Two-time champion Eliud Kipchoge is ready to create history at the Paris 2024 Summer Games by becoming the first man to win three Olympic marathon gold medals.
Kipchoge, the former world marathon record holder, will write another chapter in his unprecedented running career in France when he becomes the first and only Kenyan to compete at five Olympics.
But he says, for him, the Olympics are about much more than just winning.
“The Olympic Games wants everybody to associate, it promotes freedom of association whereby all of us, about 100 countries will be there competing together and shaking hands at the finish line,” he says.
“You know it’s not only about winning, but the important thing at the Olympic Games is also about participation. Personally, I want to make my country a running country and make the world a running world.”
Tokyo Marathon winner, Benson Kipruto, and London Marathon champion, Alexander Munyao, will run alongside Kipchoge in the Kenyan men’s marathon.
And he has tipped them to go for an unprecedented Olympics podium sweep in Paris.
“I think my teammates actually are very good, they are high class, energetic, and disciplined athletes. I trust we will compete in a good way and make the podium for all of us,” he says.
The two-time Olympic winner is, however, wary of the threat posed by rivals, especially athletes from Ethiopia, Uganda, and runners with roots in East Africa who will be running for Bahrain, Qatar, USA, and Kazakhstan among others.
“I respect all other competitors. Everybody who is in the Olympics is an Olympian and they represent their country. I cannot underrate anybody,” he says.
Kipchoge first competed for Kenya at the Athens 2004 Olympics where he won bronze in the men’s 5,000m.
He upgraded to silver at the same race at the Beijing 2008 Summer Games, but failed to qualify in both the 5,000m and 10,000m teams for the London 2012 Olympics.
It was to prove to be a turning point in his career.
Failure to qualify for London prompted his decision to switch to road running and in 2013 he won on his marathon debut in Hamburg.
What followed thereafter is an unmatched record in the marathon with 15 victories in 18 marathons, including 12 wins in the Marathon Majors and setting the world record twice.
In Brazil, Kipchoge became only the second Kenyan after the late Samuel Wanjiru to win men’s marathon gold before returning to successfully defend his title at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021.
Zimbabwe on Thursday, July 25, sought to dampen a controversy sparked by reports that scores of officials accompanied a meagre seven-athlete Olympics team to Paris, saying most were not part of the official delegation.
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) said only nine staff, including coaches and officials, travelled to France with the squad ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday, after many had vented their anger online at the alleged waste of public money.
“We are aware though that there are many other technical officials, dignitaries invited to the games directly to officiate and as guests and many other hundreds of Zimbabweans in Paris in various capacities,” said ZOC president Thabani Gonye.
“These are not part of Team Zimbabwe delegation but Zimbabweans all welcome and free to cheer our athletes on.”
The statement came after reports that the impoverished nation had sent, in some cases via private jet, a bloated delegation of more than 60 people, including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry.
“The sheer size of the official delegation, particularly in contrast to the small number of athletes, raises serious questions about the government’s priorities and resource allocation, especially at a time when it is begging for drought relief assistance from countries that sent huge teams of athletes with very few officials,” prominent journalist and activist Hopewell Chin’ono wrote on X.
Former education minister Jonathan Moyo described it as an “embarrassing dent on Zimbabwe’s reputation”, while opposition politician Fadzayi Mahere argued taxpayers’ money could have been better spent.
Government spokesman Nick Mangwana said Vice President Chiwenga was in Paris for the Olympics’ official opening and “other business” including luring investments, and Coventry was there as a member of the International Olympic Committee.”It is not just about the Olympics, there is other work,” he wrote on social media.
Zimbabwe is one of a band of countries in southern Africa experiencing food shortages due to a prolonged, severe dry spell. In May President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster, saying it needed at least two billion dollars to respond to the drought.
Ambitious, historic, spectacular – these are some of the words used to describe the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony since the first plans were unveiled three years ago.
Set to be the first Olympic Games Opening Ceremony held outside a stadium, the 26 July celebration will transform the French capital into a stadium and theatre as the traditional parade of athletes takes place in boats along the Seine, passing the most iconic Parisian landmarks.
Here is all you need to know about the Opening Ceremony.
When will the opening ceremony be held? The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place on Friday, 26 July.
The event will start at 19:30 CEST and is expected to last more than three hours.
Why is this ceremony historic? Paris 2024 will mark the first time in history of the Olympic Summer Games that the Opening Ceremony is held outside a stadium.
Instead of familiar images of athletes marching out along an athletics track, guests and viewers will be treated to a colourful river parade through the heart of the French capital.
The Seine, the city’s main water artery, will substitute for the traditional track, the quays will become spectator stands, while the setting sun reflecting off famous Parisian landmarks will provide the backdrop for the event.
This outdoor concept also makes Paris 2024 the largest Opening Ceremony in terms of audience and geographical coverage.
What is the route of the parade? The parade route along the Seine is a visual journey through Parisian history and architecture.
The Austerlitz Bridge next to the Jardin des Plantes is the starting point for the flotilla, which will then continue west for 6 kilometres along the Seine, passing under historic bridges and by iconic landmarks, such as the Notre-Dame and the Louvre, as well as some Games venues, including the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais.
Grouped on the boats with their national teams, the athletes will ultimately arrive opposite the Trocadero – the esplanade across from the Eiffel Tower – where the official protocols will be carried out, the Olympic cauldron lit, and the Paris 2024 Games officially declared open.
How many athletes will take part? Almost 100 boats carrying an estimated 10,500 athletes will float along the Seine during the parade. The larger of the 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) represented in the parade will have boats to themselves, while the smaller ones will share boats.
Camera equipment set up on the decks will allow spectators to see the athletes up close and witness their emotions.
What entertainment performances can we expect? Thomas Jolly, a French theatre director and actor, is overseeing the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies as artistic director.While most of the entertainment acts remain under wraps, based on the hints so far, we can expect a show on a grand scale with an eclectic mash up of the old and the new. Speaking to the media in January, Jolly said that he wants to showcase the contrasting cultures of France, be that opera or rap, thus bringing together all the pieces that form the nation’s diverse cultural identity.
For his part, ceremonies choreographer Maud Le Pladec promised that every bridge along the parade route will have dancers on it. Le Pladec will lead 400 dancers out of the total 3,000 artists who are set to take part in the Paris 2024 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, all decked out in one-of-a-kind costumes by Daphne Burki.
The French television presenter serves as the costume director for the show, leading a team of hundreds of dressmakers, hair stylists and makeup artists. Burki’s focus on sustainability also means there will be many vintage and upcycled pieces used in the ceremonies, mixed in with newer creations.
What will the athletes be wearing? Artists will not be the only ones showing their style at the Opening Ceremony. With a line-up of luxury brands designing athlete uniforms, expect the Olympians to shine as well.
Team USA mix preppy jackets with jeans for a cool, all-American look, while Italian athletes will show up in casual, dark blue sets. Hosts France worked with a luxury brand to come up with vests and jackets that tie in with the general Paris 2024 look.
Other teams, such as Canada, Great Britain and Sweden, opted for a more athleisure look, all evoking the colour palettes of their national flags.Some nations went even further with the patriotic details. Mongolian outfits have already created a buzz on social networks for their intricate embroidery and traditional silhouettes.
Brazil and Guatemala’s looks are also sure to turn heads. Brazil’s denim jackets feature animals that are native to the country, while the Guatemalan athletes are dressed up in folkloric hats and bags to make a colourful statement on the Seine.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO WATCH THE OPENING CEREMONY? Almost 600,000 people will be able to enjoy the Opening Ceremony in person. True to its slogan, “Games Wide Open”, Paris 2024 tried to make the event accessible to as many people as possible by taking it outside of the traditional stadium setting.
There were 222,000 free tickets available to watch the parade from the upper banks of the Seine, in addition to 104,000 paid tickets on the lower quays. This marks the first Opening Ceremony where most spectators will not pay an admission fee – another historic milestone for Paris 2024.
Those in Paris who could not get tickets will be able to watch the Opening Ceremony on 80 giant screens set up throughout the city.
An additional 1.5 billion people from around the world are expected to tune into the television broadcasts of the ceremony.
On Tuesday, 13th February 2024, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned the beautiful edifice constructed for the organisation organization of the 13th African Games, to be held in the country, as well as to marked mark the 25th day countdown to the holding of the Games, arguably Africa ’ ‘ s biggest sporting event. In its fifty-seven (57) years of existence, this is the first time that Ghana is hosting the games, despite Ghana being, under the leadership of our first leader, Kwame Nkrumah, a founding member of the African Games.
Despite loud calls by some pessimists for our nation to withdraw from hosting the tournament, we remained resolute, and, today, our country can be proud of the massive sporting infrastructure we have put in place for the Games, which will be a huge legacy for the country.
The nation is expecting some five thousand (5,000) elite athletes, three thousand (3,000) experienced officials and thousands of fans in the country, together with an estimated global audience of 2.2 billion people watching through traditional and social media. The question is,” why has Ghana not hosted the African Games until now? The answer is simple: there is a time for everything; and this is our time. We are now ready and capable of organising and hosting the rest of the continent, here in Ghana. The people and Government Ghana are honoured and grateful to the Africa Union for the opportunity to host the rest of Africa for the first time in our history”
GFA announces roadmap for Black Stars’ future following AFCON 2023 exit
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that Chris Hughton and his entire technical team have been dismissed from their roles as coaches of the senior national team, the Black Stars, following the team’s dismal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The decision comes after Ghana failed to win their final group game against Mozambique, drawing 2-2 and consequently crashing out of the tournament in the first round.
Hughton, who was appointed as head coach in February 2023, had a win-loss-draw ratio of 30.77%, 30.77%, and 38.46% in all competitions during his nearly one-year tenure. The team scored 13 goals under his leadership, averaging one goal per match while conceding 16 times.
Assistant coaches George Boateng and Didi Dramani, goalkeepers’ coach Richard Kingston, and other members of the technical team are also leaving their positions. The GFA has stated that it will provide a roadmap for the future direction of the Black Stars in the coming days.
Ghana’s poor performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has sparked criticism and concerns about the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. The GFA’s decision to dissolve the technical team is seen as a move to address these issues and restore the team’s credibility.
The Black Stars have struggled in recent years, failing to replicate their successes of the past. The team’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has prompted calls for change and a renewed focus on developing young talent.
The GFA is expected to appoint a new head coach and technical team in the near future, with speculation already surrounding potential candidates.
Fans and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the association’s roadmap for the Black Stars, hoping that it will signal a fresh start for the team and a return to glory.
West Ham United are in advance stages of negotiations with FC Nordsjaelland over the signing of Ghanaian teen Ibrahim Osman.
The Hammers and the Danish outfit are reportedly closing in on an 18 million Euros transfer of the Right to Dream Academy to the English Premier League.
Osman, who has been on the radar of several clubs, including Crystal Palace and Fulham could join former FC Nordsjaelland midfielder Mohammed Kudus at the London Olympic Stadium.
The winger is currently with his Nordsjaelland teammates in the United States preparing for the upcoming Danish
Modric is the first player to score three penalties in shootouts at the World Cup (also netting against Denmark and Russia in 2018).
In 90 or 120 minutes, Messi has the edge. He has scored four goals and assisted two, while Modric has yet to record a goal or an assist – however Messi plays up front, while Modric operates in midfield.
Barcelona legend Messi scored a penalty against Saudi Arabia, scored and assisted a goal against Mexico and had a penalty saved against Poland in the group stage.
He scored the opener against Australia in the last 16 and assisted the opening goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-final, before scoring from the spot in the 73rd minute – and again in the shootout.
Speaking on BBC One, Martin Keown said: “Lionel Messi just keeps producing. It was a really quality penalty. He is in top form. His confidence and belief is flowing through his colleagues.”
Following Argentina’s victory over Australia, fellow former England defender Rio Ferdinand said: “The best individual performance from a player at this World Cup. It was almost god-like. I’ve not seen anything like this.”
And former Argentina team-mate Pablo Zabaleta said: “I think Messi knows that this is his last World Cup and you can really see that he is enjoying it.”
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Modric caught Micah Richards’ eye in Croatia’s quarter-final against Brazil.
“We thought it would be his last World Cup,” the ex-England defender said on BBC One. “Some of the passes he made, controlling the tempo – he dictated at his pace and Brazil didn’t know what to do.”
Modric was replaced before the penalties in Croatia’s last-16 shootout win over Japan – but stayed on against Brazil.
“Again, Luka led for 120 minutes and was at the head of the team,” Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic said. “It is unbelievable how he plays for his age, and he was not tired.
“When we fell behind, we were thinking of replacing a midfield player and asked him what his situation was. He said he was still fully ready. He showed again that he is one of the best players in the world.”
Messi has had more shots (25) and efforts on target (12) than anybody else in the World Cup – with France’s Kylian Mbappe, his Paris St-Germain team-mate, second on both counts. Mbappe leads him 5-4 in the race for the Golden Boot.
Only four players have made more successful passes in the final third than Modric’s 201; Messi is eighth on the list with 171. Modric has made the fifth-most crosses, 28, in the tournament.
Modric has also impressed further back on the pitch, with only two players having won possession more times (39) or made more interceptions (eight) than the Croat.
In the much less scientific BBC Sport player ratings, as selected by our readers, Messi’s average over five games is 7.01, with Modric on 7.46.
Both won the Golden Ball, the award for the tournament’s best player, in the process. And both have potential milestones to reach in Tuesday’s game.
Messi will equal Lothar Matthaus’ record for the most World Cup appearances (25). He would then break the German’s record at the weekend in either the final or the third-place play-off.
Messi has scored 10 World Cup goals. Only seven players have managed more – with Germany’s Miroslav Klose top on 16. He is just one behind Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis and German Jurgen Klinsmann, and two behind Pele.
He already holds the record for most assists in World Cup knockout games, passing Brazil great Pele’s old record of four in their last game.
Messi has both scored and assisted a goal in three different World Cup matches, including two this year. Since that data was first recorded in 1966, no player has done so in four games.
He has scored 95 goals in 170 caps – both national records.
Modric has won a Croatia record 160 caps and scored 23 international goals.
Modric will become the oldest outfield player to start six games at one World Cup – beating Brazil wing-back Nilton Santos, who had just turned 37 in 1962.
He has made the most World Cup appearances (17) and most appearances at major tournaments (30) for Croatia – before this semi-final.
Messi has one Copa America to show for his international career, while Modric has yet to win a trophy.
There is also a nice symmetry between the players’ careers. Messi scored his first Argentina goal and Modric made his Croatia debut in the same game – a friendly between the sides in March 2006, which Croatia won 3-2.
How about their overall careers?
This semi-final will be the 1,002nd game of Messi’s career for club and country. He has scored 790 goals and made 339 assists.
Modric’s career figures are more difficult to be certain of with spells in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina for Dinamo Zagreb, Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zapresic not as well documented.
Both have won the Ballon d’Or, Messi seven times and Modric in 2018. Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo and France striker Karim Benzema are the only other players to win it since 2007.
Modric has won five Champions Leagues to Messi’s four – while both have won league titles in two countries.
