Russia's sports minister has attacked politicians' demands to block athletes from the country competing at the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
Oleg Matytsin said it was "absolutely unacceptable" for governments to attempt to influence the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
His reaction on Saturday followed Lithuanian sports minister Jurgita Siugzdiniene announcing there was a "unanimous" view from a group of around 35 countries that athletes from Russia and Belarus should be banned from the Paris 2024 Games.
The stance comes amid the invasion of Ukraine, with ministers from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Australia, reportedly opposing Russian and Belarusian athletes being allowed to take part, even under a neutral flag.
A virtual meeting of sports ministers, also attended by Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was held on Friday.
Zelenskyy said the presence of competitors from Russia "cannot be covered up with some pretended neutrality or a white flag", saying their presence would be a "manifestation of violence and lawlessness".
Matytsin told reporters, according to Russian news agency TASS, that other nations had no right to put pressure on Olympic chiefs.
He said: "This is a direct intervention of ministers in the activities of independent international sports organisations, an attempt to dictate the conditions for the participation of athletes in international competitions, which is absolutely unacceptable.
"Moreover, more than a month ago, the national Olympic committees of these countries supported the decision of the IOC on the participation of our athletes in competitions.
"These countries are putting pressure on the activities of independent public organisations, which they tried to accuse us of. Now we see an undisguised desire to destroy the unity of international sports and the international Olympic movement, to make sport a means of pressure in order to resolve political issues."
Matytsin said sport should instead be used "to be an ambassador of peace and build bridges between peoples".
Athletes from Ukraine have accused the IOC of "being on the wrong side of history" as Games organisers consider whether athletes from Russia and Belarus, which has supported Russian invasion efforts, should be able to take part in Paris.
IOC president Thomas Bach previously criticised Ukrainian calls for a boycott of the Olympics if Russians and Belarusians are allowed to take part.
In a statement issued in conjunction with union Global Athlete, Ukraine's Olympic committee said allowing Russia to compete would enable the country to "use the athletes to bolster the war effort and distract from the atrocities in Ukraine".
Daniel Maldini the missing piece to Italy puzzle, believes Spalletti
Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti believes Daniel Maldini has been the creative spark the national side has been lacking ahead of their Nations League clash with Belgium.
Maldini could follow in the footsteps of his father, Paolo, and grandfather Cesare, both former Italy captains, should he represent the Azzurri at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
The 22-year-old came through the ranks at Milan, managing 24 appearances in all competitions and scoring once, but spent three seasons out on loan from 2022 to 2024.
Maldini spent the second half of last season on loan with Monza before making his move permanent in July, netting five goals in 19 outings to help Raffaele Palladino's side to a 12th place finish in Serie A.
Now under the guidance of Alessandro Nesta, Maldini has begun to flourish, completing more dribbles (12) than any of his team-mates in the league so far.
The young Italian was one of four players given their senior call-up by Spalletti for their Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Israel, with the Monza forward replacing Lazio's Matteo Zaccagni.
And Spalletti is confident Maldini can make an impact, saying: "He is the (kind of) player we were missing."
Italy come into the contest off the back of an impressive opening to their Nations League A2 group, beating Israel and France last month.
After a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign that saw them lose to Switzerland in the round of 16, Spalletti insisted that their encounter against Belgium is crucial to their development.
"We will immediately become a great team in every match where we will be able to give the best of ourselves," Spalletti said.
"It is a crucial match for our future."
Spalletti, however, has his eyes set on the 2026 World Cup, a tournament the Azzurri have won on four occasions throughout their history.
But Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 editions of the competition, but have since won the European Championships against England in 2021 under Roberto Mancini.
While Spalletti signified the importance of the World Cup's influence on the Azzurri's illustrious history, he said his players must focus on each game as it comes.
"It is a tournament that has determined our history, it has made many people happy," Spalletti concluded.
Harder hat-trick downs Arsenal in Women's Champions League opener
Pernille Harder's hat-trick handed Bayern Munich a winning start to their Women's Champions League campaign, beating Arsenal 5-2 in Group C.
Harder, who scored 24 times in 48 appearances for Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea, once again haunted the Gunners, striking her first goals in the competition in almost two years.
After three games in the Women’s Super League, Arsenal sit sixth, having won once and drawn twice, with the latest defeat piling more pressure on head coach Jonas Eidevall.
The Gunners started brightly and took the lead in the 30th minute when Katie McCabe's delivery was swept home by Mariona Caldentey.
However, the hosts drew level two minutes before the break when Georgia Stanway's searching ball picked out the head of captain Glodis Viggosdottir, who towered over her marker to loop the ball beyond Manuela Zinsberger.
Bayern then took the lead in the 56th minute as a fast break saw Sydney Lohmann finish at the near post, only for Eidevall's side to respond nine minutes later when McCabe's corner was headed home by Laia Codina.
But the German champions found themselves back in front soon after with a corner routine of their own, with Harder netting her first of the encounter with a header from Carolin Simon's cross.
The Dane then notched her second with another well-taken header, before sealing her treble with an effort from close range, despite the best efforts of Zinsberger.
Harder recorded a staggering 1.59 expected goals (xG) tally of 1.59 to Bayern's 1.89 total, with Arsenal wasteful with their chances, with six of their nine shots on target but unable to trouble Maria Grohs for the most part.
Elsewhere in the other early kick-off, Hammarby recorded a historic 2-0 victory over Austrian side St. Polten at the Tele2 Arena for their first triumph in the group stage of the competition.
Vilde Hasund handed the hosts an early lead in the 18th minute with a brilliantly taken finish, striking the ball low into the bottom corner following Ellen Wangerheim's lay-off.
The victory was sealed two minutes from time by substitute Cathinka Tandberg, who took a touch and placed the ball beyond Carina Schluter to put them top of Group D ahead of Manchester City's star-studded clash with Barcelona.
Ashoka Road to be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in honour of sprint legend
Ashoka Road in Waterhouse, Kingston, is set to be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in recognition of the track and field legend's incredible contributions to athletics and her community. The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) approved the renaming during its council meeting on Tuesday, October 8, held at the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber in downtown Kingston.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reported that Councillor Byron Clarke, who represents the Waterhouse Division, brought the resolution to the council, emphasizing that Fraser-Pryce’s achievements, both on and off the track, have had a transformative impact not only on Jamaica but also on the world stage.
Born and raised on Ashoka Road, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has become one of the most decorated athletes in history, boasting 10 World Championship titles and eight Olympic medals. She remains the only sprinter, male or female, to win five world titles in the 100 metres (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022), a testament to her remarkable longevity and dominance in the sport.
Councillor Clarke praised Fraser-Pryce as an exemplary role model, noting her commitment to uplifting the Waterhouse community and her broader contributions through her charitable initiatives, including the Pocket Rocket Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships and grants to young athletes, helping to shape the next generation of Jamaican talent.
"Shelly-Ann is more than deserving of this honour," Councillor Clarke stated. "Her determination, commitment, resilience, and willingness to serve her country and community have made her a beacon of hope. Her true value transcends her accomplishments on the track, as she embodies the spirit of hard work, purpose, and passion for her country."
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, echoed these sentiments and highlighted that further celebrations of Fraser-Pryce’s legacy are in the works. "Plans are under way to celebrate her incredible achievements," Mayor Swaby shared. He added that discussions have already begun with members of the Civic Committee, her alma mater Wolmer's Girls' School, and representatives from the Pocket Rocket Foundation.
The renaming of Ashoka Road as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive not only celebrates her record-breaking career but also honors her as a symbol of pride for Waterhouse and Jamaica. The new street name will serve as a constant reminder of what can be achieved through perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
This recognition is expected to inspire future generations, particularly young athletes, as Fraser-Pryce continues to uplift her community and inspire her country with her tireless efforts both on and off the track.
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