After Tragedy the U.S. Indoor Volleyball Team Wins First Match

The man killed in the Drum Tower was disclosed as the father-in law of the Men's Indoor Volleyball Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon.

Before their first match, the U.S. team observed a moment of silence, then went on to beat Venezuela in five sets for their first win in the Olympics.

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Olympics | Drum Tower Killing in Beijing

An American couple were at the famous Drum Tower in Beijing with their guide. A 47-year old Chinese assailant stabbed them. The man was killed.

The assailant jumped to his death from the tower.

No motives are established for the attack. The authorities say he was a lone assailant.

The American couple are relatives of one of the coaches of the U.S. volleyball team.

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Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony

Well, the long wait is over. The Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony was a huge success, providing a stunning display. Viewers like myself, watching it on TV, were glued to the television screen. And it's estimated that this might be the single most watched event on television in history, given that China itself has about 1.3 billion people.

But credit must be given where it's due. Clearly China spared no expense and talent in preparing for the Opening Ceremony. It was magical. There were fireworks, but that's the least of it. It wasn't the noise that was impressive, but the beautifully crafted effects, both electronically, mechanically or by the sheer number of performers acting in flawless concert. You never knew what might come next, and when it came it was overwhelmingly impressive.

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Iraq Out of the Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Iraq will not be allowed to take part in the upcoming Olympics.

This is the result of the Iraqi government replacing the country's Olympic committee with its own appointees.

The IOC expresses regret that no Iraqi athletes will be at the Olympics, and says they have been "ill-served" by their governments actions.

The Iraqi government has claimed that the original committee was corrupt and was not working properly. According to IOC regulations, committees must be free of political influence.

The real victims are the athletes who've been training hard and looking forward to participating in the Olympics. At least 7 athletes were slotted to take part. Iraqi sprinter Dana Hussain broke down and cried when she heard the news of the ban.

It's also a blow for Iraq in its journey to regain some semblance of normalcy as a nation.

Technorati Tags: olympics, beijing olympics, iraq banned from olympics, dana hussain, iraqi sprinter dana hussain

U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Suffers Blow From Abby Wambach's Broken Leg

The U.S. Women's Soccer team have had hopes of going for gold, with their star player and top scorer Abby Wambach. But in an exhibition match against Brazil on Wednesday, she violently collided with a Brazilian player. She suffered fractures to the tibia and fibula in her left leg.

She had been doing brilliantly until then. She had scored 99 goals in 127 appearnces.

She underwent surgery successfully the next morning. It involved a "nail placement". The surgeon said it was a significant injury to her bone.

She will need two months or so to recuperate, and the Olympic team will have to go ahead without her.


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Anna Willard Sets Steeplechase Record - U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials

Anna Willard has broken the U.S. record in the 3,000-metre steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, which took place at the University of Oregon.

The record set last year was 9 minutes 28:75 seconds. Willard has set a new record at 9 minutes 27:59 seconds.

She won the national title last year at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships.

She will be one of the three women representing the U.S. at the Beijing Olympics in the steeplechase event.

Joining her will be Lindsey Anderson, who came second, and Jennifer Barringer, who came third.


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Baron Davis Opts Out of Golden State Warriors Contract

The basketball world is stunned by Baron Davis' decision to opt out of some $17.8 million owed him in the final season of his six -year contract with the Golden State Warriors.

As a result, Davis is now an unrestricted free agent. Warriors Coach Don Nelson is surprised by his decision, with such a large sum of money involved. He is not the only one.

The talk is that Davis would go the route of the Los Angeles Clippers, a move back to his hometown where he was a UCLA star. The Clippers want him are also reconsidering their plans. To make space to sign on Davis, they will probably have to renounce Corey Maggette, but keep a low-level deal for Elton Brand.

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Golf Without Tiger Woods

The name Tiger Woods itself conjures up magic. Even viewers not much into golf are fascinated by this charismatic player and will have an occasional look in. Tiger Woods is golf and golf is (almost) Tiger Woods. Golf without Tiger Woods is just not quite complete.

It's interesting how he has dominated the sport, and for so long. His prowess and his brilliance, coupled with his humility and gentle nature, are very attractive. He has certainly attracted advertisers and viewers. It's been estimated that when he is in the final rounds of a tournament, TV ratings increase by 28%.


Tiger Woods
Art Print


His recent injury has taken him out of the PGA Tour. He is taking a 6-9 month leave of absence from golf. He had surgery two months ago,; he now needs surgery for a ruptured knee ligament and treatment for a double stress fracture. The doctors are hopeful that he can get back to the same level of the game.

When he's back on the course - hopefully sometime next year - there will no doubt be headlines in the sports pages, for all the world will want to know if the magic is still there.


Technorati Tags: golf, tiger woods, golf injuries

Linford Christie Not Chosen As Favourite British Olympic Winner

Linford Christie was the 1992 Olympic 100m winner. But he has been found not suitable as one of Britain's favourite Olympic winners to be used on 2012 Olympic lottery scratch cards. These special scratch cards are a campaign of the National Lottery to raise an estimated £750 million for the London Olympics.

The British Olympic Association excluded him because he had been banned for life in 1999 after failing a drugs test.

Christie is not amused, and this is further aggravation on top of his not having been selected in the Olympic torch relay in April. For that exclusion, he pointed his finger at British racism.

Linford Christie at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics



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Will Cristiano Ronaldo Transfer to Real Madrid?

The soccer world is waiting with bated breath for an indication from Cristiano Ronaldo whether he will make a move to Real Madrid. And so are Real Madrid.

So far Ronaldo has only said that he will not decide until Euro 2008 is finished. But Real is anxiously looking for a signal from him.

Miguel Angel Arroyo, general director of the Spanish club, says as soon as he gives the nod, they will begin negotiations with Manchester United.




Ronaldo is regarded by many as today's best soccer player, and Manchester United wants to keep him till the end of his contract at the end of the 2011-2012 season, and has complained about Real Madrid's attempts to entice Ronaldo away.

It is rumoured that Real Madrid would consider paying Ronaldo $30 million a season. Can an offer like that be refused? That would make him the world's highest paid soccer player.


Technorati Tags: soccer, cristiano ronaldo, real madrid, manchester united

Ronaldo Is da Man - of Manchester Utd | Soccer

Manchester United won the Premier League title, the tenth win in the League's 16 year history. Only goes to show that Man Utd are a great team.

But Man Utd had uneasy moments in the early stages, when Ronaldo was suspended from play.

Much of the credit for Manchester Utd's win must go to Ronaldo. He was their top scorer, achieving 31 league goals, and 41 goals in all the club's competitions.

Ronaldo is da man, a great player, and some think he will be considered the world's best.

Bernard Hopkins Rejects Defeat By Joe Calzaghe | Boxing

The judges gave the fight to Joe Calzaghe on a split-points decision. Bernard Hopkins said defiantly, "The whole world knows I won this fight," and drew attention to the fact that there wasn't a single bruise on his face.

The crowd was stunned when Hopkins floored Calzaghe with a straight right in the first round and Calzaghe suffered a cut to the bridge of his nose. But he got up quickly. That shook him up, but he managed to keep his wits about him.

The final scores were 114-113 for Hopkins, 115-112 and 116-111 for Calzaghe.

Calzaghe said it was one of his toughest fights. But he was joyous to have beaten Hopkins. "I'm a legend killer," he said.

Calzaghe had many fans in the crowd, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Tom Jones sang the Welsh anthem.

Will Bernard Hopkins Keep His Promise To Beat Joe Calzaghe? | Boxing

Bernard Hopkins, light heavyweight boxing champion, was all wound up to arrange a
match with Joe Calzaghe last November. Calzaghe had just won his bout against Kessler, and made a challenge to Hopkins.

Hopkins was watching it all on TV. He got so revved up that he immediately called Richard Schaeffer of Golden Boy Promotions to set up a match.

They had a face-off and almost came to blows during the Mayweather-Hatton weigh-in.

Hopkins said "I would never let a white boy beat me. Never." Not once but repeatedly.

The bout is set to take place in Las Vegas tonight. At the weigh-in Hopkins repeatedly prodded Calzaghe in the chest, saying "I'm going to bust your heart."

Many Welsh supporters of Calzaghe are already in town. Things are heating up.

Hopkins after his unanimous decision victory over Winky Wright

The Phenomenal Tiger Woods | Golf

Tiger Woods has really now become a golf legend. He simply pulls off stunts that amaze even the non-golfers who have no real interest in the game.

He did it again at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, with a stunning putt at 24 feet to win the tournament.

He's been on a winning streak for six months. He is an unstoppable phenomenon, awesome and brilliant.

Golf is no doubt a fine game for golfers, but it's not a very watchable game, especially on the tv screen, when most of the time you're just looking at the blue sky when a shot's been made. Other times, you're watching people just leisurely strolling along. (Just a personal opinion!)

Then Tiger Woods comes along, and with him there's a sense of excitement and expectation.

Incidentally, I feel encouraged in my view when Tiger Woods himself has made comments about speeding up the game.

US Olympic Rider Darren Chiacchia Critically Injured In Fall at Red Hills Horse Trials

Darren Chiacchia a 2004 US Olympic riding team member fell during an event on Saturday and was critically injured. The accident took place at the Red Hills Horse Trials competition, when he fell at a fence.

He was taken to the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. No further news as to his condition is yet available.

Chiacchia was doing well in the competition, which he won three years ago.

A keen outdoorsman, Chiacchia is fond of waterskiing and fishing. He is known to be a serious guy doing regular workouts to keep himself fit, and he also practices yoga. He has coached many students.

Red Hills Horse Trials (2007)

Dubai Wants Liverpool Football Club - Again

Dubai International Capital (DIC)has made an offer, said to be £400 million, to buy the Premier League Liverpool Football Club. DIC wants an answer within 24 hours.

The American owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks took over the club a year ago. Dubai was passed over by the then owner David Moores unexpectedly.

The Club's fans have not really warmed to Gillet and Hicks. That may factor in their decision whether to give up the club. But the time limit for the offer is somewhat stark. We will know soon.

Update:
The Americans rejected the offer. During the stalled talks, fans were chanting "Dubai S.O.S., Yanks Out".

British Gold Medallist Linford Christie Says to Ignore Politics at Olympics

British Gold Medallist Linford Christie Says to Ignore Politics at Olympics

Linford Christie, 47, who won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics for the 100 metre sprint, has called on athletes to concentrate on their sport in the Beijing Olympics. He will be in Beijing as a coach.

China's politics, foreign policy and human rights record have caused some people to make critical comments.

The British Olympic Association want competitors to stay away from political demonstrations and propaganda. This has not gone down well with some, who say that athletes like anybody else must enjoy free speech.

I think it's right that every one should enjoy free speech, but it would be deceptive to go to a host country in the role of an Olympian athlete and then cause political friction. I think Christie's attitude is the right one.

Sports and Politics
Keeping Sports and Politics Separate

Freak Ice Hockey Accident | Richard Zednik

During the Panther/Sabres ice hockey game at the HSBC Arena fans were shocked to see Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers cut and bleeding from the neck.

Another player accidentally kicked up and the blade of his skate landed at Zednik's neck.

His right carotid artery was severed, spilling blood onto the ice.

Zednik is now in stable condition after undergoing surgery to close the cut.

Had Zednik worn a neckguard, the injury would have been prevented. Many players find it uncomfortable to wear neckguards.

Egypt Wins Africa Cup of Nations 1-0

The Eqyptian side, who were the defending champion, were always the better skilled, but the Cameroon team put on a spirited display. It was no walk-through by Egypt, and there were a few times when Cameroon might just have scored.

It looked as though the final would have to end with penalty shoot-outs. But at the eleventh hour Zidan of Egypt managed a pass to Abou Trika who shot to win the only goal in the match.

It wasn't the most memorable game. Perhaps too much nerves on both sides.

The celebrations and ceremony afterwards were very colourful and entertaining.

With this victory, Egypt has set a record to have won the trophy for the sixth time.

Patriots Beaten in Super Bowl's Biggest Upset

The Patriots lost. It was a stunning victory for the New York Giants who came out the winners with a score of 17-14. It may be the biggest upset in Super Bowl history.

The Patriots had had an unbeaten season with a record of 18-0, and as they went in to face the New York Giants, not many people thought that their record could be dented.

Despite their marvellous season up to then, the Patriots have been marred by allegations of cheating made against their Head Coach Bill Belichick. His ungracious behaviour, vanishng from the scene just before the final moment, has not helped to endear himself to football fans.

Mirai Nagasu Takes Title at U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Mirai Nagasu has won the ladies' title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. She stunned the world with her performance in the short program, and now she stuns the world again by taking the title as the second youngest woman to do so.

At age 14, though she has won the national championship, she is not eligible for the world championships.

Novak Djokovic Wins the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic takes the Australian Open Men's Singles title by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).

It's a historic occasion as this is the first Grand Slam win by a Serb.

The third seeded Djokovic seemed off-track by losing the opening set, but recovered his form thereafter, while Tsonga started faltering. It was a fight to the finish in the fourth set. The more experienced Djokovic just would not let go.

A great challenger Tsonga was, and the French can look forward to future successes with him.

Maria Sharapova Wins Australian Open Women's Singles Title

Maria Sharapova beat Serbia's Anna Ivanovic in two sets 7-5, 6-3.

She has proved herself to be truly a force to be reckoned with in this tournament and we all look forward to greater things to come.

Congratulations Maria!

14-year old Mirai Nagasu creates sensation in U.S. Figure Skating Championships

On Thursday night at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships 14 year-old Mirai Nagasu put on a dazzling performance in the short program which won her an almost flawless score of 70.23.

This was way ahead of the score achieved by the former world champion Kimmie Meissner who only got 57.58 and came in seventh. It was also the second highest score ever in such an event.

This was the first time that Nagasu, who is from California, has attended the Championships as a senior. Yet even if she won, she would still be too young for the world championships.

Champion Federer Toppled by Djokovic in Semi-Final| Australian Open

Djokovic was in dazzling form in the semi-final against Federer.

He knocked out Federer in three sets: 7-5, 6-3, 7-6.

Though Federer managed to get to a lead in the third set, Djokovic slowly but steadily equalised and the set went to a tie-break, with Djokovic coming out on top.

Nadal Is Out of the Tournament Beaten By Unseeded Tsonga | Australian Open

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France surprised the world and himself by defeating the world's No.2 Nadal in three sets 6-2-,6-3,6-2.

He said it was “unbelievable”.

We shall see if he can perform another miracle when he faces Federer in the final.

Maria Sharapova Thrashes Justine Henin | Australian Open Quarter-Finals

The match has just ended, and Maria Sharapova 's great triumph over Justine Henin at the Australian Open quarter-finals is still a shock to the system.

Henin' has had winning streak over her last 30 odd matches but that has now come to a sudden stultifying end.

Maria played brilliantly, some would even say magnificently. She won 6-4 in the first set, then proceeded to crush Henin in the second set by 6-0.

If she keeps up her pace, there will be no stopping her all the way to the championship.

Africa Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations is underway. This is a big soccer event in Africa and gets all the African nations who participate well and truly excited. And indeed there is a lot of excitement in the matches.

It is still early days. So far the results are as follows:

* Ghana 2-1 Guinea
* Nigeria 0-1 Ivory Coast
* Namibia 1-5 Morocco
* Mali 1-0 Benin

Australian Open

The Australian Open is coming up soon into the semi- finals.

In the men's section Federer scared all his fans in his match against Tipsarevic. The end wasn't at all clear until the very end. After a gruelling match, he defeated Tipsarevic at the end of four sets. His next match was easier. He defeated Berdych 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 in the 4th round. He will have to knock out J.Blake in the upcoming match.

In the meantime, Rafael Nadal has reached the semi-finals by beating Nieminen.

It looks like, barring any major upsets, that this will be a Federer-Nadal final.

For the women, third-seeded Jelena Jankovic pulled off a major upset by defeating defending champion Serena Williams.

In the quarter-finals, the match is now in progress between Justine Henin and Maria Sharapova. Both players have their share of admiring fans. The Sony Ericsson crowd will obviously root for the lovely Sharapova, their “global brand ambassador”.

Lindsay Davenport Goes to the Top for Earnings

By beating Sara Errani of Italy in the first round at the Australian Open, Lindsay Davenport has reached the top spot for earnings for women's sport.

Her earnings total US$21.8 million, beating Steffi Graf's 10-year record which is about US$2,000 less.

US Basketball Player Brian Dux's Benefit Match

As posted earlier a benefit match for American basketball player Brian Dux was to be held on December 28. Dux had been in a coma since suffering severe brain injuries in a road accident. He has been back in the US since the end of November.

His condition has improved. He is able to speak more clearly and there is movement in his left hand fingers. He was even able to make a call to his team-mate just before Christmas. His family are hoping for a full recovery but realise that this will be a long process.

The fund-raising match was played between Dux's team Guildford Heat and an All Stars team from the British Basketball League, with the home team winning 108-92.

The beneifit match raised about 12,000 pounds.