UN chief calls for truce during Rio
OLYMPIC NOTES
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for an Olympic truce and urging all warring parties to lay down their weapons and put aside difference during the upcoming summer games in Rio de Janeiro.
The U.N. chief said in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday that the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations work closely together “for global harmony and peace.”
“I congratulate all the athletes and all the supporters and fans who will be filling the sporting arenas of Rio in the weeks ahead,” Ban said. “The Olympics and Paralympics celebrate the best of humanity.”
The 193-member U.N. General Assembly has passed resolutions since 1993 calling for an Olympic truce, but countries continue fighting wars whether the Olympics are on or not.
RIO BANS MORE RUSSIAN ATHLETES
At least 105 athletes from the 387-strong Russian Olympic team announced last week have been barred from the Rio Games in connection with the country’s doping scandal.
International federations in canoeing, sailing and modern pentathlon ruled out eight on Tuesday, including an Olympic gold medalist. Rowing added 19 more athletes to three that had previously been announced. Swimming has also barred some athletes. Some appeals are likely. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that Putin had discussed the doping issue with his national security council.
“The topic of the recent International Olympic Committee ruling relating to Russian athletes was raised ahead of Putin’s planned meeting tomorrow with the Russian Olympic team,” Peskov was quoted as saying.
The vast majority of the Russian athletes who miss out are in track and field, where 67 athletes were ruled out when a ban on the Russian team was upheld at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week.
NAVY JETS COLLIDE IN BRAZIL
Authorities in Brazil say two Brazilian navy jets have collided near Rio de Janeiro while training for protecting the Olympic Games that open in 10 days.
Brazil’s navy says no one was injured as one of the warplanes crashed into the sea Tuesday and the other was able to land despite damage.
The AF-1 Skyhawks were among the planes the military will use to patrol Rio’s airspace during the games from Aug. 5 to 21.
The pilot of one jet ejected safely and the plane fell into the sea about 20 kilometers (12 miles) off Rio’s coast. The second aircraft was damaged but its pilot was able to land.
ATHLETES’ VILLAGE RAISES CONCERN
Brazilian soccer star Neymar says the problems at the athletes’ village could harm the preparations of some Olympic competitors at the Rio Games.
“If this is all true, we have to lament it. We had so much time to get everything ready, but some things didn’t work out,” he said as Brazil’s men’s team prepares for the Olympic tournament.
“I hope they fix all the problems,” he said. “It’s complicated for athletes to come from abroad and realize that their accommodation is not in good condition. You prepare three years of your life to be in the Olympics and then something like this ends up hurting you. It’s not nice. I hope they can fix everything and that everybody can be happy”