Madrid, April 16 – The iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabeu will be the stage for the much-awaited El Clasico showdown between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona on April 21. The stadium, which has a rich history of hosting significant sporting events, has been refurbished to create a state-of-the-art venue for fans and spectators.

Since its inauguration in 1947, the Santiago Bernabeu has been witness to countless historic moments, including legendary Champions League victories and World Cup finals. The stadium has undergone a comprehensive renovation, both internally and externally, to enhance the overall experience for visitors.

With a capacity of over 81,000 spectators, the revamped Santiago Bernabeu boasts new features like retractable roofs, a 360-degree video scoreboard, and additional seating. The exterior of the stadium has been transformed with a stainless-steel wrap that can display images and lighting effects, adding a modern touch to the iconic venue.

Furthermore, the stadium now includes new towers, pedestrian areas, VIP zones, and a museum extension. Real Madrid aims to utilize the renovated Santiago Bernabeu for various events throughout the year, including concerts by international artists like Taylor Swift and Karol G, and even hosting a National Football League (NFL) game in 2025.

The Santiago Bernabeu’s transformation represents a significant step for the club in terms of revenue generation and establishing itself as a premier sports venue globally. The upcoming El Clasico match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will be a fitting spectacle to showcase the stadium’s new avatar to the world.

Around 100 days before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Olympic flame was ignited at Ancient Olympia, Greece. The flame will travel through Greece to France, arriving in Marseille on May 8 and reaching Paris for the opening ceremony on July 26.

Actress Mary Mina, portraying an ancient Greek High Priestess, lit the torch using a backup flame at the 2,500-year-old Temple of Hera. Dignitaries present included IOC President Thomas Bach and President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

The flame was passed to the first torchbearer, Greek rower Stefanos Douskos, who then handed it to Laure Manaudou, a French Olympic champion. Approximately 600 torchbearers will carry the flame over 5,000km, passing through cities and archaeological sites in Greece.

The Olympic flame will be handed over to Paris 2024 organizers on April 26 at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The next day, it will board the French vessel Belem at Piraeus port for its journey to France. The flame symbolizes peace and unity, connecting past and present Olympic Games.

Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater collapsed in court after his bail application was rejected on domestic violence charges. The 54-year-old faces 19 charges including stalking, intimidation, and assault occasioning bodily harm, with his next court hearing scheduled for May 31. Slater denied all allegations against him.

During his court appearance, Slater wore prison greens and collapsed to the floor when his bail application was denied. He has been in police custody since his arrest over the weekend, and has denied all accusations made against him by the complainant. Slater, known for his cricket career, played 74 Tests and 42 ODIs for Australia between 1993 and 2001, scoring over 5,000 runs.

The charges against Slater range from alleged offences between December 5, 2023, and April 12, 2024, with the most severe being choking or strangulation. Despite the serious charges, Slater continues to maintain his innocence. His collapse in court following the denial of his bail application has gained widespread attention, with the former cricketer now awaiting his next court hearing to contest the charges levied against him.