3 October 2008

Hurdles and steeplechase racing

I’m not a horse racing fanatic, but I appreciate the importance of the industry, like going to the races occasionally and punt infrequently.

When it comes to an actual spectacle, the steeplechase is the most entertaining form of horse racing in my opinion. It’s dramatic and great to watch.

There is a push on to ban jumps racing in Victoria, which if carried through would also kill the industry in South Australia. I wrote an editorial about it today. Read more »

Tags: racing, Sport
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4 September 2008

Off to Mildura for soccer

My son Michael has been selected in the under 12 team to represent Western Border at the South Australian country soccer championships in Mildura this weekend.

I’ve negotiated myself a lifetime position as his manager with a fee of 85 percent (after he haggled over my 90 percent bid).

So I’m driving north to protect my financial interest … and to enjoy some rare bonding time with my eldest boy. Read more »

Tags: children, Kids, soccer, Sport
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2 September 2008

Dash for cash in stiletto sprint

A world-record field of 265 women risked life and ankle in Sydney today to contest the Stiletto Sprint.

Blonde 400-metre hurdler Brittney McGlone, 18, was first to cover the 80-metre distance and collected $5000.

A few girls suffered scratches apparently, and not just from other competitors.

I fall over just thinking about trying to walk in high heels, let alone sprinting any distance. I guess it’s an acquired skill and one I’m destined never to learn.

An Australian male equivalent might be to run 400 metres in gumboots while carrying a slab of beer.

Tags: Australia, fashion, Sport, wacky
2 comments


30 August 2008

Symonds needs to go

Andrew Symonds was involved in a selection incident involving Bangladesh for the second time today when he missed playing for Australia in Darwin.

Symonds was late for a team meeting because he had been fishing. He was sent home and dropped from the series.

Bangladesh are easybeats and Australia won comfortably, but what about Symonds? Read more »

Tags: cricket, Sport
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26 August 2008

Australian Olympic trivia

I read or heard once that Australia, Great Britain and Greece are the only countries that have competed at every modern Olympics.

A couple of websites claim Switzerland has achieved the same feat.

Wikipedia sheds some light on that: “Switzerland boycotted the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, but the equestrian events for those Games were held in Stockholm, Sweden earlier that year, where the Swiss dressage team won a bronze medal.”

Strictly speaking, it’s not true that Australia has been to every Games. In 1896 the Colony of Victoria was represented by Edwin Flack, who was living in London at the time. Read more »

Tags: Australia, Sport
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24 August 2008

Usain Bolt stuns Matthew Hayden

Jamaican sprint champion Usain Bolt surprised international journalists when he said Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden was his sporting hero.

“I am a huge fan of Matty Hayden and he’s a cool customer out in the middle and I like his style,” Bolt said.

Most of the international media listening to Bolt’s interview didn’t know who Hayden was and were intrigued to know what role he played in cricket.

Hayden was humbled.

“It’s pretty humbling isn’t it for an old fisherman and surfer in Queensland who now and then plays a bit of cricket,” he said.

“It’s an amazing achievement and to be mentioned is something I’m very proud about and I can’t believe he even said that.”

The story illustrates the power of cricket in the West Indies, which does appear to have waned in recent years based on test performances. It’s great the sport still ranks highly in public consciousness there.

Tags: cricket, Sport
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24 August 2008

Walkers wed in Walkerville

This is a cute story from The Australian:

Where else would a pair of walkers get married but in Walkerville? Australia’s walking hero Jared Tallent desperately wanted the silver medal in yesterday’s 50km walk to go with his bronze from the 20km to make it a full set. He gets his “gold” when he marries fiancee and fellow walker Claire Woods next Saturday.

The two walkers will get married in the Adelaide suburb of Walkerville.

Tags: life, news, Sport
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15 August 2008

Great Fitzroy goals

Tags: AFL, Fitzroy, Sport
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15 August 2008

The Olympics

Why is beach volleyball an Olympic sport? How many people in the world play it competitively?

Likewise synchronised swimming.

Softball has been dismissed as an Olympic sport and rugby can’t get in, yet these Mickey Mouse sports continue at the games.

Let’s make blogging an Olympic sport. More people do it than beach volleyball.

Tags: Sport
4 comments


10 August 2008

Stephanie Rice wins first gold medal

Stephanie Rice won Australia’s first gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the 400 metre individual medley.

She defeated Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry. I’m delighted for Stephanie, but admit that I have a soft spot for Kirsty.

She has achieved so much against the odds. Kirsty was Zimbabwe’s first individual Olympic gold medal winner. I think their women’s hockey team won gold at Moscow when nobody else turned up.

Kirsty was born after that, in 1983. She’s a good chance in the 200 metre backstroke event.

Meanwhile, it’s good that Australia has made it onto the tally board. I can remember back to Montreal when we didn’t win a single gold.

Tags: Sport
3 comments