"A few days before the start of the Olympic Games, a French athlete, selected in the 3000 meters steeplechase, tested positive for EPO by the French Agency for fight against doping (AFLD). Nordine Gezzar fourth of the last championships in France, had already been banned for two years for the same reason and risks a lifetime ban." Once is stupid, but to do it again knowing that you will be watched is beyond belief.
Speaking of the Olympics..... anyone else watching the shambles that is Team GB? I know that this is their first match together, but that first 45 minutes was rank - they could scarcely string two passes together. And I do wish that the commentators would stop referring to them as 'Team' GB - it sounds so ridiculous. Brazil are Brazil so why cant GB just be GB?
Morning all - hanging a bit after celebrating with Mrs W_Y. Just spoken with the boss and looks like I have to get my arse into work for 12.00, the loading of the new system transports have gone very well and finished early and my team can start testing early...not exactly looking forward to this!! Better keep the bar loaded with coffee AK - going to be a long day!
No, the official name is Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I presume that it was just Great Britain before Ireland became 2 countries. I'm a bit disappointed that the only Channel Islander in the Olympics is from Guernsey (Heather Watson in the tennis). Beckie Herbert was Jersey's most likely and was in the preliminary women's hockey squad but when it was cut to the final squad, missed out.
GB refers to the island consisting of England, Wales and Scotland, whereas UK refers to the country that consists of GB and Northern Ireland - so, if the Scots and Irish hadn't refused to take part (or weren't considered for selection, whichever way you look at it), you're probably right - Team UK would be more appropriate. I wonder if the Irish feel marginalised - or couldn't care less?
Morning all Second day with an uncomfortable sore throat so wont be over-exerting myself. Coffee and newspaper are occupying the morning well enough.
Thing is BB, the rest of the Olympic team is called GB and it includes all countries. So the same question is still valid why GB and not UK? Maybe is some Irish sensitivities?
Understandable Irish sensitivities - they asked for the name to be changed to Team UK three years ago but the British Olympic Committee declined the request, for reasons best known to themselves. The BOA came up with the name Team GB sometime in the 90's, but never explained why Ireland was effectively 'left out'. Funnily enough, the Australian media always used to refer to UK in the medal tally tables, although that may have changed now I guess.
I suspect that will go down in France like a dose of vine rot OFH? Or are the more open to an Englishman than they were to Mr Armstrong?
Actually there has been plenty of admiration for him and the team. I suspect that in part it is due to the fact that some of the French riders did put up a bit of a show this year, so it has been quite a good atmosphere around the whole race. The French commentators kept coming back to the way that Cavendish unselfishly acted as water carrier for the team, rather than play the prima donna role. I think they find the idea of team work difficult to understand.
I wonder if Cavendish will pip it at the line tomorrow? Will make it a hattrick for the Sky team and set up the Olympics nicely..
I think the team will be riding to give him the lead out which he hasn't had so far. Last year he people around him to do just that, this year he has had to follow other sprinters lead out men.
Hello all, Not been on here a while, but have been popping in to read. Been an eventful year so far, after getting married: - I am no longer a writer, since getting promoted - my wife was made redundant - my wife is pregnant - my wife got a new job - my cat got seriously ill - today, we have paid vets £3000 to tell us what's wrong!! (torn oesophagus!) So, following the wedding and the holiday of a lifetime, it has been eventful to say the least. Anyway, on to football, I am seriously looking forward to the new season, and the future of the club. Just imagine if in 5 or 10 years Watford had the same success as Udinese?! It seems impossible, but there is nothing to suggest we couldn't match their success!! I am really looking forward to some official announcements with regards to new recruits. Pudil and Abdi have sounded very promising. It would be nice to get some permenant signings, but if running this way means we will eventually become a Premier League regular, then I am all for it.
