Sports

SA sprint star Akani Simbine upstages Olympic champion at Oslo Diamond League

Published

1 month ago

May 31, 2024

It was a good outing for South African sprint sensation, Akani Simbine, at the Oslo Diamond League held on Thursday night when he dusted current Olympic 100m champion, Marcell Jacobs of Italy, to take home the gold medal with time of 9.94 seconds.

Simbine was the standout performer in a strong field of some of the best sprinters which had the likes of Japan’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown who finished second in 9.99 seconds and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme who clocked 10.01 seconds to finish third, while Jacobs ran 10.01 to settle for fourth.

Simbine’s time was a season’s best for him after starting slow out of the blocks but produced a strong second half and a savage dip to claim victory ahead of the field.

Speaking after race, Simbine, 30, said:

“It ended up in the rain which probably influenced the race but at the end of the day we all have to run 100m rain or not and get to the line first.

“I did that today which I am happy with but I have a lot to work on and a lot to do. I am happy with my performance and I hope there will be more highlights coming up as we build towards the Olympic Games.”

“I put my marker out to the world today that I am here. The goal was the win today and I did that. Getting the win always helps with confidence as we get closer to Paris.”

Also speaking, Jacobs said his attention would now turn the 7-12 June European Championships in Rome.

“I am good but I haven’t yet run sub-10, but today it was important to get a good feeling in my race.

“I did that today and I start getting in shape to run the best in my home town in Rome at the European Championships in front of my people.”

Jacobs had won gold at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, and backed it up with a second gold in the 4x100m relay.

He followed his performances with victories over the world indoor 60m in Belgrade in 2022 and the 100m at the European championships later that year.

But he has suffered a number of injuries, something he says led him to moving from Italy to the United States to train in Rana Reider’s camp alongside Canada’s Olympic 200m champion Andre de Grasse and Sani Brown among others.

“The last two years have been difficult with injury but now I have moved to the US for training and have a new coach so things are going well,” Jacobs said.

“It is Olympic year and I want to defend my title of course, so I mustn’t push my body too quickly too soon but I will be ready,” he added.

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Sports

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay makes history at Tour de France

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Unheralded Eritrean cyclist, Biniam Girmay, on Monday, made history by becoming the first Black African rider to claim victory in a Tour de France stage.

Girmay crossed the finish line ahead of tour favourites, Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie, completing the stage in 5 hours, 26 minutes, 48 seconds.

Girmay won stage three of the 2024 Tour in Turin after a crash in the peloton, three kilometres from the finish, dashed Mark Cavendish’s hopes of becoming the Tour’s record-breaking stage winner for yet another day.

The 24-year-old Girmay who rides for the Intermarché-Wanty team, had already won a stage in the 2022 Giro d’Italia and of the Belgian classic Gent-Wevelgem, and took his first Tour success after sprinting ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie.

Speaking after the race, the Eritrean said:

“Ever since I started cycling, I’ve always been dreaming of the Tour. But to win in my second Tour, in a big bunch sprint, is unbelievable. It means a lot, personally for me, and for the continent.

“I remember my father really liked to watch the Tour every July. He always showed us the Tour de France on TV. One day, I asked him if it was possible to be part of the Tour, and he said: ‘Keep going and everything is possible.’

“Today, everybody will believe African riders can succeed in the World Tour. We must be proud, now we are really part of the big races, now it’s our moment, our time.”

Girmay’s victory came on the third day and the longest stage of this year’s race, spanning 230.8 kilometers (roughly 143 miles) between Piacenza and Turin.

Girmay had previously achieved a milestone in Italy two years ago by winning a stage at the Giro d’Italia, making him the first Black African to secure a victory in a Grand Tour, which includes the Giro, the Tour de France, and the Spanish Vuelta.

Sports

Samuel Eto’o threatens to sue CAF after match-fixing hearing

Published

3 days ago

July 1, 2024

Isaac Dachen

President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o, has threatened to institute a lawsuit against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following a disciplinary hearing over match-fixing allegations against him.

The Cameroonian football legend announced the threat after he was invited for questioning over the allegations.

The ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan striker has been a subject of match-fixing allegations in his capacity as head of the FECAFOOT after he was accused of having orchestrated the promotion of a team owned by a close associate of his.

Apart from the match-fixing allegations, Eto’o is also accused of spreading false information, making threats, inciting violence and abusing power, in a scalding report sent to FIFA.

According to the report, Eto’o was charged by CAF over the alleged offences and on Wednesday, June 26th, he appeared before a disciplinary panel.

Though the outcome of the hearing are yet unknown as CAF is yet to publish an official statement, Eto’o says he is not satisfied with the process and will be seeking redress in court.

“I have mandated my lawyers to file a complaint against CAF and for responsibilities to be established,” Eto’o said while addressing journalists.

“It was too easy to tarnish everything I had built during these few years in the world of football. CAF launched a press release much too early. This is unacceptable behaviour.”