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Archive for the ‘Athletics’ Category
Tue, August 19, 2008 8:11 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 Beijing, China is now-a-days in news as it is hosting the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The pre-ceremony performance started was one of the most amazing musical extravaganza that started with the welcome music by Military Music Performers. Villagers from the Chinese boarder regions demonstrated their folk musical performances. The opening pre-ceremony event also witnessed many musical celebrations; such as Drum music performance, Male-female Duet, Male-female Duet; Miracle in the East and Male-female Duet and Chorus called ”The Drinking Song”.
The occasion was attended by Hu Jintao, the President of China, and Philip Craven, the President of IPC. In this Summer Paralympic Games, there are 20 sports at present namely, Archery, Athletics, Boccia, Cycling, Equestrian, Football 5-A-Side (for blind people), Football 7-A-Side (for people with cerebral palsy), Goalball, Judo, Powerlifting, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Volleyball Sitting, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Tennis.
The main attraction in the welcome ceremony was the Welcoming Fireworks. After this, the national flag of China is raised and the national anthem of the country is also performed. The flag operators of the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army raised their national flag. At the same time the National Anthem of China was played live by the Military Band of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
There were a number of performances in the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The next attraction was the welcome ceremony of the athletes. Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games is attended by the athletes from 148 countries. These athletes were guided in a predetermined order by one hundred and forty eight guides. The guides, when reached their designated positions, handed the feather placards to the persons in charge at the center of the field, who placed them in the feather framework, prepared according to the order.
This Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games is the festival of athletes with a disability. So the athletes entered the stadium first and then watched the performances together with the audience. The opening ceremony was much lively. The ceremony ended with a theme; “Bird’s Nest”, which means the ”Home of Life”. Each feather is supposed to be a a living entity that symbolizes the ideal of each and every people in the world with a disability and carrying certain hope and dream. The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games is meant for a cause. The cause is to let people with a disability help believing in themselves, their unbelievable will power and their hopes and dreams.
Tags : Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, beijing Opening Paralympic Games, beijing 2008
Sat, August 9, 2008 10:11 am By James Coolridge
 BEIJING (AP) _ Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou was barred from the Beijing Olympics by the IOC on Sunday. The decision to bar Thanou comes after the the allgations for her role in a drug-testing scandal at the Athens Games four years ago. The International Olympic Committee’s executive board made their decision after the investigation by the disciplinary panel on Thanou’s selection for the 100 meters for the Greek team, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said.
Thanou and fellow Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris were found missing from the doping tests on the eve of the 2004 opening ceremony, claiming they were injured in a motorcycle accident. The pair later withdrew from the games and returned their Olympic accreditations.
The IOC did not sanction them at the time. But both were later suspended for two years by the International Association of Athletics Federations. Thanou made a comeback to competition in 2007 and was found berth in the Greek team.
As per the IOC president Jacques Rogge, the committee had reserved the right in Athens to open disciplinary procedures against Thanou and Kenteris if they sought accreditation for future games. A three-man panel met on Thursday to consider the case. Their recommendations were made to the executive board on Sunday morning.
Davies said the executive board fully accepted the findings that Thanou was ineligible to compete at the Beijing Games under rule 23.2.1 of the Olympic charter.
She said the independent decision was made by the board “in order to send a firm message” to bar Thanou for bringing the Olympic movement into disrepute. The IOC has the privilige to bar athletes from the Olympics if they are considered guilty of improper conduct or bringing the games into disrepute. The women’s 100-meter heats are set for Aug. 16.
The hearing into Thanou’s eligibility is not connected to her claim to the 100-meter gold medal won by Marion Jones at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Thanou was second in that race.
Jones was later stripped of all five of her Sydney medals after she admitted earlier this year that she was doping at the time. The IOC is yet to make a decision on the reallocation of Jones’ medals.
Tags : doping, Beijing Olympics, Katerina Thanou, Greece, sprint, IOC, Jacques Rogge, Athens olympics
Sun, July 6, 2008 1:03 pm By James Coolridge
 Improving your athletic performance is your prerequisite for any sports; let it be a tennis game or a soccer match. To improve your physical performance, you need to take care of your body and mind. A healthy body and mind are the end results of balanced diet. Here is a quick review of nutrition for improving your athletic performance. Read on.
Balanced diet: Carbohydrates should be included more in your diet which is also balanced with all the other nutrients. Your body needs regular supply of sufficient energy. Therefore, include grains, starchy vegetables and fruits in your diet.
Protein is another important nutrient for a sportsperson. You need to take more protein for the repair of muscles and tissues, as there are susceptible to injuries and sprains.
Multivitamin-mineral supplement is always recommended to the athletes. You must follow a diet that provides you sufficient vitamins and minerals. Vitamin supplements ensure sufficient supply of nutrition. However, you should be very careful while choosing the vitamin-mineral supplements because, some may have side-effects and many of them may not be suited for your physique. Hence, follow vitamin-mineral supplements under the guidance of a medical practitioner or a physical trainer.
Hydration: Hydration is very important for athletes to stay fit. So, make it a habit to drink even when you are not thirsty. You may be recommended energy drinks, but they are avoidable. Aerated drinks and beverages containing caffeine are strict no-no, because they rather increase dehydration.
Cool water is sufficient. Drink at three to eight ounces of water 20 minutes before playing and after every 15 minutes during the game. Drink six to eight ounces of water when the game culminates.
Tags : carbohydrates, Athlete, nutrition, balanced diet, hydration
Fri, May 16, 2008 5:29 am By James Coolridge
 Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has recorded the second fastest 100 meters time in history. He finished in just 9.76 seconds at the Jamaica International Invitational. He set the record with a following wind of 1.8 metres per second, just below the legal limit of 2.0 mps.
The previous world record was set by Jamaican Asafa Powell (9.74 seconds).
Bolt is better known as a 200 m runner. He had expected to focus on the 200m at the Olympic Games in Beijing. He also had a best time in the 100m race finishing in 10.03 seconds previously, which probably made him to say, “I will sit down with my coach to decide what we will do.”
Bolt may now decide to run both distances and is a serious contender to break up the Powell-Tyson Gay duopoly.
Tags : Jamaica, 100 meters race, Usain Bolt
Sun, April 27, 2008 4:25 am By Matt Davis
 Expert coaching and physical conditioning are not the only requirement to become a good athlete. To become a successful athlete, you need to strictly follow a diet which is planned exclusively for athletes. Here is a list about the must-have nutrients for athletes.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates is the basis of fuel as it supplies energy in the form of glucose. Your diet should consist of at least 60 to 70 % of carbohydrates. The food variants with sumptuous amount of carbohydrates include whole wheat, whole cereals, wheat products, pastas, breads, rice, fruits and vegetables. Minimize the intake of refined flour. Since a lot of power and stamina is required for an athlete, proper amount of carbohydrates should be included in your diet to stay energized and perform well.
Proteins: As you know, proteins are the building blocks of life. They are required by the body to build new tissues and perform various other functions. 12-15% should be the caloric intake of Proteins in your diet. The exact amount of protein required depends on the type of exercise you do during the training sessions, their intensity and duration, level of your fitness, carbohydrate intake and total calories.
Fats: When it comes to fats, quality matters, rather than the quantity. The caloric intake of fats is 20-25% of the total calories. Include polyunsaturated fats and mono-saturated fats in the diet. The quantity of saturated and trans-saturated fats should be should be less.
Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals also serve as essential part of your diet, for proper growth.
If you are following a well balanced diet, you don’t have to compulsorily include health supplements in your diet.
Tags : performance, carbohydrates, fats, sports diet, athletes, stamina
Wed, April 16, 2008 2:26 pm By James Coolridge
 Bahrain, a country not very well knows for its sporting events, came into light with a fun filled event. An event where more than 1,400 students took part that had taken place in Al Noor International School’s campus marking the 15th annual Athletic Meet in Sitra. The gulf has never really been in the news other than its football, have decided to let the world know of the events it takes care of.
The event as such was not a major event when compared to the events that take place in the US, but it is a beginning for these young kids, to make a mark in the sports circuit in the world. The education minister of the State could not be present, but his advisor Mohammed Hussain Al Jowder was present, who congratulated students for their participation.
An event that is not huge by any standard, marks the first step of this country to International sports in a bigger way. I wish these kids luck on their pursuit for recognition and fame and playing for their country.
Tags : Bahrain, sporting events
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