Pogacar girlfriend's snub 'certainly didn't help' as Tour de France champion skips Olympics

By Sports Desk July 24, 2024

Tadej Pogacar has acknowledged girlfriend Urska Zigart's Olympics snub contributed to his decision to withdraw from Paris 2024.

The three-time Tour de France champion had been scheduled to take part in the men's road race at the Games on August 3, but it was announced on Monday he would not take part.

While Slovenia's Olympic cycling coach Uros Murn attributed Pogacar's absence to "extreme fatigue" after claiming his latest Tour title last week, the UAE Team Emirates superstar was back in action the following day at a criterium race in Surhuisterveen.

Questioned about his Paris decision by Dutch broadcaster NOS, Pogacar revealed his frustration at Zigart missing out on a place in the Slovenian squad.

"It's not the main reason, but it certainly didn't help," he said. "I think she deserves her place. She's a two-time national champion in the road race and time trial."

Urska Pintar and Eugenia Bujak were preferred to Zigart for the women's road race. Zigart won the national title in that event ahead of Pintar last month.

Related items

  • Daley and Glover confirmed as Team GB flagbearers at Paris Olympics Daley and Glover confirmed as Team GB flagbearers at Paris Olympics

    Tom Daley and Helen Glover have been confirmed as Team GB's flagbearers for Friday's opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics. 

    Daley is set to become the first British diver to compete in five Games, having come out of retirement to compete in Tokyo three years ago.

    The four-time Olympic medallist is the defending champion in the men’s 10-metre synchronised diving event and will defend his title alongside team-mate Noah Williams. 

    Glover won the coxless pairs gold in both London and Rio and has come out of retirement at 38 to compete in her fourth Olympic Games.

    “My dad would not have ever believed I would be a flag bearer one day,” Daley said.

    “He always considered flag bearers to be Olympic icons and legends. I think he would be so incredibly proud of me being a flag bearer of Team GB.”

    An Olympian at the age of 14 in Beijing, Daley won gold alongside Matty Lee in Tokyo to add to three bronze medals he has achieved in individual and synchronised 10-metre events.

    “This Olympics is something I would consider to be a bonus Olympics," said Daley. 

    "This Olympics has been about enjoying it, embracing every moment and taking everything in as much as I can. To be flagbearer too is just the icing on the cake."

    Glover will compete in Paris as part of the women’s four.

    She became the first mother to row for Great Britain at the Olympics when she finished fourth alongside Polly Swann in the women's pairs in Tokyo four years ago. 

    “I just love the Olympics and have always loved what it stood for. But I still pinch myself that I am an Olympian, let alone doing something that I just saw as going down in history.

    “To be flag bearer for a nation, it’s an honour. You can work hard to become an Olympian but this is bestowed upon me by somebody else who has seen that hard work. That just means so much.”

  • 'Right time' for Murray to retire in Paris: 'I want to' 'Right time' for Murray to retire in Paris: 'I want to'

    Andy Murray is in no doubt this is "the right time" to retire as he bows out after the Paris Olympics.

    There had long been speculation around how long Murray would continue to compete, with his career beset by injury issues that limited him to three major titles.

    But heading to France this week, the two-time Olympic champion confirmed the Games would be his final tournament.

    In an interview with BBC Sport, Murray revealed only now is he entirely content with a decision that had long seemed likely.

    "I didn't feel that way a few months ago when I thought that this is when I was going to stop," Murray said.

    "I didn't want to. Now I want to. I know it is the right time for me."

    Murray is still managing a back injury, but he is in line to compete in both the singles and doubles events, teaming up with Dan Evans in pursuit of another medal.

    "Me and Dan made the commitment to each other, that is what we will prioritise," he added.

    "That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal.

    "My back is still not perfect. I didn't feel great in the build-up to Wimbledon and during it. I feel better here."

  • 'A scandal' - Mascherano fumes following Argentina's controversial defeat at Paris Olympics 'A scandal' - Mascherano fumes following Argentina's controversial defeat at Paris Olympics

    Javier Mascherano labelled Argentina's controversial defeat to Morocco as "a scandal" in their opening game at the Paris Olympics. 

    Argentina looked to have rescued a point having come from two goals down when Cristian Medina headed home in the 16th minute of second half injury-time. 

    However, crowd trouble in the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard halted proceedings, with referee Glenn Nyberg taking both sets of players off the pitch. 

    The game was subsequently suspended for nearly two hours and once it resumed, the controversy and confusion continued. 

    Following a VAR review, Bruno Amione was adjudged to have been in an offside position in the build-up to the potential equaliser as Morocco's advantage was reinstated.

    The remaining three minutes of the contest played out in front of an empty stadium, with Tarik Sektioui's side able to hold on for an unlikely triumph. 

    The game finished more than four hours after it started, leaving Mascherano furious at full-time, describing the outcome as not befitting an event as prestigious as the Olympics.

    “The match was suspended for security and safety,” Mascherano began. “At no moment did we talk about the review. The official Olympic page put the match at 2-2.

    “The match was suspended for security. At no moment did we talk about the review. Then after we were not told anything new, we started to hear things.

    “The referee never came, he never gave us an explanation.”

    He added: “We turn the page and stay with the positive things from the team in the second half and look for the two wins we’re going to need.

    “What happened on the pitch was a scandal. This isn’t a neighbourhood tournament, this is the Olympic Games.

    “How are they going to stop the match seven times in the second half because someone comes onto the pitch?

    “The second and third time you have to take a decision. Seven times people came onto the pitch.”

    Lionel Messi, who won gold for La Albiceleste in Beijing in 2008, also shared his frustrations with his former Barcelona team-mate. 

    The 37-year-old kept it to the point, posting “Insolito” on his Instagram story, which translates to “unbelievable".

    Argentina face Iraq in their next game in Lyon on Saturday, concluding their group campaign against Ukraine on July 30. 

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.