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LA 2028 Olympics plans air taxi service for spectators

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Spectators could fly through the Los Angeles skies and escape the city’s notorious traffic during the 2028 Olympic Games if the organisers have their way.

LA28, the committee charged with planning the city’s third Summer Games, have announced a partnership with Archer Aviation to provide an air taxi service during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The company says it plans to use a fleet of aircraft to ferry fans to and from venues, LA28 announced on Thursday.

Flying taxis have been a longstanding dream. They were planned to debut in the Paris Games in 2024, but were not certified by Europe’s air safety agency in time.

Similarly, Archer Aviation has not yet been certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration, meaning the aircraft are not ready yet for commercial use. It’s founder and CEO has said he hoped to have that key signoff – a Type Certification that says it meets design and safety standards – by the aviation regulator this year.

If they receive certification in time for the 2028 Games, the air taxis would offer 10-20 minute flights to residents and visitors and fly between select destinations, including several of the largest Olympic venues in the region.

It is unclear how much each trip would cost, but Archer Aviation’s founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said he wants to keep prices comparable to a high-end Uber, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Like the popular ride-hailing service, customers would be able to request an air taxi through an app. The aircraft can carry up to four people and operates similarly to a helicopter in its take-offs and landings.

The piloted Midnight aircraft is part of a family of vehicles called “eVTOLs” – which stands for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Archer, which is backed by Boeing and United Airlines, is among several eVTOL makers seeking to change travel in congested urban cities by offering short-haul air travel.

The industry has seen many hurdles, including battery density, and none of the aircraft have yet been approved by the FAA.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft is built with 12 engines and propellers, and produces “less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter”, according to LA28.

Archer Aviation hopes it will be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) “at similar levels of safety as commercial airliners”.

“We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America,” Mr Goldstein said in a statement. “There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games.”

Safety, regulations and investment have proved a big hurdle for companies trying to introduce flying taxis. Despite the setbacks and delays, many still believe they could be the future of transportation.

Archer Aviation remains confident its aircraft can buck recent trends, and sees the 2028 Olympics as a way to introduce them to the world.

The UK government announced the Future of Flight action plan in 2024, predicting that the first flying taxi could take off in the UK by 2026 and become a regular sight in the skies.

Los Angeles has previously hosted the Olympics in 1984 and 1932, making this the third time the city has hosted the Summer Games. The city has announced the 2028 Games will not allow cars, a tall order after plans were nixed to expand the area’s transit system.

(BBC News)

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Equipment given to non cricket playing schools in WP

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The Ministry of Youth and Sports today distributed cricket equipment to 30 selected schools in the Western Province that currently do not offer cricket.

The programme is done with the goal of ensuring that every child interested in cricket has the opportunity to pursue the sport, despite their economic status. It is also expected to be expanded to all districts in the future.

The distribution was held under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne at the Ministry premises.

Officials from the Ministry, principals, teachers, and students from the selected schools participated in the event.

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Ex- SL cricketer indicted for match-fixing

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The Attorney General has filed an indictment before the Hambantota High Court against former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachindra Madushanka Senanayake.

Senanayake faces charges of attempting to induce national cricketer Tharindu Hasanka Ratnayake into match-fixing during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament in 2020.

The allegations include soliciting, inducing, or instructing the player in a manner that violates Section 5(a) of the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019.

Senanayake is also said to have allegedly contacted two other cricketers participating in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament in 2020 via telephone from Dubai, attempting to persuade them to engage in match-fixing. He had previously been released on bail in connection with those allegations.

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RCB lifts their first IPL title

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Virat Kohli’s long wait to lay his hands on the IPL trophy finally ended as Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the Indian Premier League for the first time by defeating Punjab Kings in the final on Tuesday (June 03).

PBKS kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with captain Shreyas Iyer being dismissed for just one run. Earlier, RCB posted a score of 190 for nine after PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli was the top scorer for RCB with 43 off 35 balls, while Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson took three wickets each for PBKS.

This was Punjab’s first title clash since 2014, while it was the fourth for RCB. The final was also the second successive for Shreyas Iyer as captain after marshalling Kolkata Knight Riders’ triumph in 2024.

PBKS and RCB had finished at the top two positions respectively after a gruelling 70-match league round. 

(NDTV)

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