President Duma Boko described the gold medal as a “historic African win” in an online address. He praised the athletes for their outstanding performance and said the holiday would be held a day before the country’s independence day, which falls on the 30th of September.

The team — made up of Olympic gold medallist Letsile Tebogo, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi — beat the United States in a rain-soaked final. The US had previously won the event 10 times. South Africa came third.

“I’ll be sure to tell everyone Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground; they are our world champion athletes,” President Boko said, speaking from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly.

Botswana finished fifth overall on the medal table — its best performance yet — with two golds, one silver, and one bronze. Only the US, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada ranked higher.

This follows another major milestone from the previous year, when Letsile Tebogo became the first African to win Olympic gold in the men’s 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics . His win sparked nationwide celebrations, with huge crowds welcoming him back at the National Stadium in Gaborone.

Botswana also picked up a silver in the men’s 4x400m relay during the Paris Games, finishing behind the US.

The achievement was marred by a government appeal for public donations to reward the athletes, which sparked a protest among citizens.

Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet captured her first world title in the women’s 10,000m at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships. Chebet surged past Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay with 200m to go, clocking 30:37.61 to secure Kenya’s first medal of the event. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti took silver while Tsegay settled for bronze. Chebet becomes the fourth Kenyan woman to win the title, following Sally Barsosio, Linet Masai, and Vivian Cheruiyot. “It was one of the most thrilling and tactical races in recent years,” the Nation quotes. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Agnes Ng’etich narrowly missed the podium in fourth place.

Exam cheating tops university discipline cases

A new Commission for University Education report shows 87% of disciplinary cases in Kenyan universities involve exam malpractice. Out of 3,841 cases recorded in 2024/25, 3,352 were tied to cheating, impersonation, or unauthorised devices. Lecturers warn that AI dependence and large exam venues are fueling the crisis. “The issue is over-reliance on AI by students to do assignments, so when physical exams come, they do not have content and hence struggle, pushing up the temptation to cheat,” said Dr Duncan Kimwatu of Dedan Kimathi University. Experts are urging reforms, including giving more weight to continuous assessment tests. 

Over 2,100 attacks on sexual and gender minorities

Kenya recorded at least 2,100 cases of violence and harassment against sexual and gender minorities between October 2023 and September 2024, according to the Lives on the Line report. These included 682 harassment incidents, 440 assaults, 91 sexual violations, and 102 evictions. Transgender people were the most targeted, facing nearly a third of abuses. “Lives are literally on the line, and society can no longer turn a blind eye,” said Adrian Kibe of the Kenya Human Rights Commission. Rights advocates point to systemic failures, including weak laws and under-resourced gender desks, as fueling impunity, the Standard reports.

20% of affordable houses for teachers

President William Ruto has announced that 20% of all units under the Affordable Housing programme will be allocated to teachers, citing their Sh900 million monthly contributions to the housing fund. The move was formalised through an MoU with teachers’ unions at State House. “This agreement guarantees that 20 per cent of all Affordable Housing units will be allocated to teachers, a step towards ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to shaping our nation’s future have access to decent homes,” Ruto said . However, the decision sparked public debate online, with critics questioning whether private sector contributors were being sidelined. 

EAC faces staff crisis amid Kenya’s funding row

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat is grappling with a staffing shortage after short-term workers who form nearly 44% of its personnel were let go when the Council of Ministers failed to extend contracts. Kenya, chairing the council, walked out of key meetings in Arusha over unremitted contributions by member states, the East African reports. As of June 2025, only Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda had fully paid their $7 million annual dues. The bloc has 152 vacant posts, with critical gaps looming in departments like labour, immigration, energy, and fiscal affairs. Kenya’s EAC Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe defended Nairobi’s stance, insisting staffing must align with available funds.

Botswana is exploring the construction of a new 615 MW coal-fired power station near Morupule B to address ongoing generation issues, as the existing facility has struggled to operate at full capacity since its 2012 launch. The Energy Ministry is considering this option if maintenance efforts at Morupule B do not resolve the problems. According to African Mining Market , the proposed plant could be operational within 18 to 24 months. A previous expansion plan for Morupule B was unsuccessful due to a lack of government guarantees for bidders. 

Medical tourism

Botswana is emerging as Africa's leading medical tourism destination, driven by significant healthcare investments and strategic initiatives to attract global patients. Travel and Tour World reports that the government has allocated substantial funds to enhance healthcare infrastructure, including the development of a 450-bed academic teaching hospital and upgrades to primary care facilities. This focus on quality and affordable medical treatments positions Botswana as an appealing alternative to traditional medical tourism hotspots. 

Embracing language through martial arts

The Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana hosted a cultural and language event on March 21, 2025, focused on "Chinese Gongfu" or martial arts. The event provided approximately 70 Chinese learners a platform to practice the language while learning about traditional martial arts, including vocabulary for various weapons. Participants showcased their Chinese language skills, with many citing the practical benefits of learning Chinese for business opportunities. The event featured performances, language games, and discussions, drawing parallels to "English corners" in China for language practice, Xinhua reports. CIUB is Botswana's first Confucius Institute, with a second institute opening in October 2023. 

Trump’s impact in Botswana

The Trump Administration's foreign aid cuts have severely impacted Botswana, particularly in health sectors like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, The Tenesse Tribune reports. On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order halting most U.S. foreign aid and drastically reducing USAID's workforce, which has led to program cutbacks that leave many vulnerable populations without support. 

2026 World Athletic Relays

Botswana has been selected to host the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone from May 2 to May 3, 2026, as announced by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during a council meeting in Nanjing, China. Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng celebrated the news , congratulating the Botswana Athletics Association. Botswana has a strong relay team, highlighted by its 4x400m squad, which won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and holds three World Relays medals.

Here are the top 10 countries with the most all-time gold medals at the Summer Paralympics:

Both athletes set personal bests in the race, which could have qualified them for the preliminary rounds of the men’s 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After securing the victory, 24-year-old Duplantis, who has broken the pole vault world record 10 times, expressed his excitement. "I was pretty fired up," said Duplantis.

The Olympic champion recently defended his title in Paris, clearing an incredible 6.25 metres to set a new world record, which he then improved to 6.26 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia last month.

Despite the intense buildup to the race, which featured competitive banter between the two, Warholm, 28, graciously acknowledged Duplantis’ win. "I gotta give it to Mondo, he beat me today fair and square," said the Norwegian, adding, "It was a great race, he was out of the blocks fast."

Warholm set the fastest-ever time of 45.94 seconds in the 400-metre hurdles at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Before the Zurich showdown , Duplantis’ personal best in the 100 metres was 10.57 seconds, a record set back in 2018 during his high school days, while Warholm ran 10.49 seconds in 2017.

Both athletes will return to compete in their specialised events at the Diamond League meeting on September 5.

Like the opening of the just-ended Olympics, the Paris 2024 Paralympics happens away from the main stadium. The games will officially open with a grand ceremony at Place de la Concorde, a central square in Paris that also hosted urban sports like skateboarding during the Olympics.

According to AFP, the Paris 2024 Paralympics organisers revealed on August 27 that over two million tickets have already been sold as excitement builds for the Games, which will run until September 8.

A total of 18 out of the 35 venues used during the Olympics will host Paralympic events, marking a significant continuation of the sporting celebration in the French capital.

Fans and pundits alike are buzzing with curiosity: What happens when two of the biggest names in track and field cross disciplines?

Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault superstar, continues to redefine what’s possible in his sport. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he broke his own world record for the ninth time, clearing 6.25 metres to claim his second consecutive Olympic gold medal.

The Norwegian Karsten Warholm, the fastest-ever 400-meter hurdler, still holds the world record of 45.94 seconds, which he set during his run at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021. Warholm’s career achievements also include three world championship titles and a recent silver medal from the Paris Games.

The concept of elite athletes from different disciplines competing against each other isn’t entirely new. For years, sports fans have indulged in debates over fantasy matchups, such as whether sprint legend Usain Bolt could have outrun football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo during their prime.

While these hypothetical scenarios never materialised, the upcoming Duplantis-Warholm showdown is a rare opportunity to see such a crossover in real life.

However, this won’t be the first time Duplantis and Warholm have taken on the 100-metre dash. Warholm clocked a time of 10.49 seconds back in 2017, while Duplantis ran 10.57 in 2018.

The Swedish pole vaulter has long expressed a desire to take part in sprint relays for his country.

"I would have loved to do that. And I would love to be part of breaking the Swedish record," he said in a recent interview with Sweden’s Dagens Nyheter. Duplantis revealed that he kept pace with a training partner who ran 10.30 seconds.

Although we never saw the fastest man alive Usain Bolt take on football’s greatest Cristiano Ronaldo, we are sure to witness two of the biggest names in track and field athletics, Duplantis and Warholm face-off in this 100-metre sprint.

In a thrilling final race of the evening, the multiple world and Olympic champion faced strong competition from Australia's Jess Hull, who finished second with a time of 3:50.83. Hull's performance not only earned her a second-place finish but also broke her own Oceanian record, placing her fifth on the world all-time list.

"I knew the world record was possible because I recently ran very fast in Kenya," said Kipyegon, who clocked 3:53.98 at Kenya’s Olympic Trials. "I was coming here to just run my race and to see what shape I’m in to defend my title at the Olympics."

At 30 years old, Kipyegon is expected to bring her exceptional form to the Paris 2024 Olympics later this month, where she is a favourite to win multiple medals.

In 2023, Kipyegon was honoured as one of the World Athletes of the Year after setting world records in three distances during the season, including the 1500m, 5000m, and 1500m.

“Coming into this competition, I had feelings that I could jump 2.07 metres and maybe 2.10 metres,” said Mahuchikh. “Finally I signed Ukraine to the history of world athletics.”

The 22-year-old Ukrainian's remarkable achievement sets the stage for her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics , where she is expected to be a key contender.

Mahuchikh's performance was nothing short of spectacular, as she outperformed world indoor champion Nicola Olyslagers. Both athletes matched each other’s second attempts at 2.01 metres, but after the Australian Olyslagers failed three times at 2.03 metres, Mahuchikh secured victory on her second try.

She then set the Ukrainian record on her second attempt at 2.07 metres before erasing Kostadinova’s long-standing record on her first try at 2.10 metres.

Mahuchikh is expected to carry the hopes of a war-torn Ukraine at the Paris 2024 Olympics after she left her hometown of Dnipro shortly following the Russian invasion.

Despite being away from home, she has remained vocal about the significance of Ukrainian sports in providing hope and inspiration to those fighting for the country's survival.

"We all are fighting for our people, for our soldiers… We should fight in every field to show that Ukraine is strongest," she said in June after successfully defending her European title.

The French capital is preparing for hundreds of thousands of visitors at the 16-day Olympics with the opening ceremony on July 26.

This is the third article in a three-part series. Click here to read the first part, and click here to read the second one.

Here are our top 1-25.

25. Bernardo Cacella (Brazil)

Bernardo Cacella, who comes from a family of influencers, is not only a social media star but also an aspiring youth soccer player. He is a member of Boavista F.C.'s youth division, where he works on developing his skills and pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Check out his Instagram profile .

24. Marcos (Brazil)

Marcos Roberto Silveira dos Reis, known as Marcos, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer celebrated for his outstanding journey as a goalkeeper.

He dedicated his entire career to the Brazilian team Palmeiras and became one of the most beloved figures in both the club's and the country's football history.

Marcos also served as the starting goalkeeper for Brazil's national team that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Check out his Instagram profile .

23. Mercedes Roa (Mexico)

Mercedes Roa is a content creator, an athlete, and a fan of the Argentine football club Boca Juniors. 

Passionate about football from a young age, the Mexican influencer now showcases her talent for football tricks on her social media platforms, performing dribbles, nutmegs, and other skills. 

She is also the president of Club de Cuervos in the Américas Kings League, a team inspired by the famous Netflix series of the same name. She has also collaborated with football stars, such as Chicharito Hernández and Gerard Piqué.

Check out her Instagram profile .

22. Arturo Vidal (Chile)

Arturo Vidal Pardo is a prominent Chilean professional footballer, currently playing as a midfielder for the Chilean team Colo-Colo and the national team. 

Vidal began his career at Colo-Colo before moving to Europe, where he played for prestigious clubs such as Juventus and Barcelona. He was included in UEFA's ten-man shortlist for the best player in Europe award in 2015.

Vidal has been a key player for the Chilean national team, participating in multiple Copa América tournaments and helping Chile secure consecutive titles in 2015 and 2016. He also competed in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Check out his Instagram profile .

21. Diego Ribas (Brazil)

Diego Ribas is a Brazilian former professional footballer celebrated for his career as a midfielder. 

He started his journey with the Brazilian team Santos and he later ventured to Europe where he played for renowned clubs such as Porto and Atlético Madrid.

Ribas concluded his career at Flamengo and became one of the team's greatest football icons. He also represented Brazil in numerous tournaments and played a pivotal role in many of the country's triumphs, such as the Copa América in 2004 and 2007.

He is now a commentator for TV Globo and the host of the podcast "10 & Faixa”.

Check out his Instagram profile .

20. Julia Giannella (Brazil)

Julia Giannella is a well-known Brazilian athlete and content creator who has made a name for herself in the world of fitness and lifestyle. 

On her social media platforms, she showcases her passion for various sports, including surfing, boxing, running, and marathons.

Check out her Instagram profile .

19. La Plaga (Colombia)

Thomas Suarez, better known as La Plaga, is a fervent enthusiast of bike stunts from Medellín.

He dedicates himself to mastering and showcasing new extreme tricks to his audience across social media platforms such as Instagram and his YouTube channel .

Check out his Instagram profile .

18. Xurras Da Jogada (Brazil)

Gabriel Luiz Andrade, better known as Xurrasco 021, has recently become an internet sensation. At only 17 years old, he gained fame through a TikTok dance that even caught Neymar's attention. 

But Xurrasco’s real dream is to make it big in professional football. He has already demonstrated his skills as a defender and was one of the highlights of the Viegas team from Senador Camará during the 2022 Taça das Favelas tournament. 

Check out his Instagram profile .

17. Joel Jota (Brazil)

Joel Jota is a multifaceted Brazilian entrepreneur known for his expertise in high-performance training, best-selling books, investments, and his career in sports. 

His journey began as a professional athlete with the Brazilian national swimming team, where he achieved numerous national championships both as an athlete and a coach.

Today, Jota is a prominent content creator and motivational speaker.

Check out his Instagram profile .

16. Gabriel Omar Batistuta (Argentina)

Gabriel Omar Batistuta, also known as Batigol and El Ángel Gabriel, is an Argentine former professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time.

Batistuta began his career in Argentina with Newell's Old Boys, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. He is most famous for his time with Fiorentina in Italy, where he became the team's all-time top scorer in Serie A. Batigol also played for Roma, Inter Milan, and Al-Arabi in Qatar.

On the international stage, Batistuta was Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer until Lionel Messi surpassed him. He achieved many victories with the national team, including two Copa América titles in 1991 and 1993.

Check out his Instagram profile.

15. Henry Martín (Mexico)

Henry Martín is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga MX club América and Mexico's national team. 

He has become a key player for the club and has broken into the top ten of América's all-time top scorers.

Check out his Instagram profile .

14. Eduardo Rodrigues Pereira (Brazil)

Eduardo Rodrigues Pereira, known by his online nickname Dudufootz, is a prominent influencer, YouTuber , and creator of football-focused content. 

Passionate about the sport and a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Dudufootz shares videos and sketches depicting situations on the pitch that any football fan and player would identify with.

Check out his Instagram profile .

13. Vitor Lo (Brazil)

Vitor Lo is a social media star and football player who shares his matches and training sessions on his Instagram channel. 

He is a member of the YouTube channel "Banheiristas" , known for its football challenges, entertaining videos, and illustrious guests.

Check out his Instagram profile.

12. Adriano Imperador (Brazil)

Adriano Leite Ribeiro, known simply as Adriano, left an enduring legacy in football with his formidable left-footed finishing. 

Nicknamed L'Imperador ("the Emperor"), he began his journey in Brazil with Flamengo and was once considered the successor to Ronaldo. His career took off at Parma and Inter Milan, where he became recognised as one of the best strikers in the world. His stellar performances earned him a place in the Top 10 of the Ballon d'Or rankings in both 2004 and 2005, as well as the prestigious IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer award in 2005.

Adriano also distinguished himself as a key figure in Brazil's successes, leading the team to triumphs in both the 2004 Copa América and the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Check out his Instagram profile .

11. Rodrigo Cuba (Peru)

Rodrigo Cuba, also known as Gato Cuba, is a footballer who currently plays as a right-back for the Peruvian team Universidad San Martín. 

His career has mainly developed in Peruvian football, with a brief stint in Mexico. Off the pitch, Rodrigo shares moments with his family on his social networks, offering his fans a glimpse into his personal life.

Check out his Instagram profile .

10. Diego Costa (Brazil)

Diego da Silva Costa is a professional footballer currently playing as a striker for the Brazilian team Grêmio.

He returned to his home country after several years in Europe, where he played for giants such as Chelsea and Atlético Madrid. He achieved numerous victories with both clubs, including the Premier League with the English team and the UEFA Super Cup with the Spanish club. In 2013, he was named the top scorer in the Copa del Rey.

Costa has dual citizenship, Brazilian and Spanish, and debuted for Spain's national team in 2014.

Check out his Instagram profile.

9. Pity Martínez (Argentina)

Gonzalo Nicolás Martínez, known as "Pity" Martínez, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a winger for River Plate.

Martínez began his career with the Argentine team Huracán, where he won the Copa Argentina in 2014. He later joined River Plate and contributed to the team's victories in the Copa Libertadores titles in 2015 and 2018.

In 2018, he was also named the "Best Footballer in the Americas" by the newspaper El País.

Check out his Instagram profile.

8. Ciro “El Búho” Cairo (Argentina)

Ciro "El Búho" Cairo is a boxing prodigy from Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires, and the youngest personality on this list.

At only seven years old, he became a social media sensation for his skills as an amateur boxer.

Ciro has big ambitions: he dreams of becoming a world champion, as he told El Izquierdazo .

Check out his Instagram profile.

7. Lucas Moura (Brazil)

Lucas Moura is a professional footballer who currently plays as a right winger and centre-forward for São Paulo football club.

His talent attracted attention from European clubs when he started his career with São Paulo. In Europe, he played for Paris Saint-Germain, where he became a key member of the team, as well as for Tottenham Hotspur.

When he rejoined São Paulo in 2023, the Brazilian club won the Copa do Brasil. Moura has also represented his country on multiple occasions, including the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, where Brazil emerged victorious.

Check out his Instagram profile.

6. Felipe Melo (Brazil)

Felipe Melo is a professional footballer who currently plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for the Brazilian club Fluminense.

Melo has positioned himself as a key player for numerous teams worldwide. He started his journey in Brazil, playing for Flamengo, Cruzeiro, and Grêmio before moving to Europe. There, he played for Spanish and Italian teams, including Mallorca, Racing Santander, Almería in La Liga, Fiorentina, Juventus, and Inter Milan. He also had a stint with the Turkish team Galatasaray.

When he returned to Brazil with Palmeiras, he helped secure many victories for the team, including two Copa Libertadores titles in 2020 and 2021. Melo won the same tournament again in 2023 when he joined Fluminense.

Check out his Instagram profile.

5. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (Mexico)

Isaac Jonathan Cruz Gonzalez is a Mexican professional boxer who has become a towering figure in the boxing world. Known for his relentless fighting style, Cruz has earned a reputation as one of the most promising talents in the sport.

In March 2024, "Pitbull" won the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight title, marking a milestone in his career and solidifying his position as a top contender in the lightweight division.

Check out his Instagram profile.

4. James Rodríguez (Colombia)

James Rodríguez is a professional footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for São Paulo and Colombia's national team.

Rodríguez has become an outstanding player for Colombia and the world. He began his career with his country's club Envigado and then moved to the Argentine team Banfield. In Europe, he played for Porto, AS Monaco, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Everton, and Olympiacos. He also spent two seasons with Al-Rayyan in Qatar.

James Rodríguez made his return to South American football with São Paulo in 2023.

Check out his Instagram profile.

3. Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)

Edinson Cavani, also known as “El Matador” (The Killer), is a renowned professional footballer celebrated as one of the best strikers of his generation and a top goal scorer for Uruguay's national team. Currently, he plays for the Argentine team Boca Juniors.

Cavani began his career with Danubio in Montevideo before moving to Italy’s Palermo in 2007. He then played for Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Valencia, amassing an impressive trophy collection along the way.

In 2023, Cavani returned to South America to join Boca Juniors. He has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Golden Foot Award in 2018.

Check out his Instagram profile.

2. Paolo Guerrero (Peru)

Paolo Guerrero is a professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for the Peruvian football club Universidad César Vallejo and Peru's national team.

Guerrero began his career in Europe, where he played for Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV. He then achieved some of his greatest successes in Brazil, representing clubs such as Corinthians, Flamengo, Internacional, and Avaí. Guerrero also had brief stints with Argentina's Racing Club and Ecuador's LDU Quito.

In Peru, he holds the distinction of being the national team's all-time leading goalscorer. Guerrero was also nominated for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or, making history as the first Peruvian to receive such an honour.

Check out his Instagram profile.

1. Gary Medel (Chile)

At the top of our list is Chilean professional footballer Gary Medel, who currently stars as a centre-back and defensive midfielder for the Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.

Medel's career has spanned several clubs and countries. In Latin America, he played for Universidad Católica in Chile and Boca Juniors in Argentina. In Europe, he had spells with Sevilla, Cardiff City, Inter Milan, and Bologna. In Turkey, he played for Beşiktaş, one of the country's most successful teams.

Medel has established himself as a key member of the Chilean defence, representing his country at two FIFA World Cups and five Copa Américas. His outstanding performance was crucial in Chile's victory at the 2015 Copa América tournament.

Today, he is one of the most acclaimed figures in Chilean and Latin American football.

Check out his Instagram profile.

This list was created with the help of Hypeauditor and is based on the Audience Quality Score (AQS). In case of a tie between two or more personalities, we used the engagement rate to establish the order. The keywords used in our search were 'athletes' and 'sports' in all Latin American countries. We focused on personalities with more than one million followers.

Vietnam on May 7 celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu battle, which ended French colonial rule. The battle marked the collapse of colonialism worldwide. “The historic Dien Bien Phu victory is a remarkable event, not only for the Vietnamese revolution. It is also a monumental saga that inspired countries rising to fight for independence and freedom, marking the collapse of colonialism all over the world,” said Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the ceremony. French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu attended the commemorations, the first time a senior French official paid a visit to the site of the battle and took part in the commemorations, according to AP News .

Sustainable agriculture collaboration with Australia

Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment has requested support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in optimising investment resources for sustainable agriculture and rural development. Vietnam's vision includes promoting efficient, sustainable agriculture with integrated multiple-value approaches, and the growth of green, organic, and circular agriculture. According to Vietnam Plus , the ACIAR has been assisting Vietnam since 1993 and is currently focused on climate change and emission reduction initiatives. The collaboration aims to ensure farmers' resilience in the face of climate change.

Highest gold demand since 2015

Vietnam's gold demand in the first quarter of the year reached its highest levels since 2015. This demand was driven by strong investment in gold bars and coins, as well as concerns about inflation and currency depreciation, Vietnam News reports. However, demand for gold jewellery declined. The global gold market also saw strong demand, driving the average gold price to a record high. According to Vietnam News, the State Bank of Vietnam's attempts to stabilise the domestic gold market have had limited success, as the price of gold continues to rise.

Three gold medals at Hong Kong Athletics Championship

Vietnam won three gold medals at the Hong Kong Athletics Championship. Nguyen Thi Oanh won gold in the women's 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m events, while Bui Thi Loan took gold in the women's triple jump. Two other Vietnamese athletes won bronze medals. The team consisted of four athletes in total, Vietnam Plus reports.

Food poisoning affects over 500

Over 500 people in Vietnam fell victim to food poisoning with 12 in critical condition after eating sandwiches from a bakery in Long Khanh a city in Đồng Nai Province in Southeast Vietnam on April 30. Local authorities reported on May 6 that around 200 people had been discharged since the incident occurred. The bakery has been shut down and suspected of using spoiled ingredients as health officials begin official investigations, according to local media.

The accused persons were sentenced for fabricating documents that suggest that doping activities were being promoted by several state agencies in the country and sharing the information with foreign media .

According to The Nation , the allegations were intended to have Kenyan athletes including multiple world champions Vivian Cheruiyot, Hellen Obiri, Eunice Jepkoech Sum, Juan Pedro, Amos Kipruto, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, and Beatrice Chepkoech suspended from participating in the Olympic Games and to tarnish the country’s image in the athletics world.

Kiptum is also said to have written a letter addressed to an athlete Joyce Chepkirui’s manager Gianni Demadonna informing him that Chepkurui had tested positive for Norandrosterone, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Chepkirui previously participated in 42-kilometre marathons in New York and Boston and has since been banned over the fabricated doping allegations against her.

Maindi and Simbolei are said to have committed the said offences between September 16, 2019, and April 18, 2020.

Starting his journey in the South African village of Cape Agulhas, the endurance athlete from Worthing in southern England set forth on a mission to traverse the entire length of Africa, battling through the continent's varied terrain, from dense jungles to barren deserts.

The 27-year-old passed through Namibia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania and Algeria, before arriving at Ras Angela.

Sharing his journey with the world via the social media platform X, Cook declared, "The first person ever to run the entire length of Africa. Mission complete." Yet, his path to victory was fraught with obstacles.

Despite his initial hope of completing the journey in 240 days, setbacks such as theft, injury, and visa complications delayed his progress.

Reflecting on the most harrowing moments of his odyssey, Cook recounted a brush with death in the Congo , where he found himself at the mercy of a gang armed with machetes made him contemplate quitting his expedition.

"The scariest moment was in the Congo, when I was on the back of a motorbike, thinking I was about to die, getting driven into the jungle. That was pretty nuts," he shared with reporters.

"Probably for about one minute I thought about quitting, and then I realised I couldn't, so that was about as close as it got," he added.

Cook's achievement transcends personal glory, as it has also raised funds for noble causes. His run generated over $870,000 for charities such as the Running Charity, which supports homeless young people, and Sandblast, aiding displaced individuals from Western Sahara.

However, amid the jubilation surrounding Cook's feat, his claim of being the first person to run the length of Africa has been contested by the World Runners Association (WRA).

WRA, a group made up of seven athletes who claim to have successfully circumnavigated the world on foot cited Jesper Kenn Olsen, a Danish ultrarunner who completed a similar journey in 2010.

Olsen's 12,791km trek began on December 28 2008, spanning from Taba, Egypt, to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa lasting 434 days.

The 300m world record was previously held by South African athlete Wayde van Niekerk after he ran 30.81 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on 28 June 2017.

“He's a brother to me. We share the good vibes. There's no bad energy between us… so thank you (van Niekerk) for always pushing me and telling me not to belittle myself. Thank you so much, mate,” Tebogo is reported by the South African news agency Times Live to have said after he broke the world record set by van Niekerk

Tebego now joins an exclusive list of four athletes in the world to have run under 31 seconds for the discipline. American sprinter Michael Johnson who ran 30.85 in Pretoria to set the 300m world record in 2000, Usain Bolt’s 30.97 in 2010, and Wayde van Niekerk’s 30.81 in 2017.

The young athlete who also won bronze in the 200m race and silver in the 100m event in the 2023 World Athletics Championships will be looking to have a similar impact in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics in July.

Ngetich beat the previous road mixed-race world record established by Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw two years ago by 28 seconds.

"Honestly, my clear goal was to break the world record but 28:46 is beyond any expectations… When I saw 14:13 by halfway I didn't scare, it just motivated me a lot to keep on pushing until the end. I have no words to describe what I feel now," she said.

Ngetich’s 10km time is also faster than the women's world record for the distance on the track, with Letesenbet Gidey’s world 10,000m record standing at 29:01.03.

Emmaculate Anyango also ran the race in less than 29 minutes as well, finishing second to her countrymate with a time of 28 minutes and 57 seconds.

Lilian Rengeruk, another Kenyan long-distance runner rounded up the top three with a distance of  29 minutes and 32 seconds.

The East African athlete who had never competed at a distance longer than 10km managed to surpass compatriots Dera Dida and Ruti Aga, who were first and second in the previous year.

Aga finished second in 2:18:09, matching her personal best achieved at the Dongying Marathon in October 2023, while Dida was third in 2:19:29, barely five seconds behind her personal best set at the September 2023 Berlin Marathon.

“I was quite afraid of the distance before I ran my first marathon but now, I wonder why,” said Ketema.

The Ethiopian runner now moves to number eight on the world ’s all-time list. Her time ranks third on her nation's all-time list behind training partners, world record-holder Tigist Assefa and world champion Amane Beriso.

The AFC Asian Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations will kick off the year with two continental football tournaments, featuring some of the best teams and players from Asia and Africa. The Asian Cup will be hosted in Qatar from 12 January to 10 February, while the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February. Both competitions will have 24 teams competing for the trophy, with the likes of Japan, Iran, Senegal and Algeria among the favourites.

The Formula One World Championship will rev up its engines for another thrilling season of motorsport, starting on 2 March in Bahrain and ending on 8 December in Abu Dhabi. The calendar will feature 24 races, including venues such as Miami and Shanghai.

The World Chess Championship 2024 will pit the best minds in the game against each other in a battle of strategy and skill. The match will take place from 3 April to 25 April, in Toronto, Canada. The defending champion Ding Liren of China will face the winner of the Candidates Tournament, which will be held in March 2024.

The Diamond League 2024 will showcase the finest athletes in track and field, as they compete for glory and prize money in a series of meetings around the world. The season will start in Xiamen, China on April 20 and end in Brussels, Belgium on September 13.

The Men’s Cricket World Cup will be the highlight of the cricketing year, as 20 teams will battle for the ultimate prize in international cricket. The tournament will be hosted by the United States and the West Indies from 4 June to 30 June. The Cricket World Cup will feature some of the best players in the world, such as Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Babar Azam and Ben Stokes.

The European Championship 2024 will be another major football event, as 24 teams will compete for the title of the best team in Europe. The tournament will be hosted by Germany from 14 June to 14 July, with matches being played in 10 cities.

The Copa America 2024 will be the oldest continental football tournament in the world, as Lionel Messi will lead World Cup winners and the current Copa champions Argentina in a title defence against 15 other teams from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) from June 20 to July 14 in the United States.

The Paris 2024 Olympics will be the biggest sporting event of the year, as thousands of athletes from various countries will feature in some of the most popular sports such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, football and basketball. The Games will take place from 24 July to 11 August, with venues spread across Paris and other regions of France. The Paralympics will follow the Olympics from 28 August to 8 September, with thousands of para-athletes competing in various events.

The Women’s Cricket World Cup will be the pinnacle of the women’s cricket season, as 10 teams will play for the title of the best team in the shortest format of the game. The tournament will be hosted in Bangladesh from September to October.

Other sporting events to look out for are the heavyweight boxing bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in February, the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Final in June and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in December.

The 23-year-old Kenyan beat the previous women-only world mark of 14 minutes and 29 seconds set by Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia on September 12, 2021.

"I came to Barcelona determined to better the world record as I felt capable of that… This world record means a lot for me, I can't believe it," said Chebet.

Her time was also quicker than the women's world record of 14 minutes 19 seconds set by Ethiopia's Ejegayehu Taye in a mixed race at the Cursa dels Nassos in 2021.

Ethiopian, Ejegayehu Taye’s 14 minutes and 21 seconds came in at second place, Kenya’s Lilian Kasait Rengeruk finished third with 14 minutes and 26 seconds, Joy Cheptoyek from Uganda also followed in fourth place with 14 minutes and 28 seconds, while Ethiopian, Medina Eisa rounded up the top five with 14 minutes and 40 seconds.

Chebet also claimed the gold medal for the senior women’s race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia in February 2023 ahead of pre-race favourite Letesenbet Gidey from Ethiopia.

24-year-old Kiptum achieved a world record by becoming the first athlete to break 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon by running 2:00:35 in a marathon held in Chicago in October.

The Kenyan now has three of the seven fastest times in history only a year after making his marathon debut.

Kipyegon set world records at three distances during a season, including the 1500m, 5000m, and 1500m.

The 29-year-old improved the 1500m world record to 3:49.11 in Florence, improved the 5000m world record to 14:05.20 in Paris after only having raced just twice in that event, and achieved her third world record by beating the previous mile mark by five seconds when she run 4:07.64 in Monaco. She also won her third senior world 1500m title and first world 5000m crown.

Ethiopian long-distance runner, Tigist Assefa was also named one of the World Athletes of the Year. The 27-year-old broke the female world record for a marathon by two minutes and 14 seconds in September.

The 2023 Valencia Marathon will be remembered as a showcase of Ethiopia's prowess in long-distance running, solidifying its standing in the global athletic community.

Sisay Lemma’s record-breaking run

Leading the charge was Ethiopian athlete Sisay Lemma, who stormed through the marathon with a remarkable time of 2:01:48. This outstanding achievement secured Lemma the title of the 4th fastest man in marathon history. The Ethiopian contingent continued to excel, with Dawit Wolde finishing in the 3rd position with a commendable time of 2:03:48.

“I feel great to win in Valencia. Once I passed the half marathon I realised that I was running at a record pace and that I had the strength to run and beat the race record. It was my first time in Valencia. I’m very happy to have beaten the record. It’s a very fast course. At km 15 I tried to go at a world record pace but the pacemakers were being irregular at that pace and I decided not to go for the world record but for the race record. At km 25 I realised that I wasn’t going to be able to go under 2:01,″ he is quoted by valenciaciudaddelrunning.com .

Kenenisa Bekele sets records at 41

Notably, Kenenisa Bekele, at 41 years old, made history by breaking the marathon master’s world record (M40). Despite finishing in the 4th position, Bekele's remarkable time of 2:04:19 underscored the resilience and skill that have defined his career.

Worknesh Degefa’s stellar performance

The women's elite race witnessed an equally impressive performance by Ethiopian athlete Worknesh Degefa. Clocking a strong time of 2:15:51, Degefa secured the top position, showcasing her determination and skill on the marathon course.

“First of all, thank you for the invitation. I enjoyed running here and I am very happy with the result. From the 30th kilometre onwards I started to push hard, running my race and not looking at Ayana. I decided to run my race without looking at my rivals. The pacemakers were not everything I was expecting. They were very irregular, so I decided to run alone,” she is quoted.

The Ethiopian dominance continued as Almaz Ayana and Howot Gebrekidan claimed the 2nd and 3rd positions, completing a clean sweep of the women's elite competition. Ayana finished with a time of 2:16:22, while Gebrekidan crossed the finish line in 2:17:59.