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Triathlon-Races to go ahead on Wednesday as Seine passes water quality tests

The decision to postpone the men’s race at the last minute on Tuesday had triggered anger among some athletes, Reuters reported.

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Organisers cleared the Olympic women’s and men’s triathlons to go ahead on Wednesday after the latest Seine river water tests showed lower levels of bacteria, ending days of uncertainty over whether the central Paris swim was viable after heavy rains, Reuters reported.

The men’s triathlon had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday but was postponed until Wednesday after the river failed water quality tests.

News that the races would go ahead on Wednesday came as a relief for teams and athletes, as well as for Paris authorities who have promised residents a swimmable Seine as a long-term legacy of the Games, with the triathlon a very public test.

“It is with great joy that we received this news,” Benjamin Maze, technical director for France’s triathlon federation, told Reuters. “Now that we know we will race, we can mentally switch fully into competition mode.”

Fifty-five women representing 34 countries will kick off the contest at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT), with France’s Cassandre Beaugrand and Britain’s Beth Potter, two of the top contenders for gold, set to dive into the river side by side, read the report.

The men’s event will take place at 10:45 a.m., immediately after the women’s race.

“The results of the latest water analyses, received at 3.20 a.m., have been assessed as compliant by World Triathlon allowing for the triathlon competitions to take place,” Paris 2024 and World Triathlon said in a statement.

Paris has spent 1.4 billion euros ($1.52 billion) of public money on wastewater infrastructure to contain sewage and minimise spillage into the river, and Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a dip earlier this month in a bid to convince doubters that the water will not make them ill.

The decision to postpone the men’s race at the last minute on Tuesday had triggered anger among some athletes, Reuters reported.

“If the priority was the health of the athletes this event would have been moved to another location a long time ago,” Belgium’s Marten Van Riel wrote on World Triathlon’s Instagram page.

“We are just puppets in a puppet show.”

The gamble that the river would be clean enough for the triathlon was never guaranteed to pay off as water quality varies widely day-to-day, with rainfall causing concentrations of infection-causing bacteria like E. coli to rise.

Wednesday’s races were given the green light despite rain overnight and forecasts for showers around midday which could hit towards the end of the men’s event.

Organisers make the call based on analysis of river samples taken the previous day at 5 a.m. combined with a discussion between experts on overnight weather, according to Paris 2024.

 

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Rajasthan Royals outclass Chennai Super Kings as IPL action continues

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) delivered another entertaining match on Monday, March 30, with Rajasthan Royals registering a convincing eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in a one-sided encounter.

After being put under pressure early, Chennai Super Kings struggled to post a competitive total, with their batting lineup failing to build meaningful partnerships. Regular wickets and tight bowling from Rajasthan Royals kept the scoring rate in check, leaving Chennai with a below-par target to defend.

Rajasthan Royals, in response, approached the chase with confidence and intent. A commanding innings from young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi anchored the pursuit, as he played an attacking brand of cricket that quickly shifted momentum in Rajasthan’s favour.

Supported by steady contributions from the middle order, the Royals comfortably chased down the target with plenty of overs to spare.

The bowling unit was equally impressive for Rajasthan, with pace spearhead Jofra Archer leading the attack.

His disciplined lines and ability to generate pace made it difficult for Chennai’s batters to settle, while the supporting bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings.

The result gives Rajasthan an early boost in the tournament standings, while Chennai will look to regroup and address batting concerns ahead of their next fixture.

Attention now turns to today’s clash, March 31, where Punjab Kings take on Gujarat Titans in what promises to be another competitive matchup.

Both teams will be aiming to build momentum in the early stages of the tournament, with key players expected to play decisive roles.

The IPL continues to draw strong interest from cricket fans in Afghanistan, where the tournament enjoys widespread popularity.

Viewers across the country can watch all matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television, which is providing comprehensive coverage of the competition, including live broadcasts and expert analysis.

With high-quality cricket and thrilling finishes already on display, fans can expect more excitement as the tournament progresses.

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ATN secures broadcast rights for inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League

The inaugural season of the Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League will take place in Kabul from June 1 to June 10, 2026. Matches will be held daily between 18:00 and 21:00 at the AGDPES Gymnasium.

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Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has secured the exclusive rights to produce and broadcast the first-ever Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League, marking a major step forward for the development and visibility of the sport in the country.

The agreement, reached with the Afghanistan Wrestling Federation, paves the way for a 10-day national tournament set to bring together top wrestling talent from across Afghanistan.

The inaugural season of the Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League will take place in Kabul from June 1 to June 10, 2026. Matches will be held daily between 18:00 and 21:00 at the AGDPES Gymnasium.

Organisers say the competition will feature 10 teams representing different regions of the country, with approximately 350 male athletes competing across 10 weight categories. The league is expected to showcase a wide range of wrestling styles and emerging talent, offering a national platform for athletes to compete at a high level.

ATN’s involvement will ensure comprehensive coverage of the event, including live broadcasts and match analysis content, bringing the competition to audiences across Afghanistan and beyond.

Wrestling has long been one of the most popular and culturally significant sports in Afghanistan, deeply rooted in local traditions and widely practiced at both amateur and professional levels. The launch of a structured premier league is seen as a milestone in modernising the sport and providing athletes with greater exposure and competitive opportunities.

Officials say the initiative aims not only to promote wrestling but also to foster unity and national pride by bringing together competitors from across the country in a professionally organised tournament.

The Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League is expected to draw significant viewership, with ATN positioning the event as a flagship addition to its exciting sports programming lineup.

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Bamyan hosts ski competition sponsored by AWCC

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A ski competition was held in Bamyan province with financial backing from Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), bringing together 230 athletes on the snowy slopes of Chapdara Shah Foladi.

The event was organized across three age groups and in three categories—amateur, professional, and local—featuring participants from Bamyan, Ghazni Province, and Maidan Wardak Province. Competitors welcomed the initiative and called for sustained support to further develop winter sports in Afghanistan.

Local officials said the competition aimed to nurture young talent and encourage greater engagement in sports.

Rajab Ali Fitrat, Deputy for Technical and Professional Affairs at Bamyan’s Department of Physical Education and Sports, expressed appreciation for AWCC and urged continued support for athletes across all disciplines, particularly skiing.

Organizers also underscored the importance of ongoing sponsorship, describing it as vital to the growth of sports in Bamyan. Shah Agha, one of the event organizers, called on AWCC to maintain its cooperation with local athletes, especially in skiing.

Athletes described the competition as a valuable opportunity to gain experience and showcase their skills.

Ali Askari, a participant, noted that he has been skiing for about eight years and highlighted the presence of competitors from multiple provinces.

In the results, Sayed Rohullah claimed first place in the professional category, followed by Ali Agha and Sayed Hadi. In the amateur division, Asif, Shir Hussain, and Noor Agha secured the top three spots. In the local (wooden ski) category, Hassan Ali took first place, while Shamsullah and Mohammad finished second and third.

With its snow-covered mountains, Bamyan is widely regarded as one of Afghanistan’s premier destinations for winter sports and has previously hosted both national and international ski competitions.

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