Sports Bulletin

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad (August 23, 2021):-Tokyo Paralympics begins tomorrow! Overall theme for both the Olympics and Paralympics is “MOVING FORWARD” and the theme for the opening ceremony for the Paralympics is “WE HAVE WINGS”. Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, wishing success to the two Pakistani athletes, Haider Ali and Anila Baig, participating in the Tokyo Paralympics said “Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, supporting staff and the families of the Pakistan’s Paralympic Team for their resilience to compete in the Games especially during the time of challenging COVID-19 situation. I am sure that the Pakistani Paralympians will do their best for their country.” While expressing his good wishes and solidarity on the occasion of Tokyo Paralympics, the President of Pakistan's Milestone Society for Special Persons, Muhammad Shafiq ur Rehman, also congratulated the Pakistani athletes for their dedication and hard work for the Tokyo Paralympic Games. He mentioned that “Due to the COVID- 19 situation, Pakistan team could not participate with a large contingent but still we are praying and hoping for the two Pakistani athletes to perform well and win medals for the country. Shafiq, in his message on the occasion, also extended his gratitude to the Japanese people with disabilities who had donated wheelchairs to Milestone Society for Special Persons in 2002. That donation from our Japanese friends helped us to start sports activities for persons with disabilities here in Pakistan and also introduced wheelchair cricket as a new game in the world. "Our heart is full of respect and love for our Japanese friends. We have a spiritual relation which is getting strengthened every time new sun rises. Long live Pakistan Japan brotherhood” said the President of Milestone Society for Special Persons. "We have received very precious support by the Embassy of Japan and developed the first center with full accessibility of international standard in Lahore Pakistan. We are also very thankful to the Embassy of Japan to ensure the accessibility for the wheelchair users at their premises.” "Our Japanese friends always supported us with great knowledge and resources" he further said.

SPORTS NEWS Yokohama (Japan):- World No. 1 Japan shut out No. 4 USA, 2-0, to win the Tokyo 2020 Olympic baseball gold medal on Saturday night at Yokohama Stadium, concluding the 16-game tournament. Munetaka Murakami’s solo home run in the bottom of the third inning would be the only run Japan would need, with winning pitcher Masato Morishita (5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 K) and relievers Koudai Senga, Hiromi Itoh, Suguru Iwazaki and Ryoji Kuribayashi combining on the shutout. "I'm so happy we won a gold medal," said Murakami, "and I'm so proud of being a member of Samurai Japan. Our starter was on top of the game, so when I stepped into the box in the third, I thought one run could be enough to win." USA’s Nick Martinez (6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 7 K), who was tagged with the loss, was also sharp on the mound, only surrendering the run off Murakami’s bat in the third. "The home run was just a nice piece of hitting by Murakami," said Martinez. The win represents Japan’s the first-ever Olympic gold medal in baseball and Japan becomes the first Olympic host nation to win the gold medal in baseball on home soil. "Winning the Olympics on home soil is very special,” said Japan manager Atsunori Inaba. "Winning gold shows the world the strength of Japanese baseball, and this success will bring more people to baseball in Japan, also." “I congratulate Japan on the gold medal,” said US manager Mike Scioscia, “but I don't want to congratulate Japan only. I tip my cap to every team we faced. Every day we had the challenges of game seven. All six teams represented baseball in the best way possible." Japan’s Tetsuto Yamada, who scored the second run of the gold medal game, was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the Tokyo 2020 tournament. “We won thanks to the help of a lot of people,” Inaba said. “Now I want the younger players to return to their club and share what they learned during this tournament. We want to set up a culture of international baseball for the future." Looking at future Olympic Games, Scioscia said: "It's an incredible oversight not having baseball included as a permanent sport in the Summer Olympics." In the bronze medal game on Saturday, world No. 7 Dominican Republic defeated No. 3 Korea, 10-6, as the Dominican Republic earned its first-ever Olympic medal in baseball, which is also the nation’s first-ever Olympic medal in a team sport. Dominican Republic becomes the seventh nation/territory in history to win a medal in baseball at the Olympic Games, following Cuba, Japan, USA, Korea, Australia and Chinese Taipei. Capping off the 16-game tournament, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), together with Tokyo 2020 organizers, named the Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team, with five of the participating six nations represented.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad (August 7, 2021):-Ambassador Matsuda Kuninori extended congratulations to Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s premier javelin thrower, for showing his great talent by winning 5th place in the final of men’s javelin throw competition in the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday and conveyed best wishes for his future endeavors. According to media department of Japan embassy in Islamabad, the diplomat said in his message, “Though, unfortunately, you could not win a place on the medal winning podium but, I believe, you have won many hearts back home for your brilliant performance in the world’s mega event. I congratulate you for having the honor of competing in the final round played for the medals. Keep up your efforts with fresh zeal and I am sure, the day is not far when you will be on victory stand”, said the Ambassador.

SPORTS NEWS Tokyo August 6, 2021):-International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and a delegation of IOC guests paid a visit to the Sport Climbing competition yesterday evening at the Aomi Urban Sports Park. Together they watched the Men’s Combined final, won by Alberto Gines Lopez of Spain, and the first ever Olympic medal presentation for Sport Climbing. The Spanish climber became the first Olympic gold medallist for the sport, with Nathaniel Coleman of USA and Jakob Schubert of Austria taking the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Also part of the IFSC delegation that greeted President Bach were IFSC Athletes’ Commission President Sean McColl of Canada, IFSC Athletes’ Commission Vice President Shauna Coxsey of Great Britian, and Bassa Mawem of France. The IOC delegation – which included IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper, and IOC Sport Director Kit McConnell – was treated to some fantastic Climbing and the IOC President appeared pleased both with the action on the wall and the ceremony on the podium. The medals were presented to the athletes by IOC Executive Board Member and President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Ivo Ferriani. “It was a great pleasure to welcome President Bach, and the other IOC guests to witness Sport Climbing during its historic Olympic debut,” Scolaris said. “We have been overwhelmed by the great support and interest in our sport that we have received here in Tokyo and across the globe. “Our climbers – the ambassadors of our sport – are really enjoying their first Olympic experience. Once again, I would like to thank President Bach and the whole Olympic Movement for coming tonight and all those who have welcomed us into the Olympic Family.”

SPORTS NEWS Tokyo (August 4, 2021):-The women’s Combined qualification took place in Tokyo today, with Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret – the reigning Combined World Champion – taking the top spot and securing a place in Friday’s final, where she will be joined by seven other Sport Climbing Olympians. In the Speed round, Poland’s Aleksandra Miroslaw clinched the first ever women’s Speed Olympic record with a time of 6.97 seconds – a mere 0.01 second away from the current world record time of 6.96. This put the Polish climber into first position heading into the next round. French Speed specialist followed in second with a time of 7.12 seconds, and previous world record holder YiLing Song, of China, closed the round in third. It was heartbreak for current world record holder Iuliia Kaplina, of the Russian Olympic Committee, who fell on her second run and placed fifth. Combined and Boulder World Champion Janja Garnbret, of Slovenia, displayed pure prowess in the Boulder round, achieving an incredible four flashes. Garnbret was followed closely by the USA’s Brooke Raboutou, who also flashed two of the blocs, in addition to closing the first boulder in just two attempts and securing the zone on problem three. On home turf, Japan’s Akiyo Noguchi concluded the round in third position, matching Raboutou’s score of three tops and four zones. When asked her thoughts on the climbing community, Raboutou said: “I think the climbing community is one of the most special things about climbing. Everyone is genuinely happy for each other and wants each other to succeed.” The closing round of the women’s Combined qualification, Lead, saw the youngest Olympian in the women’s Sport Climbing field take first place. Aged just 17, Chaehyun Seo of South Korea reached a score of 40+, which after a strong performance in Boulder, earned the young climber a spot in Friday’s final. Austria’s Jessica Pilz achieved second place in Lead with a score of 33+, followed by Japan’s Akiyo Noguchi with 30+. At the end of the qualifying round, it was Garnbret who gained a position at the top of the scoreboard ahead of the women’s Combined final, in a bid to maintain her Combined crown. We asked Garnbret her thoughts on the Sport Climbing walls within the Tokyo 2020 Aomi Urban Sports Park – developed by IFSC partner Entre-Prises – and she said: "It's amazing. I love the Lead wall, I love the Boulder wall. Speed wall is the same, so it's great. Venue is by top the best venue ever. It would be even more amazing if we had spectators, because then it would be insane, but nevertheless it's amazing." The full list of Olympians heading into the final is as follows: 1. Janja Garnbret (SLO) 2. Chaehyun Seo (KOR) 3. Miho Nonaka (JPN) 4. Akiyo Noguchi (JPN) 5. Brooke Raboutou (USA) 6. Jessica Pilz (Austria) 7. Aleksandra Miroslaw (POL) 8. Anouck Jaubert (FRA) The conclusion of the women’s Combined qualification event marks the end of a glittering Sport Climbing career for Great Britain’s Shauna Coxsey, who announced in June 2021 that she would be retiring from competition after the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Coxsey won the overall Boulder World Cup title in both 2016 and 2017, and holds 30 International Federation of Sport Climbing World Cup medals in total, as well as two World Championship medals. The Brit bowed out from professional Sport Climbing with a commendable tenth place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. When asked what’s next, Coxsey said: “I think I have a lot of options for what comes next. Thinking about this whole experience it's almost overwhelming. It’s such a pivotal time for my sport, and it's such a huge privilege to be part of it. It’s so surreal and I don't think it'll sink in until afterwards. “So, next I'll definitely focus on rock climbing for a while. That's almost what I did five years ago when the sport got announced in the Olympic Games and I made the decision to try and qualify for the Olympics. I put that on hold and it feels like the right time to do that now.”

SPORTS NEWS Tokyo (August 4, 2021):-The athletes at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have elected Pau Gasol, Maja W?oszczowska, Federica Pellegrini and Yuki Ota to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Athletes’ Commission (AC), for a term ending at the Olympic Games LA28. The newly elected members join the Commission to represent the athlete voice within the Olympic Movement. Between 13 July and 3 August, 6,825 athletes voted in the IOC AC election at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, representing a participation rate of 61.27 per cent, one of the highest in the history of AC elections, the first of which was held at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996. With the highest number of voting stations for any IOC AC election, athletes had the opportunity to vote in 11 locations, including the Tokyo Olympic Village, satellite villages and other official Tokyo 2020 accommodation sites. In total, 30 candidates, from 30 different countries and representing 19 sports, stood for election. IOC AC Chair Kirsty Coventry remarked: “It is fantastic to see the high turnout of athletes participating in the Athletes’ Commission election. We had an impressive list of candidates, and I want to thank all of the candidates for putting up their hands to represent athletes from around the world. Congratulations and welcome to the four new members. The work and responsibility of the Commission is as important as ever to represent and support athletes in all stages of their lives. With these new members and those already on the Commission, I know that the IOC Athletes’ Commission is in very good hands to build on the great work done over the years. Remember, you now represent all athletes from around the world, so do your best to better understand all viewpoints, listen, act and support them to the best of your ability.” The new members Pau Gasol, Basketball, Spain – Five-time Olympian, silver medallist at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, bronze medallist at Rio 2016; world champion in 2006. Maja W?oszczowska, Cycling, Poland – Four-time Olympian, silver medallist at Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016; world champion in 2010, silver medallist in 2004, 2005, 2011 and 2013. Federica Pellegrini, Aquatics, Italy – Five-time Olympian, Olympic champion at Beijing 2008, silver medallist at Athens 2004; world champion in 2009, 2011, 2017 and 2019, silver medallist in 2005, 2013 and 2015, bronze medallist in 2007. Yuki Ota, Fencing, Japan – Four-time Olympian, silver medallist at Beijing 2008 and London 2012; world champion in 2015, bronze medallist in 2010. Outgoing members IOC AC Chair Kirsty Coventry, Vice-Chair Danka Barteková, Tony Estanguet and James Tomkins OAM, elected by their peers during the Olympic Games London 2012, have completed their terms on the Commission. In addition, an appointed member of the Commission, Stefan Holm, is also ending his term. During their tenure, these athletes have played an integral part in strengthening support for athletes within the Olympic Movement as well as the development and implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020. A new Chair and Vice-Chair will now be elected by the IOC AC members on 6 August, with the Chair also set to become a member of the IOC Executive Board, representing athletes at the highest level within the IOC. Third highest turnout for an AC election

SPORTS NEWS Tokyo (July 31, 2021):-Standing at the base of the Olympic climbing wall in Tokyo, President of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Marco Scolaris today convened a conference call with representatives of over 50 Member Federations. “Years of passion led us here,” Scolaris said, on the eve of Sport Climbing’s historic Olympic debut from 3-6 August at Tokyo 2020. Under normal circumstances, most of the people on the call would have been in Tokyo for the Games, but the COVID-19 pandemic that has kept spectators out of the venues has also forced the Sport Climbing community to largely follow the action from their homes. Scolaris addressed the many sacrifices the Olympic Movement, together with the people of Japan, have had to make just to stage the XXXII Olympiad. And while Climbing’s Olympic debut may not be taking place under ideal circumstances, “at the end of the day, our passion remains the same, and passion lives here today and is driving us,” Scolaris said. “Passion is taking us now to our walls, to our climbs.” Joining the IFSC President at the Aomi Urban Sports Park were IFSC Vice President Kobinata Toru and IFSC Secretary General Debra Gawrych. It is a proud moment for all three senior figures of the organisation, but perhaps particularly significant for Vice President Toru as he will witness the Climbing’s debut in his home country. As the meeting progressed, those joining had the opportunity to see athletes scaling the walls as part of the second unofficial training session. In addition to updating the members on activities since their last virtual gathering on 26 June, Scolaris outlined the initiatives that have been put in place by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to provide the best possible television coverage for viewers around the world. They include augmented reality and a Digital Fan Engagement suite that will bring reactions from friends, families, and fans to the athletes in Tokyo. “In addition to that,” Scolaris said “Sport Climbing will be the only sport at the Games to benefit from innovative Virtual 3D Graphics that will take the sport to a whole new level. To help audiences understand the challenges faced by the athletes and get insight into how they solve problems, computer-generated graphics will enrich the coverage of Sport Climbing.” He also introduced the members of the IFSC team that are on the ground bringing the competition to life and those that didn’t travel but are providing significant support for the operations remotely. The IFSC President shared some rousing final words, encouraging everyone to play their part in making the Sport Climbing event at Tokyo 2020 a success by supporting the athletes from afar. “This is the time to take a deep breath, look up, and climb… higher, stronger, and faster – together. Join us in spirit, make the athletes feel your cheer, let us share the passion. May our community, our people join together and pack the Aomi Urban Park, on the screens, in the air.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (July 15, 2021):-Social entrepreneur, economist, civil society leader and Nobel Peace Prize awardee Mohammad Yunus of Bangladesh will become the second recipient of the Olympic Laurel. He will officially receive the trophy during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on 23 July 2021. The distinction was created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to honour outstanding individuals for their achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport. Professor Mohammad Yunus, who is often referred to as the “world’s banker to the poor”, receives the Olympic Laurel award for his extensive work in sport for development, including founding the Yunus Sports Hub, a global social business network that creates solutions through sport. He has in collaborated with the IOC on several projects, including educational elements of the IOC Young Leaders Programme, the “Imagine” Peace Youth Camp and the Athlete365 Business Accelerator – the first comprehensive entrepreneurship programme to help Olympians with career transition. IOC President Thomas Bach said: “With the Olympic Laurel, we take forward the vision of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder and reviver of the modern Olympic Games. It is also a reflection of the ideals and values of the ancient Olympic Games, with a focus on human development through peace and sport.” He continued: “The work of Professor Yunus is exemplary for these ideals and values. He shares his wealth of knowledge generously with the athletes and the Olympic community. He is a great inspiration for all of us. He helps athletes in their post-sport career development to become socially responsible entrepreneurs and shares our vision of how sport can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In particular, with Paris 2024, he is helping to build a new model for the Olympic Games with minimum impact for the planet and maximum impact for legacy for the people of the host country. We are very thankful for all he is doing for the Olympic community.” Professor Yunus said: “The Olympic Games and sport have the most convening power in the world. The Olympic Games unite the entire world in peaceful competition, celebrating unity in diversity. North and South Korean athletes marching together in the Parade of Nations at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 was a powerful reminder of the immense potential of peace through sport. The Olympic Truce takes forward the vision of building a better world based on fair competition, peace, humanity and reconciliation. “We can use this power to change the world in the most effective ways. Sport has the power to transform lives by galvanising the world, and social business can be the most efficient tool to unleash this power. “Sport is natural to all human beings. It brings all human strengths and emotions into play, irrespective of differences. That gives it enormous power. I urge that we channel this power for achieving social goals and peace.” The Olympic Laurel recipient for 2020 was selected by a distinguished judging panel representing all five continents: world-renowned Japanese film director Naomi Kawase for Asia; eminent scientist and then-Governor General of Canada Julie Payette for the Americas; Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka of South Africa, for Africa; Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and Papua New Guinean politician Dame Meg Taylor for Oceania; IOC Honorary President Jacques Rogge for Europe; and IOC President Thomas Bach, who presided over the jury.  Jury member Kawase said: “The Olympic Laurel is conferred upon outstanding individuals who help build a better world, using the power of sport to harness change and positivity. You will see that this year’s recipient is internationally recognised for relentless work in the empowerment and upliftment of disadvantaged sections of society.” Born in 1940 in the seaport city of Chittagong, Professor Yunus studied at Dhaka University in Bangladesh, then received a Fulbright scholarship to study economics at Vanderbilt University. He received his PhD in economics in 1969 and joined Middle Tennessee State University, where he taught until he returned to Bangladesh in 1972. Professor Yunus is the recipient of numerous international awards for his ideas and endeavours and is a member of the board of the United Nations Foundation. In 2006, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for founding Grameen Bank, which pioneered the concepts of microcredit and microfinance for people living in poverty. The first ever Olympic Laurel was awarded to the Kenyan Olympian and social changemaker Kip Keino on 5 August 2016, during the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro. Initiated for Rio 2016, the Olympic Laurel is to be awarded at the opening ceremony of each summer edition of the Olympic Games. Symbolising the connection with the ancient Olympic Games, the base of the trophy is a replica of a stone from the site of Olympia, Greece. The creation of the Olympic Laurel was one of the initiatives that emerged from recommendation 26 of Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, to further strengthen the blending of sport and culture.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (March 20, 2020):-The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) were today (Saturday) informed by the Japanese parties in the five-party meeting about their conclusion regarding overseas spectators at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 this summer. For the reason of the safety of every Games participant and the Japanese people, their conclusion is fully respected and accepted by the IOC and the IPC. During the meeting, the IOC and the IPC were informed that, as outlined in the full statement by Tokyo 2020, the conclusion of the Japanese parties is not to allow entry into Japan for overseas spectators for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 due to the prevailing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Olympic and Paralympic Games tickets purchased by overseas residents from the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will be refunded. “We share the disappointment of all enthusiastic Olympic fans from around the world, and of course the families and friends of the athletes, who were planning to come to the Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “For this I am truly sorry. We know that this is a great sacrifice for everybody. We have said from the very beginning of this pandemic that it will require sacrifices. “But we have also said that the first principle is safety. Every decision has to respect the principle of safety first. I know that our Japanese partners and friends did not reach this conclusion lightly. Together with them, the IOC’s top priority was, is and remains to organise safe Olympic and Paralympic Games for everyone: all the participants and, of course, our gracious hosts, the Japanese people. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the side of our Japanese partners and friends, without any kind of reservation, to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 a great success. “Together with our Rights-Holding Broadcasters, we will make every effort so that the fans from around the world will be able to experience the Olympic spirit. In this way, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the light at the end of the tunnel and a safe manifestation of peace, solidarity and the resilience of humankind in overcoming the pandemic.”

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (December 31, 2020):-It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has learnt of the death of Walther Tröger, IOC Honorary Member, at the age of 91. In addition to his invaluable contribution to the Olympic Movement internationally, Tröger’s remarkable career as a sports administrator was marked by his successful commitment to shaping sport in Germany for several decades. Holding a degree in law from the University of Erlangen, he started in 1953 as Secretary General of the German Student Sports Association, before joining the German Sports Confederation (1961-1970) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC), where he served as Secretary General between 1970 and 1992, and as President for 10 years until 2002. During those years, Tröger also served as 1st Vice-President of the German Basketball Federation (1976-2006) and as a member of the FIBA Sports Commission (1964-1994). He was also a member of the Executive Board, then Deputy Chairman of the German Sports Aid Foundation (1992-2002) and Chairman of the German Sports and Olympic Museum and of the Board of Directors of the Willi Daume Foundation. Tröger’s achievements were not limited to Germany alone. An avid sports fan – he practised handball, athletics, basketball, tennis and skiing – he served as IOC Sports Director between 1983 and 1990, before becoming an IOC Member in 1989 and an Honorary Member in 2010. IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Walther Tröger made a great contribution to the IOC, first as its Sports Director, then as a Member and lately as an Honorary Member. I got to know him as a person with a great passion for sport and an immense knowledge about the Olympic Movement already when we met for the first time in the 1970s, when he was Secretary General of the NOC and I was an athlete. In all his activities over the many years, Walther Tröger worked tirelessly in the administration of sport and made a major impact on the development of German and international sport.” Tröger’s career was punctuated by 27 editions of the Olympic Games as a sports official. He was notably Chef de Mission at the Olympic Winter Games eight times between 1976 and 2002. During the Olympic Games Munich 1972, his role as Mayor of the Olympic Village led him to be involved in the negotiations with the terrorist group that took Israeli athletes hostage. Throughout his IOC membership, he was involved in numerous commissions, such as the Sport for all Commission, of which he was successively Director, Chairman and an honorary member; the Olympic Programme Commission (1971-1994); and the Olympic Solidarity Commission (1985-1989). He also played a part in the success of several Olympic Games as a member of the Coordination Commission for the XVIII Olympic Winter Games in Nagano in 1998 (1992-1998), the Coordination Commission for the XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002 (1996-2002), and the Evaluation Commission for the XX Olympic Winter Games in 2006 (1998-1999). Since 2015 he had been an Honorary Member of the Sport and Active Society Commission. Tröger received a number of distinctions during the course of his career. He received in particular the Commander’s Cross of the German Order of Merit, the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, and the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the French Republic. In 2009, he was also awarded the Olympic Order, the Olympic Movement’s highest distinction. The IOC expresses its deepest sympathies to Walther Tröger’s family. As a mark of respect for him, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast at the IOC Headquarters for three days.