Tuesday, August 31, 2004
World Cup of Hockey Preview
The Toyota World Cup of Hockey started Monday with Finland knocking off the Czech Republic. The World Cup is the premier international hockey tournament in the World. The USA is the defending champs when they beat the Canadians 2 games to 1. The tournament's format is two groups. One of the groups are based in North America containing USA, Canada, Slovakia, and Russia. The other group contains Finland, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Germany. Each team will play a round robin first round for seeding then play a one game playoff with 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 in their respective pools. The semis will match up the 1 v 2 teams from opposite groups. The winners advance to the Championship game.
My Predictions for the Tournament starting with the semis.
USA-Sweden
Sweden wins this matchup due to their skill ability and their experience. The USA team is just too inexperienced on the Defensive end of the ice and it costs them with a 4-2 loss on their own ice.
Canada-Finland
Canada wins this game by a score of 5-1. Canada is the class of this tournament led by Mario and Jarome.
Canada wins the tournament with ease over the Swedish team.
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The Toyota World Cup of Hockey started Monday with Finland knocking off the Czech Republic. The World Cup is the premier international hockey tournament in the World. The USA is the defending champs when they beat the Canadians 2 games to 1. The tournament's format is two groups. One of the groups are based in North America containing USA, Canada, Slovakia, and Russia. The other group contains Finland, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Germany. Each team will play a round robin first round for seeding then play a one game playoff with 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 in their respective pools. The semis will match up the 1 v 2 teams from opposite groups. The winners advance to the Championship game.
My Predictions for the Tournament starting with the semis.
USA-Sweden
Sweden wins this matchup due to their skill ability and their experience. The USA team is just too inexperienced on the Defensive end of the ice and it costs them with a 4-2 loss on their own ice.
Canada-Finland
Canada wins this game by a score of 5-1. Canada is the class of this tournament led by Mario and Jarome.
Canada wins the tournament with ease over the Swedish team.
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On the Road to Germany
The USA Men's Soccer Team plays El Salvador on September 4th in Foxboro Massachusetts and Panama in Panama City on September 8th. Both games will be on Fox Sports World "America's Soccer Channel."
Any thoughts about this upcoming game?
Here is the roster
ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard (Manchester United), Kasey Keller (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonny Walker (MetroStars)
Defenders (8) Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Cory Gibbs (Dallas Burn), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Eddie Pope (MetroStars), Greg Vanney (SC Bastia)
Midfielders (8) DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Landon Donovan, (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Gaven (MetroStars), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Lewis (Preston North End), Clint Mathis (Hannover 96), Claudio Reyna (Manchester City), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards)
Forwards (4): Conor Casey (FSV Mainz), Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Johnson (Dallas Burn), Brian McBride (Fulham FC)
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The USA Men's Soccer Team plays El Salvador on September 4th in Foxboro Massachusetts and Panama in Panama City on September 8th. Both games will be on Fox Sports World "America's Soccer Channel."
Any thoughts about this upcoming game?
Here is the roster
ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard (Manchester United), Kasey Keller (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonny Walker (MetroStars)
Defenders (8) Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Cory Gibbs (Dallas Burn), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Eddie Pope (MetroStars), Greg Vanney (SC Bastia)
Midfielders (8) DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Landon Donovan, (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Gaven (MetroStars), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Lewis (Preston North End), Clint Mathis (Hannover 96), Claudio Reyna (Manchester City), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards)
Forwards (4): Conor Casey (FSV Mainz), Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Johnson (Dallas Burn), Brian McBride (Fulham FC)
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Friday, August 27, 2004
The End of an Era
The United States Men's Basketball team lost today to Argentina. This game was dominated by Manu Ginobil and his precise passing and shooting of the ball. The United States team could not get into any offensive flow and could not stop the screen and roll of the Argentine National Team. What do the loyal Toad readers have to say about this loss?
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The United States Men's Basketball team lost today to Argentina. This game was dominated by Manu Ginobil and his precise passing and shooting of the ball. The United States team could not get into any offensive flow and could not stop the screen and roll of the Argentine National Team. What do the loyal Toad readers have to say about this loss?
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Monday, August 23, 2004
Now the Medal Round
USA-Spain
I believe the USA team loses this game because of their inexperience and plus Spain has the best player in the tournament in Pau Gasol. This guy is a huge match-up problem for the USA team thus making the USA lose. Also, the USA can not hit the outside shot like usual.
China-Lithuania
Lithuania wins this game with sheer talent in terms of Songalia and the other players on the team. China has one player and that is Yao Ming everyone else are marginal players.
Puerto Rico-Italy
This is the game of the round. Carlos Arroyo vs the guards of the Italian team. Carlos lit up the USA guards in the shocking upset and I expect him to have a good game but Italy wins the game because they are much deeper and can jack up the threes.
Argentina-Greece
Come on, Can Greece pull off this upset? I don't think so but Argentina did lose two games in the prelims including a one point loss to Italy. I just think that Argentina is a deeper team and will pull this game out.
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USA-Spain
I believe the USA team loses this game because of their inexperience and plus Spain has the best player in the tournament in Pau Gasol. This guy is a huge match-up problem for the USA team thus making the USA lose. Also, the USA can not hit the outside shot like usual.
China-Lithuania
Lithuania wins this game with sheer talent in terms of Songalia and the other players on the team. China has one player and that is Yao Ming everyone else are marginal players.
Puerto Rico-Italy
This is the game of the round. Carlos Arroyo vs the guards of the Italian team. Carlos lit up the USA guards in the shocking upset and I expect him to have a good game but Italy wins the game because they are much deeper and can jack up the threes.
Argentina-Greece
Come on, Can Greece pull off this upset? I don't think so but Argentina did lose two games in the prelims including a one point loss to Italy. I just think that Argentina is a deeper team and will pull this game out.
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Sunday, August 22, 2004
Beach Volleyball: Beach Party or Sport?
Beach volleyball got its start back in the 1920s in Santa Monica, California, where families would play each other on the beach. It wasn't until 1996 that the sport was accepted by the IOC as an Olympic sport. This time around, beach volleyball seems to have really caught on. Many Olympic venues have been near empty, but the 10,000 seat Olympic Beach Volleyball Center in Athens has been largely sold out at evening sessions.
While some may argue that the competiveness of the sport is what draws fans, its most likely the party atmosphere with loud music and the dancing bikini cheerleaders making the difference. "Beach volleyball provides everything a fan could want in a sport: sand, sun, beer, loud music, fantastic athletes, exciting matches, incredible performances, people waving flags of every nation, crazed Brazilian fans and, of course, beautiful women in bikinis," ESPN.com's Page2 Jim Caple wrote.
Personally, I'll take Beach Volleyball over Indoor Volleyball anyday. In indoor volleyball, the court seems too crowded- with beach volleyball, you watch two players trying to defend an entire court. It is just a more fun and enjoying atmosphere in my mind. Sure it helps that there are only a total of 3 games in match for beach volleyball, compared to the 5 in indoor volleyball (great for those who have a short attention span). Plus, the US team has two strong women's teams (McPeak&Youngs/Walsh&May) who will play each other in the semifinal game.
"As you watch some athletes, you marvel at their enormous talent and dedication. Other athletes make you shake your head at their incredible stamina. With others, you simply wonder whether they have to pay postage for their BALCO shipments. With beach volleyball players, however, you wonder how much sunscreen they go through in a season," Caple said.
"The highlight was when the announcer broke the crowd into three groups and had them sing a traditional American song, as follows:
FIRST GROUP: THAT'S the way!
SECOND GROUP: Uh-HUH uh-HUH!
THIRD GROUP: I LIKE it!
It was a true Olympic moment -- people from many nations joining together in the spirit of friendship, of understanding, of KC, and -- above all -- of the Sunshine Band," writes humor columnist Dave Barry of the Miami Herald.
So what do you think of beach volleyball? Beach party or Olympic sport?
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Beach volleyball got its start back in the 1920s in Santa Monica, California, where families would play each other on the beach. It wasn't until 1996 that the sport was accepted by the IOC as an Olympic sport. This time around, beach volleyball seems to have really caught on. Many Olympic venues have been near empty, but the 10,000 seat Olympic Beach Volleyball Center in Athens has been largely sold out at evening sessions.
While some may argue that the competiveness of the sport is what draws fans, its most likely the party atmosphere with loud music and the dancing bikini cheerleaders making the difference. "Beach volleyball provides everything a fan could want in a sport: sand, sun, beer, loud music, fantastic athletes, exciting matches, incredible performances, people waving flags of every nation, crazed Brazilian fans and, of course, beautiful women in bikinis," ESPN.com's Page2 Jim Caple wrote.
Personally, I'll take Beach Volleyball over Indoor Volleyball anyday. In indoor volleyball, the court seems too crowded- with beach volleyball, you watch two players trying to defend an entire court. It is just a more fun and enjoying atmosphere in my mind. Sure it helps that there are only a total of 3 games in match for beach volleyball, compared to the 5 in indoor volleyball (great for those who have a short attention span). Plus, the US team has two strong women's teams (McPeak&Youngs/Walsh&May) who will play each other in the semifinal game.
"As you watch some athletes, you marvel at their enormous talent and dedication. Other athletes make you shake your head at their incredible stamina. With others, you simply wonder whether they have to pay postage for their BALCO shipments. With beach volleyball players, however, you wonder how much sunscreen they go through in a season," Caple said.
"The highlight was when the announcer broke the crowd into three groups and had them sing a traditional American song, as follows:
FIRST GROUP: THAT'S the way!
SECOND GROUP: Uh-HUH uh-HUH!
THIRD GROUP: I LIKE it!
It was a true Olympic moment -- people from many nations joining together in the spirit of friendship, of understanding, of KC, and -- above all -- of the Sunshine Band," writes humor columnist Dave Barry of the Miami Herald.
So what do you think of beach volleyball? Beach party or Olympic sport?
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Thursday, August 19, 2004
Badminton
They say it is the fastest sport in the world but is it? So I sat down and watched the Gold Medal match between China and Great Britain. The match had everything you wanted in sports, a great game, drama, and a raucous crowd. I could not believe how much effort goes into every single point. What do the loyal toad readers think of this sport?
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They say it is the fastest sport in the world but is it? So I sat down and watched the Gold Medal match between China and Great Britain. The match had everything you wanted in sports, a great game, drama, and a raucous crowd. I could not believe how much effort goes into every single point. What do the loyal toad readers think of this sport?
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Sunday, August 15, 2004
Basketball: Olympics & NBA
Team USA started their Olympic run today against Puerto Rico in a preliminary game. They were blown away and lost 92-73 making it the first time that Americans have lost an Olympic game since allowing NBA players on the roster. The Puerto Ricans have lost to the USA five times since last July making this defeat a very embarassing one. This loss, however, has not really hurt the team's shot at the gold, just their confidence. The team has to place in the top four of a six-team group to move onto the quarterfinals. I think this loss only proves the team's inconsistency- losing to lower-ranked teams and beating the tougher teams.
One of my friends showed me this article clip from espn.com and I just laughed when I read it:
"I'm from the 'hood, and we used to love playing the local preparatory school because our lives in the inner city, economically, the drug dealers we saw, the people we saw getting murdered, gave us a toughness in life. One where we're living for other people and that no day is promised. Basketball is real serious to me," Webber told the Sacramento Bee.
Here's my issue: Guess where Webber went to high school?
Detroit Country Day.
No, not Detroit Urban Day. Not Detroit City Day. But Detroit Country Day.
His good buddy Jalen Rose went to Southwestern, which happens to be in the 'hood, but Webber himself went to Country Day, whose tuition is probably more than the gross national product of Guam.
Yeah, I go to Country Day, and I remember our headmaster talking at the press conference announcing that our high school wasn't going to give up our state championships. The majority of the school supported that decision because there was no clear proof that Webber was given money. So yeah, that clip was pretty irrelevant. Oh well, I'm having knee surgery tomorrow so I'm not sure when I'll update next...
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Team USA started their Olympic run today against Puerto Rico in a preliminary game. They were blown away and lost 92-73 making it the first time that Americans have lost an Olympic game since allowing NBA players on the roster. The Puerto Ricans have lost to the USA five times since last July making this defeat a very embarassing one. This loss, however, has not really hurt the team's shot at the gold, just their confidence. The team has to place in the top four of a six-team group to move onto the quarterfinals. I think this loss only proves the team's inconsistency- losing to lower-ranked teams and beating the tougher teams.
One of my friends showed me this article clip from espn.com and I just laughed when I read it:
"I'm from the 'hood, and we used to love playing the local preparatory school because our lives in the inner city, economically, the drug dealers we saw, the people we saw getting murdered, gave us a toughness in life. One where we're living for other people and that no day is promised. Basketball is real serious to me," Webber told the Sacramento Bee.
Here's my issue: Guess where Webber went to high school?
Detroit Country Day.
No, not Detroit Urban Day. Not Detroit City Day. But Detroit Country Day.
His good buddy Jalen Rose went to Southwestern, which happens to be in the 'hood, but Webber himself went to Country Day, whose tuition is probably more than the gross national product of Guam.
Yeah, I go to Country Day, and I remember our headmaster talking at the press conference announcing that our high school wasn't going to give up our state championships. The majority of the school supported that decision because there was no clear proof that Webber was given money. So yeah, that clip was pretty irrelevant. Oh well, I'm having knee surgery tomorrow so I'm not sure when I'll update next...
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Monday, August 09, 2004
2004 Olympic Preview
At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the U.S. won 97 medals. For the 2004 Games, the U.S. Olympic committee (USOC) hopes to take 100 medals.
Men's soccer and baseball failed to qualify for 2004 Olympics. At Sydney, men's soccer placed fourth and hoping was to build on that performance, but failed to qualify. In fact, none of the top four teams from 2000 qualified for Athens making Argentina a strong favorite. Baseball was the defending Olympic champion.
To read 300 word briefs on each of the main Olympic sports (men's/women's swimming, track, bball, softball), click here.
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At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the U.S. won 97 medals. For the 2004 Games, the U.S. Olympic committee (USOC) hopes to take 100 medals.
Men's soccer and baseball failed to qualify for 2004 Olympics. At Sydney, men's soccer placed fourth and hoping was to build on that performance, but failed to qualify. In fact, none of the top four teams from 2000 qualified for Athens making Argentina a strong favorite. Baseball was the defending Olympic champion.
To read 300 word briefs on each of the main Olympic sports (men's/women's swimming, track, bball, softball), click here.
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Sunday, August 08, 2004
2004 Olympics- Will they be safe?
10,500 athletes (566 of which are US athletes) representing a record 202 countries will participate in the first Summer Olympics since the September 11th attacks. Greece will have spent one and a half billion dollars on security by the finish of the Games, over five times that of which was spent on security at Sydney in 2000. “This is an unprecedented effort. More cannot be done. Nobody can guarantee 100-percent security, but we can guarantee that we've done everything that was available and possible,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said to ESPN. In case of a cancellation of the Games, terrorism, or natural attacks, the IOC has a $170 million insurance policy in place.
The Olympics have had security problems in previous years. Back in 1972 at the Munich Games, a Palestinian terrorist group, Black September, killed eleven Israeli delegation members. In the 1996 Atlanta Games, one person died and 110 were injured after a pipe bomb exploded in the Olympic village.
In a poll taken a month before the Games, 80 percent of Greeks believed that an attack was inevitable while 52 percent Americans believed an attack was likely. The US Olympic Committee’s chief of security, Larry Buendorf, says that the athletes will be on flights to Athens with improved security and has an evacuation strategy in place. Many athletes don’t plan on leaving the Olympic Village except for to compete. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will spend their nights out on a cruise ship, Queen Mary 2, hoping to increase safety and security for the athletes. "In this time and day, if you're not concerned, you need to be. Our players should feel secure that we've done a good job,” USA Basketball spokesman Craig Miller said to ESPN.
On May fifth, 100 days before the Opening Ceremonies, three bombs exploded in Athens hurting no individuals but damaging a police station. Officials insist that it was just a coincidence and was not related to the Olympic Games. Most of Greece faced four hours without power in mid-July adding to security doubts.
Evironmental concerns have also been brought up after a report done by the World Wildlife Fund showed that high concentrations of nitrogen and ozone oxide have built up in the atmosphere. This buildup occurs when automobile and industry emissions combine with elevated levels of particle pollution and strong heat and humidity caused by the Mediterranean climate. Back in May 2003, the US Olympic Committee visited Athens and recorded pollution levels at various locations. They then returned to the US and informed athletes and coaches on the air quality at various venues. Senior sports physiologist with the committee, Randy Wilber, suggested to athletes to start practicing in places with high pollution a couple months before the games in order to adjust and see if any medical problems arise. "There is some potential for athletes' performance to be hindered, depending on first, where the venue is [and] secondly, what that sport or event is," Wilber said to CNN.
Athens has taken an increase in security precautions to better protect the Olympians. The Greek air force will be in full effect expecting to fly more than 1,200 hours during the Paralympics and Olympics with a cost of over $4,300,000. “What we do is mainly patrol over all Olympic venues, track any potential renegade aircraft, investigate, and take appropriate measures ordered by the higher command," Greek pilot Captain Thanassis Gioules told The Associated Press. A Patriot missile battery will guard the Olympic Village and other key facilities have their own anti-aircraft missiles for protection. 500 vehicles and 50 naval ships have been supplied by the military along with around 100,000 police and military personnel. During the Olympics, a zone covering 28 miles around Athens will be allowed to enter only by authorized aircrafts and a no-fly zone will be implemented over all Olympic venues.
While some US athletes have turned down the Olympics over security concerns, most athletes are determined to not let the threats ruin the games. "One thing I refuse to do is live in fear," 400m individual medley Olympic medalist Erik Vendt said to ESPN. "The terrorists' have one goal, which is to disrupt our way of life. The worst thing we could do is not go to the Olympics. You know, if you scare us, we'll back down." John Register, USOC’s Paralympic Academy in Colorado Springs manager and Paralympic medalist in the past two Summer Olympics in both track and swimming, agrees with Vendt. “Sure, I think of those [threats]. But at the same time, you can't live in fear. I'm not one to adjust anything in my life to things that are happening in other parts of the world. The whole Olympic movement is about competition and esprit de corps. I'm not going to let worrying ruin the joy of competing,” Register said to ESPN.
If you were an athlete, what would you do? And do you think Athens is ready?
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10,500 athletes (566 of which are US athletes) representing a record 202 countries will participate in the first Summer Olympics since the September 11th attacks. Greece will have spent one and a half billion dollars on security by the finish of the Games, over five times that of which was spent on security at Sydney in 2000. “This is an unprecedented effort. More cannot be done. Nobody can guarantee 100-percent security, but we can guarantee that we've done everything that was available and possible,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said to ESPN. In case of a cancellation of the Games, terrorism, or natural attacks, the IOC has a $170 million insurance policy in place.
The Olympics have had security problems in previous years. Back in 1972 at the Munich Games, a Palestinian terrorist group, Black September, killed eleven Israeli delegation members. In the 1996 Atlanta Games, one person died and 110 were injured after a pipe bomb exploded in the Olympic village.
In a poll taken a month before the Games, 80 percent of Greeks believed that an attack was inevitable while 52 percent Americans believed an attack was likely. The US Olympic Committee’s chief of security, Larry Buendorf, says that the athletes will be on flights to Athens with improved security and has an evacuation strategy in place. Many athletes don’t plan on leaving the Olympic Village except for to compete. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will spend their nights out on a cruise ship, Queen Mary 2, hoping to increase safety and security for the athletes. "In this time and day, if you're not concerned, you need to be. Our players should feel secure that we've done a good job,” USA Basketball spokesman Craig Miller said to ESPN.
On May fifth, 100 days before the Opening Ceremonies, three bombs exploded in Athens hurting no individuals but damaging a police station. Officials insist that it was just a coincidence and was not related to the Olympic Games. Most of Greece faced four hours without power in mid-July adding to security doubts.
Evironmental concerns have also been brought up after a report done by the World Wildlife Fund showed that high concentrations of nitrogen and ozone oxide have built up in the atmosphere. This buildup occurs when automobile and industry emissions combine with elevated levels of particle pollution and strong heat and humidity caused by the Mediterranean climate. Back in May 2003, the US Olympic Committee visited Athens and recorded pollution levels at various locations. They then returned to the US and informed athletes and coaches on the air quality at various venues. Senior sports physiologist with the committee, Randy Wilber, suggested to athletes to start practicing in places with high pollution a couple months before the games in order to adjust and see if any medical problems arise. "There is some potential for athletes' performance to be hindered, depending on first, where the venue is [and] secondly, what that sport or event is," Wilber said to CNN.
Athens has taken an increase in security precautions to better protect the Olympians. The Greek air force will be in full effect expecting to fly more than 1,200 hours during the Paralympics and Olympics with a cost of over $4,300,000. “What we do is mainly patrol over all Olympic venues, track any potential renegade aircraft, investigate, and take appropriate measures ordered by the higher command," Greek pilot Captain Thanassis Gioules told The Associated Press. A Patriot missile battery will guard the Olympic Village and other key facilities have their own anti-aircraft missiles for protection. 500 vehicles and 50 naval ships have been supplied by the military along with around 100,000 police and military personnel. During the Olympics, a zone covering 28 miles around Athens will be allowed to enter only by authorized aircrafts and a no-fly zone will be implemented over all Olympic venues.
While some US athletes have turned down the Olympics over security concerns, most athletes are determined to not let the threats ruin the games. "One thing I refuse to do is live in fear," 400m individual medley Olympic medalist Erik Vendt said to ESPN. "The terrorists' have one goal, which is to disrupt our way of life. The worst thing we could do is not go to the Olympics. You know, if you scare us, we'll back down." John Register, USOC’s Paralympic Academy in Colorado Springs manager and Paralympic medalist in the past two Summer Olympics in both track and swimming, agrees with Vendt. “Sure, I think of those [threats]. But at the same time, you can't live in fear. I'm not one to adjust anything in my life to things that are happening in other parts of the world. The whole Olympic movement is about competition and esprit de corps. I'm not going to let worrying ruin the joy of competing,” Register said to ESPN.
If you were an athlete, what would you do? And do you think Athens is ready?
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Does this make you better?
The USA Women's Junior National Basketball team beat Brazil on August 7th to clinch a spot in the Gold Medal game on Sunday. I wonder how many points they are going to win the Gold Medal by against Puerto Rico?
They beat Puerto Rico on August 6th by a score of 124-49, Bolivia on August 5th by a score of 143-24 and the night before beat Argentina by 84 points. I wonder how does this make your team better by winning games by this amount of points?
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The USA Women's Junior National Basketball team beat Brazil on August 7th to clinch a spot in the Gold Medal game on Sunday. I wonder how many points they are going to win the Gold Medal by against Puerto Rico?
They beat Puerto Rico on August 6th by a score of 124-49, Bolivia on August 5th by a score of 143-24 and the night before beat Argentina by 84 points. I wonder how does this make your team better by winning games by this amount of points?
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Saturday, August 07, 2004
Arsenal Faces Manchester United
Arsenal and Manchester United clash on Sunday in the Community Shield game between the FA Cup winners against the Regular Season champs. The game will be played at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium. I have no idea who will win this game but will be watching intently on Fox Sports World. I love that station.
Less then a week till the beginning of the English Premier League! A season preview will be coming this week!
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Arsenal and Manchester United clash on Sunday in the Community Shield game between the FA Cup winners against the Regular Season champs. The game will be played at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium. I have no idea who will win this game but will be watching intently on Fox Sports World. I love that station.
Less then a week till the beginning of the English Premier League! A season preview will be coming this week!
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Friday, August 06, 2004
Get a Piece of the Moon
The Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League are given away 30 acres of land on the moon to 30 "lucky" fans on August 6th. Make sure you are there to join the likes of John Travolta and Ron Reagan who own property on the Moon.
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The Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League are given away 30 acres of land on the moon to 30 "lucky" fans on August 6th. Make sure you are there to join the likes of John Travolta and Ron Reagan who own property on the Moon.
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Thursday, August 05, 2004
NFLPA ARE IDIOTS
I have no idea how the NFLPA put themselves in such a weak position with their latest CBA. The NFL players have contracts to play for teams which is typical for a pro sports league but the key difference is that the contracts are not guaranteed contracts for the players. The players can be cut at any time and not be paid for the upcoming season. Couple examples of this are the Lawyer Milloy situation last year and the Eddie George situation this year. How does a Union allow for their players to be basically fired at any time without protection? Can someone explain this to me?
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I have no idea how the NFLPA put themselves in such a weak position with their latest CBA. The NFL players have contracts to play for teams which is typical for a pro sports league but the key difference is that the contracts are not guaranteed contracts for the players. The players can be cut at any time and not be paid for the upcoming season. Couple examples of this are the Lawyer Milloy situation last year and the Eddie George situation this year. How does a Union allow for their players to be basically fired at any time without protection? Can someone explain this to me?
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X-Games vs Outdoor Games
The X-Games which started out in the mid-90's as a showcase of extreme sports starts up on Thursday on ESPN. The X-Games to myself have become too much about marketing instead of the actual sporting competition on the playing surface. Everything in this world has become Extreme including deodorant.
I personally enjoy the Great Outdoor Games which were held a few weeks ago in Madison Wisconsin. These people participated because they enjoy their sport instead of the money which are involved in the X-Games.
BTW, If anyone gets the chance to go to Madison take it. One of my favorite college towns of all time.
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The X-Games which started out in the mid-90's as a showcase of extreme sports starts up on Thursday on ESPN. The X-Games to myself have become too much about marketing instead of the actual sporting competition on the playing surface. Everything in this world has become Extreme including deodorant.
I personally enjoy the Great Outdoor Games which were held a few weeks ago in Madison Wisconsin. These people participated because they enjoy their sport instead of the money which are involved in the X-Games.
BTW, If anyone gets the chance to go to Madison take it. One of my favorite college towns of all time.
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Wednesday, August 04, 2004
USA Squeaks by Germany
The USA Men's National team needed a last second three point shot by Allen Iverson from 35 feet out to beat a German National Team today by the score of 80-77. The German team was led by Dirk but was without their top two guards who are injured. Another fact about Germany is that they are not in the Olympics because they did not qualify for the games. Lets see how the USA do against a good international basketball team on Friday against Serbia.
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The USA Men's National team needed a last second three point shot by Allen Iverson from 35 feet out to beat a German National Team today by the score of 80-77. The German team was led by Dirk but was without their top two guards who are injured. Another fact about Germany is that they are not in the Olympics because they did not qualify for the games. Lets see how the USA do against a good international basketball team on Friday against Serbia.
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Shaughnessy Bites Back at Nomar!
Dan Shaughnessy wrote an article today about the Nomar Garciaparra trade for the second time in three days. He gives many examples in his article about how Nomar treated people out of the public light including this quote from the article:
Here is the link to his article for Tuesday
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Dan Shaughnessy wrote an article today about the Nomar Garciaparra trade for the second time in three days. He gives many examples in his article about how Nomar treated people out of the public light including this quote from the article:
He became a virtual recluse in the clubhouse, rarely interacting with teammates, occasionally angry about official scoring decisions, and forever feeling persecuted for reasons no one could fathom. He knew about the A-Rod negotiations but pretended he first heard about them on ESPN. This season, he became difficult about small matters. He demanded to be compensated (and was accommodated) for the use of his image in "Still, We Believe." He feuded with Major League Baseball over a standard MLB sticker on the back of his helmet -- childishly smearing it with dirt after MLB fined him for peeling it off.
Here is the link to his article for Tuesday
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World Cup of Baseball in Jeopardy?
There is a plan in place to hold the World Cup of Baseball next spring in the United States of America. The tournament would be run by Major League baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. There is a problem with this proposal because the Japanese are not interested in participating because the dates of the tournament is too close to the start of the Japanese Baseball season. Things are still up in the air so Stay Tuned to the SportsToad for the latest information.
Click here for the AP Article
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There is a plan in place to hold the World Cup of Baseball next spring in the United States of America. The tournament would be run by Major League baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. There is a problem with this proposal because the Japanese are not interested in participating because the dates of the tournament is too close to the start of the Japanese Baseball season. Things are still up in the air so Stay Tuned to the SportsToad for the latest information.
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Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Italia, Italia, Italia
The Italian National Basketball Team upset the USA Men's Basketball team by a score of 95-78. The best part of the game was that playing "TEAM" basketball beats individual basketball. International Refs are very good at their job because they actually know what a traveling call is. Is the USA Men's Team even going to compete in the Olympics with a performance like this against Italy the weakest European team in the Olympics?
Couple of facts
3 Italians have played in the NBA.
0 Current NBA Players on Italy
International Basketball is much better to watch because the game is about putting the ball in the basket. In the NBA, there is too much isolation plays instead of a team concept like the Italian team had today. I wish the NBA could become more like the international game to increase the amount of ball movement and so on.
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The Italian National Basketball Team upset the USA Men's Basketball team by a score of 95-78. The best part of the game was that playing "TEAM" basketball beats individual basketball. International Refs are very good at their job because they actually know what a traveling call is. Is the USA Men's Team even going to compete in the Olympics with a performance like this against Italy the weakest European team in the Olympics?
Couple of facts
3 Italians have played in the NBA.
0 Current NBA Players on Italy
International Basketball is much better to watch because the game is about putting the ball in the basket. In the NBA, there is too much isolation plays instead of a team concept like the Italian team had today. I wish the NBA could become more like the international game to increase the amount of ball movement and so on.
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Random WNBA/NBA Tidbits
I just got back from a Detroit Shock game against Minnesota Lynx where I hung out with a bunch of friends from school, including Keri Laimbeer (yes, Bill Laimbeer's daughter). We of course talked about plenty of basketball and I found a few things to be very interesting...
1) Both the men's and women's basketball Olympic teams will be spending their nights on a cruise ship rather then a hotel. Its much safer then a hotel, because the ship will be going out to sea at night and will make for a harder time for terrorists to attack (compared to a nonmobile location).
2) The WNBA All-Star game on Tuesday will not be your typical West vs. East game. Rather, the all-star team vs. the US Olympic team.
3) The top WNBA players (ok, the top player for Detroit) brings in $87,000 in salary. Plus a house and a car. Not bad for only 3 months of playing time. Players make even more by playing overseas in the off-season. Swin Cash (captain of the Shock and 2004 Olympian) made $200,000 while playing overseas.
Just some random and interesting facts I found out tonight. The Shock lost, unfortunately, 59-58. They remain tied for second in the East.
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I just got back from a Detroit Shock game against Minnesota Lynx where I hung out with a bunch of friends from school, including Keri Laimbeer (yes, Bill Laimbeer's daughter). We of course talked about plenty of basketball and I found a few things to be very interesting...
1) Both the men's and women's basketball Olympic teams will be spending their nights on a cruise ship rather then a hotel. Its much safer then a hotel, because the ship will be going out to sea at night and will make for a harder time for terrorists to attack (compared to a nonmobile location).
2) The WNBA All-Star game on Tuesday will not be your typical West vs. East game. Rather, the all-star team vs. the US Olympic team.
3) The top WNBA players (ok, the top player for Detroit) brings in $87,000 in salary. Plus a house and a car. Not bad for only 3 months of playing time. Players make even more by playing overseas in the off-season. Swin Cash (captain of the Shock and 2004 Olympian) made $200,000 while playing overseas.
Just some random and interesting facts I found out tonight. The Shock lost, unfortunately, 59-58. They remain tied for second in the East.
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Monday, August 02, 2004
Smarty Jones goes to Stud
Smarty Jones, the Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner of 2004 and came within one length of winning the Triple Crown has been retired from competitive racing. The reason is that Smarty has a chronic leg bruise that will not go away and the trainers do not want Smarty Jones to become cripple then having to get put down without getting the great stud fees which he will receive.
Click here for Full Story
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Smarty Jones, the Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner of 2004 and came within one length of winning the Triple Crown has been retired from competitive racing. The reason is that Smarty has a chronic leg bruise that will not go away and the trainers do not want Smarty Jones to become cripple then having to get put down without getting the great stud fees which he will receive.
Click here for Full Story
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