Tag Archives: olympics

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | There is a “very low risk” of the Zika virus spreading further internationally as a result of the Olympic Games in Brazil, the World Health Organization’s emergency committee on the disease said Tuesday. The statement came as worry mounted that the mosquito-borne virus, which has …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford has made the decision to freeze his sperm because of fears about the Zika virus at this year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro. Rutherford’s girlfriend, Susie Verrill, said the couple were increasingly worried about mosquito-born Zika, which can …

Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | Professional boxers can compete at the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the sport’s governing body ruled in a landmark decision on Wednesday. But it is unlikely to see boxing’s biggest names enter the Olympic ring in Rio — for most professionals, like former …

Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | Thirty-one athletes from 12 countries failed doping tests after new analysis of samples taken from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and could be banned from the Rio Games, the IOC said Tuesday. The 31, who took part in six different sports, were among 454 samples retested …

Kingston, Jamaica | AFP | Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt is undergoing treatment in Germany for what his coach described as an “aggravated hamstring injury” following his first race of the season, local radio reported Monday. Glen Mills, Bolt’s coach, said the two-time Olympic 100m and 200m champion had tweaked …

Montreal, Canada | AFP | Kenya’s participation at the Olympic games was thrown into question on Thursday after the World Anti-Doping Agency declared the country’s drug-testing regime to be in breach of strict international standards. In a ruling announced during a WADA meeting in Montreal, officials said recent efforts by …

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece | AFP | The Olympic flame was lit Thursday in an ancient temple in one country in crisis and solemnly sent off carrying international hopes that Brazil’s political paralysis will not taint the Rio Games that start in barely 100 days. As the flame was kindled in …

Nairobi, KENYA | AFP | Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Monday he will give priority to pass a new anti-doping law to beat a deadline and ensure the east African track giants compete at the Rio Olympics. The second World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) deadline for Kenya to tighten its anti-doping …

Vienna, Austria | AFP | The UN atomic agency said Monday it will provide Brazil with equipment to help prevent any attempted terrorist attacks with nuclear material at this year’s Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it will loan Brazil selected types of radiation detection …