There is a fascinating story from "down under" which, if true, shows how stupid some athletes really are; and how they give sport and winning an undue, and unhealthy, priority in their lives.
It seems that 6 Australian cyclists, some of whom are due to attend and compete in the 2004 Olympics, are alleged to have used a hotel bedroom last year for injecting prohibited substances into their "healthy" bodies.
The venue for this little "shooting party" was, according to Kate Lundy Labour party sports spokesperson, the Australian Institute of Sport's facility in Adelaide.
Even more bizarrely, is the fact that one of the substances allegedly used was equine growth hormone.
Yes, you did read correctly, something that would normally be given to horses.
In the event that these allegations turn out to be true, my advice to these dimwitted athletes is simply this:
Get a life losers!
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Friday, June 18, 2004
Greedy Bastards
Following on from my post yesterday, about the threat of strikes by police and other public service workers; it seems that industrial discontent is rising, along with the temperature in Athens, as the clock ticks down towards the Olympic Games.
Now the hotel workers and taxi drivers are "kicking up a fuss" over money.
The taxi drivers are having a "hissy fit" over plans by the Olympic organisers to ferry VIP's around in mini cabs and vans, rather than pay the "Olympic premium" demanded by the taxi drivers during the period of the Games.
The taxi drivers, for reasons best known to themselves, have threatened to remove VIP's from their cabs and any other vehicle they see. It seems that this constitutes some form of threat, that people should lose sleep over!
The hotel workers took more direct action, by having a punch up with the police yesterday. Peace and harmony, that's the true spirit of the Games!
It seems that the ordinary citizens of Greece are beginning to get more than a little "pissed off" with the entire affair, and are wishing the IOC had chosen another country to host the Games.
The cost of holding the Olympic games is now estimated by the finance minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, to be around 6BN Euros (up 30% on previous estimates).
These increased costs have forced some cut backs in the spending, the construction of a large sundial outside the main stadium has now been cancelled.
Never mind, so long as the taxi drivers and their chums manage to extort their "wedge" it will all have been worth it!
Now the hotel workers and taxi drivers are "kicking up a fuss" over money.
The taxi drivers are having a "hissy fit" over plans by the Olympic organisers to ferry VIP's around in mini cabs and vans, rather than pay the "Olympic premium" demanded by the taxi drivers during the period of the Games.
The taxi drivers, for reasons best known to themselves, have threatened to remove VIP's from their cabs and any other vehicle they see. It seems that this constitutes some form of threat, that people should lose sleep over!
The hotel workers took more direct action, by having a punch up with the police yesterday. Peace and harmony, that's the true spirit of the Games!
It seems that the ordinary citizens of Greece are beginning to get more than a little "pissed off" with the entire affair, and are wishing the IOC had chosen another country to host the Games.
The cost of holding the Olympic games is now estimated by the finance minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, to be around 6BN Euros (up 30% on previous estimates).
These increased costs have forced some cut backs in the spending, the construction of a large sundial outside the main stadium has now been cancelled.
Never mind, so long as the taxi drivers and their chums manage to extort their "wedge" it will all have been worth it!
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Holding The Games to Ransom
It is reported that Greek state employees are threatening to strike during the Olympic Games in Athens this August, unless all workers receive bonus payments during this period.
It seems that 60000 police, firefighters and port workers who are directly involved with the Olympic Games will be entitled to bonuses of around 2500 euros each.
However, others such as; the military, municipal workers and hospital workers won't be getting a "bung".
Therefore, in the spirit of equality, the unions representing the "downtrodden" non bonus receiving masses has threatened to strike.
In a demonstration of "good faith", hospital workers in Athens have planned a "warning" strike on June 23rd. Whilst the ambulance drivers and paramedics have threatened a strike on the 13th of August (oh dear that's the day the Olympic Games actually starts, how embarrassing!).
In the event that the Greek government cowtows to this blackmail; the estimated additional cost, on top of the already extortionate cost of the Games, will be $1.5BN.
What a splendid example of the spirit of the Games!
It seems that 60000 police, firefighters and port workers who are directly involved with the Olympic Games will be entitled to bonuses of around 2500 euros each.
However, others such as; the military, municipal workers and hospital workers won't be getting a "bung".
Therefore, in the spirit of equality, the unions representing the "downtrodden" non bonus receiving masses has threatened to strike.
In a demonstration of "good faith", hospital workers in Athens have planned a "warning" strike on June 23rd. Whilst the ambulance drivers and paramedics have threatened a strike on the 13th of August (oh dear that's the day the Olympic Games actually starts, how embarrassing!).
In the event that the Greek government cowtows to this blackmail; the estimated additional cost, on top of the already extortionate cost of the Games, will be $1.5BN.
What a splendid example of the spirit of the Games!
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Petty Nitpicking
It seems that, despite the fact that the Athens 2004 Olympics are less than two months away, some people are happy to indulge in petty squabbles.
It is reported that the sole Indian entry to Greco-Roman wrestling has been having a bit of a tiff with his coach.
The wrestler had booked a trip to the US without the apparent knowledge of his trainer, who was under the impression that they would be going to Bulgaria.
The coach, in a fit of peek, decided to complain to the Indian Sports Ministry; citing the fact that the hapless wrestler had shown no respect to the Government of India.
The wrestler, Mukesh Khatri, is reported to have speculated that the real reason for the "prima donna hissy fit" of the coach may be more to do with the fact that as he is the only entry from India in that category, the coach is unlikely to be accompanying him to Athens; for it seems that Kahtri has booked his own trainer to go there with him.
Nice to see everyone has their eyes on the "big picture".
It is reported that the sole Indian entry to Greco-Roman wrestling has been having a bit of a tiff with his coach.
The wrestler had booked a trip to the US without the apparent knowledge of his trainer, who was under the impression that they would be going to Bulgaria.
The coach, in a fit of peek, decided to complain to the Indian Sports Ministry; citing the fact that the hapless wrestler had shown no respect to the Government of India.
The wrestler, Mukesh Khatri, is reported to have speculated that the real reason for the "prima donna hissy fit" of the coach may be more to do with the fact that as he is the only entry from India in that category, the coach is unlikely to be accompanying him to Athens; for it seems that Kahtri has booked his own trainer to go there with him.
Nice to see everyone has their eyes on the "big picture".
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
NATO To The Rescue
The security threat to the Olympics, being held in Athens this year, is being taken seriously by Greece's neighbours in Bulgaria.
It is reported that Bulgaria will receive the full NATO database on fighting terror.
It will also upgrade its security on its southern border during the Olympic Games in August. They will be looking to prevent suicide bombers, and explosives crossing the border into Greece.
The Bulgarian secret services and the Interior Ministry were assigned special tasks during the Conference on Olympics Security, which was held in Athens a fortnight ago.
Bulgaria has been given profiles of the most wanted terrorists, together with instructions for recognising them.
Let us hope that they won't be needed.
It is reported that Bulgaria will receive the full NATO database on fighting terror.
It will also upgrade its security on its southern border during the Olympic Games in August. They will be looking to prevent suicide bombers, and explosives crossing the border into Greece.
The Bulgarian secret services and the Interior Ministry were assigned special tasks during the Conference on Olympics Security, which was held in Athens a fortnight ago.
Bulgaria has been given profiles of the most wanted terrorists, together with instructions for recognising them.
Let us hope that they won't be needed.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Coming In Under The Wire
It seems that in a last minute dash to the finishing line, the Greek authorities may just get most things ready for the Olympic Games in Athens this August.
Admittedly it will be "last minute".
However, there are many loose ends to clear up; such as painting the roof of the Olympic stadium and installing the remaining 67000 seats.
The cost of these games is estimated at the moment to be around $7BN. However, it is likely that this will rise.
Will the Greeks, once the party is over, say that it has been worth it?
Admittedly it will be "last minute".
However, there are many loose ends to clear up; such as painting the roof of the Olympic stadium and installing the remaining 67000 seats.
The cost of these games is estimated at the moment to be around $7BN. However, it is likely that this will rise.
Will the Greeks, once the party is over, say that it has been worth it?
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Off Message
The Olympics in Athens are barely 60 days away. However, there are some very public fears about the wisdom of holding them in Athens being expressed by some high profile personalities.
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, is reported to have said that holding the Olympic Games in Athens will be risky.
He seems to have a preference for Rome. The impression that Mr Rogge has given is that the Games were awarded to Greece, not for their infrastructure or competence, but as a sign of gratitude for them coming up with the idea of the Olympics some 3000 years ago.
I would venture to suggest that this is a little late in the day to be having second thoughts.
Jumping on the bandwagon of doubters, the head of the World Anti Doping Agency (Dick Pound) is reported to be worried that the Olympic Games in Athens will be "tumultuous".
His list of worries include; air pollution, doping violations, security concerns and the incomplete infrastructure in Athens.
Can anyone tell me which one of these issues was not known at the time of the biding?
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, is reported to have said that holding the Olympic Games in Athens will be risky.
He seems to have a preference for Rome. The impression that Mr Rogge has given is that the Games were awarded to Greece, not for their infrastructure or competence, but as a sign of gratitude for them coming up with the idea of the Olympics some 3000 years ago.
I would venture to suggest that this is a little late in the day to be having second thoughts.
Jumping on the bandwagon of doubters, the head of the World Anti Doping Agency (Dick Pound) is reported to be worried that the Olympic Games in Athens will be "tumultuous".
His list of worries include; air pollution, doping violations, security concerns and the incomplete infrastructure in Athens.
Can anyone tell me which one of these issues was not known at the time of the biding?
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