2011 IAAF World Athletics Championships - Mixed bag for Brits

THE 13^th IAAF World Athletics championships concluded on Sunday in Daegu, South Korea and it was a championship to remember.  Some major shocks, close finishes and stunning individual performances came together over nine days of thrilling and compelling action.  Great Britain’s athletes returned last night to the UK after a mixed championship.  They managed to earn seven medals, matching the target set out by the coach of UK Athletics, Charles van Commenee.  However, some form was very patchy from many ‘banker’ gold medal hopefuls and big improvements and decisions have to be made soon, especially with London 2012 less than a year away.

     Great Britain come home with two gold medals, four silvers and one bronze; the biggest haul of medals at any world championships since 1993 in Stuttgart.  On the face of it, this sounds very good, considering we finished sixth in the medals table and only behind the powers of America, Jamaica, Kenya, Russia and Germany; probably all expected to be ahead of us.  However, does the Daegu haul put us on the right track for the Olympics next summer?

DELIGHT: Mo Farah recovered from 10,000m heartbreak in style

     First, the positives and they come from Mo Farah and Di Greene, who produced their golden moments in clinical style.  Farah was bravely beaten into silver position in the men’s 10,000m by a late burst from Ibrahim Jeilan of Ethiopia.  On Sunday, he refused to be denied in his success at the 5,000m.  Mo is now the best ever long-distance runner Great Britain has ever had and he can hold his head up high.  In the 5,000m, he ran the race perfectly, especially when you consider the tactics the Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes are likely to employ on dangers outside their continent.  In Di Greene, Britain has its best hurdler since the days of Sally Gunnell.  He was in peak form throughout the championship and he burst through right at the end on Thursday night to claim gold in the men’s 400m hurdles.  The winning time of 48.26secs was enough to see off his main threat, Javier Culson from Puerto Rico.  With hard work and persistence, these two athletes have to be proud of what they have achieved in South Korea.

     The surprise of the championships from a British perspective was Hannah England’s shock, but rewarding silver medal in the women’s 1500m.  She was completely off the radar and getting into the final was an achievement in itself.  The shock on her face as she crossed the line was one of the pictures of the championships.  With 200m to go, it looked like Hannah had been run out of it, but she went wide and as athletes began to tire in the finishing straight, she kicked for home and got her just rewards.  Well done Hannah on a stunning performance!  Andy Turner also did well to win bronze in the men’s 110m hurdles, although there was some luck in his medal.  Turner crossed the line in fourth, but the winner on the track; Cuban Dayron Robes was disqualified following a clash on the penultimate hurdle with Liu Xiang of China, which promoted Turner into the bronze medal position.  For me, it was unfortunate, but Xiang would have won the race had it not been for the clash, so it was the right decision to disqualify Robes.

     Other silver medals came from expected gold medal hopefuls.  Phillips Idowu was unable to hang onto his triple jump championship, as he was beaten by a sensational jump from a young starlet.  21-year old Christian Taylor, from the United States produced a massive leap of 17.96m to deny Idowu gold.  It was a shame for Phillips, as he produced a series of consistent jumps and at any other world championship gone by, his best jump of just over 17.70m would have won him gold.  You just have to hand it to Taylor, who nailed it just right on the day.  Britain’s golden girl Jessica Ennis had to settle for silver too, in the women’s heptathlon.  Despite getting a higher points total than she managed to win gold in Berlin two years ago, Ennis had to settle for silver, behind the Russian Tatyana Chernova.  However, Jess will be disappointed with a clumsy 100m hurdles and a shocking javelin, which was her ultimate downfall.  Sometimes you can’t get it right all the time and there is no doubt that Jessica Ennis will win many more heptathlons, but one bad event will cost you in this high class field.  It is something you might get away with at the Commonwealth Games, but not at the world Championships.

     Big disappointments for Britain were the failure to get any male or female sprinters into the finals of the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m.  It is an abject failure to say the least, with the biggest sporting event in this country less than a year away.  Dwain Chambers false started in his 100m semi-final and knocked himself out of participation in the final.  With his Olympic ban for failing a drugs test back in 2003 still likely to stand, we might have seen the controversial Chambers at a major championships for a final time.  Having achieved a bronze medal in Berlin, Jenny Meadows was a massive disappointment in the women’s 800m, getting knocked out in the semi-final stage.  Meadows was definitely a medal contender, so her early demise from these championships were a real letdown.  Despite having struggled with injuries, Martin Rooney’s form is so erratic; you wonder why he even bothers.  He failed at the semi-final stage of the individual 400m and didn’t look much better in the relays.  No wonder why the Korean journalists thought he was Wayne Rooney, it says it all!  Finally, the relay squads have a lot to answer for.  Only the 4x400m women can feel satisfied, running a solid race to fourth without any mistakes.  Once again, questions will be pointed at the 4x100m men’s team, which once again; yep you guessed it, dropped the baton!  Marlon Devonish needs to work on his target practice too.  Why did he throw the baton at team-mate Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.  For someone so experienced as Devonish, it was a ridiculous action!  Maybe it is time for UK Athletics to cut money in our relay squads and invest it in other areas of the team, as excuses run thin and they are certainly out of them. 

SHOCK: Bolt realises it's too late as he faces a DQ in the 100m

     Away from Britain and it was a miserable championships for Usain Bolt; he only won two gold medals!!  Bolt’s amazing false start in the 100m final, when the gold medal was already being engraved in his name shook the world.  It was training partner and countryman Yohan Blake who won the prestigious sprint gold.  Bolt recovered from his blip to dominate the 200m, then be part of the Jamaican squad that broke the world record in the 4x100m relay; fittingly the final event of the championships.  35-year old Kim Collins, the 100m champion back in Paris in 2003, rolled back the years with two bronze medals and there was also a bronze (200m) and silver (4x100m) for the talented Christophe Lemaitre of France.  Lemaitre is definitely Europe’s best hope of stopping the Jamaican/American domination.  Jamaica’s Veronica-Campbell Brown won the women’s 200m; the title that had eluded her throughout her lengthy and successful career as Allyson Felix failed in her quest to take a sprint double.  Felix had to settle for silver in the women’s 400m and bronze in the 200m.  Finally, the individual performance of the championships has to go to Australia’s Sally Pearson, who broke her PB in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m hurdles, then went onto smash it again and take a championship record in the final just three hours later.  It was a popular success with the hundreds of Australian fans that had made the short journey to Daegu.

     Also, this was the first IAAF World Athletics championships not to be covered live on TV by the BBC.  Channel 4 won the rights last summer and to the 2013 championships in Moscow too.  However, they badly need an experienced sports presenter.  Whilst Michael Johnson’s analysis was fantastic as ever and was backed up by strong commentary from the likes of John Rawling, Rob Walker and Katherine Merry, the anchor let them down.  Ortis Deley was a nightmare for the first three days.  Who decided to hire him!!  He knows next to nothing about athletics and eventually, the bumbling host was axed into a tame reporting role three days into the championships.  The mistakes on the YouTube video (see below) speak volumes for themselves.  Rick Edwards, best known as the guy from T4 who introduces Hollyoaks, Friends and One Tree Hill to teenage morning viewers, did a solid job and carried the baton on without ever being remarkable.  If Channel 4 is serious about sport like they say they are, it’s time to sign someone up who has been there in sports presenting, done it and can lead the way.

     Daegu 2011 will go down as a memorable championship for many people.  Great Britain have made significant strides forward, but improvements still have to be made, with London less than a year away now.  No more excuses, it’s time to deliver!

Briton amongst those killed in Moscow blast

A BRITON due to get married later this year was killed on Monday in a terrorist attack on Moscow’s largest international airport.  Gordon Campbell Cousland, 39, was amongst the 35 people killed, with more than 150 injured when a suicide bomber blew up a suitcase in the baggage lounge area.  Cousland had a baby daughter and was due to marry in April.

CARNAGE: One of the injured is taken away

Chaos and confusing spread after the explosion ripped through the International Arrivals department at the Domodedevo airport.  Unlike previous terrorist atrocities to have hit the country, such as the Beslam school siege in 2004, this wasn’t a Russian aimed attack.  Security staff confirmed that it was a suicide bomb shortly after the blast.  Eyewitnesses who managed to escape unscathed told worldwide media that bolts, screws and shrapnel were spread across a wide range of floor.  One told Russian agencies; “I saw a bag on fire, people dead on the floor and in the luggage trolleys.  It was carnage.”

Russia president Dmitry Medvedev expressed his sadness and has vowed that those terrorists responsible for the attack will be caught and punished.  He also confirmed that extra security has been put in place at all of Russia’s airports and transport networks.  The airport continued to function despite the destruction, with people still landing at Domodedevo airport only hours after the attack. 

The search is now on for the perpetrators of this attack and the implications could be severe for those responsible, especially if any previous history is to go by.  Thoughts go out to the families of the dead and especially to the family of Gordon Campbell Cousland, who was in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

England fail in 2018 World Cup bid

RECRIMINATIONS and accusations have begun after England failed to land the 2018 World Cup, in staggering circumstances.

CELEBRATION: Russia fans rejoice in Moscow at the vote

Russia got the vote for the 2018 finals, the first time that the tournament will be hosted in Eastern Europe and the faces in the auditorium in Zurich from the England bid team said it all.  Their fate had already been sealed, as their bid came fourth out of fourth – even behind the 50/1 outsider bid from Holland/Belgium.  England only collected two votes, and one of them was from their own delegate on the FIFA team, Geoff Thompson.  It is a humiliating outcome.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president flew into Switzerland, having not been present at the final vote, which hints at his high confidence that the bid was already won.  Russia, who had Arsenal playmaker Andrei Arshavin and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich amongst its ambassador team, won the contest in the second ballot of voting, getting over the magical twelve votes it needed.  Russia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in South Africa, and despite its clubs like CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg doing well in the UEFA Europa League, does have trouble in its own league, with hooliganism and racism issues.  Poor transport links, a lack of infrastructure and the plastic pitches around mean they have a lot to do, to pull off a staggering World Cup.  Nevertheless, well done to them and I wish them the best.

For England, many supporters will now never see a World Cup in their generation.  At the same ceremony, Qatar was awarded the 2022 finals and the 2026 finals can’t go to a European country.  England can’t bid now, until the 2030 finals and that makes the pain hurt even more.  There is already some serious questions about the validity of FIFA’s voting procedure, and accusations of revenge at the England 2018 bid for its extensive media coverage into corruption in FIFA has been mentioned.

England’s final pitch was polished, almost perfect.  It now feels totally pointless with how the voting went.  David Beckham said that “our dream was to stage a World Cup that will attract billions.”  That wasn’t enough for Sepp Blatter and the FIFA delegates.

BRAVE: William and Beckham's efforts were in vain

Outside, the bid team were putting on brave faces.  Prince William was dignified when he faced the media; “Obviously, we are extremely disappointed.”  “We had a very strong bid, sadly it didn’t work out.  Many congratulations to Russia, it will be a good World Cup.”  Having flown back to London, Prime Minister David Cameron couldn’t hide his frustration, at something he has worked extremely hard since he got into power hadn’t worked out; “It is bitterly disappointing.  According to FIFA, we had the best technical bid.  I think we had a very strong commercial bid too.”

FATE: Fingers pointing at Panorama and BBC

There is dignity within the camp, but on the inside, the bid team must be full of rage and fury.  Inquests were starting well before the embarrassment of the crushing defeat was fully revealed.  Finger pointing is already seriously being aimed at the BBC and the Panorama programme, which was shown on Monday night.  Panorama alleged that three FIFA officials from Brazil, Cameroon and Paraguay had taken part in massive corruption scandals many years ago.  The timing of the programme couldn’t be worse.  The Sunday Times also ran stings, which accused several other delegates of corruption in the game, which led to the suspension of two executives from the voting procedure.  Previously, chairman of the Premier League Sir David Richards and the FA chief Lord Treisman had resigned from the team, after conflicting issues and allegations of bribery were made, in Treisman’s case, again from revelations by The Sunday Times.  This result has led to dodgy practices and secret deals within the football world governing body being questioned again. 

Sports news reporter Steve Scott summed up the general mood on ITN’s News at Ten programme; “FIFA delegates were telling England one thing, then voted completely a different route.  The British press investigations did not help at all, but that wasn’t the only factor.  Now, Sepp Blatter has now managed to take the World Cup to Asia, Africa and now Russia and Qatar.  Maybe England never realistically stood a chance.”

Tonight, as the snow continued to fall outside a very chilly Wembley stadium, English football is left wandering just when the beautiful game that we created we end up coming home and welcoming the world.

Polish Air Disaster - A Nation Grieves

Poland is in a state of national mourning after yesterday’s tragic air disaster in Russia, which wiped out a fair number of their national government.  The Polish president, Lech Kaczynski was killed, along with his wife other key members of the political, financial and military areas of his cabinet.  They were amongst the 90 people killed when their ageing plane, the Tupolev-154 crashed into a forest full of trees whilst approaching Smolensk airport.

In thick and dense fog, some media sources in Russia are speculating that the pilot of the plane was giving severe warning about the adverse weather and was told to divert the plane to Moscow airport.  However, it seems like he may have ignored the advice of air traffic control and attempted to land at Smolensk, as he was so close to reaching the destination.  Human error or mechanical failure aside, this is just a side issue to the terrible tragedy that has engulfed a nation.  Kaczynski’s body has been flown back to his homeland today, as tributes pour in around a memorial site, set up in the country’s capital, Warsaw.  The Polish delegation onboard were flying in from Warsaw to mark the upcoming 70^th anniversary of the infamous Katyn massacre of thousands of Poles during WWII by Russian forces, under the darker days of the Soviet Union.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has visited the scene of the crash, and has paid his own tributes to the late-Polish president.  He has already confirmed that he will lead an investigation into the crash.  It is believed that no-one had any chance of survival, as the plane broke up on impact into several pieces, then burst into flames.  The pictures and videos taken shortly afterwards underline the impact and the amount of wreckage spread over the site of the crash.  The airliner might have also been in considerable trouble from an early stage, as contact with air traffic control allegedly lost contact with the pilot at least fourteen minutes before it crashed. 

Lech Kacyznski was sixty years old and had certainly had his fair share of ups and downs in power.  He certainly was a very controversial figure in world politics, especially when he adopted the Law and Justice Party in 2001, with his twin Jaroslaw Kaczynski.  He was elected President of the country five years ago and was not afraid to use his strong opinions politically, no matter how much controversy and strife he might bring.  As mayor of Warsaw, he twice banned gay parade marches in the city and spoke out of his belief to reintroduce the death penalty.  Nevertheless, he made an impact around the world and he will be profoundly missed, especially by his native followers in Poland.  This is a shocking national disaster to have engulfed the country, and now needs to rely on its spirit and belief to rebuild itself from this shattering tragedy.

Australian Open Review - So Near, Yet So Far For Andy

This blog was first published on February 3rd at http://happydude88.livejournal.com/

 

Once again on Sunday morning, Britain’s hopes of a major Grand Slam win were burst when Andy Murray fell at the final hurdle. However, Murray can hold his head high at his best-ever career tournament as the two weeks provided us with many surprises, twists and expected outcomes for the ATP & WTA circuits this year.

First of all, can anyone stop Roger Federer? The Swiss maestro was in awesome form, and dropped only two sets in the entire tournament. Despite a very busy couple of years, he still hasn’t lost any zest for the game, and he just seems to get better with every passing year. At 28, he still has a good three/four year period where he can dominate the Men’s circuit and the question is, is there anyone good enough to challenge him on a consistent basis.

Federer’s main rival in recent years, Rafael Nadal is enduring a torrid time at the moment, through loss of form and serious injuries. He pulled out of the Murray quarter-final with what could be a recurrence of the knee injury that plagued his effort last year. Suddenly, the Spaniard is looking at a downward plunge rather than above him. He needs to get on top of these issues, if he wants to become a constant threat to the Federer armoury again.

For Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick, their time has gone and passed. Djokovic has failed spectacularly to build on his success in Australia two years ago. In fact, he seems to have gone backwards and now is in serious danger of disappearing into obscurity if the Serb isn’t careful. Roddick has been unlucky with injuries and when he has been on top of his game, so have the likes of Nadal and Federer. Both will be extremely disappointed with how their careers have shaped up. The Australian Open was a brief blip in Juan Martin Del Potro’s recent copybook performances. He shouldn’t be too worried by a last 16 exit here, and my money is on him to wrap up the Grand Slam at Roland Garros, bound to favour the Argentine’s type of game. Credit must go to Marin Cilic for his semi-final appearance, knocking Del Potro & Roddick out in the process, with two epic five-set marathons. He even briefly threatened to upset Murray in the semis – Cilic definitely was surprise of the tournament. Jo Wilfred-Tsonga also made the semis, but put in a limp and woeful display against Federer when he might have had the chance to cause a major upset. Tsonga is another player who on his day, provides stunning tennis, then on others, be beaten by random qualifiers. Just ask Robin Soderling, who may have been an on-form player, but made a traditional early exit from his bogey event.

This brings us onto the Murray phenomenon. It was a brilliant tournament from Andy, and it reminded us of his capabilities to perform on the top stage, something of which we only saw flashes of during his 2009 Grand Slam year. He outplayed Nadal with consummate ease in the quarters and his run to the final here showed he is getting ever closer to winning that maiden Grand Slam. Wimbledon might always elude him – due to the fact that grass isn’t his preferred surface, but I am absolutely convinced that he will win something big very soon. In the final against Federer, it was so near, yet so far. Murray had his chances, but failed to capitalize on the odd unenforced error from Roger and you can’t do that against Roger Federer – because you will get punished. It may have been a disappointing final outcome, but Andy Murray can look back at the 2010 Australian Open, because it finally saw him come of age.

In the woman’s game, Serena Williams showed her pure dominance again, with yet another Australian success, her 5th in total. Though sometimes not at her best, Serena is starting to break away from a close group behind her in the women’s game. However, Justine Henin made an almost fairytale return to the Grand Slam circuit after nearly two years away. Beaten in a closer ladies singles final than many would have initially predicted, I would be massively surprised if Henin didn’t at least win a Grand Slam this year. Although Kim Clistjers put in a shocking performance against Nadia Petrova here, I think the Belgians, along with Serena’s sister Venus and the surprise packages from China, Na Li and Jhe Zheng can give Serena some decent competition in the coming months.

So, where does that leave the Russians in tennis? They have flattered to deceive on their initial promise and too many now no longer seen as a major threat in the final outcome. Only Svetlana Kuznetsova has any potential to win more Grand Slams, though her constant inconsistency should be a worry to her backroom team. Jelena Jankovic has lost complete love for the game, has peaked and needs to leave the WTA tour soon. As for Dinara Safina, her career is heading the same way as brother, Marat Safin. She has lots of promise, but constantly fails to deliver. A back injury ended her dreams Down Under in Round 4, maybe Safina is heading for a massive slide down the rankings this year. Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova, once the golden girl of tennis is now down in the dumps, out of form and struggling with confidence – always a bad problem to have in the game. It seems like a century ago since she won Wimbledon in 2004. I have always been a big fan of Sharapova, but I doubt we will see her picking up any major silverware again – due to injury and the increased competition in the woman’s game.

In conclusion, the Australian Open probably answered more questions than anticipated. Tennis in 2010 could be very promising for many, and for others, make-or-break in their efforts to return to the glory days. Federer and Serena may be still on top, but in Murray, Del Potro, Henin & Clistjers especially, their days of dominance may not last as long as many will think.