Olympic Daily News: 3 June 2020! Kohei Uchimura returns to training
Get your daily update of Olympic news: Trivia, trends and talking points.
In April 2018, the United Nationals declared today, June 3rd, World Bicycle Day.
According to the UN, the day is meant to “emphasise and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace.”
And couldn’t we all use some of that? So, hop on your bike, and let’s do it. And if you need any additional inspiration, look no further. Check out our Original Series African Cycling Revolution.
Olympic champions Kohei Uchimura, Alina Zagitova return to training
Two-time Olympic gymnastics all-around champion Kohei Uchimura of Japan has returned to training after two months away due to the coronavirus pandemic. The superstar has struggled with injuries in the past two seasons, withdrawing from competition midway through the 2018 World Championships and missing the Japanese team all together in 2019.
Still, he has made clear his hope for a third and final Olympic appearance at home when Tokyo 2020 kicks off next year. For now, Uchimura is looking to compete in the All Japan Senior Championships in September, according to Yahoo! News.
In figure skating, reigning World and Olympic champion Alina Zagitova is also back at it after a coronavirus induced pause. The 18-year-old Russian has yet to say whether she plans to return to competition in the 2020-21 season.
"It was very difficult without ice. I’m happy to resume full-time training," she admitted to Russian TV in quotes reported by Lenta.
13-year-old Chinese basketball player Zhang Jiacheng inspires
Losing an arm when he was 5 years old didn't stop Zhang Jiacheng from his love of basketball.
The now 13-year-old Zhang grabbed the attention of the internet with a video showing his incredible dribbling skills that garnered 35 million views on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Another reminder good reminder of the power of determination.
U.S. skier Ted Ligety targeting Beijing bow
Ted Ligety, the American who claimed gold in the combined at Turin 2016 and in the giant slalom at Sochi 2014, announced his plans to seek a spot at a fifth Olympic Games.
“Two final years and finish it off at the Olympics,” said Ligety to NBC’s Mike Tirico.
An appearance at the Beijing 2022 Olympics would make him the oldest American Olympic skier in history.
“If my body falls apart and all that, then I guess I’ll revisit things,” he said. “But trying hard to persevere and try to preserve the body in a way that I’m able to push hard through races and not be battling through pain.”
Time for Trivia…
The answer to Monday’s question was 1904 – the first year where gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded at the Olympic Games.
Here’s today’s question.
Only one city hosted the Olympic Games three times, which one is it?
- Tokyo
- Paris
- Athens
- London
On love
A lesson from Watson and Kiko.
