The Challenge of Sport.

To be the first, the fastest, the strongest, the toughest and the best. The ability to test ourselves against ourselves - and others. To feel alive; to feel good. Sport. It's for everyone! LIVEWIRE. Keep ahead of the pack with Sports news, views and advice that keeps up with you. But why not set the agenda yourself? You'll have your own opinions on the big issues of the Sporting World, the issues in your Sporting World. Drop me a line at V02Max.

Bird's Nest Soup!

It seems like only yesterday that we watched in awe, the spectacle of the opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. China, a Nation with a history of doing things their own way, of being cut off from the rest of the Western World but gradually emerging into the sunlight as probably, in 10 years' time, the dominant Economic Power in the World. And with a population to match, for that, truly, is what sets China apart from the rest of the World - its sheer numbers of people. It played its part in the dark years under Mao, as they were mobilised and ultimately controlled, in their 100's of millions. Now it will play its part on the World stage, with an unbeatable combination of size, raw materials, population, yet still with a great degree of 'rudder' from its government which can effectively control everything within its borders. The time will soon arrive when that control spreads far and wide. Openness and democracy will slowly come, but only at a pace dictated by the government and only when the momentum for economic transformation has become sufficient - watch out, World!

And watch out World it was, as China soared to the top of the medal table immediately and basically, stayed there for the duration. The USA quickly adopted their place below them at a safe distance, but below them? Well, bless my soul! A resurgent Team GB, kicking into top gear on the 1st weekend with a well-deserved Olympic Gold from Nicole Cooke in the Women' Cycling Road Race, run off in appallingly wet conditions. Maybe the weather wasn't a bad thing, it served to wash the crap out of the air that had all the endurance athletes in fear of what it would do to their lungs. A fine Silver Medal for Emma Pooley in the Womens' Cycling Time Trial seemed almsot too good to be true and we pondered whether we really could fulfil our well-trumpeted potential Cycling Medal-fest. As the week wore on and the Track events started, day by day, we were stunned and amazed by Gold after Gold, in the Men's Pursuit, the Womens' Pursuit, the Team Pursuit, the Keirin, the Sprint, the team Sprint, the Points Race - a total of EIGHT Cycling Gold medals, no less, nearly half the total Team GB haul. Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Bradley Wiggins and the whole of the Cycling Squad - take a bow!

Yes, we shone in other events too, mainly on the water. The Sailing and the Rowing brought our tally up to a staggering NINETEEN Golds, leaving us just 4 Golds behind Russia in 3rd place, with our old rivals (and if the truth be told, sorry guys, whingers) Australia a couple of places behind us. It is by no means inconceivable that GB could hit 3rd spot in London in 2012, a truly staggering feat, bearing in mind where we were languishing over the past decades. Maybe now finally, when schools across the country decide not to run egg and spoon races for the 6 year-old pupils, or to not encourage or celebrate excellence on the sports field, they will be suitably ridiculed by the general populus because although you would never, ever wish to punish lack of excellence or prowess in any field, academic or sporting, to neglect to applaud or nurture excellence is just as damaging to our young people, not just in our sporting life, but in life itself! Here endeth the lesson, and it is this - we have the potential to be World-beaters: we have achieved this much through good management in some Sports, aided by targeted Lottery funding. But with the Talent-base we have, if we have a grass roots Sports revolution in this country, you ain't seen nothing yet! And you ain't seen just how much we can turn our Nation around, because deep down, we all know there are very serious ills which need addressing - Sport from an early age, teaching self-respect, teaching discipline and teaching healthy competitive spirit, encouraging you to do your best - can go a long way to healing many of them.

Doping and Drugs - they weren't really an issue, were they? One positive as far as I can remember? I'm not naive enough to think there wasn't foul play, the stringent checks that are in place in Pro Cycling will be a long time coming to the whole panoply of Olympic Sports, I'm talking blood passports here. Endurance Sportspeople benefit hugely from saving their own blood and then putting it back in before a big event, and it is undetectable unless you know what their normal blood make-up is, round the calendar. But I think it will come and with drugs companies now willing to put 'markers' in new drugs for the benefit of the Sporting World (Riccardo Ricco, take note), drugs will be harder to use illicitly. Two big problems will arise of course, black market production of drugs without these markers and genetic doping. The only truly effective way to combat the latter is by taking people's DNA fro an early age, to compare with after they have re-written their genetic code in the pursuit of Medals at any cost. Sad, but true, a Big Brother scenario unfolding.

I was aware of one other 'issue' with these Games and it won't go away until the IOC are willing to deal with it - dodgy judging. Whether unwittingly judging a competitor up because his fans fill the arena and make a lot of noise about it, whether unwittingly marking a competitor up through lack of experience or ability of judges (you have to be fair and be seen to have judges from all Nations), or whether a judge purposely marks a competitior up because of politics or personal preference. Or maybe, just an honest mistake. It can happen, it does happen. I have seen variously questionable or even appalling judging in the Boxing, in the Diving, Tae Kwondo, to name but 3. It's unforgiveable that more attention isn't given to having experienced extra officials with access to TV replay and playing an active role in ensuring fair play. IOC, please take note!

So, my overall impression of the Beijing Olympics? A wonderful display of Sporting excellence, a meeting of the young people of all nations, a chance for an increasingly powerful nation like China to show itself off to the World, but also, to open up a little, and to give it's people a little taste of the rest of the World, as well as gving the rest of the World a little taste of China. Much was made of the Tibet 'problem' before the Games, along with China's Human Rights record. Frankly, it was pretty well forgotten about as the Sport took part. But China is under no illusions that it needs to change if it wants to gain acceptance form the rest of the Wolrd Community - something it craves. These Olympics have been outstanding, and they have given a great opportunity for change for the good of China, and for the World. Truly, a soup of many ingredients for the whole World to taste!

Tour de Force!

What a Tour de France it's been! Especially if you're British - Mark Cavendish, our 23 yr-old Road Sprinter, has taken FOUR Stage wins in just his second Tour after his Stage win at the Giro d'Italia back in May. All he needed was a sniff of the finish line to prove that he's the fastest man in the World at the moment - so long as he manages to hit the front with around 250m to go, no-one has the strength to come off his wheel and come round him. And with Team Columbia working tirelessly on the front in the final 20km of any suitable Stage, a sniff of the line has been very much on the cards for him. He's pulled out now before the Alps, just as tiredness was setting in - the right thing to do, because along with Bradley Wiggins, Mark is half our Madison pairing at the forthcoming Beijing Olympics. If ever there was a lottery of a race, this was it - but if ever there was a favourite to win this confusing event, they are it!

It hasn't been all good news at the Tour though - THREE positive dope tests have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, yet again. But bizarrely, this is good news. It has become clear that the reason they got caught is that they took a new variant of EPO, the well-known blood-boosting drug. They took it thinking they wouldn't get caught because a test for it hadn't been developed - only it HAD. The authorities have realised that to beat the cheats, they have to get a bit cute themselves. Obviously, a test for the new drug had just become available - only they didn't tell anyone. And why the hell should they? Why, as in previous years, announce that a new drug is on the block and that they are working hard to find a test for it? Why not keep quiet and then catch the cheats? 2 of the 'victims' were past-their-best chancers who thought they wouldn't be tested - but one, Riccardo Ricco, was a favourite for a top-5 place and a possible future Tour winner. The mechanism isn't in place yet but they should be banned for life, all of them - and have their whole year's wages rescinded. That way you stop the up and coming cheats AND the past their sell-by date cheats. Hard but fair. And if you think that's too harsh? - Witness the fact that Barloworld (team of one of the offenders) have instantly announced they will be leaving Cycing sponsorship next year. All the riders (including our own Geraint Thomas) and the whole support team and management (about 50 people in all) out of a job. Is that enough proof that cheats are KILLING Cyclesport?

One by-product of the newly tough and effective anti-drug regime though, is that we are seeing a very different profile to the top-10 contenders, not just for the main, Yellow Jersey, but also the other Jerseys. It's the most open Tour for many years, with 5 contenders for the overall honours. Without a 'patron' like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault or Lance Armstrong, the vacuum that was left has been filled by a selection of riders, ably supported (or not, as the case may be) by their team. That sounds just about as perfect as it could be, to my mind - the best rider, supported by the best team. Cycling is an individual sport but you need the support of your team when the attacks come.

The stage is set then, Cadel Evans is possibly the best rider, despite his nearly cracking in the mountains, and he could beat any of his main rivals in the remaining Time Trial - but he has NO-ONE in his team to help him in the mountains. Let battle commence!

SPANISH FLY-ING

Spain really are flying high at the moment.

First, a well-earned victory in the Euro 2008 Football Cup, where they outclassed Germany in the Final to emerge the victors, 1-0. Fernando Torres' goal gave Spain their first major Football trophy in 44 years. Madrid was awash with the red and gold National colours as fans draped in flags danced and sang in the streets. Coach Luis Aragones was praised for sidelining some top stars, and deciding to field a young side.

Spain's Rafael Nadal won a truly thrilling Wimbledon Men's Singles Final on Sunday. Nadal dominating, Swiss Roger Federer hanging on for dear life and the delays because of rain meant that a packed Centre Court - and the whole of the tennis World watching from every far flung corner - were on the edges of their seats for hours, culminating in another last-minute result almost seconds before bad light would have had to stop play. A five-set epic, it was a match where endurance and bloody-minded determination were probably the deciding factors. And the way Nadal has adapted his hard-court game to beat the finest grass court player there is (was?) has been asonishing.

Finally, Alejandro Valverde, the finest current Spanish Road Racing Cyclist, is wearing the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France. A one-day Classic and minor Tour specialist, has he got the strength of mind and body to keep his form for a whole 3 weeks in what has to be the toughest competition in Sport anywhere? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure - he can do no worse than look at his fellow Countrymen's performances so far this year for inspiration!

It's just not cricket, old bean.

I watched a TV documentary about a cricketer called Basil D'Oliveira last night. His name will only really ring a bell if you're well over 40, or maybe a cricket buff. He's a 'coloured' guy from South Africa, born in the early 30's. He lived a normal life as a child until the introduction of Apartheid in the 50's - Aparetheid, that pernicious regime that was brought in to totally separate black and coloured from white, unless it was in the interest of the white man to have him around. His life turned from a simple one to a complicated one and his family's standard of living took a dive as they were shunned from mainstream South African life along with millions of others.

But Basil had a rare talent for cricket, a talent that was already highly developed as he entered his early 20's. Even with Apartheid, sportsmen of all colours were mainly interested in competing with each other, regardless of race. So clandestine matches between the best teams took place and they played cricket. Somewhat inevitably, the authorities found out and with the threat of jail looming over them, the matches sadly came to an end. By this time though, Basil had been noticed by the cricketing world - literally, and everyone could see his predicament. He took up correspondence with Worcestershire CC in England and before long, was offered a place with them. So, much soul-searching and paperwork later, Basil and his family took a boat to England to begin their new life.

Before long, Basil was being eyed by the England selectors and was given a try in the MCC. Basil was hugely talented, a fearsome yet elegant batsman, capable of multiple-century innings, yet also, a masterful exponent of leg-break spin bowling. In one famous Ashes series which seemed beyond reach, after rain on the final day's play, he took 6 wickets very cheaply to force a draw, thus enabling England to retain the famous Urn. A long and fruitful career was in the offing, even though by this time he was in his late 20's - no matter, in the world of Cricket, skill and experience is as important as fitness, with many great players continuing into their 40's.

Then, the inevitable - something which 'Dolly' had anticipated with relish for a long time: an MCC Tour of South Africa. A chance for him to return to his country, a country he still loved but which forced him out. A perfect platform for him to make his point, the futility and immorality of Apartheid. And his friends there, all his old friends who he had maintained contact with - looking forward to seeing their old team mate again and being able to put their plight openly on the International stage. Already though, there were rumblings - evryone knew that this would prove uncomfortable for South Africa. Infact, would they even let him in? And if they didn't want to, would he be allowed to make his point and be turned away at the airport gate at Johannesburg? Well, Prime Minister Forster decided he would be unwelcome, and he made his feelings known to Alec Douglas-Home, his British counterpart. In those days, to our shame, we did not speak out about Apartheid, it wasn't 'politically expedient'.

But the worst betrayal was yet to come - the British govt 'leaned' on the MCC selectors, very much part of the 'old school' much like the govt of the day. Infact, one of the MCC selectors had had affiliations with the Britsh Nazi party during the War. To their eternal shame, for the sake of not rocking the political boat, D'Oliveira was dropped from the squad in the late 60's and the English team played on without him. They had the gall to lie in his face and say they'd dropped him because his style of spin wouldn't go down well on South African wickets - although funnily enough, it did just fine on similar West Indian wickets the year before. And to be frank, his batting alone would have been enough to get him in the team. I don't know the result of the Series and frankly, I'm not interested.

Well, the Tour came and went and when his form was considered 'good enough' again, he was back in the England squad. What an impossible situation to put a player in - Dolly must have wanted to tell them where to stick it but such a gentleman, such a sportsman, such a professional, he came back with ne'er a cross word. The years passed and his distinguished career drew to a close, always a popular player with opponents and fans alike.

And then, transformation and rebirth in South Africa - the tearing down of Apartheid and ultimately, the election of a democratic govt, with Nelson Mandela at the helm. Quietly, Dolly moves back to his beloved South Africa, a place he can once more feel proud of, a place he can truly call home. And all his old friends are still there to welcome him. Now he is honorary President of his old Cricket Club, overseeing and encouraging new talent, both black and white, and posing for photos with awe-struck fans.

At once, both a sad story and a happy one- sad for what might have been and happy for right winning through and being able to embrace it, without rancour or vitriol.

Sheer dominance

Manchester United are once again triumphant at the head of the Premier League. How fitting that Ryan Giggs scored after such wonderful long service at the club and Ronaldo too, after a blistering season. Chelsea can only look on sadly as they wonder what might have been, a change of manager mid-season and more recently, a defeat to Wigan, ironically, the team Man Utd beat yesterday to secure the title.

And now Manchester United play Chelsea in the European Champions' League, a chance for Chelsea to wreak some revenge for the title of best Team in Europe. But this all begs the question, a question that Kevin Keegan at Newcastle has been asking lately: Does the total domination of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal do any good for football in this country? How strange that sounds, how can success ever be a bad thing? Well it kills competition frankly - for a parallel analogy, what's the worst thing that can happen in a democracy? A political party in total dominance, to the exclusion of others. Too much power at the top will make the roots wither and die. No to mention the fact that these big 3 contain a large contingent of foreign talent, talent that means nothing when our National side plays abroad, and can't even qualify for the European Championships - somewhat ironically!

So when Kevin Keegan evokes the wrath and scorn of a large part of the football-mad public for displaying what they see as a large dose of sour grapes - when he appears at the post-match interview and openly says that if his Chairman at Newcastle United can't give him any more money, then he hasn't a cat in hell's chance of being competitive in the face of the mighty triumvirate, I'd have to say, he has a point.

One thing I will say though, is that Alex Ferguson has had a simply magnificent tenure at Old Trafford, all 22 years of it. I have to say he's not really my type of person, but his single-minded drive, enthusiasm and bloody-mindedness, along with his tactical brilliance has him up there with the greats, Shankly and Paisley. And he passes all of that on to his charges, a finer-drilled set of footballers you will not see anywhere. I think we can forget his 'Imodium moment' on the M6 all those years ago, when he was done for driving on the hard shoulder only to cite severe stomach upset and to promptly get off without a blemish on his record. Although somehow, I don't think it would work for me.

Racism in European Football

Something which used to be a very big problem in this country in the 70's and 80's, but which by and large has now been eradicated, is openly racist behaviour in our domestic football scene. Fans openly chanting racist abuse at matches, and verbal and physical abuse inside and outside the ground are simply not tolerated any more by the core of real sports fans, the vast majority of them - this has pretty well killed it.

We still see the odd outbreak in mainland Europe though, within the last couple of years some Spanish fans were guilty of totally unacceptable behaviour when they played England at home - thugs are thugs, wherever they are, and they will use any tactics to undermine and unsettle their opponents and opposing fans - what more effective way than striking at the heart of your identity than by racial hatred. You'll never totally stop such behaviour, but you can make it so socially unacceptable that you outlaw it.

Somewhere that doesn't seem to see it this way though, is Poland. It seems ironic, that we have very many Polish migrant workers here and by and large they are welcomed with open arms, as people who are here to work, do jobs that need doing and pay taxes while they're at it. They'll probably drift back again at some point, it's all part of an open Europe with free-flowing borders and a growingly common currency. So why should it be that so many of their football fans are neo-Nazis?

Poland will be hosting the 2012 European Football Championships - in the Capital, Warsaw's main team, Legia Warsaw, has an appalling racism problem. Everywhere there is grafitti professing 'White Power' and Ku Klux Klan imagery, posted up by the 'fans'. The problem is so bad that Legia Warsaw have been banned from taking part in any European matches - The President of the Club, Leszek Miklas readily admits that up to a 5th of all his club's fans are Neo-Nazis, actively racist. The sheer level of violence perpetrated by these idiots has excluded them from playing outside their own country on their home Continent. So what will happen in 2012? The Polish National Football Authrority and the Organisers of the Tournament make light of the problem, saying that these problems are at Club level, nothing to do with supporters of the National Team. This seems more than a little disingenuous, bearing in mind the problem afflicts many other minor League clubs in Poland and that they will all be out in force to cheer on their National side.

It looks like Poland will learn the hard way - unless they take drastic steps to stamp out this appalling behaviour, they will look backward and frankly, stupid. If they want to be part of a modern Europe where their own citizens can roam freely across Europe's borders to benefit from unrestricted trade, they must learn that education of their people to be as tolerant to 'outsiders' as others are to them, is paramount. I'm not suggesting for a moment that the vast majority of Polish people aren't decent, upstanding and tolerant, but a government that sweeps it under the carpet and refuses to deal with it by education, not only exacerbates the problem, it tacitly supports it. That is totally unacceptable.