The Rio Olympics ended with a spectacular carnival-inspired closing ceremony, and the official handover to 2020 hosts Tokyo. The colourful ceremony, lasting almost three hours, celebrated Brazil’s arts and was held in a wet Maracana. Among the highlights were Tokyo’s impressive showcase and a vibrant carnival parade. “These were a marvellous Olympics, in a marvellous city,” said International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach. “Over the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world, in difficult times for all of us, with its irresistible joy for life.” Bach officially closed the Games of the 31st Olympiad after 16 days of competition, featuring 11,303 athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team. One of the biggest cheers of the night came when Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared dressed as computer game character Super Mario, rising out of a huge green pipe in the stadium. The ceremony, watched by billions around the world, featured the parade of athletes and a dramatic extinguishing of the Olympic flame.
Japanese surgeon donates $390,000 to the Nigeria Olympic football team….
A benefactor has handed a reward of $390,000 to the Nigerian Olympic football team in Brazil after the West African country won bronze on Saturday. Japanese plastic surgeon Katsuya Takasu had promised to reward the team after hearing about their financial difficulties before and during the tournament. Takasu fulfilled his promise by presenting cheques of $200,000 and $190,000 to coach Samson Siasia and captain John Mikel Obi respectively on behalf of the team. He met with them two hours after Nigeria defeated Honduras 3-2 in the bronze medal play-off. “The $200,000 covers the bonuses and allowances as promised and the $190,000 is for the bronze medal,” Takasu said. “I had travelled from Tokyo prepared to reward them anyway, and to watch them win the bronze inside the stadium was very fulfilling,” he added. Before arriving in Rio, Nigeria’s ‘Dream Team VI’ were held up in Atlanta, USA, because of a problem with the payment for their flight, and they only landed in Brazil just hours before their opening 5-4 win over Japan. Nigeria also had a troubled build-up to their quarter-final against Denmark after the players boycotted a training session in a dispute over pay. “This team showed resilience and fought the hardest to achieve success, despite all their problems – some people would have given up but they didn’t,” said Takasu. “In everything we must always let people understand that they are appreciated and not just in football but generally in life.”
Nigeria Olympic kit arrived too late….
Athletes, including triple jumper Olu Olamigoke, competed in Rio (L) in the same kit as worn at the World Athletics Championships in March (R)
Nigerian athletes in Rio received their Olympic kits only on day 13 of the Games. Most of them had finished competing by the time the outfits arrived. “We are disappointed and embarrassed. We’ve been wearing kits from the World Athletics Championships,” one athlete, requesting anonymity said. Nigeria’s men’s football team has its own sponsored kit – but it has been hit by funding problems and players only arrived hours before their first match. The team plays for bronze on Saturday (today) against Honduras. Africa’s most populous country has so far won no medals at Rio, with only three more days of competition left to go. Two athletes confirmed that they had only received their sports and ceremonial kits on Thursday.
Benteke joins Crystal Palace….
Crystal Palace have signed Belgium striker Christian Benteke from Liverpool for a club record £27m. The fee for the 25-year-old forward, who has agreed a four-year contract, could rise by a further £5m. Benteke joined the Reds for £32.5m in July 2015 and scored 10 goals, but started only eight Premier League games under new boss Jurgen Klopp. He becomes Palace’s fourth signing of the summer after Andros Townsend, James Tomkins and Steve Mandanda. “I’m very happy to commit my future to Crystal Palace,” said former Aston Villa player Benteke, who has six goals in 26 games for his country.
It’s “triple triple” for Usain Bolt….
Usain Bolt ended his Olympic career by claiming an unprecedented ‘triple triple’ and his ninth gold as Jamaica won the 4x100m relay final in Rio. Bolt, 29, had won the 100m and 200m in Rio and is the only man to win all three sprint events at three Games. He combined with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade to lift gold in a time of 37.27 seconds. Japan won a surprise silver and the USA were disqualified to hand Canada bronze. “There you go, I’m the greatest,” said Bolt, who has won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the last three Games. He intends to retire after the 2017 World Championships in London and will not compete at Tokyo 2020, at which point he will be nearly 34. Bolt’s haul of nine golds is the joint highest among Olympic athletics. He is now equal with USA sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis, who won nine golds over four Games, and Finnish long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi.
New Nigeria’s coach calls up 23 players for Tanzania game….
Newly appointed Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has named youngster Victor Osimhen in his first squad. The German has named 23 players for the game against Tanzania in Uyo on 3 September in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier. Nigeria cannot qualify for the finals in Gabon, with Egypt claiming the qualifying place from Group G. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi has not been included due to a thigh injury that has ruled him out for four weeks. Also missing is Oghenekaro Etebo, who is at the Olympics with Nigeria and scored four goals in a 5-4 win over Japan in their first match in Brazil. One member of the Olympic team on Rohr’s list is John Mikel Obi and he is joined by Chelsea team-mate Victor Moses. It will be Rohr’s first match as Nigeria boss and will give the German an opportunity to meet the players and discuss his future plans. Rio 2016 Olympic football goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, FC Porto’s Chidozie Awaziem and Osimhen, top scorer at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup, have been handed maiden call-ups. Israel-based midfielder Nosa Igiebor, overlooked since June 2014 gets a recall. The three-time African Champions are using the game to prepare for their opening 2018 World Cup qualifying match with Zambia in Ndola in October.
Usain Bolt wins Olympic 200m gold….
Usain Bolt won the men’s 200m to claim his second Rio 2016 gold, his eighth at an Olympics, and keep alive his hopes of an unprecedented ‘treble treble’. The Jamaican ran 19.78 seconds to come home ahead of Canada’s Andre de Grasse and France’s Christophe Lemaitre. Bolt, 29, has already won the 100m in Rio and will run in the 4x100m relay final today (02:35 Nigerian time, Saturday). Bolt is aiming to match his achievement of claiming gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012. The Jamaican, who said in February he would retire after the 2017 World Championships, has won all eight of the Olympic finals in which he has appeared.
Kelechi Iheanacho extends Man City deal….
Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a two-year contract extension with the club. The 19-year-old scored 14 times last season even though 25 of his 36 appearances were as a substitute. New manager Pep Guardiola has rewarded him with a long-term deal on much improved terms. “Kelechi is a natural goalscorer. I knew about him before, but I’ve been really impressed with him since I arrived,” Guardiola said. “I like his personality, his attitude, his ability – we hope to help him reach the highest level and to realise his full potential.” Iheanacho was City’s third-highest scorer in all competitions, behind Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne. The Nigerian was a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Sunderland.
Crystal Palace reach agreement with Liverpool for Benteke….
Crystal Palace have reached an agreement with Liverpool to sign Belgium striker Christian Benteke. The clubs have agreed a fee of £27m plus add-ons that could see the deal rise to above £30m. The 25-year-old is travelling to London to have a medical and finalise personal terms. Benteke, who joined the Reds for £32.5m in July 2015 under former boss Brendan Rodgers, will become Palace’s all-time record signing by some distance. Palace had an offer worth £23m up front, plus £7m add ons, rejected on Tuesday.
Barcelona wins Spanish Cup….
Arda Turan scored twice and Lionel Messi once as Barcelona earned a 3-0 second-leg victory over Sevilla to win the Spanish Super Cup 5-0 on aggregate. Turkey midfielder Turan slotted in the first goal at the Nou Camp from Messi’s through pass in the 10th minute. Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo then saved Vicente Iborra’s penalty after Samuel Umtiti handled. Turan chipped in his second shortly after the break, with Messi guiding in a sublime header for the third. It is the first time Barcelona have won the Spanish Super Cup since 2013. The two-legged match usually pitches the league champions against the Copa del Rey winners. However, as Luis Enrique’s team won both trophies last season, Sevilla took part as Copa del Rey runners-up. Both sides begin their La Liga season on Saturday, with champions Barcelona at home to Real Betis, while Sevilla, who finished seventh last May, host Espanyol.
Mahrez signs new four-year deal with Leicester City….
Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League champions. The Algeria international, 25, had been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal this summer. He scored 17 goals and added 11 assists last season and was voted the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year. Mahrez joins team-mates Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel and Andy King in signing new contracts. Manager Claudio Ranieri has also signed a new four-year deal and, after losing midfielder N’Golo Kante to Chelsea, has repeatedly reiterated his desire to keep hold of the club’s top players. Mahrez joined the Foxes from French second-tier side Le Havre in January 2014.
Carrera appointed Spartak boss….
Massimo Carrera has been appointed new manager of Russian club Spartak Moscow. Carrera, 52, worked under Antonio Conte as a coach and assistant at Juventus and with Italy, but this appointment is his first as manager.
Advocaat is new Fenerbahce boss….
Former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat left his role as Netherlands assistant manager on Monday and is now officially confirmed as the new manager of Turkish club Fenerbahce. The 68-year-old Dutchman succeeds Vitor Pereira, who was sacked after one season in charge. Nigeria’s Uche Okechukwu, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Joseph Yobo all played for Fenerbahce in the past.
Seydou Keita joins El Jaish….
The former Barcelona, Valencia and Roma midfielder Seydou Keita has joined Qatari club El Jaish on a six-month deal. Keita, 36, has 102 caps for Mali.
Hart considering loan move….
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is considering a loan move away from the club after being dropped for the first two games under new manager Pep Guardiola. Everton and La Liga side Sevilla are interested in taking the England international. Hart, 29, does not want to make a decision on a permanent move away from City with just two weeks left of the summer transfer window.
Omar Colley joins Genk….
Gambia captain Omar Colley decides to move to Belgian club Genk rather than to Spain or Germany in order to get more playing time. The 23-year-old has signed from Swedish side Djurgarden on a three-year deal for around US$2,25 million. Colley also had offers from Spain’s Espanyol and Germany’s Hertha Berlin. “I joined Genk where there will be less stress because the manager has assured me I will have more playing time,” he said. “It feels great to sign for Genk because it is a great club and a good step for my career.” . The former Real de Banjul player made 44 matches for Djurgarden scoring five goals for them after joining from Finnish side Kups in August 2014.
South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk breaks world 400m record….
South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk broke Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old 400m world record to sensationally win Olympic gold at Rio 2016. The 24-year-old finished in 43.03 seconds, 0.15 quicker than the time Johnson clocked in Seville in 1999. Grenada’s Kirani James, the London 2012 champion, finished 0.73 behind to take the silver medal, with American LaShawn Merritt in bronze. “It was a massacre,” said Johnson, who won two Olympic 400m titles. “Van Niekerk is so young, what else can he do? Can he go under 43 seconds? It is something I thought I could do, but never did. “Usain Bolt will be retiring soon, this could be the next star.”
Brazilian Olympic divers split over sex scandal….
Two Brazilian divers will no longer compete together after one of them reportedly engaged in a ‘marathon sex session’ in the athletes’ village. According to the New York Post, Giovanna Pedroso, 17, said she was booted from her room in the Olympic Village so that her partner, 20-year-old Ingrid Oliveira, could have a late-night romp with another athlete. Pedroso reportedly wasn’t allowed back in her room all night as Oliveira got busy with canoeist Pedro Goncalves. The pair finished last in the women’s 10m synchronised diving event last week after the massive rift. They came into the Olympics as medal contenders after winning silver at the 2015 Pan Am Games. “After the Olympics, I will focus on my individual,” Pedroso told Brazilian newspaper O Globo. “It’s good because I will not need to depend on anyone. Then I will be able to improve and evolve more.” Goncalves refused to comment saying “My personal life, I do not speak about.”
Former FIFA President Joao Havelange dies….
Former FIFA president Joao Havelange has died at the age of 100. The Brazilian was predecessor to Sepp Blatter at world football’s governing body, serving from 1974 to 1998. He resigned as FIFA’s honorary president in April 2013 following an investigation into bribery allegations and was admitted to hospital the following year with a lung infection. He was an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from 1963 until 2011, resigning because of ill health. Havelange represented Brazil in swimming at the 1936 Olympics – the year he qualified as a lawyer – before his election to the IOC. As FIFA president he led the World Cup’s expansion from 16 to 32 teams, with six competitions held under his tenure. However, his career was also mired in controversy over bribery allegations.
And Chelsea fans are in for great celebrations….
There’s a time for celebrating modestly and a time for letting it all boil over. As far as Chelsea’s new coach, Antonio Conte was concerned, last night’s home win over West Ham was the latter.
Off he went down the touchline after Diego Costa’s late winner.
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