The big guns are coming out in support of New York to host the 2012 Olympics.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell has reportedly asked his foreign minister colleagues to back New York's bid.
He has also recorded a videotape on behalf of the bid, which will make the same case. He describes the city as "a place where you can come and have a good time", that would make a "great" host for the Games.
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Friday, October 01, 2004
British Olympics? No Chance
I reiterate what I have said before, that there is not a hope in hell of Britain hosting the 2012 Olympics.
My view has been confirmed by the decision to abandon Silverstone, as part of the Formula One 2005 calendar.
Bernie Ecclestone, F1 superemo, is also heavily involved in the bid for the 2012 Olympics. He is reportedly to be of the view that Silverstone is outdated, and does not receive the level of support from the government that it deserves.
The decision to axe Silverstone will send a very clear message to the IOC, that Britain simply does not have the money or the will to host major sporting events.
It is of course, classic brinkmanship, a last ditched attempt to embarrass the government into funding a rejuvenation of Silverstone.
My view has been confirmed by the decision to abandon Silverstone, as part of the Formula One 2005 calendar.
Bernie Ecclestone, F1 superemo, is also heavily involved in the bid for the 2012 Olympics. He is reportedly to be of the view that Silverstone is outdated, and does not receive the level of support from the government that it deserves.
The decision to axe Silverstone will send a very clear message to the IOC, that Britain simply does not have the money or the will to host major sporting events.
It is of course, classic brinkmanship, a last ditched attempt to embarrass the government into funding a rejuvenation of Silverstone.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
London's Bid
The Labour Party conference, in Brighton, tried to give London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics a kick start on Tuesday.
The culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, reportedly said "Let's unite as a country to work for it, win it and give the world an Olympic Games that none of us will ever forget....This is about how ambitious and bold we are as a country. In sport there is no higher place than the Olympics. That must be our goal...."
UGHH!! Utter claptrap.
Mayor Ken Livingstone at least tried to inject a note of realism, by noting that London still had "some way to catch up" in respect of infrastructure.
The bottom line is simple, London does not have the infrastructure to cope with hosting the Games; and will not have it in place in time.
There is not a hope in hell of London being awarded the 2012 Games.
The culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, reportedly said "Let's unite as a country to work for it, win it and give the world an Olympic Games that none of us will ever forget....This is about how ambitious and bold we are as a country. In sport there is no higher place than the Olympics. That must be our goal...."
UGHH!! Utter claptrap.
Mayor Ken Livingstone at least tried to inject a note of realism, by noting that London still had "some way to catch up" in respect of infrastructure.
The bottom line is simple, London does not have the infrastructure to cope with hosting the Games; and will not have it in place in time.
There is not a hope in hell of London being awarded the 2012 Games.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Frosty Games
The mascots for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, starting on 10 January 2006, have been unveiled.
They are Neve a snowball, and Gliz a block of ice.
They were launched at a ceremony yesterday and, after a cartoon show introducing them, made an appearance in person.
They are meant to represent the spirit of the Olympics namely; competition, friendship and fair play. I will look at the contents of my ice box with new respect in the future.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is a tad worried about the laid back attitude of the Italians with respect to meeting deadlines. He is reportedly not wishing to see a repeat of the last minute rush to complete, that occurred at the Athens Games.
The Italians are sanguine, and feel that there will be no problem.
They are Neve a snowball, and Gliz a block of ice.
They were launched at a ceremony yesterday and, after a cartoon show introducing them, made an appearance in person.
They are meant to represent the spirit of the Olympics namely; competition, friendship and fair play. I will look at the contents of my ice box with new respect in the future.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is a tad worried about the laid back attitude of the Italians with respect to meeting deadlines. He is reportedly not wishing to see a repeat of the last minute rush to complete, that occurred at the Athens Games.
The Italians are sanguine, and feel that there will be no problem.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
A Lot of Fuss
Paul Hamm's hearing, regarding the disputed gymnastic medal, was held in Lausanne yesterday. It seems that it was quite an ordeal; lasting over 11 hours.
The decision has yet to be announced. However, it seems that all the "stops" were pulled out to make sure that the hearing seemed to be important.
Hamm had 6 lawyers with him, there were also 40 people speaking 7 languages attending the hearing.
The arbitrators will now take a fortnight to deliberate over the issue.
The decision has yet to be announced. However, it seems that all the "stops" were pulled out to make sure that the hearing seemed to be important.
Hamm had 6 lawyers with him, there were also 40 people speaking 7 languages attending the hearing.
The arbitrators will now take a fortnight to deliberate over the issue.
A Jolly Junket
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) team, who will be judging which city hosts the 2012 Olympics, have announced the schedule of their jolly junket.
They will kick off in Madrid then visit London, New York, Paris and finally Moscow.
The IOC claim that the order of cities is logistical. However, from my modest grasp of geography, I would have thought it should be Madrid, Paris, London, New York then Moscow.
The team will be led by Nawal El Moutawakel, Morocco's 1984 Olympic 400 meters hurdles champion. They will meet bid leaders, and city/government officials during their visits.
They are scheduled to report in May 2005.
This will be an especially nice trip for the "lads" from the IOC; as they have not been allowed to travel, since the Salt Lake City corruption scandal in 1998.
Let us hope no one takes any bribes this time round!
They will kick off in Madrid then visit London, New York, Paris and finally Moscow.
The IOC claim that the order of cities is logistical. However, from my modest grasp of geography, I would have thought it should be Madrid, Paris, London, New York then Moscow.
The team will be led by Nawal El Moutawakel, Morocco's 1984 Olympic 400 meters hurdles champion. They will meet bid leaders, and city/government officials during their visits.
They are scheduled to report in May 2005.
This will be an especially nice trip for the "lads" from the IOC; as they have not been allowed to travel, since the Salt Lake City corruption scandal in 1998.
Let us hope no one takes any bribes this time round!
Monday, September 27, 2004
The Waiting Is Over
The waiting is finally over for Paul Hamm; winner, for the time being, of the men's gymnastic Olympic medal.
Today the Court for Arbitration for Sport will hear the appeal from the South Korean gymnast, Yang Tae-young, who is disputing the scoring of the event.
Needless to say, with both the Koreans and Americans vowing to battle to the end for their respective sides, the hearing could be every bit as thrilling as the actual event.
Indeed, the US Olympic Committee is sending a bevy of lawyers along; as well as spending $300K on defending their man.
The hearing will take place in Lausanne, behind closed doors. A panel of 3 wise men will hear the case, then make their decision.
However, no one knows quite how these guys will come to a decision; rumour has it they will examine the entrails of a goat.
Today the Court for Arbitration for Sport will hear the appeal from the South Korean gymnast, Yang Tae-young, who is disputing the scoring of the event.
Needless to say, with both the Koreans and Americans vowing to battle to the end for their respective sides, the hearing could be every bit as thrilling as the actual event.
Indeed, the US Olympic Committee is sending a bevy of lawyers along; as well as spending $300K on defending their man.
The hearing will take place in Lausanne, behind closed doors. A panel of 3 wise men will hear the case, then make their decision.
However, no one knows quite how these guys will come to a decision; rumour has it they will examine the entrails of a goat.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
The Never Ending Games
It seems that the 2004 Games are set to go on until 2012, that at least is the case from the drug enforcement perspective.
All the urine and bodily fluid samples, taken during the 2004 Games, have to be stored until 2012; just in case a new test has to be carried out.
As technology develops, it is likely that new tests will be devised over the coming years that can be used on these frozen samples.
It is therefore highly possible that titles won in 2004, will be removed in 2011; if the winners were proven to be cheating.
Imagine the litigation issues that would stir up!
All the urine and bodily fluid samples, taken during the 2004 Games, have to be stored until 2012; just in case a new test has to be carried out.
As technology develops, it is likely that new tests will be devised over the coming years that can be used on these frozen samples.
It is therefore highly possible that titles won in 2004, will be removed in 2011; if the winners were proven to be cheating.
Imagine the litigation issues that would stir up!
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