Latest news with #Olympics
RNZ News
an hour ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
New IOC president Kirsty Coventry promises collaboration ahead of assuming role
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President elect Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe poses during the 3rd IOC Brisbane 2032 Coordination Commission final press conference at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 22, 2025. Photo: PATRICK HAMILTON Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), emphasised collaboration with stakeholders as a key priority for her tenure, in remarks made ahead of her official takeover next week. Coventry, a former Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe and Africa's most decorated Olympian, was elected to the post in March , succeeding Thomas Bach. She will formally assume the role following Monday's handover ceremony in Lausanne. "I like to collaborate, to be able to listen, hear everyone's opinions. I think it is very important," Coventry said during an online media roundtable. "I also know I am the president and need to take decisions and that we need to move." Coventry, 41, is the first woman and the first African to lead the IOC. Her approach is expected to differ from her predecessor's, as Bach was known for the rapid speed and volume of his decision-making and concentration of power. Bach's presidency was marked by wide-ranging reforms, including overhauling the Olympic bidding process, introducing new sports and reducing costs for host cities. He also navigated challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which delayed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and led to a spectator-free Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Coventry said the IOC would hold a two-day workshop for its members, starting on 24 June, the day after the handover ceremony, as part of ongoing discussions with stakeholders on key issues. "It was not about title or power," she said when asked about her decision to run for president. "Sometimes those things get in the way and make you focus on the wrong things." Reflecting on her appointment, Coventry acknowledged the significance of her role as the first woman to lead the IOC. "It is not something I have thought about a lot in terms of impact it can have," she said. "In the past days now, I have a much greater understanding of that importance." The IOC generates annual revenues of several billion dollars and Coventry noted the "responsibility" that comes with leading the organisation. "As we get closer to the 23rd, yes, it is an exciting day but a day with a lot of responsibility. I am very proud of the fact that we as members chose at this moment in time to elect the first female president," she added. - Reuters
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Wyndham Clark says he ‘deeply regrets' damaging his Oakmont locker during the US Open
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark said he 'deeply regrets' the damage done to the century-old locker he was using at Oakmont during the U.S. Open, his second act of frustration that caused damage at a major this year. Reports surfaced over the weekend that Clark damaged his locker . The USGA said only that it works directly with players and their managers when it comes to player conduct. Clark, who bogeyed his last hole Friday to miss the cut by one shot at the U.S. Open, opened the Travelers Championship with a 64 on Thursday. When asked to comment on the Oakmont locker incident, Clark said: 'Yeah, I mean, I've had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows. 'I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I'm very sorry for what happened,' he said. 'But I'd also like to move on, not only for myself but for Oakmont, for the USGA, and kind of focus on the rest of the year and things that come up.' Clark burst into prominence in 2023 with two victories, including the U.S. Open , and a spot on the Ryder Cup team. He won at Pebble Beach a year later and qualified for the Olympics. But he has only one top-10 finish in the last nine months and has dropped to No. 27 in the world ranking and No. 80 in the FedEx Cup. At the PGA Championship, he hit his drive to the right and slung his driver behind him, damaging a sign on the tee. The logo was that of one of his corporate sponsors. Clark posted an apology for that incident on social media. 'As professionals, we are expected to remain professional even when frustrated and I unfortunately let my emotions get the best of me. My actions were uncalled for and completely inappropriate, making it clear that I have things I need to work on,' Clark said last month. 'I promise to better the way I handle my frustrations on the course going forward, and hope you all can forgive me in due time.' Clark is No. 23 in the Ryder Cup standings, with six players getting automatic spots. He has the one more signature event (Travelers) and one major (British Open) among tournaments left to improve his standing in the FedEx Cup. Only the top 70 make the postseason. 'I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedEx Cup,' Clark said. 'So I'm starting to move on and focus on those things.' ___ AP golf:
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Wyndham Clark says he 'deeply regrets' damaging his Oakmont locker during the US Open
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark said he 'deeply regrets' the damage done to the century-old locker he was using at Oakmont during the U.S. Open, his second act of frustration that caused damage at a major this year. Reports surfaced over the weekend that Clark damaged his locker. The USGA said only that it works directly with players and their managers when it comes to player conduct. Clark, who bogeyed his last hole Friday to miss the cut by one shot at the U.S. Open, opened the Travelers Championship with a 64 on Thursday. When asked to comment on the Oakmont locker incident, Clark said: "Yeah, I mean, I've had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows. 'I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I'm very sorry for what happened,' he said. 'But I'd also like to move on, not only for myself but for Oakmont, for the USGA, and kind of focus on the rest of the year and things that come up.' Clark burst into prominence in 2023 with two victories, including the U.S. Open, and a spot on the Ryder Cup team. He won at Pebble Beach a year later and qualified for the Olympics. But he has only one top-10 finish in the last nine months and has dropped to No. 27 in the world ranking and No. 80 in the FedEx Cup. At the PGA Championship, he hit his drive to the right and slung his driver behind him, damaging a sign on the tee. The logo was that of one of his corporate sponsors. Clark posted an apology for that incident on social media. 'As professionals, we are expected to remain professional even when frustrated and I unfortunately let my emotions get the best of me. My actions were uncalled for and completely inappropriate, making it clear that I have things I need to work on,' Clark said last month. "I promise to better the way I handle my frustrations on the course going forward, and hope you all can forgive me in due time.' Clark is No. 23 in the Ryder Cup standings, with six players getting automatic spots. He has the one more signature event (Travelers) and one major (British Open) among tournaments left to improve his standing in the FedEx Cup. Only the top 70 make the postseason. 'I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedEx Cup,' Clark said. 'So I'm starting to move on and focus on those things.'
The Star
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Fired up for LA
Eye on Olympics: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie officially joined the elite programme after signing their contracts yesterday. PETALING JAYA: Most athletes wind down their careers in their 30s, but professional shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are doing the opposite. Instead of easing off, the mixed doubles pair are stepping on the gas – fuelled by their inclusion in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme as they chase their dream of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 34-year-old Soon Huat, and Shevon, 31, officially joined the elite programme yesterday alongside men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani after signing their contracts. The programme offers vital support to help them compete at the highest level. Currently, Soon Huat-Shevon are ranked sixth in the world while Sze Fei-Izzuddin are holding the world No. 1 spot. They have to maintain their standing in the top 10 to enjoy the benefits that comes with RTG and Soon Huat and Shevon, who are the oldest under the programme, are not backing down. 'We are honoured to still have the opportunity to be part of the programme,' said Shevon. 'For us the important part of being in RTG isn't just the funding support, but also accessibility to top tier sport science facilities and expertise, which means a lot to us.' Shevon said their goal would remain the same. 'With or without the programme, we still aim high. We have always given our best, so I think we will just maintain that mindset,' she said. Said Soon Huat: 'We appreciate the support from RTG to help us elevate our performance and promise to give our best. A big thank you to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Datuk Stuart Ramalingam (project coordinator) for making this happen.' Coach Teo Kok Siang believes RTG will ease the burden faced by his professional players, especially when competing overseas. 'Being pros, we used our own funds. Usually, we could not stay in the official hotel as they are expensive and we have to travel on our own to the venues,' said Kok Siang. 'We also have been choosy with our tournaments as it's all related to cost. 'Now, with this RTG support, the team can stay focused as they work to keep their ranking and chase big goals this year. 'It will surely motivate our pro players to keep pushing forward.' The others in the RTG are shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (men's doubles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles), Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles); weightlifter Mohd Aniq Kasdan; track cyclist Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri; and squash player S. Sivasangari.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
US refuses visas for members of Senegal's women's basketball team, says PM
Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko told the country's minister of sports to cancel what was to have been a 10-day training camp in the US. PHOTO: AFP US refuses visas for members of Senegal's women's basketball team, says PM DAKAR - The United States rejected visa applications for multiple members of Senegal's women's basketball team which was scheduled to train in the country, the country's prime minister said on June 19, as he cancelled the group's participation in the practice. The visa refusals come amid US President Donald Trump's administration's immigration crackdown and tightened border controls. The United States is set to co-host the 2026 Fifa World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko posted on Facebook that he had been 'informed about the refusal to issue visas to several members of the Senegalese women's national basketball team'. He said that he had instructed the country's minister of sports to cancel what was to have been a 10-day training camp in the US. According to Mr Babacar Ndiaye, president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation, the US only renewed visas for 'those who held old visas and rejected new requests'. Les Lionnes had been slated to train in the US ahead of the Afrobasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast, which begins in July. A spokesperson for the US State Department told AFP that it was not able to comment on individual cases, while the US Embassy in Senegal did not reply to a request for comment. In addition to pulling the plug on the training, Prime Minister Sonko thanked China for having 'awarded dozens of training scholarships for our athletes and their coaches'. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
