The China Mail - Sports (English)

Bach open to calls to stay on as IOC president

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said Monday he would not "dismiss out of hand" recent calls for him to stay in the post past the end of his scheduled term in 2025.

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French footballer asked to explain laugh during minute's silence

France international Jean-Clair Todibo has been requested by the French football federation (FFF) to explain why he laughed during a minute's silence before last week's Euro 2024 qualifier.

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Dutch hope to exploit inside knowledge to stun South Africa again

With five South African-born players in his squad, Netherlands coach Ryan Cook believes having the inside track on their rivals could spark another World Cup humiliation for the Proteas on Tuesday.

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ICC head confident of 'outstanding' World Cup despite crowd concerns

International Cricket Council chairman Greg Barclay still expects India to stage an "outstanding" World Cup despite concerns over the size and composition of crowds in the early stages of the event.

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Sliding events at 2026 Winter Olympics to be held outside Italy

Sliding events at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will be staged outside Italy following the failure to build a new track in Cortina, it was announced Monday.

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Bangladesh's Liton apologises after evicting media

Bangladesh opener Liton Das apologised Monday after he called security to force journalists covering the Cricket World Cup away from the team's hotel in India, earning him a sharp rebuke.

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Waqar tells Shaheen to copy Bumrah World Cup blueprint

Pakistan legend Waqar Younis on Monday advised misfiring strike bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi to learn from India seamer Jasprit Bumrah if he wants to make an impact at the World Cup.

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IOC puts boxing 'on hold' for 2028 LA Games

Boxing faces an uncertain long-term future as an Olympic sport after its place at the 2028 Los Angeles Games was confirmed as being "on hold" Monday by the International Olympic Committee.

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France waste 'chance of a lifetime' at home World Cup

When Fabien Galthie took over as France head coach in December 2019 the Rugby World Cup on home soil was firmly in his mind but losing to South Africa in the quarter-finals on Sunday was far from what he expected.

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South Africa won't be 'arrogant' against Dutch at World Cup

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma insists his team cannot afford to be "arrogant or loud" when they face the Netherlands in the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday, wary of the shock defeat they suffered against the Dutch at the World T20 last year.

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Cheers to tears for Northern Hemisphere as South rules semis

The bragging rights did not last long, just a short week after four northern hemisphere sides topped their World Cup pools with four from four wins.

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French federation backs Galthie despite World Cup defeat

The French Rugby Federation (FFR) said on Monday that head coach Fabien Galthie was the right man to lead the team despite the Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat on home soil.

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Openers power Sri Lanka to undefeated century stand against Australia

Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera powered Sri Lanka past 100 after they elected to bat first against fellow winless Australia in a World Cup clash on Monday.

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Cricket to feature at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Cricket will feature as one of five new sports at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

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Wigglesworth's England not at World Cup semis to be 'on holiday'

England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said on Monday his side will be in with a chance when they play holders and favourites South Africa in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

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French 'welcome' to support Springboks as thoughts turn to England

If the French public are unsure of where their loyalties lie now that Fabien Galthie's team has gone out of the World Cup, South African hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi has extended an invitation: support the Boks.

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IOC approves cricket for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Cricket will feature as one of five new sports at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, organisers announced Monday.

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Springbok legends hail calm Vermeulen after World Cup triumph

South Africa legends Schalk Burger and Victor Matfield hailed loose forward Duane Vermeulen after edging hosts France 29-28 in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final thriller at the weekend.

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Future bright for Flying Fijians despite World Cup heartache

The future is bright for Fijian rugby despite the agony of their World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of England, according to coach Simon Raiwalui.

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Zverev exits Japan Open after 'horrible' first round

Number three seed Alexander Zverev said he "played horrible" after crashing out in the first round of the Japan Open on Monday, losing to world number 60 Jordan Thompson.

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Eagles and 49ers see NFL unbeaten runs ended by upsets

The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles both saw their perfect starts to the NFL season end with upset defeats on Sunday, leaving the league without an unbeaten team after six weeks.

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Rangers blank defending champion Astros in MLB playoffs

Texas pitcher Jordan Montgomery baffled Houston batters for 6 1/3 scoreless innings on Sunday as the visiting Rangers beat the defending champion Astros 2-0 in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

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Bellingham 'the difference' as England plot Italy revenge

Italy return to the scene of their Euro 2020 triumph at Wembley on Tuesday to face an England side enhanced by the emergence of Jude Bellingham as one of the world's best players.

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Sexton -- Ireland's Captain Marvel

Johnny Sexton's career may have ended with the crushing disappointment of a Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat but he bows out as "the best captain" Ireland have ever had, former fullback Hugo MacNeill told AFP.

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Lillard makes triumphant NBA pre-season debut with Bucks

Damian Lillard made a triumphant NBA pre-season debut for the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, combining well with Giannis Antetokounmpo in a 108-97 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Cape crusaders star for Dutch at Cricket World Cup

When the national anthems blare out in Dharamsala on Tuesday ahead of South Africa's World Cup match against the Netherlands, do not be surprised if you see a number of Dutch players mouthing the words to both.

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Clarke's rejuvenated Scotland cruise to Euro 2024 qualification

Scotland's serene qualification for Euro 2024 comes as a culture shock for a country used to crushing disappointment from its national team.

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South Korea's Kim wins second PGA Vegas title in a row

South Korea's Tom Kim captured his second consecutive PGA Shriners Children's Open title on Sunday, holding off Canada's Adam Hadwin down the stretch for his third career PGA title.

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Eagles and 49ers see NFL unbeaten runs end

The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles both saw their perfect starts to the NFL season end with upset defeats on Sunday, leaving the league without an unbeaten team after six weeks.

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South Africa 'scramble' to famous win in Paris

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi paid tribute to his team for chasing "lost causes" after they came from behind to beat France 29-28 on Saturday to book a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

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France captain Dupont slams World Cup quarter-final refereeing

France captain Antoine Dupont criticised the refereeing after his side crashed out of the Rugby World Cup in a 29-28 defeat to South Africa in the quarter-finals.

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South Africa edge France in thriller to reach World Cup last four

Defending champions South Africa edged hosts France 29-28 in a thrilling seven-try encounter on Sunday to reach next weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

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