sports

Tokyo 2020 can make further reductions to its budget, a top Olympic official said on Tuesday (May 21), despite some sports associations voicing concerns that cost-cutting could harm the running of the Games. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics budget is under pressure from two directions. (Photo: AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi) "We appreciate your continued efforts to reduce the operational (budget) and other budgets," said John Coates, chairman of the International Olympic Committee's coordination committee, at the start of a three-day visit to Tokyo. He noted that US$2.2 billion had been saved from the construction and infrastructure budget and US$2 billion from the operational budget but insisted: "We think there are still more savings to be obtained." Coates singled out the "overlay" budget for further cuts, which means money for temporary facilities such as pre-fabricated tents, seating and security fencing. He said this had already been reduced from US$2.1 billion to around US$1.3 billion and … [Read more...] about IOC sees scope for more Tokyo 2020 games budget cuts

Four members of the Vietnamese team (left) ahead of the final clash with hosts China The three-day event was organised by the Chinese Xiangqi Association and the Kunshan Xiangqi Association. It brought together leading players from eight countries and territories, competing in two groups. The Vietnamese team, consisting of captain Nguyen Hoang Kien (General Secretary of the Vietnam Xiangqi Association), Vo Minh Nhat, Ha Van Tien and Phi Manh Cuong, were drawn in Group B, together with Japan, Singapore and the Philippines. Meanwhile, Group A was made up of Chinese Taipei, Germany, Malaysia and hosts China. Vietnamese players convincingly won the group stage with two wins and one draw before beating Germany 5-1 and Malaysia 4-2 to qualify for the final match, where they brilliantly defeated hosts China 4-2 to be crowned the champions. The overall triumph earned the Vietnamese team 60,000 Chinese Yuan (roughly US$8,700) in prize money. More importantly, the victory against a home team … [Read more...] about Vietnam wins international xiangqi tournament in China

Eyes on a third Grand Slam: Naomi Osaka is top seed at the French Open AFP/Tiziana FABI Now, however, the 21-year-old Japanese returns to Paris as comfortably the sport's hottest ticket with the world number one billing, a bank balance bursting at the seams and on the brink of a third successive Grand Slam title. "The one word that comes to my mind is amazing," says Osaka's older sister Mari, a fellow tour player. "I'm really proud of her." Naomi Osaka was seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time at the 2018 French Open when she made the third round, countering claims she was the 'coolest thing in tennis' by asserting she was the sport's 'most awkward person'. But it was the razzle-dazzle of New York - helped by a mega-meltdown by Serena Williams - which propelled her to a maiden Slam triumph in September. That was backed up by a second major at the Australian Open, her status as the face of the new generation of women's tennis comfortably confirmed. Osaka, the daughter of a … [Read more...] about With the world at her feet, Osaka takes Paris in her stride

The event will open May 25 in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. It will welcome the participation of nearly 1,000 runners from 46 countries. It will also mark the third consecutive year that the Pu Luong Nature Reserve hosts the race. Participants will compete in five distances: 10, 25, 42, 55 and 70 kilometers. The route will take them through lush jungles, limestone cliffs, steep hills and beautiful rice fields. Participants will also get to meet with ethnic minority communities and enjoy a special party in the village after the race. They will also have the opportunity to stay longer in the reserve, stay with locals in homestay arrangements, and get a close look at ethnic minority cultures in the province. The Vietnam Jungle Marathon is an official Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) qualifying race. UTMB is a race of the ultra-trail world tour, and thus, the event is a great opportunity for runners to gain points to join the UTMB race. Runners can sign up for Vietnam Jungle Marathon at … [Read more...] about Nature reserve to host Vietnam Jungle Marathon

HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Thị Thật of Việt Nam won the first stage Tour of Zhoushan Island I on Tuesday in China. The Asian champion sprinted away in the last 20 minutes to finish the 85km course first with a time of 2hr 50min ahead of Arianna Fidanza and Lisa Morzenti, both from Italy. Việt Nam also topped the team podium. They were followed by High Ambition 2020 of Japan and Team Illuminate from Malaysia. Cyclists will continue with the Tour of Zhoushan Island II with two stages on Wednesday and Thursday. — VNS … [Read more...] about Thật wins Tour of Zhoushan Island I