tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72984740637331258162024-02-20T12:39:19.546-08:00Beijing Olympic Games 2008FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-75301482486441000152008-07-18T03:24:00.000-07:002008-07-18T03:27:15.706-07:00Beijing 2008 Olympic Games posters available July 20<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img06.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214461912.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img06.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214461912.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img11.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214461910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img11.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214461910.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img09.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214461911.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img09.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214461911.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Zhao Yanxia, deputy director of BOCOG Culture and Ceremonies Department, pointed out that Olympic and Paralympic posters are an important part of promoting the appeal of the Games, as well as highlighting Olympic host cities, acting as "a visual representation of commerce and culture."FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-9167054265955640142008-07-18T01:28:00.000-07:002008-07-18T01:32:37.664-07:00Beijing Olympic victory ceremony components unveiled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img07.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460612.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img07.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460612.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />With the Beijing Olympic Games 22 days away, BOCOG unveiled the components of the victory ceremony for the Games, including the victory podium and certificates as well as the hostess dresses and flowers for winners on Thursday night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img00.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460614.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img00.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460614.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Designers made efforts to combine traditional Chinese elements with the modern Olympic spirit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img05.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460616.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img05.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460616.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Five series of costumes, featuring white, blue, green and pink, all widely used colors in China, have been designed for 302 Olympic victory ceremonies and 472 Paralympic victory ceremonies.</p> <p>The victory podium is dominated by yellow, a color symbolizing honor and respect, and elements of "lucky clouds" that characterize a number of Beijing Olympic symbols.</p> <p>Organizers have chosen brocade, silk and Chinese art paper produced in Xuancheng, Anhui Province, as materials for victory certificates, in view of their nobility and durability. Unearthed relics show that these materials can last as long as over a thousand years.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img04.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460617.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img04.beijing2008.cn/20080718/Img214460617.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The rose will be the main flower for the victory ceremony. The red flower is among the top ten flowers in China and the city flower of more than 50 cities in the country.FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-10811229782432033882008-07-18T01:21:00.000-07:002008-07-18T01:22:37.894-07:00Swedish hurdler Kallur to skip Paris race to focus on Olympics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.beijing2008.cn/20080715/Img214453413.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://images.beijing2008.cn/20080715/Img214453413.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Susanna Kallur, two-time winner in the 100-meter hurdle race of the European Indoor Championships, said she will pull out of the Golden League competition in Paris on July 18 due to a shin injury, according to the official website of Yahoo Sports. <p>Kallur is a talented sprinter who has won several international medals and holds the world indoor record on 60-meter hurdles at 7.68 seconds, according to the official website of International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). She has dual citizenship because she was born in the USA, but is now a resident of Sweden. In January of 2007, she won the Jerring Award, which was voted on by the people of Sweden, as the best sports person in Sweden.</p> <p>Kallur failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, so it is likely that she will make every effort to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her manager, Daniel Wessfeldt, was quoted on the ESPN website as saying Kallur is now focused on the Olympics and doesn't want to take any risks while recovering from the injury.</p> <p>Yet Wessfeldt added Kallur would aim to compete in the DN-Galan Super Grand Prix race in Stockholm on July 22 in order to prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games on August.</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-77882480958710954912008-07-18T01:20:00.001-07:002008-07-18T01:20:30.664-07:00Achilleos' shooting hits golden target in BelgradeGeorgios Achilleos grabbed the gold in the men's skeet event of the ISSF World Cup Belgrade 2008 with an final score of 149 hits, one target short of tying the world record. <p>"I am so close, the record will come!" said the gold medalist from Cyprus after the match.</p> <p>The silver went to 47-year-old Athens Olympic champion Andrea Benelli after a three-way shoot-off. The Italian athlete made a shocking statement after claiming his medal: "My last World Cup, my last medal. I will quit after the <span class="link">Olympics</span>, and this time I am for real."</p> <p>Two young shooters, 27-year-old Achilleos and 23-year-old Anthonis Terras of France, entered the final with a tied score of 124 hits.</p> <p>Currently ranked the world's number one shooter, Achilleos, who missed only one target in the qualification rounds, missed no more in the final, finishing in first with a total score of 149 hits</p> <p>"I am happy of this gold medal, it means something on the road to Beijing. I am preparing myself, and I will not take part in the European Championships in Cyprus, next July. I want to peak for the Olympics," commented the champion.</p> <p>As Terras tied Benelli and Czech shooter Jan Sychra with a final score of 148 hits, a shoot-off was needed to decide who the silver and bronze medalists would be. Sychra left the competition at the second target with 148 + 1 hits. Benelli and Terras carried on until the 10th pair, when Terras missed, giving the silver to Benelli.</p> <p>The men's skeet final concluded the last World Cup for this year.</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-43982105176068968542008-07-18T01:19:00.001-07:002008-07-18T01:19:34.807-07:00British Olympic Shooting team roster announcedThe British Olympic Association (BOA) has selected the members of its Shooting team for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.<br /><br />The athletes are:<br /><br />John Hammon for 50m Rifle Prone (Men), 50m Rifle Three Positions (men), Air Rifle;<br /><br />Richard Faulds and Steve Scott for Double Trap (Men): Richard Faulds;<br /><br />Charlotte Kerwood for Trap (Women);<br /><br />Elena Little for Skeet (Women)<br /><br />The Great Britain Olympic Shooting squad includes four new Olympians, the youngest being 22. Faulds, a three-time Olympic veteran, shot gold in Sydney 2000.<br /><br />The Shooting events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics are scheduled for August 9 to 17.FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-61436526135301457282008-07-18T01:03:00.000-07:002008-07-18T01:04:00.186-07:00British olympic Team swimming coach namedBritish Swimming has appointed former American national team director Dennis Pursley as the new national head coach.<br /><br />Pursley, who takes charge in October, has been given the task of leading British swimming to the 2012 Olympics.<br /><br />"I'm delighted to have someone of Dennis's calibre leading our efforts," said national performance director Michael Scott.<br /><br />"He's got an impeccable record around the globe and led the US to new heights when leading their Olympic teams."<br /><br /> <br />The newly defined role will see him working with Intensive Training Centres and coaches around the country, rather than individual athletes.<br /><br />"He will become the technical leader and will work in partnership with myself as NPD to deliver the best results," said Scott.<br /><br />"He's personally coached some outstanding swimmers and the record books reflect this. I'm looking forward to working with him in the future as we take British swimming to a new level."<br /><br />Pursley, who said he was "excited and honoured by the opportunity," spent 14 years as national team director of USA Swimming, during which time they topped both the men's and women's medal tables in each of the three Olympics.FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-277184883434276492008-07-18T00:57:00.001-07:002008-07-18T00:58:34.582-07:00Michael Phelps eyes eight gold medals at Beijing Olympics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.beijing2008.cn/20080709/Img214443027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://images.beijing2008.cn/20080709/Img214443027.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The superstar started swimming at the age of seven, encouraged into the sport by his family as a way to control his attention deficit disorder. At 15 he participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympics where he ranked 5th in the 200m butterfly. Only months later he broke the event record at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, thus starting his career of record breaking which includes top times in the 400m individual medley, 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly. At the 2007 world championships Phelps won seven gold medals and broke five world records.</p> <p>Making his start at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, the hometown hero is affectionately nicknamed "The Baltimore Bullet." After the 2004 Olympics, Phelps followed his longtime coach Bob Bowman to the University of Michigan where he joined Club Wolverine. As a star swimmer he helped to found the "Swim with the Stars" program to promote the sport of swimming in the United States.</p> <p>Phelps has long been compared to legendary swimmer Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals in the 1974 Olympics. With eight gold medals up for grabs in Beijing he has a good shot at beating Spitz's record and becoming one of the most decorated Olympians in history.</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-14711834173265368112008-07-18T00:56:00.000-07:002008-07-18T00:57:14.456-07:00British boxers lead in European Olympic qualification<p> The British boxing team continued its gold rush at the 1st AIBA European Olympic Qualification Tournament in Roseto Degli Abruzzi, Italy, after its eleventh registered straight win on Tuesday, reported the AIBA official website.</p> <p>After collecting five wins on the opening day, Paul Butler (48kg) beat Alexandr Riscan (MDA) 20:12; Stephen Smith (57kg) beat David Oliver Joyce (IRE) 27:19; 69kg Billy Joe Saunders continued his extraordinary career having yet to lose a bout by beating Michal Starbala (POL) 13:12; James de Gale (75k)g beat Abella Guzman Castillo (ESP) RSCOS; Daniel Price (91kg) beat Tervel Pulev (BUL) 12:8; and +91kg David Price (no relation) beat Krzysztof Glowacki (POL) KO R2.</p> <p>During the AIBA World Championships Chicago 2007, British boxers Joseph Murray (54kg), Frankie Gavin (60kg), Bradley Saunders (64kg) and Tony Jefferies (81kg) had already qualified to participate in the Beijing Olympics.</p> <p>After the second competition day, the British team took the lead in the team ranking by two points (one point for each victory) and was followed by Belarus, Germany, Hungary and the Ukraine on a per boxer ratio of 1.6 (the rest of the teams collected nine wins but suffered at least one defeat).</p> <p>After another key stepping stone in Wednesday's quarterfinals, the Olympic qualification will start with Friday's semifinals, with a total of 26 places up for grabs.</p> <p>The 1st AIBA European Olympic Qualification Tournament in Italy saw 232 athletes from 42 countries participate. The 2nd AIBA European Olympic Qualification Tournament will take place in Greece April 7-14, with 25 vacancies on offer.</p> <p>A total of 40 European boxers already claimed tickets for Beijing at the first Olympic qualifier -- the AIBA World Championships Chicago 2007. The remaining 51 European quotas have been split between two continental qualification events.</p> <p>Wednesday's quarterfinals will start at 14:00 (local time) before a rest day on Thursday. And more exciting semifinals and finals will be held on Friday and Saturday.</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-9340625687744322852008-07-18T00:54:00.001-07:002008-07-18T00:55:19.072-07:00Lennox Lewis wants more funding for Canadian boxing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2008/06/10/584-lewis080610.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2008/06/10/584-lewis080610.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis continues to follow Olympic boxing and is well aware of the medal drought Canada is currently enduring.</p> <p>Lewis, who was named to the Canadian Sport Hall of Fame in May, won Olympic gold for Canada at the 1988 Seoul Games before moving on to have a highly successful pro career.</p> <p>The former three-time world champion said Canadian amateur boxers need more funding in order to prosper at the Olympics.</p> <p>"There are a lot of young, bright stars out there for boxing and they're not getting the opportunity," Lewis said during a recent conference call. "We have a lot of talent and lot of good prospects. We just need to feed them and nourish them."</p> <p>Led by Lewis, Canadian boxing flourished in the 1980s, which included silver medals earned by Shawn O'Sullivan and Willie DeWit at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.</p> <p>However, the program has struggled for more than a decade and the participation has dwindled. David Defiagbon's silver in Atlanta 12 years ago was the last medal Canada earned at the Summer Games, and things don't look bright for Beijing.</p> <p>Adam Trupish, from Windsor, Ont., was the only Canadian boxer to qualify for the Olympics this summer and isn't expected to advance far in the 69-kilogram division.</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-88001585463576725202008-07-18T00:52:00.000-07:002008-07-18T00:53:36.529-07:00Boxing olympic history<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.beijing-2008.org/20070509/Img214070737.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://images.beijing-2008.org/20070509/Img214070737.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Boxing ranks among the Olympic Games' most illustrious sports.</p><p>When it first arrived in the Ancient Olympic Games, the tools of the trade were long strips of leather wrapped around boxers' fists. The fight continued until one man or the other went down or conceded. The Romans followed with a gladiator dimension. They used gloves studded with spikes or weighted with lead, and fights often ended in death, like other entertainment of the day.</p><p>When the modern Games resumed in 1896, the Athens organising committee omitted boxing, deciding it was too dangerous. The sport reappeared in 1904 in St. Louis, thanks to its popularity in the United States, then disappeared again in 1912 at Stockholm because Sweden's national law banned it.</p><p>Only in 1920 did boxing return to the Olympic Games to stay. Hence, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay at the time) and Teofilo Stevenson (a three-time gold medallist) could join names like Theagenes of Thassos and Cleitomachus of Thebes among the legends.</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-26429658640230015122008-07-18T00:51:00.000-07:002008-07-18T00:52:23.364-07:00Boxing Competition Rules at Beijing 2008<p>The boxing competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in accordance with the AIBA Articles of Association and Rules for the International Competitions and Tournaments, and the Olympic Charter, in force at the time of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.</p> <p>Pursuant to the Olympic Charter, AIBA assumes the responsibility for the technical control and direction of Boxing in the Olympic Games.</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-74353133506752186292008-07-18T00:42:00.001-07:002008-07-18T00:42:26.184-07:00Bryant and James named in US team<p class="first"> <b>The NBA's Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant and top-scorer LeBron James head the list of 12 players named by the United States for the Beijing Olympics.</b> </p><p> Also named are Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Jason Kidd as the US seeks to end a recent run of disappointments. </p><p> The US failed to win the gold medal in Athens - the first time an NBA-based team had done so at the Olympics. </p><p> The team's officials have promised a 'change of culture' in a bid to improve the men's team's results. <!-- E SF --> </p><p> Argentina won gold in Athens, having edged out the United States in the semi-finals. It was the third defeat of the tournament for a US team that was criticised for being under-prepared. </p><p>But the team's managing director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski are confident the current squad will perform better than the team that went to Athens. </p><p> "That team didn't have enough practice time," said Krzyzewski. "There were late additions and they were given a short window to prepare and you can't win at that level without preparation." </p><p> Bryant led the LA Lakers to the NBA finals this season, while James scorched the league's defences, scoring 30 points per game. </p><p>Tayshaun Prince, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Michael Redd and Deron Williams complete the American line-up. </p><p>Eight players have been retained from the team which ensured Olympic qualification at the Americas Tournament last year. Bosh, Paul and Wade, who all missed that tournament, return from the 2006 World Championship team. </p><p>The squad will train in Las Vegas from 20-25 July before heading to China for warm-up games against Turkey, Lithuania, Russia and Australia. </p><p>"I felt the culture certainly needed to change," said Colangelo. "We needed commitments from coaches and players alike for a period of time. </p><p> "All that has taken place and we're really enthused about the make-up of this team from top to bottom." </p><p>NBA players have been allowed to compete at the Olympics since 1992, where the US famously fielded a gold medal-winning 'Dream Team' in Barcelona. </p><p> The US has only failed to win a medal in men's basketball on one occasion - the 1980 Games in Moscow, which they boycotted. </p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-47320531104156596082008-07-18T00:24:00.001-07:002008-07-18T00:24:49.121-07:00Olympic qualifying tournament<p><b>Results, fixtures and tables from the men's tournament in Athens, with three spots in Beijing on offer.</b> <!-- S ICEE --> </p> <pre> <br />Men's Olympic qualifer, Athens<br />Quarter-finals (Fri):<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Greece </b> v <b color="#00FFFF">New Zealand</b> 2000<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Germany </b> v <b color="#00FFFF">Brazil </b> 1730<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Slovenia </b> v <b color="#00FFFF">Puerto Rico</b> 1330<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Croatia </b> v <b color="#00FFFF">Canada </b> 1100<br /><br />Semi-finals (Sat):<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Greece/NZ </b> v <b color="#00FFFF">Slovenia/PR</b> 1700<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Germany/Brazil</b> v <b color="#00FFFF">Croatia/Can</b> 1930<br />* winners qualify for Beijing<br /><br />Losing semi-finalists (Sun):<br /><b color="#00FFFF">A1/B2/C1/D2 </b> v <b color="#00FFFF">B1/A2/C1/D2</b> 1800<br />* winners qualify for Beijing<br /><br /><br /><br /></pre> <!-- E ICEE --> <p><!-- S ICEE --> </p> <pre> <br />Men's Olympic qualifer, Athens<br /><br />Group A P W L Pts +/-<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Greece 2 2 0 4 +77</b><br />Brazil 2 1 1 3 +20<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Lebanon 2 0 2 2 -97</b><br /><br />Group B P W L Pts +/-<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Germany 2 2 0 4 +52</b><br />New Zealand 2 1 1 3 +11<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Cape Verde 2 0 2 2 -63</b><br /><br />Group C P W L Pts +/-<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Slovenia 2 2 0 4 +28</b><br />Canada 2 1 1 3 -14<br /><b color="#00FFFF">South Korea 2 0 2 2 -14</b><br /><br /><br /></pre> <!-- E ICEE --> <p><!-- S ICEE --> </p> <pre> <br />Men's Olympic qualifer, Athens<br /><br />Group D P W L Pts +/-<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Croatia 2 2 0 4 +28</b><br />Puerto Rico 2 1 1 2 -5<br /><b color="#00FFFF">Cameroon 2 0 2 2 -23</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></pre>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474063733125816.post-57206365801737041882008-07-18T00:17:00.001-07:002008-07-18T00:17:42.787-07:00Dwight Howard cleared to play for Team USA<p>Dwight Howard has been cleared to play with Team USA as they start their preparations for the Beijing Olympics.</p> <p>He suffered a fracturd sternum and missed the first training camp.</p> <p>“I’ve been cleared to play,” Howard said after a workout at the Orlando Magic practice facility. “It bothered me a lot. I tried to play as much as I could through the pain in the playoffs. I didn’t know what it was until after the playoffs.”</p>FSporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16564921064305979729noreply@blogger.com0