29th January 2008
No withdrawals from equestrian say Olympic organizers
Earlier this month I wrote here that the Swiss team has withdrawn from the equestrian events for the Beijing Olympics.
Chinese Olympic organizers are now saying that they have not received any news of teams pulling out of the Beijing Olympics.
“We have heard of no team pulling out,” said Li Zhanjun, media director for the organising committee. “There is no question of any withdrawals.”
Canadian and German riders have also shown concern over the humidity of Hong Kong where the equestrian events will be held.
Air-conditioned horse boxes would be waiting for them on arrival in Hong Kong, said Yan, to transport them to their air-conditioned stables.
Read more: Organisers say no withdrawals from Olympic equestrian events
10th January 2008
Swiss dressage team pulls out of Olympics 2 replies
The Swiss dressage team has withdrawn from competing in the Beijing Olympics. The top team’s top rider, Silvia Iklé doesn’t want to expose her horse to the humid conditions of Hong Kong.
“We have all the evidence that heat is not a factor, all the other federations throughout the world understand this,” said a spokesman with the Equestrian Company organising the Olympic events.
Read more: Dressage team pulls out of Beijing Olympics
6th January 2008
Federer’s Olympic priorities
For most Olympic athletes, the Olympics is the biggest event in their sporting careers. Tennis has always been a controversial event in the Olympic program as players already have a number of high profile events throughout the year where they compete for large sums of money.
A gold medal is one prize which has alluded Roger Federer when he lost in Athens in 2004. Federer this year is out to break Pete Sampras’s tally of 14 majors and the French Open.
“I met Mirka here in 2000 at the Olympics in Sydney, so it always remains a special memory for me, and carrying the flag in Athens in 2004,” Federer told the AP. “So back in 2008, I’m really excited. I don’t know. French Open, Olympics, Wimbledon, I’ve got a lot of things coming my way this year.”
It’s a decision that I am sure many athletes would love to have to make.
11th November 2007
Federer aiming for gold in Beijing
Roger Federer is hoping to win gold at the Beijing Olympics. In Athens he bailed out in round two of the games.
“I would like to go there and win a medal,” he said. “I want to get at least the semi-finals and go from there.
“But an Olympic gold would be something very special.”
Read more: Beijing gold glitters for Federer
23rd September 2007
Liu Ying and Christoph Sauser win in mountainbike competition
Liu Ying from China won the women’s cross country and Christoph Sauser from Switzerland won he men’s international mountain bike invitational competition in Beijing, Saturday.
“The course was really hard. You have to slow down at every turn. I was familiar with this course, so I took some advantage over some foreign riders,” said Liu, who just won the title of the World Cup last week.
The course was the same one that will be used in the Beijing Olympics.
“I hope I could get the chance to race on the same course here in 2008. I will try my best to get good result,” added Liu.
Silver medal went to Sabine Spitz of Germany and bronze to Lene Byberg of Norway.
In the mens, Bart Brentjens of the Netherlands goth the silver and bronze to Carlos Coloma Nicolas of Spain.
Read more: Liu Ying and Christoph Sauser win golds on Olympic course
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
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