The Euro 2024 last-16 tie between Germany and Denmark on Saturday was temporarily halted late in the first half due to a violent storm.

English referee Michael Oliver stopped the match in Dortmund in the 35th minute and took the players off the pitch amid torrential rain, hailstones, high winds, thunder and lightning.

The score was 0-0 at the time of the stoppage at around 9:35 pm (1935 GMT).

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“Due to adverse weather conditions, the game has been suspended. More information to follow,” read a message posted on big screens inside the stadium.

Supporters in exposed seats in the 60,000 crowd were left to seek cover as water poured from the stadium roof.

Fan zones in Dortmund were also closed due to the weather conditions, local police told SID, an AFP subsidiary.

AFP

…as Obaseki, Alli preach peace, unity

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

Legendary Boxer, Isaac Ikhuoria(Oly) alongside over 500 young men and women on Saturday, June 29, participated in a 5km road race in Benin, the Edo State capital, to celebrate the 2024 Olympic Day.

INFO DAILY reports that the Olympic Day is an event celebrated globally. This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Move and Celebrate’.

The runners who began the 5km race from the Samuel Ogbemudia at the Sumuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, at about 8:00am were led by the chairman, Oredo Local Council Dr Tom Obaseki, and the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Dr Igbinosa Emmanuel.

The duo led the runners through Akenzua Road; Plymouth Road, King Square(Ring Road)through Oba Market Road, Zabayor Street and rounded off the exercise at the stadium, where certificates of participation were given to the participants.

2024 Olympic Day: Legendary boxer, Isaac Ikhuoria (left) receiving certificate of participation from Dr Igbinosa Emmanuel,  PS, Edo State Sports commission on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

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In his message, President, International Olympic Committee ( IOC), Thomas Bach, encouraged the Olympic community to celebrate the joy that only sports bring.

The message which was delivered by Obaseki, the President expressed optimism that at the Paris Olympics, “the athletes will inspire us with their achievements -they will inspire the world by living our Olympic motto: Faster,Higher-Stronger-Strong together.”

He added: “On Olympic Day, we celebrate the creation of the Olympic Movement by our founder Pierre de Coubertin. This year’s Olympic Day is a special one, taking place just ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“With the excitement building, the athletes; the fans, the entire Olympic Community around the world -all of us- we are looking forward to a new era of Olympic Games; younger, more inclusive, more urban and more sustainable.”

READ ALSO: First 100 Participants To Get Free Branded T-shirts As Obaseki Flags Off 2024 Olympic Day Run In Benin

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Edo Sports Commission, Olympian Yussuf Alli, described the Olympic Day as significant, saying it is a day set aside by the International Olympic Committee, IOC, to celebrate sports men and women and to encourage mass participation in sports.

The Chairman who was represented by Dr Igbinosa Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary of the Commission, added: “Firstly, it is marked all over the world .That is why it is under the umbrella body of the ‘Sports For All’ in IOC.

“So, Nigeria being a full member of the International Olympic Committee is celebrating it. And that is why the IOC wrote to Nigeria and Edo State to participate in the exercise.

“It is happening all over the world and we are happy that we are a part of the celebration.

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“It helps us to create the right awareness for fitness and also to bring people together because the essence of sports is coming together so that we can move forward and celebrate according to this year’s theme’ Move and Celebrate,” Igbinosa emphasized.

Obaseki on his part, highlighted the benefit of Olympic Day and sports as a unifying event that brings people together and promotes peace and health.

“We all understand that Olympic is a unifying event that brings people together, promotes peace, statesmanship and sportsmanship.

“So, wherever we are we should understand that sports bring people together and in the process,we keep ourselves healthy,” he added.

First hundred participants to arrived the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, for this year’s Olympic Day Run are to receive free branded T-shirts, Acting Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Dr Igbinosa Emmanuel, has said.

INFO DAILY reports that the Olympic Day is celebrated worldwide every June 23 but this year’s exercise with the theme “Lets Move and Celebrate” will hold on Saturday, June 29 in Benin.

The Permanent Secretary added that participants for the 2024 Olympic Day are expected to gather at the stadium by 7:00 AM and take off immediately.

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Emmanuel added that the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Dr Tom Obaseki will flag off the race at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium at 7.30am.

He said the that Obaseki and the Chairman of the Sports Commission will lead the runners through Akenzua Road; Plymouth Road, King Square(Ring Road) through Oba Market Road, Zabayor Street and round off the exercise at the stadium, where certificate of participation will be presented to the participants.

On his part, the Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission Olympian, Yussuf Alli confirmed that Edo State is participating in the 2024 Olympic Day Run during a meeting with the Heads of Departments of the Commission.

He called on all Edo residents to participate in the exercise.

He also directed the coaches and secretaries of all the Sports Associations in Edo State to mobilize their athletes for the global event.