International | August 8, 2021
Tokyo Olympics End With Closing Ceremony, as US TV Ratings See Decline
International | August 8, 2021
The International Olympics Committee declared the Tokyo Olympics officially closed, with officials claiming the Games were a success despite the pandemic.
The Olympics and its closing ceremony with the theme “Worlds We Share” were held in the middle of a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic and have been rejected by many Japanese citizens.
At these Games, spectators were kept at bay. A patchwork of rules kept athletes masked and apart for many of the medal ceremonies, yet saw them compete closely enough they would be swapping bodily fluids in some venues. Risks that could be mitigated were, but at the same time events had to go on.
Meanwhile, U.S. television ratings for the Games saw a considerable decline over the 2016 contests… (Excerpts from The Epoch Times)
International | August 8, 2021
Fresh off Olympic gold, Linoy Ashram says she’s ‘the happiest’ with achievements
International | August 8, 2021
Israeli Olympic gold medalist Linoy Ashram, who won the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games on Saturday, said she was still processing her shock victory over three-time world champion Dina Averina from Russia, and felt exhilarated by her achievement.
“I still haven’t processed [the victory], I’m still in shock over what happened and what I’ve achieved,” Ashram told Channel 12 news on Saturday evening. “I have no words. It’s such an exciting, fun experience.”
“I’m the happiest with my achievements. I did the best I could,” she said… (Excerpts from the Times of Israel)
International | July 30, 2021
Stepping Up: Suni Lee Wins Gold For America After Simone Biles Pulls Out Of Competition
International | July 30, 2021
American Sunisa Lee, 18, took gold in the women’s individual all-around gymnasts competition following the dramatic departure of teammate Simone Biles at the Tokyo Olympics. Lee was apparently up for the challenge, edging out Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade to become the fifth-straight American woman to take home the gold in the all-around competition. Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin, Gabby Douglas, Biles, and Lee have been the successive all-around gold medalists for the United States since 2004… (Excerpts from the Daily Wire)
International | July 27, 2021
These 3 hockey-playing Jewish brothers just made NHL history
International | July 27, 2021
Talk about goals: Luke Hughes has become the third brother in his hockey-playing Jewish family to be drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft.
The New Jersey Devils picked the 17-year-old defenseman fourth overall in Friday’s selections, making the Hughes brothers of Orlando, Florida, the first American family to have three siblings drafted in the National Hockey League’s first round.
Jack, a center, was chosen first overall by the Devils in 2019 — earning the distinction as the first Jewish player ever taken No. 1. A year earlier, oldest brother Quinn had gone to the Vancouver Canucks with the seventh pick…. (Excerpts from Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
International | July 27, 2021
Winning judo silver in Tokyo, Iranian defector Mollaei dedicates medal to Israel
International | July 27, 2021
Saeid Mollaei, a former Iranian judoka now representing Mongolia, took home the silver medal in the men’s 81-kilogram division, losing the gold to Takanori Nagase of Japan.
It was the first Olympic medal for Mollaei, two years after he left his native Iran, revealing that his national team coaches had ordered him to lose in the semifinals of the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo to avoid facing Israel’s Sagi Muki in the final. Mollaei subsequently moved to Germany and then acquired Mongolian citizenship.
Mollaei told the Israeli Sports Channel that he was thankful for the support he’s received from Israel over the years.
“Thank you to Israel for the good energy. This medal is dedicated also to Israel,” he told the network. “I hope the Israelis are happy with this win.”
He added in Hebrew: “Todah” (thank you)…. (Excerpts from the Times of Israel)
International | July 26, 2021
Woke Wake-Up Call? WNBA Players Reverse Course, Will Not Protest During National Anthem At Olympics
International | July 26, 2021
WNBA players, who have been protesting racism all season by leaving the court during the national anthem, say they have decided not to continue their demonstration during the Olympics and will remain on the court during the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Team captain Sue Bird, who is engaged to United States women’s soccer star — and woke icon — Megan Rapinoe, reportedly defended the decision to the media, claiming that the move was not “hypocritical” because she and her teammates were playing for Team USA, not individual cities.
“You are wearing USA jerseys, and it does change the conversation a little bit and what you’re representing,” Bird told The Associated Press, per the New York Post.
“With that, I don’t feel like a hypocrite in any way,” she added. “Everyone knows where we stand. I don’t think it contradicts anything since we’re actually doing the work.”…
(Excerpts from the Daily Wire)