olympics 2024

Attack averted on French Olympic soccer match in St Etienne, authorities say

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Attack averted on French Olympic soccer match in St Etienne, authorities say

An 18-year-old Chechen man was arrested in Saint-Etienne, France, suspected of planning an attack at the city’s soccer stadium during the upcoming Olympics. The suspect is accused of associating with terrorists and is currently in detention. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stated that the suspect wanted to target spectators and security forces and die as a martyr. The man had planned to attack fans outside the stadium due to tight security inside. The suspect’s under-aged brother was also initially arrested but later released.

Cypriot sailor Natalia Lappa secures spot in Paris 2024 Olympics

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Cypriot sailor Natalia Lappa secures spot in Paris 2024 Olympics

Natalia Lappa from the Limassol Nautical Club has qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Women’s Windsurfing (iQFOiL) after a redistribution of spots. This will be her second consecutive Olympic appearance, with the Cyprus Olympic team now comprising eight athletes in various sports. The spot became available after a Swiss sailor withdrew, and Lappa finished 10th in the ‘Last Chance Regatta’ to secure her place. She is ranked 44th in the World Sailing Olympic rankings and is set to compete against 24 athletes from different countries in the women’s iQFOiL event.

Paris 2024 torch lit in ancient Olympia [PHOTOS+VIDEO]

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Paris 2024 torch lit in ancient Olympia [PHOTOS+VIDEO]

The torch for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was lit in ancient Olympia in a traditional ceremony. The torch was lit by Greek actress Mary Mina using a backup flame due to cloudy skies. The torch relay will culminate with the lighting of the Olympic flame in Paris at the opening ceremony. Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete as neutral athletes with no national flag or anthem. The torch relay began with Greece’s Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos passing the flame to France’s three-time Olympic medallist in swimming, Laure Manaudou. The French torch relay will last 68 days and end in Paris on July 26.