Olympics
- Thailand News
Thai athletes’ Olympic uniform looks like waiter’s outfit
The grand reveal of Thailand‘s Olympic uniform for the Paris Games has set social media ablaze, with critics slamming the design as outdated and unfit for the global stage. Unveiled yesterday, July 17, on Stadium TH’s Facebook page, the uniform, modelled by national badminton star Sapsiree Taerattanachai, sparked a storm of controversy. The design, inspired by the Phraratchathan (Royally Bestowed)…
- Thailand News
NBTC declines to use special fund for Olympics broadcast rights
In a decisive 7 to 0 vote yesterday, July 17, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) resolved not to allocate 435 million baht from its Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest to sponsor the broadcasting rights for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games. The proposal had suggested that the NBTC utilise the fund to secure…
- Tourism News
Thailand expects 42 billion boost from French tourists post-Olympics
The Paris Olympic Games are projected to draw fewer visitors than initially expected, prompting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to anticipate a resurgence in the French market post-event. The TAT forecasts 42 billion baht in revenue from French tourists in 2024. Soraya Homchuen, TAT Director in Paris, indicated that the French market is experiencing a lull due to two…
- Thailand News
Thai Olympic dreams: PM’s promise of glory and support
During his address at the Government House, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his support for Thailand’s 2024 Olympic contingent, urging them to give their utmost in Paris. He also vowed to boost funding for national athletes and extend support beyond their sporting careers. The Thai athletes, led by Thai Olympic Secretary-General Wit Devahastin na Ayudhya, gathered yesterday, July 8, for…
- Thailand News
Muay Thai aims for Olympic recognition as part of Thailand’s soft power strategy
National Soft Power Strategy Committee Deputy Chairperson Paetongtarn Shinawatra is championing the cause for the integral Thai martial art, Muay Thai, to be recognised as an Olympic sport. Paetongtarn sees the inclusion of Muay Thai in the Olympics as part of a broader strategy to elevate the martial art as a key tool of Thailand’s soft power. “We will get…
- Hot News
Russia’s national gymnastics team coach banned from next Olympics after criticising judges
Russia’s national gymnastics team coach has been reportedly banned from the next Olympics after she criticised judges at the Tokyo games. Irina Viner, the head coach of the Russian national team and president of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation criticised the Tokyo Olympic judges who ended Russia’s winning streak in rhythmic gymnastics. The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation barred Viner from coaching…
- Things To Do
Thai women’s volleyball team loses to Germany in FIVB championship
Thailand’s Spikers women’s volleyball team has succumbed to Germany in the second round of the FIVB Championship in Poland. According to The Bangkok Post, this was the second successive defeat for the team as they lost to Canada at the beginning of their second-round bid. The Germans won the first two games with scores of 25-19 and 24-22. The Spikers…
- Sports News
Push for Muay Thai to be included in the 2028 Olympic Games
Thailand’s national sport – Muay Thai – will hopefully be added to the 2028 Olympic Games, according to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan who serves as the chairman of the Olympic Committee of Thailand. The sport – also known as Thai boxing and the art of eight limbs since it uses hands, feet, knees, and elbows – won a nod…
- World News
Taiwan to impose athlete code of conduct in wake of controversy at Beijing Winter Olympics
The Taiwan Sports Administration announced yesterday that national team athletes must abide by a new code of conduct to compete in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September. The rules are being drafted in response to Taiwanese speedskater Huang Yu-ting’s (黃郁婷) seemingly unpatriotic behavior on the international stage. Huang, who was the flag bearer for Taiwan at the…
- World News
Russia’s figure skating sweetheart Kamila Valieva continues Olympic pursuit after interim doping ban
Russia’s figure skating star Kamila Valieva has been allowed to continue competing in the Winter Olympics after successfully appealing an interim ban, which came in light of a late failed doping test she took more than a month before the games began in Beijing. The Court of Arbitration for Sport made the ruling on Monday morning, allowing the 15 year…
- Covid-19 News
Beijing sees an increase in Covid-19 cases as Winter Olympics approaches
Just days before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese capital reported a spike in Covid-19 cases with Sunday reaching 20 new infections, the highest daily count in the past 18 months. While the number is low in comparison to other cities around the world, neighbours are being sealed off and residents are being screened for Covid-19. A total of…
- World News
Vietnam to host next Southeast Asia Games
Vietnam is set to host the upcoming 31st Southeast Asia Games in May of 2022, after being delayed this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This multi-sport competition features most of the same events as the Summer Olympics, and includes both individual and team events. The SEA games are held every 2 years in a different country within the Southeast Asia…
- Thailand News
1st Taekwondo Olympic gold as Panipak wins for Thailand
Panipak Wongpattanakit brought home a historic gold medal today – Thailand’s first in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, first-ever in taekwondo, and 10th gold medal of all time. The 23 year old has won 2 world championships and is currently ranked number 1 in the world. She barely edged out her competitor, the current European Championship winner Adriana Cerezo Iglesias…
- Thailand News
Tokyo Olympic Games: 41 Thai athletes compete for gold
The pandemic-delayed 2020 Olympics are finally set to get underway in Tokyo on July 23, under heavy Covid-19 restrictions as Japan still battles the virus. But as the Olympic Games are gearing up to begin, Thailand has sent 41 hopeful athletes to compete for the gold medal in Tokyo. Thailand will be competing in 15 events in the Tokyo Olympics:…
- Thailand News
Muay Thai recognised by International Olympic Committee
Muay Thai might soon be an Olympic sport. The International Olympic Committee has fully recognised the traditional martial art and its governing body, the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations, or IFMA, a committee member announced yesterday during the 138th IOC session in Tokyo. “This is the beginning of the possibility of Muay Thai to become an Olympic sport.” Thailand’s…
- Covid-19 News
UPDATE: Covid-19 around the world
The Covid-19 situation around the world is seeing some nations attempt to return to a new normal as vaccines are rolled out, but some countries, notably India, are seeing the worst of the virus. As India’s death toll reached over 200,000 yesterday, hospitals are running out of oxygen and basic medical equipment. A Covid virus variant has hit the South…
- World News
Japan kicks off Olympic torch relay, Thailand launches “Flag of Nation” relay
Japan has officially kicked off its countdown to the postponed 2020 Olympic Games with a torch-lighting ceremony in the prefecture of Fukushima yesterday. The lighting of the torch comes 10 years after a 2011 earthquake and tsunami caused the meltdown of 3 nuclear reactors in the prefecture. The Japanese women’s football team, winners of the 2011 World Cup, started the…
- World News
Muay Thai added to European Games 2023
Thailand’s national sport Muay Thai has been added to the European Games 2023, set to be held in Poland. While Asia has been leading the sport for decades, many recent Muay Thai champions are from Europe, according to Sakchye Tapsuwan, president of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations, the governing body for the sport. “Europe has grown in strength, evidenced…
- Covid-19 News
Tokyo Olympics may cost almost US$2 billion more due to Covid delay
The Tokyo Olympics may cost almost US$2 billion more than its original budget of US$13 billion, after it has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Olympic organisers say they will decide on the increased budget for the Games after communicating with Japan’s government and Tokyo. The Games were postponed by 1 year after Covid-19 spread worldwide, with its opening…
- Events
Thai sports minister optimistic about Olympic boxing gold
Thailand’s minister of tourism and sports says he’s optimistic that Thai boxers will win a gold medal at next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games (if the Games are held at all). Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn visited the national team’s training camp at the National Sports Training Centre in Saraburi province, northeast of Bangkok. He was accompanied by the governor of the Sports Authority…
- Covid-19 News
2020 Tokyo Olympics put on hold for a year
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are to be delayed by one year due to concerns over the world Covid 19 coronavirus pandemic. Japanese PM Shinzo Abe made the announcement yesterday, telling reporters he has won the backing for the proposal to delay the games, originally scheduled to start in July, in a call with IOC president Thomas Bach. “The Tokyo Olympics will…
- Covid-19 News
Olympics postponement may be ‘inevitable’ due to Covid-19
Today Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe, says “postponing the Olympics over the coronavirus pandemic may become inevitable”, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said a delay was being considered as pressure grows from athletes and sports bodies. Meanwhile Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic committees announced they will not send teams to the Games if they are held this summer, prioritising the health…
- Expats
Former NZ Olympic champion busted for working illegally at Bangkok fitness studio
PHOTO: Olympic.or.nz | Bangkok Get Fit Cycling Studio A former Olympic champion from New Zealand has been arrested for working in Thailand without a work permit. The Nation reports that 37 year old Kiwi, Marc Ryan, was arrested yesterday at the Bangkok Get Fit Cycling Studio in the Sukumvit district. The arrest came after police received reports of a number of foreign…
- Thailand News
Six Thai weightlifters test positive for doping
PHOTO: International Weightlifting Federation, Chinese Olympic Association Six Thai weightlifters have tested positive for doping following additional tests being carried out by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) on “target athletes” last November at the World Championship in Turkmenistan. Regulations state that any nation with three or more positive results in a calendar year can face a ban of up to…
