Category: 6. Sports

Making Paralympic Games history

Ogunkunle aimed for London 2012, but his bronze medal at the 2011 African Championships in Ismailia, Egypt, fell short of the gold needed to qualify. Undeterred, he returned to the National Sports Festival in Lagos, winning gold and silver.

From 2012 to 2019, he trained without major competitions, holding fast to his belief in his potential. In 2019, he rejoined the national team and competed at the African Championships in Alexandria, Egypt. Despite losing in the semi-finals, his ranking — boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic — earned him a spot at Tokyo 2020.

Tokyo proved challenging, as he was eliminated in the group stage. Ogunkunle trained even harder, eventually qualifying for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where he won bronze in Class 4.

Determined to return to the Paralympic stage, the Nigerian defeated his longtime African rival, Mohamed Sameh Eid of Egypt, at the 2023 African Championships in Giza, Egypt, becoming continental champion and securing his ticket to Paris 2024.

“I was disappointed in Tokyo, so I made sure to reclaim my dominance in Africa. Winning the continental title in 2023 was a turning point,” he said.

In Paris, Ogunkunle defied expectations. He became the only African to medal in table tennis, beating the world No. 2 in the round of 16 and eventually finishing with bronze.

The last time Nigeria medaled in the singles event was at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, when Tajudeen Agunbiade and Alabi Olufemi won gold and bronze, respectively.

“That win boosted my confidence. My quarter-final match was the highlight — it was against an opponent who had beaten me many times. I spent the night before strategising, while my teammates fasted for me. I was exempted from fasting as the ‘main actor.’ I cried tears of joy after winning.”

The ITA reports that a sample collected during an in-competition testing mission on 29 June 2025 from Pedro Afonso Pinto Gaspar, a triathlete from Portugal, has returned an AAF¹ for the prohibited substance mesterolone.

Mesterolone is prohibited under the 2025 WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is a non-specified substance. Mesterolone is known for its potent androgenic properties by increasing testosterone levels and enhancing male sexual characteristics.

The athlete has been informed of the case and has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.

If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The athlete will have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result.

Further, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and Article 7.4.1 of the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules, a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed on the athlete. The athlete has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for its lifting.

Pursuant to the World Triathlon’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments made.

The Pakistan men’s hockey team will feature in the FIH Pro League for the first time after accepting an invitation to join the 2025-26 season, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Thursday.

Pakistan’s entry in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 comes after New Zealand, winners of the 2024-25 FIH Nations Cup, opted out of the competition. As runners-up at the tournament in Malaysia, the Green Shirts were next in line for promotion and accepted the vacant berth.

Pakistan are three-time Olympic champions in hockey and four-time Hockey World Cup winners. Their participation also ensures two India vs Pakistan hockey matches as part of the tournament format.

FIH president Tayyab Ikram hailed the move as a landmark moment. “Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition – this is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey.

“Their return marks not only the comeback of a team with such a rich and storied history, but also an exciting boost to the visibility and reach of the FIH Hockey Pro League,” Ikram said.

The FIH Hockey Pro League, launched in 2019, features nine of the best national teams in the world across both men’s and women’s categories.

Each team plays 16 matches. The team with the highest points at the end is crowned champion, while the bottom-placed side is relegated to the second-tier Nations Cup. Meanwhile, the Nations Cup winner earns promotion to the Pro League.

The upcoming season of the FIH Pro League will also serve as a qualifying event for the LA 2028 Olympics.

Pakistan will join Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain in the upcoming men’s season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.

In the six editions held so far, the Netherlands have been dominant.

The Dutch women’s team has won five titles, while the men have claimed three crowns. Both are also the reigning champions in their respective divisions.

India’s men’s team joined the Pro League in the 2020-21 season and finished eighth in 2024-25, narrowly avoiding relegation to the Nations Cup.

The Indian women’s team, who debuted in 2021-22 and finished a creditable third in their maiden season, were relegated after finishing last in the 2024-25 campaign.

This year’s badminton’s 2025 BWF World Championships have reached the third-round stage, with last 16 matches taking place on Thursday, 28 August 2025.

The Championships are being held in Paris, France, at the same venue which hosted badminton during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Olympics.com is live on site and you can find updates from the French capital from selected matches in the third round.

You can also stream the event live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and Olympics mobile apps in some territories, subject to geographical restrictions.

Most recent updates are at the top and all times are French local time (Central European Summer Time, UTC +2). Please refresh for the latest updates.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games was full of French pride, and nowhere was that more evident than at the Eiffel Tower Stadium on the night of the blind football final.

France were an outside bet for the gold from the start, but when they lined up against Argentina, who were fresh from ending six-time winners Brazil’s dominance in the semi-finals, they needed the nation behind them. Under the glow of Paris’ most famous landmark, the city came alive, out in force to roar the team on to a historic victory.

The noise was deafening, from the moment the national anthem blared out to every break in play; 11,000 people inspired one of the home nation’s most memorable moments, deep into the Paralympic Games.

It was down to Frederic Villeroux to score the deciding penalty in a 3-2 shootout win, after he had opened the scoring in normal time before Argentina equalised.

“Our sport has finally been recognised in France,” Villeroux tells the IPC a year on from the Games. “The gold medal, at home, in front of my family and friends, after years of struggle and sacrifice… I simply felt a profound joy. 

“It was the culmination of 21 years of hard work, 12 years after the silver medal in London (2012). These are unforgettable moments. When you have 11,200 fans singing, it galvanises you and gives you enormous energy to push yourself to the limit.

“For the first match and the final, I had chills… and even a few tears.”

 

Defying the odds

Brazil had never been beaten on the biggest stage, and they met the hosts in the group stage, so France had very little expectation going into the tournament. Villeroux certainly did not foresee glory.

“Before the competition, our coach firmly believed in the gold medal,” he says.

“Personally, I would have considered myself lucky if we had just made it through the group stages. Our group included China, the runner-up to the world champion, and Brazil, the reigning Paralympic champion.

“We didn’t believe it, but we promised ourselves we would give it our all so we wouldn’t have any regrets.”

 

 

Carrying the hopes of the host nation

If anyone had to shoulder responsibility, though, it was Villeroux. He is captain and talisman; his teammates, coach and fans looked to him to inspire them.

How did he deal with that?

“I appreciated the fact that the coach and my teammates trusted me, despite—or even thanks to—my personality: frank and demanding, I always stick to my convictions.

“I appreciate that my words and decisions are heard and followed by action. It’s flattering to be a role model for my teammates and for future generations of blind footballers.

“I like to listen to the team and to each player. We must ensure that we maintain bonds within the team to strengthen cohesion.”

Villeroux says Paris 2024 has not only increased awareness and interest in blind football, but has also helped people with different disabilities gain more acceptance in society.

“The general public has been made aware of Para sport and has wonderful memories. Children will remember that a person with a disability can participate in almost any sport.

“Sport opens doors and sets an example for greater inclusion. Respect and inclusion for all people with disabilities should be reflected in the Paralympic Games.

“During the Games, disability becomes a source of pride. We are more frequently asked to speak in schools, businesses, and at conferences to talk about Para sport and disability. It is also more prominently featured in the print media.”

 

Home Games heroics

Yet, there is still a long way to go, Villeroux says.

“The truth is that communication around our sport is still not up to scratch. And as a result, we struggle to attract spectators to competitions.”

Having competed in three Games before Paris 2024 – at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020- Villeroux’s experience has proven invaluable for France. He almost retired in 2020 with injuries a concern, but had to hold on for Paris, to perform in front of his people.

“Representing France at the Paralympic Games is a tremendous honour. It’s a privilege to have done it four times. I actually considered retiring from sport after the Tokyo Games.

“But who can give up on a home Games?”

 

 

More glory in the future?

Will he stop now? Don’t count on it. There is more home success to be had, and Villeroux is desperate to be involved.

“I wanted to stop after Paris, but I’m going to try to make it at least to the 2026 European Championship, since it’s taking place in France. During this Euro, we’ll play every match like a final, because all our opponents will want to beat the Paralympic champions.

“The hardest part will be remaining champions.”

Champions. It felt like a dream before it happened. Now one year on, for Villeroux and France, it is the most special of memories.

 

 

Do you want to relive all the excitement of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games? Click here to read the day-by-day recap and experience the magic all over again

Olympic canoe champion Jessica Fox has undergone surgery to remove a tumour from her left kidney and says she will not compete in the remaining Canoe Slalom World Cup events.

The 31-year-old three-time Olympic gold medallist shared news of her condition and her subsequent recovery on social media on Thursday (28 August).

“Last week I had surgery to remove a tumour from my kidney. The surgery went really well and I’m on the mend,” said Fox.

“It’s been a whirlwind over the last few weeks, but I’m all good – just a couple of gnarly new scars, a bit less kidney and a whole lot more toughness.”

Fox was one of Australia’s Opening Ceremony flagbearers at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and went on to win two gold medals to become the first female canoe slalomist to win three Olympic titles and the most decorated of all time.

She expressed optimism around her recovery and hopes to return to her sport soon.

“I’m feeling positive and looking forward to heading home, focusing on recovery, and then building towards being back on the water again,” Fox added.

Buemi, who is tied for most wins in Formula E history (14) has driven for Envision Racing since Season 9. In that time securing six podiums, two poles and one win – back in Monaco this year – as well as contributing to Envision’s first Teams’ World Championship in his first season with the outfit.

Despite a more challenging season than anticipated in Season 11, Buemi delivered consistent points and strong performances: most notably that Monaco win, which he followed up with two further podiums in the remainder of the season in Jakarta and at the London finale.

These results took Buemi’s all-time stats to 14 wins, 35 podiums and 16 Julius Baer Pole Positions – as well as, of course, the Season 2 Drivers’ crown for a driver that is an ever-present from Formula E’s very first race in Beijing to present day. His Season 3 tally of six wins in a single campaign is still a Formula E record.

“I’m super happy to re-sign with Envision Racing,” said the 36-year-old, whose new deal will see him steer Envision into Formula E’s GEN4 era, starting at the end of next year. “We have enjoyed plenty of great moments and results together over the past three seasons, and I am very excited and motivated to add to this.

“Season 11 was a good year for me personally, achieving the win in Monaco and podiums which have been a great boost for us to keep working hard and achieve more this season.”

Envision Racing Managing Director & CTO, Sylvain Filippi, said: “We’re delighted to confirm that Seb will remain part of the team. His experience and technical insight have been instrumental in advancing both our car and our overall performance.

“We’re confident he will continue to drive us forward and deliver strong results.”

Franz Jung, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Envision Racing said: “We are delighted to resign Sebastien to our team. Seb is a great asset to Envision Racing, and we are looking forward to continuing our journey with him.”

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Tickets are on sale now. Starting at R$149.50, with a discounted rate for concessions, there’s also the Solidarity Ticket available upon donation to our chosen charity. Get your seat before it sells out!

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