick getting them out of a huge hole against a Southampton team who deserved more than they got from the game.
An absorbing and entertaining game ends in a home victory.
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have Amad Diallo to thank for saving their blushes.
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