Sport

Tokyo Olympics: Fully vaccinated Ugandan Olympic coach tests positive for Covid

Published

1 year ago

June 21, 2021

Natasha Schapova

A Ugandan Olympic coach has become the first person to test positive for Covid-19 for the Tokyo Olympics

A coach in Uganda’s Olympic team tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Tokyo, despite being fully vaccinated.

The entire Uganda Olympic group including 26 athletes and 30 staff are fully vaccinated with two shots of AstraZeneca.

The Ugandan Olympic Committee said the coach has no symptoms.

More athletes and staff from the Ugandan Olympic team are due to arrive in Japan in the coming days.

Rising concern over safety of Olympics

This comes amid growing concern over the safety of the Tokyo Olympics.

The country’s top Covid adviser also said Friday that staging the Olympics without spectators would be “desirable.”

Japan has already banned international spectators from the games, with the government yet to make a decision about domestic spectators.

Japan has only fully vaccinated about 16% of its population according to Reuters, although other reports despite this number. CNN says this statistic is likely closer to 9%.

Covid outbreak in Uganda

Uganda is already battling a second wave of the virus, with an increase of 130% in reported cases over June.

On Friday, the Ugandan government tightened lockdown restrictions in the country.

The Ugandan President said the lockdown will tackle the “aggressive and sustained growth” of the virus.

“We are experiencing very high hospitalisation rates and deaths for Covid-19 patients among all age categories,” the president added.

Uganda has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world.

Prime Minister, Rt Hon @RobinahNabbanja says that any support that will be provided to the persons most affected by the lockdown measures will be through cash tokens and not physical food distribution.#COVID19UG @OPMUganda pic.twitter.com/zftI6kZ6HV
— Jean Banks (@BJeanbanks) June 20, 2021

Should the Tokyo Olympics go ahead?

Tokyo Olympics: Too big to cancel?

Tokyo Olympics thrown into doubt

Related Topics:Featured olympics tokyo Tokyo Olympics

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Natasha Schapova

Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.

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Sport

Williams loses first round at Wimbledon

Published

4 days ago

June 29, 2022

ticker NEWS

There’s been a bit of drama on the court as the most prestigious tennis Grand Slam gets underway

Spectators filled the All England Club on Monday to watch the biggest tennis stars hit the court at Wimbledon.

After coming back from a lengthy break, Serena Williams lost in three sets to 24-year-old, Harmony Tan.

“When I saw the draw, I was really scared. I don’t know what to say, I’m so emotional now because she’s a superstar,” Tan says.

Tan took the first set 7-5, before Williams took over 6-1. Tan fought back to win a thrilling third set tie-breaker.

“Because it’s Serena Williams, she’s a legend. I was like, oh my God. How can I play? If I could win one game, or two games, it’s really good for me.”
HARMONY TAN

Despite her dramatic loss, the former world number one is brushing off retirement rumours.

"She's beaten a legend."

After three hours, 10 minutes, Harmony Tan beats Serena Williams in a first round epic#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/IQst8AzXxv
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022

Kyrgios spits at crowd

Meanwhile, in men’s singles, Aussie tennis star, Nick Kyrgios, caused a bit of a stir calling the chair umpire a “snitch” after she supposedly complained to the court umpire about his behaviour.

The 27-year-old will likely be up for a fine for also spitting towards a fan during the match.

Kyrgios says there was a lot of disrespect from the crowd, which is why he admitted to spitting towards a fan.

“I’ve been dealing with hate and negativity for a long time, so I don’t feel like I owed that person anything,” he says.

Some huge winners ☄️@NickKyrgios wins a 5-set thriller against Paul Jubb #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/TsRSznSBrW
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022

The ATP remains in crisis talks over Wimbledon’s Russia ban.

Katerina Kostakos contributed to this report

Sport

Mike Riley steps down as referee chief

Published

6 days ago

June 27, 2022

Holly Stearnes

One of the biggest names in the referee world, Mike Riley, has confirmed he will be stepping down as head of the English League referees

After 13 years, Mike Riley has confirmed he will be stepping down from his role as managing director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

The iconic referee leader will finish his role at the end of the 2022-23 season. Riley says he has enjoyed working in such a ‘dedicated group’.

“I am proud of the contribution our match officials have made to the professional game and have enjoyed working with a such a dedicated, professional and high-quality group at all of the levels that PGMOL manages.
As the elite referee development plan begins to take shape, now is the right time to plan for the future and allow the new leadership team to build on the strong foundations that we have in place. I look forward to working with the new team over the next season and giving them my support before I step down.”
mike riley

The Premier League formally thanked Riley for his contributions and commitment over the last 13 years.

“On behalf of the Premier League, I would like to thank Mike for his valuable contribution and significant commitment to PGMOL over the last 13 years as well as his considerable service to the game as an elite referee for 20 years,” said the Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters.
“During his time at PGMOL, he has worked hard to deliver and develop high-quality match officials across the professional game and led on the implementation of VAR into the Premier League three seasons ago.”
PGMOL

The search is now on to replace the top spot with Riley collaborating with the new team before officially stepping down.

Sport

Hero coach rescues U.S. swimmer at Olympic event

Published

1 week ago

June 24, 2022

Holly Stearnes

U.S. Swimming coach, Andrea Fuentes, has saved the life of an American Swimmer, Anita Alvarez, at the FINA World Championships

Fuentes dived into the pool to rescue unconscious Alvarez from the bottom after her Olympic qualifying event.

In a nightmare moment, the 25-year-old didn’t return for breath after her synchronised swimming event and instead began to sink.

In a split-moment decision, Coach Fuentes jumped into the pool to rescue her, after the lifeguards failed to act.

When a swimmer finishes their routine, the first thing they want to do is breathe and so I saw that instead of going up, she was going down and I told myself, ‘Something is going on’ … So I went in as fast as I could.”
Andrea Fuentes

The young Olympic medalist was unconscious and not breathing but quickly received medical attention on the edge of the pool.

This is one of the most powerful photos I’ve seen in a long time. It embodies the true human spirit of love and sacrifice. It also reminds me that we all need “rescuing” from time to time. Glad Anita Alvarez is okay and thankful to Andrea Fuentes for her act of selflessness. pic.twitter.com/ijE0ya55r5
— Brad Hardin (@chinsobelife) June 23, 2022

She was taken to hospital and is now reportedly in ‘good health’.