The Guyana Teachers’ Union 40th Annual Track and Field Championship was officially declared opened by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the Mackenzie Sports Complex (MSC) ground in Linden which he described as the fitting place to host the event. The event commenced at 18:00 h with an impressive ceremony, including march past of the different participants, and the official lighting of the torch. Among those present were Chairman of Region Ten Mortimer Mingo and GTU President Colwyn King. Read the full story

Michael Phelps had long hoped to venture into the sports business world, so operating the pool where he trains was a natural way to get his feet wet.

“I’m going to have to learn a lot, but I’m ready for it,” Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, said at USA Swimming’s annual Golden Goggle Awards banquet on Monday.

Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, announced earlier this month that their partnership is taking over the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center and the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, where Phelps began training at age 7.

“It’s going to be fun,” Phelps said. “It’s something different, something that I’ve never done before. Bob and I have had a great relationship over the last 10 years or so, so why not try some other things to see if we can master that?”

Phelps said he and Bowman haven’t talked much about what the swimmer’s role will be.

Bowman said he expects to keep Phelps updated on developments and have him involved in major decisions.

But Phelps’ main focus will still be training.

Phelps said he and Bowman had been discussing the possibility for almost a year.

They will operate the facility for five years or more with an option to buy it in the future.

Bowman began coaching Phelps at NBAC when he was 11.

After the 2004 Olympics, when Phelps won six gold medals, he moved his training base to the University of Michigan, where Bowman was head coach of the men’s swim team. Now they are returning to Baltimore together.

“It’s a new challenge,” Phelps said.

“It’s something him and I are going to have to work together toward. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I think we’re both ready for it.”

Bowman expects to lead an elite group of about eight to 10 swimmers who will train with Phelps and fellow Olympian Katie Hoff.

The coach said he hopes to have the group in place within six months and knows there’s a lot of interest among other elite swimmers.

“The word is out,” he said.

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Even at age 41, Dara Torres is looking ahead to swimming at next year’s world swimming championships.

Torres, who won three silver medals at the Olympics in August, wouldn’t commit to competing again when the Beijing Games ended.

But Torres said Monday at USA Swimming’s annual Golden Goggle Awards banquet that if she can stay healthy, she hopes to race at the 2009 world championships.

Credit Mark Schubert, the U.S. team’s coach and general manager. Torres recalled that he told her, “Why stop? You’re still improving.”

“He knows how to dangle the carrot,” Torres said.

She’s not sure how long she’ll keep competing.

“I don’t want to be one of those athletes who’s at the top of their game then falls fast,” she said.

“I have to be smart about it.”

Torres underwent surgery on her thumb last week.

She hurt it during her last Olympic race, and the injury turned out to be more serious than initially thought.

The ligament had come off the bone, she said.

Torres expected to get a new cast Friday that will allow her to train.

Even at age 41, Dara Torres is looking ahead to swimming at next year’s world swimming championships.

Torres, who won three silver medals at the Olympics in August, wouldn’t commit to competing again when the Beijing Games ended.

But Torres said Monday at USA Swimming’s annual Golden Goggle Awards banquet that if she can stay healthy, she hopes to race at the 2009 world championships.

Credit Mark Schubert, the U.S. team’s coach and general manager. Torres recalled that he told her, “Why stop? You’re still improving.”

“He knows how to dangle the carrot,” Torres said.

She’s not sure how long she’ll keep competing.

“I don’t want to be one of those athletes who’s at the top of their game then falls fast,” she said.

“I have to be smart about it.”

Torres underwent surgery on her thumb last week.

She hurt it during her last Olympic race, and the injury turned out to be more serious than initially thought.

The ligament had come off the bone, she said.

Torres expected to get a new cast Friday that will allow her to train.

The seven-time Tour de France champion, who in September announced he would be making a comeback to cycling in 2009, has been repeatedly accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs, with the claims continuing even after his retirement in 2005.

His return has provoked controversy, with some observers insisting samples the American provided during his record run of titles from 1999 to 2005 should be tested again.

But the 37-year-old is adamant he is innocent of all doping allegations and his success is due to hard work.

“There has been a fair amount of suspicion around me, and a hell of a lot of suspicion around cycling,” Armstrong told The Guardian.

“The level of scrutiny I’ve had throughout my career from the press and the anti-doping authorities is unmatched.

“I’m not afraid of anything. I’ve got nothing to hide. There are seven cups in this room because of my hard work. This next year won’t be any different - even if people hate to hear that.

“I’m going to be focusing on every aspect of the bike, the team, the strategy, the training, the hard work, the sacrifice. There are no secrets.

“To the critics I would say, believe it or not, there are exceptional athletes out there. Michael Phelps… Paula Radcliffe…”

Armstrong insists having his old samples re-tested would be the equivalent of a “kangaroo court”.

“Nobody in their right mind would take that test,” he added.

“Something might have been put in it and your life, your credibility depends on it.

“I’m all for drug controls but if the athlete cannot defend himself, what kind of kangaroo court is that?”

The Texan will make his comeback in the Tour Down Under in South Australia in January before the Tour of California, further racing in France and Switzerland and his maiden appearance in the Giro d’Italia.

His bid for an eighth Tour de France title will then begin in Monaco on July 4, if he receives an invitation from the organisers.

Armstrong became the oldest winner of Le Tour in 2005 and admits he has to train even harder to defy his age, but he is determined to once again prove his critics wrong.

“I have anxiety and insecurity about being 37,” he said. “Let’s not forget I’m the oldest tour winner in modern cycling history and that was four years ago.

“But that nervousness makes me work even harder. We’re doing a training camp in December in Tenerife and another in California with big climbs.

“Normally I wouldn’t smell a mountain until February so I’m starting early.”

 

Guyana News Today-Seven leading Russian women athletes were banned for two years Monday for manipulating doping samples, the Russian Athletics Federation

said. World indoor 1,500m champion Soboleva is among seven Russian women athletes banned for two years. But the timing of the suspensions has sparked a dispute between the Russian Federation and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that could finish in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. Read the full story

Guyana News The 54th Annual Athletics Championships organised by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) got underway at Eve Leary Friday after being declared open by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony. The event is one of several activities in celebration of the force’s 169th anniversary which began three days ago. Read the full story

Guyana News The finals of the Guyana Police Force Annual athletics championships will be held Today October 03, 2008 commencing at 10:30 h. at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, with a march past of the competing athletics teams-

The day of sports, which is being held under the theme “Building Confidence and Goodwill through Sports”, will be declared open by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Frank Anthony.

You are invited to provide media coverage of the day of sports. Read the full story

At the end of the first day of heats for the Police Annual Athletics Championships which was held today at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, the points standing are as follows:

Force Headquarters - 79.5 ‘A’ Division - 65.5, ‘B’ Division - 27, Country Division - 29.

In the International events, Guyana has amassed a total of 96 points, ahead of Trinidad with 38 points and Barbados with 16 points. The Championships will continue Today Wednesday October 01, 2008.

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The Guyana Police Force Annual Athletics Championships will commence with the heats being run off Today and Wednesday October 01, 2008 at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, and the finals on Friday October 03, 2008 at the same venue. The Inter-Police Division Competition was won last year by Force Headquarters who face stiff competition this year from the ‘A’ Division and ‘B’ Division contingents. Read the full story