He's Back!!

Habari Gani, Happy Hanukkah, and Merry Christmas!
This is the 105th. anniversary of the birth of the 'Dedicatee' - the other 'JC'

Queen Accepts Scotland’s Apology

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/queen-accepts-scotlands-apology?utm_source=tny&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=borowitz&mbid=nl_091914_Borowitz&CUST_ID=25936094&spMailingID=7131839&spUserID=NjM1OTEwMDg0MzES1&spJobID=522083175&spReportId=NTIyMDgzMTc1S0

RIP

http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140910-david-whyte-1905936.aspx

Charles Hardin Holley born September 7, 1936

The man would have been 78 today - amazing

The War to end all wars ...

... how did that work out!!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/05/guardian-1914-england-declares-war-germany

http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2014/aug/05/guardian-newspaper-1914-first-world-war

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11011391/Lights-go-out-as-UK-remembers-WWI.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11010340/First-World-War-centenary-poppies-fill-Tower-of-London-moat.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11010026/First-World-War-centenary-historic-Wipers-Times-newspaper-recreated.html

http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/brochures/the-flanders-fields-post-uk-edition.jsp

Bad news on the doorstep!

(actually on the world wide web!)
KJT pulling out of the Commonwealth Games with a "stress reaction" in her foot.
Given her young age, a wise decision, but somewhat optimistically she feels she may still be OK to LJ at the Europeans - running or throwing maybe - but I would have thought that jumping was out for at least a month.

2 Days to Go!

World Junior Championships begin Tuesday in Eugene - first up is the Heptatahlon hurdles as "Veronica" rejoins the battle with the two girls who finished 29 points (Visser) and 11 points (Rodriguez) respectively ahead of her in Goetzis.

Here is the link to official entry list as at yesterday's date

https://iaafmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/competitioninfo/e09c6793-1f53-45d8-97c9-4df7a6732fbf.pdf

Final entries will be available after 16.00 PST on the 21st. (+ 8 hours for UK time)

Bach continues to compose the promised chaneges

http://news.yahoo.com/olympic-leaders-back-tv-channel-bidding-changes-164053079--spt.html

http://news.yahoo.com/olympic-tv-channel-gains-support-ioc-meeting-141938718.html

http://news.yahoo.com/ioc-explain-merits-games-better-says-bach-154204400--oly.html

http://news.yahoo.com/lviv-drops-2022-bid-targets-2026-games-ioc-081424148--oly.html

http://news.yahoo.com/lviv-3-cities-left-race-22-games-215622152.html

http://news.yahoo.com/ukraines-lviv-quits-2022-bidding-race-093726690--oly.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/does-anyone-want-to-host-the-2022-winter-olympics-195531135.html

Well done Mrs. Hill !

Our beautiful baby boy Reggie Ennis-Hill was born yesterday. We couldn't be happier x pic.twitter.com/2KrMEccFSK

Gary Warburton??

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/commonwealth-games/28329545

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/commonwealth-games/28338669http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/commonwealth-games/28338669

"Father, Son and Holy Coach"

What an inspired sub-title for the David Rudisha documentary "100 seconds to Beat the World"*, which traces the 10 years to his Olympic Gold.
The "Beeb" is showing it next Tuesday (BBC Four @ 10 pm.), and it will sit nicely alongside Eamonn Coghlan's documentary on Brother Colm.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/other-sports/rudishas-long-road-to-olympic-glory-with-holy-coach-from-mallow-275555.html

another link for when the above "disappears"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXBYrKdx7og



(* OK - in case you didn't get it - that's 1' 40" for 800m.)

I refute the suggestion ...

... that I showed no interest in the World Cup!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zpeu1_top-10-world-cup-wags_sport?from=ca

And while we're at it, how does Messi become player of the tournament? He wasn't vene the best player on his team - Mascherano almost single-handedly carried the Argentine team through the tournament, while managing to show none of the thugish behaviour he displayed in the EPL!
And best goalkeeper - I have no quarrel with the selection, but Tim Howard wasn't even among the finalists - apart from his incredible display against Belgium. he pretty much kept USA, USA, USA  in every one of their games.
But, what do I know about football - my team's in the Championship, and I know a guy who supports Millwall!

Oh, you Boulder Beauty

Emma Coburn 9:11.42 American Record!

            

Caught in the Act!

Vlad "Now, about the rest of my money ..."

                        

                                                                       Sepp "You're f--king kidding right?"

I knew UK Sport were tough, but this is ridiculous!

"UK Sport announces 2014 medal targets of between 90 and 120 for each funded Olympic sport to prepare for Rio 2016" - Really!

This is the exact copy of the headline on the Beeb's website on June 24, 2014
The actual article was a little clearer, but so far the headline hasn't changed

Maggie V's progression

Her outfits through the rounds at USA T & F National Championships

           !st. Round

           

           Semi

           

                         and the Final

                         

Trying to comply!

As it appears that clothing has overtaken all else in recent postings, this little video outlines the
trials of a new company entering the world of track and field (and the Olympics).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BIHRUs6Ulo

and if you watch to the end there is a link to Oiselle's fashion show in which all the models are athletes

You may not like her outfits...

    ... but here's what New Balance wanted her to wear 2 years ago!


    

In view of the interest ...

  ... in the May 30 th. I feel obliged to bring to you
  attention Ms. V's creations form earlier this season.
  I can't even begin to imagine what she has in store for
  Nationals!

    

      

    

The other side ...

... of being a top class athlete!

A couple of days after winning in Goetzis, KJT got down to the more serious side of professional athletics!

                

Oh dear

With the football World Cup about to start with incomplete stadiums and unfinished facilities, there may be a few sailors reconsidering competing in the 2016 Olympics

http://news.yahoo.com/mayor-rio-fail-keep-pledge-clean-bay-202539530.html

Swimming's Cancelled

At last the Valley "lake" is being replaced with a football pitch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU8l4SRI0hA

http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140606-pitch-update-1617470.aspx

Wow "the boys" are getting edumacated !!

Goetzis 2014

Unfortunately a failing camera battery prevented me sharing this year's Hypo meeting in the way I intended, so below are a collection of items/postings from others.
At the end are the links to the wonderful photos of "the dude"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dHcn9YKxyg

https://www.facebook.com/TeamBroersen.NadineBroersen/photos/a.161798427290463.38791.161776493959323/453074078162895/?type=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsBZ6fwGp-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVMvSQNZQxU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nis5kYQu8Mc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lHBKwP6Fx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_f1_RwPfVY

The Athlete Presentations - Friday evening
http://photography.mibdude.com/p677756888

The Heptathlon
http://photography.mibdude.com/p1005954311

The Decathlon
http://photography.mibdude.com/p1064533704

Poor Marea

Poor Marea will be turning in her grave - she famously said "my girls (she considered all female track athletes "her girls") will never wear white shorts" !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYgRo9xGTP8

(For those too young to remember Ms. Hartman follow this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marea_Hartman )

Great start !!

"Veronica" missed her flight, and will now be getting one at 7 am. tomorrow!

The news we've been waiting for..

... the start lists for Goetzis!

http://www.meeting-goetzis.at/meeting.htm#starterfeld%202014

What an incredible Women's field (in the absence of any such event this year, I'm sure the winner will get dubbed the "Unofficial World Champion); probably the only 2 missing are Mrs. Hill and Chernova.
KJT's individual event results suggest she's "wintered" well, but missing out on the discretionary place at the WIC (understandably to a Pole), and being ill at her one other scheduled Pentathlon, means she hasn't put "together" a combined event since Moscow. A new PB ought to be "automatic", certainly over 6600, but 6700 is probably out of reach.
What to make of "Veronica"? - her wonderful performance in her first Heptathlon with Senior implements and hurdle height ('Multistars' in Florence) was an outstanding success, but was only a few weeks ago, and the decision to compete here seems to have been a last minute one. Maybe it's a case of her being too young to know any better!
Broersen has a strong javelin to add to the good form she showed in winning the Pentathlon WIC, while her "teammate" Dafne S. (who continues to be the best sprinter in the world masquerading as a Heptathlete) should improve some - who ever finishes ahead of thos two should set a new Dutch record
If Ashley Bryant continues his steady improvement - an improvement of his PB will also give him a European qualifying standard.

Britannia Waives the Rules !

In an astonishing decision by the panel responsible for ratifying British records, Greg Rutherford's 8.51 leap at Chula Vista has been ratified as a British record.
The IAAF, and to this point the UK for performances in Britain, have among their requirements for a record in the long jump both a wind gauge and a plasticine strip beyond the take off board - the absence of either would negate the consideration of a performance for a record.
All the nonsense about what the "grainy" video of the jump shows, is immaterial.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/10859061/Greg-Rutherfords-controversial-giant-leap-in-California-finally-ratified-as-an-official-British-record.html

What an ass!!

Was there ever an athlete more in love with himself than Carl Lewis (when most other folk can't stand him).
To call himself a "leader" for the sport is laughable - time and again he demonstrated he was in it for himself.
And the claim that the sport grew every year he was competing, but hasn't grown since, really makes you wonder which world he is in!
Outside of track and Olympic fans most people remember for his ongoing spat with Ben Johnson.
Usain Bolt has done more for the promotion of sport in the last few years than Lewis did in the whole of his career!

http://www.asianage.com/other-sports/no-real-leader-athletics-lewis-611

Don't Let your Kids Hurdle Ma!

http://co.milesplit.com/articles/128466-the-3a-110-meter-hurdles-train-wreck

Pretty Damning!

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http://www.vn.nl/Archief/Samenleving/Artikel-Samenleving/Betrapt-Adrienne-Herzog-gebruikte-wel-doping.htm?utm_content=buffer9f966&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Also!

The other debut we're not hearing much about!

It would appear there needs to be be a consistent fast pace from the beginning to take the sting out of  T. Dibaba, and it will need to come from the racers themselves as this is "women only". It is not difficult to see up to 4 women being under 2h 20', and maybe a couple significantly faster than that - however the difficulty remains they have to do it themselves with no "free ride" to 30k., and I think long before that they will be racing each other. We are more likely to see a negative split in the women's race, and if she doesn't lose early contact then I think that plays into Jeptoo's hands (or feet!).

The field previewed:
http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/london-women-dibaba-debuts-in-loaded-field

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/10/tirunesh-dibaba-confident-challenge-london-marathon?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/london-marathon-2014-mo-farahs-debut-topped-by-brilliant-tirunesh-dibaba-9252671.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWL0SPF9Ap8&feature=youtu.be

The Event

"Winning would be the greatest thing I’ve ever achieved. At the Olympics, I’m sure most people believed that if I had a bad day I would still finish third or fourth. Here we don’t know.”

“I’ve gone straight in at the deep end, but that’s what champions do.”

- Mo Farah accurately describing what he’s attempting to do on Sunday. The 3:28 1500 runner is taking on the world’s best over 42.2 km in a race that seems like a real-life version of fantasy track and field

What to expect:
It would be easy to say the answer is somewhere in all the links below - but as we know it doesn't matter how many words are written, or many "grey cells" are lost in analysis of the race, the marathon more than most events, is capable of producing a result no one thought of! 
First and foremost MoFa is a racer in the mould of the younger Ovett - not interested in records, but prepared to race you, and whatever you threw at him. Unfortunately, in terms of finding out what he is capable of, no one has chosen to really "stick it to him" in a championship 5k. or 10k. The man undoubtedly is very talented, and has real speed - I do not doubt that he could beat the World Records for 2k., 3k. and 5k. but I am by no means confident he can beat the 10k. record. Both Smiley Haile and KB set multiple records at 5k and 10k. and had a greater volume of miles in their legs, before attempting their first marathons; and of course did not set World Records in their debuts - it took SH a couple of years and a few races to get there. And of course there have been many talented athletes who have run fast half marathons and not made the transition to the full distance - and in this professional era it hasn't mattered much, because they can still make a very nice living thank you! Everything changes physiologically after 60-70 minutes effort.
A big part of the puzzle that is missing, for both race preparation and prediction, is the 20 mile race - the great Belgrave 20 mile races of the 60s, 70s, and into the 80s were great predictors of marathon performance, as was the Inter-County 20 miles.
What part, if any, has MoFa's fall and subsequent "collapse", played in his preparation (physical and mental) - I would suggest very little physically - he has previously shown a tendency to react badly in very cold weather, and that is unlikely to be an issue Sunday - I do think that how easily Mutai handled him ( the fall not withstanding) may play on his mind.
Public statements have consistently been "my aim is to break the British Record" rather than win, and the statement "I always enter a race attempting to win" was probably read a little out of context as being a change to his basic plan to get through the race. We have also been told the plan is to back off the lead group and aim for 62' 15" at the halfway, and come back with a negative split - how much faster can someone go in the second half when their best for the distance is over 60'?
We are told Smiley Haile's pace making will continue to 30k.  (still about 2k. short of 20 miles), and as we know that is really the point at which the race starts (to quote one of the commentators at the Paris race "this is 6 miles longer than any sensible race should be" - needless to say an "ex-sprinter"!). If there are still 4-6 runners with him, I think 2, or even 3 of them, could break the World record, but I do not think MoFa will be one of them, and I think Geoffrey Mutai would win in that scenario. Should the pace back off after SM's duties finish I believe Kiprotich can win, as of course could MoFa if he's still in the mix.
If he runs under 2h 5' I think the move up can be considered a success, but is he is significantly slower (2h 6'+) he needs to put off the experiment for a while.

Renato Canova Prediction (this link should go directly to it, but you may need to scroll down):
http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5735714&page=1#5735936

A Prediction:
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/04/2014-london-marathon-mens-preview-breaking-race-ages/


'LetsRun' London 2014 Special:
http://www.letsrun.com/events/2014-london-marathon/

All the video interviews you could possibly want!
https://www.youtube.com/user/LondonMarathonTV/videos


Race Previews:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/apr/11/mo-farah-expected-win-london-marathon

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/11/london-marathon-haile-gebrselassie-guide

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/09/mo-farah-london-marathon

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/08/mo-farah-collapse-new-york-london-marathon-kipsang

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2014/apr/08/mo-farah-london-marathon-video

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/26996558

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/26963298

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/26968962

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/26946697

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/10760631/London-Marathon-2014-Mo-Farah-says-victory-on-Sunday-would-be-his-greatest-achievement.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/10761336/London-Marathon-2014-Mo-Farah-looks-ready-to-step-up-for-a-test-against-the-best.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/10758916/Mo-Farah-will-break-my-29-year-old-British-record-in-London-Marathon-says-Steve-Jones.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/10756131/Mo-Farah-to-run-in-slower-group-in-London-Marathon.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/10752969/Mo-Farah-raring-to-go-for-Sundays-London-Marathon.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/10753333/London-Marathon-2014-Mo-Farah-is-setting-his-sights-on-victory-and-a-British-record-on-his-debut-over-26.2-miles.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/10750404/Long-distance-great-Kenenisa-Bekele-looks-forward-to-taking-his-rivalry-with-Mo-Farah-on-the-road.html

Ow - that's going to itch!

Really good news

Putting the naysayers to rest!

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/apr/11/olympic-park-legacy-glory-london-2012

Why?

I certainly don't know all the details, but on the face of it this seems petty

http://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000002818512/gaza-runner-israeli-hurdles.html?emc=edit_th_20140411&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=60950112

Meaningful advice!

Now this is a tip I can really relate to

Paul Freedman - Follow a nice bum

Paul Freedman, 89, is the oldest runner at this year's London Marathon. He has taken part in every London Marathon since 1991, except 2004 when he was recovering from a heart attack.

"Last year I was asked what kept me going and I replied by saying 'I get behind a nice bum and go from there!

Can you say "No honour among thieves"!

... of even "rats leaving a sinking ship"
(actually I think the ship was already on the bottom of the ocean - just that some of the "rats' were hiding in an airhole
It transpires that LA is a real stand up guy

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2014/04/09/lance-armstrong-named-names-written-answers-doping/7532825/

Long live Alf!

The return of Alf Tupper (just in time to challenge MoFa and others)

                 



At last our sport's weekly "fish wrap" is upgrading and adding something relevant and worthwhile!

http://www.athleticsweekly.com/featured/alf-tupper-returns-2123/

I better watch my step!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/world/europe/britains-power-to-disown-its-citizens-raises-questions.html?emc=edit_th_20140410&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=60950112&_r=0

This is what sets him apart!

Gotta love this response by MoFa to the inevitable question:

On Kenenisa Bekele's Paris win, Farah says: "It gives me good confidence. If Bekele can do it, then why can’t I?"

And now you know the rest of the story!

As is often the case the full story eventually emerge - original explanation by the organisers blamed the supplier.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-26938226?

... and something good came out of the "chaos"

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/07/sheffield-half-marathon-runners-farce-water-shortage

Coffee and red wine may benefit brain health!

Good to know that all my hard work hasn't been for naught (though you wouldn't know by my "results"!)

Want to lower your risk for age-related brain disease like Alzheimer's? Start drinking more of these popular adult beverages . . .

http://www.sharecare.com/health/diet-nutrition/article/coffee-red-wine-keep-mind-young?eid=1010707950&memberid=23289636&_sid=4cd442d4-7206-4a5a-9fa8-2b177ff192b5&#cmpid=sceml00

The "Kick-Off" Event!

(or the "warm-up" act for next week!)
I think this is one of the most well thought out, balanced and nuanced articles I have read on running.
I also think Joe Hermans must be a heck of a diplomat managing KB and Smiley Haile

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/05/sports/paris-marathon-kicks-off-a-month-of-foot-races.html?_r=1

Time to come home?

For me the balancing act has always been between "New World" opportunity and "Old World" culture

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/its-not-all-bad-britain-fares-well-in-international-quality-of-life-index-9234133.html

I took the test! (2)

And then I took a "mental age" test - it probably confirms what most of you thought!!

http://en.piixemto.com/tests/mental-age/?data=MjU1

I took the test! (1)

I have to stop looking at Facebook - it causes me to do silly things!

I scored 39% in the @channel4 psychopathic traits test. 
How psychopathic are you? 
Take the test http://www.channel4.com/psychopath #psychopathnight

The Beginning?

April Fools! (2)

This "spoof" quoted from the 'LetsRun' April 1, 2004 homepage...
'Jacobs lawyer, Craig Greer, was unapologetic about filing the lawsuit. "The lawsuit is 100% legitimate. Regina's life has been ruined plain and simple by her positive drug test and Suzy forced her to take the drugs. It's a rather straightforward and simple case to understand," said Greer'
... reminds me of "Moaning Meadows" claim that the drug taking Russians had caused her achilles injury because they had "forced" her to (run more mileage) train harder.

What a wonderful contrast those earlier April Fools pages are (stupid Americans threatened law suits because they had been fooled) to the present ones - they all but give the game away in today's one by giving a link to the "real" homepage.
On the plus side there is also a link to previous "Aprils Fool" homepages 2001-2013

Aprils Fools! (1)

Given the gullibility and stupidity one sees on the 'LetsRun' message boards I can see a lot of (US) folk falling for this!

                                           USATF Has Listened!!

“Quite honestly, the fans were right. They were complaining about potential conflicts of interest. Now those are 100% gone and we have 100% transparency. People won’t question if we are unfairly favoring one party if we are an actual subdivision of Nike. Now there is nothing unfair about it. You get what you pay for.” 

- USATF CEO Max Siegel reacting to the uproar that resulted after the Gabriele Grunewald/Jordan Hasay controversyin an April 1, 2014 USATF press release announcing that to avoid any and all conflicts of interests USATF will officially become a subsidiary of Nike later this year.

Moses putting forth (remember your Bible!)

http://playtrue.wada-ama.org/news/the-wada-interview-edwin-moses/

Impressive!

                           

Good to see "She Without Pole" dominate the Carslbad 5k. road race, running within 4" of her track best (2012 Olympics) - this augurs well for next week where she will race the 10k at the Cardinal (Stanford Univ.) aiming for the England AA Commonwealth Games qualifying time of 32'00". This was the meet where MoFa made his big break through at 10k. a couple of years ago.

Though shown as a live link this will replay the races (forward to 2'30" for start of women's race):
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/03/carlsbad-5000-watch-live-free-sunday/

Results:
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/03/results-carlsbad-5000/

Here she is doing a little "gentle training" in Ethiopia
http://vimeo.com/84537025

A Little Better!

Each major professional US sport has a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated between the owners and the players (union), part of which is the drug testing policy.
None of the 4 major sports has a policy that even remotely resembles that implemented by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) for the so-called "Olympic" sports previously known as ("amateur" sports), with the exception of minor league baseball.
However to this point the MLB (Major League Baseball) policy has been pitiful, and of course it is "home" to the biggest miscreants - Bonds, Sosa, McGuire, Clements etc., etc. - needless to say the US does not select its Olympic team from these players!
Now, the two side, clearly reacting to the "Biogenesis" case last summer have ratified a stiffening of the programme:  i) first failed test - banned for 80 games (not quite 2/3 of a regular season of 162 games) - present ban is 50 games;  ii) second failed test - banned for 162 games and lose entire pay (previously 100 games); iii) lifetime ban for third failed test remains as preciously. In addition, a failed test (either 1st. of 2nd.) will make the player ineligible for post-season play - this will prevent a-holes like Alex Rodriquez returning for the play-offs after a 162 games ban and collecting all his pay.

Baseball not only stiffened its drug penalties, but for the first time will use the expensive Carbon Isotope Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), with at least one specimen from every player. The test was previously used only on a random basis, usually as a result of an elevated reading of the player's longitudinal profiling program. The IRMS test is designed to detect anyone who uses performance-enhancing drugs within a two-week period, instead of only being detected within a 24-hour period. MLB players will also be required to submit to two urine samples during the season, an increase from 1,400 to 3,200 overall. There also will be 400 random blood collections used to detect human growth hormone in addition to the 1,200 mandatory tests during spring training.

The Major League Baseball Players Association has been given most of the credit for this strengthening of drug testing, with the ineffectual Commissioner Bud Selig calling it "the most comprehensive in American sports history", little realising this to be a comment on the poor state of drug testing in the US, rather than the grand comment he thought it to be!

It's progress - Hallelujah!! 

A good read

We hear a lot/read a lot about the Kenyans all the time - nice to see an article about the "other" African country.

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/03/little-town-of-champions/284143

Hot off the presses ...

... Coach 'Salad Bar' to add more tumbling and gymnastic routines to MoFa's programme!

Oh No Mo!

Coach Salad Bar will have to include a few more gymnastic and tumbling routines in the proramme!!

https://vine.co/v/MhaJbMXaIYT

https://twitter.com/runningbydoing/status/445181890618990593/photo/1

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/03/mo-farah-falls-nyc-half-marathon-photos/

http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/16/mo-farah-falls-nyc-half-marathon-geoffrey-mutai/

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/26564722

The story of the race (with plenty of video links):
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/03/2014-new-york-city-half-marathon-geoffrey-mutai-wins-mo-farah-falls-later-passes/

Anything Mo can do ...

Edward Cheserek having previously won the NCAA (US Collegiate) Cross Country with a phenomenal turn of speed (and also the Pacific 12 Conference - over a number of fancied Univ. of Colorado runners - and held in Boulder at altitude) exhibited it again at the NCAA Indoor Championships (also held at altitude, in Albuquerque) winning the 5k. (Friday) with a 25.9" last 200, and the 3k. (Saturday) with 25.8".

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/03/mens-3000/

Dream ends (for this season!)

Sheffield U. 2 - Charlton A. 0
That's what happens when you miss your own chances and give up 2 goals in two minutes

Come On You Robins!

No Virginia not the Addicks or the Valiants - when I was a boy we were the Robins!

From the Wikipedia entry for the song;
"The English football club Charlton Athletic play Billy Cotton's version of the song as the team come out on to the pitch at their home ground The Valley".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc95FaqWKJA

I know we should be concentrating on avoiding the drop to "Division 3" football, but a FA Cup semi-final at Wembley would be huge for morale as our new masters strip the Club of its best players in an effort to get Standard Liege into the Champions League. Football is of course big business, and big business is big money - it sounds lucrative in the short term, but in the long term the money available to a team "residing" in the Premier League far outstrips that of the Champions League.

Sopot - so far so poor!!

Professional Suicide!!

After all the magnificent work he has done with Cycling and Track and Field this may be beyond even him!

Roy Hodgson recruits psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters for England                                   

England plan to use the psychiatrist who helped British cyclists win Olympic gold as they continue their preparations for the World Cup.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26435483

Do you think they'll call Kate now???

World Indoor Athletics: Eilish McColgan pulls out of British team

Eilish McColgan has withdrawn from the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Poland through illness.

But McColgan, who was selected to compete in the 3000m, has not returned to full fitness following her "recent minor illness".

"It's really disappointing that I'm not going to compete," she said.

"I was really looking forward to it, but I don't feel I would do my selection justice at this moment in time.

"I wish my team-mates the very best of luck in Sopot.

The No Fun League ...

... (as the National Football League is known over here) and its Commissioner, have decided that in pursuit of a better image players will now be penalised for racial and homophobic slurs in the game. Now given that a large number of players are black, and within the culture "nigga" (or variations of) are regularly used as a term of endearment (and disrespect) and in music, how the hell is a referee/umpire to decide. Obviously if a non-black player uses the term it can only be disrespectful.
Now as laudable as this move is, it only directed at the players and coaches - how about the team owners?   The team in the nation's capital has a nickname that is arguably the oldest racial slur in the US and the 2015 Super Bowl is due to be played in Arizona where the Governor has a bill before her that makes it legal for businesses to deny service to the LGBT community!!
Oh, wait a minute, the Commissioner is appointed by the owners - and just to add insult to injury the NFL is a "tax-exempt" body!! 

Typical over reaction when they can't get their own way - surprised they didn't pull their guns!!

Meanwhile in the US police also find it easy to over react!

http://running.competitor.com/2014/02/news/what-women-arrested-for-running_95654

Come together ...

... or there is some detente

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/sports/olympics/coaching-americans-and-canadians-but-russian-through-and-through.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20140219

The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music

...  or Vanessa-Maes big day.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/18/vanessa-mae-67th-winter-olympics-giant-slalom

... of course not everyone was happy ...

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/winter-olympics-2014-violinist-vanessa-mae-proud-of-her-efforts-despite-finishing-74th-in-womens-giant-slalom-9135477.html

Same as it ever was!

The Ice Hockey scores have been shown in lights on the roof of the Bolshoi Ice Dome - and then the Federation lost and the score wasn't shown - such good sports Mr. Putin.

A transgender "woman" (born male, dresses as a woman), dressed in a "rainbow" clothing walked among the visitors in the Olympic park and tried to enter the ice hockey arena with a valid ticket - "she" was arrested and "she's" a foreign national (an ex-member of the Italian parliament).
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/sports/olympics/transgender-former-member-of-italian-parliament-detained-in-sochi.html

After all the fanfare of pre-Olympic amnesty and the release of members of the group Pussy Riot (what a great name!) they were arrested today (18th.) on the trumped up charge of stealing a woman's handbag.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/18/pussy-riot-members-arrested-sochi-winter-olympics

The Future?

One week in and he's still flying high!

Good bye to another boyhood hero

Only 4 weeks after the loss of another legendary  figure of English football (from a time when we still had a positive influence on the world game!) came the news of the passing of Tom Finney.
At a time when there is much discussion about the value of playing left footed players on the right and vice versa, it is worth remembering that Finney a world class right winger was switched to the left side by England's first ever Team Coach/Manager to accommodate an equally great Stan Matthews.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Finney

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26200831

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26201454

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tom+finney+&qpvt=tom+finney+&FORM=IGRE

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26194543

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oddities

- Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" is played by something called "the choir from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs."!

- Somehow songs by Queen and t.A.T.u got by the censor! and plenty of Tchaikovsky (who was known to be gay) - I guess you can overlook lots of things if you need to; let's hope it continues.

- As expected plenty of classical music from the Russians, but one of the greatest classical musicians is very quiet - Chinese violinist Vanessa-Mae is representing Thailand (she has duel citizenship) in the alpine events.

- The stadium took a while to populate, and was not completely full - a first for an Opening Ceremony?

- I realise it's a little different when a big city is host, but similar to Atlanta Summer Games there was no reference to the host city.

- Yesterday's team figure skating was notable for its empty seats, even with marquee Russian athletes competing.

- Inevitably there is an historical element to each opening ceremony, and so whoever scripted this would have some challenges - there are certainly some messy bits of Russian/Soviet history! This one went from the Revolution straight to mid 1900s reconstruction, neatly avoiding the need to mention Uncle Joe - neither was there much mention of the gulags, prison camps or the Siberian salt mines, but to be fair LA didn't make much mention of the abuse of Native Americans in 1984!

- Don't tell the Mayor of Sochi about this (he was quoted as saying there is no "gay activity" in the city,
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/no-gays-in-sochi--huh--tell-that-to-the-people-in-sochi-s-club-mayak-001109107.html

- unfortunately it seems there is a downside to nearly everything!
http://www.recorder.ca/2014/02/07/russian-who-lit-olympic-cauldron-tweeted-racist-obama-photo

The Fireworks and the Flame

 

Anyone for tennis?

Strange, the first 4 athletes to carry the flame into the area are from Summer sports - led by Maria Sharapova, followed by (a rumoured to be pregnant) Izzy, a Greco-Roman wrestler Aleksandr Karelin and  a rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva whose Olympic accomplishments fall far short of many others, but is generally recognised to be Putin's girlfriend! The temerity of the man - it is thought that Thomas Bach had privately warned Putin to "behave" and "respect" the Olympics, and maybe this is how he shows who is boss!
... but finally two legendary Winter Olympic figures, ice skater Irina Rodnina and ice hockey goalie Vladislav Tretiak get to light the flame.
If  you had a bet that Putin himself would light the flame - bad luck! He also showed admirable restraint, declaring the Games open, but performing no feats of physical strength!
Very impressive flame lighting and excellent fireworks follow.
If you are on the left side of the Atlantic and didn't see it live.

From left to right Karelin, Putin's squeeze, Izzy and Sharapova