Sports
If we don’t have Tokyo Games, we’re unlikely to have Beijing 2022 — IOC member
If the postponed Tokyo Olympics do not go ahead next year due to COVID-19, then the 2022 Beijing Winter Games will likely also fall victim to the pandemic.
Long-time International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound made the assertion on Wednesday in London.
“If there is no vaccine and countries are unable to contain the pandemic that continues to rage in different regions of the world, killing more than 580,000 people, then the IOC could once again be forced to postpone or cancel the Tokyo Olympics.
“This will most likely trigger a knock-on effect taking out the Beijing Games as well,’’ Pound said.
The Beijing Winter Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 4 to Feb. 20, 2022, just six months after the Tokyo Summer Games.
The Tokyo Games are now set to be held from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021 after being pushed back a year by the novel coronavirus outbreak.
“Taking the political side out of it for the moment say there is a COVID problem in July and August next year in Tokyo, it is hard to imagine there is not going to be a knock-on effect in the same area five months later,” Pound told Reuters.
The Beijing Olympics could be further complicated by a number of political showdowns.
This includs an increasingly unstable and volatile situation in Hong Kong and an American election that could see U.S./China relations as one of the main issues.
U.S. President Donald Trump has labelled the pandemic the “China virus” and blamed the country for the outbreak that first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan.
For months, Trump has maintained China must be “held accountable” for failing to contain the disease.
Pound, a Canadian lawyer who has served as both an IOC vice-president and head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), speculated that any number of scenarios could arise.
These included one where the threat is not so much of a U.S. boycott of the Games, but one where China might consider barring the U.S. from taking part.
This will be if the country cannot gain control over the virus.
“At least one part of the U.S. is planning an election campaign which is all anti-China,” said Pound.
“If you are a conspiracy theorist, you might say well, the WHO is strongly influenced by China and they could probably without smirking too much go to a WHO meeting,
“These meetings are usually from which the U.S. will no longer be associated, and say this isn’t positive health.
“There could be the largest number of cases in the world (in the U.S.) and it would be dangerous having Americans coming to China.
“That is an extreme supposition. There are all kinds of crazy things that could happen.”
Pound underscored that at the moment the Tokyo Summer Olympics have the IOC’s complete attention.
But he added that by the end of the year Beijing would also be on their radar.
“It (China) will certainly not be discussed at the next IOC session we have on Friday,” said Pound. “It is mostly reports and concerns about how we are dealing with Tokyo.
“Beijing is really not on the table at the moment and I think it will be an unnecessarily complicated thing to bring that in because we simply do not know about it yet.”(Reuters/NAN)
Sports
Ex- NBA Chair, Balogun tasks legal professionals on mentorship

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, Chief Rafiu Balogun (SAN), has urged his professional colleagues, particularly those who are alumni of the University of Ilorin, to provide mentorship to their junior ones, especially undergraduates .
The former Ilorin NBA branch Chairman said the much needed mentorship is necessary to complement the efforts of those who have cultivated the act of giving back financially to their alma mater.
Chief Balogun, who was an alumnus of the University of Ilorin and one of the 50 Ambassadors of the institution, spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the “University of Ilorin Ambassadors’ investiture, Distinguished Alumni and Award ceremony, where the University raked in cash donations of N600 million from the honourees.
The legal luminary, who doubles as the North Central Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the society, stressed the need for Nigerians, especially those who are successful in their professional callings to cultivate the habit of rendering service to humanity.
He added: “That is why in the Red Cross, one of our seven principles is humanity, service to humanity is key, it is very paramount. As the Chairman of Red Cross here in Kwara State and Chairman of the North Central of Red Cross, I totally agree with what Kuliyan Gerin said that you must give back to the society.
“People like us, I am not rich but at least we’re providing mentorship to our juniors, to our students through the law society because I was the one that started the Law Society here during my tenure as
President. We mentored them, we are also giving back, it could be in terms of knowledge, in terms of materials, in terms of fees, advice, it can come in any way. It needs not be money alone.
“So that is why I am totally in support and in line with Kuliyan Gerin that you cannot say because you have succeeded in life you have amassed so much wealth without giving back.
“In fact, God is going to judge you, you are going to render account, according to Professor Oloyede.
“So, we appreciate them (UNILORIN) because they thought we have been representing the University well, and that is why we are honoured.”
End
Sports
Title: Real Madrid and Barcelona Share Mutual Respect, Says Ancelotti Ahead of Copa Final

by Ajadi Ashraf, Kaduna.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says there is mutual respect between his side and fierce rivals Barcelona, as both clubs gear up for an intense run-in across multiple competitions.
Speaking ahead of Madrid’s weekend La Liga clash against Valencia, Ancelotti acknowledged Barcelona’s form and quality, stating, “Barcelona is playing well, they’re in good form. I think there’s a lot of respect for Barcelona because of their quality, and I think Barcelona also has a lot of respect for Real Madrid.”
Madrid trail league leaders Barcelona by three points with nine matches left to play and will face the Catalan side in the Copa del Rey final on April 26. Both teams are also through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Los Blancos booked their place in the Copa final after a dramatic 5-4 aggregate win over Real Sociedad, while Barcelona narrowly edged past Atletico Madrid.
Madrid’s preparations for the weekend are clouded by injury concerns, with first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois still sidelined due to a muscle issue. Second-choice keeper Andriy Lunin is also a doubt, leaving the door open for 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez to possibly make his senior debut.
“There is no concern, Courtois is much better and we think he can make it for Tuesday [against Arsenal],” Ancelotti said. “We have a doubt for tomorrow’s game with Lunin… and if he’s not fit I have total confidence in Fran.”
Ancelotti acknowledged the physical toll of their midweek extra-time thriller and praised upcoming opponents Valencia, who are unbeaten in four games.
“We have some doubts, obviously, due to the effort in extra-time,” he said. “We are aware that Valencia are doing very well. This is an important moment of the season.”
Sports
Mbappe Among Three Real Madrid Stars Fined by UEFA for ‘Indecent Conduct’

by Ajadi Ashraf, Kaduna.
UEFA has fined Kylian Mbappe and two other Real Madrid players for “violating basic rules of decent conduct” during their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid.
The European football governing body announced on Friday that Mbappe was fined €30,000, while defender Antonio Rudiger was handed a heavier €40,000 fine. Midfielder Dani Ceballos received a €20,000 penalty. Meanwhile, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, who was also under investigation, escaped punishment.
In addition to the fines, Mbappe and Rudiger were issued a suspended one-match ban in European competitions. This means they remain eligible for Real Madrid’s quarter-final first leg against Arsenal on Tuesday, as the suspension will only be enforced in case of further misconduct.
UEFA did not provide specific details of the players’ actions but cited a breach of Article 11 of its disciplinary regulations, which mandates “decent conduct” from participants. The incident stems from the heated Madrid derby on March 12 at the Metropolitano Stadium, where Real Madrid edged Atletico on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.
Reports indicate that several Madrid players provoked and taunted Atletico fans during their celebrations after sealing the dramatic victory.
Real Madrid, the defending champions with a record 15 European titles, now turn their attention to a high-stakes clash with Premier League giants Arsenal.
UEFA has fined Kylian Mbappe and two other Real Madrid players for “violating basic rules of decent conduct” during their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid.
The European football governing body announced on Friday that Mbappe was fined €30,000, while defender Antonio Rudiger was handed a heavier €40,000 fine. Midfielder Dani Ceballos received a €20,000 penalty. Meanwhile, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, who was also under investigation, escaped punishment.
In addition to the fines, Mbappe and Rudiger were issued a suspended one-match ban in European competitions. This means they remain eligible for Real Madrid’s quarter-final first leg against Arsenal on Tuesday, as the suspension will only be enforced in case of further misconduct.
UEFA did not provide specific details of the players’ actions but cited a breach of Article 11 of its disciplinary regulations, which mandates “decent conduct” from participants. The incident stems from the heated Madrid derby on March 12 at the Metropolitano Stadium, where Real Madrid edged Atletico on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.
Reports indicate that several Madrid players provoked and taunted Atletico fans during their celebrations after sealing the dramatic victory.
Real Madrid, the defending champions with a record 15 European titles, now turn their attention to a high-stakes clash with Premier League giants Arsenal.
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