April 2007 Edition

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headlines Richard Caborn, MP. Minister for Sport

The London 2012 budget took an expected leap from around US$5 billion to around $18 billion with some predicting that the higher figure still reflects a significant underestimate. While FIFA do not allow pre-match examinations, South Africa's Women's Football team plan to take legal action against Equatorial Guinea following the apparent inclusion of 'two disguised male players' in the opponents team. Between seasons, four more players joined the US Major League US$100 million club. There are now fourteen members; although the 2001 10-year deal between Alex Rodriguez and the Texas Rangers still tops the table in the money stakes. Lewis Hamilton makes the podium twice in a row in the first 2 races of the new F1 season in his first ever racing season. And Dutch media agency Media Republic has teamed up with the Spyker F1 Team to offer the four main exposures (which range in starting price from euros 0.5 - 3 million) on Ebay through midnight, April 16.   Wembley hits the mark as its long awaited opening is a resounding success.  As a result the four Premiership Rugby Clubs are planning to desert Twickenham for pastures new. Australian, Glenn McGrath displaced Wasim Akram as the leading wicket keeper in World Cup History.   The 37-year old will soon retire from international cricket.  The latest Space Adventures' Orbital Client, Charles Simonyi, Ph.D., paid around US$25 million to fly round trip into space aboard a Soyuz TMA spacecraft, from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station (ISS). Dr. Simonyi oversaw the development of Microsoft Word and Excel, prior to founding, Intentional Software.

spotlight on: identical assets

One of the best forms of sport is when you start off with identical odds.  Just as A1 has attracted the interest of motor-racing fans as all the cars are identical, so Match Racing is attracting increasing interest with 1,200 skippers in the world rankings.
So how does it work?
- Pits two crews against each other in identical boats across short courses.
- Ten to twelve crews per race with Round Robins and then quarters, semis and finals.
- Teams earn points by finishing in the top 8 positions in each regatta.  The final race of the season is in Malaysia.

Season Schedule:
May 23-28, 2007 Langenargen, Germany
Jul 2-8, 2007 Marstrand, Sweden
Jul 24-29, 2007 Troia, Portugal
Aug 8-12, 2007 Skovshoved, Denmark
Aug 14-19, 2007 St. Moritz, Switzerland
Sep 18-22, 2007 Rovinj, Croatia
Sep 25-30, 2007 Porto Azzurro, Elba Island, Italy
Oct 9-14, 2007 Hamilton, Bermuda
Oct 23-28, 2007 Vitoria, Brazil
Nov 28 - Dec 2, 2007 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

hot spot: London 2012 may float your moat

copyright: BBB WorldWide 2007

While protests resound around the not unexpected increase in the costs to host the London2012 Olympic Games, many are particularly outraged by what is described as a 'raid' on the arts lottery funding.   From the original US$2.5 billion approx. lottery contribution, the figure has now increased by an additional US$1.3 billion approx.
Why anyone should be surprised about these budget increases is remarkable.  It is no more improbable than the lowball figure submitted in the bid.  With Athens coming in at around US$15 billion, and Beijing looking like hitting around the US$30 billion mark, and even Vancouver targeting a healthy US$5 billion (with no new major stadium), it is hardly 'news' that London's ambitious projects would cost a great deal more than originally designated sum. 
Today, at the London Olympic Park, the Olympic Delivery Authority is spending US$130 million approx. to remove the aggressive Japanese Knotweed (introduced as an ornamental plant in the early 19th century). And there's no telling how much it might cost to clear the site of non-green, non-environmentally friendly waste alongside around 60 unexploded bombs from past World wars.
But London's enthusiasm to deliver remains unabated; and the latest addition to the city's 2012 ambitious plans is to fill the Tower of London's moat for the first time in 177 years at a mere - drop in the ocean (or river in this case) cost of US$30 million approx. On the flip side however, when the 'dust has settled' London will likely have more major venues than any other city in the world.
Balancing the books may always be tricky, but if London can successfully regenerate a major part of city, this project may achieve a positive.  But if the Stratford/Lea Valley community look out on unused stadium after 2012 then few will condone such a massive investment which would have been better spent on new schools and hospitals.   Only time will give is the answers to these much debated questions.

hot shot: Trouble in paradise

The press has had a field day writing about the death of Pakistan's National Cricket team's coach, Bob Woolmer.
Woolmer had already confirmed that the World Cup would bring to an end his career with Pakistan. He had also made the decision to move to South Africa. Once again this puts into question whether or not the commitment is still there when a manager/coach has already made his exit plans - in spirit if not in body - (ref. Sven Erickson and the performance in the 2006 Soccer World Cup).
Despite his reputation as an honest man much admired in his sport, Woolmer’s downfall may have been inevitable.
Whether the early exit of Pakistan team from the World Cup at the hands of the relative newcomer, Ireland was the root cause; or speculation of any whistle-blowing re. betting on the sport triggered his fate, the evidence of 'if, how and why' Woolmer's life came to such a sudden end remains behind closed doors.  And it is most unlikely that the Jamaican police investigation will reveal any details until the World Cup is over.
When finally the dust settles in the West Indies, the islands will do their best to ensure that they gain - rather than lose - from their investment in hosting a major, international championship.
A very popular destination for the N. American market, the islands can only hope that the mysterious game of cricket remains a mystery to most of their holiday visitors; and equally that the mystery of Woolmer's death does not become associated with security in Jamaica. If it does and the attraction of the islands as a major vacation destination is highlighted, then the losses may prove catastrophic.

sidelines where are all the cheerleaders?

fashion icon...... sports in the movies

Bringing sports and movies together (for the most part in the documentary film format) takes the lid off the sports industry and is yet another welcome addition to the editorial content of shortsandsports.
Post 9/11, the Tribeca Film Festival was founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff. After the attacks on the World Trade Center to help economically and culturally revitalize Lower Manhattan, the festival was launched as an annual celebration of film, music, and culture. The Festival’s mission is to assist filmmakers to reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and the general public to experience the power of film and in this case sport and film.
The Gala Premiere of The Grand heralds the opening of The Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival on April 27.  The Grand is a mockumentary starring Woody Harrelson on a quest to win the Grand Championship of Poker to save his dead father’s hotel-casino from the clutches of a high-end real estate developer. The second gala premiere features acclaimed director Michael Apted’s documentary The Power of the Game. Weaving together six storylines of triumph over adversity, the film chronicles the social impact of the 2006 World Cup on a global scale.
These galas are followed by The Films Chops, a documentary directed by Bruce Broder (U.S.A.) and featuring the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival, a competition of high school jazz bands from across the country; Doubletime, a documentary directed by Stephanie Johnes (U.S.A.) chronicling the world of competitive jump roping; The Final Season, directed by David Evans, written by Art D’Alessandro (U.S.A.) based on the true events of the final baseball season in a town in IOWA; The First Saturday in May, a documentary directed by John and Brad Hennegan (U.S.A.) following two brothers on a holy grail of horse racing as they travel from Arkansas to Dubai and onto Churchill Downs to trace the paths of six rising equine stars; The Hammer, directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, written by Kevin Hench (U.S.A.) an underdog comedy about an aging boxer who is convinced by a wily coach to step back into the ring - after a 20-year hiatus - in his quest for a slot in the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team; Hellfighters, a documentary directed by Jon Frankel (U.S.A.) about Harlem's only high school football team; Chávez, a documentary marking Diego Luna’s directorial debut (Mexico) about the life and career of his countryman, Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez; King of Kong, a documentary directed by Seth Gordon (U.S.A.) – which takes a look inside this world of competitive gaming; Planet B-Boy, a documentary directed by Benson Lee (U.S.A.) about the vibrant global resurgence of break-dancing; Sons of Sakhnin United, a documentary directed by Christopher Browne (U.S.A.)shows how Jews and Arabs strive for a common goal as they are united by sport; Steep, a documentary directed by Mark Obenhaus (U.S.A.) tracing the legacy of extreme skiing from its early pioneers to the death-defying daredevils of today; and Unstrung, a documentary directed by Rob Klug (U.S.A.) - World Premiere exposing the surprising dramas of the amateur tennis world.

home and away 

Following on from BetonSports UK CEO, David Carruthers arrest in Dallas last year, according to American authorities, the founder of the corporation, Gary Kaplan has now been arrested in the Dominican Republic.   A St Louis Federal Court had charged him with heading up a US$ 3.5 billion criminal enterprise, as betting online is in breach of the US Wire Act.
Similarly, gambling on cricket is illegal in South Asia, although it is estimated that the annual amount bet on cricket in India equals around US$20 billion.

sport culture: simply terrifying


Sing Yer Hearts Out for the Lads, at the Hackney Empire Theatre in London, presented by Pilot Theatre in partnership with York Theatre by Roy Williams and directed by Marcus Romer, takes a shocking and abrasive look at the world of football fans and the potential for endemic racism.  Set in a pub in England during an England vs. Germany game, it illustrates in a bleak and unsentimental fashion just how a group of football fans mix fervour and passion for their team with a violent mixture of racism, boredom and unfulfilled dreams.
The play tackles the sense that racism is an undeclared but pervasive problem.  But what makes Sing Yer Hearts Out for the Lads so overwhelming is the very clever mix of personalities and agendas which develop throughout.  From the leaders - the thugs, the intellectuals and the manipulators; to the followers - the stupid, ignorant and the drunk - the end result is always violence.
And it is the violence generated not simply from the legacy of past World Wars, but it the racist hate for anyone who is not one of them - albeit through color, creed or religion - that highlights just how often violence manifests as the only solution. 
The cruel irony of how an individual can demonstrate the worst in human nature by promoting an anti-violent solution based upon a well-rehearsed argument of half lies and distorted truth.  The end result of this manipulation is the emasculation of the racist fan as violence in turn becomes the only way in which they can stamp any authority.

Following a gala performance of Sing Yer Hearts Out for the Lads, footballers from Trinidad and Tobago announced the launch of their own players union.
Prominent players and members of the Trinidadian community including Brent Sancho, Ian Cox and Kelvin Jack raised funds to be used to set up a Trinidad and Tobago Professional Footballers Association based in Port of Spain. The union will seek to support aspiring young professionals from the Islands.

starting blocks a race to the finishing line?

A creation of ace track designer Hermann Tilke, the Shanghai International Circuit can hold over 200,000 spectators and has established itself as one of the most impressive circuits in the world since it opened in 2004. The site is based on what is essentially swampland and its construction had to rely upon some imaginative techniques. The track and buildings are propped up by 40,000 support piles and are buoyed by a layer of floating polystyrene.
Tilke’s track design offers a series of challenging turns for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport; but the most exciting feature is the 200mph back straight leading into an unusually wide hairpin, ideal for overtaking. The gentle banking at the ever-tightening opening sequence of corners adds to the spectator experience.
The technical nature of the circuit means it is one of the hardest tracks to learn. Teams will have to produce a balanced set up for the long straights and the combination of slow and high speed corners.
Only three drivers expected to race this year took part in last season’s Shanghai race; and Malaysia’s Alex Yoong will no doubt be looking to replicate last season’s success and potentially move them the Malaysian team into second place in the championship standing.
However, their experience of the track may not give them the advantage expected.   A1GP has opted to use a slightly altered circuit configuration, cutting out turns five, six and seven and reducing the lap distance from 5.453km to 4.602km.
While the World Cup battle may be down to just two teams, the race is still wide open for second and third place.

2006/07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport standings (Top Ten (of 22 teams) post A1GP Mexico City, Mexico):

 
life after..... swimming

Fans of sport rarely forget moments in history when an athlete achieves the unthinkable feat and becomes an overnight worldwide hero.
The reputation of Ian Thorpe, the Australian blue-eyed boy of the swimming pools, has been placed under the microscope. His untarnished reputation is questioned in response to the French newspaper, L'Equipe's report that a past urine sample from the 5 gold Medal Olympic athletes is under investigation.  Once again Testosterone is at the heart of these anti-doping tests.
The breaking story coincided with the 12th World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
The nervous event headline sponsor, Yakult - the Japanese probiotic company (that is also one of Thorpe's principal backers) is staying the course as any outcome from an investigation will not appear until long after the event is over.