The USA's Michael Norman, the under 20 world champion, has just stamped himself as a potential international star. He's just clocked a world record 44.52 for the indoor 400m. He eclipsed Kerron Clement's time by .05 of a second.
The collegiate athletic scene in the USA is flying at the moment. The above mentioned Michael Norman anchored the USC 4x400 mens final when the too broke a world record. They stopped the clock in 3:00:77 to take the record from the Poles who set the best time in Birmingham about a week or so ago.
Champion's League quarter final draw; that'll do for me! According to BT Sport the tie all Europe is talking about is Liverpool - Manchester City and not the tie between the winners for the last two years and the beaten finalists in two of the last three years; funny old world innit!
It looks as though South Africa is starting to build a decent sprinting base. 400m world record holder and Olympic gold medalist Wayde van Niekirk had his 200m South African record smashed a couple of days ago at a Grand Prix meeting in Ruimsig. 20 year old sensation Clarence Munyai battered Van Niekirk's 19:84, when he stopped the clock at 19:69.
Fermin Cacho, I loved this bloke. If ever an athlete deserved an Olympic gold medal, it was him. He wasn't the greatest runner going around, but he had a deep reserve, and was an outstanding tactician. Four years later he'd win a silver in the same event.
According to the post race comments of the race caller, Taoufik Makhloufi wouldn't have been given much of a chance in the 2012 Olympic 1500m Final. I remember being mighty impressed by his semi win, and thought him a real chance at a medal. I had a grin like a split watermelon when he elbowed his way into the open at the bell and then pulled the pin going down the back straight.
Tyson Fury weight loss. Impressive me thinks. I don't know who Ben Davison is, but thanks for the pic.
The 'Billy Goats' win the derby and are now off the bottom of the Bundesliga; now on the hunt for FSV Mainz!
Nice to see Andrea Dovizioso get the big Ducati home in the Qatar Moto Gp. Stuffing it under Marquez on the final bend was brilliant. please log in to view this image
With the Commonwealth Games just around the corner, the Australian selectors have made a late inclusion to the team. In recognition of his world shattering time for the 100-104 age group where he took 35 seconds off the 50m record, 99 year old George Corones has been made an honorary member of the squad. George was a member of the Australian Empire Games team in 1938. I should imagine he'll be one of the most popular and sought after people in the game's village. Onya George. Here's his swim where he beat Brit John Harrison's time.
Real Madrid until somebody knocks them off their perch? Bayern is a possibility, but Leipzig beat them deservedly last weekend. Bundesliga has to be the most boring league in Europe, it's just a one-club show season after season. However, my early picks for the Champions League title this year were not so brilliant . Man.City, PSG, and Bayern. PSG are out already, and were appalling against Real Madrid.
FC Bayern have been a wee bit better since the return of Jupp Heynckes however the defence is, let me think now, f****n' awful; sorry about the language! Looks to me like a Spanish winner as experience is one of the most important factors which contribute to success in this tournament. Hate to come out on the side of Real Madrid however I cannot help but feel it in my water.
Funny, you know, BK, on paper their defence should be watertight? Hummels, Martinez, Boateng (although he is slowing up a bit I reckon?), Süle, Kimmich, Alaba (although I understand the last two are down as a 'midfielders'?). Vidal, the hatchet man, has always been something of a liability for Bayern IMHO, some of his fouls being clumsy and just plain stupid, Certainly don't dismiss them, don't get me wrong, but from now on they've got to be at their very best. Should add that Ulreich has been a revelation in goal; hell of a stand-in for Neuer!
All seem to lack pace which is a necessity in the Champion's League. In my judgement the key to any CL success revolves around Javi Martinez as the defensive midfielder; not too hopeful though!
Watching ping pong drives me ****ing crazy. Much prefer a nice quiet game of croquet.............. So, here's "Croquet King", Robert Fletcher, in action in the 2013 Association Croquet World Championship Final, yeah really! Love that accompanying music........
So Cy, how's the Aussie public taking to Sandpaper-gate and the whole besmirching of the ole 'Baggy Green' by Smith and all...?? It dosnt read well when the PM of Australia is getting involved, which is about par for the course for all politicians. But when the heavy weights of CA weigh in like Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne & Steve Waugh then you know something big is being said...!! My take, for what it's worth, is that the Aussie team as good as they are have been wound up by Lehman so much that they actually think they are better than they are and that they can then do what they want. They have cried foul play so many times recently that when the comments rebound back to them they start whinging that its not fair...!!! The murky world of 'altering' the ball has gone on for ever, you could argue that shining one side of the ball is altering the condition, but that is a natural cause. Bottle tops, sickly boiled sweets and now sandpaper are not natural. The premeditation of the act is what they are all up in arms about and I'm not sure how the senior players within the team can now stand with that proud Baggy Green upon their heads in the near future. I'm not calling for a ban to the players but I think I cooling off period of say the next 5 matches might make them think on what they have done... It's caused a right ole stink though, hasn't it...?!?!
