David Rudisha, Kenya's 800 metres world champion and world record holder, will kick off his 2012 season in two meetings in Sydney and Melbourne over the next month, Athletics Australia said on Tuesday.
After claiming the world title with an impressive display of front-running in South Korea last August, the 23-year-old will be a strong favourite to claim his first Olympic gold in London on August 9.
Rudisha, who will run the 400 metres at the Sydney Track Classic on February 18 and step up to the two-lap race in Melbourne on March 2-3, said he was looking forward to commencing his season Down Under, as he has for the last two years.
"The people are friendly, the meets are good and it works as a very good start to my year," he said in a news release.
"This year we of course have the Olympic Games and that is the big focus for all athletes but I want to run well throughout the year."
Rudisha, who set his 800m world record time of one minute 41.01 seconds in Italy in 2010, said running the 400m in Sydney could lead to a bid to run in the relay in London.
"My personal best in the 400m is still from when I ran in Sydney two years ago, so I'm hoping that I can maybe lower that time," he added.
"People have asked me if I will run on our 4x400 relay team, at the moment all I can say is that anything is possible but the focus for me is the 800. Having won the world championships I of course want to add that Olympic title."
2012年1月31日星期二
Players thrilled to greet Drake at All-Star Game
While the world's greatest hockey players congregated in their locker rooms at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Sunday, the biggest star in attendance may have been without skates.
Surrounded by his security detail, platinum-selling artist Drake visited the players, eliciting an exciting response from countless players, many of whom asked the hip-hop star to pose with them for photographs during the first intermission of the 2012 Tim Horton's NHL All-Star Game.
"That's a good shot," Drake said after posing for a photo with the Sedin twins. "I need that one for the house."
In a night full of stars, the Toronto-born Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, did his share of shining. After meeting the rapper in the first intermission, many of the All-Star players poured onto the ice and snapped photos with their phones as the star performed his hit single "Headlines" during the second-intermission.
"I think I was the first one to go on the ice on our side. I'm a huge Drake fan, I love his music. I'm a big hip-hop guy. It was great to be that close and watching him,” said Keith Yandle of the Phoenix Coyotes. "I actually asked him to sign a stick. He said it was the first hockey stick he has signed. It was pretty cool."
For the players in attendance, Drake's performance was a welcome change of pace compared to the regular season. For players used to discussing strategy with their coaching staff between periods, it was nice to spend the intermission enjoying a performance from a platinum-selling artist.
"We don't have time during the season to enjoy shows," Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang said. "To have the chance to see it live on the ice was pretty cool."
But Drake seemed just as taken with the NHL stars as they were with him. He asked Penguins center Evgeni Malkin for a stick and spent extra time with the three Toronto players represented at the game, calling it "an honor" as Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf approached him.
For all the Canadian players participating in the game, the rapper's visit even provided ample bragging rights.
"It's great … something else that Canada can brag about," said Yandle. "All the guys in the locker room can brag about how they have the best rapper now. They're taking over the world."
Surrounded by his security detail, platinum-selling artist Drake visited the players, eliciting an exciting response from countless players, many of whom asked the hip-hop star to pose with them for photographs during the first intermission of the 2012 Tim Horton's NHL All-Star Game.
"That's a good shot," Drake said after posing for a photo with the Sedin twins. "I need that one for the house."
In a night full of stars, the Toronto-born Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, did his share of shining. After meeting the rapper in the first intermission, many of the All-Star players poured onto the ice and snapped photos with their phones as the star performed his hit single "Headlines" during the second-intermission.
"I think I was the first one to go on the ice on our side. I'm a huge Drake fan, I love his music. I'm a big hip-hop guy. It was great to be that close and watching him,” said Keith Yandle of the Phoenix Coyotes. "I actually asked him to sign a stick. He said it was the first hockey stick he has signed. It was pretty cool."
For the players in attendance, Drake's performance was a welcome change of pace compared to the regular season. For players used to discussing strategy with their coaching staff between periods, it was nice to spend the intermission enjoying a performance from a platinum-selling artist.
"We don't have time during the season to enjoy shows," Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang said. "To have the chance to see it live on the ice was pretty cool."
But Drake seemed just as taken with the NHL stars as they were with him. He asked Penguins center Evgeni Malkin for a stick and spent extra time with the three Toronto players represented at the game, calling it "an honor" as Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf approached him.
For all the Canadian players participating in the game, the rapper's visit even provided ample bragging rights.
"It's great … something else that Canada can brag about," said Yandle. "All the guys in the locker room can brag about how they have the best rapper now. They're taking over the world."
2012年1月12日星期四
Broncos to meet former coach in playoff vs. Patriots
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have formed one of the best coach-quarterback partnerships in NFL history, so it's a bit surprising they've gone nearly four years since their last playoff win.
To end that drought Saturday night, they'll have to put a stop to Tebowmania -- again.
After Tim Tebow helped Denver pull off a breathtaking upset in his postseason debut, the Broncos will be even bigger underdogs in this divisional-round showdown in Foxborough, where Josh McDaniels' return to the New England staff adds further intrigue to a rematch of the Patriots' rout in Denver four weeks ago.
The Broncos' 29-23 overtime win over Pittsburgh on Sunday gave Tebow more playoff victories than the Patriots have in the last three seasons combined.
Belichick and Brady combined for a 14-2 postseason record and three Super Bowl wins before New England was denied a perfect season by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The team missed the playoffs the next year following Brady's knee injury, then lost its playoff opener at home each of the next two seasons.
Just like they are now, the Patriots (13-3) were the AFC's top seed last January when they were upset 28-21 by the New York Jets.
"I haven't thought about anything about last year or last week," Brady said.
"It's a different team. It really is. ... None of those games mean anything. How teams are going to attack us, we'll see."
The Steelers seemed to attack Tebow by guarding against the run and daring him to throw the ball deep, something the left-hander had struggled to do during a three-game losing streak that began Dec. 18 with a 41-23 home loss to New England.
After a six-game win streak, Tebow was 30 of 72 (41.1 percent) for 439 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions while losing the final three regular-season games. Denver (9-8), though, backed into the AFC West title based on other results.
John Elway urged Tebow to "pull the trigger" Sunday, and the controversial quarterback obliged.
He stunned Pittsburgh with four passes of at least 30 yards as the Broncos scored 20 straight points in the second quarter, then landed the ultimate blow with an 80-yard touchdown strike to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime.
"We were just waiting for him to come out and play the way we knew he could and show everybody," receiver Eddie Royal said.
Both Tebow and Thomas, who had 204 yards receiving Sunday, were drafted in the first round in 2010 by McDaniels, the Broncos' head coach at the time. McDaniels' tenure in Denver got off to a rousing start with six straight wins to begin the 2009 season, but he was fired after the team lost 17 of the next 22.
After serving as offensive coordinator for St. Louis this season, McDaniels was rehired this week by New England, where he worked from 2001-08. He'll become offensive coordinator again next season after Bill O'Brien's departure for Penn State, but McDaniels rejoined the staff immediately.
"He's ready to help us in any way that he can. I'm sure that he'll be an asset to our coaching staff and our team," Belichick said. "I'm not sure exactly how that will pan out."
The move didn't violate any rules, but it has prompted questions about the fairness of a coach -- especially one familiar with a certain opponent -- changing teams in the midst of the playoffs.
"I'll let you guys answer that one," said Denver defensive end Robert Ayers, another first-round pick McDaniels helped to make. "I'm pretty sure I'm thinking the same thing you guys are thinking. I'm just not going to say it."
Without McDaniels, New England racked up 451 yards in Denver last month. Brady threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns in that game, rushing for a third score.
The Patriots recovered three Broncos fumbles and didn't turn the ball over. However, their defense was vulnerable early as the team fell behind 16-7, allowing 167 rushing yards in the first quarter.
The struggles of the 31st-ranked unit have prompted doubts about whether the Patriots can seriously contend for a title. New England won its final eight games, but its last three opponents took sizable early leads -- Miami 17-0 and Buffalo 21-0 -- before the offense rallied.
"I think any champion (wins) with a good defense, that's how you slice it," defensive lineman Vince Wilfork said. "If you can't stop anyone, you can't win. I don't care how many points you put up. At the end of the day, you have to stop someone."
The Patriots got safety Patrick Chung and linebacker Brandon Spikes back in Week 17 after extended injury absences. Spikes, a friend of Tebow's while the two were teammates at Florida, figures to help against Denver's top-ranked rushing attack.
The Broncos look like the more banged-up team now. Wide receiver Eric Decker isn't expected to play after suffering a sprained knee last weekend, and safety Brian Dawkins may remain out with a neck problem. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil (right ankle) also missed practice time this week.
Defensively, Denver managed to contain Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski last month, but Aaron Hernandez -- another former Tebow teammate with the Gators -- stepped up with nine catches for 129 yards and a touchdown.
"I feel like it was a good learning experience," Tebow said. "I think it's a privilege for us to play again.
"It's playing one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, one of the best coaches of all-time and playing in a big game. It's very exciting."
To end that drought Saturday night, they'll have to put a stop to Tebowmania -- again.
After Tim Tebow helped Denver pull off a breathtaking upset in his postseason debut, the Broncos will be even bigger underdogs in this divisional-round showdown in Foxborough, where Josh McDaniels' return to the New England staff adds further intrigue to a rematch of the Patriots' rout in Denver four weeks ago.
The Broncos' 29-23 overtime win over Pittsburgh on Sunday gave Tebow more playoff victories than the Patriots have in the last three seasons combined.
Belichick and Brady combined for a 14-2 postseason record and three Super Bowl wins before New England was denied a perfect season by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The team missed the playoffs the next year following Brady's knee injury, then lost its playoff opener at home each of the next two seasons.
Just like they are now, the Patriots (13-3) were the AFC's top seed last January when they were upset 28-21 by the New York Jets.
"I haven't thought about anything about last year or last week," Brady said.
"It's a different team. It really is. ... None of those games mean anything. How teams are going to attack us, we'll see."
The Steelers seemed to attack Tebow by guarding against the run and daring him to throw the ball deep, something the left-hander had struggled to do during a three-game losing streak that began Dec. 18 with a 41-23 home loss to New England.
After a six-game win streak, Tebow was 30 of 72 (41.1 percent) for 439 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions while losing the final three regular-season games. Denver (9-8), though, backed into the AFC West title based on other results.
John Elway urged Tebow to "pull the trigger" Sunday, and the controversial quarterback obliged.
He stunned Pittsburgh with four passes of at least 30 yards as the Broncos scored 20 straight points in the second quarter, then landed the ultimate blow with an 80-yard touchdown strike to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime.
"We were just waiting for him to come out and play the way we knew he could and show everybody," receiver Eddie Royal said.
Both Tebow and Thomas, who had 204 yards receiving Sunday, were drafted in the first round in 2010 by McDaniels, the Broncos' head coach at the time. McDaniels' tenure in Denver got off to a rousing start with six straight wins to begin the 2009 season, but he was fired after the team lost 17 of the next 22.
After serving as offensive coordinator for St. Louis this season, McDaniels was rehired this week by New England, where he worked from 2001-08. He'll become offensive coordinator again next season after Bill O'Brien's departure for Penn State, but McDaniels rejoined the staff immediately.
"He's ready to help us in any way that he can. I'm sure that he'll be an asset to our coaching staff and our team," Belichick said. "I'm not sure exactly how that will pan out."
The move didn't violate any rules, but it has prompted questions about the fairness of a coach -- especially one familiar with a certain opponent -- changing teams in the midst of the playoffs.
"I'll let you guys answer that one," said Denver defensive end Robert Ayers, another first-round pick McDaniels helped to make. "I'm pretty sure I'm thinking the same thing you guys are thinking. I'm just not going to say it."
Without McDaniels, New England racked up 451 yards in Denver last month. Brady threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns in that game, rushing for a third score.
The Patriots recovered three Broncos fumbles and didn't turn the ball over. However, their defense was vulnerable early as the team fell behind 16-7, allowing 167 rushing yards in the first quarter.
The struggles of the 31st-ranked unit have prompted doubts about whether the Patriots can seriously contend for a title. New England won its final eight games, but its last three opponents took sizable early leads -- Miami 17-0 and Buffalo 21-0 -- before the offense rallied.
"I think any champion (wins) with a good defense, that's how you slice it," defensive lineman Vince Wilfork said. "If you can't stop anyone, you can't win. I don't care how many points you put up. At the end of the day, you have to stop someone."
The Patriots got safety Patrick Chung and linebacker Brandon Spikes back in Week 17 after extended injury absences. Spikes, a friend of Tebow's while the two were teammates at Florida, figures to help against Denver's top-ranked rushing attack.
The Broncos look like the more banged-up team now. Wide receiver Eric Decker isn't expected to play after suffering a sprained knee last weekend, and safety Brian Dawkins may remain out with a neck problem. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil (right ankle) also missed practice time this week.
Defensively, Denver managed to contain Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski last month, but Aaron Hernandez -- another former Tebow teammate with the Gators -- stepped up with nine catches for 129 yards and a touchdown.
"I feel like it was a good learning experience," Tebow said. "I think it's a privilege for us to play again.
"It's playing one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, one of the best coaches of all-time and playing in a big game. It's very exciting."
Bills add University of Buffalo defensive coordinator to staff
The Buffalo Bills have hired William Inge as an assistant defensive line coach.
Inge has spent the past two seasons as the University at Buffalo's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Before that, he spent two years coaching linebackers at Cincinnati in helping the program win consecutive Big East titles.
He's the first newcomer to join the Bills defensive staff since Dave Wannstedt took over as coordinator after George Edwards was fired last week. Inge has no NFL coaching experience.
2012年1月4日星期三
Fisher has eyes for Bears, but Rams still probably destination
Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden were the headline candidates fueling the training market rumor mill through the fall.
But Shaun Fisher may be the one holding all of the cards if this counts.
The previous Leaders coach is offseason's energy broker while Cowher and Gruden watch in the sideline. Miami already has questioned Fisher, who had been spotted in the Buccaneers team hotel over the past weekend. Had Bill Polian made it in Indiana, and Jim Caldwell hadn't, it is a near certainty that Fisher could have been presents itself that list too. North Park had been as likely a landing place every until Dean Spanos made the decision to help keep Norv Turner.
But here's all that you should learn about Fisher's likely destination: Atop his listing of focal points is the existence of a franchise quarterback. Regardless of the Rams' lethargic 2011 season, I am told that's precisely how he sees Mike Bradford, who Fisher questioned and loved a great deal in the 2010 National football league Scouting Mix.
This is exactly why, hooking up the dots, St. Louis is towards the top of Fisher's list. The truth that Fisher is symbolized by Marvin Demoff, who boy Kevin may be the Rams' COO, only causes it to be much more likely that he'll land in Missouri.
There's, though, another factor at play here. This is the shakeup in Chicago.
Fisher performed safety for that Bears (1981-85) and it has maintained rapport with possession. Like a bonus, he transpires with like quarterback Jay Cutler a great deal. Cutler and former Leaders offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who died last September, labored together in Colorado in 2006-07 and were very close. The Leaders were split over Matt Leinart and Vince Youthful in 2006, with Bud Adams tugging rank and pointing the choice to take Youthful. The Leaders handed down Cutler, who visited college within their backyard at Vanderbilt.
Fisher understands the ball player Cutler is becoming since that time.
The Bears insist Lovie Cruz will stay the coach in Chicago for 2012, and that he warrants a mulligan for 2011, getting lost Cutler and Matt Forte for that stretch run. If your more youthful executive type for example Eric DeCosta or L'ensemble des Snead makes its way into the fold the training situation likely will not change. But when the Bears swing for that fences for any bigger title like Bill Polian, it's tough to rule anything out. Polian and Fisher are close, getting taken part within the AFC South for several years.
The end result is that Fisher will keep close track of Halas Hall. As you source with understanding of his thinking stated, "This is the one he's always wanted."
The much more likely result remains that Cruz will remain put and Fisher lands in St. Louis. But until tips over with Fisher, the training slide carousel will probably spend time at a dead stop.
Once he makes his move, pieces elsewhere will begin to fall under place.
But Shaun Fisher may be the one holding all of the cards if this counts.
The previous Leaders coach is offseason's energy broker while Cowher and Gruden watch in the sideline. Miami already has questioned Fisher, who had been spotted in the Buccaneers team hotel over the past weekend. Had Bill Polian made it in Indiana, and Jim Caldwell hadn't, it is a near certainty that Fisher could have been presents itself that list too. North Park had been as likely a landing place every until Dean Spanos made the decision to help keep Norv Turner.
But here's all that you should learn about Fisher's likely destination: Atop his listing of focal points is the existence of a franchise quarterback. Regardless of the Rams' lethargic 2011 season, I am told that's precisely how he sees Mike Bradford, who Fisher questioned and loved a great deal in the 2010 National football league Scouting Mix.
This is exactly why, hooking up the dots, St. Louis is towards the top of Fisher's list. The truth that Fisher is symbolized by Marvin Demoff, who boy Kevin may be the Rams' COO, only causes it to be much more likely that he'll land in Missouri.
There's, though, another factor at play here. This is the shakeup in Chicago.
Fisher performed safety for that Bears (1981-85) and it has maintained rapport with possession. Like a bonus, he transpires with like quarterback Jay Cutler a great deal. Cutler and former Leaders offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who died last September, labored together in Colorado in 2006-07 and were very close. The Leaders were split over Matt Leinart and Vince Youthful in 2006, with Bud Adams tugging rank and pointing the choice to take Youthful. The Leaders handed down Cutler, who visited college within their backyard at Vanderbilt.
Fisher understands the ball player Cutler is becoming since that time.
The Bears insist Lovie Cruz will stay the coach in Chicago for 2012, and that he warrants a mulligan for 2011, getting lost Cutler and Matt Forte for that stretch run. If your more youthful executive type for example Eric DeCosta or L'ensemble des Snead makes its way into the fold the training situation likely will not change. But when the Bears swing for that fences for any bigger title like Bill Polian, it's tough to rule anything out. Polian and Fisher are close, getting taken part within the AFC South for several years.
The end result is that Fisher will keep close track of Halas Hall. As you source with understanding of his thinking stated, "This is the one he's always wanted."
The much more likely result remains that Cruz will remain put and Fisher lands in St. Louis. But until tips over with Fisher, the training slide carousel will probably spend time at a dead stop.
Once he makes his move, pieces elsewhere will begin to fall under place.
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