Usian Bolt And Justin Gatlin's Post Race Banter

I guess all the trash talk leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games by and between the world's fastest man Usain Bolt and American sprinter Justin Gatlin came to close on Sunday. Shortly after Usain Bolt retained his Olympic Games100m title, he could not avoid being asked about his rival American Justin Gatlin - who he said has spoken out of turn this year. It was a response many Americans, including Galtin himself, would have wanted Bolt to regret after they raced yesterday.

Gatlin, who just over a year again returned from a four-year drugs ban, weeks ago said he was ready to take down Bolt in London - a comment the world record holder rightly replied to by saying "I think Gatlin has a few guys he needs to get past before he worries about me."

On Sunday after the men's 100m final, before Bolt had time to make his trademark 'to the worl' signal, Gatling offered him congratulations, but it wasn't enough to save him from Bolt's later comments. "Justin has been saying a lot of things, I wanted to run with him from the semi-finals, I was praying (for it to happen), but it didn't," Bolt said, while hinting he wanted to beat him from then.

 "People can talk a lot of things, you can say anything you want, showing up and do what you got to do is a different thing, so for me it was all business," Bolt continued.

Bolt said Jamaican athletes again proved they rule the sprints. "This is always a competition against the Americans to see who the sprint champions are, to see who is number one"

"Shelly-Ann did great, no doubt my money was on her yesterday. We both defended our titles and showed the world Jamaica is a great sprinting country." Both Bolt and Fraser-Pryce won the 100m titles in Beijing, four years ago, and will see action later this as they attempt to qualify for the 200m.

Kirani James Wins First Ever Gold For Grenada

19-year-old Kirani James won the first ever gold medal for the island of Grenada, as he stormed to the finish line recording a personal best of 43.94 seconds, well clear of fellow teenager Luguelin Santos in second. Lalonde Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago too the bronze.

James said: "It means a lot. Grenada will be going crazy right now." Since 2008, James has won Commonwealth Youth gold, World Youth gold, the World Juniors, World Championships and now the Olympics.

With this display, he becomes the eighth fastest man in history over one lap. This is a new generation of 400m men. In an event traditionally dominated by the United States, not a single American made the final.

Silver medallist Santos of the Dominican Republic is just 18 years old, while only one man in the field - the Bahamas's Chris Brown - is over 24. Brown, fourth in Beijing and in two previous world finals, was once again just a place off the podium. 

But it was James, just as it was in Daegu a year ago, who is the talk of this event. He already has a street in the Grenadian capital of St George named after him. Having carried his country's flag into the opening ceremony, he can expect a hero's reception when he returns home.

The future of the event may also be his. Michael Johnson's incredible world record of 43.18 secs has stood for 13 years. While that remains well out of James's reach for now, his own talent and the competition engendered by his youthful rivals could one day see him do what few thought possible and break that Beamonesque mark.

Golden Jubilee Cricket Match for Jamaica and Trinidad's Cricket Teams

When the national cricket teams from Jamaica and Trinidad arrive in South Florida this week,they will have more than winning on their minds, in fact, this historic match will celebrate each country’s golden jubilee of independence.

The athletes and organizers of the match which scheduled Central Broward Regional Park say they hope to do what Federation of the West Indies  failed to do politically 50 years earlier: unite the English-speaking Caribbean.

“Cricket isn’t just a sport,” said Anil Ramnanan, consul general for Trinidad and Tobago in Miami, whose consulate is promoting the event along with Miami’s Jamaican Consulate General. “Cricket is a language and the history of the West Indies could be told in the tale of cricket.”

Indeed, in a region separated by an ocean and dialect, but united by a common history, cricket has been a unifying force: The West Indies cricket team consists of players from across the English-speaking Caribbean.

“The only time we come together as one nation is West Indies cricket,” said Kamal Abdool, who is organizing the Friday and Saturday matches with help from the countries’ diaspora groups. “The one thing that is a common thread throughout the English-speaking Caribbean is cricket.”

Retired Jamaican-born cricket player Lawrence Rowe agrees.

Now a Miami resident, Rowe holds a 40-year-old cricket record after scoring a triple century — 302 runs — in his first Test Match.

“Jamaica got independence on Aug. 6, and Trinidad on Aug. 31. In the English-speaking Caribbean, we were the first,” said Rowe, who is expected to captain the Jamaica Consul General team as it plays “a friendly” match against the Trinidad and Tobago Consul General team before the national teams debut on the field.

“That is what we are celebrating,” said Rowe. “It’s not about the competitiveness of the two islands.” Sandra Grant Griffiths, Jamaica’s consul general in Miami, is already calling the winner. “We’re sure we are going to win, and they are sure they’re going to win,” she joked.

The friendly challenge on U.S. soil in Broward, considered the seat of the English-speaking Caribbean in Florida, is just one of many activities planned to celebrate both islands’ 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.

Miami’s Jamaican Consulate General has designated Monday Flag Day in celebration of Jamaica’s being the first and largest of the Caribbean nations to end British rule, on Aug. 6, 1962. The country’s easily recognizable black-gold-and-green flag will be on display throughout South Florida, including at the Miramar Town Center.

The iconic Miami Towers at Southeast Second Street and First Avenue in downtown Miami also will be lit in the island’s colors. Additional events for Jamaica50 include church services, cultural celebrations and an Aug. 18 anniversary gala in Miami featuring Jamaica’s Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen.

“What we want to say is that we are a nation of achievers and achievements,” Grant Griffiths said of Jamaica, whose strong sense of identity is lauded in its music, culture and reputation as a track-and-field powerhouse. “We have accepted our challenges the world has thrown at us, and responded accordingly. And we are prepared to use all of our experiences to move forward.”

• Like Jamaica, the local Trinidad and Tobago’s Consulate General will also host a gala to highlight the nation’s achievements and nationals who have made worthy contributions in academia, art, culture, music, business, community service, health and sports. The invitation-only, black-tie event will take place Aug. 12 at the Broward County Convention Center.

“Fifty years is a very young state in the development and governance of any country,” said Ramnanan, the consul general. “By no means, is it a very long time. But we would like to learn from some of the lessons coming out of that 50 years and celebrate the successes.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/05/2934791/cricket-unites-an-independent.html#storylink=cpy

Usain Bolt Scores Gold For Jamaica's Golden Anniversary

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt sealed his status as the greatest sprinter of all time after retaining the men’s Olympic 100m title with an electrifying display on Sunday.

The world record holder turned on the after-burners at 60m to clock an Olympic record of 9.63sec, the second fastest time in history.

Bolt banished the doubts that had surrounded him in the build-up to the Olympics after he was beaten by training partner Yohan Blake in the Jamaican trials, but the young pretender was left trailing two meters behind.

“I executed and that was the key,” Bolt said. “When it comes to the championships, it’s all about business for me and I brought it.

“I feel extremely good and I’m happy.” Blake, long tipped as Bolt’s successor as the fastest man in the world, claimed silver after equalling his personal best of 9.75sec.

“Usain has been to this level and he knows what it takes, he’s a world beater and he’s the fastest man in the world,” said Blake, who sent Bolt into hiding after beating him in the 100 and 200m at the Jamaican trials.

Blake added: “I have to give a lot of thanks, it’s my first Olympics and I get a silver medal. What more can I ask for? To be the second fastest man in the world behind Bolt is an honor.”

American 2004 Olympic gold medallist Justin Gatlin completed his remarkable comeback from a four-year doping ban by taking the bronze medal in a personal best of 9.79sec. The 2007 double world champion Tyson Gay came in fourth, one hundredth of a second off his teammate Gatlin in 9.80sec, with a third American, Ryan Bailey, fifth in 9.88.

The sold-out 80,000-capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium were on their feet when the eight finalists, including the four fastest men in the world – Bolt, Gay, Blake and Asafa Powell – lined up.

As the television cameras picked out each racer, the excitement mounted as they reached Bolt in lane seven, dressed in black shorts and the yellow and green singlet of the Jamaican team.

The 25-year-old showed no signs of nerves as he bid to replicate his gold medal showing in the Beijing Games in 2008. To mass delight, he practiced his DJ mixing skills, one hand raised to his ear, and then drew laughter after drawing pretend pistols and registering them after pointing them down the track.

As the starter called them to the blocks, Bolt put a finger to his lips to hush the excitable crowd, briefly crossing himself and looking the sky as the cameras zoomed in.   Bolt seemed his old self shuffling on the starting blocks.  

But as the silence descended on the stadium, the gun went and Bolt’s reaction time from the blocks saw him rocket away, but Gatlin had the edge on his left. Bolt, however, pushed his huge frame through his renowned drive and transition phase after 50 metres.

Teeth gritted and long legs pumping, Bolt completed what turned out to be a remarkably comfortable victory given the quality and strength of the field.  After Bolt crossed the line, he immediately set off on a lap of victory, a Jamaican flag draped over his shoulders and Blake in tow.  He stopped to perform his customary “bow and arrow” pose at various points, to chants of “Usain, Usain!” ringing around the stadium.

Bolt revealed afterwards that his false start in last year’s world had been worrying him before the race, but his coach Glen Mills put set things straight for him.  “My coach told me ‘stop worrying about the start, the best part of your race is at the end,” he said.

Bolt’s teammate and former world record holder Powell was left in a crumpled heap after pulling up and crossing the line in 11.99sec. The two other finalists, Churandy Martina of the Netherlands and Trinidadian Richard Thompson, crossed the line in sixth and seventh in 9.94sec and 9.98sec respectively.

It was a remarkable result for Bolt, who revolutionized sprinting, and indeed athletics, four years ago in Beijing, setting then-world records when winning the 100 and 200m titles, and also starring in a record-breaking Jamaican quartet in the 4x100m relay.

He left the Chinese capital as one of the most recognizable figures in world sport, unbelievably going on to beat both his individual sprint marks with new times of 9.58sec and 19.19sec in the Berlin worlds in 2009.

Bolt lost his world 100m title in Daegu last July to Blake after sensationally false-starting in the final, but has fired back in most emphatic fashion.

Coach Andy Reid Plans To Return For Preseason Opener

As the entire Eagles family grieves the sudden death of Garrett Reid, the 29-year-old son of coach Andy Reid, the team is practiced on Sunday afternoon, at Andy Reid’s request.

Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com has more details regarding the aftermath of the tragic events, which the team will feel directly and powerfully because Garrett Reid died in his training-camp dorm room.  He had been assisting strength and conditioning coach Barry Rubin. Frank separately reports via Twitter than owner Jeffrey Lurie said Reid plans to return to the team by Thursday, when the Eagles host the Steelers in the preseason opener.

Garrett Reid often was present on the sidelines at training camp.  Per Frank, Garrett Reid also had helped out recently with the Temple football team, where brother Britt Reid is a graduate assistant coach and brother Spencer is a redshirt freshman running back.

The strong connection between Reid’s family and the Eagles family has added even more emotion to Sunday’s events.  Frank writes that, after G.M. Howie Roseman told the media that Garrett Reid had died, Roseman “broke down sobbing.”

“My deepest sympathy for one of the greatest men on earth,” Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said via Twitter.  “My heart bleeds for you, Andy Reid.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell also expressed his condolences.  “We are deeply saddened by the news about Garrett Reid,” Goodell said in a statement released on Twitter.  “Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy, Tammy and their family.  We will support them and the Eagles in any way we can through this difficult time.”

These will be difficult days for the Eagles and for the Reid family.  Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone affected by the passing of Garrett Reid.

Professional Athletes Race To Invest in Hyperice

Professional athletes Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers, NBA), Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL), Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies, NBA) and U.S. Olympian Hope Solo (U.S. Women's Soccer), have become equity partners in Hyperice, a new state-of-the-art, patented high performance line of ice compression recovery gear. These sports stars join elite athletic trainer Robbie Davis , who has been a partner in the company from the outset. 

Each Hyperice device is composed of an ice cell and a compression wrap that work together as a system to maximize temperature control and compression. The ice cell features a patented air release valve that removes air from the cell throughout the icing process to deliver optimal compression to the affected area.

"Hyperice is just now being made available to the public, and we are in a really unique position to already have the support of some of the world's best athletes," said Anthony Katz, founder of Hyperice. "The fact that they all stepped up and wanted to be a part of this company is a testament to the quality and potential of the brand."

"Hyperice will be a key part of my daily recovery process throughout the NBA season," said Griffin. "I am proud to be part of the Hyperice team and know that I am partnering with a company that has produced and will continue to produce a superior product."

 Each athlete was introduced to Hyperice at various stages of an extensive testing period, during which time the Hyperice team, led by Katz, worked closely with engineers, professional trainers and athletes to test and modify the product. After using Hyperice and seeing improvements in how their bodies responded, Griffin, Solo, Polamalu and Gay each recognized the company's potential and expressed interest in becoming involved as business partners.  Additionally, they will all play an integral role in the brand's marketing and promotional content.

Hyperice currently offers five cold compression wraps, including the shoulder, extended shoulder, back and knee, as well as a utility that can be used to help prevent or treat ankle sprains, shin splints, tendonitis, bruises and more.  At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, more than 50 athletes representing U.S. Men's Basketball, Women's Soccer and Men's and Women's Indoor and Beach Volleyball have been given advance access to Hyperice to help them recover between games and matches.

Karl Lagerfeld Downplays Pippa Middleton Popularity

Pippa Middleton’s debut as maid of honor to big sister Kate may have scored her legions of fans across the world (and a Facebook page entirely devoted to her rear view), but one particularly vocal person is not one of them. If you believe the recent The Sun article, Karl Lagerfeld thinks Pippa is a butter face—in other words, he thinks she should keep her face under wraps and stick to only showing her rear.
Though The Sun didn’t specify the context or who Lagerfeld spoke with, he apparently had high praise for Kate:  “Kate Middleton has a nice silhouette and she is the right girl for that boy. I like that kind of woman, I like romantic beauties. On the other hand, her sister struggles. I don’t like the sister’s face. She should only show her back.” After the whole Adele debacle (if you need a refresher, he called the Grammy-winning singer “a little too fat” last February) you’d think Kaiser Karl would have tried to curb his appearance-bashing tendencies. Hopefully Lagerfeld’s most recent comments were simply taken harshly out of context, because if even Pippa doesn’t live up to his high standards, we can only imagine what he thinks about 99 per cent of the rest of the population.