The BALCO drugs scandal might cost Marion Jones her five track and field medals, from the Sydney Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) opened an investigation on Tuesday into doping allegations against Jones.
IOC president, Jacques Rogge, set up a disciplinary commission; to look into the claims made by Victor Conte who was head of BALCO, the lab accused of illegally distributing steroids.
Conte reportedly told ABC's "20/20" that he gave Jones drugs before, and after, the Sydney Olympics. He said that he watched her inject herself with human growth hormone.
Jones denies the allegations, and has threatened to sue Conte for defamation.
The U.S. Olympic Committee supports the IOC action.
World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound, a senior IOC member, has said Jones should be stripped of her medals if Conte is telling the truth.
The IOC could strip the entire team, including Olympic champion Michael Johnson, of the gold medals.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Finally Tested
The dynamic duo of Greek sprinting, Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, were finally given a drugs test last weekend.
The tests were a surprise, so that our two "heroes" did not have time to run off and fake another accident.
The were done at a Greek national team training facility near Athens. The results are not known.
The tests come less than two weeks before track and field's governing body is expected to decide whether Kenteris and Thanou should be suspended.
WADA chief Dick Pound said, in Athens on Monday, that he expected the two athletes would be found guilty by the IAAF.
"These people were avoiding tests and that's the same as a positive test...My prediction is that they are going to find that there was a doping violation and that there will be sanctions against the athletes and, I hope, against the coach."
The tests were a surprise, so that our two "heroes" did not have time to run off and fake another accident.
The were done at a Greek national team training facility near Athens. The results are not known.
The tests come less than two weeks before track and field's governing body is expected to decide whether Kenteris and Thanou should be suspended.
WADA chief Dick Pound said, in Athens on Monday, that he expected the two athletes would be found guilty by the IAAF.
"These people were avoiding tests and that's the same as a positive test...My prediction is that they are going to find that there was a doping violation and that there will be sanctions against the athletes and, I hope, against the coach."
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Sanctions
Dick Pound, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president, has said that he expects the dynamic duo of Greek sprinting, Kostadinos Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, to be banned for doping violations.
Quote:
"My prediction is that they are going to find that there was a doping violation and that there will be sanctions against the athletes and, I hope, against the coach.."
Last week the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) charged Kenteris, Thanou and their coach Christos Tzekos with doping violations for missing tests in Tel Aviv, Chicago and Athens ahead of the August Games.
Kenteris, Thanou and Tzekos have until December 16 to respond to the charges. If found guilty, they will face two year bans.
The IAAF has charged Tzekos with distributing prohibited substances, assisting in the use of prohibited substances and tampering with the doping control process.
Greek prosecutors have also filed charges against the three over their failure to show up at the test, and about having faked the now infamous motorcycle "accident".
Quote:
"My prediction is that they are going to find that there was a doping violation and that there will be sanctions against the athletes and, I hope, against the coach.."
Last week the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) charged Kenteris, Thanou and their coach Christos Tzekos with doping violations for missing tests in Tel Aviv, Chicago and Athens ahead of the August Games.
Kenteris, Thanou and Tzekos have until December 16 to respond to the charges. If found guilty, they will face two year bans.
The IAAF has charged Tzekos with distributing prohibited substances, assisting in the use of prohibited substances and tampering with the doping control process.
Greek prosecutors have also filed charges against the three over their failure to show up at the test, and about having faked the now infamous motorcycle "accident".
Monday, December 06, 2004
New York Confident for 2012 Games
New York's Olympic organisers have reserved almost all the outdoor advertising space in the city, that's over 600,000 billboards, for the 2012 Olympic Games.
There will also be squads of "brand enforcement agents", to prevent others from profiting from unauthorized ads tied to the Olympics.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an executive order creating a special board, to crack down on "ambush marketing" by advertisers who are not official Olympic sponsors.
These actions are hoped to convince the International Olympic Committee that New York can control its advertising landscape.
However, the IOC may still not be fully satisfied; because the committee requires that host cities, in addition to locking up all available outdoor advertising space for Olympic sponsors, guarantee that prices charged to those sponsors will be capped "at 2004 rates adjusted solely for inflation."
New York does not meet that requirement; the cost of advertising space would be based on the average of rates from 2007 to 2010, plus a 20 percent premium and an inflationary adjustment.
The other cities, except London which has not discussed the issue, have met the rate cap.
There will also be squads of "brand enforcement agents", to prevent others from profiting from unauthorized ads tied to the Olympics.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an executive order creating a special board, to crack down on "ambush marketing" by advertisers who are not official Olympic sponsors.
These actions are hoped to convince the International Olympic Committee that New York can control its advertising landscape.
However, the IOC may still not be fully satisfied; because the committee requires that host cities, in addition to locking up all available outdoor advertising space for Olympic sponsors, guarantee that prices charged to those sponsors will be capped "at 2004 rates adjusted solely for inflation."
New York does not meet that requirement; the cost of advertising space would be based on the average of rates from 2007 to 2010, plus a 20 percent premium and an inflationary adjustment.
The other cities, except London which has not discussed the issue, have met the rate cap.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Guilty
Ludger Beerbaum, the German equestrian competitor in the Olympics, has been found guilty of riding a doped horse at the Athens Olympics.
Germany will lose the gold medal, and it will pass to the USA, unless the Germans appeal.
Beerbaum's horse, Goldfever, was confirmed as being doped; however, Beerbaum denies it, the steroids "apparently" were in a skin ointment.
Beerbaum's failing was to report the use of medication by team veterinarians.
Germany will lose the gold medal, and it will pass to the USA, unless the Germans appeal.
Beerbaum's horse, Goldfever, was confirmed as being doped; however, Beerbaum denies it, the steroids "apparently" were in a skin ointment.
Beerbaum's failing was to report the use of medication by team veterinarians.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Rogge Pleads For Fair Play
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), yesterday pleaded with the 5 cities competing for the 2012 Olympic Games to run a clean campaign. Quote:
"I made a plea for a strict respect of the rules. We have received far too many complaints about small issues that have no importance."
The cities made presentations to the general assembly of the European Olympic Committee, yesterday evening.
Paris is favourite, the choice will be made next July.
"I made a plea for a strict respect of the rules. We have received far too many complaints about small issues that have no importance."
The cities made presentations to the general assembly of the European Olympic Committee, yesterday evening.
Paris is favourite, the choice will be made next July.
Friday, December 03, 2004
BALCO Rears Its Head Again
Steroid distributor, Victor Conte, has accused athletics star Marion Jones of taking illegal performance enhancing drugs before winning five medals at the Sydney Olympics.
ABC television showed an interview with Conte; in which he claimed not only to have supplied Jones with several banned drugs, but also instructed her how to use them and watched as she injected herself in the leg.
These athletes pretend to be concerned about fitness and health, yet they destroy their bodies by injecting themselves with poison.
Nauseating!
The full interview will be shown today on the American news show "20-20".
Jones denies the charges.
Conte claims to have supplied Jones with a variety of banned drugs from August 2000 to September 2001, including; EPO, human growth hormone, insulin and a form of THG.
Jones' lawyers have argued that Conte cannot be believed, because of his role in a scandal which has rocked athletics and cast a shadow over baseball.
The BALCO scandal has snared Conte, BALCO vice president James Valente, athletics coach Remy Korchemny and Greg Anderson, personal trainer for baseball star Barry Bonds.
The BALCO trial will begin next March.
ABC television showed an interview with Conte; in which he claimed not only to have supplied Jones with several banned drugs, but also instructed her how to use them and watched as she injected herself in the leg.
These athletes pretend to be concerned about fitness and health, yet they destroy their bodies by injecting themselves with poison.
Nauseating!
The full interview will be shown today on the American news show "20-20".
Jones denies the charges.
Conte claims to have supplied Jones with a variety of banned drugs from August 2000 to September 2001, including; EPO, human growth hormone, insulin and a form of THG.
Jones' lawyers have argued that Conte cannot be believed, because of his role in a scandal which has rocked athletics and cast a shadow over baseball.
The BALCO scandal has snared Conte, BALCO vice president James Valente, athletics coach Remy Korchemny and Greg Anderson, personal trainer for baseball star Barry Bonds.
The BALCO trial will begin next March.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Turin on Track
It seems that, according to the Turin Olympics organisers, preparations for the Winter Games in 2006 are on schedule.
Unlike the recent Summer Games in Athens, where some venues were finished at the last minute, the construction in Turin is on schedule.
Many of the larger facilities are projected to be completed by this winter, when the organisers begin holding pre Olympic test events.
The bobsled track at Cesana will be ready for a World Cup scheduled there for January 20-23, 2005. A week before that, the European short track championships will be held at the new arena in Turin.
The 2006 Winter Games will run February 10-26, and feature about 2,500 athletes from 85 countries.
Unlike the recent Summer Games in Athens, where some venues were finished at the last minute, the construction in Turin is on schedule.
Many of the larger facilities are projected to be completed by this winter, when the organisers begin holding pre Olympic test events.
The bobsled track at Cesana will be ready for a World Cup scheduled there for January 20-23, 2005. A week before that, the European short track championships will be held at the new arena in Turin.
The 2006 Winter Games will run February 10-26, and feature about 2,500 athletes from 85 countries.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
London Wields Big Guns
London, in its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, is bringing in Britain's sporting stars to add a touch of "glamour" to the proceedings.
David Beckham, and other captains of Britain's national sports teams, have been roped in to support the bid.
England soccer captain Beckham, rugby captain Jason Robinson and cricket skipper Michael Vaughan released a joint statement yesterday in support of the bid.
"We aspire to win world cups in our sports and know the Olympics is not an event in which we can take part but we want to win this race just as much as any athlete, swimmer or cyclist...".
Among others signing the petition were England rugby league captain Andy Farrell, Scotland soccer captain Barry Ferguson, Scotland rugby captain Gordon Bulloch and Wales soccer captain Gary Speed.
David Beckham, and other captains of Britain's national sports teams, have been roped in to support the bid.
England soccer captain Beckham, rugby captain Jason Robinson and cricket skipper Michael Vaughan released a joint statement yesterday in support of the bid.
"We aspire to win world cups in our sports and know the Olympics is not an event in which we can take part but we want to win this race just as much as any athlete, swimmer or cyclist...".
Among others signing the petition were England rugby league captain Andy Farrell, Scotland soccer captain Barry Ferguson, Scotland rugby captain Gordon Bulloch and Wales soccer captain Gary Speed.
Monday, November 29, 2004
The Marble Olympics 2008
The Chinese are planning to use a large amount of marble, in the construction of their Olympic venues for the 2008 Games.
Marble from various parts of Rajasthan in India was exported to China this year, for building the infrastructure for the 2008 Olympics. This included granite, marble tiles, slabs and other articles.
The Chinese are using very high quality marble and granite, imported from India, in their Olympic constructions.
Marble from various parts of Rajasthan in India was exported to China this year, for building the infrastructure for the 2008 Olympics. This included granite, marble tiles, slabs and other articles.
The Chinese are using very high quality marble and granite, imported from India, in their Olympic constructions.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Prague for 2016?
Prague is considering bidding for the 2016 or 2020 Olympics.
A study commissioned by them says that the cost would be around $5.5BN.
However, the report says that the Games could yield a modest profit; they all say that don't they?
They have two years to make their minds up if they are going to bid.
A study commissioned by them says that the cost would be around $5.5BN.
However, the report says that the Games could yield a modest profit; they all say that don't they?
They have two years to make their minds up if they are going to bid.
Friday, November 26, 2004
IOC Coverup?
I wonder how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) can "look at itself in the mirror" in the morning.
They claim, on the one hand, to be for probity and integrity; yet, when it comes to the media scrutinising their activities, they run for cover.
The IOC executive board are expected to announce today that they plan to ask the same Singapore meeting that decides the 2012 venue to expel Ivan Slavkov, the Bulgarian member at the centre of a BBC Panorama corruption sting.
Slavkov was suspended from the IOC, after the Panorama programme made allegations of "cash-for-votes" deals in the bidding for the 2012 Games.
Panorama's methods have seemingly upset the IOC, who seem somewhat publicity shy; the thought of secret cameras and undercover reporters sends shivers down their spines.
What have they to hide I wonder?
It seems that, according to reports, the dear old "incorruptible" IOC are now wary of having contact with British officials; this of course means that the London bid has even less likelihood of winning.
The IOC are reportedly worried about the media in the UK which, in their view, is far too inquisitive.
I repeat, what have they to hide?
They claim, on the one hand, to be for probity and integrity; yet, when it comes to the media scrutinising their activities, they run for cover.
The IOC executive board are expected to announce today that they plan to ask the same Singapore meeting that decides the 2012 venue to expel Ivan Slavkov, the Bulgarian member at the centre of a BBC Panorama corruption sting.
Slavkov was suspended from the IOC, after the Panorama programme made allegations of "cash-for-votes" deals in the bidding for the 2012 Games.
Panorama's methods have seemingly upset the IOC, who seem somewhat publicity shy; the thought of secret cameras and undercover reporters sends shivers down their spines.
What have they to hide I wonder?
It seems that, according to reports, the dear old "incorruptible" IOC are now wary of having contact with British officials; this of course means that the London bid has even less likelihood of winning.
The IOC are reportedly worried about the media in the UK which, in their view, is far too inquisitive.
I repeat, what have they to hide?
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Turin Turmoil
It seems that all is not well in Italy, as Turin continues to prepare to host the 2006 Winter Olympics.
The organisers of the 2006 Turin Olympics have made two key appointments, to the executive board of the organising committee.
Mario Pescante, the new government-appointed supervisor of the Turin Games, and Turin Mayor Sergio Chiamparino have been appointed; in the hope that this will ease the political tensions in the committee.
Additionally, in sign that all is not well with the finances, the budget has been postponed until 21 December.
The Turin Games face a $242M shortfall; the committee expect, and hope, that the Italian taxpayer will cover this. However, support for the Games is very lukewarm in Italy.
The organisers of the 2006 Turin Olympics have made two key appointments, to the executive board of the organising committee.
Mario Pescante, the new government-appointed supervisor of the Turin Games, and Turin Mayor Sergio Chiamparino have been appointed; in the hope that this will ease the political tensions in the committee.
Additionally, in sign that all is not well with the finances, the budget has been postponed until 21 December.
The Turin Games face a $242M shortfall; the committee expect, and hope, that the Italian taxpayer will cover this. However, support for the Games is very lukewarm in Italy.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
No One Wants to Pay
As is typical with the Olympic circus; everyone wants to host it, but no one wants to pay for it.
This hypocritical stance was well demonstrated by the Welsh Assembly, in respect of the possibility of the UK hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Assembly will try to ensure that London picks up the bill for using Cardiff's Millennium Stadium; in the unlikely event that London hosts the 2012 Olympics.
If the London bid is successful, several matches in the football tournament would be held at the stadium.
The Welsh Assembly quote:
"..have obtained an undertaking from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport that the UK Government will consider any extraordinary costs that might in principle fall to us in relation to hosting the events at the Millennium Stadium...
While this does not specifically state that the UK Government will meet these costs, we will make a strong case for them to do so...."
They conveniently ignore the "alleged" economic benefits of the thousands of fans ect, that will "flock" to Wales to watch these matches.
This hypocritical stance was well demonstrated by the Welsh Assembly, in respect of the possibility of the UK hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Assembly will try to ensure that London picks up the bill for using Cardiff's Millennium Stadium; in the unlikely event that London hosts the 2012 Olympics.
If the London bid is successful, several matches in the football tournament would be held at the stadium.
The Welsh Assembly quote:
"..have obtained an undertaking from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport that the UK Government will consider any extraordinary costs that might in principle fall to us in relation to hosting the events at the Millennium Stadium...
While this does not specifically state that the UK Government will meet these costs, we will make a strong case for them to do so...."
They conveniently ignore the "alleged" economic benefits of the thousands of fans ect, that will "flock" to Wales to watch these matches.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Lubrication
The Great Wall lubricating oil has been designated as the official lubricant for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, quite an honour!
Sinopec, China's largest oil refining and petrochemical company and owner of the oil, singed a deal with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) last month.
Sinopec will provide funds, and other forms of support, for; the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, BOCOG, the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as Chinese sports delegations for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and 2008 Summer Olympics.
BOCOG has signed 6 partners for the 2008 Games, including; Volkswagen, China Mobile and Bank of China.
Sinopec, China's largest oil refining and petrochemical company and owner of the oil, singed a deal with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) last month.
Sinopec will provide funds, and other forms of support, for; the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, BOCOG, the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as Chinese sports delegations for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and 2008 Summer Olympics.
BOCOG has signed 6 partners for the 2008 Games, including; Volkswagen, China Mobile and Bank of China.
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