28th January 2008
Sharapova’s next target - the Olympics
Just after winning the Australian Open, Maria Sharapova has declared her next target to be the Beijing Olympics.
“I think because I already have a Wimbledon title I’d take the Olympic gold medal. But if it was any other tournament, I would say Wimbledon,” said Sharapova.
“I’m very much looking forward to the opening ceremony and that’s one of the things I was always watching on TV.”
“I think for tennis players it’s just incredible to be a part of it [the Olympics]”
Read more: Sharapova dreaming of glory for Russia at Beijing Olympics
20th January 2008
Russian women’s volleyball team qualifies for Olympics
Russia defeated Poland to gain a place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
They join the United States, China, Italy, Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba to play in Beijing in August.
16th January 2008
Lebedeva from Russia to concentrate on Olympics
Tatiana Lebedeva, who won gold in the 2004 Athens Olympics is skipping the winter season to concentrate on the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“Late in October I had to undergo surgery on my achilles tendon in Finland,” Lebedeva said. “The operation was successfull but the doctor recommended that I withdraw from any immediate resumption of training.”
“I decided to follow his advice and withdraw from competing this winter to better prepare myself for the main event of the year - the Olympic Games.”
Read more: Russian athlete Lebedeva to concentrate on retaining Olympic title
10th December 2007
2007 Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational Tournament - Group Results
Russia topped the tables again in the group event.
2007 Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational Tournament - Group Results
| Country | Score |
|---|---|
| Russia | 35.075 |
| Italy | 34.600 |
| China | 34.050 |
| Belarus | 33.825 |
| Bulgaria | 33.100 |
| Israel | 32.550 |
| Ukraine | 31.950 |
| Spain | 31.850 |
Here is Russia performing in the hoops event.
2007 Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational Tournament - Individual Results
Here are the results for the 2007 Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational Tournament - Individual Results.
2007 Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational Tournament - Individual Results
| Name | Country | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Olga Kapronova | Russia | 73.825 |
| Anna Bessonova | Ukraine | 70.25 |
| Aliya Garayeva | Azerbaijan | 69.775 |
| Aliya Yussupova | Aliya Yussupova | 67.575 |
| Lyubov Cherkashina | Belarus | 66.875 |
| Almudena Cid | Spain | 65.400 |
| Irina Risenzon | Israel | 65.400 |
| Alexandra Orland | Canada | 64.175 |
| Stela Sultanova | Bulgaria | 63.375 |
| Yidan Ding | China | 62.925 |
Here is Olga Kapranov in the final appearing with the ribbon.
7th December 2007
Rhythmic Gymastics Invitational Tournament in Beijing
The Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational is currently being held in Beijing as part of the Good Luck Beijing Series. It is being held at the newly completed stadium at the Beijing University of Technology.
Olga Kapranova from Russia is currently leading the individual event. Here is a video of her performance with the ribbon.
See more videos of the event in my Beijing Olympics YouTube video channel.

2nd October 2007
Cadel Evans showing confidence for Beijing Olympics
Cadel Evans has more confidence after finishing fifth in the world titles road championships in Stuttgart Germany. Evans finished second in the Tour de France and fourth in the Tour of Spain.
Italy’s Paolo Bettini came first followed by Russia’s Alexandr Kolobnev and Germany’s Stefan Schumacher.
Read more: Evans looks ahead to Beijing Olympics with confidence
Bettini, Cancellara retain world cycling crowns
19th September 2007
The big stars of tennis come out for the Beijing Olympics
The big stars of tennis are taking the Olympic Games more seriously with some players giving the games priority over the money making Grand Slam events.
Elena Dementieva from Russia is currently playing in the China Open and sees it as a good chance to learn more about Beijing.
“I think the Olympic Games is more important. To represent my own country is an honor to me. I hope I can represent Russia again next year to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games,” said Dementieva.
Swiss tennis champion, Martina Hingis is also relishing playing in the Olympic Games. “Things have been going on in the last few years and I’m looking forward to next year’s Olympic Games. That’s why I decided to come here and have a look at the city,” said the Swiss.
“Also I will visit three places in Beijing: the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City.”
Read more: Big names look to play Olympics in Beijing next year
Read more
17th September 2007
Russian wins Euro basketball championships
Russia beat hosts Spain 60-59 to win the FIBA European basketball championships. J.R. Holden’s final score with just two seconds to go clinched the game for Russia.
Results:
Russia: Kirilenko 17+5reb, Savrasenko 10, Holden 8, Ponkrashov 8, Khryapa 7+12reb, Morgunov 4, Pashutin 3, Monya 3Samoylenko 0, Padius 0, DNP: Shabalkin, Bykov
Spain: Calderon 15, P.Gasol 14+14reb, Garbajosa 8+6reb, Reyes 5+8reb, Jimenez 5+5reb, Fernandez 5, M.Gasol 5, Cabezas 2, Navarro 0, Mumbru 0, S.Rodriguez 0, B.Rodriguez 0
“Khryapa was the secret of our success. Thank you first of all to my two great stars - Kirilenko and Khryapa. Both of them they are wonderful people as well as they are great players. We wanted to stay in the game the whole time. In the scouting we spoke about that first - stay close and make them feel the pressure. They felt the heat and we took advantage of it,” said Russian coach David Blatt.
Lithuania defeated Greece 78 to 69 to claim the bronze medal.
Read more on the European FIBA Basketball Championships
4th September 2007
Injuries threaten Russian gymnastic’s berth
Russian gymnasts Nikolai Kryukov and Anton Golotsutskov suffered injuries in the opening events during the world gymnastics championships in Stuttgart.
If they don’t recover in time, Russia’s berth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics could be severly threatened.
“It’s maybe a half chance for us to make the team finals,” he said. “You work for four years to get to the Olympic Games, it’s the most important thing.”
“If they can’t recover soon, we will plunge into big trouble”, said European all-around champion Maxim Deviatovski.
Read more: Russia’s Olympic berth threatened after two injuries at gymnastics worlds


