Just two days before the opening ceremony, Morocco and Argentina faced off in Saint-Etienne, with the former emerging as 2-1 victors. However, the match will be remembered for its controversial ending. After Argentina equalized in the dying moments of added time, crowd trouble ensued, with projectiles raining down from the stands and spectators invading the pitch. The players were escorted off, and after a two-hour delay, they returned to play out the final minutes in an empty stadium. The late drama didn’t end there, as Argentina’s equalizer was eventually disallowed for offside, sealing Morocco’s win.
The match left a sour taste in the mouth of Argentina coach Javier Mascherano, who branded the crowd trouble as a “disgrace” that “poisoned the tournament.”
Wednesday also saw Israel’s footballers take on Mali under heightened security, with 1,000 police officers keeping watch and an “anti-terrorist perimeter” in place. Israel’s participation in the Paris Games had been a contentious issue, with calls for their exclusion due to the Gaza conflict.
Tensions were evident at the Parc des Princes, with Palestinian and Israeli flags flown and exchanges between fans. However, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stated that there were no significant security issues.
Meanwhile, at the Stade de France, a packed crowd cheered on rugby superstar Antoine Dupont as France progressed to the quarter-finals with a draw against the USA and a narrow win over Uruguay. Fiji, the two-time champions, also booked their place in the knockout rounds.
IOC Dramas
With the opening ceremony looming, the IOC awarded the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games to the French Alps and Salt Lake City, respectively. However, the latter was given a stark warning: if American authorities continued their feud with WADA, they could be stripped of the Games. John Coates, the IOC’s legal commission chairman, amended the host city contract to include this provision, emphasizing WADA’s “supreme authority.”
USADA, a vocal critic of WADA, hit back through their CEO, Travis Tygart, who accused the IOC of “stooping to threats” and claimed that WADA was a “sport lapdog.”
Security and Scandals
The build-up to the ceremony was marred by the withdrawal of tennis world number one Jannik Sinner due to tonsillitis. Security measures for the event were extensive, with snipers, frogmen, and an unprecedented operation for the athletes’ parade along the Seine.
The entertainment for the ceremony, the first of its kind outside the main stadium, remained largely under wraps, although rumors circulated about a potential performance by Lady Gaga after she was spotted in Paris. American rapper Snoop Dogg was confirmed to carry the Olympic flame during its final journey before the ceremony.
The Games’ first scandal involved British dressage specialist Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic champion. A video emerged showing her mistreating a horse during training, resulting in her suspension. In another controversy, an assistant coach and an analyst from the Canadian women’s football team were sent home after spying on rivals and flying a drone over a training session.
Measures taken to ensure safety for delegates to ASEAN meetings
The 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat and related meetings took place in the central city of Da Nang from March 8-11. Amid the outbreak of COVID-19, Vietnam has increased protective measures to ensure safety for delegates to the events.
Japan in talks with IOC to postpone Tokyo Olympics by one year: report
TOKYO — ReJapan’s government is negotiating with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Tokyo Olympic Games by a maximum one year, the Sankei newspaper reported on Tuesday.
IOC chief Bach says Games would be cancelled if not held in 2021
International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach says the Tokyo Games would have to be scrapped if the event cannot be held next year due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Hanoi pedestrian streets to resume operation on mid-May
NDO – The pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas in downtown Hanoi will reopen for visitors from May 15, as announced by Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee.
Tokyo Olympics will begin on July 23 next year
Postponed Tokyo Olympics to open July 23 next year, organizers said on Monday, after the coronavirus forced the historic decision to postpone the Games until 2021.
