Sport

It’s a wrap: Paris Olympics hands flag to 2028 host city LA

The next Summer Olympics will be in 2028 and will be hosted by Los Angeles

Published

1 month ago

August 12, 2024

The Olympic flame was officially extinguished during an elaborate closing ceremony Sunday, officially ending the 2024 Paris Games as Los Angeles takes over for 2028.

Setting out to prove that topping Paris isn’t mission impossible, Los Angeles rolled out a skydiving Tom Cruise, Grammy winner Billie Eilish and other stars on Sunday as it took over Olympic hosting duties from the French capital, which closed out its 2024 Games just as they started — with joy and panache, AP reported.

Capping two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion, Paris’ boisterous, star-studded closing ceremony in France’s national stadium mixed unbridled celebration with a somber call for peace from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

At what will be his last Games after announcing his intention to step down next year, Bach made a somber appeal for ”a culture of peace” in a war-torn world.

Bach, the 1976 fencing Olympic champion, said in his closing speech: "Despite all the tensions in our world, you came here from all 206 national Olympic committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, to make the City of Light shine brighter than ever before.

Thomas Bach appeals for ”a culture of peace” in a war-torn world

"Your performances were amazing. You competed fiercely against each other. Every contest on the edge of perfection. Every performance sparking excitement around the world. You showed us what greatness we humans are capable of.

“The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were a celebration of the athletes and of sport at its best.

“The first Olympic Games delivered completely under our Olympic Agenda reforms: younger, more urban, more inclusive, more sustainable. The first Olympic Games with full gender parity.

“These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish – or dare I say: Seine-sational Games.”

The next Summer Olympics will be in 2028 and will be hosted by Los Angeles - for the third time.

But things will be slightly different for the next Games as the IOC has green-lighted several new (and old) sports for 2028 and subtracted another from the program list that was featured in Paris.

Gymnastics, as well as other mainstream international events — such as athletics, aquatics, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cycling and fencing — will of course be part of the 2028 Olympics.

[caption id="attachment_617020" align="alignnone" width="300"]

Flag football is a variant of gridiron football where, instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier [/caption]

Flag football and squash have been approved as first-time additions in Los Angeles, while baseball, softball, lacrosse and cricket will be added after various lengths of absence.

Lacrosse has not been an Olympic sport since 1908.

[caption id="attachment_617026" align="alignnone" width="300"]

Lacrosse will feature six-on-six tournaments, and medals will be awarded for the first time in 120 years.[/caption]

Cricket was contested once, in Paris in 1900.

Break-dancing and perhaps boxing will be out. Formerly optional sports skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing will transition to permanent events in 2028, the IOC said.

Forbes reported that the proposed budget for the 2028 Games is $6.8 billion, according to chairman Casey Wasserman, and will be completely funded by the private sector.

The IOC said that flag football will feature men’s and women’s medal competitions, with the teams playing five-on-five on a 45-meter field.

The World Squash Federation has meanwhile tried for years to introduce the sport into the Games. They have been given the green-light for Los Angeles.

[caption id="attachment_617029" align="alignnone" width="300"]

The World Squash Federation has tried for years to introduce the sport into the Games[/caption]

Both sports are considered optional and may not continue at the 2023 Brisbane Games.

Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Cricket Are Back

Baseball was added as a permanent sport in the 1992 Barcelona Games and was dropped after 2008 before making a one-time return in Tokyo in 2020.

Softball meanwhile has been on the Olympic card five times, most recently in 2020, when host country Japan won its second consecutive gold medal. The US won the first three times.

It will be an optional sport in Los Angeles, although the competition will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which is the site of the NCAA Women’s College World Series.

Lacrosse will feature six-on-six tournaments, and medals will be awarded for the first time in 120 years. Canada has won the only two gold medals, in 1904 and 1908. Its B team took the bronze in 1904, and the sport was dropped after Canada and Great Britain were the only competitors in 1908.

Great Britain is the only previous cricket gold medalist, having won in the 1900 Paris Games. Great Britain and France were the only sides to compete.

Boxing meanwhile has not been cleared for Los Angeles. The IOC has stripped recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) for what it said was a failure to address finance and governance reforms, and the IBA has not been involved in the last two Olympic Games.

The IOC has delayed until 2025 a decision on whether to include the sport, pending the formation of a new governing body. Boxing was introduced in 1904 and has been part of the medal program since 1920.

The purported sport of break-dancing — “breaking” — threatens to be a one-hit wonder after being introduced in Paris.

Breaking is not on the schedule for the Los Angeles Games, and leaders of the sport fear funding issues will prevent reinstatement in Brisbane.

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Sport

Iran and Portugal dazzle in their FIFA Futsal World Cup openers

This was the first time Portugal netted 10 goals in a FIFA Futsal World Cup game

Published

2 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Ariana News

Iran and Portugal registered historic victories in their FIFA Futsal World Cup openers on Monday in Uzbekistan, while France came from behind to win and Morocco beat Tajikistan.

Results for Monday September 16:

Portugal 10-1 Panama
IR Iran 7-1 Venezuela
Tajikistan 2-4 Morocco
Guatemala 3-6 France

Salar Aghapour and Pany Varela on Monday bagged breathtaking goals as Iran and France hurtled out of the blocks at Uzbekistan 2024.

There was mixed fortunes for two teams making their FIFA Futsal World Cup debuts, with Tajikistan dazzling in defeat to Morocco and France turning in a tremendous last 20 to overcome Guatemala.

Portugal 10-1 Panama

Portugal’s goals were scored by Jaime Penaloza, Afonso Jesus (2), Bruno Coelho, Tomas Paco, Erick Mendonça, Andre Coelho (2), Kutchy Camala Sa, Pany Varela.

Panama’s only goal was scored by Alfonso Maquensi.

Player of the Match was Erick Mendonça of Portugal who said after the match “we’re very pleased with the performance. Panama are a strong side, champions of their region. We spoke about making a good start, and that was crucial.”

Panama player Alfonso Maquensi said: “We can take a lot of encouragement from our second-half performance. Portugal are the best team in the world.

“We scored one, we could have scored more. Unfortunately we made too many mistakes in the first half, but what we did in the second gives us confidence for the matches ahead.”

This was the first time Portugal netted 10 goals in a FIFA Futsal World Cup game, and equalled their best-ever win in the competition: a 9-0 reverse of the same opponents in 2016.

Portugal are the defending champions at this year’s tournament.

Iran 7-1 Venezuela

Iran also put on a spectacular performance to defeat Venezuela 7-1 in their match on Monday.

Goals were scored twice by Salar Aghapour, Mahdi Karimi, and Behrooz Azimi while Amirhossein Davoudi scored one goal.

Venezuela’s single goal was scored by Milton Francia.

Player of the Match was Iran’s Salar Aghapour.

Speaking after the match at Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, in Bukhara, Azimi said: “The first few minutes were difficult for us, but then we adjusted and started to play better.

“The coach said it would be important for us to take advantage of Venezuela's first mistake, and that’s what we did. Then the game opened up for us.”

“We knew we were playing against a very strong team and that we would have to take advantage of any chance we had.

“They are futsal powerhouses, but I also leave the court thinking that we could have done more. There is a bit of a bitter taste, but now we have to move ahead,” he said.

With teams fired up to take home this year’s trophy, fans across Afghanistan need not miss out on all the action. Ariana Television Network is the official broadcaster in the country and is screening matches live daily.

Sport

All you need to know about FIFA Futsal World Cup Rules

A goalkeeper must release the ball within four seconds while in his own half. If he doesn’t, an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the opposition team

Published

1 day ago

September 16, 2024

Ariana News

Futsal has continued to grow in global popularity over the past few decades with one source estimating 12 million players across the world play the game.

Due to its easy setup and enhanced accessibility futsal has become an essential resource for coaches aiming to develop players.

But futsal’s rules are intricate - especially those applicable to this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Here’s what you need to know.

A match lasts 40 minutes. That is, in fact, 40 minutes of the ball in play, because when the whistle blows – when, say, the ball goes out or a foul is called – the timekeeper stops the clock until play restarts.

The two 20-minute halves are split by a 15-minute half-time break. If a knockout-phase game is level after 40 minutes, two five-minute periods of extra-time will be played.

Teams

Uzbekistan 2024 squads consist of 14 players. Each team has five players – four out-court and one goalkeeper – on court simultaneously, unless a sending off has occurred.

Substitutions

Coaches can make unlimited substitutions. There is no limit to how many times a player can be substituted on and off.

Four-second rule

A goalkeeper must release the ball within four seconds while in his own half. If he doesn’t, an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the opposition team. Set-pieces – kick-ins, corners and free-kicks – must be taken within four seconds or the opposition team will be awarded an indirect free-kick.

Goalkeepers in possession

Once a goalkeeper has touched the ball in his own half, he is not permitted to touch it again inside his own half until the opposition have had possession.

Kick-ins

There are no throw-ins. When the ball goes out via the side-line, or for a corner, it must be kicked back in.

Accumulated fouls

When a team has made five fouls in one half, every subsequent foul will result in their opponents being awarded a free shot at goal, with no wall permitted in between, from the second penalty spot (10 metres out). If the foul occurred closer to goal, it can be taken from where it occurred. First-half fouls are wiped at half-time, but second-half fouls are carried into extra-time if it is required.

Red cards

Players are sent off for two yellow cards or a straight red. Their team must then play with only four players on the court until the opposition scores or for two minutes. If the opposition scores, or once two minutes is up if not, a replacement can be sent on. The sent-off player is not permitted to return to the game.

Flying goalkeepers

A flying goalkeeper is when an out-court player temporarily assumes the role of a goalkeeper. This is invariably done when a team is behind and trying to outnumber the opposition in attack. A flying goalkeeper must wear a goalkeeper’s jersey with his own number on the back.

Time-outs

Each head coach has one time-out, whereby play is stopped for 60 seconds for him to speak to his players, in each half. A head coach can only call a time-out when the ball goes out of play and his team will restart it. There are no time-outs in extra-time.

Penalty shootouts

If a knockout-phase game is level after extra-time, a penalty shootout will decide the outcome. Whichever team is leading after each has taken five penalties will go through. If it’s level after five penalties apiece, sudden death will ensue. Players who have withdrawn from the game injured or been sent off are not permitted to take penalties.

An outfield player is permitted to act as a goalkeeper during penalties. Teams are permitted to alternate their goalkeepers during the shootout.

Sport

Afghanistan impress in debut thriller at FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan

Roared on by the crowd at Humo Arena, Afghanistan were 5-2 up at half-time.

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2024

Ariana News

If Afghanistan’s first match of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 is anything to go by then fans across the country are in for a treat after the team thumped Angola 6-4 on Sunday afternoon in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Roared on by the crowd at Humo Arena, Afghanistan were 5-2 up at half-time.

Goals were scored by Farzad Mahmoodi, Omid Qanbari, Hussain Mohammadi, Mahdi Norowzi, Akbar Kazemi, and Reza Hossein Poor.

Player of the Match went to Akbar Kazemi, who made 11 attempts at goal in total.

Next up for Afghanistan are 2016 champions Argentina on Wednesday. Angola, for their part, will look to rebound against Ukraine.

Fans across the country can stay tuned to Ariana Television to watch all the thrills and spills live as Ariana Television Network (ATN) is the official broadcaster of the tournament in Afghanistan.