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Paris 2024 Olympics: why some sports like boxing or judo award 4 medals

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This is the privilege offered to martial arts and combat sports. Four disciplines, yesterday five but karate left the Olympic program after Tokyo 2021, will distribute two bronze medals in each of its events. A habit that goes back quite a long way.

Boxing was the driving force behind this major change. Before the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, the two boxers beaten in the semi-finals would compete for the bronze medal. At its congress in Copenhagen in 1950, the International Boxing Federation (AIBA, now IBA), decided to cancel this match for third place.

The reason given? World boxing officials did not think it was prudent for the losing boxers to meet again only a day or two after their defeat. A decision that was followed a year later by the IOC. Thus, in a 1952 text, the official rapporteur wrote: “As recommended by AIBA, only the gold and silver medals were awarded. The losers of the semi-finals did not compete for the bronze medal, as before. Instead, both received diplomas. Their national flags were also hoisted during the protocol ceremonies.”

Thus, no bronze medals were awarded in boxing in 1952. An injustice that would be corrected eighteen years later. The Finnish federation was the initiator of this idea and six of the twenty forgotten bronze medalists of 1952 were finally honoured in Helsinki in April 1970 without the presence of the IOC. However, the IOC would end up that same year recognising and awarding these bronze medals from 1952 in its official count.

Several format changes in judo

Judo followed suit as soon as it entered the Olympic program in 1964 in Tokyo. For its first edition, judo imitated boxing by awarding two bronze medals to the semi-finalists. Absent in 1968 in Mexico, judo returned in 1972 in Munich and invented a repechage table, which is different from the one we know today. The competition was organized in the form of two separate tables.

Each table winner qualified directly for the semi-finals. The other two semi-finalists were the two winners of the repechage (concerning only the defeats of the two table winners). The two defeats in the semi-finals were bronze medalists.

Frenchman Luka Mkheidze won the bronze medal at the last Olympics. AFP/Franck Fife

The system changed again in 1980. This time, the winner of each table went directly to the final. In the repechage, all the losers of the two finalists were found to win the two bronze medals.

In 1992, the repechage system was opened to all the defeated of the four semi-finalists. In 2012, the repechages were limited to the defeated from the quarter-finals of the four semi-finalists. A system that is still current.

The fight has groped

After boxing and judo, it was taekwondo that applied the double silver medal as soon as it entered as a demonstration sport in Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992. In South Korea and Spain, the two defeated semi-finalists climbed onto the 3rd step of the podium.

In 2000 in Sydney, taekwondo was officially included in the Olympic program. It was during this edition that a repechage table was set up and only awarded a bronze medal to its winner from a tournament opposing only all the defeated of the two finalists. A system that was maintained for Athens 2004. From 2008, two medals were awarded to the two winners of the repechage. A system that is still in force. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The fourth sport to introduce the double medal is wrestling. Present since the first Games in 1896 in Athens (its only absence was in Paris 1900), wrestling waited until Beijing 2008 to follow suit. From 1896 to 1904, wrestling offered a classic table with a match for 3rd place between the two defeated in the semi-finals. In Stockholm 1908, a competition in the form of groups and over several rounds was introduced. A fighter is eliminated as soon as he is beaten twice. A system that allowed the establishment of a ranking.

In Antwerp 1920, wrestling invented a repechage table for both the silver medal (the finalist was not guaranteed second place) and the bronze medal. In 1932 in Los Angeles, wrestling created a points and handicap system, without using a classic table. A system that would last until… 1992.

In Barcelona, ​​wrestling innovated again with a two-pool system, the two winners faced each other for the title and the two runners-up for the bronze medal. In 1996 in Atlanta, we returned to a classic direct elimination system, with a repechage table for the award of the single bronze medal including all the losers since the first round. In 2000 in Sydney, we returned to a pool system where each winner entered the direct elimination matches. The bronze medal was determined after the match of the losers in the semi-finals. A system unchanged for Athens 2004.

Then we arrive at Beijing 2008, which is the first edition with a double bronze medal for the wrestlers. All the defeated of the two finalists find themselves in the repechage table. A system still in force today.

Second Chance School

Finally, the fifth sport that introduced the double bronze medal system is karate. A discipline that will not be present at Paris 2024 and which was only present once at Tokyo 2020 as an additional sport. After a group stage, the competition then moved to the semi-finals where the two losers won bronze.

If for boxing, the introduction of a double bronze medal is justified for security reasons, in other disciplines, the school of second chances is put forward to erase any possible bad luck in the draw. Thus, if you come across a big guy, who blocks your path to a medal, you can catch up via the repechages.

PODCAST. Boxer Brahim Asloum: “I knew I had to do more than the others”

In other sports, several systems are in place. But they always award three medals, reserved for the first three. Thus, some sports (athletics, swimming, cycling, gymnastics, artistic swimming, canoe slalom, canoe sprint, diving, horse riding, rowing, shooting, skateboarding, sport climbing, triathlon, weightlifting) organize races until the final to determine a ranking.

Sailing and golf cultivate a difference

Other disciplines that take place on courts and fields (3×3 basketball, archery, badminton, softball/baseball, basketball, fencing, football, handball, hockey, rugby sevens, surfing, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo) favour direct elimination competitions. The semi-finalists then compete for the sole bronze medal.

Finally, two sports have different systems, golf and sailing. For golf, all participants compete to determine a ranking. The elimination series are only used to decide between tied competitors. Finally, in sailing, all participants take part in about ten qualifying races. The top ten then compete in a final race which awards the three medals to the best.

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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