Tensions are rising at the approaching end of the Olympics, the most eagerly awaited sporting event of 2024, preparations for which have taken a lot of money and effort, failing, however, to prevent the event from numerous scandals and mishaps.
Olympics shooter dramatically collapses during press conference
South Korean Olympic silver medallist shooter Kim Ye-ji abruptly fainted on Friday at a Paris 2024 press conference due to stress and overexertion. Media reported that Kim had already regained consciousness and was taken to hospital for examination.
Kim won silver in the 10m air pistol shooting competition and caught the public’s attention with her calm demeanour, prompting praise online from the likes of Elon Musk.
Musk, the head of Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, told Kim she should star in an action film after it went viral on his social media platform.
American competed in the Olympics despite positive COVID test
American track and field athlete Noah Lyles competed in the Olympics with a positive test for coronavirus.
Lyles was diagnosed with Covid on August 6, according to NBC reports. His qualifying race was on August 5 and he won it, and on August 7 he placed an unexpected third in the semifinals, in which he was expected to win gold.
After finishing the race, the track and field athlete became ill and required the assistance of medical staff. According to the athlete, he felt unwell the morning before the race and took a COVID test.
Romanian boycott in gymnastics
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu is refusing to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in protest at the women’s floor exercise final, in which two Romanian gymnasts were not among the medallists, CNN reported.
The Romanian PM said in a statement:
“I decided not to participate in the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, after the scandalous situation in gymnastics, where our athletes were treated in an absolutely dishonorable way. To withdraw a medal earned by honest work on the basis of an appeal, which neither the coaches nor the top technicians understand, is totally unacceptable.”
Rebeca Andrade from Brazil won the floor exercise final, while the silver medal went to the famous American Simone Biles and three girls claimed bronze: Romanians Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, as well as American Jordan Chiles. In the end, the judges penalised Voinea by 0.100 points because of a scrape and she was fifth. The third place went to Bărbosu, the girl was already congratulated with the Romanian flag in her hands. At this time, the US team filed an appeal, which the judges unexpectedly granted. Thus, the Romanian was moved to the fourth place, and the American took bronze. This act of the rivals caused a storm of discussion in media.
Doping test scandals
Eleni-Klaoudia Polak, 27, competed in the qualifying round on August 5, clearing 4.20m, but failed to clear 4.40m and subsequently failed to qualify for the final on August 7.
The Greek Anti-Doping Agency informed the Greek Olympic Committee of the infringement on the fifth of August.
Polak, who previously competed at the Tokyo Games, denied any wrongdoing. The athlete noted:
“I have never taken supplements. I have iron problems and I have to eat red meat every day.”
Iraqi judoka Sajjad Sehen, Afghan judoka Mohammad Samim Faizad and African Games boxing champion Cynthia Ogunsemilore from Nigeria also tested positive for banned substances in Paris.
