Friday, January 27, 2012

London 2012: best of the web | Alistair Hendrie

The NBA's club v country battle; Phillips Idowu on the joys of bubble wrap; and should female boxers wear skirts?

Debate over skirts in women's boxing continues

Amateur boxing chiefs have admitted they are still undecided on whether to allow women boxers to wear skirts at the Olympics. The debate has caused quite a storm and sparked a petition with 54,000 signatures against wearing skirts.

Dallas Mavericks owner attacks players leaving NBA for Olympics

The NBA is currently entangled in a tug of war between club and country. Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner, described letting NBA players compete in the Olympics as "the epitome of stupidity."

Hockey captain rues clothing choice at photoshoot

You'd think a green-screen photoshoot wouldn't pose too many problems for an athlete. However, British hockey captain Kate Walsh triggered havoc when her trainers and stick clashed with the luminous green background, meaning officials had to tape up her stick.

Greene ? I try to forget I'm at the top

Dai Greene has conceded that life at the top is not always perfect. The world 400m hurdles champion has said he sympathises with Kris Akabusi and John McEnroe, who complained of loneliness while at their peak of their sports.

Chris Adcock targets not one, but two badminton medals

Chris Adcock has set himself a daunting task of qualifying for both the men's and mixed doubles badminton tournaments. He is aware of the task but remains determined to succeed in both events. "Neither event is a fall back option. I concentrate on the mixed and men's doubles just as much as each other," Adcock said.

Ethiopian athletes reinstated after ban

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation has lifted a ban on 35 of its most promising athletes following a debate over training regimes. The federation said the athletes weren't adhering to the national training programme created for them. However, the ban trigged a mutinous reaction and has since been overturned.

US rowing novice leaps into the unknown

ESPN's Megan O'Leary took part in her first boat race less than a year ago but, undeterred, she is now training with the US Olympics side in the hope of making the final team. Here, she tells of her emotional journey.

Triathlete Helen Jenkins discusses her Olympics goal and the British team

World champion triathlete Helen Jenkins has spoken of her unwavering confidence in her running. The triathlon also holds medal hopes for other British athletes, with the Brownlee brothers, Jonathan and Alistair, both in good stead for the Games. "Alistair and Jonny's success has inspired a lot of the team to achieve. It adds to a very good team spirit moving forward to this big year for everyone," Jenkins said.

Swimmers use oxygen tents to boost fitness

Swimming prospects Antony James and Steve Beckerleg are sleeping in oxygen tents, thereby improving their red blood cell count and cardiovascular ability. Beckerleg has struggled to become accustomed to the technique but is adamant it will be worth it in the long run.

Good week

Britain's emerging crop of young judo players excelled once more in winning a host of medals at this week's Senior British Closed Championships. Perhaps most impressive was 16-year-old Hayley Willis, who won both the junior and senior events at -48kg.

Bad week

The USA's men's hockey side now risk failing to qualify for the Olympics after pulling out of a qualification event in India, citing a lack of players.

Tweets of the week

Phillips Idowu...

My children amaze me, a sheet of bubble wrap and they are in heaven. Could of saved lots of �'s at Xmas.

Phillips Idowu gets in touch with these economically challenging times.

Perri Shakes-Drayton

Watching Orphan out here on SA tv. Don't know what to expect but I'm a scared when it comes to horrors. #stellenboschwwt

Perri Shakes-Drayton indulges in a horror film while training in South Africa.

Things you may have missed on guardian.co.uk...

? Barry Glendenning remembers Eric the Eel

? Meet burgeoning pole-vault talent Holly Bleasdale

? Triathlete Jonny Brownlee discusses his gruelling training schedule


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/london-2012-olympics-blog/2012/jan/27/london-2012-best-of-web

Mike Goodson Frank Gore Earnest Graham BenJarvus Green-Ellis

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