RIO DE JANEIRO: Nepal earthquake survivor Gaurika Singh is the youngest competitor at the Rio Games. The 13-year-old was born in Nepal but moved to London at the age of two. She survived a devastating earthquake in 2015 in Nepal. She will make her Olympics debut on Sunday’s 100m backstroke preliminary. “That’s quite cool, a bit unreal too,” Gaurika said, having just competed in her local district championships for her school in Hertfordshire. Gaurika started to compete in the Nepal championships at the age of 11. In one of Kathmandu’ s two 50-metre pools, she broke seven national records, prompting thoughts that she might make the Olympics. “I wanted to go but was not sure I would be able to because I am too young. But when I found out a month ago, it was a big shock,” she said. Her father Paras believes his daughter, who gets up at 4am every day to train, deserves her success. “My dad is coming with me to Rio, and my grandparents and friends at school are really proud, but they are really good at their own things,” Gaurika said.

Saudi runner breaking barriers

RIO DE JANEIRO: Pioneer Saudi sportswoman Sarah al-Attar has already raced at the Olympics, but now her campaign will become a marathon as she uses the Rio Games to break down barriers in the conservative kingdom. Attar turned heads in the head-to-toe outfit she patched together with her mother to race in the 800 metres at the 2012 London Games, where she was one of the first Saudi women Olympians. This time Attar, now 23, will take on the grueling 42 kilometer (26 mile) marathon race in Rio, where four Saudi women will take part. The women and seven Saudi men arrived in Rio on Monday, but were kept away from prying media. Gender divisions are so sensitive that the Saudi Olympic Committee website did not name the women who will represent the country. Along with Attar, they are judoka Wujud Fahmi, fencer Lubna al-Omair and 100m runner Cariman Abu al-Jadail.

Just seven athletes from Pakistan

Karachi: When 206 nations march past during the Rio Olympics opening ceremony, a mere seven-athlete team will represent Pakistan -- one fewer than the contingent sent by tiny Atlantic island Bermuda. Despite producing world-class cricketers, hockey players and squash champions in 68 years since independence, Pakistan’s Olympic medal tally is an imperfect 10 — eight in field hockey and only two individual. The Olympics in Brazil mark the lowest ebb for Pakistan as they failed to qualify in field hockey for the first time since their maiden appearance in 1948 London Games. Three athletes -- shooters Ghulam Mustafa Bashir and Minhal Sohail, and judoka Shah Hussain, qualified by right on the “continental quota” after racking up reasonable records in various international competitions.

India beat Spain in practice match

RIO DE JANEIRO: Akashdeep struck a field goal while Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty corner as the Indian men’s hockey team edged Spain 2-1 in a practice match ahead of the Olympic Games here today. India are scheduled to play one more practice game before they begin their campaign against Ireland on Saturday. Skipper PR Sreejesh said since they had lost to Spain in Madrid before coming in Brazil, it can be considered a good omen ahead of tournament proper. Meanwhile, Australia thrashed Germany 5-2 with Blake Govers scoring a brace and Jake Whetton, Eddie Ockenden and Jeremy Hayward sounding the board once each.

Wawrinka pulls out due to injury

Rio De Janeiro: Switzerland’s world No. 4 Stan Wawrinka has pulled out the tennis competition at the Rio Olympics because of injury, he said in a statement to the Swiss Tennis Federation on Tuesday. “I am very sad because after Beijing and London, I would have liked to experience my third Olympic Games in Brazil; unfortunately that will now not be possible,” he said. — Agencies