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Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2021 23:02:39 GMT
Eight members of Team GB have been forced into isolation after coming into contact with a COVID case on their flight.
The six athletes and two members of staff tested negative before departure and upon arrival in Japan, but have since been identified as a close contact of an infected person who shared their journey on Thursday.
That person is not a member of Team GB, the British Olympic Association said.
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Post by Admin on Jul 22, 2021 0:32:49 GMT
Shooter Amber Hill has withdrawn from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK, prior to her departure. Amber, 23, was due to compete in the Women’s Olympic Skeet competition, in which she was a finalist in Rio 2016. No replacement athlete will be selected in Amber’s place. Amber, who is currently number one in the world in her discipline, said: "There are no words to describe how I’m feeling right now. "After five years of training and preparation, I’m absolutely devastated to say that last night I received a positive Covid-19 test, meaning I’ve had to withdraw from Team GB’s shooting team. "Although I don’t have any symptoms, I will now isolate as per the Government guidance. "I would like to wish the best of luck to all of Team GB who are out in Tokyo, especially the shooting team who have supported me massively throughout my career. "I will be back from this, but right now I need some time to reflect and take in what has happened." Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England, said: “My heart goes out to Amber, and we’re just sad for her that she is unable to join us in Tokyo. She is an incredibly gifted athlete and we dearly hope to see her again at a future Olympic Games.” Shooting Team Leader, Steven Seligmann, said: “This is an incredibly sad situation for Amber after she’s worked so hard to earn her Olympic place for Team GB. “Our focus is to now make sure Amber is kept safe and well, both physically and mentally, and we have the support in place to help her through this difficult period.”
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Post by Admin on Jul 22, 2021 20:13:18 GMT
The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 organisers have banned their social media teams from posting pictures of athletes taking the knee at these Olympic Games, the Guardian can reveal. An insider said the message was delivered from on high on Tuesday evening Tokyo time, with a specific reference to Team GB’s women’s first football match against Chile, just hours before it kicked off in Sapporo on Wednesday. The image of both teams taking the knee beforehand, in a protest against racism and online hate, was seen on live TV and the gesture was then followed by United States and Sweden players as well as those from New Zealand. However none of these powerful pictures were posted on the official Tokyo 2020 live blog, or its Facebook and Twitter pages, or its Instagram site, which has more than half a million followers. They were also not seen on any of the IOC’s social channels. An insider told the Guardian they found the IOC’s stance odd given the organisation celebrates iconic pictures of protest – including Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists to protest against the unfair treatment of black people in the United States at the 1968 Olympics. The decision also comes despite the IOC recently relaxing Rule 50, which had previously forbidden athletes to make any kind of “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas”. Peaceful protest is now allowed on the field of play, provided it is done without disruption and with respect for fellow competitors. However, sanctions are still threatened for any protests made on the medal podium.
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Post by Admin on Jul 25, 2021 5:33:19 GMT
Two-time Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones suffered a shock defeat in her first fight by Kimia Alizadeh of the Refugee Olympic Team in Tokyo. Jones was aiming to become the first British woman to win Olympic golds at three consecutive Games. But those hopes were ended by a 16-12 loss to Alizadeh, who won bronze at Rio 2016. Jones could still win bronze via the repechage if Alizadeh reaches the final. However, missing out on gold is a hugely unexpected blow for the Britain, who looked stunned after the defeat. Alizadeh had beaten Jones twice before, including at the World Championships in 2015, but it looked as though Jones would live up to her favourite tag as she won the the first round 6-4. But Alizadeh took the next two 6-2 6-4 to secure the victory.
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Post by Admin on Jul 25, 2021 21:10:57 GMT
Ellen White’s third goal in two games guided Team GB through to the knockout stages with a 1-0 win over Japan in Sapporo.
The 32-year-old settled the contest with a deft glancing header on 74 minutes to make it back-to-back victories and add to her brace in the 3-0 win over Chile.
Hege Riise’s side have locked up a top two finish with a game to spare, coming against Canada in Kashima on Tuesday.
Both sides struggled for rhythm in the early stages, with Lauren Hemp making an early burst forward and narrowly failing to connect with a Keira Walsh cross.
Riise was delighted with her side's performance:
"We're very happy with two wins and that puts us in the position to rest players and recover for the knockout stages.
"We've got a lot of good players in this squad and I feel like we need to use them all.
"We were in a different team in the second half, we had the togetherness I want to see and we were totally committed. I thought we really controlled the game. We were much more direct and really put them under pressure.”
The first shot was fired by the hosts when Honoka Hanayshi stung the palms of Ellie Roebuck with a long-range effort that never threatened to beat the Manchester City goalkeeper.
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