Police are seen near the pitch during a men’s semifinal soccer match between Morocco and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics in August 2024, at Marseille Stadium in Marseille, France.
| Photo Credit: AP

French authorities foiled three plots to attack the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and other cities that hosted the summer events, the national counterterrorism prosecutor said on Wednesday (September 11, 2024).

Olivier Christen said the plots included plans to attack “Israeli institutions or representatives of Israel in Paris” during the July 26 to August 11 Olympic competition. The prosecutor told broadcaster France Info that “the Israeli team itself was not specifically targeted.” He did not give further details.

In all, five people, including a minor, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the three foiled plots against the Summer Games, which were held against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The suspects are facing various terrorism-related charges while they remain in pre-trial detention, the prosecutor said.

France was on its highest security alert in the months ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics, which wrapped up last week. During preparations for the Games, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin repeatedly warned that security threats included those from Islamic extremist groups, violent environmental activists, far-right groups and cyberattacks from Russia or other adversaries.

In May, members of the General Directorate of Internal Security arrested an 18-year-old man from Chechnya on suspicion of being behind a plan to attack Olympic soccer events that were held in the southern city of Saint-Etienne.

The planned attack was to target “bar-type establishments around the Geoffroy stadium,” the prosecutor said. The suspect is accused of planning “a violent action” on behalf of the Islamic State group’s jihadist ideology.

Jihadists threats dominated the foiled plots and 80% of legal proceedings against suspects include the extremist ideology that still influences France’s youth, the prosecutor said. The Islamic State group continues to “spread propaganda,” he added.

Preventive measures included increased house searches and house arrests before the start of the Olympics, the prosecutor said, adding that police and other security personnel conducted 936 house searches so far in 2024, compared to 153 last year.

Olympic Rings are displayed on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Paris’s mayor said Friday that she intended to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower until at least 2028 despite criticism of the idea from some residents and lawmakers.

The logo of five interlocking rings was erected on the beloved monument before the July 28-August 11 Olympics in Paris and has become a popular backdrop for selfies by visitors.

Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist mayor in power since 2014, caused widespread surprise last weekend by saying she intended to retain the symbol.

“The proposal that I have made for the rings… is a proposal that until 2028, until the Games in Los Angeles, we will leave the rings on the Eiffel Tower,” she told reporters at a press conference.

“Perhaps after 2028, they’ll stay and maybe they won’t. Let’s see,” she added.

Criticism

The idea has sparked criticism from many opposition Parisian lawmakers, residents as well as conservation groups.

The descendants of the tower’s designer, Gustave Eiffel, issued a statement saying that it “does not seem appropriate to us that the Eiffel Tower, which has become the symbol of Paris and the whole of France since its construction 135 years ago, has the symbol of an outside organisation added to it”.

Deputy mayor Pierre Rabadan confirmed to AFP on Tuesday that Ms. Hidalgo wanted to keep the rings permanently on the tower.

The Agitos logo for the Paralympic Games, which wrap up on Sunday, was placed on the Arc de Triomphe but will be moved to a location mid-way up the Champs-Elysees avenue, Ms. Hidalgo added.

Some critics have slammed the Eiffel Tower announcement as a personnal initiative taken without consulting the city’s council, or the capital’s residents more broadly.

“The mayor of Paris is not someone who lets opportunities slip by,” Ms. Hidalgo told reporters. “When you’re mayor you take decisions because you are legitimate to take them.”

The rings belong to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) while the Eiffel Tower is the property of the city of Paris.

It is on a list of protected monuments which is likely to complicate the task of keeping the logo.

The current rings will have to be removed because they are too heavy to keep on the monument, with the IOC financing a technical study to design new, lighter versions that can be attached to an attraction known affectionately by Parisians as “the Iron Lady”.

When P.R. Sreejesh announced, through a series of comic strips on social media, his decision to retire from international hockey after the Paris Olympics, the move made sense given how he had been talking about it for some time now, with broken bones and the stress of performance. The way he did it, though, was unprecedented in Indian sports, both for the clarity of thought and the planning that went into it.

It was also representative of the man himself — doing things not done before, knowing himself better than anyone else and, most importantly, getting his timing impeccable. His has been a journey backed by hard work and willpower over two decades of national duty that started with an Australia tour as a junior back in 2004.

Born on May 8, 1988 in Kizhakkambalam in Kerala, in the farming family of P.V. Raveendran and Usha Kumari, Sreejesh joined the GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram — the first of many, established with the sole purpose of nurturing sporting talent in the State. Sreejesh was 12 then and this move was tough on him. Yet, it marked the start of his incredible sporting journey.

Also read: Hockey India retires Sreejesh’s No. 16 jersey

Spotted by State coach Jayakumar and rising up the ranks before being selected for the junior national camp, Sreejesh made his junior India debut against Australia in Perth in 2004. He played his first game for the national team at the 2006 SAF Games in Colombo and followed it up with the Junior Asia Cup title in 2008 as the ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’. It was the first of many he would pick up, the last of them being crowned as the man with ‘Lightning Reflexes’ at the end of the 2023-24 season of FIH Pro League.

He also started for India at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi despite being the junior goalkeeper. However, he was injured after a few games. In the maiden edition of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2011, when his heroics in the shoot-out in the final against Pakistan helped India win, Sreejesh was in the spotlight.

He repeated the feat at the 2014 Asian Games, helping India win the title after 16 years. He was handed the reins of the team for the Rio Olympics in 2016, taking over from Sardar Singh, but was replaced in 2018, true to the style of Indian hockey’s strange ways. By the time the Tokyo Olympics came around in 2021, Sreejesh had cemented his place among the world’s best goalkeepers, proving it all over again to win bronze, ending a 41-year medal drought in his third outing.

Away from the field, he has been coach-mentor to more than one generation of Indian players at both junior and senior levels. While his constant shouting from the back during India’s games is famous, not many know of the crucial role he played with the Junior World Cup-winning side in 2016, guiding Vikas Dahiya and Krishan Pathak as the goalkeeping coach while recovering from his own injury. “They listen to me because I have been in those situations myself, my words come from a place of experience. It is something I have always wanted to do,” he had said back then.

As one of the most popular players in the team over the last 15 years and a crowd favourite, Sreejesh has been the star Indian hockey desperately wanted since the exit of Dhanraj Pillay. Sreejesh, in fact, has gone a step further — he has the charisma and the innate ability to attract the spotlight of Dhanraj without the mercurial temper of the latter. His demeanour has also made him a star back home in Kerala, a State not really enamoured by hockey. That the entire Paris Olympics campaign for the Indian team gradually grew around him is a testimony to his role as an important binding factor within the side.

His medal cabinet is full. The one missing is the World Cup, something he continues to regret. “But there will always be more tournaments and temptations to just try one more time. When do you stop? I am done,” he had said before Paris.

Come October 1, he will get his wish, taking charge of the Indian junior men’s team. Hopefully the clarity he brought to his entire career will be visible in his new role as well, along with the flamboyance, embodied in his farewell.

Authorities in the Kenyan city of Eldoret have removed the statues of three athletes after they were widely ridiculed and described as shoddy. According to The Guardian, the statues were unveiled earlier this week to showcase the town’s agricultural and sports heritage. The sculptures included statues of athletes and one of a maize cob next to a wheat stalk. However, the pictures of the statues attracted uproar on social media. Local residents and Kenyans poked fun at the statues online and criticised the town’s administration and sculptors. 

One particular statue that faced ridicule depicted a woman athlete running while holding a miniature Kenyan flag in her left hand. Sharing the picture of the statue on X (formerly Twitter), one user said that the works represented “our collective mediocrity as a country”. “Eldoret City launch. Who is this? This is a violation,” wrote another user. “This is shoddy and lousy to say the least. We can do better than this,” commented a third. 

These statue of Faith Kipyegon and Eliud Kipchoge in Eldoret represent our collective mediocrity as a country. pic.twitter.com/R9BLlbisAm

— Gwalla (@its_Edwin0) August 15, 2024

Another statue that caught the attention of social media users was of marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. One user shared a picture of the sculpture and described it as a “joke”. “Whoever did this will not see heaven,” the user wrote. 

#MainaAndKingangi@ItsMainaKageni@Classic105Kenya
Kenya is a Joke
Whoever did this to our Athletes will not see Heaven
Alaaaa
Kipchoge Statue in US VS KENYA pic.twitter.com/GVKa2Cnken

— KIPLETING MANUELA SON OF ELDORET (@ItsKipleting) August 15, 2024

After criticism, authorities in the Kenyan city removed the sculptures at night. The BBC reported that the county official removed three statues – two representing female athletes and one of a male. All the sculptures have been taken to an unknown location, officials said. 

Kenyans online welcomed the removal of the status. It is not clear whether the sculptures would be replaced, or when. 

Meanwhile, Eldoret was conferred city status earlier this week. At the same time, Kenyan President William Ruto honoured Kenyan medalists from the Paris Olympics at an event at Eldoret state lodge. The athletes later had an open-car parade, attracting cheers from thousands of residents who lined the city’s streets to celebrate them.

Kenya was the highest-ranked African country at the Paris Olympics, coming 17th on the medal table with four golds, two silver and five bronze medals. 

 

File picture of goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh with the Indian flag after India won the men’s hockey bronze medal match against Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Colombes, France, on August 8, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Hockey India on Wednesday decided to retire the jersey number of goalkeeping stalwart P.R. Sreejesh, who retired after playing a pivotal role in the country’s second consecutive Olympic bronze medal at the just-concluded Paris Games.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh also announced that the affable 36-year-old, who donned the No. 16 jersey for nearly two decades, will take up the role of the junior national coach.

“Sreejesh is now going to be the junior team coach and we are retiring the No. 16 jersey for the senior team. We are not retiring No. 16 for the junior team.

ALSO READ: Paris Olympics 2024: Full list of India’s medal winners, and near misses

“Sreejesh dusra Sreejesh ko paida karega in junior team (Sreejesh will groom someone like him in the junior team who will wear the No. 16 jersey),” said Singh at a felicitation function for the veteran.

Paris Olympics bronze medallist hockey player PR Sreejesh during an interview with PTI, in New Delhi, on August 13, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Legendary PR Sreejesh is a big fan of former India head coach Rahul Dravid’s coaching philosophy and would similarly like to mentor the talented juniors with an aim to create a solid feeder system for national hockey team.

Just like Dravid worked his way up the ranks, first working with India’s U-19 boys, followed by rising stars in A team and subsequently the senior team, the ‘Custodian of India’s dreams’ won’t mind working in the pathways system before being the chief national coach during the 2032 edition in Brisbane.

“I want to become a coach. That was always my plan but now there is a question of when. After retirement, family comes first. I need to talk with them if they are OK with this. Now you have to listen to your wife a little bit,” Sreejesh told PTI editors at its headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday (August 13, 2024).

If he decides to take up coaching, Sreejesh is clear in his mind how to go about in the new role.

“The way I wanted is start with the juniors, and Rahul Dravid is an example. It’s like you develop a bunch of players, get them into the senior team and let them follow you,” he said.

“I start this year, next in 2025, we have the junior World Cup and in another two years, the senior team will be playing the World Cup. So may be, by 2028, I can produce 20 or 40 players and by 2029, I can have 15-20 players into the senior team and by 2030 almost like 30-35 players in the senior side.

“And 2032, I will be ready for the chief coach’s position. If India gets to host the 2036 Olympic Games, I want to be the India coach,” Sreejesh has his plans in place.

Sreejesh, 36, has become an icon in Indian hockey by winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in his glorious 18-year-old career.

After winning successive bronze medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team has shown their strong foundation and they have it in them to go for a gold in four years’ time in Los Angeles, feels the world renowned explorer Mike Horn.

The Swiss motivational coach’s intense three-day mental toughness boot camp in the Alps pushed Harmanpreet and Co to their limits, in adventure tasks that also helps in coming out of their comfort zones and also form strong bond .

“The bronze they won is a reflection of their dedication, and I believe they have set a strong foundation for future success, including the possibility of going for gold in the next Olympics,” Horn told PTI in an interview.

“The team’s performance was exceptional, and they indeed came very close to clinching a gold medal. They showed remarkable skill, strategy, and mental toughness throughout the tournament.

“While they didn’t secure the gold, the fact that they were so close is a testament to their hard work and determination.

“It’s important to recognise that winning a medal, especially at the Olympics, is an immense achievement,” added Horn, known for his work with MS Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup-winning team, Kolkata Knight Riders in their 2014 IPL victory, and Germany’s 2014 football champions.

India started their campaign with a rusty win over New Zealand before they gradually started to find rhythm.

Their biggest win in the group stage came when they defeated Australia for the first time in 52 years.

Their true mental fortitude and team bonding came to fore when they defeated Great Britain in a shootout, despite being reduced to 10 players early in the second quarter.

“I followed their journey at Paris 2024 very closely, and I was genuinely impressed by their resilience and how they handled the pressure. They have so much to be proud of, and it was an honour to be a small part of their journey,” said the 58-year-old said.

The bootcamp was packed with extreme adventures, from walking on Glacier 3000, the highest peak of the Alps, to sleeping on grass — an experience that India defender Amit Rohidas had described as extremely back-breaking.

“They came into the camp with an incredible mindset, ready to push themselves and grow as a team,” recalled the 58-year-old.

“I would like to think that the bootcamp contributed in some way to the team’s success, but the real credit goes to the players and their relentless hard work and dedication.

“The bootcamp was designed to challenge them, and they responded brilliantly, but ultimately, it was their commitment and teamwork that shone through during the Olympics.” Horn also had special words of praise for skipper Harmanpreet whom he described as “all time greats”. Harmanpreet was the top-scorer of the Olympics with 10 goals.

“What impresses me most about Harmanpreet is his ability to lead by example. He’s not just a great player but also someone who inspires his teammates to elevate their game.

“His leadership was crucial to the team’s success, and he has undoubtedly cemented his place as one of the all-time greats in Indian hockey,” Horn said. He also said it’s “hard” to see that PR Sreejesh won’t be there at the goalpost.

“Even though this was his last appearance for Team India, he played with the passion and intensity that have defined his entire career.

“During the bootcamp, Sreejesh was a pillar of strength for the team — his experience and leadership were invaluable, and he set the tone for the younger players.

“Considering his contributions to Indian hockey, it’s hard not to wish he would continue. However, if this is indeed his final chapter, he leaves behind a tremendous legacy that will inspire future generations of players,” he said.

Horn also spoke about newly-appointed India cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir and recalled how he made the difference at KKR with his strategic acumen and game-reading skills.

Gambhir began his stint with a 3-0 thrashing of Sri Lanka in the T20Is, but suffered a 0-2 defeat in the ODIs.

“Gambhir’s transformation from a successful KKR captain to a title-winning mentor has been remarkable. As a captain, Gambhir was known for his strategic acumen and ability to inspire his team. He led by example, showing immense dedication and resilience, which were key to KKR’s successes.

“Transitioning to a mentor role, Gambhir continued to be a significant influence. His deep understanding of the game and experience in handling high-pressure situations provided invaluable guidance to the team.

“He was able to connect with the players on a personal level, offering insights and support that went beyond just technical advice.

Working with Gautam was a special experience. His passion for the game and commitment to excellence were truly inspiring.

“He has a unique ability to read the game and anticipate challenges, which made him an exceptional mentor. His presence and leadership helped foster a winning mentality within the team, proving that his contributions are vital whether on the field or off it,” he signed off.

Amit Rohidas.
| Photo Credit: ANI

He endured a couple of sleepless nights while dealing with the trauma of missing out on a crucial Olympics semifinal but Amit Rohidas is indebted to his teammates for not once letting him feel ostracized after his red card led to Indian team playing with 10 men for 42 minutes during its hockey quarterfinal against Great Britain.

The Indian men’s hockey team secured a record-extending successive bronze medal here, their 13th Olympic hockey medal, despite the setback of Rohidas’ red card in the quarterfinal against Great Britain, which led to his suspension for the semifinal.

“I really missed the semifinal because of the one-match suspension. It was such a crucial match,” the 31-year-old India’s defensive mainstay told PTI in an exclusive interview during the team’s felicitation at the India House in Paris on Saturday (August 10, 2024).

“Pura country aur mere teammates mere saath the… Kabhi team se emotionally bahar hone nahin diya. Mera focus bas aagli match pe thaa (I knew the whole country and my teammates Emotionally they never ever let me feel that I’m an outsider or sidelined. I was fully focused on our next match.”

The Indian first-rusher was penalised in the 17th minute of the quarterfinals for a swinging stick that inadvertently struck British forward Will Calnan in the face.

Although the on-field referee initially did not deem it a serious offense, the decision was upgraded to a red card after a video referral.

This led to a one-match suspension for Rohidas, sidelining him for the semifinal against Germany, which India narrowly lost.

Reflecting on the incident, Rohidas said, “I don’t know what people are saying outside, but I know as a player what I’ve gone through. It wasn’t intentional, and the referee’s decision is part of the game.”

Despite being down to 10 men, Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh put up a dogged show to take the match to the shootout, where he once made the difference with his heroics to take India into their second successive Olympics semifinals in hockey.

“It gave me immense pride to win over our opponents in the shoot-out despite being reduced to 10 players. We showed our countrymen how we can fight despite the numerical disadvantage. It was not just once but twice we made records — beating Australia after 52 years, and winning with 10 players,” he reflected on their campaign.

Any regrets not being able to upgrade their Tokyo Olympics bronze to a gold or silver?

“Maybe the colour of the medal would have changed but it’s all destined you cannot change anything. Luckily we are not returning empty-handed. This is country’s medal.”

Having started off with a rusty win over New Zealand in a tough pool A, India grew from strength to strength match by match and their biggest win came when they defeated Australia 3-2 in their concluding league match.

The bronze medal match against Spain was a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh, who played his last international match capping a perfect show as the Indian ‘wall’.

“Sreejesh bhai may not be there on the pitch after the retirement, but he will always be there with us as a guide and mentor. I’m sure whoever takes his position under the bar, we will work together as a unit as we have been doing all this while. We will follow the same process,” he said.

Rohidas, who has been a key player in India’s defense, further spoke about the collective leadership within the team.

“There is no one leader in a team, 16 or 18 everyone contributes in the leadership role. We do it together. Our team does not have one leader.

“Yes, there is a designated captain, but it’s a team game. We all give our inputs, plan, and execute accordingly,” he emphasised.

Mike Horn’s Boot Camp : It was one hell of an experience

Before the Olympics, the team underwent a challenging three-day boot camp in Switzerland led by adventurer Mike Horn, who was previously associated with MS Dhoni and Co before their 2011 triumph and also the Germany team in the FIFA World Cup win in 2014.

Rohidas fondly recounted the experience.

“Accha bhi lag raha tha, aur upar se phaat bhi raha tha. Sab precautions thaa but agar kuchh ulta pulta ho jaata toh wahan chance nahin hai. (We had all the safety precautions but we also freaked out. It was like balancing between life and death).

“A magnificent and incredible three-day camping. It may look easy from outside, but only we knew what we went through while climbing on the cliffs and then the descent—up and down — and how to maintain balance. It really made our minds tougher, stronger,” he recollected.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian grappler Aman Sehrawat for clinching the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57 kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics.

Mr Sehrawat, making his Olympic debut, secured the medal with a 13-5 victory over Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz on Friday, marking India’s first wrestling medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

PM Modi praised him for his “dedication and perseverance” in a post on X.

More pride thanks to our wrestlers!

Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics. His dedication and perseverance are clearly evident. The entire nation celebrates this remarkable feat.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2024

“More pride thanks to our wrestlers! Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics. His dedication and perseverance are clearly evident. The entire nation celebrates this remarkable feat,” PM Modi wrote.

Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah also lauded Mr Sehrawat for his achievement.

“Congratulations, Aman! With your remarkable perseverance and strength, you have secured the Bronze Medal for India in the wrestling match at the #ParisOlympics2024. The nation is proud of your achievement,” Amit Shah wrote in a post on X.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed his pride in Mr Sehrawat’s accomplishment.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for clinching the Bronze Medal in Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics! Your grit and determination have brought glory to on the world stage. You’ve made the nation proud with your remarkable achievement, inspiring countless others to chase their dreams,” Nitin Gadkari said in a post on X.

During the match, the Puerto Rican grappler initially gained the lead by securing a point with a single-leg hold. However, Mr Sehrawat came back strong, scoring points by targeting Darian Cruz’s shoulders.

After Darian Cruz took the lead with a two-point move, Mr Sehrawat regained control. With 37 seconds left, he secured additional points and won the bout with technical superiority as Mr Cruz attempted a desperate move and conceded another point.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)