2012 should escape 'drastic' cuts in spending review

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The 2012 Olympics will avoid drastic cuts in Wednesday's Comprehensive Spending Review, I have learned.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), which is building the facilities, will be told to make savings of around �30 million but there will be no major challenges to the �9.3 billion budget.

The savings are similar to the �27 million of cuts which the ODA was first told by the Government to make last May. Those did not lead to major changes in the project.

Much of the Olympic Park will be finished next summer so it would have been counterproductive to have started slashing funds now. Most of the �8 billion earmarked for the building has been spent.

Although there is around �600 million left in contingency funds, it is believed that the ODA should be given access to that cash in the next crucial 12 months.

The rest of the budget will be needed for security. Given that the Government has announced this week that keeping the Games safe is a key priority, there is also little scope for cuts.

However, today's Strategic Defence and Security Review has found some efficiency savings in the Olympic security budget saying it needs to make the programme as cost-effective as possible. It is expected that spending on security could be as much as �1 billion.

The biggest dispute involving the Treasury and Ministers from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has been over the funding of elite athletes. I understand that the money for competitors is secure in the run-up to 2012 but it is likely that there will be cuts to the budgets of governing bodies, possibly of around 30%.

The Government agency UK Sport receives around �50 million in Exchequer funding for Olympic athletes annually with the same again in Lottery grants.

The major cuts are expected to affect Sport England which funds grass roots sports through grants to governing bodies. It received �123 million in central funding this year with a similar amount in Lottery provision.

Today the Shadow Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell told me she is concerned school sports initiatives will be hit by the cuts

The details of the Olympic funding will not be announced by the Government on Wednesday. The cuts are likely to be made public on Thursday.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adrianwarner/2010/10/2012_should_escape_drastic_cut.html

Snow Boarding Softball Squash Swimming

General Montgomerie and 'crazy' Pavin show hands

Two captains, two distinct styles. They have shown their first hands. Now it's the turn of their players.

Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin's first pairings for Friday's fourballs, and the explanations they gave for them, say much about the men as individuals.

Both are desperately trying to achieve the same goal. Yet they are going about it in very different ways.

Montgomerie is a student of the Ryder Cup, a deep thinker and a planner who reads nuances into everything. Pavin, no less astute, is more matter of fact and plays it as he sees it.

Take the American's faux-pas in forgetting to introduce Stewart Cink as he went down his team line-up, in an otherwise slick performance in the opening ceremony. Realising his mistake, Pavin added the former Open champion at the end, and later laughed it off, saying at least it wasn't two players he forgot.

 

Ryder Cup captains Corey Pavin and Colin Montgomerie - photo: Getty

 

His error was endearing, not in the same league as Nick Faldo cringingly calling Soren Hansen Soren Stenson, or asking Graeme McDowell which bit of Ireland he was from again.

But given the store set by speeches in the Ryder Cup, Montgomerie was asked whether that put Europe one up. He thought about it seriously, before saying, "Well, I suppose that was a mistake. I think he was very, very good at covering his tracks."

Then, finally joining in with the joke he beamed, "And yes, we are one-up".

Montgomerie, though, was baffled by Pavin's decision to send out world number one Tiger Woods in his third pairing with Steve Stricker, behind Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson and Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

"I was expecting Tiger to go first or fourth. I think Tiger, being hidden, is a different move," said Montgomerie.

During the opening ceremony Pavin was asked why Woods was in the third group: "Well, the first two slots were already taken," he quipped.

Later Pavin denied he was hoping to "hide" Woods to prevent Europe building early momentum with a victory. "That type of thought doesn't even enter my mind," he said. "I wasn't hoping for anything. I just put Tiger and Steve in that slot, just thought it was a good slot for them, so I put them there.

"Phil and Dustin are playing great golf right now and they love to play together. I thought it was s pretty strong team to send out first."

What was Tiger's reaction? "He's fine," said Pavin. "He's been saying the same thing to me since I asked him if he wanted to play in the team as a pick. He just said, 'Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.'"

"Pairings are funny. When you start looking at them, you start thinking about it. Both of these teams are so good and so deep, you can just pull two names out of a hat for each side and put those guys against each other and you're going to have a great match."

As an aside he quipped: "Obviously I did not pull two names out of a hat."

Pavin added: "I wasn't trying to anticipate anything he was doing. To me, it was all about getting Team USA out there in an order I thought was good."

 

Montgomerie was perplexed at Jim Furyk's ommission from the opening session after the man with the twirly swing won $10m on Sunday in the Fed Ex Cup.

"Well, he was counting the money and he's tired," laughed Pavin. "You'll see him in the afternoon." Same for Hunter Mahan, the rookie who was unbeaten and won four points out of five in Valhalla. "Someone has to sit out," said Pavin.

Montgomerie said he was also surprised to see rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton down to play for America in the final pairings on Friday morning,

"Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald would not have expected that," said Montgomerie, trying to make sense of it all.

Pavin replied: "I felt like if I waited to play them that they would probably go crazy. They are just chomping at the bit to get out there.

"Both of those guys have a lot of firepower. They can both make a lot of birdies.
I wanted them to go last because I wanted them to experience some things that were happening with the first few matches."

Montgomerie admitted Friday morning's fourballs were crucial. "Momentum has to be gained early on and then continued through the afternoon to gain the lead on Friday evening and that's my goal. That's the plan of attack here."

Pavin just said: "You know where I think it's really important to have more points is after the Sunday matches are over. Obviously I'd love to get off to a great start, but you know, just send out the guys and then we'll count them up after."

The American captain has been criticised in some circles for bringing in a military man with experience of team bonding to talk to his players - a strange thing to get flak about given that sports people regularly give motivational talks to businessmen.

But it is Montgomerie who seems more like the general.

Celtic Manor may be his El Alamein. But Corey could pave his own path to US glory.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/robhodgetts/2010/09/general_montgomerie_and_crazy.html

Alessandro Del Piero Carlos Valderrama Ricardo Zamora Enzo Francescoli

2012 marathon decision 'lets down' east London

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I first heard about 2012's plans to take the marathon races away from east London and stage them around Buckingham Palace in mid-July.

I trusted the well-informed person who told me 'off the record' but I didn't run the story straight away for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, nobody would confirm this on the record and I needed that to make the story credible on the BBC.

Secondly, and more importantly, I thought it might just be what they call a kite-flying exercise. Throwing a wacky idea out there and waiting for a reaction.

Surely London 2012 organisers wouldn't be stupid enough to insult east Londoners in such a way, the people whose lives are being disrupted the most by the Games?

For many of them from less privileged backgrounds, having the marathon on their streets may be the only connection they can afford with the Games.

Well, I admit, I called it all wrong. I should have run the story because it has turned out to be true. 2012 really are that daft.

They won't finish the races in the olympic stadium like most of the six summer games I have attended. The Athens races finished in the 1896 Olympic Stadium.

The 2012 marathons will include three circuits around central London, starting and finishing on the Mall. I understand their logic. They want to show off London's great landmarks to the world and the big TV executives from America and Asia will love it, like they always do. Parts of east London, where the route would have gone, are scruffy but what an opportunity to tidy them up?

2012 still won't confirm all this and they haven't got all the approval yet from the athletics authorities. East London councils are trying to get them to change their minds but the races will stay in central London, I'm sure.

I just had a belief from all their talk that London 2012 wanted to put on a different sort of Games which highlighted all aspects of London and British life.

It was na�ve, of course. 2012 won't be different. They are doing what every Games does - playing to the international TV cameras and not to the locals.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adrianwarner/2010/09/2012_marathon_decision_lets_do.html

Gyorgy Sarosi Pat Jennings Giacinto Facchetti Raymond Kopa

Doha 2010 - Day 3

by Savannah


For a summary of today's action, and an update on the IMG scandal please visit Savannah's World

Source: http://craighickmanontennis.blogspot.com/2010/10/doha-2010-day-3.html

Ian Rush Peter Schmeichel Paolo Rossi George Weah

2011 X-Alps Athlete selection announced

Tom Payne put this great table of the 2011 Athletes together:

Country	Flag	Athlete	Age	Supporter	Glider	Blog/website	2003	2005	2007	2009
ARG		Martin Romero	36	Diego E. Romero	MacPara Magus XC
AUS		Lloyd Pennicuik	45	Paul Underwood	Axis Venus	link			17	X
AUT1		Helmut Eichholzer	36	Wolfgang Ehgarter	Ozone Delta	link		4		X
AUT2		Christian Amon	41	Mario Schmaranzer	Swing Stratus			X		X
AUT3		Mike K�ng	42	Thomas Arzberger	Paratech P8 Proto
BEL		Thomas de Dorlodot	26	Gatien de Dorlodot	Gradient Avax XC3	link			X	10
BRA		Richard Pethigal	42	tba.	Swing Stratus
CAN		Max Fanderl	46	Penny Powers	tba.	link			X	13
CZE		Jan Skrab�lek	41	Karel Vrbensky	tba.	link			11	15
ESP		Ram�n Morillas	44	Juan Morillas	Advance Proto	link			7	9
FIN		Jouni Makkonen	40	Toni Leskel�	Gradient Avax XC					7
FRA1		Vincent Spr�ngli	46	Jerome Maupoint	Gin Boomerang				X	X
FRA2		Philippe Barnier	36	Herv� Garcia	Niviuk Icepeak
FRA3		Cl�ment Latour	28	Gil Thomas	Skywalk Poison 3
GBR		Steve Nash	48	Richard Bungay	Nova
GER		Michael Gebert	31	Florian Schellheimer	Gradient Avax XC3	link		5	X	6
ITA		Andy Fr�tscher	42	Martin Klotz	Skywalk Poison 3	link	X	X	14	12
JPN1		Kaoru Ogisawa	51	Masaru Saso	Gin Boomerang				5	13
JPN2		Masayuki Matsubara	40	Tetsuo Kogai	tba.					X
NED		Ferdinand van Schelven	27	Anton Brous	tba.
NOR		Ivar Sandst�	44	Inge Haustveit	Niviuk Peak 2
POL		Pavel Faron	37	Piotr Goc	Swing Stratus
POR		Nuno Virgilio	31	Samuel Lopes	Axis Mercury
ROM		Toma Coconea	36	Daniel Pisica	UP	link	X	X	2	X
RSA		Pierre Carter	44	James Braid	Gradient XC3					X
RUS		Evgeny Gryaznov	39	tba.	tba.					5
SUI1		Christian Maurer	28	Thomas Theurillat	Advance Omega	link				1
SUI2		Alex Hofer	34	Roland Moltinger	tba.	link		1	1	2
SUI3		Martin M�ller	45	Yannick Flugi	Gin Boomerang 7 light	link			3	X
USA		Honza Rejmanek	36	Dave Hanning	Axis Mercury	link			9	3

source: X-Alps website, Wikipedia, own research || Age at Race launch 17th. Jul 2011 || blogs tbc. || X means participated, but injured or disqualified/eliminated

The feed from www.timospgblog.com

Source: http://biggovtsucks.blogspot.com/2010/10/2011-x-alps-athlete-selection-announced.html

Garrincha Paolo Maldini Kenny Dalglish Gabriel Batistuta

10/24 Canadian Jr. A & US Junior Scoreboard

Here's last night's scoreboard from the Canadian Jr. A and US Junior Leagues.

United States Hockey League

Omaha Lancers 0  Indiana Ice 3  (0-0, 0-2, 0-1)

Current USHL Standings


North American Hockey League

Traverse City North Stars 2  Janesville Jets 3  (0-0, 1-1, 1-2)

Pt. Huron Fighting Falcons 1  Motor City Metal Jackets 5  (1-2, 0-3, 0-0)

Texas Tornado 8  Corpus Christi Icerays 3  (2-0, 2-2, 4-1)

Wichita Falls Wildcats 5  New Mexico Mustangs 3  (0-2, 3-1, 2-0)

Current NAHL Standings


British Columbia Hockey League

Prince George Spruce Kings 3  Vernon Vipers 2  (OT) (0-0, 2-2, 0-0, 1-0)

Quesnel Millionaires 1  Merritt Centennials 4  (1-1, 0-0, 1-3)

Langley Chiefs 4  Surrey Eagles 6  (2-2, 1-2, 1-2)

Current BCHL Standings


Alberta Junior Hockey League

Canmore Eagles 3  Camrose Kodiaks 4  (0-2, 1-2, 2-0)

Brooks Bandits 0  Spruce Groove Saints 4  (0-2, 0-1, 0-1)

Lloydminster Bobcats 0  Sherwood Park Crusaders 3  (0-1, 0-1, 0-1)

Calgary Canucks 5  Calgary Mustangs 4  (2-1, 2-1, 1-2)

Okotoks Oilers 4  Drayton Valley Thunder 2  (1-0, 2-2, 1-0)

Current AJHL Standings


Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

No Games Yesterday



Manitoba Junior Hockey League

Swan Valley Stampeders 2  Winnipeg South Blues 4  (1-1, 1-2, 0-1)

OCN Blizzard 1  Neepawa Natives 3  (0-2, 0-0, 1-1)

Dauphin Kings 3  Selkirk Steelers 2  (0-0, 2-2, 1-0)

Current MJHL Standings


Superior International Junior Hockey League

Ft. William North Stars 3  Duluth Clydesdales 4  (0-1, 2-0, 1-3)

Current SIJHL Standings


Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League

Soo Eagles 5  Temiscaming Royals 4  (0-0, 3-2, 2-2)

North Bay Trappers 4  Manitoulin Islanders 2  (1-2, 1-0, 2-0)

Current NOJHL Standings


Ontario Junior Hockey League

Upper Canada Patriots 1  St. Michaels Buzzers 6  (0-4, 0-1, 1-1)

Trenton Golden Hawks 5  Whitby Fury 4  (2-2, 2-1, 1-1)

Huntsville Otters 6  Stouffville Spirit 5  (OT) (1-1, 2-3, 2-1, 1-0)

Collingwood Blackhawks 3  Auroa Tigers 6  (3-1, 0-3, 0-2)

Dixie Beehives 3  North York Rangers 5  (1-1, 1-1, 1-3)

Burlington Cougars 4  Newmarket Hurricanes 5  (OT) (1-2, 2-1, 1-1, 0-1)

Cobourg Cougars 3  Streetsville Derbys 4  (0-1, 3-0, 0-3)

Villanova Knights 5  Toronto Jr. Canadiens 3  (1-2, 2-0, 2-1)

Current OJHL Standings


Central Tier 1 Hockey League

Smiths Falls Bears 4  Hawksberry Hawks 2  (0-1, 2-0, 2-1)

Ottawa Jr. Senators 2  Neapean Raiders 4  (1-2, 0-0, 1-2)

Brockville Braves 4  Cumberland Grads 1  (2-1, 2-0, 0-0)

Cornwall Colts 5  Kemptville 73s 0  (2-0, 2-0, 1-0)

Kanata Stallions 0  Pembrooke Lumber Kings 6  (0-1, 0-4, 0-1)

Current CTIHL Standings


Maritime Hockey League

Woodstock Slammers 2  Summerside Western Capitals 5  (1-2, 1-1, 0-2)

Weeks Crushers 4  Dieppe Commandos 3  (OT) (0-0, 2-0, 1-3, 1-0)

Metro Marauders 1  Campbellton Tigers 2  (OT) (0-1, 0-0, 1-0, 0-1)

Source: http://texasicehockeyexpert.blogspot.com/2010/10/1024-canadian-jr-us-junior-scoreboard.html

Paolo Rossi George Weah Michael Owen Just Fontaine

2012 ticket prices have a familiar ring

Our colleagues over at London 2012 always knew that the headline from their announcement today of their ticket prices would most likely be "what's the most expensive?" So even if the bulk of the tickets are available at a reasonable price, it's the figures the media narrative would call "eye-watering" that would, well, catch the eye.

Now all is revealed, and you could say it's certainly a bold gesture. The top price for the opening ceremony will be �2012, while some of the lowest price tickets for the Games will come in at a similarly-branded 20 pounds and 12 pence. And as someone who has 2012 as part of his office phone number, I can hardly complain about the use of "2012" as a gimmick.

There are other potentially smart PR moves too, like the "pay your age" idea for young people at some of the sessions - with a 10 year old paying �10 and a 16 year old paying �16, and discounts also for the elderly. (No, 80 year olds don't pay �80.)

But the real story here is about the mass audience numbers between �2012 and �20.12. That's where regular people will have to pay the going rate, and London 2012 have always been clear that they have financial targets to reach. As the sports minister Hugh Robertson has said on the BBC News Channel, this isn't about making a profit in any conventional sense: it's about meeting the costs of running the Games, just like the commercial sponsorship issues we've discussed here before.

So for the greatest number of tickets there's quite a steep rake where the lower-priced tickets - aiming to come as close as they can to London's early promises - are balanced by the higher-priced ones.

For "Super Finals" in the Stadium, in which you'd include the 100 metres, the range is from �50 to �725. The theory being (in what's close to a modern political consensus) that the well-off can pay more, thus allowing more tickets to be made affordable. Whether that market mechanism works, we shall see; but on a quick look at the full list there are lots of events where �20 tickets are available, including football at its various venues around the UK, and shooting seems to have top-price tickets of only �40 for the final.

The Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing was packed for the 100m final

This is how London 2012 sum up the big picture:

- 8.8m tickets available for the Olympic Games
- 75% of these tickets will be on sale to the public from March 2011
- 90% of these tickets will be priced at �100 or under
- Two thirds of these tickets will be priced at �50 or under
- 2.5m tickets will be priced at �20 or under

The questions now are who will buy and at what price, and can London sell-out as many of the venues as possible? Because the key to a successful Games is passionate, packed crowds. So it would be good to hear your views.

Have the London 2012 organisers got it right? Will you be in the queue when sales start next year? Or has this dashed your hopes of a day out at the Olympics? Let us know.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rogermosey/2010/10/our_colleagues_over_at_london.html

Hockey Horse racing Jogging Motorcycle racing