IANS
Rio de Janeiro, August 21: Have the ancient Greek athletes descended here and are they participating in the Olympics? Well, a look at the pristine Abrico Beach here might make one feel so. Paying homage to the ancient Greeks and promoting naturalism, a group of sporty naturists are vying for medals, competing in their birthday suits at Rio’s only nudist beach. Besides football, beach volleyball, swimming, sprinting and race walking, the other sporting events include tug of war, surfing, and Peteca, a traditional Brazilian sport, played with a hand shuttlecock. Organisers have described the event a ‘novel and liberating way that pays tribute to the origins of the sport’.
Life precious than any medal
He fought for gold but managed a silver medal. Now Polish discus thrower, Piotr Malachowski is hoping that his Rio medal turns out to be precious than gold, to save the life of a three-year-old child. The reigning World Champion has put on auction his medal to raise money for Olek Szymanski, a Polish toddler diagnosed with retinoblastoma, an eye cancer affecting young children. “In Rio, I fought for the gold. Today I appeal to everyone – let’s fight together about something that is even more precious. The health of this fantastic boy. So you are all invited to the auction,” Malachowski said on his FB page.
And slam goes the coach
Some cry in joy, others embrace with a bright smile, but Japanese wrestler Risako Kawai slammed her coach Kazuhito Sakae twice on the mat to celebrate her gold medal in the women’s 63-kg freestyle. As soon as Kawai thumped Mariya Mamashuk of Belarus to clinch the gold, the coach ran towards her to congratulate but instead of the usual hugs, tears and smiles, the 21- year-old wrestler slammed Sakae twice onto the mat and
then picked him up on her shoulders for a victory lap. Described as the funniest and the most bizarre celebration at Rio, the video has gone viral on social media. A delirious Kawai later said the slam was pre-planned and pre-approved by her coach.
