Sports
Seun, Akuoma Make Winter Games History
•Nigeria’s Seun Adigun (left) and Akuoma Omeoga after their race at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Olympic Sliding Centre in Pyeongchang, South Korea…on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Nigeria’s Akuoma Omeoga and Seun Adigun made history on Tuesday as the first Africans to feature in bobsleigh at the Winter Games.
The duo finished in 52.21 seconds and 52.55 seconds to place 20th (the bottom of the hill) in women’s heats 1 and 2 at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games in South Korea.
But the American-born athletes have reason to celebrate as their timing was an improvement on the one from their training heats on Sunday – 52.96 and 53.60.
In heat 1, United States’ Elana Taylor and Lauren Gibbs finished in 50.52 seconds to win Tuesday’s race, followed by Germany’s Mariana Jamaka and Lisa Buckwitz, who ran 50.54 seconds. United States’ Jamie Poser and Aja Evans placed third with 50.59 seconds.
Mariana Jamaka and Lisa Buckwitz won heat 2 with a time of 50.72 seconds while Elana Taylor and Lauren Gibbs took second with a time of 50.81 seconds. Canada’s Kallie Humphries and Phylicia George came third with a time of 50.88 seconds.
Heats 3 and 4 come up on Wednesday, and Akuoma and Seun are expected to put up a strong challenge to reach the podium.
“The Olympic experience is really unique, it’s an experience you can’t really articulate,” Akuoma was quoted by The Guardian as saying.
“Nigerians are incredibly proud and I think one of our goal was to present Nigeria in a positive light. It gives people a reason to celebrate something.”
The brakeman said she was honoured by the frequent comparisons to the film Cool Runnings, which portrayed a fictional account of the Jamaican bobsleigh team’s debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
“That’s the legacy that we hope to have in 30 years to come,” she said.
Pilot Seun said, “I don’t think it’s hit us how impactful this whole process will be in the long run.”
“You don’t have to quantify things by just the result of first place, second place or any time. You can actually quantify it by your ability to be selfless, your ability to drive and your ability to be innovative. This was just meant to be.”
Canada-born US-based Simidele Adeagbo on Friday made history as the first African woman to compete in the skeleton event at the Winter Olympics.
Credit: THE PUNCH
Pilot Seun said, “I don’t think it’s hit us how impactful this whole process will be in the long run.”
“You don’t have to quantify things by just the result of first place, second place or any time. You can actually quantify it by your ability to be selfless, your ability to drive and your ability to be innovative. This was just meant to be.”Canada-born US-based Simidele Adeagbo on Friday made history as the first African woman to compete in the skeleton event at the Winter Olympics.
Credit: THE PUNCH
Winter Olympics: Norway's Team Sent 15,000 Eggs By Mistake
It is simple enough so what could possibly go wrong? Find 1,500 eggs to feed hungry Norwegian athletes at the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
That is what chefs for Norway's Olympic team did, only to end up with a delivery of 15,000.
The chefs blamed a translation error, but it looks as if a typo might also be at fault.
Chef Stale Johansen told Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten that luckily the team were able to return the 13,500 surplus.
It is not clear how the mistake happened, but BBC Korean service journalist David Cann says Korean has a different counting system and a typo may have contributed to the confusion.
Here is the difference between the full spelling of 1,500 and 15,000 in Korean:
Tore Ovrebo, head of the Norwegian team, seems to agree. "It was an extra zero on the orders - so 1,500 to 15,000," he said at a press conference in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang on Thursday, adding that it was "not a big issue".
Norway has sent 109 athletes to compete at the Winter Games. The case was first reported in the country last week but only now has attracted international attention.
The Norwegians are not the only ones who have been lost in translation recently.
Last year, a Palestinian man was arrested by Israeli police after his Facebook post saying "good morning" in Arabic was reportedly mistranslated to read "attack them" in Hebrew.
And Chinese messaging app WeChat apologised after its software used the N-word as an English translation for the Chinese for "black foreigner".
Credit: BBC
Here is the difference between the full spelling of 1,500 and 15,000 in Korean:
Tore Ovrebo, head of the Norwegian team, seems to agree. "It was an extra zero on the orders - so 1,500 to 15,000," he said at a press conference in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang on Thursday, adding that it was "not a big issue".
Norway has sent 109 athletes to compete at the Winter Games. The case was first reported in the country last week but only now has attracted international attention.
The Norwegians are not the only ones who have been lost in translation recently.
Last year, a Palestinian man was arrested by Israeli police after his Facebook post saying "good morning" in Arabic was reportedly mistranslated to read "attack them" in Hebrew.
And Chinese messaging app WeChat apologised after its software used the N-word as an English translation for the Chinese for "black foreigner".
Credit: BBC
Confederations Cup Semi-Final: Ronaldo V Sanchez
Statistically, there is no basis for comparison between a four-time Ballon d'Or winner and a player generally acknowledged as a star player. But the area of placing Cristiano Ronaldo side by side with Alexis Sanchez is the fact that in this on-going FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia they both lead their respective countries in the chase for laurel in the competition.
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| *Alexis Sanchez |
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| *Cristiano Ronaldo |
It is obvious that Ronaldo is head and shoulder above Sanchez; and in this competition, Ronaldo is still ahead of Sanchez, having scored one goal more than Sanchez who has one goal in the tournament. Portugal won two and drew one of their three group-stage games, while Chile won one and drew two. Portugal top their group and Chile occupied the second slot in their group.
On paper therefore, the odds favour Portugal to progress to the final of the competition at the expense of Chile. But do statistics always go the way they point to in sports? Certainly not, otherwise, there would have been no upsets.
A lot will depend on how well the generals are able to marshal their troops for today's battle and how inspired they will be in their individual disposition.
Methinks Chile will do something unusual today!
NBA Awards: OKC Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook named MVP
A gran who has covered her body in 20 tattoos of Jose Mourinho admits she's addicted to the Special One.
"He's gorgeous and every time I open the paper and see him I get gooey at the knees.
"The price of my tattoos has varied, I've had some bits of small writing done for around £60 but most recently it was £250. All in all I'd say it's cost £800."
Viv from Hinckley, Leicestershire has not been to a football match since the 90s with her late father but has become obsessed with one of the sport's biggest names.
The Manchester United boss' biggest fan shrugs off comments from neighbours who say she should follow her local side and not wherever Jose takes charge.
The grandmother-of-four who married her second husband Tony 15 years ago says she would not bat an eyelid if the opportunity arose for a passionate encounter with Mourinho.
*Viv pledging her love for Mourinho on her arm (Photo: Caters News)
*Viv follows whichever team is managed by Jose Mourinho (Photo: Man Utd via Getty)
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for a club record fee. The France international forward becomes the Gunners second signing of the summer after making the move from his hometown club, Lyon. The Gunners announced that he will travel for the tour to Sydney and likely to make his home debut in the Emirates Cup on July 29 or July 30.
*Lacazette will earn £150,000 on a weekly basis at Arsenal. Photo: Arsenal.com
NBA Awards: OKC Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook named MVP
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| *Westbrook became the first player since 1981 to win MVP on a team that didn't reach at least 50 wins |
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player of the 2016-17 season.
The 28-year-old American became only the second player in history to average a triple-double for an entire season.
He took the award over Houston Rockets guard James Harden and San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard.
Golden State forward Draymond Green was named the best defensive player after winning the NBA title.
Westbrook has had a record-breaking season becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1962 to average a triple-double across the season.
He also set the new standard by recording 42 triple-doubles, one better than the former single-season mark set by Robertson.
And he made NBA history scoring the highest ever triple-double with 57 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists against Orlando Magic.
"It was obviously an amazing season for me but without these guys and the rest of our guys that are not here, none of this would be possible," Westbrook said.
"So this award is not for me. This is for all you guys and I am very thankful to have you guys in my corner. You guys are my brothers for life."
What is a triple-double?
A triple-double means a player has recorded a double-digit number in three of five statistical categories - points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
Before the season critics had doubted whether Westbrook would continue to thrive following the departure of former MVP Kevin Durant - who left Thunder in the off-season.
Durant went on to secure his first NBA title with Golden State, but despite the loss, Westbrook-led Thunder recorded 47 wins, just eight fewer than the previous campaign.
Among the night's other recipients at the first-ever NBA Awards, Mike D'Antoni was named Coach of the Year after leading Houston to 55 wins in his first season.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon was named Rookie of the Year, while Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon earned the Sixth Man Award for his work off the bench as a substitute.
Culled from BBC
NEWS FLASH: Chile Beat Portugal 3 - 0 On Penalties
After a pulsating 120 minutes (regulation and extra times) of free-flowing and fast-paced football, Chile overpowered Portugal in a penalty shootout which saw Chile scoring their first three shots include one by their talisman Sanchez and Portugal missing all their first three shots which were saved by the Chilean goalkeeper, Bravo, without Ronaldo having opportunity to take one.
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| *Arsenal forward Sanchez scored one of the penalties against the 2016 European Champions |
Germany Beat Chile 1 - 0 In Confederations Cup Final
The world cup reigning champions, Germany have won the Confederations Cup hosted by Russian.
They defeated Chile by one goal to nil within the regulation time through a goal scored by Lars Stindl in the 20th minute of the first half.
"I'm addicted to Jose Mourinho": Gran with 20 tattoos
of Special One admits she'd cheat on husband with him
Vivien Bodycote, 59, gets weak at the knees at the sight of Mourinho in the back pages and has dedicated her body to the football manager
A gran who has covered her body in 20 tattoos of Jose Mourinho admits she's addicted to the Special One.
Vivien Bodycote, 59, gets weak at the knees at the sight of Mourinho in the back pages and has dedicated her body to him.
Viv's husband Tony, 76, who retired from working with concrete over a decade ago has splashed £800 of his pension on tattoos of Jose's face all over his wife's body.
Viv said: "I rarely go into town and not come back with another Jose tattoo on my body, I must have 20 of just him. He's not just the special one, he's the only one.
"I would die if I saw him in the flesh and for Mourinho I would cheat.
Viv's husband Tony, 76, who retired from working with concrete over a decade ago has splashed £800 of his pension on tattoos of Jose's face all over his wife's body.
Viv said: "I rarely go into town and not come back with another Jose tattoo on my body, I must have 20 of just him. He's not just the special one, he's the only one.
"I would die if I saw him in the flesh and for Mourinho I would cheat.
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*The total cost of Viv Bodycote's Mourinho tattoos is around £800 (Photo: Caters News) |
*Viv has had another Jose Mourinho this week (Photo: Caters News)
*Viv showing off some of her body tattoos (Photo: Caters News)
"The price of my tattoos has varied, I've had some bits of small writing done for around £60 but most recently it was £250. All in all I'd say it's cost £800."
Viv from Hinckley, Leicestershire has not been to a football match since the 90s with her late father but has become obsessed with one of the sport's biggest names.
The Manchester United boss' biggest fan shrugs off comments from neighbours who say she should follow her local side and not wherever Jose takes charge.
The grandmother-of-four who married her second husband Tony 15 years ago says she would not bat an eyelid if the opportunity arose for a passionate encounter with Mourinho.
*Viv pledging her love for Mourinho on her arm (Photo: Caters News)
Viv said: "There's not a day I don't look at pictures of Jose online, I'm addicted to Jose Mourinho.
"I get neighbours saying why don't you support Leicester and all I can say is that I'm in love with a football manager.
"If he quits Manchester United and decides to go and manage a team in another country then obviously I will say goodbye to British teams and I'll go there.
"When my grandsons told me he was sacked from Chelsea, Christmas was cancelled and we had no dinner. I just wanted to give him a big hug and say it's fine."
Viv's husband might not be anywhere as near as Mourinho crazy but he is more than happy to pay for her tattoos if it makes her happy.
"I get neighbours saying why don't you support Leicester and all I can say is that I'm in love with a football manager.
"If he quits Manchester United and decides to go and manage a team in another country then obviously I will say goodbye to British teams and I'll go there.
"When my grandsons told me he was sacked from Chelsea, Christmas was cancelled and we had no dinner. I just wanted to give him a big hug and say it's fine."
Viv's husband might not be anywhere as near as Mourinho crazy but he is more than happy to pay for her tattoos if it makes her happy.
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| *Viv Bodycote gets her latest tattoo at Hink-Me Tattoo Parlour in Hinkley, Leicestershire |
Tony said: "Whatever she does she can get on with it, I don't mind funding the tattoos. They've cost a lot but I don't know how much exactly.
"I've never really had any interest in football until a few years ago but I still wouldn't go to a game because I'm not into crowds but she'd love it."
Viv said: "I've lost track now of how many tattoos I have because as soon as I've completed one project I'm just thinking about what comes next.
"Tony pays for them and drops me off at the tattoo parlour so obviously I don't have a problem getting them.
"He's pretty amazing to put up with what I do because I know some people wouldn't like it."
Viv left the design of her latest tattoo in the hands of her friend at Hinck Me tattoos who created the eight by five inch portrait of Mourinho and a generic footballer below.
"I've never really had any interest in football until a few years ago but I still wouldn't go to a game because I'm not into crowds but she'd love it."
Viv said: "I've lost track now of how many tattoos I have because as soon as I've completed one project I'm just thinking about what comes next.
"Tony pays for them and drops me off at the tattoo parlour so obviously I don't have a problem getting them.
"He's pretty amazing to put up with what I do because I know some people wouldn't like it."
Viv left the design of her latest tattoo in the hands of her friend at Hinck Me tattoos who created the eight by five inch portrait of Mourinho and a generic footballer below.
*Viv follows whichever team is managed by Jose Mourinho (Photo: Man Utd via Getty)
Viv's other tattoos include Jose's eyes on her forearm, a few 'Mrs Mourinho' text tattoos and a heartbeat for Jose design on her left breast.
Viv said: "It's the biggest one yet, I'm so pleased with this one I absolutely love it.
"I've become quite good friends with my tattooist and we're even planning a holiday together next year.
"Wherever he goes I'll support them and I'm always a bit deflated at the end of the season because he's not on the TV all the time.
"He's the whole package, he's amazing. I obviously cannot wait for the season to start again so I can get my fix.
"I often give my opinion on the radio after matches and stick up for him if people are questioning his tactics following a defeat."
Viv said: "It's the biggest one yet, I'm so pleased with this one I absolutely love it.
"I've become quite good friends with my tattooist and we're even planning a holiday together next year.
"Wherever he goes I'll support them and I'm always a bit deflated at the end of the season because he's not on the TV all the time.
"He's the whole package, he's amazing. I obviously cannot wait for the season to start again so I can get my fix.
"I often give my opinion on the radio after matches and stick up for him if people are questioning his tactics following a defeat."
Culled from Mirror
Arsenal Complete Signing Of French International Alexandre Lacazette
- Alexandre Lacazette has been announced as a player for Arsenal
- The 26-year-old joins the Gunners on a five-year deal at the Emirates stadium
- He will compete with Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez for a position in the attack
- The Frenchman will earn £150,000 on a weekly basis at the club
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for a club record fee. The France international forward becomes the Gunners second signing of the summer after making the move from his hometown club, Lyon. The Gunners announced that he will travel for the tour to Sydney and likely to make his home debut in the Emirates Cup on July 29 or July 30.
*The Frenchman has been officially unveiled as an Arsenal player. Photo: Arsenal.com
The 26-year-old Frenchman signs a five year contract with the FA Cup holders. He is expected to give countryman Olivier Giroud, Chilean international Alexis Sanchez and Englishman Danny Welbeck serious competition for a position in the attack at the Emirates Stadium. NAIJ.com had earlier reported that the deal is reportedly worth £52 million, and the 26-year-old forward will be earning £150,000 on a weekly basis at Arsenal.
*Lacazette will earn £150,000 on a weekly basis at Arsenal. Photo: Arsenal.com
Lacazette is the Gunner's second signing of the summer after the arrival of Saed Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke 04. The 23-year-old signed a five year contract with the Gunners.
With her more successful younger sister, Serena, absent from the competition on account of her pregnancy, Venus, seeded 10th, has not been found wanting in proving to the lovers of the London tennis fiesta that the Williams are not about to fade away yet after decades in the games where they have amassed many trophies individually and as a team.
The 37-year-old Venus defeated British hopeful, Johanna Konta 6-4 6-2 on Centre Court on Thursday, July 13, 2017, to set up a final with against Spain's Garbine Muguruza.
The BBC reports that "Williams is the oldest Grand Slam singles finalist since Martina Navratilova finished runner-up at Wimbledon in 1994.
"The American, through to her ninth final, won her first Wimbledon title in 2000 and the most recent of her seven major victories came on Centre Court in 2008.
"I've played a lot of finals here," Williams told BBC Sport. "One more win will be amazing. It won't be a given but I'll give it my all."
"She will next face Muguruza, the 14th seed, who thrashed unseeded Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1 6-1 in just 64 minutes to advance to her second Wimbledon final.
"The Spaniard finished runner-up to Serena Williams in 2015, before beating the American to win the French Open in 2016.
"Konta then earned the first two break points of the match at 4-4 but it brought the best out of Williams, who produced a backhand winner, a 106mph second serve and a forehand winner.
"The former world number one would carry that momentum through the rest of the match, finding big second serves and aiming at the body to restrict Konta to just 13 points on the return as her forehand in particular leaked errors.
"Konta fell 0-40 down to offer up three set points in game 10, firing a backhand long on the second, and Williams got the decisive break at 3-1 in the second.
"There was no chink of light on the Williams serve for the home crowd on Centre Court to get excited about, and Konta could only watch as the American arrowed a forehand past her down the line on her third match point.
"The crowd were very nice to me," added Williams. "The crowd were so fair, I know they love Jo. I think Jo handled the pressure.
"No point was easy. I tried to climb on top and get another point."
Venus Williams Carries 'Family Light' To Wimbledon Final
A revitalized Venus Williams has romped into the Wimbledon final, sustaining the Williams aura in the championship as well as creating her personal record of being the oldest Grand Slam lady finalist the Wimbledon Tennis competition, after Martina Navatrilova in 1994 finished runner-up.With her more successful younger sister, Serena, absent from the competition on account of her pregnancy, Venus, seeded 10th, has not been found wanting in proving to the lovers of the London tennis fiesta that the Williams are not about to fade away yet after decades in the games where they have amassed many trophies individually and as a team.
The 37-year-old Venus defeated British hopeful, Johanna Konta 6-4 6-2 on Centre Court on Thursday, July 13, 2017, to set up a final with against Spain's Garbine Muguruza.
The BBC reports that "Williams is the oldest Grand Slam singles finalist since Martina Navratilova finished runner-up at Wimbledon in 1994.
"The American, through to her ninth final, won her first Wimbledon title in 2000 and the most recent of her seven major victories came on Centre Court in 2008.
"I've played a lot of finals here," Williams told BBC Sport. "One more win will be amazing. It won't be a given but I'll give it my all."
"She will next face Muguruza, the 14th seed, who thrashed unseeded Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1 6-1 in just 64 minutes to advance to her second Wimbledon final.
"The Spaniard finished runner-up to Serena Williams in 2015, before beating the American to win the French Open in 2016.
| *Venus Williams |
'The crowd were very nice to me'
"In a tight contest between two of the best servers in the game, Williams worked her way to victory with smarter serving and more effective returns.
"The American, playing her 20th Wimbledon, showed all her experience to edge out Konta and end British hopes in this year's singles events.
"It was Konta under the greater early pressure at 30-30 or deuce in her opening four service games, with Williams standing inside the baseline to attack the second serve, but the Briton calmly played her way out of trouble."The American, playing her 20th Wimbledon, showed all her experience to edge out Konta and end British hopes in this year's singles events.
"Konta then earned the first two break points of the match at 4-4 but it brought the best out of Williams, who produced a backhand winner, a 106mph second serve and a forehand winner.
"The former world number one would carry that momentum through the rest of the match, finding big second serves and aiming at the body to restrict Konta to just 13 points on the return as her forehand in particular leaked errors.
"Konta fell 0-40 down to offer up three set points in game 10, firing a backhand long on the second, and Williams got the decisive break at 3-1 in the second.
"There was no chink of light on the Williams serve for the home crowd on Centre Court to get excited about, and Konta could only watch as the American arrowed a forehand past her down the line on her third match point.
"The crowd were very nice to me," added Williams. "The crowd were so fair, I know they love Jo. I think Jo handled the pressure.
"No point was easy. I tried to climb on top and get another point."
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