2012 UK Olympics
Athlete Jenny Meadows anticipates she will be participating in her last competitive run in the upcoming London Olympics. She is running the 800m race and feels that it might be her last, since, as she claims, she was “a late starter,” to this kind of competitive running, currently being 31-years-old. However, Meadows is determined to go out with a bang and is really utilizing all her time to train well for the upcoming race. She feels that one reaches their peak in sports between 27 and 31, so she’d prefer to bow out gracefully than push it too much, and have a weaker exit.
Magnificent Meadows
It makes sense that Jenny Meadows doesn’t want to compete if she doesn’t feel 100 percent up for it. She’s quite the medal-taker. In 2009 she won the bronze medal at the Berlin World Championships (for Great Britain), following five years of competing on an international level. Another bronze medal came her way in 2010 at the European Championships and, in the same year, she got up to a silver medal in Doha at the World Indoor Championships. But in 2011 she didn’t fare quite as well in South Korea’s World Championships, or in 2008 in Beijing.
Still, Meadows definitely wants to go out with a good bang if possible. So she’s working hard for next year, but doesn’t anticipate pushing it any further.
Is Sports Betting to Become Lawful?
A vote was taken last week in the state of New Jersey vis-à-vis legalizing sports betting. A vote in favor would mean that the state would make it legal to supplement their casinos and horse tracks with sports betting options. Currently there is a federal ban on this. But to make this happen, this ban would need to be repealed in all but four states. As well, bets would only be permitted in certain places (not in college or athletic sporting events for example). The state of New Jersey had the opportunity to do this in 1991. Currently it is only Nevada that can receive bets (legally) on individual games.
Why Now?
Well, according to Governor Chris Christie, it’s about time this law changed, since people are placing illegal sporting bets the whole time anyway; why not at least let the state benefit (if it’s legal) if everyone is already doing it? The question is, how much money is really involved in this industry, others are asking? Apparently, billions and these days some experts in the field state its closer to half-a-trillion dollars – just do the research.
If all goes to plan, according to Sen. Raymond Lesniak, it could be sent for governor signature before January 10 (the end of the legislative session). Some are against this possible move though, such as the NFL. Spokesman for the organization, Timothy McDonough said he opposed such legalization since he believes it would undermine the integrity of the games, by football fans. But proponents point to the practical and financial ramifications of making such a move – that it could really help struggling casinos and the state’s economy, and anyway it’s already happening (in an illegal way) so why not legalize it?
As in any law, if legalized, there will be those in favor and those against but it does seem that it is – realistically – only a matter of time before sports betting is legalized in the state of New Jersey, and thereafter, other states will follow suit.
The UK is teaching those who don’t know, how to use the Internet. And it even managed to bring sports celebrities to help in this quest. Amazingly, in an act of kindness and in the spirit of volunteering, BBC Sport celebrities pledged an hour of their time in the ‘Give an Hour’ campaign. It is not just about showing them how to use the Internet though, it is also meant as a lesson in why this could be good for them. This program happened a few weeks ago when the clocks went back on Sunday.
Although this marked an official hour-giving of celebrity time, it seems this has been happening for a while, unofficially, with other sports celebrities around the nation. For example, Jake Humphrey (presenter of Formula One), had been spending time showing his mother what she could do if she learned a few Internet skills. She would always avoid the computer, so he started sitting down with her to show her things. It was so helpful to him, he figured his mother could definitely benefit as well.
According to research from the Office for National Statistics in the UK, it appears that close to 9 million adults are not able to use the Internet, and almost half of these are over 55-years-old. But there again, that means that more than 50 percent are youngsters so therefore education on Internet-use is needed nationwide for all ages.
Beckham Joins LA Galaxy
Next month the Philippine Azkals will be playing against LA Galaxy. The Galaxy is one of America’s Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. The game will take place at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and will have celebrity David Beckham battling for The Galaxy to win. As well as Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robby Keane – also top soccer players – will be joining the team for the game. But it is Beckham who has the highest profile, both on and off the field.
Beckham in the Limelight
It seems that if it’s not Beckham himself, then his wife and mother of his four children Victoria, is somehow all too often in the press. Just last week it was reported that Victoria tweeted that a UFO hovered over her LA home. Then, when it came to his third kid Cruz, the media picked up that the six-year-old had sustained a small injury while playing the game that made his dad famous (and rich) and it was David to the rescue.
David the Designer?
But now David Beckham might be moving into a totally different area than what he’s been doing with a ball in the hope of even more success. He has been asked by Adidas Originals to work with them, which was said to be “unexpected” but “welcome.” According to an article in Sky News, it’s something he’s “become interested in over the last five years.” He added that his “career has been solely about playing and always will be until I stop but I’m lucky enough to have sponsors like Adidas and other things I’ve ventured into with the fashion side.”
Busy Beckham
Clearly Beckham is extremely busy. Between his sincere commitments to his family, his soccer-playing, potentially having to protect his wife from UFOs and now his move into the world of fashion, it does not look like David Beckham will be complaining of having too much free time on his hands any time soon.
Female Soccer Players in College
Soccer has become increasingly popular – for women – in America over the last 10 years in a trend that doesn’t seem to be abating. When it comes to women’s soccer in college, according to Andy Richards, head soccer coach for Bowling Green State University women’s team, the figure has nearly doubled. The opposite has been the case for men. This may have something to do with the fact that funding for the sport is relatively inexpensive.
More Female Soccer Players Nationally
In addition to a larger amount of women playing soccer at college these days, the numbers are also climbing on a national level. America’s national team came close to winning the 2011 FIFA World Cup that took place over the summer in Germany, but was defeated by the Japanese team in the championship game. All games were screened by ESPN and could be viewed throughout the country, including summer campers who were encouraged to get into the spirit of enjoying the game and learning more about it.
World Cup Wonder
It seems that this year’s World Cup (along with the one that took place in 1999), was one of the most influential on soccer in America. When female soccer players become celebrities following their performance on the field, this encourages young females to take up the sport too. Some famous female soccer players in this realm include: Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm and Hope Solo, who, according to Richards were “pushed into the spotlight and become role models, and ultimately become the face of the sport.”
The National Football League (NFL) and its players should take pride in how they benefit the country’s economy. US economists should be incredibly grateful to the players that pushed the ending to the league’s four month lockout as apart from pleasing its fans, according to an article in the Chicago Tribune, they “also saved the most profitable sport in America, the most popular show on TV and billions of dollars that would have disappeared from the economy.”
Even when it’s not football season, the NFL rakes in close to $10bn. And just profits from sponsorship this year are now expected to increase by 15 percent from last year’s figures. More than 100,000 jobs are supported throughout NFL cities (including hoteliers and their staff, as well as sports-bar owners and all of their employees). So all in all, according to an analysis from Edgeworth Economics, when looking at these NFL cities, these games are adding approximately $5bn.
And then there are of course the TV viewers, boosting the economy as well. The Super Bowl last year on Fox TV, attracted a staggering 111 million viewers which, according to Nielsen’s list of top 10 programs, amounts to “more than any other single telecast.”
Shane Lyons, junior striker of Western Michigan University (WMU), just earned himself the title ‘Mid-American Conference Player of the Week.’ This was given to him, following the pair of goals he scored that won the game for his team last weekend.
Lyons Brings WMU Back
It cannot be denied, the WMU was doing terribly until Lyons’ actions last week. Indeed, the first four games of the season were nothing short of a disaster. But, given Lyons’ actions, it seems like the WMU is back, and here to stay. The team won three straight games, Lyons scoring a goal in each of those wins. So for sure he deserved his award – the first of its kind that he has ever received.
Earlier this week the WMU was up against Valparaiso and Lyons scored the team’s first goal in a game that ended with a 2-0 win for them. This marked their first victory against the Crusaders in four years. He has earned himself a well-deserved reputation among his peers and coaches, and Stu Riddle, the team’s third-year coach, said, “we are starting to see Shane back to his best form which is pleasing for everyone involved with the program. I’ve said all along he has the potential to be a 10-15 goal a season striker and he’s on track for those targets. Now he’s 100 percent match fit, I expect him to continue this excellent run of form.”
Let’s now hope Lyons is so pleased with his title that he continues to be motivated to work hard for his team and that the WMU is really back for business now.
