Egypt Education Platform's EEP Run raises funds for Gaza    IMF approves $1.5m loan to Bangladesh    China in advanced talks to join Digital Economy Partnership Agreement    Egypt's annual inflation declines to 31.8% in April – CAPMAS    Chimps learn and improve tool-using skills even as adults    13 Million Egyptians receive screenings for chronic, kidney diseases    Al-Mashat invites Dutch firms to Egypt-EU investment conference in June    Asian shares steady on solid China trade data    Trade Minister, Building Materials Chamber forge development path for Shaq El-Thu'ban region    Cairo mediation inches closer to Gaza ceasefire amidst tensions in Rafah    Taiwan's exports rise 4.3% in April Y-Y    Microsoft closes down Nigeria's Africa Development Centre    Global mobile banking malware surges 32% in 2023: Kaspersky    Mystery Group Claims Murder of Businessman With Alleged Israeli Ties    Egypt, World Bank evaluate 'Managing Air Pollution, Climate Change in Greater Cairo' project    US Embassy in Cairo announces Egyptian-American musical fusion tour    Japanese Ambassador presents Certificate of Appreciation to renowned Opera singer Reda El-Wakil    Sweilam highlights Egypt's water needs, cooperation efforts during Baghdad Conference    AstraZeneca injects $50m in Egypt over four years    Egypt, AstraZeneca sign liver cancer MoU    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Amir Karara reflects on 'Beit Al-Rifai' success, aspires for future collaborations    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Cycling: Van Vleuten says Olympic gold would mean less than world titles
Published in Ahram Online on 24 - 07 - 2021

Dutch favourite Annemiek Van Vleuten says winning the Olympic road race at the Tokyo Games on Sunday would rank below her three world titles because she is facing a lower-quality field.
Only 67 riders will start the women's race, which is also considerably shorter than the men's event and will not tackle the iconic Mount Fuji climb.
"The level of such an Olympic competition is qualitatively the lowest level of all races during four years," Van Vleuten told reporters in the build-up to Sunday's contest.
"Half of the good riders are at home. Many countries only send one. Many I don't even know.
"I have made it a mission to point this out to people, to wake them up, to put its importance into perspective.
"You did the women short. Fortunately, the rule has changed."
Equality in women's cycling has been a running battle in the sport and a women's Tour de France will finally return next year after year's of campaigning by the likes of Van Vleuten's Dutch team mate and former Olympic champion Marianne Vos.
Governing body the UCI has said that the 2024 Paris Olympics will have 90 riders in both the men's and women's road races.
"At the next Games, the men's and women's peloton will be the same," said Van Vleuten, who crashed heavily at the Rio Games in sight of victory.
"Great, goal achieved. But I still think a world title is more important than an Olympic one.
"An incredibly beautiful jersey, achieved in a strong field of participants, with national teams in normal size. Let me put it this way: the Olympic title is half a percent below it.
"But it's still special because it's once every four years. The game is widely watched. It is therefore also a moment to showcase women's cycling, even if it is not representative."
The women's road race is 137km long with 2,692 metres of elevation gain.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)


Clic here to read the story from its source.