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Monte Carlo Masters Series Ready for the Kings of Clay

2008-07-08T20:25:00.001-07:00

The 2008 US $2,450,000 French Masters Series event played in Monte Carlo, Monaco has just began. This senior championship first started back in 1897 and throughout the years has gathered the best male tennis players from around the globe.

Amongst some of the major clashes that have already taken place are the Murray vs Lopez game which brought lots of expectation; specially on the young Britton who was an unknown option to advance to a second round due to his retiring from the Valencia Open previously due to injuries. Despite the odds Murray was able to pull off a relaxing victory over the Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7-6, 6-4.

Other clay surprises were those of Volandri vs Mahut match which finished 6-2, 6-3 in favour of the Italian player; followed by the ousting of the ninth seeded Frenchman Mathieu who lost to Serbian Janko Tipsarevic 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

From what we have witnessed until now it is very likely this year's tournament will bring plenty of action and interesting matches as the big names in the ATP top ten begin to appear on the scheduled list. 2008 Australian Open and Indian Wells winner Novak Djokovic could be a possible rival for Murray in a third round match. Djokovic has made it clear to all of us that he is in active pursue of the number one position as he possesses all the tools and skills to achieve such goal. Nevertheless; the Serb is very aware of the fact he will encounter the man who has dominated the red surfaces over the past years; Spaniard Rafa Nadal and who is not willing to surrender his crown any time soon.

Nadal is the 3-in-a-row Monte Carlo King since his first win back in 2005 over Argentinean Coria 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 followed by two consecutive defeats over world number one Roger Federer in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Nadal holds a 93-1 clay-court record which he persistently kept to 81-0 previously to his loss at the German Open to counterpart Federer last year. Nadal's record also includes three French Grand Slam titles besides wins in Rome and Hamburg. But this year, the Spaniard will have to juggle a new trick in order to continue his reign due to the regular European clay tournament schedule changes because of the Beijing Olympic Games next month of August.

The Spaniard made a statement regarding the current situation ... "The calendar is completely crazy," Nadal said yesterday in Monte Carlo. "I think it's not fair to the European players and the clay-court players, too. Three Masters in four weeks, it is too much. They [the ATP] say this is an Olympic year, that is very nice, but the truth is they put Indian Wells and Miami back [actually forward] because of the college [basketball]."

It will be very interesting to see whether the Nadal era will prevail if he is able to win his fourth uninterrupted title; a win-streak which had not been witnessed since 1971 when Ilie Nastase won three consecutive times.

However; there are plenty of factors to take into account; to begin we have a recovered Federer who has just won at the Estoril Open in Portugal; then there are Spaniard David Ferrer whose game is most aggressive on clay and he seems to be going through the best time in his career; just this weekend he grasped the crown at the Valencia Open winning over fellowman Almagro in three sets.

As a tennis fan I must admit this tournament is a tough call as more players keep lining up to take the trophy home and get on course to the French Grand Slam at Roland Garros next month.

Claudia Beckford provides outstanding Tennis Masters Series content as well as information in the sports betting industry.

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Shaun White Pro Snowboarder Biography

2008-07-08T08:22:00.001-07:00

Shaun White is a famous man. He won a gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
As he has big red hair, he is called flying tomato as well. He won the event after beating a fellow American Danny Kass.

He is a two-sport athlete. He was the first person to participate at both winter and Summer X Games. He participated in two different sports- snowboarding and skateboarding.

He was born on September 3, 1986 in Carlsbad, California. White started snowboarding only at the age of six. He tried it after watching his elder brother, who was trying to do it.

Shaun started taking part in competitions after a year. After that, he won almost every snowboarding competition.
He was sponsored by Burton, and turned pro at the age of 13.

He was named as Future Boy when he first started competing. He was only 13, but was doing a great job in snowboarding.

White used to invent tricks that were never seen or heard before.
In 2003, Shaun White showed good performance in all Winter X Games, and other events in which he wished to enter.

Shaun White won the gold medal in slope style and the Super Pipe. He was awarded the best-athlete award also.
White became the youngest snowboarder to win, after a month.

After winning in the field of snowboarding, Shaun decided to leave an impression in skateboarding as well. In 2005, White qualified for the Winter Olympics 2006. He won a gold medal in half pipe snowboarding. This is the story of Shaun White.

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Movie Review - Balls of Fury

2008-07-07T20:19:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Saturday Night Live, Christopher Walken has reinvented himself as a comedic actor. His "More Cowbell" sketch is legendary, and the "Best of Christopher Walken" DVD has been a top seller. Walken appeared in last year's Adam Sandler remote control comedy, "Click," and he also was married to John Travolta in the big screen version of "Hairspray" earlier this year. This week, Walken is back in what could be his strangest role to date in "Balls of Fury."

The film centers on Randy Daytona (played by Tony Award winner Dan Fogler), a child ping-pong prodigy that was the star of the 1988 Olympic Games, (not in real life, just in the movie). Daytona's father places a wager on his son's championship match, which ends up costing Randy the game, and his father his life. Randy is disgraced and spends the next 19 years doing ping-pong tricks in Reno.

Flash forward to the present, and the FBI is trying to bust a Chinese crime lord named Feng, (played by Christopher Walken). Feng also happens to be the one behind Randy's father's death and is a HUGE ping-pong fan. Feng is holding an invitation only ping-pong tournament and the feds recruit Randy to go in as their mole to bust Feng and get his revenge for the death of his father.

An action-craving FBI agent, (played by George Lopez), a blind ping-pong teacher and his niece, (James Hong and Maggie Q.), round out our group of heroes in this slap-stick comedy.

"Balls of Fury" is "Enter the Dragon" meets "Hot Shots," but it doesn't fare nearly as well as either of those two films. The humor is primarily physical, and gets old pretty fast. Fogler is decent as the washed up ping-pong player, and George Lopez is as funny as he can be in his limited role. The big disappointment for me, though, was Walken. It seemed like he never really got a handle on his character of Feng. He's playing a Chinese crime lord, but he's dressed like Gary Oldman in "Bram Stoker's Dracula." And, he's not Chinese! Maybe that's part of the gag, but it's not very funny. He also delivers his lines in a variety of ways - ranging from raspy and gutteral to Liberace-like. The bottom line is that I never bought him as the bad guy.

The climactic scene is over-the-top and ridiculous, with Feng and Daytona playing a life-or-death game of ping-pong...with no table. It makes no sense at all.

So, should you "go see it," "wait for the DVD," or "skip it?"

I'm going with "wait for the DVD," or maybe even HBO.

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Meet "Pre" - America's Greatest Running Legend and Greatest Middle Distance Hero

2008-07-07T15:08:00.001-07:00

It has now been 33 years since the untimely, tragic death of America's greatest running legend and its greatest middle distance runner, Steve Prefontaine, and his legacy continues to grow as the void he filled remains open. It is rare but true to say that his legacy may never be matched again.

"Pre"-as he would become known to the world beyond Coos Bay, Oregon-was not only unbeatable on American soil but he captured the hearts of runners and spectators. Fans still swear upon pain of death that many times when Pre would step onto the Hayward Field track at the University of Oregon, the sun would burst through the overcast skies, as if announcing that something great was about to happen.

And happen it did because Steve Prefontaine was there to not just win a competitive race, he was there to entertain his faithful, who could expect a superlative effort as well as a victory.

Pre never thought of himself as the fastest runner in the race, but there is no record of a runner who ever faced him that doubted that he was the toughest, most courageous runner ever. That list included some world-record holders and his most intense rivals.

Like a lot of 5-foot, 100-pound athletes who were 8th grade benchwarmers in the more popular sports like football, Pre turned out for the cross-country team as a freshman and discovered his place in the world.

By the time to graduated from Marshfield High School, he had won 2 state cross-country titles, won state track titles in the mile and 2 mile twice, run a 4:06.0 mile in the Golden West Invitational, and set the national high school record in the 2 mile with a sensational 8:41.5 time.

As an 18 year old he qualified to represent the United States on an international tour and finished 3rd in the 5000-meter run in Europe. His 13:52.8 time was faster than any ever run by the legend of the previous generation, the great Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia. He held his own against the world's best, and had yet to begin his collegiate career at the University of Oregon.

In his first 3-mile race against Washington State in a dual meet at Eugene, Pre won in 13:12.8, the 7th-fastest time ever by an American and the fastest time by a U. S. runner in two years. After 21 straight collegiate meets without a loss, he was the hot-shot prodigy, on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a freshman. No one could have known that he was just getting started.

"A strange camaraderie grew up at the time among those of us who lost continually to Pre," said Don Kardong of Stanford. "We were united in our belief that no one should have the success coupled with pride that Pre had. We really wanted, I think, to see the big tree fall." But for Pre, his competitors seemed to not even be on his radar screen.

After his freshman year, Pre never lost a cross-country race, winning 3 individual NCAA championship titles. He would win 4 NCAA 3-mile titles in track, becoming the first runner to ever win 4 consecutive NCAA titles in the same event.

After his junior year at Oregon, he qualified for the U. S. Olympic team in the 5,000 meters and would finish 4th in 13:28.3 as Lasse Viren of Finland won in 13:26.4. The field literally plodded through the first two miles and sprinted the last mile. Pre would take the lead at one point but could not hold it in the end.

In preparing for the Olympic 5,000 meter, Pre had run four 1320s and three 1 milers with decreasing times. His 1320 times were 3:12, 3:09, 3:06 and 3:00, then he came back with the cut-down miles. For sharpening, he ran a solo mile under 4:00; he just walked to the line in practice, got set, then clicked off a 3:39 mile with no competition. He was ready, but he was not as experienced as the world-class runners he was facing.

Because of his relentless front-running, Pre was non-stop, and many of his opponents set personal records in losing against him.

Think about his personal best times: a 1,500 in 3:38.1, a 3,000 in 7:42.6, a 5,000 in 13:21.9, a 10,000 in 27:43.6, a mile in 3:54.6, a 2 mile in 8:18.4, a 3 mile in 12:51.4, and a 6 mile in 26:51.8, all accomplished by 1975. At his best, Pre once held every American record in the middle distance events from 2,000 meters to 10,000 meters.

Alberto Salazar, the former American-record holder in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters and marathon, had this to say about Pre: "He would not take second effort-it was not acceptable . . . I think it comes down to pride in the end. Not proud, necessarily, that you are better than everyone else, but that you are tougher than anybody else. That if you lose, you are going to make whomever you are running against pay. And that is what Pre did."

John Gillespie, a coach and fan, said "He had charisma. That word-there is something about somebody when you tell people you are going to do something, and then you go out and do it. I know of no single person who could draw people like he did."

Wendy Ray, the Hayward Field announcer for all of Pre's races there, said "He just had whatever that is-I don' t know, actors have it. Singers have it. Some people have it, some people don't. Most people don't. He had a lot of it."

Tom Jordan, a writer for Track &Field News in the early 1970s, said "Pre would fix you with a steady gaze and give the impression that you were the most important person in his life at that instant, and that the things he was telling you were known by few others.

"It was an enormously flattering and appealing trait," said Jordan, "and contributed greatly to what came to be called his charisma."

Pre ran every day of his athletic life. He was up at 6 a.m. and out the door, running again in the afternoon at workouts. Perhaps even more incredible than the records he set and championships he won was the fact that he never missed a single day of practice or a single meet during his 4-year career at the University of Oregon. He was a force that no one wanted to reckon with, or run against.

On May 30, 1975, 24-year-old Steve Prefontaine was killed in a tragic auto accident. A memorial marks the spot of his death in Eugene, Oregon, and attracts runners and admirers to Pre's Rock, the roadside boulder where he died. Like a flame that refuses to be extinguished, Pre lives on.

Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. My intention is to inform, educate, delight and motivate you the reader.

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

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Will London 2012 Be The Green Olympics?

2008-07-07T09:07:00.001-07:00

Once China has hosted this years Olympics the focus will switch to London.

I feel we should start by all wishing them all the best, they seem to have handled the earthquake disaster well and in my experience are dignified people, who should be encouraged to adopt a more positive human rights policy.

It will then be our turn and a legacy we could leave is to really focus on making these Olympics the driving force for green issues.

There will be many green issues regarding the actual building of the stadias, transporting competitors to and from them and their usefulness afterwards.

Big business will be interested in the games and in turn this allows the consumer to exert a collective influence. Big business has one purpose to enhance the wealth of their shareholders. I am not anti business I just believe by understanding how it works then effective influence can be exerted.

So what issues can be highlighted by making this the truly green Olympics.

Should it be the dreadful diet of many youngsters?

Should it be the ridiculous amount of packaging which supermarkets in particular use to preserve food

Should it be a move away from oil powered transport, the rising cost will continue, what price petrol 2 Pound a litre by 2012?

There are always reasons for not doing something, the China and India are building power stations by the week so what's the point of us bothering walking to the shops?

We cannot lecture others on a greener lifestyle if we make no effort ourselves.

More information can be found at http://thegreenolympics.com If you wish to email me regarding any question or to contribute to the debate please feel free.Written by Doug Holloway.My previous articles were entitled Eco Friendly Carpet Cleaning and How to Find A green Carpet Cleaner

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How Can We Swipe 2 Master Secrets From The Winning Olympic Bid To Use In Our Advertising Promotions?

2008-07-07T03:05:00.001-07:00

How many goose bumps did you get when the Olympic bid announcement was read out, citing London as the victorious city for hosting the 2012 Olympics?

Let me tell you that I was shaking with emotion when the result was read out. It was such an exhilarating feeling.

Though, after the celebrations drew to a close, I decided to take took a closer look at the winning bid. "Why was it so successful?" I asked myself.

After collecting and putting all the pieces of the bid together, I'm convinced that there were two strategies used that any one of us can borrow and apply to effective use in getting our advertising messages to be super responsive.

The first 'Master Secret' was the use of a 'CELEBRITY' to spearhead the campaign.

It's true that the Olympic bid was somewhat spluttering mid way through its campaign and something was needed, something drastic was needed in order to lift the flagging feeling of the bid.

Enter -(Lord) Sebastian Coe.

You may or may not remember the 800, 1500 meters and the one-mile battles that happened between Coe, Cram and Ovett in the early 80's. Now, THAT was compelling viewing!

With that pedigree and history behind him, introducing Coe as the main ambassador of the bid, was a touch of genius. It gave credibility and a unique tie in to what the games were all about.

With hindsight or not, it's fair to say that the London bid wouldn't have had the same sparkling result if it were left to the politicians and other 'dignitaries' to lead the challenge.

Reason?

They're not OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST CHAMPIONS! And... most are not 'favourites' with the general public.

So, how can you and I use the idea of a CELEBRITY to boost our response in the market place?

Well, all we need do is find a 'Coe Comparative' in whatever field we're doing business in.

Say we're a local butchers and we want to promote our new range of quality meats that have a certain zing and flavour to them. Something that just isn't available anywhere else in the local area.

How about getting the editor of the local paper to be in the promotions saying something like, " Geoff Swan of The Local Gazzette Swears He'd Never Buy Meat From Anywhere Else Than Blah Blah Butchers... The Meat's Just Too Tasty, Just Too Succulent and Just Great Value!"

When everyone else's shouting 'we've got cut priced sausages', you're wading in there with a 'glamour' promotion that the likes of which many customers would never have seen before.

And that means... interest and... custom, plenty of it!

That tie in with a celebrity alone will draw in the customers. But, couple that with great offers, warm and friendly service and a continual communication, it's possible you'd dominate the local area in pretty quick time.

Or, say you're a local solicitor trying to get new clients, why not do a promotion that says something like, " Nancy Kwan of The Chinese Gourmet Cook in Henderson Road Had Her Legal Problems Solved in Double Quick Time By Joe Blow Solicitors."

Again, it's quite unlike anything the regular 'punter' would've seen. And that 'uniqueness' in the marketplace is what all businesses, practices, services, etc, strive for.

See, the publicity by having a 'CELEBRITY' attached to your promotions, is like having an endorsement from someone in the local 'public eye'. Someone the locals trust. A Seb Coe if you will.

Okay, the second BIG SECRET that the London bid pulled out of the hat was... presenting thirty children from a local East End School to be part of the bid! It drew the emotional strings like nothing else would have.

More than that, the children were a 'promise of the future'.

Meaning, the Olympic Games will give these children the opportunity to have their minds and hearts filled with the passion and inspiration and spirit to be someone great. To achieve the highest honour in sport - THE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL.

Having that promise 'come to life' in the form of those children, was again, a master stroke.

So, how can you incorporate a 'promise of the future' for your promotions and advertising?

Alright, let's say that you've a auto repair shop dealing in cars that are 10 - 15 years old, and your expertise is to 'bring back to life, good as new'.

Now, the way to bring the 'promise of the future' in the marketing and promotion for this auto repair shop, is by way of a testimonial picture showing a BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURE.

Of course, the AFTER picture is the 'promise of the future'. It's what all customers would want their car to look like. It's what they want their 'old banger', to aspire towards.

Showing a customer the powerful future plusses in what a product or service will give them, is a proven and tested way of ensuring the sale.

In what ways can you use these powerful 'OLYMPIC STRATEGIES' to your benefit and gain?

If you spend a little time applying what you learn in these emails, you'll see such an advantage in your business that it isn't funny.

Go get 'em tiger!

Nick James is a UK based direct marketer and product developer. During the last 5 years Nick has sold in excess of 1.6 Million Pounds worth of products and sevices online. Subscribe to his Free Tip Of The Week email at: http://www.Nick-James.com

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Unlimited Satellite TV For Your PC

2008-07-06T21:04:00.001-07:00

The usual satellite dish companies charge you tons of money each month to receive the couple hundred channels they offer, out of which you will only watch the few that interest you. For a limited amount of time, you can download software that will allow you to access satellite TV on your PC for an unlimited amount of time at the same price as one month's bill from traditional satellite or digital cable.

Within seconds of the download finishing, you will have thousands of television channels right on your desktop or laptop and all you need to access them is an Internet connection. There is no additional hardware required such as a PC TV card since the channels are delivered to you via your Internet. All Internet speeds will work, but broadband delivers a higher quality of both video and audio. Also, since all you need to receive this software is the Internet and a computer, anyone in any country has the luxury of watching TV that is shown in numerous different languages right on their computer.

For many, this product sounds too good to be true, but it is 100% legal as shown on the website and there is no hacking or cracking of any codes with this software. The researchers that created the program wanted to make this product very user friendly which is why it works with any version of Windows. All it takes is a click of the "download" button to view all of your favorite channels and thousands more within seconds.

I like to watch sports and comedy for the most part, but with all of the extra channels you receive, it was a waste not to take a look at them. There were countless other channels that are now my favorites and how could there not be when you have access to almost every channel that is being broadcasted around the world. Within the 3500 channels you instantly receive, there are many genres some of which include sports, news, music, movies, weather, clips, education, and even radio stations. This software took over 7 years to be developed and released to public, and the creators just about perfected this product.

There is so much that I gained out of satellite TV, so for more information, check out http://www.squidoo.com/onlinesatellitetv

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Interesting Facts About Olympic Nations - France

2008-07-06T15:03:00.001-07:00

Did you know?

France is the birthplace of Pierre de Coubertin, who is the father of the Olympic Movement. This Frenchman was born on January 1, 1863 in Paris. Pierre once said, "The Olympic Movement gives the world an ideal which reckons with the reality of life, and includes a possibility to guide this reality toward the great Olympic idea".

The Summer Olympic Games were held in Paris in 1900. For the first time, sportswomen were allowed to compete in the Olympics ( six tennis players ). France won first place in the Games with 26 gold, 41 silver and 34 bronze medals.

Marie-Jos Prec was one of France's greatest sportswomen. She was born in Guadeloupe ( Caribbean island ) and moved to France with her mother when she was sixteen. Marie-Jose became the second female athlete in the history of the Olympic Games to sweep the 200m and 400m ( Atlanta'96 ).

Like Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and Reunion, New Caledonia -French territory in Oceania- is not member of the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ). Why? France does not allow its territories to compete in the Olympics. For this reason, New Caledonia's athletes can not compete in the Olympic Games. Unlike Guam ( American territory ), Aruba ( Dutch territory ) and Bermuda ( British territory ), it did not compete in the 2004 Olympics. Ironically, New Caledonia has several famous sportspeople in the South Pacific. Aquatics: Olivier Saminadin, Thomas Dahlia, Thomas Chacun, Reine-Victora Weber, Lara Grangeon, Diana Bui-Duyet, Adeline Williams and Gilles Durnesnil. Archery: Laurent Clerte, Emmanuel Guilhard, Henry Shiu, Isabelle Soeno and Sylvena Plazenet. Athletics: Vaikula Elise Takosi, Candice Soulisse, Erwin Casser, Bertrand Vili, Eric Frederic, Bina Ramesh, Eric Revillard, Phoebe Wejieme and Daniel Kilamo. Badminton: Nicolas Martoredjo, Florent Mathey, Marc-Antonie Desaynoz, Johanna Kou and Cecile Sarengat. Boxing: Christophe Lestage, Ataale Gyan and Hannequin Benoit. Judo: Sandrine Perel, Kyo Lussaud, Melissa Kaddour, Stephane Courtine, Jonathan Berger, Cyril Chevalier, Paul Dulac, Abedis Trindade de Abreu, Vaea Chadfeau and Diane Hillaireau. Sailing: Chrisptophe Renaud, Alban Rossollin, Feri Malhieu, Michael Borde, Cawle Dabin and Paiscillia Poaniewa. Shooting: Theodore Tein Weiawe, Fabrice Azarro and Phillipe Sinoni. Table tennis: Frederic Quach, Laurent Sens, Maxime Bataihard, Ornella Bouteille and Alexandra Heraclide. Taekwondo: Annie Odino, Kevin Belhameche, John Trouilet and Arnord Sariman. Tennis: Julien Couly, Elodie Rogge and Nickolas Ngodrela. Triathlon: Oliver Bargibant, Stephane Lacroix and Benedicte Meunier. At the last South Pacific Games held in Apia ( Samoa / formerly Western Samoa ) in November 2007, it finished 1st among 22 countries and territories. Certainly, New Caledonia has won more international gold medals per capita than any other country of the South Pacific.

Paris hosted the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in 1986. Final standings: 1.United States, 2.USSR ( currently Russia ), 3.Bulgaria, 4.Brazil, 5.Cuba, 6.France, 7.Argentina, 8.Czechoslovakia (currently Czech Republic/Slovak Republic), 9.Poland, 10.Japan, 11.China, 12.Italy, 13.Greece, 14.Venezuela, 15.Egypt, 16.Taiwan.

Jean Schopter became the first Frenchman to win the Roland Garros in 1892.

France send 243 athletes to the 1984 Los Angeles Games. It participated in 19 sports: archery ( 2 ), athletics (45), basketball ( 12 ), boxing ( 4 ), kayak ( 14 ), cycling ( 16 ), equestrian ( 11), fencing ( 20 ), football ( 17 ), gymnastics ( 9 ), wrestling ( 16 ), modern pentathlon ( 3 ), rowing ( 22 ), shooting ( 15 ), swimming ( 19 ), tennis ( 4 ), weightlifting ( 2 ), wrestling ( 8 ), sailing ( 12 ).

This European country won the gold medal in soccer at the 1984 Olympic Games in the United States.

France is the birthplace of fencing. Fencing was made part of the official program for the Olympics at the 1896 Athens Games.

Paris has hosted the Summer Olympics in 1924. There were 3,092 athletes from 44 countries who competed in 19 sports: athletics, aquatics, boxing, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, modern pentathlon, polo, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooting, soccer, tennis, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling. France came third with 13 golds, 15 silvers and 10 bronzes.

Eunice Barber is one of the most famous athletes in France. She was born on November 17, 1974 in Freetown, Sierra Leone ( Western Africa ), the world's poorest country. Eunice says, "I was fortunate to grow up in Sierra Leone, an English-speaking African country where sport is very present". For political and economic reasons, she moved to France when she was 18 years old. In the 1990s, Sierra Leone had one of Africa's bloodiest civil wars. More than 70,000 Africans had been killed and 150,000 had left the country. Under the banner of Sierra Leone, Eunice finished fifth in the heptathlon competition at the 1996 Olympic Games in the United States. For many sportswriters and experts, her Olympic performance was amazing. Three years later, she become a French citizen.

Top performances:

1999: European Cup-1st heptathlon

1999: World Cup-1st heptathlon

2003: IAAF World Championships- 1st long jump, 2nd heptathlon

2003: European Cup-1st long jump

2003: IAAF World Athletics Final-1st long jump

2005: IAAF World Championships-2nd heptathlon, 3rd long jump

2005: IAAF World Athletics Final-4th long jump

2006: European Cup-2nd long jump

Eunice's favourites:

Movie stars: Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore

Music: From French to pop music

Hobbies: Theater, cinematography, music, reading

Fashion designers: Issey Miyake and Jean Paul Gautier

Music artists: Celine Dion, Withney Houston, Wyclef Jean.

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: He is a freelance writer. Alejandro is of Italian, African and Peruvian ancestry. He has published more than seventy-five research paper in English, and more than twenty in Spanish, concerning the world issues, olympic sports, countries, and tourism. His next essay is called "The Dictator and Alicia Alonso". He is an expert on foreign affairs. Alejandro is the first author who has published a world-book encyclopedia in Latin America.

He admires Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Jos Gamarra (former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee ,1970- 1982), Hillary Clinton (ex-First Lady of the USA), and Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA). Alejandro said: "The person who I admire the most is Jos Gamarra . He devoted his professional and personal life to sport. Jos played an important role in the promotion of Olympism in Bolivia -it is one of the Third World`s poorest countries- and Latin America. His biography is interesting". The sportspeople he most admire is Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. "This African-American sportswoman is my idol... "

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Watch NFL Games Online - The Fast And Easy Way

2008-07-06T09:02:00.001-07:00

If youre a big football fan you will be happy to know you can now watch NFL games online from the comfort of your home and while your busy at work or just dont have access to a TV.

I started to watch NFL games online after my work schedule changed and I no longer had Sundays and Mondays off. I would usually get someone to tape the game for me while I was at work but my tape would either record wrong or my friends or family would tell me the details of the game before I could even pop the tape in or see the highlights.

I decided after a few weeks of missed games I was going to find a solution and that was to watch NFL games online so I decided to go on my computer to the google search engine and search the phrase watch NFL games online. I found a few different programs that I could use to do this and read reviews of them all and then eventually made a decision and went for Satellite TV for pc.

This software not only allows you to watch NFL games online but it also allows you to watch any other sport you can think of and has over 3000 channels to pick from. I will let you know because this is an honest review the software I use to watch NFL games online is not free it is a one time fee of $49 dollars after that one time fee its free for the rest of your life there is no hidden fees or monthly billing.

I have since cancelled my cable and no longer pay those monthly bills because I have 3000 channels to watch any sport or TV show you can think of for free and lets not forget what I mainly use it for to watch NFL games online.

I am going to go watch NFL games online right now but if your interested in the program I use to watch NFL games online just Click Here

Watch NFL Games Online Best Service On The Net Guaranteed

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Usain Bolt to Seek Double Beijing Olympic Gold

2008-07-06T03:01:00.001-07:00

Until last weekend, the majority of talk about the Men's Beijing Olympics 100m run focused on the impending showdown between American Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell. Thanks to last weekend's heart pumping, eye opening, world record setting surprise jaunt by Powell's teammate Usain Bolt, the tides have shifted in a different direction. Now the focus is on Usain, and just how good he is. The Internet has been teeming today with more news recounting Bolt's record breaking 100m dash on Saturday night. Americans Tyson Gay (9.85) and Darvis 'Doc' Patton (10.07) took second and Third place respectively. The 9.72 second run shattered Asafa Powell's previous record of 9.74 seconds. (Set last year in Rieti, Italy)

The stage was the Reebok Grand Prix meet at the Icahn Stadium in New York, USA. The night began with thunderstorms that eventually broke to make way for some human lightening on the track. The heat began shaky with a false start. Bolt later recounted that he was pleased for the false start because he didn't feel that it was a good one for him. The 21-year-old's 6'5 190lb frame is hard to get situated in and out of the blocks. Bolt also noted that he and Tyson Gay are not the best starters, so a strong explosion out of the blocks and focus on the second stage of the race were essential to victory. And victory was achieved. Gay surely anticipated a stunning performance from Bolt, having witnessed Bolt's Mar 3rd 9.76 second 100m run in Kingston. (Before Saturday, this was the second fastest time in history)

While many in the world are left stunned by Bolt's explosion onto the world stage, he has in fact been priming for Athletics greatness for years. At 15, he was the men's 200m world junior champion with a Gold time of 20.61 seconds. In 2003 he took the world youth championship with a 200m time of 20.40 seconds, a significant improvement. At 16 he clocked a 400m time of 45.35 seconds, becoming the first Jamaican schoolboy to run below 46 seconds. At 18 he ran a 19.93 second 200m in Barbados, becoming the first junior to break 20 seconds. Just last year at 21 he was awarded two IAFF Rising Star awards, broke Donald Quarrie's 36-year-old 200m record with a time of 19.75, and took Silver in the World Championship 200m behind Tyson Gay. He has also shown strong promise with 400 and 4x400 meter performances.

As these achievements indicate, Bolt has always considered himself a 200m runner. He only recently began running the 100m as a means of boosting his speed. (A challenge by coach, friend, and mentor Glen Mills) Obviously, the training worked. New York's World Record was only Bolt's 5th professional 100m. While he was initially skeptical about doubling up in Beijing, he has now publicly admitted that he will seek Gold in both the 100m and 200m this summer. He has always dreamed of winning the 200m in the Olympics, like his role model Michael Johnson, the 100m will hopefully be icing on the cake.

For now, Bolt is focused on his upcoming 200m on June 12th in Ostrava, Czech Republic. This will be his last race before the Jamaican National Olympic Trials at the end of June. These trials should offer a thrilling match up between Usain Bolt and his teammate and friend Asafa Powell.

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Haitian History

2008-07-05T21:00:00.001-07:00

INTRODUCTION

In 1492 Christopher Columbus wrote about Haiti: "The most beautiful in the world". Certainly, Haiti is a wonderful country in the Caribbean. I think that has a special beauty, with a geography and traditional culture that is totally different from all the other countries in Latin America.
Since then, the dictatorships have destroyed Haitian society, economy, ecology and sport. Since 1950, two million Haitian people emigrated to the United States and other countries. Haitian-American arrived from Haiti with nothing more than their clothes. If we compare the Haiti of today to Haiti of thirty years ago, we see a change: a new multiparty democracy. Today, a vast part of the Third World and more than a billion people are under dictatorships.

Eventually, I would like to finish my introduction with a message by Albert Mangones: "Haiti is unique in history, going directly from slavery to nationhood".

CHRONOLOGY:

1492: Columbus discovered Haiti in the 15th Century.

1520-1697: Haiti is a Spanish territory. In the late 1500 and early 1600, African slaves flocked to Island.

1697-1790: Haiti is a French colony. After 16th Century, Haiti became the most important French colony in the Americas. Islands export to Europe included sugar, coffee and corn. The beauty of Haiti is recognized by the French in the mid-1700 Century, when they called it "Pearl the Caribbean".

1790-1803: During the French colonization slaves suffers from maltreatment. By the late 1790, pro-independence demonstrations. An Anti-slavery movement under Toussaint LOuverture began. LOuverture is one of the most important black leaders in the history.During this period of time, Haitian slaves attack villages. Anti-French protests riots brutally suppressed. By the late 1803, under leadership of Jean Jacques Dessalines, Haiti army defeated the French forces at the Battle of Vertieres.

1804-1806:A French colony for more than hundred years, Haiti becomes independent, one of the most important events in the history. Jean Jacques Dessalines became the first president of new republic of Haiti, the first black republic in the modern history. Dessalines is the "Father of Modern Haiti". Haiti occupies the Western third of Hispaniola, the second-largest Island in the Caribbean.
1804-1820: Unfortunately; Haiti is divided into two zones. Northern Haiti is occupied by Henri Christopher, who is named Emperor, while the north is occupied by Alexander Petion. Petion is probably the greatest Haitian politician who ever lived.
1880: Haiti has one of the richest ecosystems in the Caribbean.

1900: Haitis modern political has been tumultuous, marked by dictatorships

1915-1934: Haiti has not had an effective national government Invasion by United States forces. US troops sent to Haiti during civil sub-war.

1918: The Presidential Palace, one of the best national palaces in the world, is originally designed by the Haitian Georges Bassan. Bassan is inspired to White House Washington.

1926: Emily Greene Balch, a human rights activist, went to Haiti.

1928: Cator is the only Haitian ever to win olympic silver medal. After, Haitian athlete Sylvio Cator breaks the mens long jump record in Paris. Cator was given a heros welcome when he returned to his country.

1937: In the Dominican Republic, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo ordered national troops to massacre of 20000 Haitian emigrants.

1940-1950: Haiti is one of the most popular travel destinations in the Caribbean.

1944: Dewitt Peters, an American school-teacher, founded the Centre dArt in Port -au-Prince Since 1944, Centre dArt became the centre of the Haitian painting. It is now one of Haitis biggest tourist attractions, and every year thousands of people came to see the paintings and other work of Haitian art.

1945: Haiti becomes the 26th member of the United Nations in October.

1956: Haiti establishes diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

1956: Daniel Fignol is President of the Provisional Council and Head of State of Haiti

1957-1971:After working for a time as a traditional doctor, Francois Duvalier became one of Haitis most famous doctors. In 1957, Duvalier is elected President of the Republic of Haiti. President Duvalier announced: "My government will guarantee the exercise of liberty to all Haitians". Francois Duvalier, also known for his nickname "Papa Doc", emerged as Head of State and quickly gained nearly absolute power. In 1961 "Papa Doc" rewrote the National Constitution. After, he became the first "President for Eternity of Haiti". In the 1960s and 1970s "Papa Doc" popularizes superstitions ideas to Haiti through a series of important voodoo rites. The Duvalier dictatorship instituted rig press censorship. International agencies accuse government of grave human rights abuses. His regime of terror resulted in the deaths of least 30000 Haitian. The Island is one of the most dangerous countries in the Third World.

1957-1981: Haitian First Lady Simone Ovide became one of the most dominant women in the history of Haiti. Simone, wife of the most famous dictator of Haiti, gained in influence and power through corruption and crime.

1957-1989: For many decades, Haiti does not have diplomatic relations with the USSR, Peoples Republic of China, Cuba, Hungary, South Africa and East Germany.

1960: The Tonton Macoutes, the brutal secret police, initiated a "Haitian genocide" in which political prisoners were tortured and executed.

1964: Joseph Eduard Gaetjens, the idol of millions of Haitians, is arrested and killed by the Tonton Macoutes, the sinister Haitian secret police. Like John Barnes (Jamaica) and Everald "Gally" Cummings (Trinidad Tobago), he was a great footballer in the Caribbean. After, Gaetjens become a world symbol of the struggle against dictatorship in the Third World. He had dual Haitian and American nationality and played at 1950 World Cup for the United States. Son of Haitian mother and Belgium father, he played for many clubs in the United States. The year 1950 was a very important year for Gaetjens: the United States beat England 1-0, the birthplace of the modern football.

1964: Francois Duvalier changed the national flag. Black and red are the colors chosen by Duvalier. Black, which is similar to the Angolan flag, represents the descendants of the patriot Francois Toussaint LOuverture and is also the traditional color of the Haitian people. While, red symbolizes the country`s independence. But the original flag, used since 1803, was removed in 1986 by order of the new government.

1966: Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, arrives in Port-au-Prince. Under the leadership of Dictator Francois Duvalier, many African countries maintain official diplomatic relations with Haiti.
1967: The Comedians, a film by British director Peter Glenville, inspired in the cruel Haitian dictatorship by the Duvalier family.

1971: After Duvaliers death, power passed to his son Jean Claude Duvalier, the man who became known throughout the world as "Baby Doc". Baby Doc is as dictatorial as his father. Haiti is ruled by iron hand. Duvalier, best known for his anticommunist political, is omnipresent. Many opposition leaders were arrested. He is accused of human rights abuses. Thousand of Haitian people fled the country. Corruption is prevalent at all levels of government. The health system is one of the worst in the Americas.

1974: The sporting system is one of the worst in the Third World, but Haiti qualified for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Haiti beat Trinidad-Tobago in the World Cup qualifiers. Is one of the greatest sporting moment, in the chronology, comparing it to something like Sylvio Cator, who won a silver medal in long jump in the 1928 Olympics Games in Holland.

1975: In El Salvador, Miss Haiti, Gerthie David, is named first runner up at Miss Universe Pageant transmitting live to millions by CBS. After, Gerthie David is acclaimed in Port-au-Prince as a national heroine. Miss Haiti competed with 71 other women from around the world for the title of Miss Universe, including Miss USA, Summer Barthollomew.

1980: Like Canada, West Germany South Korea and Kenya, Haiti boycott the Moscow Olympic Games in protest for Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

1980-1986: Jean-Claude Duvalier, Haitis longtime dictator, married Michelle Bennett, an aristocratic lady. A little more than three months later, Bennett-Duvalier becomes First Lady of Haiti. Like Eva Peron (Argentina) or Jiang Qing (Peoples Republic of China), she was a woman with great power. Michelle Bennett promoted her mulatto countrymen to positions of leadership in the dictatorship at his expense of the African-Haitians.

1982: The National History Park (La Citadelle Laferriere, Sans Souci Palace and Ramiers) is designated as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Like Machu Picchu (Peru) and Angkor What (Cambodia), the National History Park is considered among the wonders of the world.

1982: Ronald Agenor wins a gold medal in mens tennis singles at the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games La Havana. He captures the hearts of the Island.

1983: Pope John Paul arrives in Haiti for a visit. "Things most change here", said John Paul II.

1986: As Jean-Claude consolidated his power, he consistently refused to consider constitutional reform. The insurrection against the dictator Jean Claude Duvalier beganAntigovernment protesters in the capital. Many deaths, injuries and arrests. Seeming end to long Haitian dictatorship with fall of Duvalier regime.

1987: Haiti has one of the Americas rates of HIV infection

1987: The New Constitution restored many of the liberties abolished by the Duvalier family. The National Constitution recognizes both French and Creole as official languages. A new opposition emerged under Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

1988: Writer Rene Depestre wins the Prix Ranandot. Depestre, a Haitian dissident now living in France, was cited his novel Hadriana dans tous mes reves. By the mid-1980s Rene Depestre had become well known in literacy circles outside Haiti.

1990: Ertha Pascall-Trouillot becomes the first black woman elected of Head of State in the world.

1990: First multi-party elections. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a charismatic black leader, was elected president of Haiti. Aristide is the first democratic president since 1804.He was elected with the most popular support of any Haitian presidential candidate in the history.

1991: Military coup in the country. Raoul Cedras, leader of the coup, emerged as head of the new government. This year marked the end of eight months of democracy. Under new government, all political parties were dissolved.

1991-1995: Like Equatorial Guinea, Cuba and North Korea, Haiti has one of the most serious human rights problems in the Third World.

1993: United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Haiti, one of the most densely populated nations in the Americas.

1994: Peaceful occupation by United States forces to restore democratic electoral system. Raoul Cedras and his family went into exile in Panama City. Aristide was restored to power.

1995: In Port-au-Prince, sub-war violence includes assassination of Meireille Durocher Bertin.
1995: In Beijing, the capital of city of the Peoples Republic of China, Haiti participated in the UN`s Fourth World Conference on Women

1996:More than 5,000 Haitians had been killed and miles more fled to abroad, United States, Canada, Bahamas and Dominican Republic, since 1991.

1998: Haitian president Ren Garcia Preval arrives in Taipei (Taiwan) for a four-day state visit. He and President Lee will sign a communiqu to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation.

1999: Dominican president Leonel Fernandez visit to Haiti as part of a new diplomacy.

2002: In Paris, Dudley Dorival finished 3rd in the 110 hurdles at the World Championships. He becomes the 1st Haitian to win an individual international medal since 1928.Dorival was born in New Jersey, United States, to Haitian parents on 1 September 1975. He in 2000 officially became a citizen of Haiti.

2000: Haiti is one of the thirty poorest countries in the Third World.

2000-2001: The elections were boycotted by the main opposition political parties. Aristide was again elected President. Widespread violent in Haiti allege that Aristides election victory is fraudulent. Total political censorship exists in national media.

2004: This year Haiti is celebrating the 200th Anniversary of their National Independence. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti flees to Central African Republic following anti-government demonstrations. Haiti has one of the most violent conflict areas in the Americas. After, UN troops sent to Haiti during civil sub-war.

2006: Rene Preval is sworn in as President of Haiti. Since the peaceful transfer of power in February, Haiti is the newest democracy in the Third World.

ALEJANDRO GUEVARA ONOFRE: writer about Third World issues (human rights, biographies, culture, history, Olympic sport, democracy, womens rights).Alejandro is author of many booksHe has Italian ancestry. His hobbies and interests are writing essays, going to the gym, browsing the Internet, Foreign Politics, learning about cultures, reading (his favourite writer is Juan Gasparini from Argentina), cooking Peruvian food, listening to American and British Music (his favourite singer is Barry White). His personal motto is the future is for those people who believe in the beauty of their dreams by Eleanor Roosevelt...His heroes are Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Mpule Kwelagobe (ex Miss Universe and currently Anti-AIDS activist), Bono, Dian Fossey, Jimmy Carter, Oprah Winfrey,Hernando de Soto, Javier Perez de Cuellar and Mario Vargas Llosa...

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Painful Culturist Realities In China's Terrible Earthquake

2008-07-05T14:59:00.001-07:00

My friend Laura sent around a call for donations to aid those killed, injured and / or left homeless by the recent earthquakes in China. This mass mailing went out to a lot of people, but as I have known Laura for quite some time I imagined what I might say to her if we had a conversation concerning her relief efforts. Of course, sentimentally, my heart goes out to all the victims. But, my imagined conversation led to callous realities. For the sake of our nation and my friendship with Laura, I'm just going to ignore her e-mail.

As caring and supposedly wealthy people, Americans often want to give and are always expected to provide disaster relief. This giving spirit reflects a belief in a human community. Yet, as culturists know, that community is often more illusory than real. When America stepped into stop violence in Rwanda, Somalia and the Balkans we backed and protected some unsavory people in the middle of torrential violence. In such cases, someone will always resent your helping the other side. We are yet to see gratitude for our supporting Muslims in the Balkans. When it comes to interfering in nations we know little about, my culturist instincts always lean towards caution.

In the case of major nations, how much of a sense of community is there? When Katrina happened, Japan sent us $500,000. That is not enough money to buy one condominium in New York. While it goes further in New Orleans, it verges on being an insult. How much money did China give us? If we were broke and had a disaster, how much relief would China send us? We already have a major trade deficit with them and in normal times they do not seem to mind playing hardball to increase that deficit. As it is, we send them a lot of money and they send much less back. They seem to think our nations are competitors. The trade deficit seems to confirm this impression.

Diversity exists. Myanmar refused to distribute the aid sent to them. The North Korean government regularly takes U.N. aid, puts it in bags labeled "North Korean government," skims the bulk off for their military, and pretends like it is providing the relief. Whatever China spends in aiding its poor, they will not spend propping up the murderous regime in Sudan nor fueling their incredible and secretive military growth. As per my Western bias, I feel more akin to nations that promote democracy and rights and do not back terrorists. Even if it were eventually getting to the people, giving free money to China and Myanmar seems problematic.

Culturism does not put stock in abstractions. Rights, for example, only come from countries that believe in them and can afford them, not from a metaphysical reality. Even if we did consider all peoples one and looked past nationality and culture, we would still have limited resources to spend on the world. We currently have tremendous debts and deficits. Our very own infrastructure is old and collapsing. We have many homeless. And neither Katrina nor the World Trade Center has been rebuilt. While it might feel good to Americans to imagine the world shuttles money back and forth whenever there is a disaster, there are limits and one must prioritize.

I send those in China and Myanmar my condolences. I truly hope that their governments spend money on their people. I'll be watching their governments and judging them accordingly. Laura might ask if I would not want other nations to give me money if I needed it. Certainly I will take all the free money I can get. But, in reality, the lion's share of help I'd get would come from my own government and my personal resources. And the money our government spends to help in disasters comes out of real American's incomes. I do not resent that other nations do not take in refugees willingly or send other nations much money in times of need. I think they have their priorities straight. I truly hope China and Myanmar get relief to their people quickly.

John Press is the author of Culturism: A Word, A Value, Our Future. He is a an adjunct professor and doctoral student at New York University. http://www.culturism.us has more information about culturism.

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Interesting Facts About Olympic Nations - Qatar

2008-07-05T08:58:00.001-07:00

Did you know...

The 2006 Doha Asian Games were considered to be one of the most successful Asian Games in history. Doha was selected by an 0CA (Olympic Council of Asia) evaluation committee from a list of four cities. The other candidates were Kuala Lumpur (hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games - It was a big favorite by the Olympic Movement), New Dehi (hosted the 1982 Asian Games) and Hong Kong.

Nasir Saleh Nasir Abdullah Al-Attiyah was elected to represent the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as the first Global Sport Fund (GSF) Ambassador. Who is he? Nasir Saleh Al-Attiyah is one of the greatest shooters in Qatar and Asia. Sportsmen who have trained with him say he's a perfectionist. This athlete has won over 60 titles in his sporting career. He finished fourth in the men's skeet shooting competition in Athens' 2004. In 2001, he won the silver medal at the World Cup in Italy. "Mr. Al-Attiyah is an accomplished athlete in sports that require precision and dedication, where being distracted by drugs would make success impossible. He has the credentials to show young people what tremendous achievements are possible by living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle", said UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa.

Qatar will host the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2010. It is part of a campaign to attract more major athletics events in the run up to the 2016 Olympic Games...

Like England, Germany, Italy, Australia and Greece, Qatar -it is a little bigger than Hawaii- has famous sports venues. The venues were designed and built by Europeans. Doha's sporting infrastructure includes:

Al-Rayyan Sports Club Stadium and Indoor Hall (basketball, football, handball, field hockey, volleyball)

Al Sadd Sports Club Indoor Hall (soccer, baseball, softball)

A-Arabi Sports Club Indoor Hall (soccer, Kabaddi, rugby, table tennis, fencing, weightlifting, wrestling, bodybuilding)

Al-Khor Road Course (cycling)

Qatar Bowling Center (bowling)

Qatar Sports Club Stadium and Indoor Hall (soccer, judo, karate, boxing, wushu, bodybuilding, taekwondo, sepaktakraw)

Khalifa Stadium (track & field) and Hamad Aquatic Center (diving, swimming, synchronized swimming, water polo)

Corniche (athletics, cycling, triathlon)

Doha Racing & Equestrian Club (equestrian)

Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex (tennis, squash, badminton, basque pelota)

Al-Gharrafa Sports Club Stadium and Indoor Hall (football, handball, volleyball)

Al-Duhail Shooting Range (archery, shooting)

Doha Sailing Club (sailing)

Messieed Endurance Course (equestrian)

ASPIRE Academy (badminton, boxing, chess, cycling, gymnastics, cue sports, modern pentathlon, kabaddi, kayak, wrestling, basketball, karate, judo, wushu)

West Bay Lagoo (rowing)

The 26th Asian Basketball Championship was held under the auspices of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) in 2006.

Qatar Airways is the official airline of the Qatari Olympic Committee. It is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.

This Arab country has one of the best football facilities in Asia. Serbian coach Bora Milutinovic, who worked in Qatar, once said, "The working conditions are unbelievable: we have a modern stadium with a capacity of 15,000, a good pitch as well as numerous training pitches, a gym, and an indoor hall. In other words, the Al-Sadd Sports Club is like Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, only on a smaller scale".

The most popular sports in Qatar are soccer, equestrian, athletics, shooting, weightlifting, table tennis and handball.

Nada Zaidan (archery) was the first Muslim Arab woman to participate in the 14^th Asian Games in Busan (South Korea).

The most popular football clubs are Al-Sadd, Al-Gharrafa, Al-Arabi...

Saif Saaeed Shaheen is now the Qatar's most successful athlete. He was born in 1982 as Stephen Cherono in Keiyo, Kenya (Africa). On Agust 12, 2003, he became a Qatari citizen. In a career of more than four years, he has won many international championships (1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m).

Doha -it become one of the world's first class cities- is the home of many sports events. Some of these tournaments are:

Doha Masters Golf

Doha Cycling Tour

Qatar Total Open Tennis Tournament for Women

World Motorcycle Championship

Doha Junior Open (table tennis)

Qatar Exxon Mobil Open for Men (tennis)

Doha Fencing Grand Prix

This Arab country has many foreign coaches: Dzemaludin Musavic (soccer / Bosnia & Herzegovina), Ekrem Jaganjac (handball / Croatia), Li Ling (archery/ China).

The Qatar Sports Club was the venue for soccer matches at the 2006 Asian Games. Refurbished in 2004, it is one of the most beautiful clubs in the world...

This Arab country sent 44 sportswomen to the Asian Games in 2006. They competed in 11 sports (archery, chess, equestrian, fencing, artistic gymnastics, golf, judo, sailing, shooting, swimming and taekwondo). "Muslim and Arab athletes will have a positive affect not only on Qatari athletes but also on sports officials and Arab societies" says the president of the Qatar Women's Sports Committee, Dr. Aneesa Al-Hitmi.

The 2005 West Asian Games took place in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Millions of people were watching it on television. About 1,011 athletes competing in the following disciplines:athletics, basketball, bowling, diving, fencing, football, gymnastics,handball, shooting, swimming, volleyball and weightlifting.

Medal count of the West Asian Games:

Ranking........Gold......Silver......Bronze.....Total

1.Qatar...........28.........19..........20..........67

2.Kuwait.........25.........15..........16..........56

3.Syria............21.........14..........16..........51

4.Iran.............19.........26..........18..........63

5.UEA...............7.........9..............6...........22

6.Saudi Arabia...4...........9...........12..........25

7.Lebanon........4............4...........3..........11

8.Jordan..........3...........11.........11..........25

9.Bahrain.........3............2...........2............7

10.Iraq.............2.............1...........7..........10

11.Yemen.........2............1...........0...........3

12.Oman..........2............1...........0..........10

13.Palestine......0............0...........0...........0

He admires Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Jos Gamarra (former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee ,1970- 1982), Hillary Clinton (ex-First Lady of the USA), and Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA). Alejandro said: "The person who I admire the most is Jos Gamarra . He devoted his professional and personal life to sport. Jos played an important role in the promotion of Olympism in Bolivia -it is one of the Third World's poorest countries- and Latin America. His biography is interesting". The sportspeople he most admire is Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. "This African-American sportswoman is my idol."

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Free Satellite TV On PC

2008-07-05T02:57:00.001-07:00

Technology is advancing so fast that now one can watch satellite TV or hear radio on a home PC. All you need is special hardware known as PCTV cards that are of two kinds. One kind needs to be installed in the PC while the other kind is an external box that plugs into the PCs USB port.

There are cards that use the PCs infrastructure to decode satellite signals and allow users to enjoy free-to-air digital television and radio programs. There are cards that have built-in processors that allow TV viewing in a separate window while the PC runs other programs. Both kinds of cards can be utilized to receive Broadband Internet via Satellite. Requests are made using a telephone line but data is received at 40MB per second via the satellite dish.

To view satellite TV on your PC you would require a minimum processor that is Pentium II 333 MHz, an operating system like Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, as well as hardware consisting of sound card, spare USB slot, and a CD Rom drive. If you are a computer geek you could in addition to the cards have a Windows media player, real player, or quick time player all of which will take you to the next level of viewership.

The options are many. The PC can be directly connected to a satellite dish by using a product like Hauppauge 3000 or through the Internet cable; or via the satellite box (run an aerial lead from the RF output socket of the Shy Digibox to the input aerial socket on a standard PC TV card or USB TV adapter). Direct TV and Dish TV both recommend using a connection via their proprietary satellite TV receiver box as ideal.

With a PC-TV-Radio one can simultaneously or alternately watch regular TV, a movie, or sports, and enjoy crystal clear music while writing, checking mail, telewebbing, or surfing the Internet. The options are astounding one can download and record favorite programs, record music, and be creative.

Free Satellite TV provides detailed information on Free Satellite TV, Free Satellite TV Systems, Free Satellite TV on PC, Free Satellite TV Offers and more. Free Satellite TV is affiliated with Dish Satellite Network.

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10 Things You Need to Know About Kettlebells - Part 1

2008-07-04T20:56:00.001-07:00

They say first impressions last the longest. In the case of kettlebells, my first impression was way off. I was formally introduced to kettlebells about three years ago by my colleague Josh Henkin during one of our weekend training sessions. My wife got hooked on them and almost immediately started looking for them on eBay. To say I was a little hesitant about kettlebells would be an understatement. As a matter of fact, when I learned that she had purchased a pair of 12 kg kettlebells, I believe my comment was something like, "You can do the exact same thing with dumbbells."

My how things have changed. I now have at least 10 kettlebells in my facility and will probably add a few more in the relatively near future. I also drag around another six or so in my truck for my outdoor fitness camps. I'm sure some of you are thinking that I have gone and drunk the proverbial kool-aid.

No, what actually happened was I realized two things.

1. All of the best coaches that I know use them for many different types of clients. Whether they're coaching for athletic development, fat-loss, powerlifting or hypertrophy, you will likely see kettlebells being used during some portion of a training day. There must be some merit to the implement if all those guys use them with their clients.

2. As a coach and businessman, I can't afford to ignore such a versatile implement. I have a limited amount of square footage and a limited budget so it is important for me to invest in equipment that I can get a lot out of in a small amount of space.

In other words, kettlebells are just too big a deal and too good a tool to ignore. Whether you are a fitness competitor or a powerlifter, there are many reasons you should at least consider kettlebells. These are my top 10:

1. Pound for pound they are the best piece of home equipment you can purchase. Not nearly as expensive, and they take up a helluva a lot less space than the "clothes hanger" err... treadmill many of you have. For a modest investment, you can get a kettlebell, an instructional DVD, and probably one or two sessions with a local instructor - a much more effective start to a fitness program than "some assembly required."

2. Price Point - They say duplication is the highest form of flattery. Well, that must be true in the case of kettlebells. It used to be that you could only get kettlebells at Dragon Door. Now there are no fewer than a half-dozen other distributors out there. Are they all the same quality bell? No, but if you do a little research and ask around, you can find out who is selling the best bell at the best price.

3. Instant Feedback Loop - One of the keys to coaching is having the client/athlete understand the difference between proper and improper technique. With the kettlebell, drills such as cleans and snatches provide clients/athletes with instant feedback. The way the kettlebell falls gives them a not so subtle reminder of their improper technique, and after a workout or two, they won't have any trouble with the technique at all.

4. Teach Olympic Lifts Fast - The bane of teaching Olympic lifting has always been that the lifts are difficult to teach. Kettlebells make an excellent segue. Not only can you teach variants of the Olympic lifts but things can be taken back a notch farther. One of the first things you learn, even in the most basic kettlebell drills, is hip drive.

5. Great for Fat-Loss - I don't know if there is a better, more easily learned drill than a two-handed kettlebell swing. There are so many different complexes available that the opportunities for ass-kicking fat-loss work are endless. If you could do only one drill, this is it because what you need for fat-loss is to move a load for as long as possible. That's exactly what kettlebells allow you to do and you can add some speed as well.

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Destroy Fear With An Attitude Of Gratitude

2008-07-04T14:55:00.001-07:00

Its completely reasonable that occasionally youll be afraid when you ride. After all, youre dealing with a reactive (reactive means bolt, spin, buck, shy, or rear!) animal that outweighs you by a lot! But you can destroy those fears by adopting an attitude of gratitude.

The first thing you need to remember is that ninety-nine percent of the things you fear never come to pass. So why waste all that energy worrying about things that will probably never happen. Mark Twain summed it up when he said. I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.

So dont focus on what youre afraid of. Destroy your fear by focusing on what youre grateful for. Are you afraid of getting bucked off your horse? Be grateful that you get to spend time outdoors with beautiful animals. Are you afraid youll bomb at a competition? Be grateful youre strong and healthy enough to compete. Are you afraid of getting sick? Be grateful youre not blind or crippled. Are you afraid of becoming blind or crippled? Be grateful that you have a sharp mind. Are you afraid youre not smart enough? Be grateful you have a loving heart. Maybe you dont like your job? Be grateful you have work so you can pay your bills (...and then go about finding your passion so you can do what you love and love what you do!).

Gratitude actually attracts more of the things you appreciate and value into your life. Do what Oprah does. Start a gratitude journal. Everyday, jot down five things youre grateful for. If you cant think of five things, at least write down, Im breathing!

If youre having a really bad day, and you ask yourself what youre grateful for, you might end up growling, Nothing! If thats how you feel, ask a better question. Ask, What could I be grateful for? I bet youll come up with all kinds of answers to that question.

Ill get you started. How about:

The kindness of strangers

Your health

Your family

Your horse

Not having to cook tonight (my personal favorite)

Daydreams

Toilets that flush

A cleansing rain

Doing a great job and having your efforts appreciated

Music

The smell of gardenia

Air conditioning

Your favorite song

A nap

Petting a dog

Bright colors

Eating popcorn at the movies

Sunshine

The absence of pain

Electricity

Old friends

White chocolate

Modern appliances

Finding a parking space exactly where you need one

A good book

A hot shower

Savoring the scents of life (flowers, food, the earth, your childs hair, the barn)

The gift of sight

Days off

A gentle breeze

Laughter

Rocking chairs

Restaurants that deliver

Your plane landing safely

Breathing!

Annihilate your fears by nurturing this attitude of gratitude. Suddenly your horses behavior wont seem so scary, the jumps wont seem so big, the course wont seem so overwhelming, and the judges wont seem so threatening.

Are you sick and tired of complicated and confusing training techniques?Are you frustrated by negative emotions like fear and lack of confidence?Would you like to be trained by a Three Time Olympic Coach? Learn how by going to: http://janesavoie.com/

To learn more about coping with rider fear, check out The Rider's Inside Edge CD's and It's Not Just About the Ribbons at http://janesavoie.com/shop/index.html

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Build Prosperity and Strong Relationships With L.O.V.E

2008-07-04T08:53:00.001-07:00

I had the honour recently of interviewing Evelyn Tian. Evelyn is a Singaporean woman living in Australia. She shared a story that started with volunteering to pack and send envelopes for the 2000 Olympics Committee here in Australia 10 years ago. That simple act of giving lead to an amazing trail of events that lead to her becoming the African Attache for the Olympics and Para-Olympics. This started Evelyn on an incredible journey to Africa for 6 months where she worked with disabled women and children, introducing wheelchair sports and fund raising for home made wheelchairs. She is now working toward helping disabled orphans in Africa.

Evelyn has an amazing ability to extend her networks and offer people the opportunity to share her journey. As she said, many people want to help but just don't know how. One of the biggest things I got from Evelyn's interview was the power of creating strong relationships and actively using your network to achieve huge goals while changing the lives of others for the better. Evelyn now helps individuals develop these strong relationships for personal growth as well as business growth. Here is the framework Evelyn shared with us to develop strong relationships:

L.O.V.E

L is for "Listening": So often we don't take the time to really listen to what people are asking and saying. Concentrate on actively listening for a strong relationship.

O is for "Overlook Little Faults": It is often small things that people do wrong that can really damage a relationship. Do you ever find yourself building resentment over things people have done, or resent yourself because of something you have done wrong? Forgive these things and the loss of resentment will open up real opportunities in a relationship.

V is for "Voice": Speak up and learn to say NO. You will respect yourself more and those you have a relationship with will respect you further as well.

E is for "Effort": This is the difference between people who have great ideas and people who create success. You must make the effort to succeed in life and in your relationships.

I hope Evelyn's story inspires you to look at your relationships, both personal and business and see what changes can be made by approaching your relationships with L.O.V.E.

Janet Beckers is the host and founder of Wonderful Web Women.
An award winning on-line community recognised for generous and honest marketing advice for women on the internet.To learn from the most successful women on the internet through live webinars, masterminds and forums absolutely free, visit http://www.WonderfulWebWomen.com and join today.

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Prince William Follows in Prince Harry's Footsteps

2008-07-04T02:51:00.001-07:00

Prince William also goes to Afghanistan - even if only for a few hours. It can't be easy growing up as one of the most famous people in the world. The sons of Princess Dianna - one of the most famous people of the last century, continue to try lead 'normal' lives. For Harry this was to participate in active service in Afghanistan. Not an easy task given just yesterday an Australian solider died, which shows the conflict continues result in death.

Prince Harry - "the spare", was not so expendable that when the media allowed the story to break of his service in Afghanistan he was left there. Rather by the time most people knew he had already left the country. After 10 weeks of service in a warzone he could finally live up to his chosen career of being a soldier. This must of left his brother Prince William feeling frustrated that he to could not follow in active service. However this recently seems to have changed - at least temporarily when he got to fly to Kandahar and spend 3 hours in the "warzone".

It seems quite a gamble for the monarchy to make - I mean what if the plane had been shot down. But at the end of the day Prince William if things go to plan will be a future King of the United Kingdom and as such he will be the 'leader' of the arm forces, if not also an source of inspiration for them. The royal family takes it obligations in regard to the armed services very seriously and they can also be seen at memorial ceremonies. I suppose for the future King the need to ensure his link with the armed services heritage was such that the risk of a flight into a war zone was worth it.

At least when he visited an injured service man or woman he can hold his head up high that he is part of a larger team. If royalty is going to survive then they will need to continue to serve and inspire others, both William and Harry seemed to be doing this very thing and they could well become Britain's greatest asset.

Looking to establish your own online money making "Empire" - click here to learn more.

This article is the property of Alastair HARRIS and his immediately family. It may be freely republished over the internet but must include original links.

Alastair Harris is the chief editor of Article-gems Article Directory - living the online dream.

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Highly Advised Safety precautions for Kayakers and Boat Riders!

2008-07-03T20:49:00.001-07:00

One of the riskiest sporting adventure one can think of is Whitewater Kayaking. If you are Kayaking, special attention should be paid to safety, and precautions should be your watch word. To maximise your safety, you will need to practice very well before you start Kayaking. On few occasions, the Kayak may capsize. When this happens, the person who is paddling the Kayak is turned upside down while still stuck in the seat of the Kayak/Boat. On occasions like this, you will need to wear a floating gear to avoid drowning. It is also important that you do not panic as this will make you loose control of the situation and the consequences may be fatal.

In order words, it is better and safer that you must have completed your Kayaking practice sessions in waters that are not deep prior to your initial Kayaking. Test and efficiently master all the Kayaking strokes to keep the Kayak afloat and balanced. With this done, there is lesser chance of your Kayak capsizing when you are sporting or travelling with it.

Let's us take a look at some of the rules of Kayaking.

1. Always have a safety gear while Kayaking.

2. You must always wear a life jacket while Kayaking.

The above requirements are put in place by the Coast Guards as a rule and by most countries and you must abide by them.

Below are some answers to some problem situations that might arise while Kayaking.

How do I help myself when my Kayak/boat tumbles?

If you are Kayaking in Whitewater the best thing to do will be to disengage yourself from the boat as quickly as you can. Because allowing yourself a little while longer can increase your danger as rocks pave way and water runs faster in Whitewater. If you have practiced before Kayaking, you should be able to hold your breath for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute in preparation for this event whenever it happens.

Is it possible for me to gain access and balance to the Kayak again?

Yes it is. However, this depends on the make and type of the Kayak, that is why you will need to have a good understanding of the Kayak before Kayaking. It is recommended that you see the user manual of any Kayak you will be using. This will give you insight on how to best handle any Kayak when problem situations like this arises.

What type of clothing should I put on while Kayaking?

If you will be Kayaking on temperate area where you are at a risk of freezing, then Wet Suit is advised in addition to the life jacket that you will be wearing. However, if you are not on temperate zone, there is no need for a wet suit.

Is Rushing recommended if my boat tumbles?

You don't have to rush. Allow the floating of the boat to carry you safely to the shore. Unless you have a fast running water, which will obviously rush you to wherever you maneuver yourself to.

Is there any standard rule that Kayakers must follow?

From the forgoing, it is evident that there are some rules that must be followed for you to successfully and safely Kayak. These I have mentioned throughout this article as stated above, do well to go through them and you will have little or no problem when you are ready for one of the most exciting, adventurous, and exciting sports of our time in the natural waters.

Joe Okoro writes about Kayaking in his free reports. You can sign up for his courses and get additional information by visiting: http://www.coolcashjackpot.com/kayakingform.htm

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Watch Free Television From Your Home PC!

2008-07-03T20:46:00.001-07:00

More than seven years has gone into the research and formation of allowing people to have over 3500 satellite channels on their computer from anywhere in the world via the Internet. The creators of this software have made gaining access to this product extremely convenient in multiple different ways.

For starters, you do not need any additional hardware in order to download the software. All that is required is the obvious computer and Internet connection. A broadband connection is preferred for a better quality of video and audio, but any speed will work.

There are so many different versions of Windows out on the market that the makers decided to make the requirements very lax. No matter what version you may have, the software will download and work on your computer. Also, as long as you have an Internet connection, you will be able to access thousands of channels from around the world. Since this is offered around this world, the channels are all available in almost any language.

With over 3500 channels at your fingertips, you will find all of your favorites and more. There are hundreds of live sports channels as well as many hundreds of others that range from music, romance, news, movies, and even cartoons for your younger children.

There are so many other benefits from getting satellite TV for your PC, but the last I will talk about is the monthly bill. Why people keep paying over a thousand dollars each year for Direct TV or digital cable is beyond me. With this new technology that has finally been released, you pay a small fraction of that year's fee for Direct TV and you will have instant access to thousands of channels for an unlimited amount of time. It's crazy not looking into this product.

For more information, visit http://www.squidoo.com/onlinesatellitetv

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