Murray Targets Paris Olympics After Tokyo Disappointment 

Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)
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Murray Targets Paris Olympics After Tokyo Disappointment 

Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)

Briton Andy Murray said he hopes to play in his fifth and likely final Olympic Games in Paris next year, after the two-times gold medalist endured disappointment in Tokyo due to injury.

The 36-year-old Scot claimed his first gold at the London Games in 2012 and backed it up with another at Rio 2016, but he pulled out of the singles competition in Tokyo two years ago with a thigh strain.

Murray continued to compete in the doubles tournament with Joe Salisbury in Japan, where the pair reached the quarter-finals.

"I'd love to play another Olympics. I've had thrilling experiences throughout my career at the Olympics. I've loved every single one I've been involved in," Murray said at the Zhuhai Championships.

"I was really disappointed last time. I'd gotten an injury before the tournament and I promised my partner I'd prioritize the doubles over singles if there was a problem. And we were very close to getting a medal in the doubles.

"We were up a set and 4-3, serving with game points in the quarter-finals and we had a really good chance and didn't quite do it. I'd love another opportunity to play next year in Paris. It would be my fifth Olympics and most likely the last one."

Three-times Grand Slam champion and former world number one Murray has fought his way up the world rankings since having hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 and is currently 41st.

Last week, he helped guide Britain into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup where they will take on Serbia in November.



Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)

The third stage of the Dakar Rally 2025, which is being held in Saudi Arabia for the sixth consecutive year, started Tuesday and will continue until January 17. Competitors began the stage in Bisha Governorate and will finish in Al Hanakiyah, covering a total distance of 894 km, including a timed special stage of 327 km, the Saudi Press Agency said on Wednesday.
The fourth stage of the event will start today from Al Hanakiyah and conclude in AlUla Governorate, covering a total distance of 588 km, including a timed special stage of 415 km.
Drivers will face significant challenges in this stage as they will not be able to rely on mechanical support teams.