International Olympic Committee : News

Judo builds bridges in Burundi

4/19/2013 3:00:00 PM

About the Community Youth Sport Centre

The multi-sport complex was jointly set up by the IOC, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of Burundi in September 2011. It is located in the border region with the Democratic Republic of Congo, an area known for tension and violence and sorely lacking in recreational infrastructure. The countries suffered from atrocious wars which resulted in mass slaughter and genocide. The centre attracts 10,000 young people, who use the facility to meet, talk and practise a wide range of sports.

Growing youth participation in sport

With the centre also including a judo ground, and the International Judo Federation (IJF) - through its partnership with the Burundian Judo Federation and the National Olympic Committee - actively supporting activities on the ground, youth participation in the sport has grown in the area: more and more clubs have been set up and have helped to integrate the sport into local schools.

The national judo team recently placed first in the East African Championships, and eight Burundian athletes will participate in this week’s African Championships taking place in Maputo, Mozambique. However, the success of the centre will certainly not be measured in medals, but in the success of the reconciliation process among the young generation from both sides of the border, with sport being the driving force.

Decosse takes Judo gold for France - London 2012 - Judo

8/1/2012 12:00:00 AM

The 30-year-old Middleweight scored an early Wazari, which she followed up with a hold down for 19 seconds, just one second short of victory.

However, it did not prove costly as Decosse closed out the win for France's first judo gold of London 2012.

'I've waited so long, I really wanted it, now I can't tell you how happy I am. I am at peace with myself completely,' she said.

’I've waited so long, I really wanted it, now I can't tell you how happy I am. I am at peace with myself completely.’

European champion Edith Bosch of Holland, the world number two, had to be content with bronze after being sent into the repechage following a shock quarter-final defeat to Olympic newcomer Thiele.

Bosh recorded a late Yuko to send her clash against Hwang Ye-sul, the world number six, into golden score.

She then secured another Olympic medal on judges' flags.

The other bronze went to Alvear Yuri of Colombia after she beat China's Chen Fei, who had lost a semi-final against Thiele only on the officials ruling at the end of golden score.

Gold for 11th seed Song - London 2012 - Judo

8/1/2012 12:00:00 AM

The 11th seed claimed the Olympic Games crown with a golden score win over Cuban Asley Gonzalez.

Both fighters picked up warnings for passivity, before the Republic of Korea coach was sent out for shouting instructions during play as the tussle headed into the final 30 seconds.

Song then won the gold with a reverse leg sweep to claim a Wazari on golden score – and his coach ran back into the arena at the ExCeL in wild celebration.

World champion and top seed Ilias Iliadis – who won the -81kg title at the Athens 2004 Olympics – was beaten in the quarter-finals, but fought back to take bronze by edging past Tiago Camilo of Brazil, who had twice made the podium at previous Games.

Masashi Nishiyama of Japan, the second seed, claimed the other bronze by beating defeated semi-finalist Kirill Denisov of Russia on the judges' flags.

Gold success for Matsumoto - London 2012 - Judo

7/30/2012 12:00:00 AM

Caprioriu was penalised for trying to hold Matsumoto's leg to flip over the Japanese.

Defeated semi-finalist Marti Malloy won the bronze medal after defeating defending Olympic champion Giulia Quintavalle from Italy.

USA's Malloy sealed the fate of the match within a short span of time by pinning Quintavalle on her back to score an Ippon.

The second bronze medal was bagged by Automne Pavia from France after she defeated Hedvig Karakas by a swift leg sweep which resulted in the Hungarian's fall.

Pavia climbed down to hug her coach before greeting French President Francois Hollande.

Matsumoto dedicated Japan's first Judo gold of the Games to her team-mates Tomoko Fukumi and Misato Nakamura.

She said: 'I am so very happy to be able to get gold on behalf of my colleagues.

'There was pressure, but I did what I wanted to do along the way which helped me to win the medal.

'I had a strong feeling to win, told myself to calm down, focus and not to give up.

'Fukumi had told me to go for it and Nakamura that I would get the first gold medal for Japan.'

Isaev celebrates golden win - London 2012 - Judo

7/30/2012 12:00:00 AM

Mongolian Nyam-Ochir Sainjargal won the bronze after making a comeback through the repechage, defeating Dex Elmont from the Netherlands.

Elmont was lacking in aggression, giving an opening to Sainjargal to take charge of the bout.

The second bronze went to Frenchman Ugo Legrand, who defeated current world champion Wang Ki-Chun in an unexpected victory.

Galstyan celebrates title success - London 2012 - Judo

7/28/2012 11:41:00 AM

The world number five defeated double world champion Rishod Sobirov of Uzbekistan on golden score in their semi-final, before overcoming Japanese fighter Hiroaki Hiraoka in the final with a superb ippon throw after just 40 seconds.

Sobirov added another Olympic bronze to the medal he won in Beijing when he beat Sofiane Milous of France.

Brazilian Felipe Kitadai secured the other third place with victory over Italian Elio Verde.

Medals up for grabs in seven sports this week-end at London 2012

7/27/2012 10:54:00 AM

Athletes will be chasing gold in archery, cycling, fencing, judo, shooting, swimming and weightlifting on Saturday, with a total of 12 Olympic titles up for grabs.

The men’s team archery competition will take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground, with Korea’s Im Dong Hyun aiming to become the first archer to win three gold medals in the event, following his successes at the 2004 and 2008 Games.

Kim Bubmin and Oh Jin Hyek will join him in the Korean team, but they will face stiff competition from the USA, whose team features individual men's No.1 Brady Ellison, Jake Kaminski and Jacob Wukie.

In cycling, the men’s road race will see competitors tackle a 250km out-and-back course that is the longest in Olympic history and features nine laps of a 15.5km section, the highlight being the short but steep Box Hill climb. Up to one million spectators are expected to line the route, which will start and finish on The Mall in central London.

Reigning world champion Mark Cavendish from Great Britain and Germany’s Andre Greipel will be among the top sprinters while attackers such as the Belgian Philippe Gilbert and Peter Sagan of Slovakia will be hunting for a breakaway.

In the ExCeL centre, which is hosting the fencing competition, Italy’s Valentina Vezzali will be chasing a record fourth consecutive individual Olympic gold medal in the women’s foil. With three individual and two team Olympic gold medals, as well as six individual and seven team world titles, Vezzali is already the most successful single-weapon fencer in history and will also be trying to become the first woman to win four consecutive individual gold medals in any sport at the Olympic Games.

The judo events also get underway on Saturday at ExCeL, with medals up for grabs in the men’s -60kg and women’s -48kg events. Uzbekistan’s world no.1 Rishod Sobirov will be aiming to add an Olympic gold medal to his men's -60kg world title and the bronze medal he won in Beijing in 2008, while Romania’s Alina Dumitru will be hoping to defend her women’s -48kg title, after winning gold four years ago.

The Excel centre will also play host to the weightlifting events during London 2012, with the women’s 48kg gold medal due to be contested on Saturday. China’s four-time world champion Wang Mingjuan will be among the favourites to strike gold.

Saturday will also see the Olympic medals awarded in both the women’s 10m air rifle and men’s 10m air pistol events, which will take place at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

Defending champion Katerina Emmons from the Czech Republic could become the first athlete to win consecutive gold medals in women's 10m air rifle, but she will have to beat Olympic debutant Yi Siling of China, who is the world-ranking leader and 2010 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) world champion.

In the pool, fans will be treated to four finals on the opening night, with the USA’s Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps set to go head-to-head in the men’s 400m individual medley, and medals also up for grabs in the men’s 400m freestyle, the women’s 400m individual medley and the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

On the road to London 2012: Tanja Bozovic

6/18/2012 11:12:00 AM

Tanja Bozovic, the talented young judoka from Niksic, Montenegro hopes to qualify for the Games in London with the aid of a Solidarity scholarship.

How did you get started in judo?
My older brother had started to train, and I was jealous of him. I didn’t want him to be stronger than me so I begged my parents to let me try! Eventually they gave in, and so it all began. I’m now 17 years old and competing in junior competitions in the 57kg category.

What are the main attributes needed to be a successful judoka?
There are various strengths you need and, of course, people are all different, but my guess is that every judoka needs to be mentally tough. That is one of the most important things in this sport.

How is the Olympic Solidarity scholarship assisting your training and Olympic dreams?
Thanks to the Olympic Solidarity scholarship I can take part in more events across Europe and even in other parts of the world. I can now afford to travel to training camps, which I was not able to do previously – this means my preparation is much better for competitions and I can achieve better results.

What is your training programme like?
I train with both the girls and boys at my judo club – most are older competitors though some are a similar age to me. I train twice daily. Morning training consists of running, strength exercises and judo practice on the mats. In the afternoon, I concentrate on exercise technique, agility and the mental side of things – how to concentrate during a bout. Three times a week I go to aerobics classes and once a week I do heavy weights in the gym.

Have you set yourself any targets for the Games in London?
Assuming I achieve the required number of points to qualify for the Olympic Games, then you can be sure that I want to win a medal in such an important event. Although I am only young, I think that I can represent my country with honour.

Have you been to London before?
No, I have not had a chance to visit the city but I hope to go there in the near future and if not, then definitely next year for the Olympic Games.

What goals, if any, have you set yourself for your career?
I would like to be somebody that my country can be proud of, and to enjoy as long a career in this sport as possible. I wish that in 10 years’ time my name will be synonymous with the sport of judo!

Who were your Olympic heroes or role models when you were growing up?
At first I did not have any role models but since I started as a judoka with dreams of competing in the Olympic Games, Teddy Rinner of France – who has won the World Championships for the last three years – has become one of my biggest role models.

Olympic Solidarity

Olympic Solidarity is the body that ensures that talented athletes, regardless of their financial status, have an equal chance of reaching the Olympic Games and succeeding in the Olympic arena.

It is responsible for administering and managing the National Olympic Committees’ share of the revenue from the sale of broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games.

Working in particular with the most disadvantaged NOCs and their Continental Associations, Olympic Solidarity uses this money to develop a range of assistance programmes.

Within its total budget, USD 61 million is earmarked to provide support to athletes for the 2009-2012 Olympic Solidarity quadrennial period.

Singapore 2010 adopts new sport formats

8/12/2010 3:39:00 PM

The first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore will feature all 26 sports currently on the programme of the London 2012 Olympic Games. What will differ in some cases are the disciplines and format, such as 3 on 3 street basketball, a mixed gender relay in the swimming pool, a medley relay on the track or events in which athletes from different National Olympic Committees compete on the same team. Read on to see what your favourite sports will consist of in Singapore...

Aquatics (diving and swimming)

Aquatics comprises diving and swimming. There will be two diving events for both men and women, 3m springboard and 10m platform. Swimming events include freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and medley, both individual and relay. As a first, a mixed gender event for 4 x 100m freestyle relay and 4 x 100m medley relay is included.

Archery

Archery will feature individual men, women and mixed team competitions. The distance that athletes will be shooting is 70m.

Athletics

Athletics comprises a total 36 events for both men and women. The track events will include 1000m and 3000m races as well as a 2000m steeplechase and a medley relay. There will be eight field events (four jumps and four throws).

Badminton

Badminton will feature men’s and women’s singles events in Singapore.

Basketball

Basketball 3 on 3 will be played at the YOG. There will be two teams of three players on court at any one time. This fast-paced game is played on a half court, with one basketball hoop. It includes two periods of five minutes each. The winner is the first team to score 33 points, or the team that is leading the game at the end of the fifteen minutes of play.

Boxing

Boxing will feature men’s events. There will be 11 different weight categories, ranging from 48kg to the 91kg+ division.

Canoe-Kayak

Canoe-Kayak will feature four events for men and two for women. Both will race
in head-to-head sprints and obstacle slaloms in the kayak category. The men will also compete in the same events in canoes.

Cycling

The Cycling competition will involve teams. Each team consists of three men and one woman. The three men are required to compete in one discipline each (BMX, MTB and Time Trial), while the woman has to compete in all three disciplines. All male riders also have to compete in the Road Race.

Equestrian

In Equestrian, only the jumping events will take place (team and individual). The Organising Committee will provide the horses, which will be assigned to riders by draw. For the team event, there will be six teams representing each FEI regional zone.

Fencing

Fencing will feature individual competitions in the foil, epée and sabre for men and women, and a mixed team competition.

Football

Football will consist of a six-team competition, representing all continents, for both men and women.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics is split into artistic and rhythmic, as in the Olympic Games. The artistic competition will feature eight individual men’s events and six individual women’s events. The rhythmic competition consists of two events – individual and team – for women.

Handball

Handball is a six-team tournament, representing all continents, for men and for women.

Hockey

Hockey is the same as football and handball – a six-team competition, representing all continents for both men and women.

Judo

There are a total of eight weight categories for both men and women in the Judo competition. There is also a mixed team event.

Modern Pentathlon

The Modern Pentathlon competition consists of four of the five modern pentathlon disciplines: fencing, swimming, running and shooting. The fifth discipline, riding, will not be competed at Singapore 2010. The run-shoot format will be competed. In the Combined event, laser shooting is being used for the first time.

Rowing

Both the men and women will compete in two events in Rowing – single sculls and pairs.

Sailing

The Sailing competition comprises four events, with men and women sailing in either the one person dinghy or the windsurfing.

Shooting

In Shooting, the men and women will compete in both air rifle and air pistol.

Table Tennis

Table tennis will consist of men’s singles, women’s singles and a mixed team competition.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo will see athletes competing in five weight categories per gender.

Tennis

There will be both men’s singles and doubles and women’s singles and doubles in the Tennis tournament.

Triathlon

The Triathlon competition format for individual competitions includes a 750m swim in open water, a 20km cycle ride and a 5km run. The 4 x mixed team relay competition includes a 250m swim in open water, a 7km cycle ride and a 1.7km run.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a six-team men’s and women’s competition.

Weightlifting

Weightlifting sees men competing in six weight categories, while women will compete in five weight categories. The combined results of the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk will produce the champion of each weight category.

Wrestling

The Wrestling competition will see men compete in Greco-Roman (five weight categories) and freestyle (five weight categories) and women in freestyle (four weight categories).