Month: December 2021

Posted on

Russia wants to host Olympics – but decision will depend on politics, admits sports ministry

The Russian sports ministry has reiterated the country’s interest in hosting the Olympics but conceded that its hopes depend on a “political decision”, adding that the US move to boycott Beijing is “counter to geopolitics.”

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously said that Russia is preparing a bid for the 2036 Games, holding a meeting with the Russian Olympic Committee medalists after the Tokyo 2020 games.

Lavrov said that St. Petersburg and Kazan are among the cities involved, with India, Indonesia, Turkey, the UK and a joint bid between Germany and Israel mooted to be among Russia’s rivals for the showpiece.

Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin has now suggested again that Russia is ready to host the Games for the first time since 1980.

“We have a powerful sports country with a powerful infrastructure and colossal experience in holding international competitions,” he said.

“Of course, we are [dependent on] a certain political decision, because in this case, sport is seen as a means of political unification and development of the country. I do not exclude the possibility that Russia can claim to host the Olympics.”

At the summer games in Moscow 41 years ago, 66 countries, including the US, completely boycotted the competition to leave just 80 nations competing, which was the lowest number since 1956.

With the US and Australia now announcing a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games, which Sochi hosted in 2014 and will be held in Beijing from February 4, Matytsin was asked about the Biden administration’s controversial decision .

“I am sure that this will not lead to non-participation of US athletes in the Olympics,” he said.

“In the event of a boycott, the country is deprived of the opportunity to participate and host the Games, and we know that, in 2028, the Olympic Games will be held in the United States.

“At least from the point of view of the instinct of self-preservation, I do not think that the United States will take any further steps.

“At a time when the world is experiencing a pandemic and everyone is talking about the need to unite, and the President of the IOC [Thomas Bach] always appeals to the leaders of states so that the Olympic Games are seen as a platform for consolidation, of course, this step by the United States runs counter to geopolitics.

“But I hope this will not affect the participation of American athletes and the image of the Beijing Olympics. We must respect the countries that host the Games.

A former president of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), 57-year-old Matytsin was appointed Sports Minister in January 2020 after Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin formed a new government.

In December last year, he spoke to RT Sport about the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision to impose a two-year ban on Russia for an alleged state-sponsored doping program which Russia denied.  

But while he admitted that the sanctions “have negatively impacted and will impact our athletes” and “restrict Russia’s rights to host international sporting events”, Matytsin accepted that the punishment could have been far tougher given the four-year term that WADA sought after claiming that a Moscow lab had manipulated data to mask the scheme. 

Athletes from Russia are required to compete under the Russian Olympic Committee banner as a result of the ruling.

Posted on

Ex-NFL player died in US jail after cops refused medical care, claims mother

A former NFL player whose death following his arrest for minor offenses has shocked the sport was a victim of brutal police negligence in jail, according to a report which claims a police chief could not explain the tragedy.

Glenn Foster Jr was once a defensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints and reportedly died at a Northport medical facility after being arrested in Pickens County, Alabama.

According to his mother, Sabrina, he was allegedly denied medical care, with the cause of his death unknown as the local State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) looks into what has been ruled an “in-custody death”.

Talking to The Daily Beast after it reported the troubling developments on Tuesday, the 31-year-old’s mother, Sabrina, claimed that officials were asked “for him to have medical treatment and they denied him for two days”.

“I told them he has not eaten or [had] water and his organs could shut down, and they didn’t seem concerned,” she alleged.

In a phone interview, Pickens County Sheriff Todd Hall told the outlet that he couldn’t comment while the SBI was investigating, but jail records seen by the report are said to show that Foster was booked in on Saturday morning.

Cops are said to have picked him up on three reckless endangerment charges, as well as resisting arrest and attempting to elude after he was spotted driving a black Jeep at 92mph in a 45mph zone on Friday night, according to Reform Police Chief Richard Black.

Foster then drove on the wrong side of the road and almost hit other cars head on, according to Black, who said that Foster accelerated his speed to “very high rates” when chased by an officer.

In nearby Gordo, spike strips reportedly had to be deployed to stop Foster, who is said to have embarked on a “minor tussle” as officers arrested him.

“There was no pepper spray, no tasers,” Black clarified. “It was not like an all-out fight.”

Black claims that his officers left Pickens County Jail and had no further interactions with Foster.

On Sunday, Black said he spoke to the former player’s family, who he claimed arranged to release their relative on bail.

But he said that once he had planned to get Foster seen at a hospital, things went awry – and Black claimed that “something happened in the jail”.

“I don’t know what, but they told me he could not be released because they had charges,” Black said.

The charges against Foster were reportedly altered to three counts of simple assault and another for third-degree robbery, which Black claims are nothing to do with his speeding, although the report said that he could not add more.

The arresting agency is cited as Pickens County’s Sherrif’s Office, and Tuscaloosa News claim to have seen court records which say that Foster had been accused of being involved in a fight where he tried “to prevent a sheriff’s deputy and correctional officer from performing a lawful duty”.

By Monday afternoon, Black said, he was notified that Foster was dead, with the Pickens County Coroner’s Office declining to comment to the outlet.

Foster played college football at the University of Illinois and was an undrafted free agent when the New Orleans Saints picked him up in 2013.

After two seasons with the 2009 NFL champions, the Chicago native had been working in real estate since retiring in 2016.

Saints player Terron Armstead paid tribute to Foster by saying. “I really can’t find the words to properly express [my grief]. Rest In Peace, Glenn Foster. You’ll be missed, bro.”

Former quarterback Drew Brees said: “My heart goes out to the family and friends of my former teammate Glenn Foster. I’ll always remember his smile and positive nature.”

Posted on

Legendary cyclist begs public for help after thugs raid home, rob him at knifepoint

British cyclist Mark Cavendish has asked the public for help after being robbed at knifepoint in front of his family when thugs broke into his home, stealing luxury goods just days after the star returned from intensive care.

UK police have described the incident as “undoubtedly” targeted in the early hours of November 27 at the 36-year-old’s house in Essex.

In addition to attacking the Rio 2016 silver medalist, the four thieves threatened his wife and children, who Cavendish says “feared for their lives” and are now “struggling with the after-effects”.

Cavendish had recently returned from hospital, where he had spent time in intensive care after suffering injuries including a collapsed lung and two broken ribs at the Ghent Six Day track event.

A Louis Vuitton suitcase and a pair of expensive watches were among the luxury items stolen in the heist.

“As I’m sure you will understand, this incident has left our family extremely distressed – not just myself and Peta but our children as well, who feared for their lives and are now struggling with the after-effects,” said Cavendish in a statement.

“No one should have to experience the sort of violence and threats made against us, let alone this happening in a family home – a place where everyone should feel safe.

“The items taken are simply material goods and our priority at the moment is to make sure we all recover from the incident as a family, and we know this is likely to take some time.”

Cavendish begged members of the public with information that could help police to come forward.

Echoing her husband’s words, Peta Cavendish released a similar message on social media.

“The effect that this nightmare has had on our family is already heart-breakingly evident,” she said.

“Four masked and armed men forced their way into our home as we slept. They threatened myself and our children and violently attacked Mark. At knifepoint, they proceeded to ransack our belongings.”

Detective Inspector Tony Atkin, the case’s senior investigating officer, said: “Mr Cavendish and his wife were assaulted and threatened in their own home, in the presence of their young children, who witnessed these events.

“Thankfully they are recovering, but the traumatic effect will be long-standing.

“It is likely the people who stole these items are attempting to offload them for sizeable sums of money and I would urge anyone who is being offered these items to please get in touch with us – they are stolen property.”

Police have released CCTV images of the robbery and photographs of the items.

Posted on

Unvaccinated NBA players ‘hit with travel ban’ as league tells teams to name unjabbed stars

NBA stars who are not vaccinated face new travel restrictions following a government ruling on Covid rules, according to a report claiming that teams have been told to give league bosses a list of unjabbed players immediately.

Amid a tightening of protocols following the spread of the new Omicron variant, new Canadian laws are mandating that all visitors entering the country must be vaccinated. 

Although there are limited exceptions, anyone who meets the criteria must quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

ESPN learned of the development via a memo obtained by reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, which also applies to unvaccinated players who travel outside the US on All-Star Weekend in late February.

That has caused the NBA to reportedly inform teams on Tuesday that any unvaccinated players will not be allowed to travel to Toronto to face the Colorado Raptors in games from January 15 onwards.

Teams have also been told to inform the league of unvaccinated players by Friday. 

The Raptors could also be affected when playing games in the US and returning to Canada, which has fully vaccinated 77 percent – just over 29.1 million people – of its 38 million population.

Ninety-seven percent of NBA players are said to have been vaccinated, while ESPN sources claim that more than 60 percentt have taken booster shots.

Yet rebels such as Kyrie Irving, of the Brooklyn Nets, have been sidelined for their refusal to comply with protocol while taking a major pay hit.

The Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins originally declined but ultimately changed his stance, admitting that he believed “the only options [were] to get vaccinated or not play in the NBA”.

Speaking out against the news, social media onlookers called the move “tyranny” and demanded that players “speak out” against it.

“Just get the vaccine, bruh,” a vaccine exponent on the other side of the debate suggested.

Others were more lighthearted poking fun at Irving and how he might have taken the new measures when learning about them.

“When you see how vaccinated Andrew Wiggins plays, how do you not get your shot?,” one asked in jest. 

Posted on

WATCH: Chelsea’s Russian army masses in St. Petersburg

Chelsea’s legion of Russian fans was out in force in St. Petersburg on Wednesday as supporters enjoyed the rare opportunity to watch their team in the flesh as the London club played Zenit in the Champions League.

Fans traveled from cities far and wide across Russia to see the European champions in action, with some arriving from cities such as Vladivostok in the far east – a journey significantly further than the one Chelsea themselves had made from London.

Before the game, the St. Petersburg Blues supporters club organized a special event at a bar in the city center.

A horde of Blues fans massed to sink pints and enjoy entertainment including a special Chelsea-themed quiz, all while belting out chants in honor of their heroes – with just a hint of a Russian accent.

St. Petersburg Blues member Roman Mitkevich told RT Sport that the visit of Chelsea was long awaited.

“A lot of Chelsea fans are flying in for the match from different Russian cities. It’s the most eagerly anticipated game of recent years,” said Roman.

“There are fans coming from all across Russia, as far as Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Also from other countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

“It’s a shame that there’s only a small number of fans flying from England, but Covid and omicron can’t be ignored. Everyone’s health is the most important thing.    

“We’ll try to make it so that visually and from the point of view of support, the Chelsea team will feel at home.

“We’ll try to make every Chelsea player hear chants about themselves and the team. Everyone’s welcome in Russia – from Russia with love.”

Among the fans were the Belarus Blues, who were some of the most vocal voices in the bar.

“We’re really excited,” one member said.

“Our support comes from the heart… It’s a fantastic atmosphere, lots of supporters from Kazakhstan, from Belarus, from different parts of Russia are together here. We’ll go to the stadium together.”

Ryan was one of the few Chelsea fans to make the trip from the UK and was joined at a table by a group of fellow Blues from Kazakhstan.

“I had to get an express visa but I’m happy to be here,” said Ryan, from Edinburgh. “I’ve only seen two other Chelsea fans [from the UK] but the support is good everywhere we go from the locals.”

St. Petersburg Blues organizer Roman is adamant that Chelsea are the best-supported foreign team in Russia.

That appeared to be backed up later in the day as several hundred Russians at the Gazprom Arena supported the visitors.

“Chelsea is absolutely the most popular club in Russia (outside of Russian teams),” said Roman.  

“There are strong followings for Liverpool, Manchester United – Manchester City is becoming stronger. But Chelsea in Russia and the former Soviet Union is the leader in terms of the fan base, undoubtedly.

“Of course the influence of Roman Abramovich is huge, a large number of fans began to support Chelsea (in Russia) during his era. But I would perhaps put it differently – he brought attention from the Russian audience to the fact that football could be different, very competitive and beautiful.”

Speaking on Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner, Yaroslav from Kazakhstan added: “I really want Abramovich to be at the match because it’s his team and his country.”

Abramovich was indeed watching on from the stands at the Gazprom Arena as an under-strength Chelsea and Zenit drew 3-3 after Magomed Ozdoev hit a stunning late equalizer for the hosts.

The result meant Chelsea were forced to settle for second spot in Group H behind Juventus, but for the Blues faithful in Russia and neighboring countries, it was a memorable chance to support their team first-hand.