Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics
One of the marquee events of this or any other Olympics – the men's 100m sprint – looks set to be wide open and ultra-competitive.
The American Noah Lyles might be heading to Paris 2024 as the reigning world champion following his victory in Budapest last year – but he will not start as the outright favourite for the title. That honour goes to the emerging force that is Jamaica's Kishane Thompson.
The charismatic Lyles registered a personal best of 9.81 seconds at the London Diamond League final last month and heads into the biggest summer of his career in top form and full of confidence. He excitedly told the BBC after that race that he is targeting both the Olympic title and the world record this summer.
Lyles has six golds from world championships across the 100m, his signature 200m and sprint relays but has only one bronze medal – secured in the 200m in Tokyo three years ago – to show for his previous two Olympic campaigns.
This is the summer all that is meant to change for the 27-year-old Floridian whose form and body of work make him a compelling contender.
He will not be the quickest man on the start line, though. This year that is Thompson, whose world-leading time of 9.77s has seen him installed as a slight favourite for gold. Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala also has a quicker PB (9.77s, set in 2021) and season's best (9.79s from national trials). Fellow American Fred Kerley has a better PB (9.76s) but that was set three years ago.
The 100m title, and with it the claim as the fastest man on the planet, is a curious accolade in that – a lot like boxing's heavyweight championship – its prestige and reach are amplified by the star power of its owner.
Just as interest in boxing skyrocketed when Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson held the title, track and field soared as Usain Bolt dominated sprinting.
There's no doubt that the sport has slipped into a lull in the post-Bolt era – his mind-blowing world record of 9.58s still seems untouchable for the current crop – but an explosive 100m competition on the biggest stage has the potential to draw a huge global audience this summer.
Nothing elevates sport like a rivalry, so perhaps Lyles versus Thompson can emerge as a duel worthy of previous golden eras of sprinting, like Bolt's tussles with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake or, especially, Justin Gatlin.
Who is Kishane Thompson?
Thompson's rapid times and sharp improvement make him a man to watch in Paris. At 23, the Jamaican seems to be getting better all the time after putting injury problems behind him.
Thompson stormed to victory at the Jamaican National Championships with 9.77s on the clock – the world’s fastest 100m time in two years and fastest by a Jamaican since Bolt's retirement.
It made him the joint-ninth fastest man of all time and fourth fastest Jamaican behind Bolt (9.58s), Blake (9.69s) and Powell (9.72s).
Thompson’s victory marked a statement of intent, shaving five hundredths off his result in the previous day’s heats. He had been running for the first time since the end of his debut campaign in September 2023, when he ran 9.87s at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.
The St Catherine native is coached by the legendary Stephen "Franno" Francis who has guided numerous Jamaican athletes and Olympic champions. Francis coached the last four women’s 100m champions and trained Powell, who Thompson is only five hundredths behind. Among the other big names the Jamaican coach has mentored are Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Michael Frater and Brigitte Foster-Hylton.
Thompson is powerfully built but with an easy on the eye and languid running style. His return to form and fitness ahead of the Games adds a fascinating layer to the race, as despite his world-leading PB he remains something of an unknown quantity.
Who else is in the mix?
With Thompson rated as the favourite for gold and Lyles just behind, there are several other notable contenders in a race that appears to be there for the taking.
Thompson's fellow Jamaican Oblique Seville has shown consistently good form this season, twice running a PB time of 9.82s. The 23-year-old, coached by Bolt's former mentor Glen Mills, looked electric when he beat Lyles into second place at June's Racers Grand Prix.
Africa will have three men hoping to deliver the continent's first 100m gold since 1908. Omanyala ran 9.79s at national trials but his PB outside of Africa is 9.85s, set as he came third in the 2023 Prefontaine Classic ahead of Thompson but behind Lyles and winner Christian Coleman who is absent from the field in Paris.
Then there is Botswana's rising star Letsile Tebogo, 21, who set a PB of 9.88s in winning silver at the world championships last year. He is also a former U20 world champion and another with a bright future ahead of him.
South Africa's Akani Simbine is capable of producing mid-9.8s, while Lyles' fellow Americans Kerley and Kenny Bednarek could be a threat if at their best.
Italy's Marcell Jacobs, a surprise winner in 9.80s in Tokyo, will attempt to defend his crown.
Great Britain's world bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes will hope to be in the mix, while teammate Louie Hinchliffe, coached by American great Carl Lewis, has had a breakout year, winning the NCAA title.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
