SPORTS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013 Rio’s Olympic waterways Photo of the day full of trash, sewage

RIO DE JANEIRO: Rio de Janeiro’s endless beaches and lush Copacabana beach, the measurement of fecal coliform bacte- tropical forest will be a photographer’s dream during the ria spiked to 16 times the Brazilian government’s satisfactory 2016 Olympics. But zoom in on the likes of once-pristine level as recently as three weeks ago, bad news for the Guanabara Bay, and the picture is of household trash and raw marathon swimmers and triathletes set to compete there. sewage. The Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas often experiences huge fish In the neon green waters around the site of the future die-offs that leave its surface blanketed with tons of dead Olympic Park, the average fecal pollution rate is 78 times that fish. Rowing and canoeing events are set to take place on the of the Brazilian government’s “satisfactory” limit - and 195 briny lake. Another entrenched problem is the 148-square- times the level considered safe in the US. Nearly 70 percent of mile (383-square-kilometer) Guanabara Bay, where the only Rio’s sewage goes untreated, meaning runoff from its many exit for foul, polluted waters is through a narrow opening slums and poor neighborhoods drain into waters soon to onto the Atlantic Ocean. Home to a thriving artisanal fishing host some of the world’s best athletes. industry and popular palm-lined beaches as recently as the Unless Brazil makes headway in cleaning up its waters, late-1970s, the bay has become a watery dump for waste experts warn the Summer Games could pose health risks to from shipyards and two commercial ports as well as leachate, athletes and mar what officials hope will be a global show- the toxic byproduct of mountains of rotting trash sitting at case event. Instead of the soaring vistas of Sugarloaf what was South America’s largest landfill until its closure last Mountain, the world could instead see old couches in the bay year. At low tide, household trash, including old washing and tons of dead fish floating atop a city lake. machines and soggy couches, float atop vast islands of accu- Rio’s Olympic committee has pledged in writing that the mulated sewage and sediment. Experts say it’s even possible pollution problems will be fixed, and many had hoped the that vessels plowing through the water at speeds of more Olympics would force authorities to tackle decades of neglect than 20 mph during Olympic events could collide with float- and poor planning that have blighted waterways. ing detritus below the surface. Leonardo Gryner, chief operating officer of Rio’s organiz- Ecology professor Ricardo Freitas knows all too well the ing committee, has acknowledged the extent of the water risks. As part of his work with a conservation group trying to quality problem. But he said projects were “well advanced” to save Rio’s besieged urban caimans, Freitas regularly wades in make good on the city’s commitment to reduce 80 percent of and wrestles the reptiles onto shore or into boats to tag the pollution flowing into the bay, where sailing and wind them. “There’s no way to work in these waters, where you are Marc Marquez (ESP/ Honda) races at Moto Grand Prix 2013 at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan on surfing events are to be held. literally neck deep in feces in some places, and not be afraid October 27th, 2013. — www.redbull.com With just 2 1/2 years to go before the games, however, of the health effects,” Freitas said, adding that on the one experts say cleanup efforts are moving at a snail’s pace and occasion when he was bitten by a caiman, the small wound haven’t significantly improved capacity in sewage treatment got severely infected because of the contaminated water. plants or hooked up more of the city’s 6 million residents. “Show me the Olympic athlete who’s going to have the Vettel and Webber get “The high concentrations of untreated human waste courage to get into waters like these.” means there are pathogens and disease-causing organisms It’s not clear what consequences there might be if Rio in the water,” said Dr. Casey Brown, a professor of civil and doesn’t clean up its waterways, but this isn’t the first time the ready for one last battle environmental engineering at the University of Olympics have faced steep environmental challenges. The Massachusetts Amherst. “If I were going to take part, I would Swiss-based International Olympic Committee took much BRAZIL: Sebastian Vettel wants to end and won at Interlagos in 2010, but chapter, when I step out of the car for the make sure all my shots were up to date.” Tests show the prob- flak during the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, when the city the Formula One season with a record Webber’s track record is not to be dis- last time I will be fine with it. Back to the lems are still severe in several of the competition venues. failed to clean up its smoggy air in the event’s initial days. win, while Red Bull team mate Mark missed. He won in Brazil in 2009 and UK Sunday night, walk the dogs on At the site of the Olympic Park, in the Barra neighborhood, This year, similar concerns have been raised about the Winter Webber would love to call time on his 12- 2011 and was runner-up in 2010. Tuesday morning.” untreated human waste flows from nearby condominiums Olympics in Sochi, Russia, with crews dumping concrete con- year grand prix career with a farewell vic- If the straight-talking Australian does Sunday will also be a day of other and sprawling shantytowns, presenting an immediate health struction waste and other trash in rivers, protected forests tory in Brazil. not win, or finish on the podium, any dis- farewells. Williams-bound Brazilian Felipe hazard, according to Rio de Janeiro Environment Ministry and other sensitive zones. Pollution problems at those sites There can be only one winner of appointment will be short-lived and easi- Massa will race for the last time for documents examined by The Associated Press. Pollution fills may be a key reason why the committee in September chose Sunday’s season-ending race at the ram- ly outweighed by the positives. Ferrari, after being with the Italian team many of the waterways in Barra, where about half the Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics. Japan had billed itself as a “safe Olympic events will be held. In the waters just off pair of hands.” —AP shackle amphitheatre that is Sao Paulo’s “I’ve got one week to go, I will leave since 2006, while the V8 engines will Interlagos circuit, but the outcome may not be quite as predictable as recent form would suggest. No favors will be Indian schoolboy hits offered, even less accepted, between two fiercely competitive men whose relation- ship as they reach the end of their long 546 runs off 330 balls road together as team mates is cold but professional. “Mark would not want to be gifted a win,” Red Bull team principal NEW DELHI: A 14-year-old Indian batsman smashed an my team. Our coach just asked me to concentrate on every Christian Horner told reporters at astonishing 546 off 330 balls in a school match in Mumbai, ball. The only plan was to score as many runs as we could. Sunday’s US Grand Prix after Vettel recording the third highest score in any form of cricket, “I want to continue like this in future also.” Indian statisti- became the first driver to win eight races media reports said yesterday. cian Mohandas Menon tweeted that Shaw’s effort was the in a row in a single season. “It would be Prithvi Shaw, playing for Rizvi Springfield school, com- third-highest recorded score behind the unbeaten 628 by great to see him win his final race, what a piled the huge score against St Francis school in the Harris Englishman Arthur Collins in 1899 and 566 by Charles Eady way to sign out,” he said. “But Sebastian is Shield, a tournament that brought batting icon Sachin of Australia in 1901. It was in the same Harris Shield compe- going to be going for that record as well Tendulkar into the limelight more than two decades ago. tition that Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli struck a 664-run and as usual it will be a straight fight Shaw hit 85 boundaries and five sixes, surpassing the partnership for their school in 1988, with both batsmen between the two of them.” previous best score in the competition of 498 by Armaan returning with unbeaten triple-centuries. Vettel has won 12 races so far this sea- Jaffar, nephew of former Indian opener Wasim Jaffar, two Tendulkar retired last week as the world’s top-scorer in son, one short of Michael Schumacher’s years ago, the Times Now and CNN-IBN channels said. both Test and one-day cricket and the only man to compile 2004 record of 13, and can also equal the Shaw’s innings was spread over two days after he was 100 international centuries. West Indies’ star Brian Lara 60-year-old record of nine consecutive unbeaten on 257 on Tuesday evening. “I am feeling good,” holds the individual innings record of 400 not out in Tests wins chalked up by Italian Alberto Ascari the youngster told Times Now. “It is a good score for me and and 501 not out in first-class cricket. — AFP in 1952-53. Webber has not won any- thing this year, denied victory in Malaysia AUSTIN: Red Bull Australian driver Mark Webber races in this file photo. —AFP after Vettel ignored team orders to hold station and passed the Australian. If there the paddock very satisfied. I’ve been scream one last time before the new era was ever a time for payback, this would dealt a very good hand, very proud of of turbocharged V6 units is ushered in. be it. The oldest driver on the grid, at 37, what I’ve achieved,” he said after finishing Whether it will also be the end of made abundantly clear in Austin that he third in Austin with his parents watching. Ross Brawn’s time as Mercedes team was ready to move on for a fresh start “I never thought I would do that principal, or a farewell for various drivers racing Le Mans sportscars with Porsche when I left Queanbeyan in Australia, to currently unsure about their futures, will but also showed that he is still very fast. have had the results I’ve had, to have be decided further down the road. With both championships won weeks worked with the amazing people I’ve Mexico’s Sergio Perez will be in the ago, and Webber having nothing to lose, worked with, to race against amazing cockpit of his McLaren for the final time team orders become meaningless at this drivers on the best tracks in the world. in a race that will also mark the end of point - unlikely to be heard or acted on. “I’ve learned a huge amount about the team’s partnership with mobile Vettel will be the favourite, as ever, myself, about everything ... it’s the next phone operator Vodafone. — Reuters Vonn crashes during training

DENVER: Reigning Olympic downhill Olympic medalist Julia Mancuso posted a Annemarie Moser-Proell’s record of 62 champion Lindsey Vonn crashed Tuesday picture of the two of them together and a World Cup race victories. And while Vonn while training in Copper Mountain, Colo., caption that read: “Lets all send Lindsey insists her primary focus this season is ahead of her planned return to racing fol- Vonn our positivity and hope for the best! being fully healthy for Sochi, she lowing major knee surgery. US Ski Team (after her little crash today)” acknowledges that World Cup mark BRISBANE: A photographer takes pictures of the Ashes Urn at the Gabba on the eve of the first Ashes cricket Test spokesman Tom Kelly said Vonn was tak- The 29-year-old Vonn attended the would hold special meaning. “There are match between England and Australia. — AFP en down the hill on a sled, which he not- NFL game between the Kansas City many Olympic champions, but to be the ed was “normal protocol” in such cases. Chiefs and Denver Broncos on Sunday No. 1 winningest World Cup racer of all Kelly said he was not sure whether Vonn night, hanging out on the sideline with time, you’re alone on that list. You’re at England’s hopes stand at hurt her surgically repaired right knee in boyfriend Tiger Woods. Vonn needs just the top,” Vonn said. “That would be more the fall at the team’s speed training cen- three more wins to match Austrian great substantial for me and my legacy.” — AP ter. “We have no reason to believe it’s any- gates of fortress Gabba thing significant right now,” Kelly told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. A spokesman for Vonn, Lewis Kay, BRISBANE: England are in Australia seeking a fourth Ashes tri- England have concerns over the fitness of wicketkeeper issued a statement saying the ski racer umph in a row for the first time since the 1890s but they know Matt Prior but otherwise look to have settled on their side, with was not admitted to a hospital and that if they are to achieve their goal they probably need to get opener Michael Carberry set to make his Ashes debut, Joe Root instead went home to Vail to be evaluat- a result at the Gabba. The Brisbane test is the traditional cur- dropping down to number six and Chris Tremlett taking the ed by the doctor who performed her tain raiser for Australia’s home international season and the third spot in the pace bowling unit. knee surgery. Kay didn’t specify the hosts have only lost eight test matches played at the ground Australia have put great store on the settled nature of their nature of her injuries. going in to the start of the 56th today. team, particularly the batting line-up, with most of their play- “We expect to have clarity on the situ- Such is the difficulty of breaching the Gabba fortress, the ers showing good form in domestic cricket and a one-day ation in the next 24 hours,” Kay said. Vonn, hosts will start the match slight favourites with the bookmak- series in India. a four-time overall World Cup champion, ers even though England dominated this year’s home Ashes They have gambled on sometimes erratic fast bowler tore ligaments in her right knee in a high- series and Australia have lost seven of their last nine tests. Mitchell Johnson and uncapped batsman George Bailey but speed accident at the world champi- For touring skipper Alastair Cook, though, the prospect of with Shane Watson fit to bat will almost certainly retain spinner onships in February. She has been aiming trying to do what no England team has done since 1986 and Nathan Lyon and leave all-rounder James Faulkner in charge of to return to World Cup competition next win in Brisbane only adds to the motivation. the drinks. Australia skipper Michael Clarke remains convinced week in Beaver Creek, Colo. The Sochi “This side has done that a number of times, when there’ve that his team can beat England if they play at their absolute Games are in February. Tuesday’s crash been specific challenges ahead of us, we’ve delivered,” he told best. “For us it’s about coming out and playing our best cricket was first reported by Skiracing.com. With reporters yesterday. “Whether we can do that this game will in five test matches and hopefully the result will take care of Vonn feeling her knee was months ahead depend how well we play, but at the start of the series and at a itself,” he said. “I think we’re as well prepared as we can possibly of schedule, she thought about pushing ground where they have a lot of confidence, that would do us be. I think the belief’s there and hopefully we’ll see that over up her comeback to the season-opening the world of good.” Those challenges include winning a test the next five test matches.” giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, late last series in India, ending a three-quarter century drought with Clarke’s vice captain Brad Haddin will start his 50th test on month. But she changed her mind, opt- victory over the Australians at Lord’s and, of course, the first Thursday, while for England’s flamboyant and often controver- ing instead to continue to prepare. Ashes triumph Down Under in 24 years on their last visit in sial batsman Kevin Pietersen the match will be his 100th. Vonn recently said her super-G is 2010. Even then, though, they only managed a battling draw at The introduction of the “real time snickometre” will no “some of the best super-G I’ve ever skied, the Gabba after Australian quick Peter Siddle took a hat-trick doubt provide another plethora of umpiring controversies to but my downhill still needs a little more on the first morning and England were bowled out cheaply in go with those from the first series this year, ratcheting up the time.” She’s been taking practice runs in their first innings. atmosphere even higher. England’s “Barmy Army” of vocal fol- Copper Mountain, and posted on her Cook, whose second innings 235 not out helped save the lowers will certainly reprise their canon of songs deriding Twitter account Monday: “Catching some match, said his team mates were nonetheless trying to draw Johnson and may even have penned a ditty or two looking for- air today in Downhill training.” She also on the memories of that 3-1 series triumph. ward to a fourth successive Ashes triumph. recently said that she’s reluctantly been “There’s no reason to feel intimidated, a lot of players we Their latter day Captain Cook, who knows what lies ahead wearing a protective knee brace under have in this squad were here in 2010-11 so we’ve all got experi- over the next six weeks, is a little more cautious. “It’s a little bit doctor’s orders. “It’s in my best interest to ence of winning in Australia and we’re trying to use that to the dangerous to (think about) that,” he said. play it safe,” Vonn said. “I compromised best of our ability,” he added. “It’s a nice place to be in to be able to chase records and this and said that as long as I don’t have to “We know how important this game was last time for set- side over the last few years have managed to do some very wear (the brace) for the Olympics, I’ll be ting up the series, Australia have obviously got a very good special things. “(But) as always, the challenge of winning in fine.” On her Facebook page, three-time COPPER MOUNTAIN: In this Nov. 7, 2013 file photo, Lindsey Vonn speeds record here in Brisbane and it’s our job to try and change that.” Australia is a great challenge.” — Reuters down the training course at the US Ski Team training center. — AP