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Some athletes have lost trust in world anti-doping agency WADA after the body’s handling of failed drug tests in Chinese swimming, according to Team USA Athletes’ Commission executive director Elizabeth Ramsey.Ramsey told Reuters Television there were concerns about the independence of an investigation into what had happened and called for further steps to be taken to ensure full transparency.WADA has been under pressure since confirming media reports that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) before the Tokyo Games.China’s anti-doping agency cleared the swimmers of wrongdoing, deciding they tested positive after contamination from the kitchen of a hotel where they were staying. WADA’s science department then determined that scenario was plausible.Ramsey, signatory to a letter to WADA last week, said trust was “a little broken” because policies and procedures appeared not to have been followed as in the past.“I think right now, because of what’s happened, they need to earn that trust back,” she added in an interview from Indianapolis.“Once that trust is broken, or it feels compromised in any sort of way, it takes a lot to earn that back. And so I think right now there is a bit of a broken trust to make sure the system is operating as it should.”Ramsey said WADA needed to show its operating independence to build back trust and there were plenty of questions to be answered as athletes prepared for Paris.‘What else is going on? What else don’t we know’“Do we know this has happened any other time? What else is going on? What else don’t we know?,” she said.“When there’s not transparency, then that just raises a lot of questions because now people are questioning a bunch of things because it appears like the rules weren’t applied consistently in this case like they had been previously.“The main thing is these athletes that are going into Paris want to know, ‘hey, what’s being done to ensure that these athletes are getting tested the same way, same way I am.’ And so those are some of the concerns we’ve heard from athletes.”A WADA spokesman said the body had “transparently explained the exact process it followed at all stages.“The fact is that WADA reviewed this case diligently and managed it in accordance with the rules and processes of the World Anti-Doping Code.”WADA said independent prosecutor Eric Cottier had been tasked with handling its case and submitting a report within two months.The US Anti-Doping Agency called last month for WADA to be overhauled to restore confidence ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.China won six medals in swimming, including three golds, at the Tokyo Olympics to finish fourth on the medal table behind the United States, Australia and Britain.Recent Olympic trials in Shenzhen indicated China will have plenty of medal contenders in the pool at the July 26-August 11 Paris Games.

Italian tennis player Camila Giorgi, a four-time winner on the WTA circuit, has retired at the age of 32, Italy’s tennis federation (FITP) has announced.Giorgi most recently played in the second round at the Miami Open in March when she was swatted aside in straight sets by world number one Iga Swiatek.She made no personal announcement of her retirement, the FITP releasing a short statement on Wednesday saying that Giorgi “has said goodbye to tennis”.Meanwhile the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the game’s anti-corruption and doping watchdog, lists Giorgi as having retired on Tuesday.Among Giorgi’s four WTA tour wins was her Masters 1000 title at Montreal in 2021, while she peaked at 26 in the world rankings in October 2018.Her best result in a Grand Slam tournament was a run to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2018, while she reached the same stage at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

Spain’s Pelayo Sanchez claimed victory on stage six of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday as he out-sprinted two other breakaway riders at the uphill finish at Rapolano Terme.Sanchez (Movistar), France’s Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep) and Australian Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) kept clear of the chasing peloton at the climax of the 180km ride. But the 24-year-old Sanchez had the legs to hold Alaphilippe and fellow Giro debutant Plapp at bay.Race leader Tadej Pogacar finished safely in the peloton to retain the Maglia Rosa ahead of today’s time trial.A fast and furious stage featuring two of the gravel sections used at this year’s Strade Bianche took the riders on an undulating route through the Tuscan countryside. After a day of constant attacks, a lead group was eventually established but that was whittled down to just three as the dusty gravel sections began to take their toll.At one point Plapp was the virtual race leader but the peloton, powered at the front by the Ineos Grenadiers, gave chase and finished only 29 seconds behind.“This is amazing, a crazy day for me,” Sanchez said of his biggest career win. “I could never imagine winning this stage. It was full gas all day and I waited for my moment to do my move and in the end I was with Plapp and Alaphilippe and luckily I was the fastest in the sprint.”Slovenian GC favourite Pogacar resisted any urge to go for the stage victory, but looked rock solid in the peloton on a day when average speeds reached 44kph over four hours of racing.Pogacar leads the overall battle by 46 seconds from Ineos Grenadiers’ Geraint Thomas with Dani Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe) in third a further second back.“For us it was perfect if (the breakaway) stayed away,” Pogacar said. “We didn’t want to spend too much energy. Ineos were riding super fast on the gravel but for me it was a good stage, happy it’s over, it was an enjoyable day.”Pogacar’s Giro debut could not have gone any better so far and he will look to build his lead in today’s time trial - a 40.6km test from Foligno to Perugia.

Virat Kohli slammed 92 to set up a 60-run win for Royal Challengers Bengaluru over Punjab Kings and keep their slim play-off hopes alive in the Indian Premier League on Thursday.Kohli, 35, rode his luck and shared two crucial partnerships with Rajat Patidar (55) and Cameron Green (46) as Bengaluru scored a big 241-7 at the Dharamsala stadium.Punjab paid the price for some sloppy fielding, dropping Kohli twice on zero and 10 off debutant seamer Vidwath Kaverappa.Punjab suffered their eighth loss in 12 games and bowed out of the competition.Punjab skipper Sam Curran said it had been a “frustrating and disappointing” end to their campaign.“A lot of positive signs but not enough to get over the line and get the wins we needed. Gutted but lots to learn.”Bengaluru bowler Swapnil Singh, who took two wickets, said the victory meant a lot to the side.“Enjoyed it a lot. The ball was swinging initially, so I looked to swing it. Pressure is less when everybody is (scoring) runs. Mentally it relaxes you,” he said.Rilee Rossouw gave Punjab a promising start, putting on 65 runs for the second wicket with Jonny Bairstow (27).Rossouw, who belted his first half-century of the season, looked set for a bigger score but took a hit on his chin and was out the next ball off Karn Sharma for 61.He hit three sixes and nine fours in his 27-ball innings.After Rossouw’s dismissal in the ninth over, none of the Punjab batsmen could stand up to the challenge, with the team being bowled out for 181 in 17 overs.Earlier, Kohli stitched a 76-run partnership with Patidar for the third wicket after Bengaluru were put in to bat.Patidar looked in fine touch, hitting six sixes and three fours before being caught behind off Curran.The leading run-getter of the season, Kohli went on to play some delectable shots including an imperious one-handed six over the long off boundary.Kohli also put on 92 runs with Green but fell short of a century after he was caught at deep extra cover off Arshdeep Singh.He smashed six sixes and seven fours during his 47-ball 92 at a strike rate of 196.Bengaluru, who registered their fourth win in a row, saw their innings being interrupted briefly by a spell of rain and hailstorm that stopped play for a short while.BRIEF SCORESRoyal Challengers Bengaluru 241 for 7 (Kohli 92, Patidar 55, Green 46, Harshal 3-38, Kaverappa 2-36) beat Punjab Kings 181 (Rossouw 61, Shashank 37, Siraj 3-43, Swapnil 2-28, Ferguson 2-29, Karn 2-36) by 60 runs

The Pakistan cricket team will kick off its Europe tour with the first of three T20Is against Ireland on Friday. The remaining two matches will also take place at the Castle Avenue on Sunday and Tuesday, before the team heads to Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday for a series of four T20Is against England.Following the England series, with matches scheduled at Headingley (22 May), Birmingham (25 May), Cardiff (28 May), and The Oval, London (30 May), both England and Pakistan will head to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. England will face Scotland in Barbados on 4 June in their opening match, while Pakistan will launch their campaign against the USA in Dallas on 6 June. This marks the first time Ireland will host Pakistan for a T20I series.Pakistan head coach, Azhar Mahmood said: “Our preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 began with the home series against New Zealand and now it’s all about putting the final touches on those preparations. We have clarity on our game plans, strategies and combinations. It’s about bringing everything together before we arrive in the United States.”He added: “We’ve only played Ireland once, so they will be a relatively new opponent for us. However, any team in T20 cricket can be dangerous as the match can swing in one over.”

The historic Lord’s Cricket Ground will have its capacity raised by 1,100 as part of a £61.8mn project to redevelop the Tavern and Allen stands.Plans for the upgrades to the ground have been approved by the 18,000 members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), a statement said on Thursday.“The redevelopment of the Tavern and Allen stands will complete our stand development programme, in which we have modernised facilities at Lord’s to continue to ensure the Ground remains a world-class venue for cricket,” Robert Ebdon, MCC Estates Director, said.The existing Allen Stand, dating back to the 1930s, will be demolished entirely, with the new structure having an extra tier, while the Tavern Stand will get a new cantilevered fourth floor seating level above the retained existing structure.The MCC say the existing steel structure of the Tavern Stand will be retained in keeping with its sustainability commitments, saving 613 tonnes of CO2.The new roof, designed by architects WilkinsonEyre, is inspired by the shape and ribbed construction of a series of upturned traditional slip cradles – the piece of equipment players use for catching practice.Construction is expected to start in September at the end of the current season with completion in 2027. There will be pauses for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Sri Lanka have included veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews and uncapped bowler Dunith Wellalage in their 15-man Twenty20 World Cup squad, which will be captained by Wanindu Hasaranga, the country’s selection committee said on Thursday.The 36-year-old Mathews, who lifted the trophy in 2014, will make his sixth T20 World Cup appearance at the biennial tournament, which will be co-hosted by twice champions West Indies and the United States from June 1-29.Mathews made his T20 comeback for Sri Lanka in January after a three-year gap.Hasaranga, meanwhile, returns after missing last year’s Asia Cup and 50-overs World Cup, as well as the current Indian Premier League (IPL), due to a heel injury. Fellow all-rounder Charith Asalanka has been named as his deputy.Bowler Matheesha Pathirana is also part of the squad, although the 21-year-old is nursing a hamstring injury he picked up playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.Sri Lanka, who will leave for the World Cup on May 14, kick off their campaign against South Africa in New York on June 3.They also face Bangladesh, Nepal and Netherlands in Group D.Sri Lanka SquadWanindu Hasaranga (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan MadushankaTravelling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage

Her Highness Consort of the Amir Sheikha Jowaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani attended the graduation ceremony of the 47th batch (Class of 2024) of Qatar University female students, held at QU Sports and Events Complex on Thursday. The ceremony was attended by a number of Sheikhs and Ministers, along with members of the university's board of trustees, university vice presidents, and the graduates' guardians. Her Highness honoured the 478 outstanding students, while HE President of Qatar University Dr Omar bin Mohamed al-Ansari handed the certificates to the 2,981 graduates in various disciplines. (QNA)

To honour the tireless efforts of workers across various sectors while highlighting the importance of labour rights and dignity, the students of MES Indian School organised a Labour Day assembly on May 1.Students delivered a series of performances and presentations right from exploring the historical roots of the labour movement to shedding light on contemporary challenges faced by workers globally, thus providing an insight into the significance of the day.They brought the essence of different professions to life through costumes representing various occupations. From doctors and engineers to farmers and firefighters, the campus was transformed into a vibrant tapestry of diverse vocations, showcasing the creativity and enthusiasm of the students.In their costumes, students displayed placards carrying slogans including the rights of labour and workplace safety. These visual representations served as powerful reminders of the struggles faced by workers worldwide and underscored the students’ dedication to social justice and equality.Principal Dr Hameeda Kadar delivered a message, emphasising the importance of acknowledging and valuing the contributions of workers in shaping society.She urged students to embrace virtues of respect, empathy, and solidarity, championing fair working conditions and equal opportunities for all. As a gesture of recognition, the Scouts team of the school extended their gratitude to the workers by presenting them with small tokens of appreciation.The assembly culminated with a solemn pledge taken by the students to uphold the rights of workers and actively contribute to building a more just and equitable society.Jency George (in charge of Campus Care Force), Rajesh K S (in-charge of Scouts and Guides), along with other teachers Ashraf A, Sreejith K, Nizamudheen, Fency Pathrose, Balkees, Blessy, Jainsha, and Asha co-ordinated the event.

Pakistan International School Qatar (PISQ) is now an approved Pearson – Edexcel Centre. A delegation comprising Kathryn Booth (director, Pearson School Qualifications, Pearson Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkiye), Ameena Soysa (senior regional manager, Pearson School Qualifications – Pearson Middle East and Turkiye) and Andrea Romero Sureda (regional development manager- Schools Resources) visited PISQ to present a plaque from Pearson – Edexcel IGCSE accreditation. PISQ principal Syed Asif Ali Shah and vice-principal Alia Ejaz were present.

Toastmasters Division E annual conference was held with the theme ‘Embracing Excellence’ under the leadership of director Nirmala Raghuraman and chair Krishnamurthy Nair.District director Ravishankar J, programme quality director Sabeena M K, club growth director Alarmel Mangai, past district director Manzoor Mohiddin and Rajeswar were present.Special guest Fatima Sultan al-Kuwari in her keynote address concluded that “embracing excellence is not about what we achieve but what we become in the process and thereby motivating others to do the same.“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” she added.The speech contests followed. The winners, in the order of first, second and third, respectively were: Evaluation – Amina Khanum, Mohamed Ajmal, Tariro Dorcas Matibiri; Humorous – Rabi Chandra Lamichhane, Shahinaz Kadavil, Vasuki Sathiyababu; Table Topics – Narendra Aryal, Thancy Ijas, Amina Khanum; International – Sonali Ghosh, Sudha Bhuvaneswaran, Mohamed Nayeem.The chief judges were Philip Cherian and Azeez Mohamed. The contest chairs were: International – Area 19 director Jawed Ahmad; Evaluation – Area 20 director Pooja Malhotra; Humorous – Area 18 director Pradanya Umrani; Table topic – Area 17 director Priya Shembekar.The first-place winner from each category will represent Division E in the District 116 Toastmaster Annual Conference in May 24 and 25 in Doha. Division newsletter, Echo, was released. A banner parade was conducted by Bindu Singh and Deepak Talreja.Special awards were given to the individual contributors. The role players were recognised.

International Labour Day, celebrated on May 1, was observed with a cultural event by the Indian Cultural Centre, under the aegis of the embassy of India. Ambassador Vipul attended the event, held as part of ‘ICC Wednesday Fiesta’. The envoy spoke highly of the contribution of workers to the growth of India. Cultural performances by community members were among the highlights. ICC president A P Manikantan thanked the workers for their response to the event. General secretary Mohan Kumar welcomed the gathering and vice-president Subramanya Hebbagelu proposed a vote of thanks. Head of school activities, Shantanu Deshpande co-ordinated the proceedings.