SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Cheering crowds welcomed the Olympic flame to a freezing Seoul on Saturday, where the torch will be paraded for four days before making its way to Pyeongchang for the start of the Winter Games. The outlook for next month’s sporting extravaganza has brightened since North Korea confirmed its participation, lifting security concerns over the South’s nuclear-armed neighbour. The North has agreed to send an unknown number of athletes to the […]
Tag: sports
Lady in red: Halep hopes ‘lucky’ dress brings first Slam
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Simona Halep goes in search of a first Grand Slam at the Australian Open next week without a sponsor, but happy she’ll be able to wear her “lucky” red dress. The world number one admitted she unusually had “no brand clothes” to wear at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of the year after ending her deal with Adidas last season. “I have no contract now. Yeah, it’s an interesting […]
Olympics: Winter sports explained
PARIS, France (AFP) — A record 102 gold medals will be awarded in 15 sports disciplines at the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea from February 9-25. AFP takes a brief look at the medal events and how those sports disciplines work. Alpine skiing Alpine skiing is divided into speed events and technical events. The downhill and super-G, run over one leg, provide the speed while the giant slalom and slalom, held over two […]
Cycling: Dutch BMX Olympic silver medalist in coma
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — Dutch cyclist Jelle van Gorkom, who won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was in a coma on Wednesday following a crash which left him with a damaged skull, officials said. The 27-year-old was hurt after an accident in training at the national sports centre at Papendal near Arnhem in the east of the country. “After the accident, Jelle van Gorkom was taken to the hospital. He has […]
North Korea says will attend Olympics in rival South
by Hwang Sunghee Agence France-Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea said it was willing to send athletes and a high-level delegation to the forthcoming Winter Olympics in the South on Tuesday as the rivals held their first official talks in more than two years after high tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program. Seoul urged that reunions of families divided by the 1950-53 Korean War — one of the most emotive legacies of the […]
NFL: P!nk named to perform US anthem at Super Bowl 52
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Singer P!nk will perform the US national anthem at next month’s Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis, the National Football League said Monday. The 38-year-old American will make her first appearance at the NFL’s championship spectacle in the February 4 matchup, protected from Minnesota’s winter cold by a domed stadium. “I’m really looking forward to 2018,” P!ink tweeted. “I’m really excited about the Grammys. Tour. Some other stuff that’s a […]
Saudi chess PR gambit checked by controversies
by Alison Tahmizian Meuse Agence France-Presse DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Saudi Arabia brushed aside rulings from top clerics to host a big money chess tournament, but the gambit to improve the kingdom’s image has been jolted by regional powerplays. The landmark event and its record $2 million (1.7 million euro) prize pot come as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to repackage his oil-rich nation as more welcoming — and moderate. But a […]
Golf: Els receives special invitation to Masters: reports
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Four-time major champion Ernie Els has received a special exemption to compete in next year’s Masters golf tournament, multiple websites reported Monday. Golfweek, Golf Digest and Golf magazine reported that his management had confirmed the 48-year-old South African had been given a special entry into the field for next April’s major championship at Augusta National Golf Club. “Thank you for a Great present! @TheMasters Can’t wait!” Els tweeted on Sunday […]
NFL: Tommy Nobis ‘Mr. Falcon’ dies at 74
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Tommy Nobis, the first player drafted by the NFL’s expansion Atlanta Falcons in 1966, died on Wednesday at the age of 74, the team said. The Falcons said Nobis died at his suburban Atlanta home after an extended illness with his wife, Lynn, by his side. “Tommy’s legacy began as the first Falcons player in team history, was built over 40 years with the organization and will live on […]
Keaton Jones’ anti-bullying video sparks outpouring of support
by W.G. Dunlop Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) –A video of a boy tearfully talking about being bullied at school has gone viral and prompted an outpouring of support from Hollywood celebrities, music stars, athletes and others. Keaton Jones’ mother posted the video Friday on Facebook, writing that her son asked to make it after he had her pick him up from school because he was afraid to go to lunch. It has […]
Football: Ronaldo wins fifth Ballon d’Or award
PARIS, France (AFP) — Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo won a record-equaling fifth Ballon d’Or award for the year’s best player on Thursday. The Real Madrid forward’s second successive win drew him level alongside Barcelona rival Lionel Messi on five Ballons d’Or, after the Argentinian took second in the vote, with Brazilian Neymar third. The 32-year-old was the top-scorer in last season’s Champions League as Real successfully defended the trophy with victory over Juventus in June, […]
Serena ‘very likely’ to make comeback at Australian Open: organizers
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Serena Williams will be ready to make her tennis comeback at the Australian Open with her return to Melbourne for the season’s opening Grand Slam “very likely,” organizers said Wednesday. Williams, 36, won this year’s Australian Open while pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl in September. She has not played a competition since, raising questions over whether the 23-time Grand Slam winner would attempt to defend her title next […]





