Connect with us

SPORTS

Gold for Marchand and triathlete Beaugrand, 8th Olympic title for Ledecky

Published

on

By

The phenomenon Léon Marchand finished Wednesday with a double gold, and triathlete Cassandre Beaugrand won gold. The day ended with eight medals for the French delegation. For her part, American middle-distance legend Katie Ledecky won an eighth Olympic gold medal, becoming the second most decorated woman in the history of the Olympic Games.

Published on: 07/31/2024 – 05:09Modified on: 08/01/2024 – 02:34

6 mn

Léon Marchand made history by becoming the first swimmer in over a century to win two individual men’s gold medals in the same evening in the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke on Wednesday, July 31 at the Paris Olympic Games. These victories bring the number of gold medals for the French delegation to 8, which now totals 26.

Indeed, France pocketed six other medals on Wednesday thanks to the Olympic title of Cassandre Beaugrand and the bronze of Léo Bergère in triathlon, whose events were able to take place after “compliant” analyses of the Seine, in addition to the bronze of Anthony Jeanjean in BMX Freestyle, Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou in judo and the Blues in the team sabre. Between Marchand’s two exploits, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova won silver in the 1500 m freestyle.

Historic day in the pools

Léon Marchand achieved the historic double (200m butterfly-200m breaststroke) in less than two hours at the La Défense swimming pool, to enter fully into the Olympic and French sporting legend, at the age of 22.

Also read: 2024 Olympics – Swimming: Marchand stronger than Phelps with two gold medals in the same evening

Before Léon Marchand, only East German Kornelia Ender had won two individual titles on the same day, at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. In the men’s category, this had not happened for over a century.

Already crowned in the 400m medley, he now has three gold medals, while waiting for the 200m medley (qualifying on Thursday, final on Friday), where he will be the big favourite, and the 4 x 100m medley relay.

On the same historic night, American Katie Ledecky became the second most decorated woman in Olympic history with her victory in the 1,500m, ahead of Anastasiia Kirpichnikova, who was naturalized last year after wearing the colors of Russia. Sweden’s Sarah Sjöström, 30, won the 100m freestyle, eight years after her first Olympic title in the 100m butterfly.

Also read: 2024 Olympics – swimming: American Katie Ledecky, title hunter in search of an incredible record

In the men’s 100m freestyle, the Chinese Pan Zhanle won the event, smashing his own world record in the main event in 46.40 seconds, ahead of the Australian Kyle Chalmers and the Romanian David Popovici.

First gold medal in French triathlon

Participants in the women’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics dive into the Seine, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. © Jeff Pachoud, AFP

This was the soap opera of this first week in Paris: would the Seine be able to host the swimming part of the triathlons, after the postponement of the men’s event on Tuesday?

The latest water analyses having been deemed “compliant” according to the organizers, Cassandre Beaugrand took advantage of this to win the first gold medal in the French triathlon. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Also read: 2024 Olympics – triathlon: how France became so strong

In this event which combines 1,500 m of open water swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running, she made the difference in the last part of the running race.

Bronze in BMX freestyle, judo and fencing

Anthony Jeanjean, world number 1 in BMX freestyle, advanced confidently. In the prestigious setting of the Concorde, he finished in bronze. His young compatriot Laury Pérez, 20 years old, finished 9th and last in the women’s final.

Also see: 2024 Olympics: Jeanjean wins bronze in BMX freestyle

A new surprise guest came to brighten up the day of French judo, while its main chance of a medal, Marie-Eve Gahié, had failed in the match for bronze. Like Joan-Benjamin Gaba on Monday, Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou surprised everyone to win an unexpected bronze medal at 23 years old for his first Games. In the -90 kg category, “MG” dominated the Brazilian Rafael Macedo and offered a seventh medal to French judo.

The fencers brought a sixth medal to the quota: the sabreurs (the Patrice brothers, Boladé Apithy and Maxime Pianfetti) took bronze in the team event, the first medal in this weapon since 2008.

Table tennis player Félix Lebrun is a medal contender

Félix Lebrun beat Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. © Wang Zhao, AFP

The Lebrun brothers have been setting the stands of the Arena Paris Sud alight since the start of the Games, but in the singles quarter-finals, there will only be Félix. The younger brother (17 years old) gave himself a scare against the veteran Dimitrij Ovtcharov, twice his age. Leading 3 sets to 0, he was caught 3-3 by the former world No. 1 before snatching victory in the seventh set. His older brother Alexis, beaten 4-1, was unable to overturn the hierarchy against the Brazilian Hugo Calderano (world No. 6).

Also read: 2024 Olympics – table tennis: Lebrun madness is underway at the Paris Games

Nadal and Alcaraz eliminated

The pair formed by Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, who had tennis fans salivating, were eliminated from the Olympic tournament in the quarter-finals by the American duo Rajeev Ram-Austin Krajicek (6-2, 6-4), ending Nadal’s dream of a medal in Paris.

The Games are therefore over for Rafael Nadal, 38, who was knocked out by Novak Djokovic in the second round of singles and who had then assured that he would think about what to do next with his career “after the Olympics”.

The Blues of handball on probation

Swept away by Denmark (37-29) then Norway (27-22), the Blues of handball avoided the pitfall of a third defeat in a row, managing to snatch a draw at the last second against Egypt (26-26). The Blues can still believe in qualifying for the quarter-finals.

With AFP

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SPORTS

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

Published

on

By

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.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

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

Published

on

By

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

Published

on

By

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

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

Trending

error: Content is protected !!