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23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of...

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of mountaineers, now stands as one of the Olympics’ most electrifying disciplines. The sport demands not just power and agility but precision measured in hundredths of a second. Watson, often hailed as the greatest speed climber of all time, has repeatedly rewritten the record books. His visit marks a milestone for India’s fledgling climbing scene. High Rock, the city’s first commercial climbing facility, opened its walls in December 2024 and has since drawn more than 10,000 enthusiasts. It represents the country’s growing fascination with vertical sports and a reflection of a global shift toward adventure and athleticism fused with technology and training science. During his visit, Sam Watson will conduct Masterclasses for both Kids and Adults, offering a rare opportunity for amateur climbers to learn directly from a global champion and experience his unmatched energy and technique up close. Watson will be joined by Matt Groom, the Official Lead Commentator for the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). Known as the voice of IFSC World Cups and World Championships, Groom will host a 30-minute talk at High Rock on ‘The Evolution of Climbing in Competitive Sport.’ His insights promise to provide a deep look into the transformation of climbing from niche adventure to Olympic spectacle. Event: Sam Watson, Olympic Medalist and current World Record holder at High Rock Date: November 2, 2025 Location: High Rock, Powai, Mumbai

Türkiye’s Bid to Join BRICS Can Bridge Gap between East & West

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Türkiye’s Bid to Join BRICS Can Bridge Gap between East & West

Türkiye has formally requested to join BRICS, the bloc of emerging-market nations, signaling a significant shift in its foreign policy aimed at expanding its global influence beyond traditional Western alliances. Turkish officials have confirmed the development, underscoring President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s belief that the geopolitical center of gravity is shifting away from the West toward emerging economies like China and Russia.

 Since its inception with and China, and the addition of South Africa in 2010, BRICS has expanded to include 11members. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates joined in 2024. Now known as "BRICS Plus," the group represents 46% of the global population, 29% of the world’s GDP, 43% of oil production, and 25% of global exports.

 Türkiye’s economy aligns well with the BRICS bloc. Half of Türkiye’s natural gas imports come from Russia, while the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China aims to link East Asia, the fastest-growing region, with Europe, the largest single market. Türkiye’s strategic position makes it a key distribution hub for the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.

 Türkiye’s desire to join BRICS also reflects its ambition to balance ties in a multipolar world, while still maintaining its obligations as a key member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The timing of Türkiye’s application, which was submitted earlier this year, is important. Türkiye has maintained strong relations with Russia. On the other hand It is playing a significant role in NATO which is flexing muscles against Russia. By becoming a member of BRICS , Turkey will become more influential to mediate between Russia and Washington-led West. 

This move can multiply Turkey’s strength as on one side it is an integral member of NATO and on the other side it is growing closeness with Russia and China. 

An official from Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the bid, stressing that it forms part of a broader strategy to diversify Türkiye’s international relations.

 "Türkiye can become more powerful, prosperous, and prestigious by improving its relations with both the East and the West,” Erdoğan said during a speech in Istanbul over the weekend. “Any other approach will harm Türkiye’s interests.”

 BRICS is actively seeking to expand its global footprint, with plans to launch a currency and banking system that could rival the dominance of the U.S. dollar. 

The BRICS summit scheduled for October 22-24 in Kazan, Russia, is expected to discuss further enlargement of the group. In addition to Türkiye, other countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Azerbaijan have also expressed interest in joining. 

 For BRICS members, Türkiye’s inclusion could provide access to significant new trade routes and deepen political ties in the region.

 For the West, however, Türkiye’s possible entry into BRICS is highly significant. By becoming a part of BRICS, Türkiye can serve as abridge between Washington dominated financial institutions (like IMF and World Bank) and BRICS. New members would gain access to financing through BRICS’ New Development Bank, as well as the potential for increased trade and political cooperation. Türkiye’s inclusion in BRICS will also strengthen China-led BRICS’s role at world’s financial horizon.

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