PARIS: Noah Lyles banished his Tokyo demons as he stormed to Olympic 100m glory in Paris in his continuing bid to fill the void left by Usain Bolt.
Lyles followed up on his treble gold (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay) at last year’s world championships in Budapest by winning the 100m at the Stade de France in 9.79 seconds in a dramatic photo finish.
It ended a 20-year wait for an American gold in the blue riband event. Justin Gatlin was the last sprinter, man or woman, to win Olympic 100m gold.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has dubbed Lyles, whose contract renewal with Adidas this season was described as the biggest since Bolt’s with Puma, an “absolute rock star.”
Dread-locked rapper more than rock star, the 27-year-old American’s efforts in the Hungarian capital were captured in Netflix’s docuseries entitled “Sprint.”
A second season is being filmed with the Paris Games as the backdrop.
The cameras firmly shine the spotlight on the self-assured Lyles, who looks more than ready to bring track back into the wider public consciousness and whose brashness was clear for all to hear in a litany of quotable soundbites in the first series.
“You have to have the mindset of a god,” Lyles said of being a top sprinter in “Sprint.”
“I’m a true believer in that the moment isn’t bigger than me, the moment was made for me.”
While many pundits insist that such an outlook is hardly rare for elite athletes, there is no doubt his brazen approach rubs many other people up the wrong way, not least legions of NBA basketball players — and their fans — after Lyles had questioned their claim to be real “world champions.”
Lyles, who has openly talked about his struggles with mental health and depression in recent years, admits that his growing fame has become a problem in the Olympic Village.
“I’ve become kind of popular in the village and unfortunately that has come with its own set of challenges in being able to find my own space within the village, whether that’s eating or training in the gym,” he said.
His gold in Paris at least atones for his disappointing Tokyo experience, where he came away with a bronze in the 200m.
“That bronze still burns a hole in my chest,” Lyles said.
“I will be carrying it around during Paris just to remind me that this is not the color we are coming back with.”
Lyles, who suffered from chronic asthma as a child, insisted he thrives under public scrutiny.
“The more eyes on me, the better I perform, or at least that’s what my therapist says. When the TV cameras are on me and people are there, I am not losing.”
The American is still hoping to complete an audacious bid for medals in four events in Paris, adding the 4x400m relay to his repertoire.
He ruffled feathers in the world indoors in Glasgow in March when, after claiming 60m silver behind teammate Christian Coleman, he was selected for the 4x400m relay squad that also won silver.
It was a call-up that left the US federation accused of favoritism.
“Let’s just say a lot of people in the US were very, very, very upset that I ran the 4x400 and to that I would say, ‘run faster, push me out!’,” Lyles said.
Bolt retired from the sport in 2017 having won 11 world and eight Olympic golds.
Lyles, whose Budapest sprint double was the first since Bolt’s at the Beijing worlds in 2015, said: “Usain Bolt has done it and him saying to me that he sees what I am doing and he respects it, it is amazing.
“I am the guy who wants to move past being track-famous. I want people to see me on the track, but in GQ and my docu-series, and realize I’m a cool guy too.
“Medals are the first step because then people pay attention to you.
“Then you can go into different directions: fashion, music. You can start collaborating with other people, artists and the world.”
Lyles arrived in Paris knowing full well that he needed to continue his fine form, simply because to continue garnering attention, he needs to keep winning medals — the Olympics are the ultimate global championships for the American spectator.
That was Bolt’s allure: his ability to dominate and win multiple gold medals at global championships.
Lyles has bagged one. More podiums beckon.
‘Rock star’ Lyles banishes Tokyo demons with Paris 100m gold
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‘Rock star’ Lyles banishes Tokyo demons with Paris 100m gold
- Lyles followed up on his treble gold (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay) at last year’s world championships in Budapest
Manchester United vow to improve on and off pitch after fifth year of losses
- United have embarked on a slew of changes since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25 percent stake in the club
- Newly appointed CEO Omar Berrada said: “Our clear objective is to return the club to the top of European football“
LONDON: Manchester United’s new chief said on Wednesday the club were working toward improving performance on and off the pitch after a fifth consecutive year of net losses following a poor 2023-24 season and heavy investments in the new squad.
The English Premier League soccer club’s shares slipped 8 percent in early US trading as net losses widened to more than 113 million pounds ($147 million) in the year to June, making it only the second time since its New York listing in 2012 that losses topped 100 million pounds.
United have embarked on a slew of changes since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25 percent stake in the club and under his stewardship had a busy summer in the transfer market, securing several promising young players.
“We are working toward greater financial sustainability and making changes to our operations to make them more efficient, to ensure we are directing our resources to enhancing on-pitch performance,” newly appointed CEO Omar Berrada said.
“Our clear objective is to return the club to the top of European football.”
The Premier League has clamped down on big spending by clubs with its Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) to try to level the playing field and prevent rich owners from spending vast sums on players.
To comply with PSR, clubs must rack up no more than 105 million pounds of losses over a three-year period, although investments in infrastructure, academies, charity foundation and women’s soccer can be deducted.
United have recorded losses of more than 257 million pounds in the past three years, and more than 370 million pounds over five years. The club said they were committed to and compliant with the PSR, as well as European governing body UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulations.
United finished eighth in the Premier League last season, their lowest position since the league’s inception in 1992. This season has not started any better, with two losses from the first three games.
For fiscal 2025, the club expect an adjusted core profit of 145-160 million pounds and revenues of 650-670 million pounds. They reported adjusted core profit of 147.7 million pounds on record revenues of 661.8 million pounds in fiscal 2024.
The forecast reflects the impact of recent restructuring that included 250 job cuts.
Dutch striker Memphis Depay arrives in Sao Paulo to join Corinthians
- The 30-year-old Depay, who left Spanish team Atletico Madrid on a free transfer, is expected to be introduced to fans later Wednesday
SAO PAULO: Dutch striker Memphis Depay arrived early Wednesday at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport after signing a two-year deal with Brazilian soccer club Corinthians.
The 30-year-old Depay, who left Spanish team Atletico Madrid on a free transfer, is expected to be introduced to fans later at the Neo Quimica Arena before Corinthians play in the second leg of its Brazilian Cup quarterfinal tie against Juventude. The Sao Paulo-based team, which has more than 35 million supporters, lost the first leg 2-1.
Depay is scheduled to give a press conference at the same stadium on Thursday morning.
Depay left Rotterdam on Tuesday afternoon in a Gulfstream G550 jet. The striker published a picture of the plane on his social media channels with the message: “Going home.”
The former PSV Eindhoven star played for the Netherlands at the European Championship.
Other European players who had spells at Brazilian clubs include Clarence Seedorf at Botafogo; Serbian Dejan Petkovic, who played for multiple clubs and remains a hero for Flamengo fans; and Frenchman Dimitri Payet, currently at Vasco da Gama.
Depay, who undertook his medical tests in the Netherlands earlier this week, had spells at Manchester United, Lyon and Barcelona before joining Atletico Madrid.
Corinthians is fighting to avoid relegation in the Brazilian league, with 13 rounds remaining. It is in the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Cup and the Copa Sudamericana, South America’s second most prestigious club tournament.
UAE’s Al-Qemzi stays focused as place in record books beckons
- Team Abu Dhabi star aims for third Grand Prix win of season as F2 title race heads for climax in Portugal
PESO DA REGUA: Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi is taking nothing for granted as he returns to the scene of his latest title triumph in the UIM F2 World Championship this weekend, with a place in the record books beckoning in Portugal.
It was in Peso da Regua a year ago that Al-Qemzi clinched the F2 crown for a fourth time, and he goes back into action there in prime position, leading the 2024 championship by eight points from Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg, with Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko another point adrift in third.
A runner-up finish behind Riabko 12 months ago was enough to crown the Emirati as champion, and after his second victory of the season in San Nazzaro, Italy, just under two weeks ago, he is close to becoming the first ever five-time title winner.
“That’s the target for myself and the team, and after the victory in Italy, we’re focused on another first place in Regua,” Al-Qemzi said, ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix of Portugal, with the final round to follow in Vila Velha de Rodao a week later.
“It was good to become champion last year with one race to spare, but that’s not in my mind now because the championship is still very close. The aim is to win this weekend and open up a bigger lead for the final round. Then we’ll take it from there.”
His Abu Dhabi team-mate, Mansoor Al-Mansoori, is also aiming high after his second-place in San Nazzaro lifted him to fourth position in the championship standings, with an overall podium finish now the clear target.
“It has been a tough season because the competition is very strong, and you can’t afford to make any mistakes,” Al-Mansoori said. “Like Rashed, I feel good after San Nazzaro, and we both want to work together to get the best results for the team in Portugal.”
With the obvious exception of Portugal’s Duarte Benavente, no driver will feel more at home on the Douro River than Al-Qemzi this weekend.
Apart from his title-clinching performance there last year, he has secured five of his 13 career Grand Prix wins in Portugal, including last year’s final round success on the Tegus River circuit at Vila Velha de Rodao, and two victories during his 2021 championship triumph.
If he can beat off the challenge of Wiberg and Riabko this weekend, he would be in position to go for a fourth Grand Prix win of the season, something he achieved en route to his second F2 world title in 2019.
‘Latino Night’ to feature WBA and WBO cruiserweight world championship unification battle between Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season and Golden Boy Promotions announced an inaugural show as part of the broader partnership. The event, “Latino Night,” will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 16.
Scheduled to be one of the biggest celebrations of Latino boxing talent, “Latino Night” will see the history-making WBA cruiserweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) of Mazatlan, Mexico, in hot pursuit of becoming undisputed in the division. His first step will be challenging WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) of Surrey, UK, who is coming off the heels of three straight title defenses.
Ramirez left his mark in the sport as the first Mexican to become a super middleweight and cruiserweight world champion and will be looking to take over the cruiserweight division. Billam-Smith is an English professional boxer who has held the WBO cruiserweight title since 2023 and has held the European, British, and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles between 2019 and 2022.
In the co-main event, former US Olympian and unified champion Jose Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) of Fresno, California, will face the undefeated title contender and currently No. 1 WBO-ranked Arnold Barboza Jr. (30-0, 11 KOs) of Los Angeles, California, in a 12-round WBO super lightweight world title eliminator fight.
Also on the card, the unstoppable knockout machine, William “El Camaron” Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, will challenge former American IBF world champion Tevin “2X” Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a 10-round lightweight fight. In association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and defending his WBO Minimumweight World Championship for the fourth time, the history-making Puerto Rican Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (10-0, 7 KOs) of Villalba, Puerto Rico, will measure up against Queretaro, Mexico’s Edwin “Canito” Cano (13-2-1, 4 KOs) in a 12-round world title bout. Opening the historic show with a 12-round WBA super lightweight eliminator fight, Chihuahua, Mexico’s Oscar “La Migrana” Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs) will face No. 1 WBA-ranked Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. (21-2-1, 8 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, said: “We are looking forward to staging our first event as part of our partnership with Golden Boy Promotions with ‘Latino Night.’ This card features some of the best Latino fighters around and continues our drive to deliver top-tier boxing events by giving fans throughout the world the fights they want to see.”
Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions said: “His Excellency and I have the exact same vision — to match the best versus the best for the fans of our sport. From a world championship unification fight to battles between former champions and on-the-rise contenders to a stacked undercard of prospects, this show will feature everything great that boxing has to offer.”
Philip Button, chief business officer at Golden Boy Promotions said: “We are excited to partner with Riyadh Season to promote Latino Night and further expand Golden Boy’s business globally.”
Ben Shalom, founder and CEO of BOXXER, said: “Riyadh Season continues to deliver the very best matches at the top of the sport, and we are delighted to be working with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions to present another epic fight as co-promoters of this huge cruiserweight world title unification battle. Gilberto Ramirez is a great champion, but Chris Billam-Smith will be coming full of confidence and ready to unify the division.”
Ramirez, WBA cruiserweight world champion, said: “I’m excited to make this fight happen with Chris Billam-Smith. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m looking forward to becoming the unified champion in this division. I’ve always said this was my division (cruiserweight), and I’m happy for the opportunity to showcase my skills at this level on a global stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s truly an honor to be a Mexican warrior and to showcase what true Mexican boxing is all about while bringing my culture to a global audience. Additionally, I hope to be the bridge between Mexico and Saudi Arabia, making both sides proud. I would like to give a special thanks to my team, 3 Point Management, Golden Boy Promotions, Riyadh Season, the WBA, WBO, and everyone else involved in making this happen.”
Alalshikh has also confirmed that “Latino Night” will be broadcast for free globally. Further details of where to watch this card will follow.
Riyadh Season brings together world-class art, music, food, theater and a wide array of a diverse set of events to the capital of Saudi Arabia for an unparalleled winter entertainment experience.
IOC move on election rules puts up legal hurdles to Coe running for top Olympic job
- The Olympic governing body has set a deadline of Sunday to enter the race
- A letter was sent by the International Olympic Committee’s ethics commission
GENEVA: In a move by the IOC that apparently could block Sebastian Coe as an expected presidential candidate, the Olympic governing body has clarified its complex election rules before a deadline Sunday to enter the race.
A letter seen Wednesday by the Associated Press was sent by the International Olympic Committee’s ethics commission to the 111 members, including Coe and several more likely candidates in the contest to succeed Thomas Bach next year.
Details in the two-page letter dated Monday specified reasons why the likes of Coe, the 67-year-old president of track governing body World Athletics, would seem ineligible to complete a full first IOC mandate of eight years.
The winning candidate must be a member of the IOC on election day, scheduled for March in Greece, “and during the entire duration of their term as IOC President,” the letter stated.
Coe’s IOC membership is conditional on being president of World Athletics, a role he must leave in 2027 on completing the maximum 12 years in office.
Another expected candidate, IOC vice president Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., who turns 65 in November, also could have legal issues with the standard age limit of 70 for members defined in the Olympic Charter rules book.
The charter “makes no exceptions for the president, who is an IOC member under the same conditions as all the other members,” stated ethics commission chairman Ban Ki Moon, the former United Nations secretary general, who signed the Sept. 9 letter.
Coe is widely considered a most qualified candidate to next lead the IOC. A two-time Olympic champion in the men’s 1,500 meters, he was later an elected lawmaker in Britain’s parliament, led the 2012 London Olympics organizing committee and has presided at World Athletics for nine years.
The legal hurdles are stacking up just days before the IOC-set deadline for candidates to send a letter of intent to Bach, who will leave as president next year after reaching his 12-year term limit.
Kirsty Coventry, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer who is sports minister of Zimbabwe, and David Lappartient, the French president of cycling’s governing body, have had support from Bach in recent years.
Other candidates could include two of the four IOC vice presidents — Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Spaniard Samaranch, whose father was IOC president for 21 years until leaving in 2001.
Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan is a potential candidate who could be the first president in the IOC’s 130-year history from Asia or Africa.
