From winning junior world championships to claiming silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Jutta Leedram has cemented her status as an all-around star in the speed skating world. With a robust career and partnership with fellow athlete Jake Paul, Leedram's prowess on the ice continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
In a strategic move to target Indian viewership, the 2028 LA Olympics is considering moving the cricket event to New York, which is closer to the Indian time zone compared to Los Angeles. This plan was announced by Casey Wasserman, chairman of the 2028 LA Games organizing committee, who emphasized the importance of catering to South Asian audiences for better broadcast deals. Talks are in place to host the matches at the Marine Park in Brooklyn, and the move could also alleviate concerns around the total number of athletes and support staff at the Games.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially submitted a 'Letter of Intent' to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, putting them in the race alongside over ten other competing countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Indonesia. With advanced sports facilities and recent experience in hosting major international events, these countries pose a strong challenge to India's bid. IOC President Thomas Bach notes that India has now moved from the 'Informal Dialogue' to the 'Continuous Dialogue' stage of the host selection process, where a feasibility study will be conducted to evaluate India's preparations and potential for hosting the Games.
India has taken a major step towards its goal of becoming a premier sports hub as the Indian Olympic Association has sent a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee expressing its interest to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This move has been welcomed and seen as a significant step towards PM Modi's vision of placing India at the forefront of the global sports scene. The potential benefits of hosting the Games in India, such as economic growth, social progress and youth empowerment, cannot be understated and this opportunity could truly be monumental for the country.
After facing criticism for his coaching decisions during Team USA's gold medal run at the Paris Summer Olympics, Steve Kerr found himself in the spotlight once again as his former player Jayson Tatum had a record-breaking performance on the opening night of the NBA season. Fans took to social media to sarcastically thank Kerr for fueling Tatum's game, and potentially, the success of the Boston Celtics this season. Despite the controversy, Tatum chose to take the high road and let his performance on the court speak for itself.
In a significant decision, cricket will not be a part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasglow, Scotland. Only 10 sports have been chosen for the event, leading to the exclusion of cricket, which was previously included in the 2022 edition. No specific reason was given for this decision, but Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir hinted that the 2026 Games will pave the way for a more sustainable and inclusive model for future events. However, cricket will still have a chance to shine at the LA28 Olympics, after a 128-year hiatus, and was also included in the recent Asian Games.
The Serbian superstar, Nikola Jokic, recently revealed that the loss to Team USA in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics was the hardest blow of his professional career. Despite his numerous individual and team achievements, Jokic still carries the pain of falling short against Team USA, even though his team had already beaten them in the group stage. In an interview with Mozzart Sport, Jokic spoke about the defeat, saying it was one of the toughest in their careers and describing it as a "big chance" that they ultimately couldn't capitalize on.
As the Paris 2024 Olympics continues, America's Simone Biles secured her third gold medal of the Games with an impressive vault performance. In the women's vault final, Biles showed her dominance yet again, as Great Britain's Max Whitlock secured a spot in the pommel horse final. Only available for viewing to UK users, check out highlights of Biles' gold-winning routine and catch up on her thoughts on the competition thus far.
The highly anticipated Hockey FIH Pro League is back for its sixth season, promising more thrilling matches and changes to the format. After an exciting Paris Olympics 2024 hockey tournament, the winners of both the men's and women's divisions will earn direct qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. In addition, all participating teams will host matches in their home countries, bringing fans closer to the action. A new scheduling system will also make it easier for fans to follow the league, with matches split between December/February and June. With the inclusion of new teams like Spain and Ireland for the women's and men's divisions respectively, the upcoming season is shaping up to be the best one yet.
After a stellar performance at the Diamond League finale, Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra has returned to India and is already gearing up for his next challenge - the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Despite struggling with a muscle injury throughout the year, Chopra managed to secure a silver medal at the Olympics and is determined to continue his winning streak for the future. With four years to prepare, Chopra is focused on keeping the world title in his sights and bringing home another medal for India.