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https://nordictimes.com/sport/janne-andersson-steps-down-as-sweden-national-team-coach/

Sport

Janne Andersson steps down as Sweden national team coach

Published 21 November 2023
– By Editorial Staff
Jan "Janne" Andersson.
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After seven years, Jan “Janne” Andersson stepped down as head coach of the Swedish national football team last night. He ended his tenure with a victory for Sweden in the Euro qualifiers, beating Estonia 2-0 in front of a crowd of nearly 12,000.

Despite the win, Andersson and the national team’s recent past has been dominated by the horrific violence that took place in Belgium a few weeks ago. In connection with the Belgium-Sweden qualifying match, two Swedes were murdered and one seriously injured in a terrorist attack by an Islamist who was then killed by Belgian police after a brief shootout.

Andersson’s final match was characterized by a clear Swedish advantage, with the team starting with a high tempo and initially having some good scoring chances. In the 22nd minute, Viktor Claesson broke the deadlock with a goal to make it 1-0. Ten minutes into the second half, Emil Forsberg made it 2-0.

– I don’t know what will happen tonight. We are going to do something fun with the whole team. We’ll see what happens tonight. I have no expectations. It will be something nice for sure. As long as I get a few beers, I’ll be fine, said an obviously moved Andersson after the game.

The match itself was insignificant for Sweden, as it had long been clear that Sweden would miss next year’s Euro finals, just as they had missed the last World Cup finals in Qatar. Janne Andersson’s greatest achievement was a surprising quarterfinal berth at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

At the time of writing, it is still undecided who will take over as national team coach. Speculations and rumors are circulating about the Djurgården duo Kim Bergstrand and Tomas Lagerlöf, as well as BK Häcken’s successful coach Per Mathias Högmo.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Swedish national team coach Jan "Janne" Andersson

On April 7, 2016, it was announced that Jan "Janne" Andersson would take over as coach of the Swedish national football team, replacing Erik Hamrén. Until January 2017, Janne Andersson had former national team coach Lars Lagerbäck as an advisor.

In November 2017, Andersson led Sweden to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after the team finished second in the qualifying group and eliminated Italy in the playoffs. At the World Cup, Andersson then led the national team to the quarterfinals against England, after defeating Switzerland 1-0 in the round of 16. The quarterfinal against England was lost 2-0, but it was still Sweden's best World Cup finish since the USA in 1994.

In the fall of 2019, Sweden qualified for UEFA Euro 2020 in Germany, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Ukraine. The match ended 2-2 after extra time.

Under Andersson's leadership, Sweden then failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after losing to Poland in a playoff. On October 2, 2023, it was announced that Janne Andersson would be stepping down after missing the European Championship finals.

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https://nordictimes.com/sport/world-record-slacklining-at-2500-meters/

Sport

World record: Slacklining at 2500 meters

Published 13 November 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Pictures from the spectacular balancing act.
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Friedi Kühne and Lukas Irmler have set a new world record in slacklining, the art of balancing on a tightrope. The two friends performed the balancing act between two hot air balloons at an altitude of 2500 meters.

The previous world record for the highest slackline was set by acrobat Rafael Bridi, who balanced over the crater of an active volcano in Praia Grande, Brazil, at 1900 meters.

Slackline athletes Kühne and Irmler thus achieved the goal of breaking the record, German Bayerischer Rundfunk reports. Since they both live in Bavaria, Germany, where there are no active volcanoes, the friends had to come up with an alternative solution.

Using two hot-air balloons, they planned to balance on a tightrope and thus reach a higher altitude than the previous record. However, the attempt was difficult to carry out and had to be postponed several times due to bad weather. The balloons were linked together from the start and ascended together to a height of 2500 meters, where they were then held still. Flying in formation was a huge challenge for the pilots, but they eventually succeeded.

“Surreal”

To prepare for the world record, they created a unique training program, where they tried to simulate the movements the balloons would make during the balancing act. One of them balanced on a slackline while the other moved the line in different directions to mimic the changing positions of the balloons. The record is considered particularly difficult as the constant movement of the balloons means that the line is constantly in motion.

The line they balanced on was 25 meters long, and after only a few attempts, the two friends managed to fulfill their big dream: a world record in highline, recognized by the International Slackline Association (ISA).

– It feels amazing to have finally broken the world record. We’ve been excited about it for so long and to have finally done it now. It is actually a bit surreal, Kühne tells AP.

The friends have previously broken several world records in the sport. Among other things, they crossed the longest highline ever stretched: 2,130 meters at an altitude of over 600 meters, between the Lapporten mountains near Abisko in Sweden.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Slackline is a sport where you balance on a flexible band made of nylon, for example. The band is stretched between two anchors on which you then balance. The difference between slackline and highline is that the webbing used is dynamic and can therefore bounce like a trampoline.
Highline is a type of sport where a longer line is strung, often over water, between buildings or between mountains.

https://nordictimes.com/sport/sweden-wins-eleven-medals-at-paris-2024-olympics/

Sport

Sweden wins eleven medals at Paris 2024 Olympics

Published 13 August 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Sjöström and Mondo delivered.
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With a total of eleven medals, including four gold, four silver and three bronze, Sweden is making a strong and solid impression at this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris. The Swedish athletes have not only lived up to expectations, but in many cases have exceeded them with unexpected and somewhat historic performances.

The Summer Olympics in Paris were a success for the host country, France. In terms of both performance and attendance, this year’s games have been a huge success, despite some initial gnashing of teeth and skepticism from the local population.

For Sweden, many were convinced that Armand Duplantis and Sarah Sjöström would be the focus of this year’s Olympics, but behind the scenes the table tennis masters wanted something different.

One of the most remarkable performances came from Truls Möregårdh, who won a sensational silver medal in the table tennis singles tournament. Möregårdh, who was considered a long shot before the tournament, defeated some of the world’s best players on his way to the final.

He also helped his teammates Kristian Karlsson and Anton Källberg to a silver medal in the team competition. This success marks Sweden’s first Olympic medals in table tennis since 2000, making their efforts particularly memorable.

King Duplantis

In the world of athletics, Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis continued to make history by not only defending his Olympic gold medal in the pole vault – something that had only happened once before (Bob Richards; 1952/1956) – but also setting a new world record with an incredible 6.25.

Already one of the most celebrated Swedish athletes of modern times, Duplantis added to his status with this incredible feat.

Sarah Sjöström was once again at the top of her game when it mattered most. With gold medals in both the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, she once again proved why she is one of the world’s best swimmers.

Sjöström also made history by becoming the first Swedish swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals at the same championships, further cementing her legendary status.

Not to be outdone, beach volleyball players David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig saved the best for last. After a shaky start to the tournament, they stepped up their game in the playoffs.

The duo dominated the final and delivered a performance that no Swedish volleyball player had ever achieved before. Their triumph on the sand is a milestone that puts Swedish beach volleyball on the international map.

Sweden’s best Olympics since 2000

Sweden has won a total of eleven medals at the Olympic Games in Paris – the best result at a Summer Olympics since Sydney 2000.

The eleven medals reflect excellent performances by outstanding athletes such as Victor Lindgren, shooting (silver), Rebecca Netzler/Vilma Bobeck, sailing, 49er FX (silver), Jenny Rissved, mountain biking (bronze) and Tara Babulfath’s bronze in judo.

Together with the above-mentioned gold medals, it is fair to say that Sweden is one of the most successful nations at this year’s Olympics. Sweden finishes in a fine sixteenth place, which is the best result since Los Angeles in 1984.

This puts Sweden ahead of all our Nordic neighbors such as Norway (18th), Denmark (29th) and Finland, who did not win any medals.

USA and China lead the way

The three countries that have won the most gold medals at the 2024 Olympics are the United States (40 gold medals), China (40) and Japan (20).

The USA (126 in total) has continued its dominance with particular success in athletics and swimming, while China (91) has excelled in events such as table tennis, gymnastics and weightlifting. Japan (45), which has had a strong medal presence since the Tokyo Olympics, has continued to lead the way in judo and wrestling to secure its place among the most successful nations.

Host nation France has put in a strong effort with several impressive performances, especially in its traditionally strong sports such as judo and fencing. French athletes have shown a high level of competitiveness at home, resulting in a significant medal haul of 64, including 16 golds.

In addition, the organizers managed to deliver a well-organized and memorable Games, despite the high expectations and challenges of being the host nation. At the same time, the Paris Olympics were not without controversy, from the much-criticized Opening Ceremony to women’s boxing, where sometimes heated debates about hormone levels and gender identity enraged many.

Ethan Hunt wraps it up

The icing on the cake was provided by none other than Ethan Hunt (aka Tom Cruise), who, in true Mission: Impossible spirit, took the Olympic flag from Paris to the 2028 venue of Los Angeles.

Cruise is a renowned sports enthusiast and the combination of M:I and the Olympics is a stroke of genius, just as when James Bond 007, accompanied by Queen Elizabeth, opened the London 2012 Summer Games, Cruise brought the 2024 Summer Olympics to a magnificent and action-packed close.

Unlike the much-criticized opening ceremony, the closing ceremony was a dignified affair, generally free of any political messages. Not least, the tribute to the thousands of volunteers who made the complicated arrangements possible was a fine and appreciated gesture.

The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in four years. Hopefully with new Swedish successes in the trophy cabinet.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/sport/hijab-ban-at-olympics-sprinters-can-wear-caps-instead/

Sport

Hijab ban at Olympics – sprinters can wear caps instead

Published 27 July 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Sounkamba Sylla is allowed to wear a cap instead of a hijab.
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The French Olympic Committee has decided that athletes representing the country will not be allowed to wear hijabs or similar veils during the Paris Games. The decision initially risked a boycott by Muslim competitors, but some have now agreed to wear caps instead.

Runner Sounkamba Sylla, born in France to Guinean parents, was initially reported to be boycotting the opening ceremony because she did not want to show her hair for religious reasons.

However, it is now clear that she will attend and wear a cap instead, as will several other athletes representing the country at the Olympics.

“We have finally reached an agreement so that I can participate in the Olympic opening ceremony. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your participation and support since the beginning”, she wrote on Instagram.

French Olympic athletes are subject to the same rules as other civil servants in the country – which means, among other things, that the work environment must be characterized by secular principles and ideals, and that certain religious symbols and clothing are not allowed.

Islam is currently the second largest religion in France, with an estimated 10% of the country’s adult population identifying as Muslim.

During Friday’s opening ceremony, when Olympians will parade along the Seine River, the French delegation will wear custom-made uniforms by luxury brand Berluti.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/sport/transsexuals-banned-from-womens-sports/

Sport

Transsexuals banned from women’s sports

Published 9 April 2024
– By Editorial Staff
The new policy will only apply to women's sports.
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The North American National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has decided to allow only biological females to compete in women’s sports.

It is the first national collegiate organization to make the change, citing its “responsibility to create fairness and competition”.

The organization approved the policy in a 20-0 vote on Monday, after conducting a survey in December that showed widespread support for such a change.

– We know there are a lot of different opinions out there, NAIA president Jim Carr told CBS Sports:

– For us, we believed our first responsibility was to create fairness and competition in the NAIA.

“Men’s sports open to all”

The collegiate organization is apparently the first in the United States to require female athletes to compete according to the sex they were assigned at birth. However, the policy only applies to women’s sports, not men’s sports. In other words, transsexuals who were born female can participate in men’s sports.

– It’s important to know that the male sports are open to anyone, says Carr.

The policy only applies to competitions, not team activities such as practices.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com