分类： sports

The Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics commenced Friday under a cloud of diplomatic tension as Ukraine spearheaded a multinational boycott of the opening ceremony. The protest targets the International Paralympic Committee’s controversial decision to permit six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags rather than as neutral participants.

The ceremony, held at Verona’s historic arena—the same venue that hosted the Winter Olympics closing—proceeded without delegations from Ukraine, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Poland. This collective action received additional support from the European Union, which confirmed its representative would similarly abstain from attending.

Valeriy Sushkevych, President of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, articulated the difficult position facing his nation’s athletes. While expressing fury at the IPC’s ruling, he emphasized that a complete competition boycott would ultimately serve Russian interests. “If we do not go, it would mean allowing Putin to claim victory over Ukrainian Paralympians by excluding us from the Games,” Sushkevych stated.

IPC President Andrew Parsons expressed profound disappointment at the ceremonial boycott, maintaining that the event should not become politicized. The Brazilian official defended the committee’s position by referencing two key developments: a September General Assembly vote supporting the return of both nations under their flags, and a December ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport that cleared legal pathways for Russian and Belarusian athletes to qualify.

Despite these justifications, the decision has sparked widespread criticism across European political circles and athletic organizations. Hans-Joerg Michels, president of Germany’s National Paralympic Committee, confirmed his organization would not restrict athletes from expressing their views during the Games.

Amid the political discord, the sporting spectacle continues through March 15 across three Italian venues. Cortina d’Ampezzo hosts wheelchair curling, para alpine skiing, and para snowboarding; Milan’s Santagiulia Arena stages para ice hockey; while Val di Fiemme welcomes para biathlon and cross-country skiing events.

The competition features several historic participants, including British para snowboarder Davy Zwy (the first man with motor neurone disease to compete in a Winter Paralympics), Australian dual Summer Paralympic champion Lauren Parker making her winter debut, and El Salvador’s David Chavez—the first Central American representative in any Winter Games history.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has emphatically dismissed speculative forecasts that emerging key forward Sam Darcy could achieve a century of goals this AFL season, labeling such projections as ‘fantasy land’.

Addressing media concerns ahead of the Bulldogs’ Opening Round clash against Brisbane Lions, Beveridge provided clarity on Darcy’s tactical utilization despite recent physical setbacks. The promising tall forward experienced soreness following the State of Origin exhibition match, resulting in limited training participation throughout Thursday’s session.

Beveridge confirmed the club remains committed to deploying Darcy in ruck competitions despite recent rule modifications concerning centre bounce engagements. The coach expressed particular interest in players’ equipment considerations rather than injury anxiety, noting: ‘The practical challenge involves players weighing whether to utilize shin protection during ruck contests. As key position athletes operating across multiple zones, additional padding presents mobility compromises during general play.’

Regarding the AFL’s regulatory adjustments, Beveridge maintained his previously stated position that the league demonstrates excessive reactivity to isolated incidents. ‘Substantial evidence patterns should precede rule modifications rather than immediate responses to singular occurrences,’ he asserted. ‘Historical ruckmen like Simon Madden and Steve O’Dwyer would simply advise contemporary players to toughen up fundamentally.’

While acknowledging Darcy’s impressive 48-goal tally across 17 appearances during his breakthrough 2025 campaign, Beveridge tempered expectations surrounding statistical milestones. The coach emphasized that Aaron Naughton’s 60-goal contribution last season received disproportionately minimal attention compared to the burgeoning hype surrounding Darcy.

Beveridge concluded with strategic perspective: ‘Our objective focuses on Darcy developing into a multifaceted threat that creates systemic defensive problems for opponents. Goal quantification becomes secondary to overall structural impact and supply chain efficiency throughout our offensive system.’

South Sydney Rabbitohs are preparing to deploy what commentators have dubbed their ‘Avengers’ formation on the left edge for the upcoming NRL season opener, presenting what appears to be an unstoppable offensive arsenal. The team’s reconstructed left flank features try-scoring phenomenon Alex Johnston on the wing, superstar Latrell Mitchell at center, newly acquired powerhouse David Fifita in the back row, and veteran playmaker Cody Walker directing operations at five-eighth.

This assembly of elite talent represents a dramatic turnaround from last season’s injury-plagued campaign, with Walker expressing particular excitement about witnessing their coordinated firepower in official competition after recovering from his own physical setbacks. Early trial matches against Manly provided encouraging glimpses of the formation’s potential, though Walker emphasized the strategic balance required between both sides of the field.

While media attention has focused overwhelmingly on the star-studded left edge, Jack Wighton has issued a pointed warning to opponents about underestimating the right flank. The former Raider, who has spent virtually his entire career on the left side, finds himself in an unfamiliar role at right center, describing the adjustment as ‘like walking on your hands every week.’

Wighton humorously noted the technical challenges of his positional switch, explaining that ‘everything’s back to front’ regarding passing, stepping, and palming techniques. Despite the learning curve, the seasoned player embraced the team-first mentality while promising that the right edge would serve as the hard-working foundation enabling the left’s flashy offensive production.

With halfback Jamie Humphreys suspended, young Ashton Ward steps into the pivotal playmaking role alongside the dominant Walker. Wighton praised the rookie’s development and growing confidence in organizing the team and managing field position, highlighting Ward’s effective communication with forwards and ability to secure repeat sets during preparatory sessions.

Hawthorn Hawks coach Sam Mitchell is adopting a distinctly different perspective regarding the injury crisis plaguing the GWS Giants ahead of their Opening Round AFL clash. While the Giants face the prospect of being without at least seven of their premier players for Saturday’s encounter, Mitchell emphatically rejects any notion that this diminishes the threat posed by the home side.

Mitchell acknowledged the obvious absence of key personnel but emphasized the remarkable depth of the Giants’ roster. “You look at their team sheet and we were chatting through their possible line-up,” Mitchell stated, “there’s no one out there that’s not more than capable. They bat really deep, of all the teams they’ve got one of those lists that have got some really strong top-end talent but also go long.”

The coach specifically addressed the significant midfield changes, noting the acquisition of Clayton Oliver who has demonstrated strong pre-season form, while acknowledging the season-ending ACL injury to star midfielder Tom Green. Mitchell also highlighted the potential return of Finn Callaghan, provided he emerges unscathed from final training sessions, as another element adding to the Giants’ strength.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn faces its own fitness concerns with key defender Tom Barrass undergoing a final assessment. Barrass has experienced a slow recovery following last month’s State of Origin match, but Mitchell expressed confidence in the experienced campaigner’s availability. “I expect him to get up,” Mitchell said, noting the team’s conservative approach to his rehabilitation. “He’s an experienced campaigner and expect him to play.”

The match marks Hawthorn’s return to the venue where they secured a memorable elimination final victory last season, adding another layer of narrative to this early-season showdown between two teams navigating significant roster challenges.

A compelling narrative of mentorship and self-preservation is unfolding within the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles camp as veteran playmaker Jamal Fogarty confronts the dual reality of his role. The 32-year-old halfback, one of the NRL’s most significant acquisitions last year, finds himself in the unique position of both tutor and student, guiding the club’s promising young talents while simultaneously evolving his own game to retain his starting position.

Fogarty, who secured a three-year contract with the northern beaches club, acknowledges that the emergence of teenage prospects Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large serves as powerful motivation. “Healthy competition is great competition,” Fogarty told NewsWire. “I know that they are very exciting young prospects at the club, and that pushes me to keep bettering myself each week. I’ve got to keep evolving my game because if I don’t, then they’re going to take over.”

The former Canberra Raider demonstrates remarkable humility in his approach, actively seeking to learn from his junior counterparts despite their age difference. He particularly praises Walsh’s rugby union background, noting his exceptional passing skills, craft, and deceptive ball handling. Fogarty has made a conscious effort to study these techniques during training sessions, recognizing the value they could add to his own arsenal.

This Saturday marks a significant milestone for Fogarty as he prepares to face his former team while partnering with Luke Brooks in the halves, filling the considerable void left by longtime Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. His extensive experience provides stability during this transitional period, though club insiders suggest 19-year-old Walsh is rapidly developing toward NRL readiness.

Walsh, who made his debut in the final round of the 2025 season, maintains a focused perspective on his development. “My main goal this year is just to play consistent footy,” Walsh stated. “We have some unreal halves here at the club who are very experienced, so I just want to learn as much as I can from Jamal, Brooksie and also having Foz (Kieran Foran) and Noddy (Brett Kimmorley) here on the staff.”

The new interchange rules, allowing six players on the bench with four available each game, present interesting strategic possibilities for Walsh’s integration into first grade. Regardless of deployment decisions, both athletes demonstrate unwavering commitment to team success and continuous improvement, creating a productive competitive environment that could significantly benefit the Sea Eagles’ premiership aspirations.

In a dramatic midweek Premier League showdown, Arsenal capitalized on Manchester City’s misstep to establish a formidable seven-point lead at the summit of English football. The Gunners secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Brighton while their title rivals were held to a surprising 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal’s breakthrough came through winger Bukayo Saka, who marked his 300th appearance for the club with a decisive ninth-minute strike. The England international cut in from the right flank before unleashing a deflected shot that squirmed past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Despite Brighton’s dominance in possession and shots, Mikel Arteta’s squad demonstrated defensive resilience to preserve their narrow advantage.

Meanwhile at the City Ground, Manchester City twice surrendered leads against a determined Forest side fighting for survival. January signing Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring for City in the 31st minute with a well-taken volley, but Morgan Gibbs-White equalized with an ingenious backheel finish in the 56th minute. Rodri restored City’s advantage six minutes later with a powerful header, only for Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson to deliver a beautifully crafted equalizer in the 76th minute.

The draw leaves City five points behind Arsenal having played one fewer game, setting up a crucial confrontation when the teams meet at Etihad Stadium on April 19th.

In other Premier League action, Chelsea’s João Pedro delivered a spectacular hat-trick in their 4-1 comeback victory against Aston Villa, propelling the Blues into fifth position in the tight race for Champions League qualification. The result dropped Liverpool to sixth place while maintaining Villa’s grip on fourth position.

The relegation battle intensified as West Ham defeated Fulham 1-0 to draw level with Nottingham Forest on 28 points, with both teams sitting just one point behind Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their Thursday fixture against Crystal Palace.