Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics
Ray Bassil said she was sorry she could not bring home a medal for Lebanon after missing out on the final for the women’s trap shooting final at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday
Bassil, 35, resumed Wednesday’s final qualifying rounds in 13th place overall with only the top six guaranteed a place in the final.
Scores of 23 and 20 took her total to 114 to finish down in 21st position overall, seven shots shy of the cut-off.
“Unfortunately, I was not qualified for the trap shooting competition and didn’t reach the final. After five rounds with scores of 23/25, 25/25, 23/25, 23/25, and 20/25, I finished with a total score of 114/125,” Bassil said in an Instagram post.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who believed in me. I aimed and wished to bring an Olympic medal to Lebanon, hoping to make a small positive change in a country facing immense challenges, especially amidst the recent tragic events.
“But that’s the nature of sports, and trap shooting, in particular – success can come down to the difference of just one plate. A heartfelt thank you to all my sponsors who supported me throughout this journey. Your backing has been invaluable, and I am hopeful that next time will be better."
Lebanon has faced years of political upheaval and financial turmoil and is increasingly being drawn into a regional conflict with neighbours Israel.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah has attacked Israeli targets in the Golan Heights as part of a wider retaliation against Israel for its invasion of Gaza. The invasion occurred after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7.
Israel has retaliated in kind, with reports that an Israeli strike in a Beirut suburb on Tuesday had killed Fouad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's top commanders.
No Lebanese athlete has won an Olympic medal since the 1980 Games in Moscow.
Bassil, competing in her fourth Olympics, was part of a 10-strong squad competing in Paris and she expressed pride in her teammates for just making it to the Games amid chronic underfunding of athletes in the country.
“To all the Lebanese athletes who participated in the Olympics, you are the pride of our country, regardless of the results. We faced incredible odds, trained tirelessly, and aimed to bring home a medal for Lebanon. Though it didn’t happen this time, I firmly believe it will one day.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
