Rio Olympics

Rio Olympics: Athletes welcomed with condoms, air conditioning

The new apartment towers built to house 11,000 athletes and 6,000 coaches during Rio's Games are being called basic, even austere.

But when you step out on the balcony of one of the 3,604 apartments, the complex -- with its swimming pools, tennis courts and bike lanes -- looks downright five-star.

"The athletes are going to have everything they could possibly wish for during the Games," said Paul Ramler, founder of RSG events, which has been supplying furniture for athletes' villages since Sydney 2000.

Squads announced for #Rugby competitions at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

With interest and excitement high throughout the global rugby community, National Olympic Committees, in partnership with national member unions, have been busy selecting and naming the 12-player squads for the women's (6-8 August) and men's (9-11 August) competitions ahead of the 18 July deadline.

Brazil reviews security measures ahead of Rio Olympics

The review follows the attack in the French city of Nice on 14 July which left at least 84 people dead.

The government said that the measures may make attending the games less comfortable for visitors but they would result in greater security.

The Games are expected to attract as many as 500,000 foreign visitors.

"The attack in Nice is worrisome for us too. We will review procedures, make more barriers, more spot-checks on visitors and roadblocks", said Defence Minister Raul Jungmann.

Oceania Weightlifters to Rio named

Men:

Samoa - Nevo Ioane (62kg category)

Australia – Simplice Ribouem (94kg category)

New Zealand - Richard Patterson (85kg category)

Fiji - Manueli Tulo (56kg category)

Kiribati - David Katoatau (105kg category)

Nauru - Elson Brechtefeld (56kg category)

American Samoa: Tanumafili Jungblut (94kg category)

PNG -Morea Baru (62kg) category

Women:

Samoa - Mary Opeloge (75kg category)

Australia - Tia-Clair Toomey (58kg category)

New Zealand - Tracey Lambrechs (+75kg category)

Rio Olympics: Daniel Smith overcomes addiction to join swimming team

Smith was a talented junior swimmer and won a string of Australian Junior Championships, but in his late teens ice pushed his life off the rails and he was soon living on the street.

"It was difficult, but I guess the pain that I suffered, the pain that I dealt with has actually put me in a position now to give back to others," he said.

"That's what my life's all about now. I'm all about giving hope to the next generation and giving hope to other people who are addicted to drugs."

Morea Baru sets his eyes on Rio

Morea Baru is not a new name in the PNG sports industry, however, this young Hanuabada lad is about to make a bigger name for himself and the country when he takes centre stage tomorrow (today) at the Oceania Championship in Fiji.

Baru has his eyes set on the 2016 Rio Olympics and there is no doubt of his capabilities.

Trukai Industries General Manager-Sales and Marketing, Andrew Daubney, said:

Hayne could still be included in Fiji's London Sevens squad

Ryan made this remarks after reports suggested he had been left out of the squad for this weekend’s London Sevens.

After quitting NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers this week, the former NRL star announced his intention to qualify for the Olympics with the rugby sevens’ gold-medal favourites.

Reports stated that the crosscode star has missed out on the 12-man squad named by coach Ben Ryan. However Ryan, the former England coach, insisted that a decision has yet to be made.

Olympics will be a great spectacle - Robinson

However, the 41-year-old former winger admits to one regret – that rugby returned to the Olympic Games too late for him to play.

With his electric pace and dazzling footwork Robinson would have been pure box-office gold at the rugby sevens event in Rio this August.

“You might meet players who have won Six Nations, British and Irish Lions tours and World Cups but the Olympics will be a first for players,” the HSBC Ambassador said.

“If only I was 20 years younger because I would love to have the chance to win an Olympic medal.”

Olympic Qualifying on the Line at 2015 Oceania Sevens

The winner of both the men’s and women’s tournaments will book places at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August next year when sevens debuts on sport's greatest stage.  

With Fiji and New Zealand men and Australia and New Zealand women already qualified for Rio 2016, there is huge interest building to see who will join them. The draw comprises eight men's teams and five women's teams.

It is the first time New Zealand has staged the Oceania Sevens and the two-day event will take place this weekend, 14 & 15 November, at the Trusts Arena in Waitakere (Auckland). 

Cooks runner eyes Rio Games

 

The Olympic scholarship recipient through the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) is based in the United Kingdom where he races in the British Milers Series.

CISNOC sports manager Siniva Marsters says Beddoes was one of their leading athletes for the Rio Olympics.

The Cook Islands is hoping to send a team of 11 athletes to the games.

The Olympics qualifying time for 800m is 1 minute 45.80s and Beddoes has until July next year to meet the criteria.