Blog Archives

Marion Jones Tests Positive

Posted on August 19, 2006
by

Another drugs scandal is set to rock Athletics with 30 year old sprint star Marion Jones testing positive for EPO in June. Jones was tested at the US Championships in Indianapolis and her test gave a positive reading for erythropoietin. Rumours are also circulating that there are a number of American athletes from the June Championships who have failed a drugs test in one way or another, if this does prove correct then the athletics world will be turned upside down.

Although the numerous “possible” positive drug results would hurt athletics in the short term, there is no doubt that the sport will bounce back stronger and hopefully cleaner than before. I still don’t understand why an athlete of any description would risk not only their career but health taking the banned substances. Ok, so monetary gain is a given, as is being known throughout the world if you are good but surely it’s not worth it, is it?

Ben Johnson was the first main positive drug test that I can remember (1988 testing positive for steroids) and I do know that it rocked the sporting world. He cheated his way to the top, sold his soul and the devil came to collect. Stripped of his title there was no going back for Johnson. I hope the same thing doesn’t happen to Marion Jones and she can clear her name but it’s looking doubtful and at 30, a ban of any length would mean the end of her career. Only Jones’s A sample has been tested, and if her B sample also tests positive for drugs, Jones would face a two-year suspension

The other thing that I can’t quite put my finger on is after all these years of people related to her testing positive for drugs, Jones has …

[ 8 Replies ]

Ken Bates issues Leeds Statement

Posted on August 17, 2006
by

Leeds United have issued a statement in response to Chelsea’s announcement that they have lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association against chairman Ken Bates. (In response to Bates’ attack on the 3rd August)

A club spokesman said: “We are totally amused and look forward to receiving their (Chelsea Football Club’s) detailed evidence to support their complaint.”

Meanwhile, Leeds chairman Ken Bates said: “I haven’t laughed so much since Ma caught her tits in the mangle.”

Leeds United will be making no further comment at this stage. This has to be one of the best football club statements EVER! Hail Ken Bates, our chairman! I absolutely love this come back against Chelsea! I’m not sure where Ken Bates’ original complaint will stand with the Football Association but Chelsea’s complaint will be laughed out of court – or at least I think it will!

…
Comments Off

Susanna Kallur Breaks Records

Posted on August 13, 2006
by

A week ago, few people would have heard of Susanna Kallur let alone knew what she looked like but now, thanks to modern technology and a small matter of the European Championships, she has become the number one pin up – along with a few other Swedish athletes!

When Susanna Kallur won the women’s 100 meters hurdles, she became the first Swede in 44 years to capture an outdoor international championship sprint gold.

The 25-year-old completed the distance in 12.59 seconds, finishing ahead of Derval O’Rourke of Ireland and German Kirseten Bom who were awarded joint silver after clocking 12.72 seconds.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Kallur, who also won gold at the 2005 European indoor championships in Madrid.

“I would like to thank the crowd. I felt like I had extra muscle fibres because of them.”

Susanna’s twin Jenny Kallur, who won the silver behind her sister in Madrid last year, had to settled for seventh place after finishing in 12.94.

The last Swede to win a sprint gold at an international outdoors championship was Owe Jonsson, who won the men’s 200 meters in the 1962 European championships in Belgrade.

…
[ 6 Replies ]

Susanna Kallur is Gold !

Posted on August 11, 2006
by

Just watched Sweden’s Susanna Kallur romp to a 100 metres hurdles gold medal at the European championships in Gothenburg. She finished with a stunning time of 12.59 ahead of Ireland’s Derval O’Rourke in second with a national record time 12.72, way down on the gorgeous Susanna!

She composed herself well in front of a home crowd of 30,000 following a false start by the French athlete Lamalle (finished in 8th by the way). It was a truly magnificent performance and with so much pressure on her to deliver, she took great delight in leaving all her competitors reeling. The only athlete to keep up with her in the first 30 metres was O’Rourke. Nice win Susanna, quite clearly the most consistent of the competition and a well deserved victory.

The other competition to grip the crowd in Gothenburg tonight was the women’s high jump. Local favourite Kaisla Bergqvist and indeed the woman on top form failed to deliver what she had promised. It was a poor end to the final that saw four competitors going for gold at a height of 2.05, I’ve never seen anything quite like that before. Kaisla clipped the bar for a third time at the height and had to settle for the bronze. Tia Hellebaut from Belgium won the competition with a cleared height of 2.03.

Congratulations to Belgium who won two Gold medals in the space of 5 minutes following Kim Gevaert’s 200 metre final win in a time of 22.68.

…
[ 1 Reply ]

Dean Jones Sacked for Racial Slur

Posted on August 11, 2006
by

Dean JonesI’m not sure how I missed this a few days ago but the news isn’t good;  Australian legend Dean Jones was sacked by Sri Lanka television station after a controversial remark was heard by viewers live on air.  Jones apparently called South Africa batsman Hashim Amla “the terrorist” when he took a catch during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.  Despite being a huge Dean Jones fan and admirer of what the guy has done on and off the field, there is no way I can condone this remark at any level. There is no room in any walk of life for comments like this let alone on the cricket field.

“It was a completely insensitive thing to say and obviously never supposed to be heard over the air,” he said.

“It does not represent who I am, how I think or what I believe.”

South African officials immediately demanded he should be dismissed by Ten Sports, the host broadcaster with Gerald Majola, chief executive commenting “We take the strongest exception to this comment”

Dean Jones played in 52 Tests between 1984-92 for Australia and was a sublime cricketer.

“I’m gone, I’m on the 1am flight,” he told reporters in Colombo.

“I will be the first person to apologise to Hashim as soon as I get the chance, and I will assure him that prejudice against anybody, on any basis, is unacceptable and not something I will ever condone.”

I just can’t see this as being part of the Jones make-up and whatever caused him to say these remarks will have to be addressed. It is a sad day in cricket and one not dissimilar to a remark Big Ron Atkinson made live on ITV. Thinking his microphone was switched off he said of Chelsea player Marcus …

Comments Off

Schumacher wins at Hockenheim

Posted on July 30, 2006
by

Ferrari ended a superb weekend in Germany with a straightforward 1-2 courtesy of Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa. The only blip on the whole weekend was the pole position missed by the pair following a mistake by McLaren in qualifying when they failed to add the amount of fuel they wanted. The one plus of fuelling 5/6 laps short was that Raikkonen snatched pole.

Ferrari or rather Schumacher has now closed the world championship battle to just 11 points following Alonso’s failure to compete, the world champion finishing in 5th place ahead of team mate Fisichella. Button and Honda looked a lot more competitive in Germany but the Briton had to settle for fourth place.

With six races left, the championship is down to just two drivers. Next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix could prove decisive in a closely fought title race.

Results
01 M. Schumacher Ferrari 1:27:51.693
02 F. Massa Ferrari + 0.720
03 K. Räikkönen McLaren + 13.206
04 J. Button Honda + 18.898
05 F. Alonso Renault + 23.707
06 G. Fisichella Renault + 24.814
07 J. Trulli Toyota + 26.544
08 C. Klien Red Bull + 48.131
09 R. Schumacher Toyota + 1:00.351
10 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 laps
11 D. Coulthard Red Bull + 1 laps
12 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 laps
13 C. Albers Midland F1 + 1 laps
14 T. Monteiro Midland F1 + 0 laps
Did not finish
15 M. Webber Williams + 9 laps
16 T. Sato Super Aguri + 30 laps
17 J. Villeneuve BMW + 35 laps
18 R. Barrichello Honda + 48 laps
19 N. Heidfeld BMW + 58 laps
20 P. de la Rosa McLaren + 64 laps
21 S. Yamamoto Super Aguri + 65 laps
22 N. Rosberg Williams + 66 …

Comments Off

Sri Lanka pile on the runs

Posted on July 29, 2006
by

After restricting South Africa for just 169 in their first innings, Sri Lanka, courtesy of captain Mahela Jaywardene and Kumar Sangakkara scored 6 for 756 declared. The pair broke the previous best partnership (set in 1997 by Mahanama and Jayasuriya (576) ironically at the same ground in Colombo with a stunning partnership of 624.

Jaywardene was also unlucky falling just 26 runs short of Brian Lara’s world record 400 and six runs behind Australian Hayden (380). The total of 756 is the sixth highest score in Test history.

The 374 scored took 11 hours to score and included 43 4′s and a solitary six, Mahela had faced 572 in his long innings before falling to paceman Andre Nel. Nicky Boje was the most expensive bowler conceding 221 runs off 65 overs.

At the other side of the world, England continued to dominate at Old Trafford taking two early wickets as Pakistan try to salvage something from what really is a lost cause. On a decent batting strip Pakistan failed in their first innings and are surely facing certain defeat.

…
Comments Off

Marion Jones runs at Crystal Palace, London

Posted on July 28, 2006
by

I’ve just watched Marion Jones run in the 100 metres at Crystal Palace and she was beaten by Sherone Simpson of Jamaica into second place. Jones didn’t have a terrific start and looked a little lethargic in the first 40 metres and when Simpson moved away Jones reacted but didn’t quite have enough to overhaul her competitor. Simpson clocked 11.00 with Jones a short distance behind ina time of 11.05.

It was the first time Jones had raced in the UK for 2 years and given the number of allegations regarding drug taking by her former husbands and her four coaches, Jones has always been guilty by association, unfairly in my book. She has never been caught taking performance enhancing drugs in her career and given modern technology and the fact that she has won so much in her track career, surely she would have been caught by now if she had been taking drugs? EDIT:19th August: Jones Tests Positive

“I’m a competitor, I like to win. We had a heavy win in our face and that’s why you didn’t see a great run. I’m feeling good and getting back into it.”

Talking of the great reception she got from the local crowd she had this to say “Absolutely, people know the truth, I have lots of supporters around the world and here in Britain.”

“I’m not tainted by what people are saying, they are going to say what they want to say and the fact that I’m out here this year, running better than I have since I had my son in 2003 I think it’s proven to a lot of people that I can’t spend my time worrying. I have to concentrate on running”.

Only time will tell if Nike will stand by her. She is out of …

Comments Off

Tour de France – Landis Caught?

Posted on July 28, 2006
by

Floyd LandisWhy on earth do today’s sports stars continue with dope taking ? I just don’t understand why, in an age of technological scientific wizardry when 99.9% of “alleged cheaters” will be caught if taking performance enhancing drugs, athletes of all descriptions chance their muscle bound arm by taking the drugs.

Take the new Tour de France winner, American Ffloyd Landis, he was tested positive for excess levels of testosterone after winning stage 17 of this year’s race. The 30 year old has denied the allegations stating he hopes to prove he has a high level of testosterone in his body naturally. However Landis is already talking like a defeatist

“I don’t know what the explanation for it is, whether it was a mistake or whether it’s an occurance from some other circumstances that go on in the race or something I did” he said.

If they are caught, and I’m not for one second saying Landis was cheating until proven, surely they know they will be ridiculed and ostracised by the public and sponsors – so nothing but negative notoriety is gained ? I just don’t understand it. I’m always looking for the positive in people and hope this is a blip but it’s not playing out like that at the moment. Landis has been suspended by his Phonak team.

“All I’m asking for is that I be given a chance to prove that I’m innocent. Cycling has a traditional way of trying people in the court of public opinion before they get a chance to do anything else. “I would like to be presumed innocent until proven guilty – since that’s the way we do things in America.”

Only time will tell but it’s not looking good for Landis and his career.…

Comments Off

All Out Without Scoring … Oh dear !!!

Posted on July 27, 2006
by

I’ve certainly never seen this before and as the report at the BBC says, statisticians are checking the record books to see if this is the worst innings ever !!! Goldsborough Seconds who were playing against local side Dishforth in North Yorkshire, scored just five runs, yes 5 runs all out. However and here’s the amazing fact ….. not one of the batsmen scored a single run, they came courtesy of Extras (or Sundries), all 5 of them !!!

You can find the scorecard here

Now we all have a laugh when an international side scores under a 100 and the top player is extras but this really is a remarkable scoreline !! Goldsborough chairman Henry Webster defended his team, saying the wicket was terrible and pointing out that the league-topping opposition also struggled.

There’s plenty of comments from Mr Webster about how good the opposition are but come on, all out without scoring ? I wonder how bad the wicket was and has the pitch been reported to the ECB ?? !!!! Better luck next week guys, I’ll report back here when they play this weekend to see if they can get at least one batsman in to double figures !!! The game lasted just 57 minutes !!!

…
Comments Off

Serie A clubs get away with murder !

Posted on July 25, 2006
by

Another day, another result in the Italian Serie A scandal as the four clubs learn of their new results following the appeals process. The four Serie A clubs found guilty of match-fixing were hoping for leniency from the judges. The four clubs, Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina were all found guilty by the Italian football federation of committing sporting fraud in the 2004-05 season. BBC Sport

Juventus (who were stripped of their last two league titles in 2005-06 and 2004-05 and denied entry into the Champions League, have been relegated to the second division with a 30-point deduction for the start of the new season. However following the appeal they have only been docked 17 points for the new season BUT do still begin in Serie B.

Lazio and Fiorentina who had also been demoted to Serie B have been re-instated to Serie A but have had their points deductions increased from 12 to 19 for Fiorentina and seven to 11 for Lazio. AC Milan remain in Series A. I find the whole thing preposterous to be honest and you have to wonder if there wasn’t anything underhanded in the appeals process for Lazio and Fiorentina to get away with murder.

Despite Italy winning the World Cup earlier this month, very few people who love football wanted Italy to win following the allegations of match fixing in Serie A – why can’t these big teams just play bloody football and if you win you win, lose you get b*****ed !!! Ok I know we are talking millions of Euro’s here but there have to be standards. Only time will tell if the reputation of the league in Italy has been tarnished for ever or as I think, we will all forget about it all within two seasons !!!

…
[ 2 Replies ]

Jimmy Connors takes on Roddick

Posted on July 25, 2006
by

Very interesting news in the tennis world today as Jimmy Connors, arguably the greatest tennis player/entertainer to have graced Flushing Meadows or Wimbledon, has agreed to coach fellow American Andy Roddick. I’ve always thought that Connors should get more involved in the game despite his dalliances with commentary for US and UK television (Wimbledon this summer). It will be interesting to see if Roddick adapts his game to Connors style or just gain a little more grit and determination.

I have to admit I didn’t expect Jimmy to turn to coaching and by the looks of things he didn’t either !! Roddick’s best results came in 2003 when he won the US Open and in 2004 was a losing finalist at Wimbledon. He’s a power baseliner and despite being a right hander, he shares his new coach’s double handed backhand style. Add to this a huge first serve and an amazing kick serve to follow, his ferocious forehand completes the package. All that’s required now is Connors to work his magic and turn him in to an all out winner. We certainly need someone to take on the magnificent Federer and Nadal in the near future. Good luck to them both and great to see Jimbo back in the limelight !!!

…
Comments Off
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers: