It is reported that one in ten drugs samples, taken in Athens, had been tested for human growth hormone (HGH).
The idea according to Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), was to surprise drug cheats by re-testing samples kept over from the Olympics for new designer drugs.
Out of the 300 tests for HGH, none have rated positive so far.
However, there were 24 other doping violations announced during this year's Olympics.
In another move to stop cheating, the samples taken at the Olympics are to be kept for eight years for retroactive testing.
However, Dick Pound is "pissed off" with government's lack of enthusiasm for funding the work of WADA. They are still awaiting the US contribution, which accounts for 10% of the 2005 budget.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Friday, September 17, 2004
The Struggle Continues
The highest court in the world of sport will be in action on 27 September; as it hears an appeal from, Yang Tae-young, the South Korean gymnast who lost the title to Paul Hamm because of a scoring error.
Needless to say Hamm wants to keep his medal and, together with the US Olympic Committee, is doing everything possible the keep it draped around his neck.
The hearing, just like a real court hearing over something important, will have all the trappings of a real court with lawyers etc; it will take place at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne Switzerland.
In addition to the fight over the gymnastics medal, the Canadians are also going to be heard; as they kick up a fuss over the men's vault final.
I understand that the Hungarians are also "pissed" about something as well.
Does anyone really care now that the Games are over?
Needless to say Hamm wants to keep his medal and, together with the US Olympic Committee, is doing everything possible the keep it draped around his neck.
The hearing, just like a real court hearing over something important, will have all the trappings of a real court with lawyers etc; it will take place at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne Switzerland.
In addition to the fight over the gymnastics medal, the Canadians are also going to be heard; as they kick up a fuss over the men's vault final.
I understand that the Hungarians are also "pissed" about something as well.
Does anyone really care now that the Games are over?
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Record Breaking
It seems that the doping issues from the Athens Olympics, won't go away.
Ferenc Gyurkovics, the Hungarian weightlifter, has been stripped of his silver medal; after testing positive for banned substances on Saturday. Puerto Rican wrestler Mabel Fonseca has also been expelled for a positive drug test.
This now brings the total of those expelled from the 2004 Olympics, to 22; a record, up on the previous record which was 12 during the LA Games.
Ferenc Gyurkovics, the Hungarian weightlifter, has been stripped of his silver medal; after testing positive for banned substances on Saturday. Puerto Rican wrestler Mabel Fonseca has also been expelled for a positive drug test.
This now brings the total of those expelled from the 2004 Olympics, to 22; a record, up on the previous record which was 12 during the LA Games.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
The Prudent Swiss
The Swiss have pulled out of bidding for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
They believe that the costs of hosting the Games, especially the security aspects, are totally prohibitive.
They believe that the costs of hosting the Games, especially the security aspects, are totally prohibitive.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Calling in The Feds
It is reported that Greek investigators examining the Kenteris and Thanou, the "dynamic duo" of sprinting, doping scandal have asked for information from their colleagues in the USA.
The investigators are very interested in information about BALCO, the drugs laboratory suspected of producing and distributing the banned anabolic steroid THG.
You will recall that the "dynamic duo" missed a drugs test; then found themselves in a motorcycle "accident", which is suspected of being faked.
Their coach, Christos Tzekos, and his nutritional "supplement" business is also being investigated.
It seems that our heroic "dynamic duo" can at least claim one gold medal, that being in the category of missing drugs tests. They have managed to miss 3 during 2004 alone.
Quite some achievement!
The investigators are very interested in information about BALCO, the drugs laboratory suspected of producing and distributing the banned anabolic steroid THG.
You will recall that the "dynamic duo" missed a drugs test; then found themselves in a motorcycle "accident", which is suspected of being faked.
Their coach, Christos Tzekos, and his nutritional "supplement" business is also being investigated.
It seems that our heroic "dynamic duo" can at least claim one gold medal, that being in the category of missing drugs tests. They have managed to miss 3 during 2004 alone.
Quite some achievement!
A Quick Statistic
The $12BN cost of hosting the Athens Olympics, has taken the total Greek public debt to over 112% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
This is the equivalent of $75K for every Greek household.
Canada, which hosted the Games in 1976, ended up with a public debt of a "mere" 68%. They expect to finish paying for the Games in 2006.
This is the equivalent of $75K for every Greek household.
Canada, which hosted the Games in 1976, ended up with a public debt of a "mere" 68%. They expect to finish paying for the Games in 2006.
Monday, September 13, 2004
No Bid
It is reported that New York may pull out of the bidding to host the 2012 Olympics.
It seems that there has been some local opposition to the proposal to build a $1.4BN stadium for the New York Jets.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has issued an ultimatum that, if agreement is not reached soon on the new stadium, New York will pull out of the bidding.
Do you believe that?
I don't!
It seems that there has been some local opposition to the proposal to build a $1.4BN stadium for the New York Jets.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has issued an ultimatum that, if agreement is not reached soon on the new stadium, New York will pull out of the bidding.
Do you believe that?
I don't!
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Cuts
The $12BN cost of hosting the Athens Olympics, has put a very large hole in Greece's public finances.
It is reported that, in order to "shore those finances up", the Greek government will be cutting defence expenditure by $0.6BN; and selling off certain nationalised industries.
The first lined up for privatisation is the postal saving bank; and, appropriately enough, Olympic Airlines.
It is reported that, in order to "shore those finances up", the Greek government will be cutting defence expenditure by $0.6BN; and selling off certain nationalised industries.
The first lined up for privatisation is the postal saving bank; and, appropriately enough, Olympic Airlines.
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