339 Sailors Set For Second Sailing Test Event

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is set to welcome 339 sailors from 52 nations for the Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2015, the Olympic test event, from 15-22 August 2015.

The Aquece Rio is the second sailing test event in preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition and sailors will be looking to stamp their authority one year out from the largest sporting event in the world.

Sailing’s test event often acts as an indicator into who will be on the podium at the Olympic Games itself. In the build up to London 2012, the one year to go test event saw 18 eventual Olympic medallists finish on the podium with the remaining podium finishers demonstrating the attributes that it takes to become an Olympic medallist.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

49er sailors Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS) were one of four crews who won the London test event before claiming an emphatic gold at the main event and they’ll be looking to set a similar precedent in Rio even though they’ve had a mixed year.

After a silver medal at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères followed by a couple of results off the podium, including a fourth place at the 49er Open European Championship most recently, the pair are looking forward to build on their performance at the Test Event.

“The European Champs were the last event for us in Europe this year. After a second at the World Cup in Hyeres and sixth in Weymouth we were looking to try and get back up on to the podium, which unfortunately did not happen after a bad last day and dropping from first into fourth. But reflecting on the event as a whole, I think it was really good for us to sail well there, all but the last day, which gives us a lot of confidence for Rio in August,” Outteridge said.

Rio 2014 Test Event – Aquece Rio Day 7-4. photo credit ISAF

Since their victory at London 2012 Outteridge and Jensen have taken somewhat of a back seat as their training partners and Olympic silver medallists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) commenced an unbeaten 49er run that includes 2014 test event gold, two world titles and four ISAF Sailing World Cup golds.

Burling and Tuke will have the favourites tag pinned on them during the test event and will look to continue their good form.

The Aquece Rio 49er fleet will feature 20 boats, the same number that will be present on the Rio 2016 startline ensuring perfect preparation for all teams involved.

Whilst focus can easily be put solely on the Australian and Kiwi teams the fleet is full of exceptional talent that have the capabilities to take gold.

Nico Delle Karth and Nikolaus Resch (AUT) took gold at ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami at the turn of the year and will pose a strong threat across the week. Denmark’s Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medallist Jonas Warrer, sailing with Anders Thomsen has the experience and will be at the top of the pack throughout the week.

In addition, John Pink and Stu Bithell (GBR), Manu Dyen and Stephane Christidis (FRA), Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern (IRL) and Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) will all be targeting the podium.

The Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta allows the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to evaluate and make key decisions in advance of making the final decisions that will govern the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.

Six race courses will be tested throughout the week, three outside of Guanabara Bay and three inside. Courses outside include Pai, Copacabana and Niteroi whilst the inside courses are Pão de Açúcar, Ponte and Escola Naval. All will be tested throughout the week by the ten Olympic sailing events. Click here to view the racing areas.

Like the 49er, the 49erFX will feature 20 boats at Rio 2016 and with 19 boats on the test event start line conditions will be similar to Games time.

Rio 2014 Test Event – Aquece Rio Day 7-2. photo credit ISAF

Brazil’s Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze took gold at the 2014 test event and will be favourites to take another gold medal. Joining them in the fleet will be 2013 world champions Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL), the consistent Danish duo Ida Marie Nielsen and Marie Olsen as well as Italians Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich (ITA).

The Finn fleet will see 20 competitors on the start line. All eyes will be on the in-form Giles Scott (GBR). Scott is on a run of 11 straight victories in ranked regattas, including the 2014 test event, and will be hard to beat on the Rio waters that he’s become accustomed to. Aiming to upset the run will be Olympic silver medallist Jonas Hoegh Christensen (DEN), bronze medallist Jonathan Lobert (FRA) and home nation favourite Jorge Zarif (BRA).

The Men’s and Women’s RS:X fleets will also serve up some strong competition. 2014 Aquece Rio gold medallists Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) and Charline Picon (FRA) return to Rio aiming to further demonstrate they are the pair to beat in the Men’s and Women’s windsurfer.

However, gunning to put their mark on things in the men’s fleet will be Nick Dempsey (GBR), Pierre Le Coq (FRA), Byron Kokkalanis (GRE), Nimrod Mashiah (ISR) and Pawel Tarnowski (POL). Leading the charge in the Women’s RS:X will be Blanca Manchon (ESP), Bryony Shaw (GBR), Maayan Davidovich (ISR), Flavia Tartaglini (ITA) and Lilian de Geus (NED).

Racing is scheduled to commence at 13:00 on Saturday 15 August with racing concluding on Saturday 22 August.

UGO, EFFIOM: WE’LL STOP CONFLUENCE IN 90 MINUTES

Rivers Angels Right back, Ugo Njoku and Left back, Mabel Effiom are confident the six times Women Federation Cup Champions will emerge victors in the quarter final clash of the oldest football competition tomorrow.

The last year’s champions will be bidding for a place in the semifinals as they take on Kogi based Confluence Queens at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in Enugu by 3pm.

Njoku in a chat with the club’s media officer said the team will ensure to get the job done in regulation time.

“I promise Rivers State a total victory of tomorrow because Kogi Confluence is not a push over team and also we’re a good side and also they are also good side, so tomorrow’s game , 90 minutes will decide” Ugo said.

“We’re not going to a penalty shootout anymore because our girls, everybody is ready because we’re going all out, full force to the game, we’re not scared of any team in this country, we are equal to the task” she added.

Former Rivers Angels forward, Lola Philips will be reuniting with the team for the first time since joining the Kogi based team and left back Mabel Effiom says her presence is no threat to the team.

“What I hope for tomorrow’s game is we’ll come out with victory and our defense will do very very well because I believe that God will surely help us come out with victory”

“In terms of marking, we’ll do our possible best to stop her, so her own case is never our problem, so we’ll do our possible best to make sure that we keep our net safe from goals” said Effiom.

Ugo Njoku

In other quarter final games tomorrow, we have

Edo Queens Vs Bayelsa Queens (Neros) – 3pm

Osun Queens Vs Nasarawa Amazons (Benin) – 3pm

FC Robo Vs Sunshine Queens (Oleh) – 3pm

Top Football Transfer Stories, Rumors And Titbits

Here are today’s top Transfer Stories as compiled by Our man Paul Ayorinde

you can Follow Paul on twitter @El_pauleta and also follow @Newfanzonwe for instant follow back, you can also like our Newfanzone Facebook page

Lets keep the conversation going!

Done Deals:

– Lyon have signed midfielder Mathieu Valbuena from Dynamo Moscow for £3.5million.

– Swansea have re-signed goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel on a two-year deal

– Stoke have signed Xherdan Shaqiri from Inter Milan for a club-record £12million on a five-year deal.

– Chievo have completed the signing of free-agent Simone Pepe.

– AC Milan have officially completed the signing of defender Alessio Romagnoli from Roma on a five-year deal.

– Blackburn have signed midfielder Hope Akpan from Reading on a two-year deal.

– Wolves have signed Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on a season-long loan.

– Roma have officially confirmed the loan of Antonio Sanabria to Sporting Gijon.

Xherdan Shaqiri
photo credit SebStanbury
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

Today’s reports and rumours:

– Arsene Wenger will surprise Arsenal fans by moving for PSG striker Edinson Cavani – and not Karim Benzema, according to reports

– Everton could be on the verge of sealing the transfer of Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, according to reports.

– Barcelona forward Pedro has asked to leave the Nou Camp, according to the La Liga champions’ technical secretary.

– Manchester United are closing in on a move for Benfica midfielder Nico Gaitan, according to reports in Portugal.

– Juventus have reignited their interest in Chelsea midfielder Ramires, according to reports

– Lucas Leiva will be allowed to leave Liverpool after falling out of favour with manager Brendan Rodgers.

– Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour is seeking a move to Serie A this summer, according to his agent.

– Barcelona midfielder Alen Halilovic is set to sign for Hamburg on loan, according to reports in Spain, Germany and Croatia.

– Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne admits he ‘would like to play for a bigger club ‘, according to Laura Lutz of Sky Deutschland.

– Sky sources understand that unless Manchester United are offered something out of the ordinary, David de Gea will see
out the final 12 months of his contract at Old Trafford.

– Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has reportedly phoned Atletico Madrid’s Guilherme Siqueira to convince him to move to Turin.

– Roma striker Mattia Destro is close to joining Bologna, with final details reportedly being discussed.

– PSG left-back Lucas Digne has turned down the opportunity to join Liverpool, according to L’Equipe.

– Newcastle United target Raphael Guerreiro has been valued at £8.8m by Lorient president Loic Fery

– Crystal Palace have accepted an initial bid of £6m from Bristol City for striker Dwight Gayle, according to Sky Sports sources.

– Aston Villa are interested in signing Barcelona youngster Adama Traore, according to reports.

– Sky Sports sources understand Manchester United are not pursuing Lazio captain Lucas Biglia.

– No clubs have made any offers for Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, according to reports in Spain.

– Former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp will not take over from Marcelo Bielsa at Marseille, according to his agent.

– Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade confirms interest in Dnipro striker Nikola Kalinic and Liverpool’s Fabio Borini.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic PSG
photo credit: Nazionale Calcio
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nazionalecalcio/15187440185/in/photolist-6edRFK-nw9A7R-iMaMHd-iM8T8r-6wCZ9J-5KWwH-iM8NQZ-bx9Vmq-iMcWLm-iM8Vti-cH3Zcu-5ViVdd-ejTqfe-qVN4we-8Lsz64-6YAFrg-rijDfb-345CgU-p94AQZ-6Hkd7t-e3Sm52-e3SkG2-e3Soet-e3SmHx-e3XVMs-e3SfUg-e3XSy9-cH3Zsm-aNfMYB-gn1JSy-e3Y5h9-ejZaaY-6SmtNP-6SqyAq-fF5Aiu-aK3gTv-76U2TB-aWTewH-aCFq4b-aNfMqB-bkCkuF-aWTdJz-bts4hL-aK37Cx-6YMCmj-6EZLix-aCsQry-6F4Vcm-6F4UXb-bkCap8

– Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent, Mino Raiola, confirms that Galatasaray made an approach for the Paris Saint-Germain striker.

– Atalanta are reportedly close to signing AC Milan defender Gabriel Paletta.

– Schalke 04 general manager Horst Heldt doesn’t rule out selling Juventus target Julian Draxler, but it would take ‘a huge offer’.

– Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs says Inter ‘can’t afford’ winger Ivan Perisic, even after Xherdan Shaqiri’s departure.

– Gerson and Lucas Digne are both expected in the capital tomorrow to have their Roma medicals, according to reports.

– Michael Carrick insists he never contemplated leaving Manchester United this summer.

– Tottenham Hotspur remain adamant that they will not sell Harry Kane to Manchester United or any other club this
summer.

– Leicester City striker David Nugent is in talks with Middlesbrough after the Championship club had a £4m bid accepted, according to reports.

– Cameroonian defender Nicolas N’Koulou has asked to leave Marseille, according to BeIN Sports.

– David De Gea has been included in Manchester United’s Champions League squad

Eva Carneiro

Football tit bits:

– Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro has been banned by Jose Mourinho from sitting on the bench on matchdays, according to Sky Sports sources.

– The Fenerbahce midfielder Mehmet Topal’s car was shot at by unknown gunmen following training at the Samandira Can Bartu grounds on Tuesday.

– Chelsea’s appeal of Thibaut Courtois’ red card against Swansea has been rejected by the FA.

– FIFA has confirmed the former Olympic official François Carrard will chair a task force overseeing reforms of football’s governing body as a result of corruption scandals.

Pinnick: Nigeria Too Big To Be Silent

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has again emphasized that Nigeria has the quality and quantity of population, and the wherewithal, to be a strong voice in the international sphere.

Speaking on the popular early morning programme of the Africa Independent Television (AIT), KAAKAKI on Tuesday, Pinnick, not for the first time, urged critics of the Nigeria game to be constructive and not destructive, and to cultivate the habit of proffering alternative solutions whenever they feel what was being offered was not good enough.

“Instead of simply castigating those at the helm of affairs, we should have tendency to offer what we believe are better solutions for specific issues. It is not about one person; it is about our dear country, Nigeria.

“When myself and other persons at the helm of Nigeria football travel out of the country, we go out there to project the Nigeria game, to seek for partners for Nigeria football in order that we can actualize our development plans.”

He dismissed statements by some persons about new Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh being inexperienced, declaring that Oliseh’s playing career that saw him winning Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze, Olympic gold and and starring at the very top level, plus post –playing career work with FIFA Technical Study Group, and technology, will take care of that area.

“We have no regrets appointing Sunday Oliseh. Other African countries were gunning for him, but he opted for his country. Oliseh’s stock in international football is high because apart from his work with FIFA, he has a company that trains and grades coaches all over the world.

“What the NFF, Oliseh, the LMC and other aspects of Nigeria football need is support from everyone, and patience, so that we can put in place our development programs that will take the country’s game to a new height.”

The NFF boss expressed delight at the impact of the Federation’s capacity–building programs, which has seen referees and coaches going to the United Kingdom for some interesting education.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick

“We can all see the impact of the new orientation in our referees who handle League matches, and everyone is now talking about the League again. We will soon begin to see the impact of the coaches’ training in match analysis, and we also have plans to send some administrators for similar programs.

“The present NFF leadership is driven by passion to make a difference, and we have that capacity to make the difference in administration of Nigeria football.”

Sporting legends to support young athletes at Lillehammer 2016

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced the list of 15 Athlete Role Models (ARMs) who will support the young athletes going to the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games from 12 to 21 February 2016 in Lillehammer, Norway.

Selected by the Winter International Federations whose sports will be featured at Lillehammer 2016, the list includes many legendary names from the world of sport, including Olympic and world champions. In Lillehammer, they will play a key role in supporting, mentoring and offering advice to the 1,100 young athletes who will be participating in the Games.

The ARMs will be accessible to the athletes in the Youth Olympic Village and during a series of educational activities and workshops within the Learn & Share Programme. These activities will focus on areas such as skills development, how to lead healthy lifestyles, environment and social responsibility, and Olympism.

The ARMs will be behind the scenes during competition and will also be available for informal chats in a specially created lounge that will be open to all participants. The athletes can also learn valuable lessons from the ARMs during “Chat with Champions” sessions – a Q&A format to promote discussion with the young athletes. Fans of the YOG, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to put their questions directly to the ARMs during informal chat sessions on the IOC’s social media channels.

The main goal behind the ARM Programme is to allow the ARMs to share their experiences and inspire the athletes to be the best they can be both on and off the field of play.

Angela Ruggiero, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission and Olympic champion in ice hockey, said: “The Athlete Role Models are giving back to sport by supporting the next generation of young athletes, both on and off the field of play. The ARMs have a wealth of knowledge to share with the young athletes garnered from their successful careers as sportsmen and women, and will be a huge support and comfort to the young athletes, many of whom will be experiencing their first multi-sport international competition.”

Also in attendance will be the IOC Athletes’ Commission, which will play a key role in the educational activities and workshops for athletes off the field of play.

For more information on the Youth Olympic Games, please visit: http://www.olympic.org/yog.

FEI European Championships Aachen 2015: Record Team Entry For Jumping Championships

Riders from a bigger spread of nations than ever before will line out when the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 get underway in Aachen, Germany next week. A new high was reached when the list of definite Jumping entries was confirmed today, and a massive 28 nations will be represented, while 23 countries will field teams and five will send individuals.

The full list of nations is Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.

This is the 32nd edition of the FEI European Jumping Championships, and the fifth time for the event to take place at Aachen. The inaugural FEI European Jumping Championship was held in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957 when German legend, Hans Gunther Winkler, claimed the title. Only individuals competed in the early editions, but as soon as the team event was introduced at Munich (GER) in 1975, Germany laid claim to that too. The German record in these championships is second to none, with 14 individual and seven team titles to their credit.

Defending the team title

However it is the British who will be defending the team title they won in Herning, Denmark two years ago when the action gets underway on Wednesday 19 August, while Frenchman Roger Yves Bost returns as defending individual champion. The British have a strong record at the Europeans, with six individual and five team titles already on the record books. Their 2013 victory came hot on the heels of their gold-medal-winning performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but this time around they will be without their world no 1 rider Scott Brash who was a critical member of that successful side. Michael Whitaker steps up to the challenge once again however as does Ben Maher, while the veteran Guy Williams, Joe Clee and the relative newcomer Jessica Mendoza complete the pack. The British broke a 60-year drought when winning Olympic team gold in 2012, yet they still haven’t managed to qualify for Rio 2016. So, along with many others, they will really be feeling the heat next week when the final team qualification is up for grabs.

Despite fielding a typically formidable side, Germany had to settle for silver last time around, so Christian Ahlmann, Ludger Beerbaum, Daniel Deusser, Janne Friederike Meyer and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum will be hoping to restore normal order, especially on home ground. Sweden took bronze in 2013, and Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Douglas Lindelow, Helena Persson, Henrik von Eckermann and Charlotte Mordanini will be hoping to put their country back on that podium. The Irish are in fighting form and completely focused on claiming one of the three Olympic qualifying spots available, but with so many others including the Belgians and the Swiss chasing the same goal it will be no easy feat.

There will be no place to hide from the moment the first individual qualifier begins, because every single jump will count in the battle for both the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 titles and one of those coveted tickets for Rio.

Individual honours

Roger Yves Bost was only the fifth French rider ever to claim the individual European honours two years ago. Great Britain’s Ben Maher went into the final competition with the narrowest of leads, but a fence down saw him having to settle for silver ahead of team-mate Scott Brash who rose from overnight 10th place to take bronze when producing the only double-clear performance of the day.

Bost was following in famous footsteps, as the list of previous French champions included Pierre Durand and the legendary Jappeloup who first topped the podium at St Gallen (SUI) in 1987, Eric Navet who reigned supreme on home turf at La Baule (FRA) in 1991, Alexandra Ledermann and Rochet M – the first woman ever to take the title – who headed the line-up in Hickstead (GBR) in 1999 and Kevin Staut and Kraque Boom who were winners in Windsor (GBR) in 2009. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is the only other female champion, pipping Belgium’s Jos Lansink in a thriller at Mannheim (GER) in 2007 during the peak of her partnership with the great Shutterfly. And in the fabulous grey Fibonacci, the American-born German rider has found an extraordinarily talented replacement, so she cannot be overlooked once the action kicks off.

However 96 riders will be carrying all their hopes and dreams onto the hallowed turf of the Soers arena at Aachen in seven days’ time, and these Championships, which have turned up some of the most memorable moments of this great sport down the years, promise plenty of drama and excitement before the 2015 champions are crowned.

Rules and Competition Format

Wednesday 19th August – First qualifying competition, individuals and teams. Table C (penalties turned into seconds added), fence height 1.50m, open to all athletes and horses declared as starters in the team and individual championship. Starting order decided by a draw.

Following this first competition the scores obtained by each athlete will be converted into points. The athlete with the lowest number of points will be given zero penalties.

Thursday 20th August – Round 1 of team competition, second individual competition. Table A, 1.60, open to all athletes who took part in the first competition. Individuals go first.

Friday 21st August – Team competition final and third individual competition. Table A, not against the clock, 1.60m. Open to the top 50 individuals who carry penalties forward from first individual qualifier and round 1 of the team event. Open to the top 10 teams following the previous day’s competition, including those tied for 10th place. In case of equality of points there will be a jump-off for the team medal positions.

Sunday 23rd August – Individual final open to 25 best-places athletes and horses including ties for 25th place. Two different 1.60m courses will be jumped, with 10-12 obstacles in round A and 8-10 obstacles in round B. Competitors will start in reverse order of merit in both rounds. Individual medals will be determined by adding together penalties from the first competition, the two rounds of the team competition and the two rounds of the final competition.

The British topped the team podium for the first time in 24 years when coming out on top at the PSI FEI European Team Jumping Championship in Herning, Denmark two years ago. This time around they will be chasing not only a back-to-back double, but also one of the three Olympic qualifying spots on offer at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany. (L to R) The 2013 gold medal winning team of Scott Brash, Will Funnell, Chef d’Equipe Rob Hoekstra, Michael Whitaker and Ben Maher. (FEI/Kit Houghton)

Facts and Figures:

The FEI European Jumping Championships begin on Wednesday 19 August and run through to the individual final on Sunday 23 August.

Competitors from 28 nations will participate.

23 countries have entered teams.

5 nations will be represented by individual riders.

A total of 96 horse-and-rider combinations are listed in the definite entries (11 August 2015).

This is the 32nd edition of the FEI European Jumping Championships, and the fifth time for the event to take place in Aachen.

The inaugural FEI European Jumping Championship took place in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957.

Only individuals competed in the early Championships. The team event was first introduced at Munich (GER) in 1975.

Back-to-back individual champions – Great Britain’s David Broome with Mr Softee at Rotterdam (NED) in 1967 and Hickstead (GBR) in 1969.

Back-to-back triple champions – Germany’s Paul Schockemohle and Deister at Munich (GER) in 1981, Hickstead (GBR) in 1983 and Dinard (FRA) in 1985.

Germany holds the record for the biggest number of individual victories with 14 in total over the last 58 years.

Germany also holds the record for the greatest number of wins in the team event, with seven to date.

Only one horse has ever won the individual European Jumping title with two different riders – the Irish-bred Mr Softee who claimed gold for David Barker in 1962 and then produced back-to-back victories for fellow-Briton David Broome in 1967 and 1969.

Defending champions are the British who produced their fifth win at the last Championships staged in Herning, Denmark in 2013.

For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.

LATEST SUCCESS OF IAAF RE-TESTING STRATEGY REVEALS 32 MORE ADVERSE FINDINGS FROM HELSINKI 2005 AND OSAKA 2007

The IAAF’s long-term storage and retesting strategy concerning IAAF Championships which began in 2005 with the storage of anti-doping samples from that year’s IAAF World Championships in Helsinki has led to disciplinary action being commenced against a further 28 athletes following a second reanalysis.

In 2012, the IAAF conducted a first round of re-analysis of urine samples taken at the Helsinki World Championships which had been proactively stored by the IAAF at the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses (LAD), the WADA-accredited laboratory in Lausanne, in anticipation of new scientific developments. This strategy first revealed six adverse findings from Helsinki which were announced in March 2013 and to date 9 athletes have been sanctioned following re-testing of samples from various world championships.

Beginning in April 2015, using the latest technology available in the field of anti-doping and taking advantage of the new World Anti-Doping Code’s provision extending from 8 to 10 years the period during which samples can be tested, the IAAF made a second reanalysis of Helsinki 2005 and Osaka 2007 samples. This reanalysis has confirmed a further 28 athletes with 32 adverse findings.

Due to the legal process, none of these athletes can be named yet.

A large majority of the 28 are retired, some are athletes who have already been sanctioned, and only very few remain active in sport. The IAAF is provisionally suspending them and can confirm that none of the athletes concerned will be competing in Beijing.

The IAAF embarked on this long-term storage and retesting strategy in 2005 to ensure that clean athletes are ultimately rewarded for their honest efforts in IAAF competitions. The IAAF is committed to use every means at its disposal within the World Anti-Doping Code to root out the cheats, however long it takes.

Martial Saugy, Associate Professor, PhD, Life Sciences, and Director of LAD commented:

“The latest scientific breakthroughs in anti-doping technology and analysis have been employed in the reanalysis of these samples to allow us to find previously undetectable substances. We are at the cutting edge of the fight against doping. In our 10-year partnership with the IAAF we have been using every scientific advance and legal opportunity at our disposal to catch the cheats. The IAAF and the IOC, working in cooperation with the LAD, clearly showed the way 10 years ago and other anti-doping organisations and sport federations, on WADA’s recommendation, are now considering or have started implementing such a retesting policy.”

IAAF

China Earns Two More Golds And USA’s 2008 Olympic Champ Eller Comes Back Atop Of The Podium At The ISSF World Cup In Gabala

Three events were contested at the ISSF World Cup in Azerbaijan, today. Mai and Cao of the People’s Republic of China won the 50m Pistol Men and the 25m Pistol Women events. USA’s Walton Eller came back atop of an ISSF podium two years after his last victory, at the 2013 World Championship.

Day-4 of the ISSF Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan, saw the Chinese flag risen twice atop of the podium at the men’s 50m Pistol and at the women’s 25m Pistol finals, and the victory of USA’s 2008 Olympic Champion Walton Eller at the men’s Double Trap.

Hancock wins Skeet final and makes it to the US team for Rio 2016

The competition day was opened by the 50m Pistol Men event, won by the 2013 Asian Champion Mai Jiajie (27), from the People’s Republic of China. Mai, who had never won a world cup stage before, scored 565 points during the qualifications, and then marked 194.7 points in the final to finish atop of the podium. The Chinese athlete won with over 3 points of advantage on Daehun Park of the Republic of Korea (20) – ranked 10th in the world – who collected today’s silver with 191.4 points after qualifying for the final match with 567 points. The Republic of Korea celebrated twice, today, as their second finalist, Kim Cheongyong (18), made it to the third step of podium, collecting his first international medal ever with 169.9 points (and 563 qualification points). Rio 2016 Quota places went to Spain’s Pablo Carrera (29), who finished in fifth with 128.5 points, and to India’s Prakash Nanjappa (39), 8th with 70.1 points.

At the following 25m Pistol Women event, the 18-year old Chinese finalist Cao Lijia beat Russia’s Vitalina Batsarashkina (18) with a net score of 7 to 1 points in the gold medal match, after passing through the semi-final with 18 hits. “This is a great birthday present. I turned 18 just one month ago, and this medal is the best thing that could happen to me,” Cao said. “I am really happy about this gold, it’s my first international victory, and I hope I will get many more in the future. I would like to thank my coach and my team, without them this would not have happened.”

Silver medallist Vitalina Batsarashkina (semi-final: 20 hits, final: 1 point) earned a Rio 2016 Quota place, as the People’s Republic of China had already achieved the maximum number of quotas allowed per country in this event. Cao’s teammate Zhang Jingjing (26) – the reigning world champion – claimed today’s bronze as she beat London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Olena Kostevych of Ukraine (30) by 7 to 3 points. The second Olympic quota up for grabs went to Mongolia’s 2013 Asian Champion Munkhzul Tsogbadrakh, who placed in 6th with 13 hits.

The 2008 Olympic champion Walton Eller (33) finished atop of the podium at the men’s Double Trap event, beating Great Britain’s Steven Scott (30) by 30 to 26 targets in the gold medal match. Scott, the silver medalist, gained an Olympic quota place for his country. The event’s second ticket to Rio went to Germany’s Michael Goldbrunner (29), who lost to Russia’s Vasily Mosin (43) in the bronze medal match.

It took a long time before getting to the medal matches. At the end of the semi-final, five athletes were tied in second place with 29 targets: India’s Asab Mohd (27), China’s Hu Binyuan (37), plus Eller, Goldbrunner, and Mosin. Hu was the first to leave the shoot-off, taking 6th place after missing just one target in the semi-final’s first 15 doubles.

China earns two more golds and USA’s 2008 Olympic Champ Eller comes back atop of the podium at the ISSF World Cup in Gabala

Then the shoot-off split in two: Eller and Goldbrunner fought to enter the gold medal match; Mosin and Mohd, for the bronze medal match. Mosin beat Mohd in the shoot-off (20-19), and Goldbrunner in the bronze medal match (30-29), securing the third spot. Eller beat Goldbrunner (4-3) to join Scott in the gold medal match.Scott, who had hit all of his 30 targets in the semifinal, then missed four and lost to Eller.

“I feel really good,” said Eller. “It’s been a while since I’ve been up on the top of the podium, so it’s nice to be back.” Winning a gold for the first time in the last two years, Eller feels now more optimistic about the Olympics. “Yeah,” Eller explained, “it puts me in a great spot for Rio. Hopefully I can just keep doing what I’m doing. I knew I had the ability to win a gold. I’ve been shooting really great scores in the last two to three years. It’s just that sometimes it’s tough: you got a lot of great competitors out here. They train just as hard as we do. Well, It’s nice to be on top.”

The 2015 ISSF World Cup in Gabala will continue tomorrow with the men’s 50m Rifle Prone and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol events. Finals are scheduled at 10.00 and 14.30 (GMT+5), and will be broadcasted live on http://www.issf-sports.org

CAVB Volleyball Information System Course Kicks Off In Zimbabwe

The CAVB Volleyball Information System (VIS) course kicked off in Harare on August 7, 2015 and continues until the August 11, 2015.

The course was run by CAVB Instructor Mr Hesham Mohamed Sayed and featured 23 participants enrolled for the program: 22 male and 1 female.

Theoritical part

Speaking in the opening ceremony, the President of Zimbabwe Volleyball Association (ZVA), Mr Fredreck Ndlovu thanked the CAVB for responding positively to ZVA’s request to host the course. He went on to commend the participants, the guest of honour and the instructor for taking heed of the call to the program.

Mr Ndlovu made special attribute to the fact that the course is a positive development in the expansion of volleyball in Zimbabwe as it stream lines the game to world trends in the era of information and technology. The guest of honour, Mrs Anna Mguni, who is the CEO of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee spoke highly of ZVA’s initiative to host the course as an indication of good corporate governance which other national federations should emulate in an era where sport growth benefits a lot from advancement in IT.

The CAVB VIS course

Mr Hesham Sayed expressed great appreciation to ZVA for making everything available for organising a successful course.

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Financial Assistance: Dele Jonathan Thanks GOtv Boxing Night Organisers

Boxing legend, Dele Jonathan, has expressed appreciation to the organisers of GOtv Boxing Night for the financial assistance given him. Jonathan, who is afflicted with bladder and prostate enlargement and requires surgery, said the organisers of the boxing tourney have shown that they want him to live longer and in good health.

“I am happy for what GOtv Boxing Night has done for me and what it is doing for boxing. May God bless GOtv Boxing Night and everyone connected to GOtv. I will not die now. I will live longer by the grace of God,” the former boxing champion said.

L-R: Efe Obiomah, Public Relations Manager, GOtv presenting a cheque (twenty-five per cent of the total ticket sales for the 3rd GOtv Boxing Night) to Ex-boxer, Dele Jonathan while Dr. Godwin Kanu, President of the NBB of C looks on held at National Stadium Surulere, Lagos today Tuesday 4th of August, 2015.

The financial assistance to the ailing Jonathan was announced at the third edition of the GOtv Boxing Night on 26 July.

The promoters of the event, Flykite Productions, dedicated 25 per cent of gate takings at the event to Jonathan and have since presented him with the cheque.

Sponsored by GOtv, the event delivered the biggest ever pay out in Nigerian boxing history with the N1million cash prize for the best boxer of the tourney. The prize was won by Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi.

Federation Cup: Osaghale, Clement Chase Obong

The races for the top scorer in both men’s and women’s competitions of the 2015 men’s Federation Cup competition hot up on Wednesday when the quarter final games hold in eight centres.

In the men’s event, Friday Obong of Akwa United FC of Uyo leads with five goals. He scored three of those goals in the Round of 64 against Dallatu FC, and two more in the Round of 32 match against Peacemakers FC.

Three other players have scored three goals each. Bobby Clement of Enugu Rangers, Junior Osaghale of BJ Foundation and Chinedu Iheanacho of FC Taraba. However, FC Taraba has been eliminated.

Osaghale scored one each against Kurmi Market (Round of 64), Sportlight FC (Round of 32) and Heartland FC (Round of 16). Clement netted two in Rangers’ clash with Kukuruku Dragons in the Round of 32 and another one against Kwara United in the Round of 16.

Iheanacho bagged a brace for FC Taraba against Akpamkpa (Round of 64) and one against Papilo in the Round of 32.

All of Obong, Clement and Osaghale have opportunity to increase their tally when the quarter -final games are played on Wednesday. Obong’s Akwa United clash with Niger Tornadoes Feeders in Makurdi, while Osaghale’s BJ Foundation tackle Lobi Stars at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja. Clement’s Rangers will battle El-Kanemi Warriors at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.

In the women’s event, Tina Oyeleme of Sunshine Queens has three goals, while Ijeoma Emenike (Rivers Angels) and Rafiyat Sule (Bayelsa Queens) have two each.

QUARTER FINAL FIXTURES (MEN)

Lobi Stars Vs BJ Foundation (Lokoja) – 3pm

El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Enugu Rangers (Abuja) – 3pm

Nasarawa United Vs FC IfeanyiUbah (Ilorin) – 3pm

Akwa United Vs Tornadoes Feeders (Makurdi) – 3pm

Women’s Federations Cup

QUARTER FINAL FIXTURES (WOMEN)

Rivers Angels Vs Confluence Queens (Enugu) – 3pm

Edo Queens Vs Bayelsa Queens (Neros) – 3pm

Osun Queens Vs Nasarawa Amazons (Benin) – 3pm

FC Robo Vs Sunshine Queens (Oleh) – 3pm

* All matches on Wednesday, 12 August