Sports
10 Unforgettable Moments From The 2024 Olympics
The 2024 Olympics served up a plethora of memorable moments, from a colorful opening ceremony to emotional podium moments. Here are Diaspora Watch’s 10 of the most unforgettable:
1. Rain on Opening Ceremony Parade
The rain-soaked boat parade on the River Seine made global headlines, but not for the expected reasons. Church leaders, conservatives, and even US presidential candidate Donald Trump were outraged by a scene involving drag queens and lesbian DJ Barbara Butch that appeared to parody Jesus’s Last Supper. Artistic director Thomas Jolly denied any such intention, and he and others involved faced vicious online harassment.
2. Djokovic’s Roar of Approval
Novak Djokovic stunned Carlos Alcaraz in a memorable men’s final to clinch tennis gold and become only the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam. The 37-year-old celebrated with a roar that echoed around Roland Garros before tearfully embracing his wife and two children.
3. Biles Bows to ‘Queen’ Andrade
Simone Biles bowed to her arch-rival Rebeca Andrade on the podium, saying it was “just the right thing to do” after Andrade won gold in the floor final. Biles praised Andrade, saying, “Rebeca’s so amazing, she’s queen.”
4. Lyles Just in Time
World champion Noah Lyles roared to victory in 9.79sec to claim gold in a dramatic men’s Olympic 100m final, with only five thousandths of a second separating him from Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
5. Not Cricket as Pakistan Tops India at Javelin
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won the men’s javelin title with a Games record of 92.97m, beating India’s defending champion Neeraj Chopra. Nadeem hailed the rivalry between the two countries, saying it was a “good thing” for young people.
6. North-South Korea Podium Selfie Goes Viral
Images of Olympic table tennis players from North Korea and South Korea taking a selfie together on the medal podium went viral, hailed as a rare show of cross-border unity.
7. Dreams Come True for Trew
Australian skateboarding sensation Arisa Trew, just 14, won the women’s park event to become her country’s youngest ever gold medallist. Trew nailed a high-risk final round, bringing the crowd to their feet.
8. Gender-Row Boxer Beats ‘Bullying’
Algerian gender-row boxer Imane Khelif claimed gold and used her platform to hit back at “attacks” and “bullying,” defiantly declaring, “I am a woman like any other.”
9. High Five for Cuban Wrestler
Cuban wrestler Mijain Lopez made Olympic history by becoming the first athlete to win five consecutive individual golds in the same event, bettering the records of Games icons like Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps.
10. Cool Hand Yusuf
Turkish Olympic shooting silver medallist Yusuf Dikec became an overnight sensation for his casual style during competition, wearing standard glasses and a team T-shirt with his left hand tucked in his pocket
Sports
British-American Duo Win First Grand Slam Together in Melbourne
Sports
Justin Rose Sets 36-Hole Record, Opens Four-Shot Lead at Torrey Pines
Justin Rose maintained his imperious form at the Farmers Insurance Open on Friday, producing a brilliant seven-under-par 65 on the demanding South Course at Torrey Pines to open up a four-shot lead at the halfway stage of the tournament. The Englishman, who had set the early pace with a stunning 62 on the easier North Course on Thursday, followed it up with another composed display, recording six birdies and an eagle against a lone bogey.
His two-round total of 17-under-par 127 established a new 36-hole scoring record in the history of the event. Rose’s second-round effort was particularly eye-catching given the difficulty of the South Course, a venue where he previously claimed the Farmers Insurance Open title in 2019 and where he famously finished runner-up at the 2013 U.S. Open. Reflecting on his performance, the 45-year-old said he was pleased with his decision-making and ability to recover from difficult situations, noting that his putter proved decisive whenever he found himself under pressure.
Ireland’s Seamus Power sits in second place on 13-under-par after a solid round of 66, which he capped with an eagle on the ninth hole. Power expressed confidence heading into the weekend, pointing to improvements in his long game after leaning heavily on his putting in the opening round. Americans Joel Dahmen and Max McGreevy are tied for third at 11-under-par. Dahmen surged with a 63 that included three eagles, while McGreevy carded a steady 67 to remain in contention.
Former world number one Brooks Koepka also enjoyed a positive day, securing his place in the weekend in his first PGA Tour appearance outside the majors since 2022. The five-time major champion shot a 68 to make the cut on the mark at three-under-par, marking a significant step in his return to regular Tour competition following a 14-week layoff. In contrast, world number three Xander Schauffele suffered a rare setback as his streak of 72 consecutive made cuts — the fifth-longest in PGA Tour history — came to an end. Despite posting a second-round 69, Schauffele finished one stroke outside the cut line.
Rose will head into Saturday’s third round with a commanding advantage as he chases his 13th PGA Tour victory and a second Farmers Insurance Open crown, firmly positioning himself as the man to beat at Torrey Pines.
Sports
Ex-Sri Lanka Star Jayasuriya Named in USA Squad for T20 World Cup
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya has been handed a surprise international return after being named in the United States squad for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Jayasuriya, 34, who previously represented Sri Lanka in 12 One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals, including appearances at the 2016 T20 World Cup, retired from international cricket in 2021 before relocating to the United States with his family.
Since moving, he has remained active in the game, featuring in Major League Cricket and other franchise competitions, and has now qualified to play for the USA under International Cricket Council eligibility regulations. His inclusion headlines a 15-man American squad that blends experience with emerging talent as the team prepares for the global tournament. The squad also features possible debutants, including Pakistan-born leg-spinner Mohammad Mohsin and all-rounder Shubham Ranjane, who is the grandson of former India international Vasant Ranjane.
The United States side will be captained by Monank Patel and includes established players such as fast bowler Ali Khan and left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar, alongside a number of domestic prospects who have impressed in recent competitions.
The USA will face a tough test at the start of their campaign, having been drawn in Group A alongside defending champions India. The Americans open their tournament against India on February 7, a high-profile fixture in a competition co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The United States enjoyed a historic outing at the last edition of the tournament in 2024, where they advanced to the Super Eight stage as hosts, and will be aiming to build on that momentum on the world stage.
USA Squad: Monank Patel (captain), Jasdeep Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.
-
Milestone4 days agoChief Chukwuma Johnbosco and the Making of a Purpose-Driven Leader
-
News4 days agoUS Sends Troops to Nigeria Over Rising Terror Threats
-
Sports5 days agoEx-Sri Lanka Star Jayasuriya Named in USA Squad for T20 World Cup
-
Sports5 days agoLens Edge Le Havre to Reclaim Ligue 1 Top Spot
-
Sports5 days agoJustin Rose Sets 36-Hole Record, Opens Four-Shot Lead at Torrey Pines
-
News4 days agoMuammar Gaddafi’s Son, Saif al-Islam, Reportedly Shot Dead in Libya
