In rather a bizarre change of plans, Colin Powell has cancelled his visit to Athens; he cited "urgent responsibilities".
It seems he will visit later in the year instead.
Last night police fought running battles with demonstrators, as they attempted to march without success to the US embassy.
Prior to this announcement, demonstrators had managed to breach security by hanging a large banner on the Acropolis, in front of CNN, saying: "Powell, killer, go home".
Whilst the anti USA demonstrators will doubtless be crowing about their "success" in driving Powell away; the rumour is that Powell was persuaded by the Greek authorities not to come, for fear of provoking a PR and security debacle.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Missing Athlete
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) appear to have lost an athlete.
Having kicked out Russian 400 metres runner Anton Galkin, for drug offences; the IOC are now looking for Hungarian hammer thrower, Adrian Annus.
The Hungarian National Olympic Committee have been asked to notify the IOC of his whereabouts.
If anyone sees him in Athens, please drop the IOC a note.
Having kicked out Russian 400 metres runner Anton Galkin, for drug offences; the IOC are now looking for Hungarian hammer thrower, Adrian Annus.
The Hungarian National Olympic Committee have been asked to notify the IOC of his whereabouts.
If anyone sees him in Athens, please drop the IOC a note.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Famine Follows Feast
The party is now almost over, and like all parties, there is a bill which someone is going to have to settle.
In Greece's case, the bill for the Olympics 2004 looks like topping $12BN; that's one hell of a price tag.
The money has been found from state funds, ie the Greek taxpayer will be "coughing up" for this for some time into the future.
The other question that has yet to be answered is this:
"What will a small country like Greece do with all the large Olympic venues that it has built?"
They will cost over $100M a year to maintain.
Christos Chatziemmanouil, president of Hellenic Olympic Properties, noted that a demand will have to be created.
Quite!
In Greece's case, the bill for the Olympics 2004 looks like topping $12BN; that's one hell of a price tag.
The money has been found from state funds, ie the Greek taxpayer will be "coughing up" for this for some time into the future.
The other question that has yet to be answered is this:
"What will a small country like Greece do with all the large Olympic venues that it has built?"
They will cost over $100M a year to maintain.
Christos Chatziemmanouil, president of Hellenic Olympic Properties, noted that a demand will have to be created.
Quite!
Hissy Fit
Greek spectators threw a "hissy fit" yesterday, at the beginning of the 200 metres.
Distraught that Costas Kenteris, one half of the "dynamic duo" of doping/sprinting, was not allowed to run; the spectators vented their spleens by booing and chanting.
The immature tantrum caused the start of the race to be delayed for five minutes.
The top three positions were won by the US.
Distraught that Costas Kenteris, one half of the "dynamic duo" of doping/sprinting, was not allowed to run; the spectators vented their spleens by booing and chanting.
The immature tantrum caused the start of the race to be delayed for five minutes.
The top three positions were won by the US.
No Go Areas
Colin Powell's visit to Athens looks like causing a bit of a stir.
There are plans by a number of organisations to march to the US embassy in Athens, at 19:00 this evening, to protest about the visit.
However, the police are planning on setting up road blocks; this will ensure that the demonstrations do not get out of hand.
However, the demonstrators don't seem to see it that way; they are reported to be ready to ignore the police road block.
Organisers expect thousands of people to turn up for the demonstration.
There are plans by a number of organisations to march to the US embassy in Athens, at 19:00 this evening, to protest about the visit.
However, the police are planning on setting up road blocks; this will ensure that the demonstrations do not get out of hand.
However, the demonstrators don't seem to see it that way; they are reported to be ready to ignore the police road block.
Organisers expect thousands of people to turn up for the demonstration.
No Duplicates
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected South Korea's complaint about scoring, and their request to have a duplicate gold medal awarded in the men's gymnastics competition.
For good measure, the IOC also turned down the request for duplicate gold medals arising from a judging error in the equestrian competition.
The IOC president, Jacques Rogge, said that no duplicates would be issued "for humanitarian reasons alone".
He did indicate that the IOC would look for ways to improve their scoring techniques, which have been subject to considerable criticisms during the 2004 Olympics.
The IOC decision is at variance with the Salt Lake City Games, where duplicates were handed out.
For good measure, the IOC also turned down the request for duplicate gold medals arising from a judging error in the equestrian competition.
The IOC president, Jacques Rogge, said that no duplicates would be issued "for humanitarian reasons alone".
He did indicate that the IOC would look for ways to improve their scoring techniques, which have been subject to considerable criticisms during the 2004 Olympics.
The IOC decision is at variance with the Salt Lake City Games, where duplicates were handed out.
Greetings From Paris
Dear all,
The lack of posts over the last 24 hours was due to www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand" taking a trip to Paris.
Normal sevice will now be resumed.
Ken
The lack of posts over the last 24 hours was due to www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand" taking a trip to Paris.
Normal sevice will now be resumed.
Ken
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony on Sunday will centre on Greek "glendi" (celebration through traditional dances).
The omens are good for Sunday, as there is going to be a full moon.
The omens are good for Sunday, as there is going to be a full moon.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Tremors
A small earthquake rattled hit Athens yesterday; causing some minor tremors at the Olympic venues.
No one was injured, and there was no apparent damage.
The tremor had a reported of 4.5, and was centered about 42 miles northeast of Athens.
No one was injured, and there was no apparent damage.
The tremor had a reported of 4.5, and was centered about 42 miles northeast of Athens.
Weight Off Their Mind
The Indian government has sacked their national weightlifting coaches, Pal Singh Sandhu of India and Leonid Taranenko of Belarus.
They were both have been involved in administering drugs to two Indian women weightlifters, Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu, at the Olympic Games.
International Weightlifting authorities have already suspended Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu, pending an inquiry.
They were both have been involved in administering drugs to two Indian women weightlifters, Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu, at the Olympic Games.
International Weightlifting authorities have already suspended Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu, pending an inquiry.
Iraq Bow Out
Iraq's attempt to win gold ended on Tuesday, as they were beaten by Paraguay 3-1.
They will play Italy on Friday for the bronze medal.
This may mean that President Bush will change his travel plans (see earlier post "President Annexes Olympics").
They will play Italy on Friday for the bronze medal.
This may mean that President Bush will change his travel plans (see earlier post "President Annexes Olympics").
Another Dope Head Bites The Dust
Yet another drug scandal has emerged today at the Olympics.
This time it involves Hungarian Olympic discus champion Robert Fazekas, who will lose his gold medal and be expelled from the Games; after being caught trying to tamper with a urine sample.
How very unpleasant!
It seems he had trouble giving the full sample, even though he remained at the doping control check point until 3:00am.
Maybe he should have tried whistling?
Another athlete, this time Belarussian high jumper Aleksey Lesnichiy, has tested positive for the anabolic agent clenbuterol.
These guys don't learn do they?
This time it involves Hungarian Olympic discus champion Robert Fazekas, who will lose his gold medal and be expelled from the Games; after being caught trying to tamper with a urine sample.
How very unpleasant!
It seems he had trouble giving the full sample, even though he remained at the doping control check point until 3:00am.
Maybe he should have tried whistling?
Another athlete, this time Belarussian high jumper Aleksey Lesnichiy, has tested positive for the anabolic agent clenbuterol.
These guys don't learn do they?
Judges Biased Towards Rich Nations
It seems that the "People Power" protest about lousy Olympic judging, noted in my previous post, has had some resonance with the Russians.
It is reported that Russia is to lodge a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), over biased judging throughout the Athens gymnastics competition.
Whilst the complaint will not be specific to the Monday debacle, it will cover all gymnastic judging over the course of the Olympics.
The Russians have a certain feeling that the judges are showing favouritism to those competitors from the wealthier nations, ie those offering the more lucrative commercial contracts.
Should their suspicions be well founded, the complaint will rock the very core of the Olympics. Amateur competition between athletes, not corporate marketing and product placement, is after all what the Olympics claims to be about.
It is reported that Russia is to lodge a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), over biased judging throughout the Athens gymnastics competition.
Whilst the complaint will not be specific to the Monday debacle, it will cover all gymnastic judging over the course of the Olympics.
The Russians have a certain feeling that the judges are showing favouritism to those competitors from the wealthier nations, ie those offering the more lucrative commercial contracts.
Should their suspicions be well founded, the complaint will rock the very core of the Olympics. Amateur competition between athletes, not corporate marketing and product placement, is after all what the Olympics claims to be about.
Stupid or What?
It seems that the coach of the dynamic duo of sprinting, Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou (who were kicked out, sorry pulled out, of the Games for avoiding a drugs test), holds in interesting line of food additives in his warehouse.
A search, carried out by Greece's National organisation of medicines, of a warehouse owned by Christos Tsekos revealed small amounts of anabolic steroids.
In all, 641 boxes of food supplements were confiscated; of which more than a 1000 of the supplements listed ephedrine (a banned weight reducing drug) as the main ingredient.
The search also found batches of medicine with steroids from the United States, Bulgaria and Germany.
A search, carried out by Greece's National organisation of medicines, of a warehouse owned by Christos Tsekos revealed small amounts of anabolic steroids.
In all, 641 boxes of food supplements were confiscated; of which more than a 1000 of the supplements listed ephedrine (a banned weight reducing drug) as the main ingredient.
The search also found batches of medicine with steroids from the United States, Bulgaria and Germany.
People Power
People power put a temporary stop to yesterday's Olympic gymnastic horizontal bar final, as spectators jeered and booed the judges.
The rumpus began after judges awarded Alexei Nemov of Russia 9.725, putting him in third place.
The jeering continued as Paul Hamm got ready to follow. Despite pleas for silence from Olympic officials, the fracas continued. The judges attempted to bring the fracas to an end, when they changed their scores; giving Nemov 9.762.
Unfortunately, Nemov was still last; and so the noise continued. There was a brief cessation when Hamm went through his routine; only to return when he was awarded 9.812, putting him into the lead.
Nemov came fifth in the end, feeling that he had been marked down deliberately.
The scoring matter was exacerbated by the fact that 3 judges had been suspended last week for judging errors.
The most troubling element of this story, is the fact that the spectators were able to intimidate the judges into changing their scores.
What happened to impartiality?
This bodes ill for the future.
The rumpus began after judges awarded Alexei Nemov of Russia 9.725, putting him in third place.
The jeering continued as Paul Hamm got ready to follow. Despite pleas for silence from Olympic officials, the fracas continued. The judges attempted to bring the fracas to an end, when they changed their scores; giving Nemov 9.762.
Unfortunately, Nemov was still last; and so the noise continued. There was a brief cessation when Hamm went through his routine; only to return when he was awarded 9.812, putting him into the lead.
Nemov came fifth in the end, feeling that he had been marked down deliberately.
The scoring matter was exacerbated by the fact that 3 judges had been suspended last week for judging errors.
The most troubling element of this story, is the fact that the spectators were able to intimidate the judges into changing their scores.
What happened to impartiality?
This bodes ill for the future.
Monday, August 23, 2004
Nipples Boost Viewing Figures
It seems that the BBC has adopted a "nanny like" stance, in respect of its Olympic swimming coverage.
Their top presenter, Sharon Davies, has been the subject of a few complaints from keen eyed viewers; who were disturbed to be distracted by her "prominent nipples".
The BBC, ever conscious of its duty to protect British morals, has ordered the camera crew to raise the camera focus above Ms Davies's nipple line.
This may cause something of a backlash, as unconfirmed reports suggest that viewing figures have been enhanced by the "nipple issue".
I leave you to judge for yourself, here is a picture of Ms Davies (former medal winning swimmer):
Their top presenter, Sharon Davies, has been the subject of a few complaints from keen eyed viewers; who were disturbed to be distracted by her "prominent nipples".
The BBC, ever conscious of its duty to protect British morals, has ordered the camera crew to raise the camera focus above Ms Davies's nipple line.
This may cause something of a backlash, as unconfirmed reports suggest that viewing figures have been enhanced by the "nipple issue".
I leave you to judge for yourself, here is a picture of Ms Davies (former medal winning swimmer):
Bush Annexes Olympics
In what some cynics may describe as a purely political move, President Bush is thinking of popping over to Athens to watch the Olympics this week.
You will recall that, as posted on this site some time ago, Bush was never going to attend in person; he had only planned to send his Mum and Dad and his children.
Now it seems that things have changed.
One particular sporting event that seems to have caught the President's eye, is the football game final being possibly played by Iraq this coming Saturday (only if they beat Paraguay on Tuesday).
It is already confirmed that Colin Powell will be at the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Needless to say, when it comes to US Presidential politics nothing is ever straighforward. Aside from the massive security, and logistical, problems that an "unplanned" Presidential visit would cause; there are also the political implications, in what is after all an election year.
It seems that "W's" TV campaign at the moment is running an advert that claims that the only reason that Iraq and Afghanistan are competing in the Games, is because of the "success" of the "War on Terror".
I would venture to ask, if the "war on terror" is such a success, why did the security measures at the Games have to cost a whopping $1.5BN?
The advert links today's, situation with the attack on the 1972 Munich Games. Quote: "Freedom is spreading through the world like a sunrise. And this Olympics there will be two more free nations and two less terrorist regimes.....With strength, resolve and courage, democracy will triumph over terror and hope will defeat hatred."
The trouble is, the advert uses Olympic symbols; which are protected by copyright law.
The US Olympic Committee are investigating the possible breach of copyright.
To further fuel the fire of controversy, it seems that the "liberated" Iraqi players are more than tad "pissed off" at being used to help "W" win his election campaign.
Bush remains unapologetic, he reportedly told the voters of Oregon: "It (Iraq) wouldn't have been free if the United States hadn't acted."
Well, in order to ensure complete electoral impartiality, I have a link here to that most excellent of animations "This Land".
It takes a few minutes to download, but is a hoot...."This Land"
You will recall that, as posted on this site some time ago, Bush was never going to attend in person; he had only planned to send his Mum and Dad and his children.
Now it seems that things have changed.
One particular sporting event that seems to have caught the President's eye, is the football game final being possibly played by Iraq this coming Saturday (only if they beat Paraguay on Tuesday).
It is already confirmed that Colin Powell will be at the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Needless to say, when it comes to US Presidential politics nothing is ever straighforward. Aside from the massive security, and logistical, problems that an "unplanned" Presidential visit would cause; there are also the political implications, in what is after all an election year.
It seems that "W's" TV campaign at the moment is running an advert that claims that the only reason that Iraq and Afghanistan are competing in the Games, is because of the "success" of the "War on Terror".
I would venture to ask, if the "war on terror" is such a success, why did the security measures at the Games have to cost a whopping $1.5BN?
The advert links today's, situation with the attack on the 1972 Munich Games. Quote: "Freedom is spreading through the world like a sunrise. And this Olympics there will be two more free nations and two less terrorist regimes.....With strength, resolve and courage, democracy will triumph over terror and hope will defeat hatred."
The trouble is, the advert uses Olympic symbols; which are protected by copyright law.
The US Olympic Committee are investigating the possible breach of copyright.
To further fuel the fire of controversy, it seems that the "liberated" Iraqi players are more than tad "pissed off" at being used to help "W" win his election campaign.
Bush remains unapologetic, he reportedly told the voters of Oregon: "It (Iraq) wouldn't have been free if the United States hadn't acted."
Well, in order to ensure complete electoral impartiality, I have a link here to that most excellent of animations "This Land".
It takes a few minutes to download, but is a hoot...."This Land"
True Brit
Commiserations to the UK's Paula Radcliffe, for heroically failing to complete her marathon yesterday.
She returned to the Panathinaiko Stadium via ambulance, having pulled out of the marathon after 19 miles.
If the newspapers are to be believed, the UK appears to be in mourning today.
All credit to her, but an over reaction I would suggest.
She returned to the Panathinaiko Stadium via ambulance, having pulled out of the marathon after 19 miles.
If the newspapers are to be believed, the UK appears to be in mourning today.
All credit to her, but an over reaction I would suggest.
I Won't Give It Back
In a splendid display of temperament, Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis, who failed a drugs test; has stated that he won't give his bronze medal back.
He is reported to have said to Greek TV NET: "I deserve this medal, I won't give it back".
Unfortunately for him, the Greek Olympic Committee have begun procedures to remove his medal; whether or not he gives it back voluntarily.
Sampanis and his coach, Christos Iakovou, testified to an IOC disciplinary panel on Saturday; protesting his innocence.
Invoking God and his children, Sampanis said to reporters afterwards: "I want to declare to the Greek people that I swear to God, to my two little angels, my children, that I never took any such substances.".
To no avail, he was expelled on Sunday.
He is reported to have said to Greek TV NET: "I deserve this medal, I won't give it back".
Unfortunately for him, the Greek Olympic Committee have begun procedures to remove his medal; whether or not he gives it back voluntarily.
Sampanis and his coach, Christos Iakovou, testified to an IOC disciplinary panel on Saturday; protesting his innocence.
Invoking God and his children, Sampanis said to reporters afterwards: "I want to declare to the Greek people that I swear to God, to my two little angels, my children, that I never took any such substances.".
To no avail, he was expelled on Sunday.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
This Blog Was Created Without The Aid of Performance Enhancing Drugs
It seems that there is more dope at the Olympics than at a frat house party.
The latest dope head, sorry athlete, to be accused of using drugs is women's shot put gold medalist Irina Korzhaenko.
The Russian Olympic team spokesman, Gennady Shvets, would not confirm the reports but noted that there was a "problem".
It seems that this is not Korzhaenko's first offence; she was also stripped of her 1999 shotputting World Indoor title, for drugs offences.
Women's shot putter Olga Shchukina was expelled from the Games on Friday after failing a drugs test.
The latest dope head, sorry athlete, to be accused of using drugs is women's shot put gold medalist Irina Korzhaenko.
The Russian Olympic team spokesman, Gennady Shvets, would not confirm the reports but noted that there was a "problem".
It seems that this is not Korzhaenko's first offence; she was also stripped of her 1999 shotputting World Indoor title, for drugs offences.
Women's shot putter Olga Shchukina was expelled from the Games on Friday after failing a drugs test.
Judge Ye Not
It seems that even Olympic judges are mortal.
An error in scoring the gymnastics final on Wednesday, meant that Paul Hamm won gold instead of Yang Tae-young from South Korea.
Three judges have been suspended, but the result will stand; as the South Koreans did not lodge a complaint in time.
The names of the judges have not been released.
An error in scoring the gymnastics final on Wednesday, meant that Paul Hamm won gold instead of Yang Tae-young from South Korea.
Three judges have been suspended, but the result will stand; as the South Koreans did not lodge a complaint in time.
The names of the judges have not been released.
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