Digest

WINTER OLYMPICS

Gu crowned overall halfpipe champion

China's Gu Ailing maintained her perfect record in this season's FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup halfpipe competitions with victory at California's Mammoth Mountain resort on Saturday.

After four wins in as many World Cup meets, the 18-year-old was crowned the overall halfpipe champion to claim her first Crystal Globe trophy and cement her status as the hot favorite for gold at Beijing 2022.

A score of 94.75 points in her first run was more than enough for victory on Saturday, before she bettered that with 97.50 in her final attempt, which the FIS website described as "the greatest run in women's freeski halfpipe history".

Kelly Sildaru of Estonia ranked second with 92.50 from her second run. Brita Sigourney of the United States took third with a best score of 87.75.

China's Li Fanghui and Zhang Kexin were placed fifth and seventh respectively.

Beijing 2022 medals pass acceptance test

The medals for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on Friday passed their acceptance test at Shanghai Minting Corporation.

Officially named "Tongxin", meaning "togetherness", the medals were designed and inspired by ancient Chinese jade pendants.

The five Olympic rings and the words "XXIV Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022" are engraved in the center of the medals, encircled by ice, snow and cloud patterns.

According to Liu Ke, chairman of Shanghai Minting Corporation, each medal underwent 18 production processes and 20 quality inspections before the final check.

The medals will follow the athletes and spread the Chinese spirit around the world, said Chen Ning, head of the culture and ceremonies department of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee.

Polish president to 'closely follow' Games

Polish President Andrzej Duda said he will "closely follow the competition in Beijing" in a recent open letter to his country's Olympic family ahead of the Winter Games.

The letter was read out at the New Year's Meeting of the Olympic Family, which was held on Friday at the Olympic Center in Warsaw and attended by members of the Polish Olympic Committee, athletes and sponsors.

"I would like to congratulate all athletes on their achievements and wish them further successes. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the entire staff for representing our country with dignity and for the wonderful emotions that strengthen our community," Duda said.

"We have another year of important competitions ahead of us. In less than a month, the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games will start. I wish the entire Polish Olympic team great results and I would like to assure you that I will be closely following this competition," he added.

SOCCER

Lewandowski shocked by Sousa's departure

Robert Lewandowski on Saturday said he was "shocked and disappointed" at Paulo Sousa's departure as head coach of the Poland national team.

Sousa parted ways with the Poles late last month to take charge of Brazilian Serie A club Flamengo.

After finishing second behind England in its World Cup qualifying group, Poland will face Russia in the playoffs in March. At last summer's Euro 2020 tournament, Poland failed to reach the knockout stage.

Speaking to local media on Saturday, Poland captain Lewandowski admitted he felt let down by the Portuguese's exit.

"When I found out that he was leaving, I was shocked and disappointed. I couldn't believe it as I hadn't received any signal from the coach," said the Bayern Munich star. "I landed in Dubai and I was informed by a friend that Paulo Sousa may leave. I was wondering whether it was true or just rumors."

BASKETBALL

Durant won't lobby Irving over vaccine

Kevin Durant reiterated Friday that he won't lobby teammate Kyrie Irving to get vaccinated against the coronavirus so he could be eligible to play in all the Brooklyn Nets' NBA games.

In fact, he won't even ask his close friend why he refuses to get the shot.

"I told him how important he is and how much I want him to play every game, but like I said, I'm not about to force somebody to get a vaccine," Durant said. "Like, that's not my thing. So he can play basketball? I'm not about to do that."

Athletes with New York City's professional sports teams are mandated to be vaccinated to play in the city's public venues.

Xinhua - Agencies