Baseball: Ohtani's Angels jersey donated to Smithsonian museum

Baseball: Ohtani's Angels jersey donated to Smithsonian museum

A No. 17 Los Angeles Angels jersey worn by two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani during a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on July 27, 2023, is on display on Sept. 12, 2024 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington following its donation. Ohtani threw the first complete-game shutout of his major league career in Game 1 and blasted two homers in Game 2 as the Angels won both games.

Baseball: Ohtani's Angels jersey donated to Smithsonian museum

Baseball: Ohtani's Angels jersey donated to Smithsonian museum

A No. 17 Los Angeles Angels jersey worn by two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani during a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on July 27, 2023, is on display on Sept. 12, 2024 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington following its donation. Ohtani threw the first complete-game shutout of his major league career in Game 1 and blasted two homers in Game 2 as the Angels won both games.

Baseball: Ohtani's Angels jersey donated to Smithsonian museum

Baseball: Ohtani's Angels jersey donated to Smithsonian museum

A No. 17 Los Angeles Angels jersey worn by two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani during a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on July 27, 2023, is on display on Sept. 12, 2024 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington following its donation. Ohtani threw the first complete-game shutout of his major league career in Game 1 and blasted two homers in Game 2 as the Angels won both games.

Paris 2024 Paralympic - Princess Astrid Greets Alexandre Leaute

Paris 2024 Paralympic - Princess Astrid Greets Alexandre Leaute

Princess Astrid, and Prince Lorenz of Belgium, French First Lady Brigitte Macron, greet Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympic - Princess Astrid Greets Alexandre Leaute

Paris 2024 Paralympic - Princess Astrid Greets Alexandre Leaute

Princess Astrid, and Prince Lorenz of Belgium, French First Lady Brigitte Macron, and Minister of Sport Amelie Oudea-Castera greet Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

French First Lady, Brigitte Macron greets Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute next to Amelie Oudea-Castera on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

French First Lady, Brigitte Macron greets Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute next to Amelie Oudea-Castera on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

French First Lady, Brigitte Macron greets Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute next to Amelie Oudea-Castera on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

French First Lady, Brigitte Macron greets Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute next to Amelie Oudea-Castera on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

French First Lady, Brigitte Macron greets Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute next to Amelie Oudea-Castera on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

French First Lady, Brigitte Macron greets Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute next to Amelie Oudea-Castera on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

French First Lady, Brigitte Macron greets Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute next to Amelie Oudea-Castera on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Paris 2024 Paralympics - Brigitte Macron At Para Track Cycling

Princess Astrid of Belgium, First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, Gold medalist Alexandre Leaute and Amelie Oudea-Castera pose for a photo on day two of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Yves-Marie Quemener/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 unveils art deco-style posters inspired by famous landmarks

STORY: Paris 2024 unveils art deco-style posters inspired by famous landmarks SHOOTING TIME: March 4, 2024 DATELINE: March 5, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:30 LOCATION: Paris CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the launching ceremony 2. SOUNDBITE (English):TONY ESTANGUET, President of the Paris 2024 organizing committee 3. various of the posters 4. various of the designer at work STORYLINE: The iconic posters for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, designed by French illustrator Ugo Gattoni, were revealed at the Musee d'Orsay on Monday. A giant version of the posters went on display at the well-known art museum and will remain there until March 10 for visitors from all over the world. The respective posters for the Olympics and Paralympics could be seen as separate works but also complement each other to form a "double poster", which reflects the idea that the two Games are equal and connected. "For the first time at the Summer Games, the Iconic Posters take the form of a diptych, with the s

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Norio Sasaki, head of the Japan Football Association women's committee, meets the press in Chiba, near Tokyo, on Feb. 20, 2024. He said the national team may play the first leg of their two final Olympic qualifying games against North Korea on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, following the JFA's appeal to the Asian Football Confederation to change the venue from the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Norio Sasaki, head of the Japan Football Association women's committee, meets the press in Chiba, near Tokyo, on Feb. 20, 2024. He said the national team may play the first leg of their two final Olympic qualifying games against North Korea on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, following the JFA's appeal to the Asian Football Confederation to change the venue from the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Norio Sasaki (2nd from L), head of the Japan Football Association women's committee, meets the press in Chiba, near Tokyo, on Feb. 20, 2024. He said the national team may play the first leg of their two final Olympic qualifying games against North Korea on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, following the JFA's appeal to the Asian Football Confederation to change the venue from the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Norio Sasaki, head of the Japan Football Association women's committee, meets the press in Chiba, near Tokyo, on Feb. 20, 2024. He said the national team may play the first leg of their two final Olympic qualifying games against North Korea on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, following the JFA's appeal to the Asian Football Confederation to change the venue from the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Norio Sasaki (2nd from R), head of the Japan Football Association women's committee, meets the press in Chiba, near Tokyo, on Feb. 20, 2024. He said the national team may play the first leg of their two final Olympic qualifying games against North Korea on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, following the JFA's appeal to the Asian Football Confederation to change the venue from the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Football: Japan-N. Korea Olympic qualifier in Saudi

Norio Sasaki, head of the Japan Football Association women's committee, meets the press in Chiba, near Tokyo, on Feb. 20, 2024. He said the national team may play the first leg of their two final Olympic qualifying games against North Korea on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, following the JFA's appeal to the Asian Football Confederation to change the venue from the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

First Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire inaugurates The Concorde Park on December 27, 2023 in Paris, France. The Place de la Concorde has been changing its face regularly since the Rugby World Cup, and will continue to do so with a new, free urban sports park taking up residence there until February 25, 2024, before hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games! Between the rugby village, the future Olympic site and the venue for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Place de la Concorde must adapt to all these new developments! From December 27, 2023 and for two months, until February 25, 2024, a real urban sports park will be set up there, open to all during school vacations and weekends, with numerous free sports activities. Photo by Karim Ait Adjedjou/ABACAPRESS.COM

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

First Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire inaugurates The Concorde Park on December 27, 2023 in Paris, France. The Place de la Concorde has been changing its face regularly since the Rugby World Cup, and will continue to do so with a new, free urban sports park taking up residence there until February 25, 2024, before hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games! Between the rugby village, the future Olympic site and the venue for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Place de la Concorde must adapt to all these new developments! From December 27, 2023 and for two months, until February 25, 2024, a real urban sports park will be set up there, open to all during school vacations and weekends, with numerous free sports activities. Photo by Karim Ait Adjedjou/ABACAPRESS.COM

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

First Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire inaugurates The Concorde Park on December 27, 2023 in Paris, France. The Place de la Concorde has been changing its face regularly since the Rugby World Cup, and will continue to do so with a new, free urban sports park taking up residence there until February 25, 2024, before hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games! Between the rugby village, the future Olympic site and the venue for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Place de la Concorde must adapt to all these new developments! From December 27, 2023 and for two months, until February 25, 2024, a real urban sports park will be set up there, open to all during school vacations and weekends, with numerous free sports activities. Photo by Karim Ait Adjedjou/ABACAPRESS.COM

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

Concorde Park Inauguration - Paris

First Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire inaugurates The Concorde Park on December 27, 2023 in Paris, France. The Place de la Concorde has been changing its face regularly since the Rugby World Cup, and will continue to do so with a new, free urban sports park taking up residence there until February 25, 2024, before hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games! Between the rugby village, the future Olympic site and the venue for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Place de la Concorde must adapt to all these new developments! From December 27, 2023 and for two months, until February 25, 2024, a real urban sports park will be set up there, open to all during school vacations and weekends, with numerous free sports activities. Photo by Karim Ait Adjedjou/ABACAPRESS.COM

TOP 10 CHINESE ATHLETES/TEAMS OF 2023

TOP 10 CHINESE ATHLETES/TEAMS OF 2023

(231226) -- BEIJING, Dec. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- As the sporting calendar draws to a close, Xinhua News Agency has selected the top 10 Chinese athletes/teams for 2023: 7. Zhang Yufei (female, swimming) In 2023, Zhang claimed 23 gold, four silver and two bronze medals at the World Aquatics Championships, FISU World University Games, Asian Games and World Cup series. At the Fukuoka World Championships, she won her first world title in the women's 100m butterfly. The 25-year-old was named women's MVP at the Hangzhou Asian Games with a haul of six golds. This file photo taken on July 30, 2023 shows Zhang Yufei of China posing with her medals after the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

Asian Games: Softball

Asian Games: Softball

Minori Naito of Japan hits a two-run home run during the first inning of the women's softball gold-medal game against China during the Asian Games in Shaoxing, China, on Oct. 2, 2023.

Asian Games: Softball

Asian Games: Softball

Minori Naito of Japan hits a two-run home run during the first inning of the women's softball gold-medal game against China during the Asian Games in Shaoxing, China, on Oct. 2, 2023.

China First Two-dimensional Cultural Mall in Shanghai

China First Two-dimensional Cultural Mall in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 24, 2023 - Children visit the space for meta-universe e-sports games at ZX, China's first Two-dimensional cultural mall, in Shanghai, China, August 24, 2023.

Watanabe wins Game 3 of shogi Meijin series

Watanabe wins Game 3 of shogi Meijin series

Defending champion Akira Watanabe (facing camera) reviews his match against Sota Fujii after winning Game 3 of a best-of-seven series for shogi's Meijin title at an art theater in Takatsuki in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on May 14, 2023, following losses in the first two games. If Fujii, 20, wins the series, he will hold seven out of shogi's eight titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Watanabe wins Game 3 of shogi Meijin series

Watanabe wins Game 3 of shogi Meijin series

Sota Fujii (facing camera) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after losing Game 3 of a best-of-seven series for shogi's Meijin title at an art theater in Takatsuki in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on May 14, 2023, following victories in the first two games. If Fujii, 20, wins the series, he will hold seven out of shogi's eight titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Chinese shuttlers win two titles at Indonesia Masters

STORY: Chinese shuttlers win two titles at Indonesia Masters DATELINE: Jan. 30, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:54 LOCATION: Jakarta CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the games 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHANG SHUXIAN, Women's doubles player STORYLINE: Chinese shuttlers collected two gold medals on Sunday at the 2023 Indonesia Masters. Women's doubles pair Liu Shengshu and Zhang Shuxian beat the Japanese duo of Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota 22-20, 21-19 in a match full of long rallies, which tested the nerves and stamina of both pairs. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHANG SHUXIAN, China's Women's doubles player "The result is surprising. It's the first time for us to compete as a pair. We wanted to learn from other players through this competition. We didn't think we would win. We just tried to do our best." Zhang was formerly paired with Zheng Yu, with the duo reaching No. 4 in the world. Her current partner Liu, 18, is the reigning world junior champion in both women's and mixed doubles categories. In the mixed doub

H. Matsui RBI double helps Yankees to 7th straight win

H. Matsui RBI double helps Yankees to 7th straight win

TORONTO, Canada - Hideki Matsui hits an RBI double in a two-run first inning as the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 to extend their winning streak to seven games on Sept. 12.

H. Matsui RBI double helps Yankees to 7th straight win

H. Matsui RBI double helps Yankees to 7th straight win

TORONTO, Canada - Hideki Matsui races through the first base after hitting an RBI double in a two-run first inning as the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 to extend their winning streak to seven games on Sept. 12.

H. Matsui gets 3 hits, 2 RBIs in Yankees' loss

H. Matsui gets 3 hits, 2 RBIs in Yankees' loss

NEW YORK, United States - Hideki Matsui went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the New York Yankees' 8-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers, their third straight defeat, at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 16. Matsui extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single in the first inning, singled again in the third and doubled in another run in the ninth on his way to raising his batting average to .303. (MLB)

Baseball: Nationals beat Marlins again

Baseball: Nationals beat Marlins again

WASHINGTON, United States, April 5 Kyodo - Ichiro Suzuki strikes out in his ninth-inning pinch-hit appearance in the Miami Marlins' 6-4 loss to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 5, 2017. The Nationals have won the first two games of the season-opening series.

IPC meets with 2020 Paralympic organizing panel

IPC meets with 2020 Paralympic organizing panel

TOKYO, Japan - Xavier Gonzalez, chief executive officer of the International Paralympic Committee, addresses a joint meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 15, 2014, with the organizing committee for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Japan's capital. The meeting was held to discuss progress in preparations for the event, the first such meeting between the two organizations.

Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

TOKYO, Japan - Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants belts a two-run homer in the second inning of Game 3 of the Japan-Major League All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 15, 2014. Samurai Japan won the first two games.

Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

TOKYO, Japan - Sho Nakata of Nippon Ham Fighters whacks a two-run homer in the third inning of Game 3 of the Japan-Major League All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 15, 2014. Samurai Japan won the first two games.

Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

TOKYO, Japan - Takahiro Norimoto of the Rakuten Eagles starts Game 3 of the Japan-Major League All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 15, 2014. Samurai Japan won the first two games.

Japan boss Aguirre starts from scratch with new-look squad

Japan boss Aguirre starts from scratch with new-look squad

TOKYO, Japan - Japan coach Javier Aguirre attends a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 28, 2014, as he named players in a new-look squad for his first two games in charge of the Blue Samurai team. Japan is scheduled to take on Uruguay in Sapporo on Sept. 5 and Venezuela in Yokohama four days later.

IOC coordination panel, Japan's Olympic organizing panel hold talks

IOC coordination panel, Japan's Olympic organizing panel hold talks

TOKYO, Japan - John Coates (R), chairman of IOC's Coordination Commission for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Yoshiro Mori (2nd from R), president of Japan's Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, attend a meeting of their two panels at the Tokyo Metropolitan government building in Tokyo on June 25, 2014. The meeting, the first since the International Olympic Committee last September selected Tokyo as the venue for the 2020 Olympics, will be held for three days.

Final event at Tokyo's National Stadium

Final event at Tokyo's National Stadium

TOKYO, Japan - People pack Tokyo's National Stadium, the centerpiece of the 1964 Summer Olympic Games, to attend the "Japan Night" music concert on May 28, 2014, the first day of a two-day final event before the stadium is demolished to make way for the main venue for the 2020 Olympics. The work to demolish the stadium will begin in July and the new National Stadium will be completed in March 2016.

Final event at Tokyo's National Stadium

Final event at Tokyo's National Stadium

TOKYO, Japan - People pack Tokyo's National Stadium, the centerpiece of the 1964 Summer Olympic Games, to attend the "Japan Night" music concert on May 28, 2014, the first day of a two-day final event before the stadium is demolished to make way for the main venue for the 2020 Olympics. The work to demolish the stadium will begin in July and the new National Stadium will be completed in March 2016.

Tokyo Olympic seminar

Tokyo Olympic seminar

TOKYO, Japan - Gilbert Felli (R), the executive director for the Olympic Games at the International Olympic Committee, and Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose shake hands during an orientation seminar in Tokyo on Nov. 14, 2013. An IOC team led by Felli arrived in Japan the previous day for the first time since Tokyo won the 2020 Olympic bid in Buenos Aires two months ago.

Tokyo Olympic seminar

Tokyo Olympic seminar

TOKYO, Japan - Gilbert Felli (R), the executive director for the Olympic Games at the International Olympic Committee, and Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda exchange words during an orientation seminar in Tokyo on Nov. 14, 2013. An IOC team led by Felli arrived in Japan the previous day for the first time since Tokyo won the 2020 Olympic bid in Buenos Aires two months ago.

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara gives a press conference at the metropolitan government office on May 24, 2012, after Tokyo and two other cities cleared the first hurdle in the selection of candidates to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul moved to the final phase of the selection process after their bid plans obtained the nod from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board during a meeting in Quebec City.

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

QUEBEC CITY, Canada - Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda (2nd from L) smiles in Quebec City on May 23, 2012, after Tokyo and two other cities cleared the first hurdle in the selection of candidates to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul moved to the final phase of the selection process after their bid plans obtained the nod from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board during a meeting in the Canadian city.

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

QUEBEC CITY, Canada - Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda (C) and other members of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics bid committee hold a banner bearing messages of support for the bid, in Quebec City on May 23, 2012, after Tokyo and two other cities cleared the first hurdle in the selection of candidates to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul moved to the final phase of the selection process after their bid plans obtained the nod from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board during a meeting in the Canadian city.

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

Tokyo makes it onto Olympics host city shortlist

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (front row, 2nd from R) and others applaud at the Tokyo metropolitan government office on May 24, 2012, after Tokyo and two other cities cleared the first hurdle in the selection of candidates to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul moved to the final phase of the selection process after their bid plans obtained the nod from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board during a meeting in the Canadian city.

Kokubo finishes 8th in snowboard men's halfpipe

Kokubo finishes 8th in snowboard men's halfpipe

CYPRESS MOUNTAIN, Canada - Japan's Kazuhiro Kokubo reacts after he fell during his first of two runs in the snowboard men's halfpipe finals at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver on Feb. 17, 2010. Kokubo placed eighth in the competition with 35.7 points in his second run.