Category: Olympics

UPDATE 2-Ryanair, Aer Lingus face tax bill after EU court ruling on state aid

LUXEMBOURG, Dec 21 Ryanair and Aer Lingus face paying back millions of euros in air travel taxes after the European Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday that they had benefited from unlawful aid from the Irish government. Ryanair, Europe’s largest budget airline, said the ruling would require it to repay 12 million euros to the Irish government, but also said airlines would be able to take legal action to claim compensation from the government over the tax.

Colombian hill climbers ready to tackle 2017 Cycle Classic

Organisers of the New Zealand Cycle Classic have received an early Christmas present with confirmation that professional team Sapura Cycling, who are based in Malaysia, will contest the 30th Anniversary of the event to be staged in the Wairarapa next month. Sapura Cycling, which is managed by former Spanish professional cyclist Sergi Escobar who had an illustrious career in the pro circuit and claimed a silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games, has confirmed it will contest the UCI 2.2 five stage cycle tour being held from January 22nd – 26th 2017.

The Peter Pan Cup: London’s Coldest Race

Every Christmas Day, London’s hardiest swimmers take a dip in Hyde Park’s Serpentine, in a competition for the Peter Pan Cup . The 9am spectacle sees members of the Serpentine Swimming Club battle it out over a 100-yard handicap in the icy December waters to the south of the lake.

Alistair Brownlee comes second in Sports Personality of the Year

Alistair and Jonny Brownlee with their Gold and Silver medals for the Men’s Triathlon at Fort Copacabana on the thirteenth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil – Mike Egerton/PA Wire The gold medal triathlete, who runs for Bingley Harriers and is a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, was beaten by Andy Murray, who claimed the title for the third time. This summer at the Rio Olympics Alistair became the first person to retain his Olympic triathlon title when he took gold in 1hr 45min 01sec at Copacabana Beach.

Alistair Brownlee comes second in Sports Personality of the Year

Alistair and Jonny Brownlee with their Gold and Silver medals for the Men’s Triathlon at Fort Copacabana on the thirteenth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil – Mike Egerton/PA Wire The gold medal triathlete, who runs for Bingley Harriers and is a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, was beaten by Andy Murray, who claimed the title for the third time. This summer at the Rio Olympics Alistair became the first person to retain his Olympic triathlon title when he took gold in 1hr 45min 01sec at Copacabana Beach.

Sport24.co.za | Team Sky chief faces questions over mystery package

British Sports minister Tracey Crouch on Sunday said Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford faces “some extremely important questions” about a mystery package that is the subject of a UK Anti-Doping investigation. Brailsford is one of six witnesses appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport select committee in Westminster on Monday as part of its long-running inquiry into sport’s fight against doping.

Undefeated Vijender Singh eyes new title next year

New Delhi: The WBO Asia-Pacific title won and defended successfully, Indian boxing star Vijender Singh will now be on the prowl for a new belt and could be challenging for the Commonwealth or the Oriental crown in the next couple of months. Up against Tanzania’s former world champion Francis Cheka in his Super Middleweight title defence clash last night, Vijender took less than 10 minutes to score a knockout win and remain undefeated in his professional career, which is eight fights old now.

Rebecca Johnston leads Canada past United States 5-3 in women’s hockey

Rebecca Johnston had a hat trick as Canada’s national women’s hockey team rallied past the United States 5-3 on Saturday in an exhibition game. Jillian Saulnier and Natalie Spooner also scored for Canada in the first of two exhibitions between the powerhouses, designed to help them tune up ahead of the world championships in Plymouth, Mich., from March 31 to April 7. Shannon Szabados stopped 32-of-35 shots in 51 minutes of work in net for the Canadians.