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Saudi Runner Ghazwani Wins 800m Gold at Asian Games

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Runner Ghazwani Wins 800m Gold at Asian Games

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi runner Issa Ghazwani, 20, won gold medal in the 19th Asian Games in the men's 800-meter race at the Olympic stadium in Hangzhou, China.
Ghazwani placed first, with a time of 1:48.05, while India's Afzal Mohammad took silver in a time of 1.48.43, and the bronze medal went to Hussein Al-Farsi of Oman in a time of 1.48.43, SPA reported.
Ghazwani took all by surprise by winning the race in record time though he was not considered among the fastest runners in the 800m race.
With Ghazwani's gold medal, the Kingdom has so far won five medals in the 19th Asian Games -- two gold, two silver, and one bronze.

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Ricciardo Knew He Was Out before Singapore, Says RB Boss

RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)
RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)
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Ricciardo Knew He Was Out before Singapore, Says RB Boss

RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)
RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)

Daniel Ricciardo and his RB Formula One team knew before last month's Singapore Grand Prix that he was leaving and having to pretend otherwise was "not ideal", principal Laurent Mekies said on Friday.

The Australian spent much of that weekend awkwardly side-stepping questions about his unconfirmed departure and replacement by New Zealander Liam Lawson for this weekend's US Grand Prix.

Asked by reporters in Austin why 35-year-old Ricciardo had not been given a proper chance to say goodbye, Mekies said the eight-times race-winner's departure could have been handled better.

"It was frustrating, and yes, you're right, it was not ideal to go through the weekend in that way, first of all for him, on a professional and on a personal matter, and for the whole team around him," said the Frenchman.

"Yes, Daniel was aware. We did have discussions before the weekend. For many different reasons, we chose together to go into that weekend without announcing. And from that point onwards, we had to deal with it.

"It's a decision that, in hindsight, we may or may not do differently," he added.

Ricciardo's departure was announced on Sept. 26, four days after the Singapore race.

The Australian this week appeared in a photo on the Instagram account of friend and former motocross racer Adam Cianciarulo wearing a cap with the words "I'm retired. Having a good time IS my job" on it.

Mekies said the team and fans had still found a way to convey their affection for Ricciardo, one of Formula One's most popular drivers, who is famed for his light-hearted approach and smiling personality.

"I can hopefully say that the amount of love and empathy we felt through that weekend was something outstanding and something that shows that he's bigger than an F1 driver, he's bigger than F1," he added.