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Olympic medals in question
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP)—The International Olympic Committee will examine several pending doping cases from the Beijing Games this weekend.
An IOC disciplinary commission will meet Sunday to consider sanctions against, among others, the silver and bronze medalists from Belarus in the men’s hammer throw.
Vadim Devyatovskiy and Ivan Tsikhan tested positive for traces of testosterone after the hammer final Aug. 17. If the two are found guilty of doping, they would be disqualified and stripped of their medals.
Devyatovskiy’s silver would go to Krisztian Pars of Hungary, while Tsikhan’s bronze would go to Koji Murofushi of Japan. Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won the gold medal.
The 31-year-old Devyatovskiy faces a lifetime ban if found guilty of a second doping offense. He served a two-year drug suspension from 2000-02.
It would be a first offense for 32-year-old Tsikhan, a three-time world champion and silver medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Other doping cases also will be examined.
IOC executive board member Gerhard Heiberg told Norwegian television that “several people from several nations” were implicated. He would not name them.
Emmanuelle Moreau, an IOC spokeswoman, said the panel would review “all pending cases from Beijing.” She said these included samples “that might have come back with adverse findings after the games were finished.”
Six athletes were disqualified for doping during the games.
The Olympics ended Aug. 24. It can take several days for samples to clear testing, so any positive tests from the second week of the games might only be confirmed afterward.
Moreau said the panel was only meeting now, nearly a month after the end of the games, because of the logistics in getting the members together and allowing athletes to attend the hearing.
The disciplinary panel can disqualify athletes on its own. It also can forward recommendations to the IOC executive board for a final ruling.
Disqualified by the IOC during the Beijing Olympics were Ukrainian heptathlete Lyudmila Blonska, Ukrainian weightlifter Igor Razoronov, Greek hurdler Fani Halkia, North Korean shooter Kim Jong Su, Spanish cyclist Isabel Moreno and Vietnamese gymnast Thi Ngan Thuong Do.
Blonska was stripped of her silver medal, while Kim’s silver and bronze medals were revoked.
The IOC carried out more than 5,000 doping tests during the games. LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP)—The International Olympic Committee will examine several pending doping cases from the Beijing Games this w... more -
Olympic Games: The Evolution of Sport
This is the story of one gamer who believes the IOC has let professional video games into the 2008 summer games in China. This is his struggle, training and glory. This is the story of one gamer who believes the IOC has let professional video games into the 2008 summer games in China. This is his ... more
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An Olympic success?
Usain's Beijing bolt in the 100m and 200m, Michael's phelp-nomenal eight Golds in the swimming pool and weightlifter Steiner's emotional win dedicated to his late wife won hearts around the world.
But questions over China's committments to human rights and free press coverage remain. Should the games be judged by politics? Or by sport alone? Usain's Beijing bolt in the 100m and 200m, Michael's phelp-nomenal eight Golds in the swimming pool and weightlifter Steiner... more -
Out and Golden, Aussie Matt Mitcham Wins 10m Platform Diving
Matthew Mitcham did two very surprising things at the Beijing Olympics. First, he snatched a gold medal away from the apparently invincible Chinese diving team. Second, Mitcham openly told anyone who asked about his sexuality that he is gay. Matt is undaunted on the platform, and he’s just as fearless about his personal life.
Making his Olympic debut in Beijing in the 10m platform event, Australia’s Mitcham earned four perfect 10’s on his last dive Saturday night, winning the men’s 10m platform diving competition. His stunning upset victory prevented China from sweeping all eight of the Olympic diving gold medals. Not only was Mitcham’s triumph an astonishing upset win, his sixth and final dive was the highest scoring dive in Olympic history.
From 2002 until 2006, Mitcham was an award winning diver in both junior and senior national and international diving competitions. But in 2006 he suddenly quit diving, suffering both emotional burnout and physical exhaustion after spending years in the Australian program’s rigid training regimen. For a long period of time the young Mitcham had to battle anxiety and depression, which led him to begin psychotherapy and required him to spend some time on medication.
A year later, Mitcham returned to the sport and in 2008, Mitcham won all three of his diving events at the Australian Nationals. He followed this spectacular comeback appearance by winning the 2008 Diving Grand Prix event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Then just three months prior to leaving with the Australian team to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Mitcham made headlines in Australia when he revealed to the Sydney Morning Herald that he is gay. With his public statement, Matt Mitcham became a historic Olympic figure, the first and only man among 10,500 Olympic athletes to have publicly stated that he is gay while still participating in Olympic competition.
When asked what this Olympic victory meant to him after the tumultuous ups and downs of his last few years, Mitcham stated, “Everything, absolutely everything I’ve done has been for this. I knew it was a far chance, but I did absolutely everything I could to give myself the best chance of doing it. It’s actually happened, and I never thought it would.”
This detailed article includes a number of stunning photographs, as well as two videos (the amazing 10m platform diving finals, which includes Mitcham's unforgettable historic final dive; the 10m Olympic Gold Ceremony).
Enjoy and marvel at this young man!! Matthew Mitcham did two very surprising things at the Beijing Olympics. First, he snatched a gold medal away from the apparently invi... more -
Cuban Athlete Is Barred for Kicking Referee in the Face
BEIJING — A Cuban tae kwon do athlete committed one of the biggest breaches of sportsmanship at an Olympics, kicking a referee in the face in anger after he was disqualified from his match Saturday.[more] BEIJING — A Cuban tae kwon do athlete committed one of the biggest breaches of sportsmanship at an Olympics, kicking a referee in the ... more
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Michael Phelps Eats 12,000 Calories a Day
Remember to wait 30 minutes before swimming...
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This week in Current – 8/18-8/22
Another week has flown passed us like a whirlwind, and while people are still focused on the Olympics, it does seem like the buzz has died down a bit now that Michael Phelps has closed out his quest for gold.
Of course, that didn’t put an end to any of the controversies coming out of the Beijing Olympic games.
Hackers unearth more underage gymnast allegations:
http://current.com/items/89222275_
Olympics aside, this was certainly an interesting week in Current:News. Some stories of note include a tangled child support settlement, the sudden shutdown of MP3 sharing site Muxtape, canine morality, energy implications of windmills in NYC, demands for mandatory sick days, and the discussion of polygamy as a secret to a longer life. It was a packed week, so if you missed any of these take a look:
16-yr-old to pay child support to 19-yr-old mom:
http://current.com/items/89213469_
R.I.P. Muxtape:
http://current.com/items/89193344_
Living with humans has taught dogs morals, say scientists
http://current.com/items/89223042_
Bloomberg proposes windmills on New York City bridges, skyscrapers…
http://current.com/items/89219683_
Multiple states push for mandatory paid sick days
http://current.com/items/89219922_
Polygamy: the key to a long life?
http://current.com/items/89218114_
// VC2 Leaderboard Update //
On the VC2 Leaderboard front, we want to give a hearty congratulations to VC2 producer Sareye for her pod, “Mad About Gas? Dunk a Shell Employee.” It was this week’s leaderboard winner, so I clipped it to this post for everyone to check out. Way to go!
// Top Commented Stories on Current.com //
Have you ever wonder what the most discussed stories are on Current.com? Do you ever find yourself asking, “What was everyone discussing this week?” Well, have no fear, I’m going to start recapping the top commented stories each week in our recap posts. Here goes:
USDA refuses to ban sick "downer" cows from U.S. food supply
http://current.com/items/89212057_
This story clocked in at 70 responses. There were many comments that stuck with me from this thread, but elegua’s really sums it up:
“scary. mad cow can have a 30 year gestation period. let's see who's around in 2038.“
Obama takes issue with McCain's definition of 'rich'
http://current.com/items/89214533_
With a title like this, it’s no wonder this story gathered 73 responses. Much of the discussion centered on determining whether McCain’s comment was taken out of context. What do you think?
Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 18?
http://current.com/items/89218300_
Umm, this one seemed destined for popularity. This was well-clipped item by ivxx that asks the simple question, and that resulted in an 83 response discussion. Very nice!
HS Principal outs teenage lesbian to parents
http://current.com/items/89221845_
The mix of privacy rights violations and the handling of the situation culminated in 124 responses from the community, making this the most discussed story on Current this week.
Did any other stories grab your attention this week? Clip them in a response below, and let us know what made them compelling to you. That’s it for this week!
Mario
Online Community Team
Connect on Current.com: http://current.com/people/mario_a
Follow the Current.com team on Twitter: http://twitter.com/current_com
Follow me on Twitter? http://twitter.com/manima Another week has flown passed us like a whirlwind, and while people are still focused on the Olympics, it does seem like the buzz has ... more -
Beijing more wheelchair friendly
Even in modern China, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan gets a stark reminder that handicapped accessibility requires an adjustment in attitude Even in modern China, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan gets a stark reminder that handicapped accessibility requires an adjustment in atti... more
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Champ Bolt Slated For Showing-Off
Superhuman sprinter Usain Bolt has been slammed by Olympic chiefs for excessive "showboating" on the eve of his bid for a third gold medal. Superhuman sprinter Usain Bolt has been slammed by Olympic chiefs for excessive "showboating" on the eve of his bid for a th... more
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Beijing Olympic Village, made out of cards
As the linked article so eloquently points out: 'Somewhat useless skills, but very impressive.'
I'd have to agree, now someone go switch on the air-con... As the linked article so eloquently points out: 'Somewhat useless skills, but very impressive.' ... more -
German horse tests positive for doping
German showjumper Christian Ahlmann (33) has been suspended from the Beijing Olympics after his horse Coster tested positive for illegal substances.
An initial test on August 17 revealed that the performance enhancer Capsaicin was present in the animal’s blood. According to new International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI) regulations, riders must be banned from competition after a single positive doping test. The results of a second test will be announced on Friday.
Four other riders have withdrawn from the finals at the Games: Tony Andre Hansen (Norway), Will Simpson (USA), Denis Lynch (Ireland) and Bernardo Alves (Brazil). It is suspected that the riders withdrew to avoid being caught doping.
Poor horses... German showjumper Christian Ahlmann (33) has been suspended from the Beijing Olympics after his horse Coster tested positive for illeg... more -
Two women sentenced to ‘Re-education’ in China
Two elderly Chinese women have been sentenced to a year of "re-education through labor" after they repeatedly sought a permit to demonstrate in one of the official Olympic protest areas, according to family members and human rights advocates.
The women, Wu Dianyuan, 79, and Wang Xiuying, 77, had made five visits to the police this month in an effort to get permission to protest what they contended was inadequate compensation for the demolition of their homes in Beijing.
During their final visit on Monday, public security officials informed them that they had been given administrative sentences for "disturbing the public order," according to Li Xuehui, Ms. Wu’s son.
Mr. Li said his mother and Ms. Wang, who used to be neighbors before their homes were demolished to make way for a redevelopment project, were allowed to return home but were told they could be sent to a detention center at any moment. "Can you imagine two old ladies in their 70s being re-educated through labor?" he asked. He said Ms. Wang was nearly blind.
A man who answered the phone at the Public Security Bureau declined to give out information about the case.
At least a half dozen people have been detained by the authorities after they responded to a government announcement late last month designating venues in three city parks as "protest zones" during the Olympics. So far, no demonstrations have taken place. Two elderly Chinese women have been sentenced to a year of "re-education through labor" after they repeatedly sought a permi... more -
Beijing Bird's Nest Stadium_Zhou Jun_2008 Olympic Games
Zhou Jun works with a high specification camera to record the changing face of Beijing. He highlights, in red, to tell a story about the creative conflicts between new and old China. The Olympic Stadium and the Television Tower are important symbols in Zhou Jun’s work.
To discover more visit_
http://www.redgategallery.com/ Zhou Jun works with a high specification camera to record the changing face of Beijing. He highlights, in red, to tell a story about ... more -
Team GB to blame for sudden rise in Mankini sales?
Amazon has blamed a recent surge in the sales of the Borat 'Mankini' on a spoof video made by members of Great Britain's Olympic men's silver medal-winning eight crew.
The rowers perform Frank Sinatra' My Way in the video, with one, unnamed, rower stood in full Mankini glory on top of a mountain.
The swimsuit jumped to No.4 in Amazon's Toys and Games bestseller chart, selling out repeatedly over the last four weeks.
A man that works at Amazon said they were expecting a rise in swimwear sales due to how well Britain's swimmers have done, but that "the Mankini's success has taken us by surprise."
You certainly aren't alone there.
You can watch 'Rowing...My Way here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_3fTVtfxls Amazon has blamed a recent surge in the sales of the Borat 'Mankini' on a spoof video made by members of Great Britain'... more -
Thundering Bolt smashes the 200m title!
Michael Johnson earlier today: "the record is safe. But only for now" Jamaican adds 200m title to 100m gold, breaking Michael Johnson's 12-year-old world record. Michael Johnson earlier today: "the record is safe. But only for now" Jamaican adds 200m title to 100m gold, breaking Micha... more
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German sprinter calls Bolt a drug cheat
German sprinter Tobias Unger called the Olympic 100m men’s final a “farce” and cast doubt on the legitimacy of superstar Usain Bolt’s win.
Unger: “Bolt didn’t even warm up for the semi final. He showed up in shorts and jogging shoes, did his pickups and practice starts, put on his spikes and then ran the 100m in 9.92 seconds.
“Bolt ran a time of 9.8 seconds in May and again at the end of September. He showed no tiredness during training,” an annoyed Unger added.
“They do whatever they want on their island. Nothing happens to them. I’m the only one here at the Olympics who is registering with the doping controllers.”
Bolt apparently didn’t even know how to fill out the doping forms. The American sprinters’ coaches actually laughed when they heard about German doping controls.
Unger, who was cut in the semi-finals, threatened to quit: “I just don’t have the desire anymore.”
Racism? Valid suspicion? Sore loser? German sprinter Tobias Unger called the Olympic 100m men’s final a “farce” and cast doubt on the legitimacy of superstar Usain Bolt’s ... more -
Olympic gold medal for late wife
German Olympic weightlifter Matthias Steiner was ecstatic after he won gold in Beijing, saying he wanted to take the title for his late wife Susann.
During the winner’s ceremony, a teary-eyed Steiner took his wife’s photo out of his pocket and kissed it while standing on the podium. He held on to the picture of Susann, who died in a car accident last year, throughout the ceremony.
He keeps the treasured photo of his wife in his sports bag at all times and it seems to have brought him good luck today - the medal is Steiner’s first. German Olympic weightlifter Matthias Steiner was ecstatic after he won gold in Beijing, saying he wanted to take the title for his lat... more -
BMX makes its debut at Olympics in Beijing
BMX (Bicycle Motocross) made its debut in Olympics at the Bejing Games on Wednesday as 16 women and men cruised into Thursday's semifinals apiece.
Americans dominated the men's race with all three riders qualified for the semifinals, which boosted their confidence to win the gold.
"I don't want to just make it in the semifinals, I want to win. " three-time world champion Donny Robinson said.
Mike Day topped the table after winning all three runs with his best time of 36.080 seconds, followed by Robison who placed third in the first heat. Kyle Bennett also made a spot in tomorrow's semifinals, even he had a crash in the second run. BMX (Bicycle Motocross) made its debut in Olympics at the Bejing Games on Wednesday as 16 women and men cruised into Thursday's s... more -
Team GB win first ever gold for women's 400m
Go team GB! Truly putting the Great back in Great Britain!
Christine Ohuruogu has just smashed the women's 400m event in Beijing with a time of
49.62 seconds, officially making Beijing Britain's most successful Olympics for over 100 years!
She beat off stiff competition from Jamaica's Shericka Williams who took silver, and the favourite, America's Sanya Richards, who took bronze. Go team GB! Truly putting the Great back in Great Britain! ... more -
Basketballsoccer?
I have no idea what this is - seriously.
"Handball" is supposed to be like racquetball played with your hands.
I find it disturbing this pseudo-sport is part of the olympic games but football is not... of course I mean real football...not that game where pansies kick a ball around.
Why can't everyone just be more American? ugh I have no idea what this is - seriously. "Handball" is supposed to be like racquetball played with your hands. ... more
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2008 Olympics
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2008 Olympics
