Tour de France: Alexander Vinokourov wins stage 13

Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan has won stage 13 of the 2007 Tour de France. Vinokourov finished the 54 km individual time trial, centered around Albi, in a time of 1h 12' 06".

Michael Rasmussen of Denmark held on to his overall lead, finishing 11th in the stage. Alejandro Valverde and Iban Mayo both lost ground in the overall. Cadel Evans gained ground on Rasmussen and is now just one minute behind.

This stage provided the first shake-up in the standings in days. Valverde and Mayo, who were previously second and third, have dropped out of the top ten. Pre-Tour favorite, Vinokourov, was able to use his stage victory to return to the top ten for the first time since stage 2.

Rasmussen did better than some expected. Afterwards he said: "I thought I had a fair chance, but from thinking to doing that can be a long way. I was a bit in trouble in the first 15 km, but in the last 30 km I did very well."

Just yesterday, Rasmussen was suspended by the Danish Cycling Federation because of a warning from anti-doping authorities within the Union Cycliste Internationale. There has not been a positive test, but the warning was issued for not keeping UCI informed of his whereabouts.

"I do admit I committed an administrative error," said Rasmussen. "I have already received a warning from the UCI but I am very calm and very relaxed." He continued, "I know a lot of riders who have received warnings for not giving updated information to the UCI. I'm just one out of many and it's just that I happen to have the yellow jersey."

Tomorrow's stage will take the race into the Pyrenees. This stage starts with a category 2 climb out of Mazamet and then follows a relatively calm route via Carcassonne, Limoux and Quillan before taking on the Port de Pailhères (17 km at 7.2%) and a very difficult finish at Plateau-de-Beille (16 km at 7.9%).


Tour de France cycliste 2007 : 13e étape

La 13e étape du Tour de France 2007 est une étape de contre-la-montre individuel longue de 54 km se déroulant autour d'Albi dans le Tarn.
Alexandre Vinokourov ( Kazakhstan, Astana) gagne sa première étape sur l'édition 2007 du Tour de France mais sera contrôlé positif à la transfusion sanguine.

En partant d'Albi, les coureurs sont partis vers le sud-est et Fréjairolles puis vers l'est et Villefranche-d'Albigeois au 18e km, ils se sont alors élevés de 224 m depuis le départ sur un faux-Plat montant. Ils remontent alors vers le nord-est et Ambialet dans une descente de 200 m de dénivelé, le ravitaillement a été placé au 33e kilomètre proche de cette ville. Ils repartent alors plein ouest, passent la côte de Bauzié de catégorie 4 et d'un dénivelé de 160 m, de 3,4 km de montée à 4% et reviennent après une descente sinueuse et une vingtaine de kilomètres de plat à Albi où se situait l'arrivée.

Contrairement aux jours précédents, la pluie a fait son retour sur le Tour vers 11h31. D'abord faiblement puis de manière très soutenue, elle a rendu la route détrempée qui est donc devenue glissante, surtout sur les bandes blanches et les plaques d'égouts. Le vent de 10 km/h de nord-ouest n'est pas très notable vu que les coureurs ont réalisé une boucle.

À 14h38, la pluie faiblit mais la route reste très glissante.

Sur les 167 coureurs restants en piste, les 142 derniers partent à partir de 10h24 (heure locale soit 8h24 UTC) chacun à leur tour avec un intervalle de 2 minutes entre deux coureurs, pour les 25 premiers au classement, les départs sont prévus à partir de 15h58 avec des écarts de 3 minutes entre deux départs, l'actuel maillot jaune Michael Rasmussen ( Danemark, Rabobank) s'est élancé à 16h18.

Le premier temps intéressant est celui de Leif Hoste ( Belgique, Predictor-Lotto) qui a roulé en 1h09’30’’. Bradley Wiggins ( Royaume-Uni, Cofidis) arrive ensuite avec un chrono de 1h08’48’’, ce qui lui fait une vitesse moyenne de 47,1 km/h.

Fabian Cancellara ( Suisse, Team CSC), champion du monde du contre-la-montre et surtout vainqueur du prologue de Londres, s'est élancé sur le parcours à 12h06. Mais à tous les pointages, il se retrouve derrière Wiggins. Une chute vient empirer le résultat puisqu'il termine avec 6’31’’ de retard sur Wiggins.
David Millar ( Royaume-Uni, Saunier Duval-Prodir) qui est aussi un bon coureur de contre-la-montre termine 3e du classement provisoire avec 1h10’01’’. Il est pour le moment le seul coureur du podium à avoir roulé de bout en bout sous la pluie. Wiggins commence à croire en une possible victoire.

À 15h25, Alexandre Vinokourov ( Kazakhstan, Astana) s'élance et à déjà 18 secondes d'avance sur Wiggins au kilomètre 18. Andreas Klöden ( Allemagne, Astana)  part à 16h00 alors que de son côté Christophe Moreau ( France, AG2R Prévoyance) accuse un retard de 2 minutes 55 au premier pointage.
Au kilomètre 38,5, Vinokourov améliore encore le meilleur temps, avec 1’19’’ de moins que Wiggnins qui avait jusqu'à lors tout les temps intermédiaires à son avantage.
Michael Rasmussen ( Danemark, Rabobank) s'est élancé à 16h18 sur une route qui petit à petit sèche.

Au 49e kilomètre, Vinokourov améliore encore le meilleur temps de 1’57’’ et termine finalement premier du classement provisoire avec 2’14’’ d’avance sur Wiggins pour une moyenne de 48,7 km/h sur les 54 km du parcours.
Même si la route sèche, à 16h36, Andreas Klöden chute dans un virage et repart en ayant perdu du temps. Moreau est en déroute puisqu'il perd 6’51’’ sur Vinokourov alors qu'il n'est qu'au kilomètre 38.5 au sommet de la côte et termine avec 9’26’’ de retard.
À l'arrivée, Andrey Kashechkin ( Kazakhstan, Astana) puis Andreas Klöden ( Allemagne, Astana) prennent la seconde place derrière leur leader Alexandre Vinokourov ( Kazakhstan, Astana) place que Cadel Evans ( Australie, Predictor-Lotto) s'empare ensuite. Michael Rasmussen ( Danemark, Rabobank) termine 11e, perd du temps mais garde son maillot jaune.

Les chutes ont été très nombreuses lors de cette étape, seules les contre-performances de Fabian Cancellara, de Alejandro Valverde et de Christophe Moreau sont vraiment notables. Alexandre Vinokourov déclare après la course, « J'ai tout donné, et les jambes ont vraiment bien tourné. Il y a quelques jours, j'étais au bord de l'abandon, mais à chaque fois que je me suis posé la question, je me suis donné un jour de plus pour m'accrocher. Si j'ai réussi à passer les Alpes, c’est grâce aux autres coureurs qui m'ont soutenu et au public qui était derrière moi. Beaucoup de gens m’avaient éliminé, mais je suis là », avant de se féliciter « Je suis content de ma performance, je crois que j'ai retrouvé des jambes à la Vino ».
De son côté Michael Rasmussen a affirmé {{Citation|Je pense que j’ai surpris tout le monde aujourd’hui, y compris moi-même. Le maillot jaune est une énorme motivation, c’est ce qui m’a poussé. Et bien sûr, quand j’ai vu Valverde devant moi, cela m’a encouragé encore plus}}. Avant de poursuivre « Une minute d'avantage sur Cadel Evans, c'est assez pour traverser les Pyrénées avec le maillot jaune, mais pas assez dans l'optique du deuxième contre-la-montre. Il faudra donc que j'attaque mes principaux rivaux si je veux garder le maillot jaune jusqu'à Paris… et je le veux ».

Le prix n'est pas attribué pour les épreuves de contre-la-montre.


Aleksander Winokurow wygrał 13. etap Tour de France 2007

Zawodnicy ekipy Astana zdominowali dzisiejszy etap indywidualnej jazdy na czas. Lider kazachskiej ekipy, Aleksander Winokurow, znokautował wszystkich rywali. Drugi na mecie był, tracący do zwycięzcy 1’14, Cadel Evans z Predictor-Lotto, a z trzecim wynikiem dojechał Andreas Kloeden. Prowadzenie w klasyfikacji generalnej zdołał utrzymać Michael Rasmussen z ekipy Rabobank, który na metę dotarł na 11. pozycji.

Trzynasty etap był jedną z dwóch zaplanowanych na ten rok, indywidualnych jazd na czas. Na 54-kilometrowej trasie znajdowała się jedna premia górska IV kategorii. Średnie nachylenie tego czterokilometrowego podjazdu wynosiło 3,4% i nie stanowiło dla pokonujących go kolarzy większego problemu. Natomiast pogoda nie sprzyjała kolarzom: padający deszcz i śliska nawierzchnia sprawiły, że wielu zawodników miało spore problemy na trasie i dochodziło do licznych upadków. Kolarze mieli do wykonania pętlę po miejscowości Albi, na której znajdowały się dwa pomiary czasowe. Zgodnie z przewidywaniami, etap ten stanowił ważny punkt w walce o końcowe zwycięstwo.

Opady deszczu zaczęły towarzyszyć kolarzom dopiero mniej więcej godzinę po rozpoczęciu rywalizacji. Brytyjczyk, Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis) przez znaczną część trasy jechał po suchej nawierzchni, dzięki czemu miał szansę na uzyskanie znacznie lepszego wyniku, niż startujący nieco później Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC). Szwajcar miał poważne problemy z utrzymaniem się na mokrej drodze i pod koniec trasy zaliczył upadek. Wszystko to spowodowało, że przyjechał on na metę ze stratą ponad 6 minut do Wigginsa, który przez znaczną część dnia utrzymywał się na prowadzeniu. Później warunki atmosferyczne nieco się poprawiły, jednak droga pozostawała śliska, a liczne zakręty sprzyjały wszelkim wywrotkom

Wreszcie na trasę wyruszył Aleksander Winokurow, który po upadku na trasie 5. etapu, z dnia na dzień odnotowywał większą stratę do lidera klasyfikacji generalnej. Dziś osiągał on średnią prędkość ponad 48km/h. Na pierwszym pomiarze czasowym, ustawionym na 18. kilometrze, Kazach miał 10 sekund przewagi na Wigginsem i kolejne 29 nad pechowym Cancellarą. Na kolejnych kilometrach zwiększył tempo osiągając przewagę 52 sekund nad Brytyjczykiem, na drugim pomiarze czasu (na 36. kilometrze). Metę minął on z czasem 1.06.35, mając w zapasie ponad 2 minuty nad Wigginsem.

Andreas Kloeden (Astana) zaliczył upadek na podjeździe pod Cote de la Bauzie, jednak zdołał się on szybko pozbierać i ostatecznie miał on trzeci czas, tracąc do drużynowego kolegi 1’39. Wyprzedził go jeszcze, znakomicie spisujący się na trasie, Cadel Evans, który był od niego lepszy o 25 sekund. Na pozycji czwartej dojechał inny zawodnik Astany - Andrey Kashechkin, który dzięki dobremu wynikowi przesunął się w klasyfikacji generalnej na 6. pozycję.

Dużą niespodzianką była świetna jazda lidera wyścigu, Michaela Rasmussena, który przed tym etapem sam wielokrotnie powtarzał, że nie przygotowywał się zupełnie pod tym kątem do Tour de France i trudno będzie mu utrzymać prowadzenie po tym etapie. Jazda w prologu zdawała się potwierdzać jego słowa, gdyż zajął on tam dopiero 166. pozycję. Jednak na trasie w Albi Duńczyk ukończył wyścig na 11. miejscu, tracąc do Winokurowa niespełna 3 minuty..

Dzięki rewelacyjnej jeździe na trasie 13. etapu Winokurow odrobił kilka straconych minut do Rasmussena i awansował na 9. miejsce w klasyfikacji generalnej.


Tour de France: Alexandre Vinokourov wins stage 15

Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan has won stage 15 of the 2007 Tour de France in a time of 5h 34' 28".

Michael Rasmussen of Denmark kept his overall lead by 2' 23' over Alberto Contador of Spain. The two extend their lead on Cadel Evans of Australia by 1' 37", and more on the rest of the contenders.

Today's 196 km stage is one of the major stages of the Tour, with no fewer than five major mountain passes - including the Col de Port, the Col de Portet d'Aspet (5.7 km climb at 6.9%), the Col de Menté (7.0 km climb at 8.1%), the Port de Balès (19.5 km at 6.2%), (the first time this climb has featured in the Tour), and finally the Col de Peyresourde (9.7 km climb at 7.8%) with a downhill finish in Loudenvielle.

Tomorrow is a rest day for the Tour.


Aleksander Winokurow wygrał 15. etap Tour de France 2007

Kazach Aleksander Winokurow (Astana) wygrał pirenejski, 15. etap Tour de France z metą w Le Louron. Prowadzenie w Tour de France utrzymał Duńczyk Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank).

Podjazdy dnia:
- 27.5 km - Col de Port - 11.4 km wspinaczki o średnim nachyleniu 5.3 % - 2. kat.
- 98.5 km - Col de Portet d'Aspet - 5.7 km wspinaczki o średnim nachyleniu 6.9 % - 2. kat.
- 114.0 km - Col de Menté - 7.0 km wspinaczki o średnim nachyleniu 8.1 % - 1. kat.
- 159.5 km - Port de Balès - 19.2 km wspinaczki o średnim nachyleniu 6.2 % - HC
- 184.5 km - Col de Peyresourde - 9.7 km wspinaczki o średnim nachyleniu 7.8 % - 1. kat.

Na Col de Port jako pierwsza dojechała 11-osobowa grupa w składzie - Arroyo, Menchov, Gadret, Goubert, Kohl, Tshopp, Beltran, Garrate, Winokurow, Cobo oraz Verdugo. Pierwszą premię górska tego dnia zwyciężył Hiszpan Garate, drugi był Tschopp, a trzeci Verdugo. 25 sekund później na szczycie pojawił się peleton.

Następnie powstała kolejna grupa, w której jechali tam: Michael Albasini (Liquigas), Benoît Vaugrenard (Française Des Jeux), Denis Menchov (Rabobank), Daniel Navarro, Serguei Ivanov i Aleksander Winokurow (wszyscy Astana), Christian Vande Velde i Kurt-Asle Arvesen (obaj Team CSC), Christian Knees (Milram), George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), Patrice Halgand (Crédit Agricole), Nicolas Portal i David Arroyo (obaj Caisse d'Epargne), Kim Kirchen (T-Mobile), Ludovic Turpin (Ag2r Prévoyance), Javier "Patxi" Vila i Daniele Bennati (obaj Lampre-Fondital), Laurent Lefèvre (Bouygues Telecom), Iñigo Landaluze, Rubén Pérez i Haimar Zubeldia (wszyscy Euskaltel-Euskadi), Juan Manuel Gárate (Quickstep-Innergetic), Juan José Cobo (Saunier Duval-Prodir), Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) oraz Johann Tschopp (Bouygues Telecom). Na premii sprinterskiej w Saint-Girons (68 km), którą wygrał Benatti, ucieczka miała 7'35 przewagi nad peletonem.

Na drugą premie górską Col de Portet d'Aspet uciekający zawodnicy wjeżdżali z zapasem 9 minut i 25 sekund. Pierwszy na szczycie był Lefèvre, drugi Halgand, a trzeci Garate. Zaraz potem rozpoczęła się wspinaczka na kolejną "górkę" - Col de Menté, gdzie pierwsza trójka była taka sama jak na d'Aspet, z tymże w innej kolejności - pierwszy Garate, drugi Lefèvre, a trzeci Halgand. Coraz węższa grupa zasadnicza traciła 8'29 do ucieczki.

Wówczas na zjeździe zaatakowała piątka zawodników: Arroyo, Landaluze, Kohl, Tschopp oraz Ivanov, uzyskując 8'20 przewagi nad peletonem. Niedługo potem sygnał do dociągnięcia lidera Astany do czołówki dostał Ivanov, który wzorowo wypełnił swoje zadanie. Na 39 km do mety po wymieszaniu się zawodników z czołówki na czele jechał duet Tschopp-Kirchen, za nimi kręcił Landaluze, a 40 sekund dalej jechała 7-osobowa grupa Winokurowa.

Premię na Port de Balès wygrał Kirchen, który wjechał na nią wraz z Tschoppem i Arroyo. 45 sekund za tą trójka jechali Garate, Zubeldia, Cobo, Winokourow oraz Menchov. Peleton zaś prowadzony przez Boogerda tracił na szczycie 6’45 do uciekającego trio. Na zjeździe za Holendrem podążali już tylko Rasmussen, Contador, Evans, Kloden, Sastre, Kashechkin, Astarloza, Valverde, Popovych, Soler, Mayo i Horner.

Winokourow najpierw dojechał do pierwszej grupy (jechał wtedy z Arroyo, Cobo, Kirchenem i Zubeldią), by potem zgubić swoich towarzyszy na ostatnim podjeździe - Col de Peyresourde. Na ostatnich metrach podjazdu z peletonie zaatakował również Contador, któremu jednak nie udało się zgubić lidera Rassmusena.

Zjazd był dla Winokourowa formalnością. Kazach ze sporą przewagą nad drugim tego dnia Kirchenem (str. 0'51) minął linie mety w Loudenvielle - Le Louron. Trzecie miejsce dla Zubeldii (str. 0'51). Liderem wyścigu pozostał Duńczyk Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank).


American athlete Marion Jones tests positive for EPO

Track star Marion Jones, winner of 3 gold medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has tested positive for the performance enhancing drug, EPO. The hormone helps create extra red blood cells which allows the user's body to absorb extra oxygen.

Jones was expected to compete in yesterday's Golden League meet in Zurich, Switzerland, but left early in the morning for "personal reasons." It was announced earlier today (UTC) that she had tested positive for EPO. Jones faces a two year ban if her B test sample comes back positive.

Jones has a history of association with steroid users and dealers. In 1999, her then husband CJ Hunter tested positive for a similar drug, nandralone. He had to withdraw from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and received a two year ban.

Jones later divorced him, and in 2002 started a relationship with another track star, Tim Montgomery, who were both coached by Trevor Grahm.

Montgomery set a record in the 100 meter sprint of 9.78 seconds at a race in Paris that year. He was banned for two years and stripped of his record due to evidence in the Federal BALCO investigation. In the BALCO investigation, several witnesses stated that Marion Jones was taking banned substances received from BALCO.

Jones' coach, Grahm, has been involved with 10 other athletes that tested positive and were ultimately banned for the use of illegal substances. Justin Gatlin, also coached by Grahm, also tested positive for artificial Testosterone, but has not been banned or stripped of his record.

Another American athlete, cyclist Floyd Landis tested positive for excessive levels of adrenaline after winning the Tour-de-France, which may lead to him being the first winner in the tournament's history to be stripped of the title.


Sprinterin Marion Jones anscheinend gedopt

Zürich (Schweiz), 20.08.2006 – Eine „rasante“ Abreise vollzog vorgestern die dreifache Olympiasiegerin von Sidney Marion Jones kurz vor dem Leichtathletik-Meeting „Weltklasse in Zürich“. Grund dafür war anscheinend ein positiver Dopingtest vom Juni 2006 in Indianapolis. Jones wurde das Blutwachstumsmittel Erythropoetin (EPO) nachgewiesen. Ein Endergebnis des Dopingtests soll die B-Probe erbringen. Diese wird am 6. September 2006 eröffnet. Sollte diese Probe ebenfalls positiv ausfallen, droht der Sprinterin eine Sperre von zwei Jahren.


American cyclist Floyd Landis tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone in second test

The second urine sample provided by the winner of this year's Tour de France, American cyclist Floyd Landis, has tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone. This confirms the results of the earlier test done after his victory in the Tour de France on 20 July.

The International Cycling Union said: "The UCI communicates that the analysis of the sample B of Floyd Landis's urine has confirmed the result of an adverse analytical finding notified by the anti-doping laboratory of Paris on July 26, following the analysis of the sample A.". Landis now faces the prospect of being stripped of his title, along with the possibility of a two year ban.

He also stands to lose $575,700 in prize money. This would be the first time a winner has been disqualified for doping in the Tour's history.

The American has refuted the charges saying his body naturally produces high levels of testosterone.

In its comment about Landis sample analyses, the USA Cycling announced that it will "refer this case to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as the organization solely responsible for the adjudication of anti-doping cases involving American athletes in the Olympic movement"

The Phonak team fired Landis on Saturday for "violating the teams internal Code of Ethics", a statement released by the team said.

Oscar Pereiro Sio who finished second, 57 seconds adrift, now claims himself the true Tour de France champion after hearing about Landis' result. [1]

Since 1984 testosterone use is forbidden, but difficult to test for because the body produces it naturally. A test involves measuring the testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio. An average caucasian has a 1:1 ratio but it is tolerated up to 4:1 (ratio was 6:1 or even 10:1 in the past). A new test using a spectrometer and carbon 13  ratio (CIR) exists. This new test gives a more accurate result for the presence of synthetic testosterone. This test was used on Floyd's samples in order to confirm synthetic testosterone in his blood.


Próbka B testu antydopingowego Floyda Landisa dała wynik pozytywny

Próbka B testu antydopingowego zwycięzcy Tour de France Amerykanina Floyda Landisa dała wynik pozytywny - poinformowała Międzynarodowa Unia Kolarska.

Kapitan Phonaku na Tour de France został poddany testowi 20 lipca po zwycięstwie na 17. etapie. Pozytywny wynik próbki A został podany do informacji światu 27 lipca. Ilość testosteronu wyniósł 11:1 w stosunku do epitestosteronu. Dopuszczalna granica to 4:1.

30-letniemu zawodnikowi grozi dwuletnia dyskwalifikacja oraz wykluczenie z Touru na cztery lata. Próbka B została otworzona w czwartek w obecności Landisa, jego adwokata oraz przedstawicieli amerykańskiej organizacji do spraw walki z dopingiem (USADA) i UCI.

Pozytywny wynik próbki B zadecydował o tym, że Amerykanin w trybie natychmiastowym zostaje zwolniony z zespołu Phonak. Oświadczenie Phonak-Team w tej sprawie brzmi:
Phonak-Team dowiedział się dzisiaj od Międzynarodowej Unii Kolarskiej, że wynik próbki B dla jej kapitana Floyda Landisa był pozytywny. Landis bezzwłocznie zostaje zwolniony, ponieważ naruszył wewnętrzny kodeks etyki zespołu. Amerykanin może się od tej decyzji odwołać. To jest jednakże jego prywatna sprawa i nie ma ona już nic wspólnego z Phonakiem.


Подозрение на допинг у Лэндиса подтверждаются

Анализ контрольной пробы (проба В) Флойда Лэндиса, победителя «Тур де Франс 2006» подтвердил подозрения на допинг.

Международный союз велосипедистов: «Проба «В» подтвердила наличие уровня тестостерона, превышающего допустимый уровень. Анализ был проведён в антидопинговой лаборатории в Париже». Лэндис заявил протест. Он утверждает, что его организм естественным образом продуцирует повышенный уровень тестостерона. Если протест будет отклонён, то Лэндису грозит двухлетняя дисквалификация, он также будет вынужден вернуть призовые деньги за победу в «Тур де Франс» — 575.700 долларов. Дисквалификация Лэндиса будет первым случаем в истории тура.

Хотя, ещё будут разбираться с протестом Лэндиса, команда «Фонак» (Phonak), за которую выступает Лэндис, уже исключила его из состава за нарушение внутреннего кодекса команды.

Тестостерон запрещён с 1984 года. Но, всегда существовали трудности контроля, так как человеческий организм сам производит тестостерон. При контроле уровня тестостерона в организме, сравнивают соотношение тестостерона и эпотестостерона. Нормальное значение соотношения — 1:1. Допустимый уровень 4:1 (раньше допустимым считался уровень 6:1 и даже 10:1). Однако, с развитием новых методов анализа, точность всё время возрастает. Новые методы позволяют более точно определять присутствие синтетического тестостерона в организме.

7 августа 2006 года


Amélie Mauresmo wins Australian Open

French  tennis champion  Amélie Mauresmo yesterday won her first  Grand Slam title at the  Australian Open in  Melbourne. Mauresmo was winning 6-1 2-0 when her opponent,  Belgian player  Justine Henin-Hardenne, retired, citing a stomach complaint.

After winning a rally in the second game of the second set, Henin-Hardenne approached the umpire and complained of feeling unwell. She then consulted her trainer before returning to the court. After losing two points, she approached the net and told Mauresmo she was too ill to continue, ending the game in 52 minutes.

Henin-Hardenne apologized to her opponent, the tournament organisers and a disappointed crowd of 15,452 people. “I’m feeling very disappointed for sure to end the tournament this way. I am feeling very sick and couldn’t stay longer and continue,” she said.

She later told a press conference that she believed  anti-inflammatory medication she had been taking for a shoulder injury had made her feel ill and left her with no energy. “I felt it when I woke up, but I tried. I knew at the beginning of the match that I could not win it,” she said.

Henin-Hardenne’s retirement gave Mauresmo her third victory by default in the tournament. She reached the fourth round after Dutch player  Michaella Krajicek retired with  heat exhaustion. In the semi-final, Mauresmo was again the beneficiary of a retirement when Belgian player Kim Clijsters retired with an ankle injury.

Until now, 26-year-old Mauresmo was the only former world no.1 to never have won a  Grand Slam  title. She said in a post-match interview that when she returns home to her base in  Geneva, Switzerland, she will toast the win with a bottle of 1937  Château d'Yquem wine which she has been saving to celebrate her first grand slam title.

“I bought a bottle about three or four years ago. Very good one. Very old one also. I keep it. I thought, "You know, this one is going to be for my Grand Slam, my first Grand Slam title,"" she said.

Mauresmo’s win comes seven years after the then  unseeded player reached the 1999 Australian Open final, the last time she has reached a Grand Slam final. She lost to  Martina Hingis and was berated by the press and several players for her muscular build and for acknowledging her then partner, Sylvie Bourdon, believing if they were open about their relationship, people would be less inclined to gossip. At the time, Lindsay Davenport complained that playing Mauresmo was like playing against a male player. While Martina Hingis accused her of being “half a man.”

Henin-Hardenne’s retirement is the first time a player has retired from a women’s Grand Slam final since  Brazil’s Maria Bueno retired in 1966 during a final against Australia’s Margaret Smith Court.

Mauresmo is now ranked world no.2 and is the first Frenchwoman to win an Australian Open since Mary Pierce won in 1995. Mauresmo takes home the Australian Open trophy and prize money of $AU1,220,000, while Henin-Hardenne walked away with the runner-up prize money of $AU610,000.


Mauresmo vann Australian Open

Melbourne –
Den franska tennisstjärnan Amélie Mauresmo vann igår sin första Grand Slam-titel vid Australian Open i Melbourne. Maursemo ledde med siffrorna 6-1 2-0 när hennes motståndare, belgiskan Justine Henin-Hardenne, drog sig ur matchen på grund av magsmärtor.

Efter att ha vunnit en lång slagväxling i andra setet uppgav Henin-Hardenne för domaren att hon inte kände sig frisk. Efter att ha samtalat med sin tränare återupptog hon ändå matchen. Efter att ha förlorat två poäng gick hon fram till nätet och meddelade Mauresmo att hon var för sjuk för att fortsätta. Matchen avbröts efter 52 minuter.

Henin-Hardenne bad sin motståndare, turneringens organisatörer och de 15 452 i publiken om ursäkt för sitt uppträdande: "Jag är verkligen mycket besviken över att avsluta turneringen på detta sätt. Jag känner mig mycket sjuk och kan inte stanna för att fortsätta matchen".

Vid en presskonferens efter matchen sa hon att hon trodde att medicin hon tagit mot en inflammation i axeln hade fått en orkeslös och illamående: "Jag kände av det när jag gick upp men försökte ändå. Jag visste i början av matchen att jag inte skulle vinna".

Genom Henin-Hardennes walk-out vann Mauresmo sin tredje seger i turneringen. Tidigare drog sig nederländskan Michaella Krajicek ur på grund av värmeslag. Även semifinalen fick ställas in sedan även belgiskan Kim Clijsters dragit sig ur på grund av en axelskada.

Den 26-åriga Mauresmo är den enda världsettan som aldrig vunnit en Grand Slam. Vid en presskonferens efter matchen sa hon att när hon återvänt till sin hemmabas i Schweiz kommer hon att fira segern med en flaska Château d'Yquem 1937 som hon sparat just för detta ändamål.

Mauresmos seger kommer sju år efter att hon som oseedad spelare 1999 lyckades ta sig till final i de austaliska mästerskapen. Då förlorade hon mot Martina Hingis och pressen och andra spelare gjorde sig lustiga över hennes kraftiga muskelbyggnad och för hennes relation med Sylvie Bourdon. Lindsay Davenport klagade då på att spela mot Mauresmo var som att spela mot en manlig spelare och Hingis kallade henne en "hälften man".

När Henin-Hardenne gav upp matchen var det första gången en spelare i en final i damernas Grand Slam avbröt en match sedan brasilianskan Maria Bueno drog sig ur 1966 i finalen mot Margaret Smith Court.

Mauresmo rankas nu som nummer två och är den första fransyskan som segrat i australiska mästerskapen. sedan Mary Pierce vann 1995. Förutom segerpokalen får Mauresmo en prissumma på 1&nbsp,220 000 australiska dollar. Henin-Hardenne får trösta sig med 610 000.


Argentina beats Colombia 5-4 over penalties in Copa America quarter final 2015

On Friday, Argentina defeated Colombia in the third quarter- final of the 2015 Copa América ((en))Spanish language: America Cup which was held in Estadio Sausalito stadium in Viña del Mar, Chile. Argentina defeated Colombia 5–4 on penalty shootout.

Argentina had more possession in the match. A total of eight yellow cards were shown for 35 fouls, of which six came in the first half. Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina denied Messi and Agüero's on target shots in the first half. Only one substitution was made in the first half. The second half saw just two yellow cards.

At the end of 90 minutes, 4 minutes were added. But, no side could find the net. Since no extra time is added in quarter-finals of Copa America, penalty shoot-out was called. Colombia began the penalty shoot-out. A total of 5 penalties were missed and Tevez's penalty kick converted into goal sealed the victory for Argentina.

Argentina is now to face the winner of Brazil v Paraguay quarter-final on June 30.


Argentina clasificó por penales a semifinales de la Copa América 2015

Tras finalizar el encuentro sin goles, la selección de fútbol de Argentina, en una definición ajustada por penales, se clasificó para las semifinales de la Copa América que se disputa en Chile y eliminó a Colombia. El encuentro se disputó en Viña del Mar, en el estadio Sausalito.

El primer tiempo mostró al equipo de Gerardo "El Tata" Martino dominando la pelota pero errando todas las llegadas al arco. Promediando el partido, Messi y Agüero desperdiciaron sendas llegadas claras al arco que fueron atajadas por Ospina. Los colombianos no remataron al arco en ninguna oportunidad y Pekerman debió a los 20 minutos reemplazar al delantero Gutiérrez por Edwin Cardona, porque no presentaba ningún tipo de peligro para su rival. El juego estuvo cortado por varias faltas, recurso defensivo usado con frecuencia por los colombianos, obligando al árbitro a amonestar a varios jugadores.

El segundo tiempo mostró a los cafeteros buscando un poco más llegar al área rival pero sin lograr mermar el ataque albiceleste, que tuvo un tiro libre a los 60 minutos que Messi hizo pasar muy cerca del arco, y a los 68 minutos vino la única llegada colombiana al área que Romero desvió controlar y esto pareció encender el juego de Colombia que se animo a más. Los dos técnicos apostaron a los cambios para intentar variar el destino del partido que ya parecía ser el cero a cero. En el minuto 80 Ospina salvó su valla al desviar al poste un remate de Nicolás Otamendi. Y de la línea Colombia debió desviar un remate de Tévez que venció a Ospina pero un zaguero logró desviar cuando entraba en el arco. Terminó el segundo tiempo y el resultado obligó a definir por penales.

Catorce penales fueron necesarios para resolver quien seguía y quien no en el certamen, los primeros cuatro de cada equipo fueron goles, erraron ambos el último y en la definición uno a uno, los dos erraron el primero y posteriormente el tiro de Colombia se fue alto y llegó el turno de Carlos Tévez para efectuar un remate certero y poner a la albiceleste en semifinales.

Argentina: Sergio Romero, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolás Ottamendi, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo, Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Javier Pastore, Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero y Ángel di María.DT: Gerardo Martino

Colombia: David Ospina, Santiago Arias, Cristian Zapata, Jeison Murillo, Pablo Armero, Camilo Zúñiga, Alexánder Mejía, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, James Rodríguez, Teófilo Gutiérrez y Falcao García.

Árbitro: Roberto García  México


Argentina score in extra-time; beat Mexico, get to quarter-finals

An epic round sixteen contest between Argentina and Mexico was won by a work of genius from Maxi Rodriguez, Saturday.

Juan Sorin hit a cross-field pass to the midfield player at the top right edge of the Mexican box. Rodriguez jumped to receive the ball and, in the same moment, chested high the way it had come. He met the descending ball 25 yards out with a perfectly timed left-footed volley and the ball arrowed over Oswaldo Sanchez into the opposite corner of the net.

The evenness and excitement of the match might easily be overshadowed by the winning goal. Though the shot totals were not high - Argentina had five shots on target to Mexico's three -  the action was end to end.

Part of the reason for the excitement was while Mexico tried to keep a fast attacking pace Argentina attempted to slow the game down. There could have been more goals; both Argentina and Mexico defended well and had timely saves from their goalkeepers.

Mexico got off to the best possible start with a goal from a set-piece after five minutes. Pavel Pardo's cross from the right touchline was flicked on by Mario Mendez and Rafael Marquez slid in to score on a half volley at the far post.

For Argentina the equalising goal five minutes later was the best possible response to going behind. A corner kick was swung in low to the near post; Hernan Crespo raised his foot, Jared Borgetti stuck out his neck and between them the ball sped past Sanchez.

The match had its moment of controversy. Just before half time the Argentine goalkeeper rolled a ball to Gabriel Heinze. Somehow his defender let it go past him to Mexican striker Jose Fonseca. Heinze lunged to bring Fonseca down. Massimo Busacca adjudged Roberto Ayala to be the last defender and spared Heinze the red card for the deliberate professional foul.

Goalkeepers at either end made match saving contributions in the second half.  On 53 minutes Roberto Abbondanzieri saved a defensive a clearance that deflected off Borgetti six yards from goal. Five minutes later Javier Saviola was through on goal; he went high and hard with the shot but Sanchez stuck out a strong left palm and batted the ball away for a corner.

Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez replaced Crespo and Saviola as Argentina sought to break the deadlock. A minute from time Tevez thought he was through on goal but Ricardo Osorio got back just in time and the game was destined for another 30 minutes and that special moment in extra time.

Argentina's win meant they would play their quarter-final match in the Olympiastadion, Berlin, against the host nation Germany on June 30.

Match 50

Attendance: 43'000

Substitutes

denotes one goal scored.

Substitutes

denotes one goal scored.

Referee: Massimo Busacca

Assistant referee: Francesco Buragina

Assistant referee: Matthias Arnet

Fourth referee: Khalil Al Ghamdi

Fifth referee: Fathi Arabati

Germany book quarter-final spot with 2-0 win over Sweden


Mondiali 2006: Argentina ai quarti di finale

Si è disputata stasera la seconda partita degli ottavi di finale dei Mondiali di calcio. Al Zentralstadion di Lipsia si sono affrontate l'Argentina, vincitrice del Girone C ed il Messico, secondo classificato nel Girone D. Gli argentini hanno vinto per 2-1 dopo i tempi supplementari.

I messicani passano in vantaggio al 6' con Márquez su assist di Méndez. Quattro minuti più tardi arriva il pareggio argentino: su azione di calcio d'angolo Borgetti infila nella propria porta, il gol viene assegnato a Crespo che sfiora il pallone. Poco altro succede fino al novantesimo e si va ai tempi supplementari. L'Argentina si porta in vantaggio all'8' con Maxi Rodríguez servito da Sorín, fissando il risultato sul 2 a 1 finale. Ammoniti Heinze e Sorín per l'Argentina, Márquez, Castro e Torrado per il Messico.

L'Argentina affronterà nei quarti di finale il 30 giugno a Berlino la Germania, che nell'altra partita odierna ha battuto la Svezia. La partita sarà un remake di due finali mondiali, quella del 1986 vinta dai sudamericani per 3-2 e quella del 1990 vinta dai tedeschi per 1-0.


Argentina thrash Serbia and Montenegro in Group C

Argentina thrashed Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in a display that stunned the crowd in Gelsenkirchen, Friday.

On one side of this one-way game there was an embarrassment of Argentine talent; on the other there was the humiliation of Ilija Petkovic's side being out-played for 90 minutes by a team at the top of their form.

With the roof over the Veltins Arena it was dark enough in the stadium for camera flashes to light up in the crowd. On the pitch the Argentine players provided the flashes of brilliance.

An early goal after six minutes was the first of six goals that were the product of almost flawless team play and individual execution. Argentina swept down the left, Maxi Rodriguez ran at speed into a pass and toe-poked first time beyond Dragoslav Jevric.

The next one was the climax of a 24 pass move. Esteban Cambiasso tapped the ball forward to Hernan Crespo just inside the penalty area; a back heal and Cambiasso ran on and smacked it past Jevric.

On 35 minutes the Argentina fans in the crowd seemed to know which way the game was going. The chant "Ole" was heard as the Argentines continued to pass amongst themselves with great ease.

Totally dominant, the blue and white stripes had over 60 per cent ball possession come half-time. Roberto Abbondanzieri in the Argentina goal was for the most part the spectator number 52'001.

It could have been four nil at the break but on 36 minutes Crespo's effort was judged to have come from an offside position.  Crespo got booked because he did not stop when the referee blew his whistle. The television replay showed the linesman was mistaken.

The third goal came on 41 minutes. Jevric could only palm a Javier Saviola shot to Maxi Rodriguez at the far post who stuck away his second off the post.

Savo Milosevic won his hundredth cap for Serbia and Montenegro, a statistic that included games with the Yugoslavia football team. He forced a corner with a hard long range shot and failed to reach a header after Danijel Ljuboja had briefly stretched Argentina on the right.

On 64 minutes Mateja Kezman appeared to make a frustrated two-footed lunge which caught Javier Mascherano. The referee reached for the red card and made a hard position harder for the unfortunate Serbia and Montenegro team.

Then it was the Lionel Messi show. The Argentines were comfortable but had not scored in the second half until the 19-year-old Barcelona striker came on after 74 minutes.  Soon there were three more goals to the total.

Messi set up Crespo for a tap in; he burst into the penalty area and a delivered a superb low pass across the goal that beat both the keeper and defenders.

Another young Argentine Carlos Tevez got past two half-hearted challenges from the Serbia and Montenegro defence and put the fifth around Jevric.

The goal many Argentines in the crowd had waited for came two minutes from time. Messi, recently back from injury, was fed on another burst into the penalty area. He beat Jevric at his near post.

This year Montenegro made their split from Serbia official in the political arena. In the Veltins Arena, Friday, the performance of the two national sides combined might be grounds for the coming football divorce.

The mathematics of the Group C table mean Jose Pekerman's Argentina are not yet through to the knock-out stage of the Fifa World Cup. They would go through if the Netherlands did not lose to Ivory Coast, who played Friday.

Group C

Attendance: 52'000

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

Serbia & Montenegro

Fifa World Cup Group C table June 16, 2006

"Netherlands defeat Ivory Coast in Group C" — Wikinews, June 13, 2006


Mundial 2006: Argentyna 6-0 Serbia i Czarnogóra

W piątek w Gelsenkirchen w meczu grupy C Argentyna rozgromiła Serbię i Czarnogórę 6-0.

Po rozpoczęciu meczu szybko na prowadzenie wyszła Argentyna. W 6. minucie bramkę strzelił Maxi Rodriguez po podaniu Savioli. Minutę później żółtą kartkę otrzymał Serb Koroman.

W 17. minucie Luis Gonzalez doznał kontuzji i musiał opuścić boisko. Zastapił go Esteban Cambiasso. Później Serbowie zaczęli częściej faulować - po jednym z nich w 27. minucie Nadj otrzymał żółty kartonik.

W 31. minucie Saviola podał do Estebana Cambiasso, który po chwili odegrał piłkę do stojęcego na polu karnym Hernana Crespo. Ten szybko oddał piłkę piętą do Cambiasso, a potem pokonał on bramkarza Serbii i Czarnogóry: 2-0 dla Argentyny. Pięć minut później do bramki trafił Crespo, jednak sędzia dopatrzył się spalonego, a na dodatek ukarał strzelca żółtą kartką za niepotrzebną dyskusją.

Przed przerwą na stan gry podwyższył Rodriguez ponownie po zagraniu Savioli. Minutę potem żółtą kartkę dostał Krstajic.

Zaraz po przerwie w Serbskim zespole Ergic wszedł za Nadja, a Ljuboja za Koromana. Natomiast nieco później Jose Pekerman wstawił Teveza za Saviolę i Lionela Messi za Rodrigueza.

W 65. minucie za wejście dwoma nogami w Mascherano, Kezman otrzymał czerwoną kartkę. Zespół Serbii i Czarnogóry od tej pory grał w dziesiątkę. Pięć minut później za Milosevica wszedł Vukic.

W drugiej połowie zawodnicy Serbii i Czarnogóry tworzyli mało sytuacji bramkowych, a gdy Argentyńczycy byli przy piłce, to nie starali się jej odbierać. W 78. minucie trafienie zaliczył Crespo po podaniu Messiego. W 84. minucie po okiwaniu dwójki serbskich obrońców bramkę zdobył Teves. Przed samym końcem spotkania stan meczu ostatecznie ustalił Messi.


Argentine footballer Mascherano announces international retirement

Argentine footballer Javier Mascherano announced retirement from international football after losing 3–4 against France in the Last 16 knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup yesterday.

Mascherano made his international debut on June 17, 2003, at the age of nineteen. Since then, he has won 147 international caps with Argentina, a national record. Mascherano has featured in four different FIFA World Cup tournaments, since the 2006 World Cup.

After the match, 34-year-old Mascherano said, "It's time to say goodbye and for the younger players to step in." He also said, "Personally, from now on, I will be just another fan, it's over" ((es))Spanish language: En lo personal, a partir de ahora, seré un hincha más. Se terminó.

In the last four years, Mascherano has won the silver medal at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2015 Copa América ((en))America Cup and 2016's Copa América Centenario.


Futebolista argentino Mascherano anuncia aposentadoria internacional

O futebolista argentino Javier Mascherano anunciou a aposentadoria do futebol internacional depois de perder por 3 a 4 contra a França na última fase de eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo da FIFA ontem.

Mascherano fez sua estréia internacional em 17 de junho de 2003, aos dezenove anos. Desde então, ele ganhou 147 partidas internacionais com a Argentina, um recorde nacional. Mascherano tem destaque em quatro diferentes torneios da Copa do Mundo FIFA, desde a Copa do Mundo de 2006.

Após a partida, Mascherano, de 34 anos, disse: "É hora de dizer adeus e de os jogadores mais jovens entrarem". Ele também disse: "Pessoalmente, a partir de agora, serei um fã [a] mais, Já terminou".

Nos últimos quatro anos, Mascherano ganhou a medalha de prata na Copa América de 2015 e Copa América Centenário de 2016.


Armstrong announces retirement from professional cycling

At a press conference Monday, Lance Armstrong announced his intention to retire from professional cycling after going for his 7th Tour de France title in July 2005.

"Ultimately, athletes have to retire," said the 33 year-old American. "The body doesn't just keep going and going."

Speculation on the retirement of the six-time Tour de France winner had been growing in recent months. The Texan had hinted at wanting to spend more time with his children and his cancer charity, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. There was talk he may marry his well-known girlfriend, rock-star singer Sheryl Crow.

Armstrong battled with testicular cancer in 1996 before coming back to win the 1999 edition of the legendary French race. He went on to win the next five Tours de France and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport.

Asked about his chances for Tour success, he expressed hope tempered with praise for his opponents. "Can I win this year? I'm not sure, but I'll try... This will be a different year for the Tour with Jan Ullrich looking better and a host of young riders coming up," he said.

Should Armstrong follow through with his plans, he will begin his final race in the United States tomorrow at the first stage of the Tour de Georgia. He has successfully used the springtime race in the past as a tune-up to the Tour de France in the summer. The contract with his new team sponsor, the Discovery Channel, obligates him to compete in one more Tour de France.


Armstrong se va retrage din ciclism

19 aprilie 2005 Georgia, Statele Unite ale Americii —

La o conferință de presă de luni, Lance Armstrong  și-a anunțat intenția de a se retrage din ciclismul profesionist după participarea la cel de-al șaptelea "Tour de France" programat în Iulie 2005.

"În final, atleții trebuie să se retragă", a spus americanul de 33 de ani. "Corpul nu mai poate să meargă înainte."


Athletes from 2009 Summer Deaflympics participate the Warming Up Challenge of 2007 Taipei 101 Run Up

Prior to 2007 Taipei 101 Run Up, organizers held a 35-floors warming up match for local athletes from 2009 Summer Deaflympics with the theme of "Value Your Every Step". This warming up simulated every possible situation as athletes wore the RFID chip and some professional medical teams stood by for emergency.

"Taipei City and 2009 Summer Deaflympics (in the future) will be known with a conjunction from this game (Taipei 101 Run Up) and the promotion of 2009 Summer Deaflympics." Emile Sheng (Chief Executive Director of 2009 Summer Deaflympics) remarked before this match, "We (Taipei City Government, the organizer of 2009 Deaflympics) will provide the best service for athletes from participated nations to do an effective promotion of the deaf culture in Taiwan."

"The deaf culture in Taiwan was rarely respected by common people. After Taipei City was elected to be the organizer of the 2009 Deaflympics, and a success of '2007 World Deaf Swimming Championship', this (deaf) culture is now progressively respected around the world. I hope this game can be a great platform to make this known by more and more people with deaf athletes' participation." Sue Wang (Spokeswoman of 2007 Taipei Run Up and Sign Language Anchor of Public Television Service) remarked.

Hsiao-hua Tseng and Lan-feng Chen, men's and women's fastest athlete in this (warming up) match, finished separately with 6 min 9 secs and 6 min 45 secs. After this match, the host (Taipei 101) awarded certifications and announced that the main match will take place next Sunday (November 25) morning.


台北101國際登高賽 聽障奧運選手先行為賽會暖身

第三屆台北101國際登高賽進入倒數階段，主辦單位之一的2009聽障奧運籌委會，今（18）日以「珍惜你的每一步」為主題，邀請十二位中華台北聽障奧運代表隊的儲備選手，先行試跑35層樓，為下週正式進行的比賽進行暖身。當中，除了專業醫療團隊的進駐，選手也配上了計時晶片，彷彿將下週正式比賽的狀況完全模擬。

2009聽奧總執行長盛治仁在賽前表示，「這項比賽（台北101登高賽）與聽障奧運的宣傳進行結合，可以讓國際間更認識台北，以及未來進行的台北聽障奧運」，而他還強調，「在聽障奧運期間，我們（台北市政府）會提供最好的設施，服務各國聽障奧運的參賽隊伍，讓聽障奧運達到宣傳台灣聽障文化的效果。」

另外，比賽代言人，也是公共電視手語主播王曉書，在比賽前表示，「聽人文化以往很難被重視，但是，在台灣拿下2009年聽障奧運主辦權，並成功主辦『聽障游泳錦標賽』後，國際間也開始重視台灣的聽障文化，希望這項活動藉由聽障奧運選手的參與，為台灣的聽障文化發聲。」

這項暖身賽的試跑選手，以田徑選手為主，另外也有籃球、跆拳道、網球等項目的好手共襄盛舉。當中，曾孝華與陳蘭鳳，是最快完成這項暖身賽的男女選手，成績分別是6分9秒與6分45秒；賽後，地主台北101頒贈了成績證明書給所有參與者，為這項暖身活動話下句點。


Atlético de Madrid defeats Real Madrid 1-0 in 2013 derby

Yesterday at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Real Madrid lost 1–0 to crosstown rival Atlético de Madrid in this year's edition of the Madrid derby.  Atlético de Madrid had last defeated Real Madrid in La Liga play in 1999.

Diego Costa scored the game's only goal, following an early ten minutes where Real Madrid dominated on possession.  Following the goal, Real Madrid was unable to keep up possession and Atlético successfully shut down much of Real Madrid's passing game.  Atlético players also slowed down the play with a number of players falling to the ground. Real Madrid's fans shouted that miracles were happening because after Atlético players rolled around on the ground, they would get up and be able to walk and run within seconds.


Atlético de Madrid venkas al Real Madrid 0-1

Hieraŭ ĉe la stadiono Santiago Bernabéu de Madrido, Real Madrid malvenkis 0-1 kontraŭ sia urba kontraŭulo Atlético de Madrid dum la ĉi-jara versio de la tipa Derbi madrileño. La pasinta fojo kiu Atlético de Madrid venkis al Real Madrid por ligo estis en 1999.

Diego Costa faris la unusolan golon de la matĉo, post dek minutoj kiam la regado de la pilkado estis de Real Madrid. Post la golo, Real Madrid ne povis kontroli denove la pilkon kaj Atlético sukcesis malhelpi la ludon de Real Madrid. La ludantoj de Atlético de Madrid ankaŭ malrapidigis la ludojn per faŭloj.


Australia and Netherlands win 2014 Hockey World Cup

In field hockey at The Hague, Netherlands, Australia defeated the Netherlands to win the 2014 Men's Hockey World Cup yesterday, and was defeated by the Netherlands in the 2014 Women's Hockey World Cup on Saturday. Never before have the same two countries played in both Hockey World Cup finals in a single year.

In the men's final, the Australian team, known as the Kookaburras and coached by Ric Charlesworth, successfully defended the World Cup they won back in 2010 with a 6–1 win over the Netherlands team, which was playing in its first final since 1998.

The Netherlands put the Kookaburras on the back foot when Jeroen Hertzberger scored the first goal. In five consecutive games in the series the Australians had scored their first goal in the first seven minutes. Australia's Chris Ciriello equalised with a goal from a penalty corner. Another goal by Kieran Govers gave the Kookaburras a 2–1 lead at the half time break. Four more goals in the second half, including one by 321-game veteran Jamie Dwyer, put the result beyond doubt.

The story was very different in the women's competition, where the Australian women's team, known as the Hockeyroos, were the underdogs, having not made a final in the World Cup or the Olympic Games since 2006. They made this final only after defeating the team in a semi-final penalty shoot out after a 2–2 draw in which the teams alternated goals, each Australian goal followed by a US goal by Kelsey Kolojejchick. Whereas, the Netherlands team had scored 21 goals in the tournament up to this point, while only conceding one, and had not been beaten by Australia since 1998.

Netherlands captain Maartje Paumen scored the first goal of the match from a penalty stroke, giving the Netherlands team their seventh Hockey World Cup win. Kim Lammers then made it 2–0.  Neither side was able to score in the second half, but it was not for want of trying, and Australian goal keeper Rachael Lynch ended up with a total of eight saves.

Argentina defeated the United States 2–1 in the women's bronze medal game.


Mistry světa v pozemním hokeji se včera staly Nizozemsko a Austrálie

Austrálie porazila včera v Haagu Nizozemsko a vyhrála tak titul mistrů světa v pozemním hokeji, zatímco finále žen skončilo opačným výsledkem. Nikdy před tím se nestalo, aby se v obou finále mistrovství světa v jednom roce utkali muži i ženy ze dvou stejných zemí.

V mužském finále australští Kookaburras pod vedením trenéra Rica Charleswortha obhájili titul z roku 2010 výhrou 6:1 nad domácím týmem. Nizozemci se dostali do finále poprvé od roku 1998 a Jeroen Hertzberger dal jejich první gól. Australan Chris Ciriello vyrovnal z trestného rohu a zápas otočil po přestávce Kieran Govers. Další čtyři góly, včetně zásahu od veterána Jamieho Dwyera, který hrál svůj 321. zápas, pak zajistily, že utkání skončilo jednoznačným výsledkem.

V ženském turnaji to byl jiný příběh. Australanky nebyly favoritem zápasu, protože od roku 2006 nehrály žádné velké světové finále. Hockeyroos se do finále probojovaly semifinálovou výhrou nad Spojenými státy až po penaltovém rozstřelu, na oba jejich góly v normální hrací době totiž odpověděla Američanka Kelsey Kolojejchicková. Naopak Nizozemky nastřílely v průběhu turnaje 21 gólů a dostaly jen jediný. S Austrálií neprohrály už od roku 1998.

První a vítězný gól finále dala kapitánka Nizozemska Maartje Paumenová z penalty, Kim Lammersová pak přidala druhý gól. Po výhře 2:0 se Nizozemsko stalo už posedmé vítězem mistrovství světa. Bronz v turnaji žen získala Argentina.


Australia qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2006

Australia's national soccer team, the Socceroos, have qualified for the 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany, after beating Uruguay in a penalty shoot out in front of 80 000 spectators at Stadium Australia . This is the first time that Australia has qualified in 32 years and the second time in the history of the FIFA Football World Cup. The Australian team is managed by the Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who led South Korea  to the semi finals of the 2002 Soccer World Cup and is also currently coaching PSV Eindhoven, a Dutch football club.

Australia lost the first qualifier to Uruguay 1-0 in Montevideo and needed to win by 2 goals in order to guarantee qualification. A goal by Marco Bresciano in the first half had Australia leading 1-0 at the end of regular and extra time - leading to a penalty shoot-out. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved the first Uruguayan penalty attempt and Australia made their first three shots count. However Mark Viduka shot wide and the game was again open. Australia's chance was again alive as Schwarzer saved the next shot. The subsequent shot sealed the win for the Socceroos.

Uruguayan Keeper: Fabián Carini

Goals:

Missed:

Australian Keeper: Mark Schwarzer

Goals:

No Score:

Time in Minutes:


Australia clasifica por penales a Alemania 2006

Por definición de tiros penalti, la selección australiana obtuvo este miércoles su cupo al Mundial de Fútbol Alemania 2006 en Sydney. Los socceroos enfrentaban a la selección de Uruguay, que ganó 1 - 0 en el partido de ida del repechaje realizado en el Estadio Centenario de Montevideo. El árbitro fue el español Luis Medina Cantalejo.

Los australianos se pusieron en ventaja a los 33 minutos del primer tiempo con anotación de Marco Bresciano, después de un claro dominio uruguayo -gracias a las piernas de Álvaro Recoba- durante los primeros compases del partido. Así, los socceroos igualaban la serie.

Durante la segunda mitad, Australia mantuvo el control del partido, pero los uruguayos se las arreglaron para evitar que los locales se pusieran en ventaja.

La prórroga de 30 minutos no tuvo mayores sobresaltos, salvo dos opciones claras de Uruguay, obra de Marcelo Zalayeta y Richard Chengue Morales, que no fueron capitalizadas.

Llegó así la definición desde los 12 pasos. Por Australia anotaron Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Tony Vidmar y John Aloisi (Mark Viduka falló el cuarto cobro), mientras que por los celestes marcaron Gustavo Varela y Guillermo Rodríguez. El arquero australiano Mark Schwarzer se convirtió en el héroe del día al atajar los cobros de Darío Rodríguez y Marcelo Zalayeta.

De esta manera, los australianos regresan a una Copa del Mundo después de 32 años. Coincidencialmente, su última participación fue en Alemania '74.


Austria wins friendly team competition at end of 2013 IPC Alpine World Championships

The IPC Alpine World Championships wrapped up yesterday in La Molina, Spain with a friendly, non-medal counting team event won by Austria. The winner was tabulated based on the fastest score for a visually impaired skier on the team, a female skier on the team, and a male skier on the team.   The Austrian team included Markus Salcher, Roman Rabl, and Claudia Loesch for times counted, with Philipp Bonadimann, Thomas Grochar, and Martin Wuerz also competing.  The team event included ten teams representing eight countries, with the United States and Canada having two teams each and 54 skiers competing.

The United States team 1 came in second with Tyler Walker, Mark Bathum, and Alana Nichols times counting, and Heath Calhoun, Ralph Green, and Allison Jones also belonging to the team.  Russia came in third with Ivan Frantseva, Alexandr Alyabyev, and Mariya Papulova having their scores counted.  Hosts Spain finished last with Jon Santacana, Óscar Espallargas, and Úrsula Pueyo having their times counting, and Gabriel Gorce and Nathalie Carpanedo also members of the Spanish team.

The next major competition ahead of the 2014 Winter Paralympics is the test event in Sochi, Russia in March of this year.


Закрытие международного паралимпийского горнолыжного чемпионата: видео

27 февраля 2013 года на испанском курорте Ла-Молина завершился Чемпионат мира по паралимпийскому горнолыжному спорту, проводимый Международным паралимпийским комитетом.
В соревнованиях участвовали 54 спортсмена из 8 стран; США и Канада выставили по две команды.
В неофициальном командном зачёте победила сборная Австрии.

Победитель определялся по совокупности лучшего результата участника с проблемами со зрением и лучших  результатов одного горнолыжника и одной горнолыжницы.

При такой системе зачёта времени спуска в тройку победителей в австрийской команде вошли Маркус Салчер (Markus Salcher), Роман Рабл (Roman Rabl) и Клаудиа Лёш (Claudia Loesch); также за право попадания в  зачёт соревновались Филипп Бонадиманн (Philipp Bonadimann), Томас Грочар (Thomas Grochar) и Мартин Вюрз (Martin Wuerz).

Команда США-1 пришла второй: Тайлер Уолкер (Tyler Walker), Марк Батум (Mark Bathum) и Алана Николс (Alana Nichols) по времени спуска вошли в зачётную тройку; в команде также были Хез Калхун (Heath Calhoun), Ральф Грин (Ralph Green) и Аллисон Джонс (Allison Jones).

Сборная России заняла третье место: засчитали результаты Ивана Францева, Александра Алябьева и Марии Папуловой.

Принимавшая чемпионат Испания оказалась на последнем месте: по времени спуска в зачётную тройку попали Хон Сантакана (Jon Santacana), Оскар Эспалларгас (Óscar Espallargas) и Урсула Пуэйо (Úrsula Pueyo); в соревнованиях также участвовали Габриел Горче (Gabriel Gorce) и Натали Карпанедо (Nathalie Carpanedo).

Следующие большие соревнования горнолыжников с ограниченными возможностями перед Зимними паралимпийскими играми 2014 года состоятся в марте этого года во время тестового турнира в Сочи.

6 марта 2013 года


Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled amid political turmoil

A week after Sunni and Shi'ite youth protesters marched on the capital city of Manama, the Bahrain government informed Formula One Management that it would withdraw from hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix. The decision was made in an effort to focus on the pressing national issues facing the country. Demonstrators, who are still holding Pearl Square, had threatened to target the Media attention if the event went ahead as scheduled. The race is the opening event of the 2011 Formula One racing season.

Bahrain's Crown Prince, HRH Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, sent a statement to Formula One Management which said, "At the present time the country’s entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain. After the events of the past week, our nation’s priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united."

The Bahrain Grand Prix was to be held on March 13, with teams coming in within the next few weeks to prepare for the race. Formula One president and CEO Bernie Ecclestone issued a public statement saying, "It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country." Ecclestone also noted that despite reported rumors, the Bahrain International Circuit would not be charged for their cancellation of the event, citing that he considered the political unrest to be a "force majeure" and that the events that took place could not have been predicted. "What has happened in Bahrain is desperately sad but one month ago everyone was looking forward to the race," he said. Formula One Management will most likely have to absorb the costs related to the canceled race, estimated at around $40 million, unless it can be re-scheduled later in the season.

With the announcement from the Crown Prince that political issues would be addressed, exiled Shi'ite political leader Hassan Mushaima announced that he would return to the country. Mushaima, leader of the Haq Movement opposition party, was tried in absentia in 2009, accused of attempting to overthrow the government. Other Haq Movement members have also been arrested in recent years, but received royal pardons. While 23 members of the political movement are currently awaiting trial, on Tuesday the Bahrain government released a group of political detainees without comment, meeting one of the demands of the protesters.


Formel 1: Großer Preis von Bahrain wegen Unruhen abgesagt

Manama (Bahrain), 22.02.2011 – Das Auftaktrennen für die Formel-1-Saison 2011, der Große Preis von Bahrain, wurde wegen der Unruhen in dem Wüstenstaat am Persischen Golf abgesagt. Ob und gegebenenfalls wann das Rennen, das am 13. März hätte stattfinden sollen, nachgeholt wird, steht noch nicht fest. Die Formel-1-Saison startet nun mit dem Großen Preis von Australien, der am 27. März in Melbourne stattfinden soll.

In einer offiziellen Erklärung wurde als Grund für den Verzicht des Königreichs Bahrain angegeben, er sei notwendig, damit „sich das Land dem nationalen Dialog widmen kann“.

Deutschland, die Schweiz, das Vereinigte Königreich und Frankreich – Staaten, in denen einige der Formel-1-Rennsportteams ihren Sitz haben – hatten für Bahrain Reisewarnungen ausgegeben und aufgefordert, nicht notwendige Reisen in den Golfstaat zu unterlassen. Die Teams hatten Formel-1-Boss Bernie Ecclestone bereits am Samstag (19. Februar) aufgefordert, eine Entscheidung zu treffen.

Nick Heidfeld, der für den vor einigen Tagen bei einer Rallye-Veranstaltung verunglückten Robert Kubica in das Team von Renault nachgerückt war, fühlte sich nicht wohl bei dem Gedanken, das Rennen würde stattfinden. „Die Bilder aus Bahrain sind schon erschreckend. Wenn es nicht sicher ist, will ich da nicht fahren“, sagte Heidfeld. Der Mercedes-Motorsportdirektor Norbert Haug begrüßte die Absage des Rennens, da die Sicherheit der Teammitglieder das wichtigste Anliegen von Mercedes sei.

Ecclestone kommentierte die Absage mit den Worten: „Es ist traurig, dass Bahrain das Rennen zurückziehen musste.“ Bereits am Wochenende wurden zwei Rennen der GP2-Asia-Serie abgesagt.

Bei den Unruhen in Bahrain starben bislang sieben Menschen, hunderte wurden verletzt.


Barcelona defeat Manchester United in 2009 Champions League Final

Claiming their major trophy of the season, FC Barcelona dominated reigning champions Manchester United F.C. at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome Wednesday to win the 2009 Champions League Final 2 – 0.

After a shaky start, Samuel Eto'o shot the ball past Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in the tenth minute, the only goal Barcelona would need.

Manchester had several great chances in the opening ten minutes, with Christiano Ronaldo forcing a save from Barca keeper Víctor Valdés in the second minute. However it was Eto'o who capitalized on his teams first real chance striking a low ball that van der Sar could get hands to.

After the goal, Barcelona settled into a smooth passing game dominating long stretches in the remainder of the first half.

At the start of the second half, United looked to be on the offensive substituting Argentinian Carlos Tévez for the Brazilian Anderson and the Red Devils looked to have gained a boost for the first ten minutes of the half, but again Barcelona settled into a passing rhythm United could not break. In the 53rd minute, Xavi Hernández's free kick hit the crossbar, which proved to be Barca's best chance early in the half.

Halfway into the second half, Dimitar Berbatov came on for Ji-Sung Park, but Berbatov proved no better and in the 70th minute Lionel Messi headed in a cross from Hernández, giving Barca an insurance goal. Four minutes later, Barca captain Carles Puyol has a great chance on goal, but van der Saar in the United goal is equal to the task. In the next minute, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, makes his third and final change, subbing in Paul Scholes for Ryan Giggs.

Scholes scored the lone goal in last season's semi-final to put United into the final, but could not do so and as the minutes ticked off, United got increasingly desperate, earning three yellow cards in the final 12 minutes, but could not score and Barcelona took their second Champions League title since the 2005–06.

Barcelona also earned two domestic trophies, earning both the La Liga and the Copa del Rey titles.

Manchester United also earned three major trophies, earning the Premier League title, the League Cup title and the Community shield. In addition United defeated the best international club teams in 2008 Club World Cup.

Both teams will be eligible for the Champions League 2009–10, with Barcelona as title holders and winners of La Liga and Manchester United as the winners of the Premier League.

Other domestic club champions qualifying for the group state of next season's competition include Italy's Internazionale, France's Bordeaux, Germany's Wolfsburg, Russia's Rubin Kazan, Portugal's Porto, the Netherlands' Alkmaar Zaanstreek, Scotland's Rangers, the Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv, and Belgium's Standard Liège. Champions of Romania and Turkey have yet to be determined and will join the group stage.


El Barça guanya la Lliga de Campions davant el Manchester United

El Barça superà ahir a la nit l'equip anglès Manchester United, i, juntament amb la Lliga i la Copa, aconseguí així el "triplet" que mai havia assolit cap equip de l'Estat espanyol en la història i només quatre equips més d'Europa. Fou la seva tercera Champions, les altres dues assolides al Wembley Stadium de Londres, el 1992, i a el Stade de France de París, el 2006.

El partit portat a terme a Roma va començar amb un Manchester ofensiu, superior al conjunt català, tal i com estava previst. I per molt poc, que no entrà un xut de falta per part de Cristiano Ronaldo en el minut 2, aquest rebutjat per Víctor Valdés; a més de nombroses ocasions.

La primera ocasió del Barça va situar-se al minut 10, quan Iniesta va controlar la pilota al mig del camp, s'aproximà a la línia defensiva, creant-li problemes, i assistí a Eto'o allò que seria un regat i el seu primer xut entre els tres pals, i el primer gol. Des d'aquest moment, 1-0, el Barça dominà el partit sense obtenir més premis, i deixà, això sí, el Manchester mort en atac.

L'inici de la segona part no presentà gaire novetats: domini del Barça sense gol, i amb múltiples ocasions que podrien resoldre definitivament el matx. Alex Ferguson, entrenador de l'United, va decidir mostrar la seva última arma, que era posar quatre homes a l'ofensiva: Rooney i Ronaldo, que ja hi eren, i dos nous individus: Tévez i Berbatov. Això canvià un pèl les coses. El Manchester arribava ja bastants cops a la porteria de Valdés, causant, de vegades, problemes a la defensa.

Algú havia de decidir, i va ser Messi. Al minut 70 va decidir, definitivament, qui s'emportaria la copa aquell dia. Aprofitant una gran passada alta de Xavi, rematà de cap i féu gol. El segon gol (2-0).

El Barça, a més, va guanyar els seus duels individuals. Guardiola guanyà a Ferguson com a entrenador, Messi a Ronaldo com a superestrella i Iniesta i Xavi van deixar enrere el migcampistes dels "red devils". Roma acollí un duel de grans titans Europeus, que només podia tenir un guanyador, que fou el conjunt blaugrana.


El FC Barcelona obtiene su tercer título en la Liga de Campeones

28 de mayo de 2009Roma, Italia — El Fútbol Club Barcelona venció al Manchester United por 2-0 en la final de la Liga de Campeones obteniendo su tercer título en la historia del torneo europeo y sumando su tercer trofeo de la temporada, con la Liga española y la Copa del Rey.

El partido disputado en el Estadio Olímpico de Roma contó con el arbitraje del suizo Massimo Busacca. Los goles fueron obra del camerunés Samuel Eto'o a los 10 minutos del primer tiempo y el argentino Lionel Messi en el minuto 70.

En el Manchester hubo decepción tras un arranque asediante y muy motivado, al recibir el primer gol perdieron la calma y vieneron las dudas. El portugués Cristiano Ronaldo lideró algunas opciones de gol, pero Barcelona terminó reduciendo el peligro con la posesión permanente del balón.

En sus declaraciones el atacante argentino del Barcelona autor del segundo gol calificó esta jornada como el triunfo más importante de su vida. Por su parte el técnico español Josep Guardiola no dudó en afirmar que Messi es actualmente "el mejor futbolista del mundo".

El encuentro fue seguido en diferentes puntos de Barcelona como el Maremágnum y el Miniestadi y al finalizar, las celebraciones por toda la ciudad no se hicieron esperar y se extendieron durante toda la noche, completando tres semanas de alegría tras sus otros títulos de la temporada.


Football : le FC Barcelone champion d'Europe 2009

Publié le 29 mai 2009   Champion d'Espagne et vainqueur de la Coupe du Roi[1], le FC Barcelone inscrit une nouvelle ligne à son palmarès avec la Ligue des Champions 2009. Au Stade olympique de Rome, le club espagnol a battu le tenant du titre Manchester United sur le score de 2-0.

Pour une première année à la tête du FC Barcelone, l'entraîneur Pep Guardiola a réussi le triplé Championnat-Coupe-Europe. Dans un match rapidement maîtrisé par ses joueurs, le FC Barcelone a remporté la Ligue des Champions en battant en finale Manchester United grâce à des buts du Camerounais Samuel Eto'o et de l'Argentin Lionel Messi.

Après dix minutes de domination mancunienne, le FC Barcelone ouvre le score par l'intermédiaire de Samuel Eto'o par une frappe extérieure du pied droit à la 10e minute. Le club espagnol prend alors le jeu à son compte, accapare le ballon grâce à ses talentueux milieux de terrain Andrés Iniesta et Xavi. En deuxième mi-temps, l'entraîneur mancunien Alex Ferguson fait rentrer des joueurs à vocation offensive (Dimitar Berbatov et Carlos Tévez) mais c'est Barcelone qui double la mise avec une tête de Lionel Messi à la réception d'un centre de Xavi à la 70e minute. Les dernières minutes ne changent rien au score et Manchester perd pour la première fois une finale européenne de son histoire. Le FC Barcelone quant à lui remporte sa troisième Ligue des Champions après 1992 et 2006.

Pep Guardiola qui a remporté cette compétition en tant que joueur devient la 6e personne à l'obtenir également en tant qu'entraîneur après Miguel Muñoz, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruijff, Carlo Ancelotti et Frank Rijkaard. Le FC Barcelone disputera la Coupe du monde des clubs 2009 en décembre aux Émirats arabes Unis en compagnie du CF Atlante, Auckland City FC et Al Ahly Dubaï en attendant les représentants des continents asiatiques, sud-américain et africain.


Barcelona vence Manchester United e garante título da Liga dos Campeões da UEFA de 2009

O time espanhol de futebol Barcelona venceu na tarde desta quarta-feira o time inglês Manchester United por 2 a 0 na final da Liga dos Campeões da UEFA de 2009, conquistando assim o título e garantindo vaga no Campeonato Mundial de Clubes da FIFA 2009. A vitória foi marcada pelos 2 gols do time catalão: o 1° do camaronês Samuel Eto'o (aos 10 minutos do 1º tempo) e o segundo do argentino Lionel Messi (aos 23 minutos do 2º tempo).

O português Cristiano Ronaldo (do Manchester United), uma das estrelas do jogo e do campeonato, acabou levando cartão amarelo no final devido ao nervosismo do jogo, mas em compensação, ele deu muito trabalho para a defesa do Barça. Porém, no duelo individual com o argentino Lionel Messi, do Barcelona, o português saiu perdendo. Messi foi melhor na partida o foi chamado pela torcida com "melhor do mundo".

Messi teve um grande aproveitamento nos passes. Em 51 tentativas, ele acertou 43 (aproveitamento de 84%), e Cristiano Ronaldo acertou 21 passes.

Com o seu gol no jogo, Lionel Messi garantiu a artilharia isolada na Liga dos Campeões de 2009 com 9 anos.

A conquista da Liga dos Campeões 2009 é o terceiro título do Barcelona no ano. Este ano, os torcedores do time espanhol já haviam celebrado o título Copa do Rei e do Campeonato Espanhol. Esta é a primeira vez que o Barcelona consegue conquistar três torneios em uma única temporada.


歐冠決賽：巴塞羅那2-0擊敗曼聯兼成為三冠王

欧洲冠军联赛在2009年5月27日在意大利羅馬羅馬奧林匹克體育場舉行決賽，結果巴塞罗那擊敗曼聯奪冠。

巴塞罗那早段在10分鐘憑萨缪埃尔·埃托奥打開紀錄。再於下半場70分鐘再由利昂内尔·梅西射進第二球，以2-0擊敗曼聯。巴塞罗那成為了國內聯賽、國內盃賽及欧洲冠军联赛三料冠軍。亦粉碎了曼聯奪四冠的希望（英超、聯賽盃、世界冠軍球會盃、歐冠）。而梅西成為了比賽的神射手，取得9個入球。


Barcelona win Champions League

Barcelona defeated Arsenal to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 1992. They had to come from a goal down to triumph against ten-man Arsenal. Jens Lehmann became the first player to be sent off in a final through bringing down Samuel Eto'o. Sol Campbell headed Arsenal into the lead from a Thierry Henry freekick, Samuel Eto'o equalized and later Juliano Belletti scored the decisive winner for Barcelona.


El Barça guanya la copa d'Europa de Futbol

17 de maig del 2006, Stade de France a Saint-Denis, París

El Futbol Club Barcelona s'ha proclamat campió de la Lliga de Campions de la UEFA després de vèncer per 2 a 1 a l'Arsenal FC anglès en la final de la competició disputada a l'Stade de France, situat a Saint-Denis, París.


Baseball, softball dropped from 2012 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee has announced today that baseball and softball are to be cut from Olympic competition from 2012. Rugby, karate, rollersports, golf, and squash have been rumored to be included. The IOC meets later today to discuss the new Olympic Program.

The vote, held in Singapore, surprised some supporters of the sports, who believed that there were enough votes to retain them.


Béisbol y sóftbol excluidos de Londres 2012

El Comité Olímpico Internacional aprobó en Singapur la exclusión del béisbol y del sóftbol de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012. Otros deportes como el kárate, el squash o el golf, que aspiraban a entrar en la familia olímpica tampoco lo consiguieron.

Nunca desde 1936 se había vuelto a producir la salida de ningún deporte de los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano, año en que el eliminado fue el polo.


Bayern Munich's technical director Michael Reschke leaves the club, becomes sporting director of VfB Stuttgart

Yesterday, German football club Bayern Munich announced their technical director Michael Reschke vacated his position. VfB Stuttgart, who announced parting ways with their sporting director Jan Schindelmeiser on Friday, recruited Reschke as their new sporting director.

59-year-old Reschke served as the technical director at the Bavarian club for the past three years, holding the position from July 2014. In an official statement issued by Stuttgart on Friday, the club's Supervisory Board made a "unanimous" decision to sack their sporting director Schindelmeiser. The board's chairman Wolfgang Dietrich said, "We regret having to take this step, but we were no longer convinced the implementation of our goals and achievement of agreed targets would be possible with the current personnel constellation. Ultimately, VfB Stuttgart takes top-priority and it is our absolute responsibility to make decisions for the good of the positive development of the club." ((de))German language: Wir bedauern diesen Schritt, waren letztlich aber nicht mehr davon überzeugt, dass die Umsetzung unserer Ziele und der getroffenen Absprachen in der bisherigen Personalkonstellation zu erreichen sind. Letztlich steht der VfB Stuttgart über allem und es ist unsere absolute Pflicht, Entscheidungen ausschließlich im Sinne des Vereins und im Sinne einer positiven Entwicklung zu treffen.

Bayern Munich's CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thanked Reschke for his work, saying, "On behalf of FC Bayern München, I’d like to thank him for the tremendous work he’s done for FC Bayern over the last three years. He’s made an important contribution to our success with his expertise, professionalism and network. I wish him all the best for the future." ((de))German language: Ich bedanke mich im Namen des FC Bayern München für die hervorragende Arbeit, die Michael Reschke in den vergangenen drei Jahren für den FC Bayern geleistet hat. Er hat mit seinem Fachwissen, seiner Professionalität und seinem Netzwerk einen wichtigen Beitrag zum Erfolg des FC Bayern geleistet. Ich wünsche ihm alles Gute für seine Zukunft.

On Friday, Reschke requested termination of his contract with the German giants, which was valid for another year, until June 30, 2018.


Bayerns Technischer Direktor Michael Reschke verlässt den Verein, wird Sportdirektor des VfB Stuttgart

München (Deutschland), 07.08.2017 – Der FC Bayern gab bekannt, dass sein Sportdirektor Michael Reschke den Verein verlassen werde. Er wird damit nicht arbeitslos, nach einer kurzen Übergangszeit wird er Sportvorstand beim VfB Stuttgart. Seit 2014 war Reschke beim FC Bayern. Jan Schindelmeiser, der bisherige Sportdirektor des VfB, ist bereits von seinen Aufgaben entbunden worden. Der Vorstandsvorsitzende vom VfB Stuttgart Wolfgang Dietrich sagte: "Wir bedauern diesen Schritt, waren letztlich aber nicht mehr davon überzeugt, dass die Umsetzung unserer Ziele und der getroffenen Absprachen in der bisherigen Personalkonstellation zu erreichen sind. Letztlich steht der VfB Stuttgart über allem und es ist unsere absolute Pflicht, Entscheidungen ausschließlich im Sinne des Vereins und im Sinne einer positiven Entwicklung zu treffen."

Bayerns Vorstandsvorsitzender Karl-Heinz Rummenigge dankte Reschke für seine Arbeit: "Ich bedanke mich im Namen des FC Bayern München für die hervorragende Arbeit, die Michael Reschke in den vergangenen drei Jahren für den FC Bayern geleistet hat. Er hat mit seinem Fachwissen, seiner Professionalität und seinem Netzwerk einen wichtigen Beitrag zum Erfolg des FC Bayern geleistet. Ich wünsche ihm alles Gute für seine Zukunft."


Beijing 2008 Olympics comes to a close

Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games

The 2008 Summer Olympics were formally declared closed during a colourful ceremony at the iconic Beijing National Stadium with the Olympics flag being handed over to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. It began at 8:00 P.M. China Standard Time (UTC+8), and took place at the Beijing National Stadium.

People's Republic of China topped the medals table at the Beijing Olympics with 51 golds while the United States of America came second with 36 and the Russian Federation finished third with 23.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declared the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games closed on Sunday.

"You have shown us the unifying power of sport," he told athletes in the National Stadium. "The world learned about China — and China learned about the world," he said. "And now, in accordance with tradition, I declare the Games of the XXIX Olympiad closed, and I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in London to celebrate the Games of the XXX Olympiad."

The Beijing Olympics lasted 16 days at the Olympic Village during which athletes from 204 countries participated in 38 contests for 302 gold medals. Host China maintained its supremacy on the medals table right from the beginning to the end of the Games.

The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in London in 2012.


Olympische Sommerspiele in Peking sind zu Ende

Peking (Volksrepublik China), 27.08.2008 – Am Sonntag, den 24. August haben 91.000 Zuschauer im Pekinger Nationalstadion die 29. Olympischen Sommerspiele nach 17 Tagen feierlich beendet.

Die Schlussfeier begann mit einem Feuerwerk. Der Starregisseur Zhang Yimou inszenierte dabei ein farbenfrohes Massenspektakel. Als Vorschau auf die Olympischen Spiele 2012 in London wurde ein achtminütiger Showteil eingebunden. Unter anderem traten der Fußballstar David Beckham, der Gitarrist der Rockgruppe Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, sowie Pop-Sängerin Leona Lewis auf. Sie spielten auf dem Dach eines englischen Doppeldecker-Busses. Fast 70 Popstars aus Hongkong, Taiwan, China und viele weiteren Ländern sangen den Titelsong der Feier, „Forever Friends“.

Bei den Olympischen Spielen waren 11.249 Athleten aus 204 Ländern in Peking zu Gast. Sportler aus 87 verschiedene Nationen konnten Medaillen gewinnen. China holte 51 Goldmedaillen und lag im Medaillenspiegel vor den Vereinigten Staaten und Russland.

IOC-Präsident Jacques Rogge hatte um 20.58 Uhr Ortszeit (14.58 Uhr MESZ) die Spiele für beendet erklärt. Um 21.23 Uhr Ortszeit (15.24 Uhr MESZ) erlosch das olympische Feuer. Pekings Bürgermeister Guo Jinlong übergab die olympische Fahne an seinen Londoner Amtskollegen Boris Johnson. Die Olympischen Spiele in London finden vom 27. Juli bis zum 12. August 2012 statt.

Bei den Spielen gab es zehn Dopingfälle, drei Medaillen wurden bis zum Schlusstag aberkannt, was von Beobachtern als verhältnismäßig „positive Bilanz“ gewertet wurde.


Finalizan los Juegos Olímpicos de Beijing 2008

24 de agosto de 2008Beijing, China —Con una imponente ceremonia que duró dos horas, se despidieron los Juegos Olímpicos de Beijing 2008 en el estadio nacional de la capital china. De esta manera, concluyeron los 16 días de competencia y las 306 pruebas de este evento, que costó alrededor de 41.442 millones de dólares.

En el acto de cierre, participaron 396 bailarines alrededor de una estructura metálica. Los actores dibujaban figuras con sus cuerpos bajo una especie de "cinta de luz". El pebetero, que se apagaba lentamente, causó el momento más emotivo de la noche.

"Con estos Juegos, el mundo aprendió mucho de China y China aprendió mucho del resto del mundo", dijo el presidente del Comité Olímpico Internacional (COI), Jacques Rogge, en su discurso final. Además, calificó a estos juegos como "verdaderamente excepcionales".

Asimismo, habló el jefe del comité organizador, Liu Qi. El también presidente del Partido Comunista de China agradeció al COI, las federaciones deportivas internacionales, los comités olímpicos nacionales y todos los "amigos que contribuyeron al éxito de los Juegos". Según Qi, este evento es "un testimonio del hecho de que el mundo recuperó su confianza en China".

El COI le otorgó ocho minutos a Londres, próxima sede de los Juegos Olímpicos. Entonces, aparecieron en la ceremonia el clásico bus rojo de dos pisos, con David Beckham como pasajero estrella. El jugador de fútbol fue el embajador de los futuros Juegos, que se realizarán entre julio y agosto de 2012.


Il sacro fuoco di Olimpia si spegne su Pechino, ma l'ombra già si proietta a Londra 2012

Dal severo Guo Jinlong all'intraprendente Boris Johnson, passando per Jacques Rogge, il passaggio della bandiera con i cinque cerchi segna la fine dell'Olimpiade cinese e da il via al quadriennio di attesa che si concluderà a Londra, nel 2012, con l'apertura della trentesima edizione dei Giochi Olimpici.

La cerimonia di chiusura è iniziata puntualmente alle 14 ore italiana, aperta dal countdown a -29 secondi, richiamando il numero dell'edizione di queste olimpiadi (appunto, la 29°esima), prima attraverso computer grafica sugli schermi dello stadio e poi nei cieli a partire da -10 secondi, con l'ausilio dei fuochi artificiali.

Un minuto dopo, la bandiera della Cina si alza seguita dall'inno cinese, che apre ufficialmente gli spettacoli di questa cerimonia. L'inno è seguito dalla proiezioni di un breve video in computer grafica che mostra le figure di alcuni atleti nei vari stati del mondo. Da ogni territorio, si leva poi una linea color bianco che va a formare una spirale intorno al nome di "Beijing" (Pechino).

Segue il vero spettacolo che vede all'opera 7.000 figuranti, che vestono abiti tipici della cultura cinese di colore giallo-arancio, che scandiscono a suon di tamburo la musica. Nello stesso frangente di tempo entrano in scena dei tamburi giganti che volano intorno alla zona in cui si sta svolgendo lo spettacolo, mentre entrano in scena da 4 diversi punti, donne vestite di giallo che indossano campanellini argentati e piccoli led luminosi.

Si viene a formare un cerchio completo, definito dai telecronisti di Rai Due che seguivano l'evento, il cerchio cinese. Si esibiscono nei pressi del cerchio le donne con i campanellini, andando a formare figure di diverso tipo: a raggiera, a cerchio, a fiore per poi distendersi per tutto lo stadio, formando un piccolo disegno. Su questo disegno sfileranno, pochi minuti più tardi, 60 ruote di luce, seguiti ancor prima da 8 carri a forma di vela.

A 15 minuti dall'inizio della cerimonia, si chiude il primo spettacolo, che dall'alto assume colori stupendi, che vanno dalle tonalità giallo-rosse a quelle celesti-fucsia.

Così, alle 14:16, si parte con la sfilata delle delegazioni, costituita solo dai portabandiera, che è stata divisa in 2: la prima partita dal lato di sinistra ha visto entrare per prima la Grecia, la seconda, dalla parte destra, ha visto sfilare per prima l'Arabia Saudita. Le varie delegazioni, seguendo un percorso preciso, si sono disposte in cerchio. 5 minuti dopo entrano gli atleti delle varie nazioni che hanno partecipato a questa olimpiade, in ordine sparso, per tutto lo stadio.

Nel frattempo, sul cerchio cinese, si esibiscono delle tamburine vestite di rosso e due bambine, al centro, alla batteria.

Dopo aver contenuto la gioia di tutti gli atleti ed aver ricomposto le varie file, avviene la cerimonia di premiazione della maratona, che ha visto al primo posto il kenyano Samuel Kamau Wansiru, seguito a 44 secondi dal marocchino Jaouad Gharib ed il bronzo dell'etiope Tsegay Kebede.

Dopo la premiazione, con la consegna delle ultime medaglie di questa olimpiade, sono seguiti l'incontro dei volontari con i nuovi eletti del Comitato Olimpico Internazionale (CIO) e l'inno della Grecia, la nazione da cui sono nate le olimpiadi.

Alle 14:50 circa, hanno preso parola Hu Jintao e Jacques Rogge.

Il presidente del CIO ha affermato: «Il mondo ha imparato qualcosa di più della Cina e la Cina ha imparato qualcosa sul mondo. Questa notte giungono alla fine 16 giorni gloriosi di gara che ricorderemo per sempre. Grazie al popolo cinese, a tutti i meravigliosi volontari del BOCOG. Gli atleti di 204 comitati olimpici hanno illuminato gli impianti, nuove stelle sono nate, stelle dei passati Giochi ci hanno meravigliato di nuovo. Abbiamo condiviso la loro gioia, le loro lacrime, e siamo rimasti impressionati dalla loro abilità. Ricorderemo a lungo i risultati a cui abbiamo assistito».

Rogge ha chiuso il suo discorso con un'affermazione sullo spirito olimpico: «Voi atleti siete dei modelli di comportamento avete mostrato il potere unificante dello sport. Lo spirito olimpico vive nel caldo abbraccio di atleti rivali provenienti da nazioni in guerra. Tenete vivo questo spirito quando ritornerete a casa. Sono stati davvero dei Giochi eccezionali».

Dopo i due discorsi, arriva il momento dell'alzabandiera della Gran Bretagna accompagnata dal suo inno nazionale, nazione che ospiterà la prossima edizione dei Giochi olimpici, seguito subito dopo dall'inno greco, cantato, come è stato per la cerimonia d'apertura, da bambini cinesi.

Terminato il piccolo spettacolo pirotecnico composto dai cerchi olimpici, fanno il loro ingresso nel Nido d'uccello, il sindaco di Pechino Guo Jinlong ed il sindaco di Londra Boris Johnson, che si recano insieme al portabandiera del CIO, da Jacques Rogge. La scaletta ha visto passare la bandiera dal primo cittadino di Pechino al presidente del CIO, e da questo al primo cittadino di Londra. Tutto questo per segnare il passaggio del testimone dei giochi olimpici.

Alle 15:08 sugli schermi dello stadio viene mandata in onda un promo delle prossime olimpiadi, che si concentra sulla fermata ed il percorso di un autobus: innovativa e dai colori brillanti, la pubblicità ha rispecchiato la vita londinese ed ha fatto vedere un po' della sua città. Ma tutto ciò si è trasformato in realtà, con l'autobus doppio girare per lo stadio. Un autobus tipico londinese, colore rosso, con la scritta "London - Beijing - London" e davanti "London 2012".

Dal mezzo scende una bambina di 9 anni che si scambia con una bambina cinese un pallone da calcio. Fatta risalire su di esso dopo aver attraversato un tappeto su cui sono state disegnate delle striscie pedonali, ed accompagnato dal vigile, il bus si è subito trasformato in un palco, che ha visto protagonisti  Leona Lewis e Jimmy Page con la canzone "Whole Lotta Love". Dallo stesso palchetto è poi emerso dal basso David Beckham che ha calciato il pallone verso la platea.

Alle 15:19 si apre l'ultima parte della cerimonia: uno schermo con la tabella di partenze e arrivi di un aereoporto internazionale, una scala che conduce all'ingresso di un aereo immaginario, tre persone che guardano verso la fiamma olimpica ed una pergamena, quella stessa pergamena, anche se ridotta, che alla cerimonia d'apertura conteneva un particolare disegno. Elementi che hanno dato il saluto a Pechino e che hanno seguito lo spegnimento della fiamma olimpica: momento, accompagnato da una colonna sonora malinconica, per dire che Pechino difficilmente dimenticherà questi Giochi, ed una tela su cui vengono inseriti i vari video dei momenti più belli delle giornate passate, che pian piano si congiungono fino a raggiungere il sacro fuoco di Olimpia, che di fronte ai 3 viaggiatori, si spegne, lasciando il segno nella Cina moderna. Alle 15:24 del 24/08/2008 la fiamma olimpica inizia così il viaggio, anche se non realmente, per raggiungere nel 2012 Londra.

Nel frattempo a Buckingham Palace era iniziato il "London 2012 Party" una festa - concerto che ha dato inizio alla preparazione per questi prossimi giochi olimpici.

Ma lo spettacolo non si conclude con questo triste momento, bensì continua, e vede l'inizio del segmento "Carnevale - Io amo Pechino", che vede protagonisti 396 figuranti, che si dispongono sulla "Torre del Ricordo", simulando il movimento della fiamma olimpica. La torre si tinge di azzurro, e grazie ai movimenti artistici dei cinesi presenti sull'edificio, viene simulato l'apertura di 3 boccioli di fiori di rosa, color rosso vivo, in perfetta sincronia.

Alcuni dei figuranti scesi poco prima, risalgono velocemente lungo la torre formando una spirale color arancio, e che viene pian piano ricoperta da dei teli dalle tonalità giallo-arancio che si elevano in aria, scoprendo la torre che vede raffigurato il logo delle Olimpiadi di Pechino 2008, costituito da tutti e 396 gli uomini partecipanti a questa segmento dello spettacolo.

Una serie di artisti e cantanti si esibiscono in quest'ultimo pezzo, ridonando un po' di allegria alla cerimonia. Pezzo giovanile e brillante, moderno che rispecchia lo stile del video proiettato minuti prima sulle olimpiadi di Londra.

La cerimonia si conclude con il fastoso spettacolo pirotecnico, da 19 punti della città, che illumina parte della città a giorno.

A cerimonia conclusa il presidente del CONI, Gianni Petrucci, durante la conferenza stampa ha dichiarato: «Erano Olimpiadi difficili, lo sono state. Per questo arrivare noni, superare la Francia dopo 24 anni, è un risultato importante. Certo, ci sono state anche delle delusioni. Ma se per il World Economic Forum, l'Italia è al numero 46 su 125 Paesi censiti, nel medagliere olimpico siamo noni su 204. Ci sono stati più finalisti rispetto ad Atene. Per andare avanti servono cose che in Italia non ci sono. Ci vogliono tante risorse, noi non ce la facciamo».

Si chiudono così i Giochi di questa ventinovesima edizione, che hanno visto primeggiare la Cina, seguita subito dopo dagli Stati Uniti d'America, nel medagliere. Una edizione al centro dei dibattiti sui diritti umani, sin dal suo primo annuncio. Il testimone ora è nelle mani della capitale britannica, che dovrà cercare di ripetere, seppur con un budget minimo, lo spettacolo svoltosi nella capitale cinese.


Encerram-se os Jogos Olímpicos de Pequim 2008

Pequim, China • 24 de agosto de 2008

Com uma impressionante cerimônia que durou duas horas, se despedem os Jogos Olímpicos de Pequim 2008, no Estádio Nacional no capital da China. Desta maneira, concluiram os 16 dias de competição e 306 ensaios sobre este evento, que custou ao redor de 41.442 milhões de dólares.

Em ato de encerramento, participaram 396 bailarinos ao redor de uma estrutura metálica. Os atores com desenho de figuras com seus corpos sob uma espécie de "cinta de luz". O cauldron, que se apagava lentamente, causou o momento mais emotivo da noite.

"Com estes jogos, o mundo aprendeu muito da China e China tenha aprendido muito do resto do mundo", disse o presidente do Comitê Olímpico Internacional (COI), Jacques Rogge, no seu discurso final. Além disso, classificou a esses jogos descritos como "verdadeiramente excepcionais."

Além disso, falou o chefe da comissão organizador, Liu Qi. É também presidente do Partido Comunista da China agradeceu ao COI, das federações esportivas internacionais, dos comitês olímpicos nacionais e todos os "amigos que contribuíram ao êxito dos Jogos." Segundo Qi, este evento é "uma prova para o fato de que o mundo recuperou sua confiança na China".

O COI lhe ortogou oito minutos à Londres próxima sede dos Jogos Olímpicos. Em seguida, apareceram na cerimônia o clássico ônibus vermelho de dois pisos, com David Beckham como passageiro estrela. O jogador de futebol foi o embaixador dos futuros Jogos, que se realizarão entre julho e agosto de 2012.


第二十九屆奧林匹克運動會結束閉幕儀式倫敦接棒

第二十九屆奧林匹克運動會所有賽事結束，17日賽事共頒發302面金牌，中國佔51面，成為金牌數目之冠，亦是中國於奧運史上奪金最多的一屆。但以總獎牌數目計，則美國以110面獎牌稱冠。

閉幕式於北京時間晚上8時於俗稱鳥巢的國家體育館舉行。

首個表演名為「相聚‧迎賓」，二百名鼓手一同擊鼓，兩個名為「天鼓」的巨型大鼓升起，而四周60輛光速飛輪流動穿梭，200名彈跳飛人奔騰翻轉。表演者列陣，形成一條通道，然後各國運動員代表陸續進入場館。

上屆雅雅典奧運，籌辦組織認為馬拉松是最能代表奧運精神，因此於閉幕禮為馬拉松頒獎，今屆沿用這個概念，於閉幕式上進行了男子馬拉松頒獎儀式。

冠軍肯尼亞選手塞繆爾-卡馬烏、亞軍摩洛哥選手賈-加裡普和季軍埃塞俄比亞選手特-凱比蒂在頒獎儀式上分別上台領獎。選手領獎後會場奏起冠軍卡馬烏所屬的肯尼亞國歌。

馬拉松頒獎儀式後，今屆奧運的志願者進場並接受獻花。

然後是國際奧委會主席和北京奧組委主席一起進場，並分別致辭。

倫敦市長和北京市長進場，進行奧運五環旗轉交儀式。北京市長郭金龍把奧運五環旗移交國際奧委會主席羅格，羅格再將五環旗移交倫敦市長鮑里斯。接著由下一屆2012年奧運的主辦城市倫敦的8分鐘演出。

一輛倫敦2012號雙層巴士進場，一些英國的表演人士也陸續進場，接著他們排隊上巴士，跟著一位小女孩從巴士出來，她拿著一個足球。

英國足球明星贝克汉姆、歌手利昂娜(Leona Lewis)，以及結他手吉米佩奇(Jimmy Page)表演。碧咸接過小女孩的足球，並把足球踢出。

倫敦的8分鐘演出完畢後，三名運動員慢步走上舷梯，其中一人拿出一卷軸，並慢慢展開，同時鳥巢「碗邊」出現過去16天運動員領獎牌的影象；最後，運動員把卷軸捲回時，聖火隨之慢慢熄滅。

一個名為「記憶之塔」的台慢慢升起，16條祥雲紗沿記憶之塔升起，變成一顆祥雲之樹，表演者在祥雲之樹上砌出北京奧運的標誌。

跟著是煙花表演。

第三個環節名為「狂歡」，8名打擊樂手、64名女子二胡樂手演奏著激情的音樂；6名中外歌手包括王力宏、RAIN、譚晶、陳慧琳、韓雪、師鵬，合唱歌曲《北京，北京，我愛北京》。

然後是西班牙男高音歌唱家杜明高(Plácido Domingo)與內地著名女歌手宋祖英合歌一曲《愛的火焰》，西班牙男高音杜明高更以普通話獻唱。

接著是50名國內青年歌手以及多位香港歌手齊聲合唱；另外75名空中特技演員身著發光飛翔服裝做升降、旋轉的空間表演。「記憶之塔」上的表演者又把手中的福娃祥雲紗拋向場內。

整個閉幕式亦在一片歌聲中完結。


Beijing 2008: Michael Phelps wins eighth gold

American swimmer Michael Phelps, 23, has set a new record for the most gold medals won in one Olympic games by winning his eighth gold medal of the 2008 Olympic games, beating the previous world record of seven that was set by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Olympic Games, which took place in Munich, Germany.

Phelps' eighth medal was won in the final of the men's 4 x 100m medley relay. In addition to Phelps, Aaron Piersol, Brendan Hansen, and Jason Lezak were in the winning Olympic team, which had a time of 3:29.34, which was a new world record. In seven of his eight races, Phelps set or contributed to a new world record time. He set an Olympic record time in the remaining race.

"With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination," said Phelps after realizing he had set the new medals record. "There are so many emotions going through my head and so much excitement. I kind of just want to see my mom."

"Without the help of my team-mates this isn't possible," he continued. "I was able to be a part of three relays and we were able to put up a solid team effort and we came together as one unit. For the three Olympics I've been a part of, this is by far the closest men's team that we've ever had. I didn't know everybody coming into this Olympics, but I feel going out I know every single person very well. The team that we had is the difference."

Grant Hackett, an Australian swimmer, praised Phelps for achieving his goal. "Michael Phelps - you can't put it in words what he has done here, his level of achievement is phenomenal and I don't think it will ever be seen again."


Michael Phelps přepsal olympijskou historii

Fenomenální americký plavec Michael Phelps splnil své předsevzetí a na letošních olympijských hrách získal osm zlatých medailí. Tím překonal rekord svého krajana Marka Spitze a stal se nejúspěšnějším sportovcem v historii olympiád. Phelps se o překonání rekordu pokoušel již před čtyřmi léty na hrách v Aténách, tam však získal „pouze“ šest zlatých a dvě bronzové medaile. Celkem má Phelps čtrnáct zlatých a dvě bronzové medaile, takže má velké šance překonat i absolutní rekord v počtu medailí, který drží sovětská gymnastka Larisa Latyninová.


Pechino 2008, Nuoto: nei 4x100 misti oro per gli USA, record per Phelps

Michael Phelps ha guidato alla vittoria la squadra statunitense della staffetta 4x100m misti nelle Olimpiadi cinesi raggiungendo così quota 8 medaglie d'oro vinte in un'unica edizione dei Giochi.

La staffetta statunitense, composta da Aaron Peirsol (dorso), Brendan Hansen (rana), Michael Phelps (farfalla) e Jason Lezak (stile libero), ha completato la gara in 3’29"34 (parziali: 53"16, 59"27, 50"15, 46"76) precedendo gli australiani, giunti secondo con il tempo di 3’30"04, e i russi (3’31"18) che hanno anche stabilito il nuovo record europeo. La staffetta italiana era giunta ultima ma è stata squalificata per partenza anticipata da parte di Filippo Magnini.

Phelps, quindi, vincendo l'ottava medaglia ha superato il record di vittorie in un'unica edizione delle Olimpiadi stabilito da Mark Spitz nel 1972 che vinse 7 medaglie d'oro nelle gare di 200m farfalla, 4x200m stile libero, 200m stile libero, 200m farfalla e 4x200m stile libero. il nuotatore di Baltimora, invece, ha trionfato nelle gare di 200m stile libero (1'42"96, record del mondo), 100m farfalla (50"58, record olimpico), 200m farfalla (1'52"03, record del mondo), 200m misti (1'54"23, record del mondo), 400m misti (4'03"84, record del mondo) e nelle staffette 4x100m stile libero (3'08"24, record del mondo), 4x200m sl (7'03"24, record del mondo), 4x100m misti (3'29"34, record del mondo).

Al termine della gara Phelps ha voluto ringraziare i suoi compagni di squadra definendoli «straordinari. Questa gara ha mostrato il grande lavoro di squadra che è stato fatto e la grande coesione che ci unisce. Sono fiero di far parte di questo quartetto [...] Sognavo di fare qualcosa che nessuno aveva mai fatto in questo sport. Ci sono riuscito. Ma senza l’aiuto dei miei compagni sarebbe stato impossibile [...] Niente è impossibile se si affronta con fantasia». Il ventitreenne ha poi concluso dicendo: «Ho solo voglia di vedere la mamma».


Phelps leva oitavo ouro e deixa Pequim com o título de maior atleta olímpico

O nadador americano Brandon Hansen passou o bastão para Michael Phelps na terceira colocação. Com a uma incrível virada colocou a equipe dos Estados Unidos na liderança da final do 4x100m livre, a última prova da natação nos Jogos de Pequim. Jason Lesak, que já havia “salvado a medalha no 4x100m medley”, precisava segurar o australiano Eamon Sullivan e garantir a oitava medalha de ouro de Phelps. Foi sofrido, mas Lesak bateu na frente, e Phelps se despediu da China como o maior campeão olímpico da história.


新水怪菲比斯奧運8金創歷史新一頁

美國泳手菲比斯於北京奧運不斷打破世界紀錄奪金，並定下目標，要拿下8面金牌，最終於今日男子100米混合泳接力勝出，達到8金目標，除打破了史匹茲於1972年奧運會上獨得7金的紀錄，成為於一屆奧運中取得最多金牌的人之外，個人累積奧運金牌數目亦達14面，是歷來最多奧運金牌的人。

菲比斯的8面金牌分別於400米個人混合泳、4x100米自由泳接力、200米自由泳、200米蝶泳、4x200米自由泳接力、200米個人混合泳、100米蝶泳及4x100米混合泳接力中奪得，除了100米蝶泳外，全部都以破世界紀錄成績獲勝。

他在創造8金歷史後，於訪問中表示，只想趕快見媽媽。他稱感覺就像往上衝的過山車，就是好玩。