The Anthony Mundine-Jose Alberto Clavero fight in Sydney tonight has been labelled a "farce" that should not be going ahead.
The Australian Medical Association says the underdog Argentine is at risk of being seriously injured by The Man.
Mundine will defend the WBA world super-middleweight title against a man who has not won in his past three professional bouts and has twice been beaten heavily on Australian soil.
Says the AMA's Ross Cartmill:
Monday, October 20, 2008
China's pain fires Olympic dream
As China prepares to stage the greatest event on Earth, it is worth remembering that the Olympic dream has not come without pain for the world's most populous nation.
That pain coincided with my first real participation in the Olympic world, on September 23, 1993.
I was working in Sydney as a cadet reporter for The Australian newspaper, and roughly 20 of my fellow cadets and I were down at Circular Quay in the early hours of the morning for the big announcement from Monte Carlo of who would host the 2000 Olympics.
As the minutes ticked down, Kerri-Anne Kennerley - broadcasting from the top of the Overseas Passenger Terminal overlooking the harbour - told us that regardless of the result, everyone should be really proud of what Sydney had done.
Many of us began to get that sinking feeling that the organisers knew something we didn't, and that the Sydney bid had fallen a little short of the mark.
That pain coincided with my first real participation in the Olympic world, on September 23, 1993.
I was working in Sydney as a cadet reporter for The Australian newspaper, and roughly 20 of my fellow cadets and I were down at Circular Quay in the early hours of the morning for the big announcement from Monte Carlo of who would host the 2000 Olympics.
As the minutes ticked down, Kerri-Anne Kennerley - broadcasting from the top of the Overseas Passenger Terminal overlooking the harbour - told us that regardless of the result, everyone should be really proud of what Sydney had done.
Many of us began to get that sinking feeling that the organisers knew something we didn't, and that the Sydney bid had fallen a little short of the mark.
Hackett pushing himself to the limit - and beyond
Grant Hackett's coach has revealed his charge pushes himself so hard in his pursuit of excellence that he is a danger to himself.
Hackett is currently preparing for his assault on a record third straight 1,500-metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Click here to read the rest of Joel Zander's piece in our special Beijing Olympics blog.
Hackett is currently preparing for his assault on a record third straight 1,500-metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Click here to read the rest of Joel Zander's piece in our special Beijing Olympics blog.
swimmers morning people
The time-shifted swimming finals aren't winning hearts and minds among some of the athletes (and journalists) here at the National Aquatic Centre.
The schedule for swimming events at the Beijing games has been up-ended to cater for US television network NBC, which is the highest-paying rights-holding broadcaster for the games.
Finals that would normally come at the end of the day are now taking place from 10 o'clock in the morning - while the heats are in the evenings.
The schedule for swimming events at the Beijing games has been up-ended to cater for US television network NBC, which is the highest-paying rights-holding broadcaster for the games.
Finals that would normally come at the end of the day are now taking place from 10 o'clock in the morning - while the heats are in the evenings.
Greene gives the light for sports career goal
Applications for the scholarship were open to indigenous students of applied science (sport and sxercise science) or bachelor of health science (personal development, health and physical education) at the University of Western Sydney.
Todd Mackay originally came from Cowra.
He lives in Blacktown and previously went to Shelley Public School and to Mitchell High School.
Todd said that the scholarship would give him a great educational opportunity as well as a jump-start to his eventual sporting career.
“I was thrilled,'' Todd said.
“I didn't expect it and I was in shock when I was told the news.
“My mum and I are very relieved that I got this scholarship.''
The Minister for Gaming and Racing, Sport and Recreation, Kevin Greene, was at a presentation at the UWS Campbelltown campus last week.
Mr Greene said he was glad that the scholarship was awarded to a hard-working student from the west of Sydney.
“Todd was selected for his academic achievement and the excellent way he demonstrated how the scholarship will help with his career goals,'' Mr Greene said.
“He now has a chance to gain the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the sport and recreation industry. With the support he'll gain from experienced academics at the University, Todd can get access to opportunities to build skills and to establish careers and to provide leadership in his community.''
Todd Mackay originally came from Cowra.
He lives in Blacktown and previously went to Shelley Public School and to Mitchell High School.
Todd said that the scholarship would give him a great educational opportunity as well as a jump-start to his eventual sporting career.
“I was thrilled,'' Todd said.
“I didn't expect it and I was in shock when I was told the news.
“My mum and I are very relieved that I got this scholarship.''
The Minister for Gaming and Racing, Sport and Recreation, Kevin Greene, was at a presentation at the UWS Campbelltown campus last week.
Mr Greene said he was glad that the scholarship was awarded to a hard-working student from the west of Sydney.
“Todd was selected for his academic achievement and the excellent way he demonstrated how the scholarship will help with his career goals,'' Mr Greene said.
“He now has a chance to gain the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the sport and recreation industry. With the support he'll gain from experienced academics at the University, Todd can get access to opportunities to build skills and to establish careers and to provide leadership in his community.''
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Blessed Dress
I got an engagement ring for Christmas. My boyfriend and I had been dating for almost a year and both felt the time was right to join our lives together in holy matrimony.
The month of January was spent planning our perfect Alabama June wedding. My mother, two sisters and I went to Huntsville, the closest town with a selection of bridal shops, to buy the gown that would play the leading role on my special occasion.
We had a wonderful time just being together and sharing silly jokes, but the day soon turned serious by afternoon: still no sign of the dress of my dreams. Both sisters were ready to give up and try another day in another town, but I coerced them into one more boutique.
I had a good feeling as we entered the quaint little shop filled with the scent of fresh flowers. The elderly clerk showed us several beautiful gowns in my size and price range, but none were right. As I opened the door to leave, the desperate shop owner announced she had one more dress in the back that was expensive and not even my size, but perhaps I might want to look at it anyway. When she brought it out, I squealed in delight.
This was it!
I rushed to the dressing room and slipped it on. Even though it was at least two sizes too large and more costly than I had anticipated, I talked Mom into buying it. The shop was so small it didn’t offer alterations, but my excitement assured me I would be able to get it resized in my hometown.
Excitement wasn’t enough. On Monday morning, my world crumbled when the local sewing shop informed me the dress simply could not be altered because of numerous hand-sewn pearls and sequins on the bodice. I called the boutique for suggestions but only got their answering machine.
A friend gave me the number of a lady across town who worked at home doing alterations. I was desperate and willing to try anything, so I decided to give her a call.
When I arrived at her modest white house on the outskirts of town, she carefully inspected my dress and asked me to try it on. She put a handful of pins into the shoulders and sides of my gown and told me to pick it up in two days. She was the answer to my prayers.
When the time came to pick it up, however, I grew skeptical. How could I have been so foolish as to just leave a $1,200 wedding dress in the hands of someone I barely knew? What if she made a mess out of it? I had no idea if she could even sew on a button.
Thank goodness my fears were all for naught. The dress still looked exactly the same, but it now fit as if it had been made especially for me. I thanked the cheerful lady and paid her modest fee.
One small problem solved just in time for a bigger one to emerge. On Valentine’s Day, my fiance called.
"Sandy, I’ve come to the decision that I’m not ready to get married," he announced, none too gently. "I want to travel and experience life for a few years before settling down."
He apologized for the inconvenience of leaving all the wedding cancellations to me and then quickly left town.
My world turned upside down. I was angry and heartbroken and had no idea how to recover. But days flew into weeks and weeks blended into months. I survived.
One day in the fall of the same year, while standing in line at the supermarket, I heard someone calling my name. I turned around to see the alterations lady. She politely inquired about my wedding, and was shocked to discover it had been called off, but agreed it was probably for the best.
I thanked her again for adjusting my wedding gown, and assured her it was safely bagged and awaiting the day I would wear it down the aisle on the arm of my real "Mister Right." With a sparkle in her eye, she began telling me about her single son, Tim. Even though I wasn’t interested in dating again, I let her talk me into meeting him. I did have my summer wedding after all, only a year later. And I did get to wear the dress of my dreams - standing beside Tim, the man I have shared the last eighteen years of my life with, whom I would never have met without that special wedding gown
The month of January was spent planning our perfect Alabama June wedding. My mother, two sisters and I went to Huntsville, the closest town with a selection of bridal shops, to buy the gown that would play the leading role on my special occasion.
We had a wonderful time just being together and sharing silly jokes, but the day soon turned serious by afternoon: still no sign of the dress of my dreams. Both sisters were ready to give up and try another day in another town, but I coerced them into one more boutique.
I had a good feeling as we entered the quaint little shop filled with the scent of fresh flowers. The elderly clerk showed us several beautiful gowns in my size and price range, but none were right. As I opened the door to leave, the desperate shop owner announced she had one more dress in the back that was expensive and not even my size, but perhaps I might want to look at it anyway. When she brought it out, I squealed in delight.
This was it!
I rushed to the dressing room and slipped it on. Even though it was at least two sizes too large and more costly than I had anticipated, I talked Mom into buying it. The shop was so small it didn’t offer alterations, but my excitement assured me I would be able to get it resized in my hometown.
Excitement wasn’t enough. On Monday morning, my world crumbled when the local sewing shop informed me the dress simply could not be altered because of numerous hand-sewn pearls and sequins on the bodice. I called the boutique for suggestions but only got their answering machine.
A friend gave me the number of a lady across town who worked at home doing alterations. I was desperate and willing to try anything, so I decided to give her a call.
When I arrived at her modest white house on the outskirts of town, she carefully inspected my dress and asked me to try it on. She put a handful of pins into the shoulders and sides of my gown and told me to pick it up in two days. She was the answer to my prayers.
When the time came to pick it up, however, I grew skeptical. How could I have been so foolish as to just leave a $1,200 wedding dress in the hands of someone I barely knew? What if she made a mess out of it? I had no idea if she could even sew on a button.
Thank goodness my fears were all for naught. The dress still looked exactly the same, but it now fit as if it had been made especially for me. I thanked the cheerful lady and paid her modest fee.
One small problem solved just in time for a bigger one to emerge. On Valentine’s Day, my fiance called.
"Sandy, I’ve come to the decision that I’m not ready to get married," he announced, none too gently. "I want to travel and experience life for a few years before settling down."
He apologized for the inconvenience of leaving all the wedding cancellations to me and then quickly left town.
My world turned upside down. I was angry and heartbroken and had no idea how to recover. But days flew into weeks and weeks blended into months. I survived.
One day in the fall of the same year, while standing in line at the supermarket, I heard someone calling my name. I turned around to see the alterations lady. She politely inquired about my wedding, and was shocked to discover it had been called off, but agreed it was probably for the best.
I thanked her again for adjusting my wedding gown, and assured her it was safely bagged and awaiting the day I would wear it down the aisle on the arm of my real "Mister Right." With a sparkle in her eye, she began telling me about her single son, Tim. Even though I wasn’t interested in dating again, I let her talk me into meeting him. I did have my summer wedding after all, only a year later. And I did get to wear the dress of my dreams - standing beside Tim, the man I have shared the last eighteen years of my life with, whom I would never have met without that special wedding gown
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