Cambridge defends boat race titles against Oxford on River Thames

Cambridge successfully defended their men's and women's titles in a thrilling boat race against Oxford on Sunday, showcasing the enduring rivalry of the UK's top universities on the iconic River Thames in London.

In the men's race, Cambridge took control from an early stage and eased to victory over Oxford, marking their third successive win and a sixth in seven contests.

Cambridge's women were given a third-of-a-length advantage after a restart following a clash of oars where Oxford risked disqualification. They extended that lead to coast home, securing an eighth consecutive victory and bringing their total to 49 wins in 79 stagings of the women's event. The race was held on its historic course, spanning four miles and 374 yards (6.8 km) between Putney and Mortlake bridges along the River Thames. However, ahead of Sunday’s event, organizers expressed concerns over the river's water quality, labeling it an "ongoing issue."

It was the 10th year the women's race has been staged on the same day and the same course as the men's, attracting a large number of spectators.

Considered one of the world's oldest and most famous amateur sporting events, the Boat Race captures the famous rivalry between the UK's two oldest universities.

The men's race first took place in 1829 and became an annual event from 1856.

The women's race started in 1927, and became an annual event from 1964. It has been run on the same day and course as the men's race since 2015.

The only occasions official races didn't take place were during World War I and World War II, and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people must be respected and protected, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

Mao made the remarks in response to a media query about the reports that the Israeli parliament recently adopted a new law introducing death penalty for Palestinians, and countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed strong condemnation, saying such practice is "entrenching a system of apartheid."

"All legislation must conform to legal principles such as the principle of legality, fairness and justice, and must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality or political view. The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people must be respected and protected. Relevant party’s actions that escalate tensions and exacerbate confrontation must stop," said Mao.