ATHLETICS | Page 2 MMOTOGPOTOGP | Page 10 Farah seals Crutchlow double-double wins rain-hit To Advertise here with gold Czech Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 in 5,000m MotoGP

Monday, August 22, 2016 Dhul-Qa’da 19, 1437 AH FOOTBALL Vindicated Neymar delivers ’s most treasured gold Page 5

FOCUS Medals tally

Country G S B T 1 United States 44 37 38 119 2 Great Britain 27 22 17 66 3 26 18 26 70 Kenya’s Kipchoge romps 4 Russia 19 18 19 56 5 Germany 17 10 15 42 6 Japan 12 8 21 41 7 9 17 14 40 8 South Korea 9 3 9 21 to Rio gold 9 Italy 8 12 8 28 10 Australia 8 11 10 29 ‘I had a little bit in the tank and it was comfortable. It’s my first gold medal, it’s the best win of my life’ 11 Netherlands 8 7 4 19 12 Hungary 8 3 4 15 13 Brazil 7 6 6 19 Men’s Marathon results (top 20) 14 7 4 6 17 15 Kenya 6 6 1 13 1. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:08:44 11. Abdi Nageeye (NED) 2:13:01 16 Jamaica 6 3 2 11 2. Feyisa Lilesa (ETH) 2:09:54 12. Mumin Gala (DJI) 2:13:04 3. (USA) 2:10:05 13. Lemi Berhanu Hayle (ETH) 2:13:29 17 Croatia 5 3 2 10 4. Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ERI) 2:11:04 14. Stephen Kiprotich (UGA) 2:13:32 18 5 2 4 11 5. Alphonce Simbu (TAN) 2:11:15 15. Paulo Roberto Paula (BRA) 2:13:56 19 New Zealand 4 9 5 18 6. (USA) 2:11:30 16. Satoru Sasaki (JPN) 2:13:57 20 Canada 4 3 15 22 7. Tadesse Abraham (SUI) 2:11:42 17. Kaan Kigen OEzbilen (TUR) 2:14:11 8. Solomon Mutai (UGA) 2:11:49 18. Bayron Piedra (ECU) 2:14:12 21 Uzbekistan 4 2 7 13 9. Callum Hawkins (GBR) 2:11:52 19. Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR) 2:14:17 22 Kazakhstan 3 5 9 17 10. Eric Gillis (CAN) 2:12:29 20. Oleksandr Sitkovskyy (UKR) 2:14:24 69 Qatar 0 1 0 1

STAR OF THE DAY Neymar of Brazil

Today’s Star of the Day is Neymar, who gave Brazil a first Olympic football gold medal by burying the winning kick in the penalty shoot-out against Germany before putting the boot into his critics. The star had also scored in normal time with a scintillating curled free-kick before Ger- many levelled to make the score 1-1 at the end of normal time. Olympic gold was the only major title to have escaped five-time world champions Brazil in their history. But Neymar righted that historical wrong as he fired the winning penalty into the top corner before breaking into tears. “This is one of the best things that has happened in my life,” said Neymar, who was heavily criticised for his underwhelming start to the Olympics. “Now they’ll (the critics) have to swallow what they said.” Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya celebrates after winning the men’s Marathon event in yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP Rio de Janeiro

ed-hot favourite Eliud Kip- choge stormed to a runaway gold medal in a wet men’s marathon yesterday, the fi nal dayR of competition at the Rio Olym- pics. The Kenyan broke away at the 35km mark and romped home to win in a time of two hours, eight minutes, 44 seconds — over a minute quicker than Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa, who took sil- ver, before claiming his life could be in danger. American Galen Rupp, the 10,000m silver medallist in four years ago, claimed bronze in 2:10:05. In the shadow of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, poking through Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the end of the men’s Marathon in the rain clouds from high above the protest against the Ethiopian government’s crackdown on political dissent. (AFP) city, Kipchoge produced a virtuoso performance as he added gold to the Tokyo champion Lilesa had looked Rio’s famed carnival, to loud cheers 5,000m silver he won in in 2008 in the mood to push Kipchoge while from Brazilian fans before dropping to and his bronze from 2004. Rupp kept pace after the trio dropped his knees and crossing himself in cel- “It really feels great,” he told AFP af- Ethiopian Lemi Berhanu just after the ebration. ter winning Kenya’s sixth gold medal of halfway point. “I think the rain was a good ad- the Games, all of them in athletics. vantage because the temperature in “I felt I had a little bit in the tank and POLITICAL PROTEST Brazil is terrible,” said Kipchoge, who it was comfortable, it was very com- Lilesa crossed his arms above his head was serenaded by local fans chanting fortable. It’s my fi rst gold medal, it’s as he fi nished the race as a protest “Kenya! Kenya!” after the race. the best win of my life.” against the Ethiopian government’s “The secret is good planning and It was a seventh victory in eight mar- crackdown on political dissent. good preparation. But I was really aim- athons for the 31-year-old phenom- “I have relatives in prison back ing for the gold medal here, not a world enon, who won the London Marathon home,” he said. record.” for the second year running in April, “If you talk about democracy they Rupp’s bronze was the third medal coming within eight seconds of Dennis kill you. If I go back to Ethiopia maybe in 12 hours for controversial coach Al- Kimetto’s world record of 2:02:57. they will kill me, or put me in prison. berto Salazar’s after golds by American A morning downpour put paid to any “It is very dangerous in my country. Matthew Centrowitz in the 1,500m and thoughts of a world record as 155 run- Maybe I have to go to another country. Briton Mo Farah in 5,000m on Saturday. ners representing 80 countries splashed I was protesting for people everywhere “He beats the hell out of us in train- around the course snaking through the who have no freedom.” ing,” said Rupp. “But having such a heart of Rio’s historic centre in condi- Kipchoge proved too strong, how- great group of guys in Mo and Mat- tions miles removed from the holiday ever, sprinting home along the home thew, it’s a great dynamic. We really brochures of sun-kissed Rio. straight of the Sambadrome, home of help push each other.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, August 22, 2016

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Farah denies Imperious Farah friendship with seals double-double tainted coach AFP if somebody asks you to take a Rio de Janeiro picture are you going to say no? ‘I can’t quite believe it. I wished for just one medal... It has been a long journey’ So many people come up to me,” said the Somali-born star. ritain’s Mo Farah sought “You can’t say no to everyone. to distance himself from He’s not a friend of mine, he’s Reuters the bronze. drugs-tainted Somali someone I’ve seen on the cir- Rio de Janeiro The medals were pre- coach Jama Aden fol- cuit. I’ve been competing since I sented approaching mid- Blowing victory in the Olympic was 12 years old and you can’t lie night in a deserted stadium, 5,000m fi nal in Rio. about it,” added Farah. riton Mo Farah be- a far cry from four years ago The 33-year-old, who became “You see people, you see came only the sec- when Farah was acclaimed the fi rst man in 40 years to re- coaches and that’s all it is. I don’t ond man to retain by 80,000 fans in his home tain the two Olympic distance know why you’re making a big both Olympic track city of London. crowns on Saturday, denied be- deal about it.” Blong-distance titles on Sat- “I didn’t just fl uke it in ing on close terms with Aden Aden, who trains Ethiopian urday when he produced an London, to do it again is in- after being questioned about the Genzebe Dibaba, the 1,500m utterly dominant perform- credible,” he said. two men’s relationship. women’s world record holder, ance to add the 5,000m gold Despite his pedigree, it “He’s not a close friend of was arrested after dawn raids of to the 10,000 he collected a looked as if Saturday’s race mine,” Farah told reporters. “Ob- several houses in Catalonia oc- week ago for a glorious dou- might be Farah’s most test- viously I see him on the circuit cupied by his training group in ble-double. ing of all as Ethiopian trio and I say ‘hi’ I respect everyone June. Farah followed Finland’s Dejen Gebremeskel, Muk- on the circuit. We all know each Anabolic steroids and syringes Lasse Viren, who won both tar Edris and Gebrhiwet all other and that’s it really.” were found, according to re- titles in 1972 and 1976, and passed up running in the Aden previously worked as an ports quoting the Catalan inte- having also done the double 10,000m to concentrate on “unoffi cial facilitator” for Farah rior minister, while a Moroccan twice at the world champi- the shorter distance. before being arrested by Spanish physiotherapist was also arrest- onships he has now earned After so many races police on doping charges earlier ed and charged. his place among the all-time where the rest of the fi eld this year. But Farah, whose coach Alber- greats of his sport. played into his hands by go- British athletics offi cials have to Salazar has been the subject of The 33-year-old dealt ing steadily and opening the insisted his role extended only doping suspicion, stressed there with everything the fi eld door for a last-lap burn-up, to calling out lap times for Farah was no connection between could throw at him, even Farah was initially presented when the runner trained in Ethi- himself and Aden. taking up the pace midway with a diff erent challenge as opia in 2015. “If he’s my coach or someone through the race to stamp Gebremeskel and Gebrhiwet But Farah faced questions I’m close with then fair enough, his authority on the race. set off at a hot pace. about photographs of him with but I’m not close with him,” said As ever, when it came to a However, by the halfway Aden in February at another Farah. “I see him on the circuit last-lap showdown, nobody point they seemed to have training camp in Ethiopia after and take a picture with him, does could live with his speed and given up on that approach his gold medal run in Rio. that make me a bad guy? I’ve tak- he surged clear of a fi eld that and Farah moved to the “As an athlete on the circuit, en selfi es with other people too.” contained four men with front to push the pace. faster personal bests but Once they reached the none with his track-craft bell he refused to yield his COMFORTING and iron will. inside lane position in a de- “I hate to lose, I have that termined duel with Chelimo drive, it’s just me,” Farah and, as so often before, had told reporters. just too much pace over the Rohler wins Germany “I can’t quite believe it. fi nal 120 metres. I wished for just one medal “I was surprised by the as a junior. It has been a long fi rst lap, I thought it was go- their fi rst javelin journey but if you dream ing to be a slow race. They of something, have ambi- had a plan, they wanted to tions and are willing to work take the sting out of me but gold in 80 years hard then you can get your when I hit the front, I wasn’t dreams.” letting anyone past,” he said. After a long-drawn out “My legs were a bit tired series of appeals and coun- after the 10k I don’t now ter-claims, Kenyan-born how I recovered.” American “Now I just want to see claimed the silver medal and my kids and hang this medal Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet around their necks.”

BOTTOMLINE Beitia wins historic high jump gold for Spain

Reuters “I’m aware that I’m 37 years Rio de Janeiro old,” she said. “I think I’m one of the oldest women to win an Ol- ympic gold medal. Of course, I’m paniard Ruth Beitia very proud to still be continuing leaped into the Rio night up to now. Even at my age, I have to win Spain’s fi rst Olym- the same enthusiasm and happi- pic gold medal in wom- ness.” en’sS athletics and claim her fi rst Twice world champion Vlasic global outdoor high jump crown also made her Olympic debut in at the age of 37 on Saturday. Athens in 2004 but missed the The three-times European London Olympics because of the champion cleared 1.88m, 1.93m Achilles problem that has blight- and 1.97m at her fi rst attempts ed the latter part of her career. and became the oldest Olym- Vlasic returned to competition pic champion in the jumps on this year but was clearly still feel- countback when all four remain- ing the injury in her third Games. ing athletes failed to get over two “This medal is a badge of hon- metres. our, it’s a reward for being brave “I’m happy,” she said. “Never given the circumstances,” she did I think I’d be competing again said. after the London Olympics. My “The doctor didn’t tell me to dream has become a reality.” stay out of the Olympics, but Mirela Demireva of Bulgaria they told me it would hurt, and took silver ahead of 32-year-old it did.” former world champion Blanka London 2012 champion Anna Vlasic of Croatia, who added Chicherova was unable to take bronze to the silver she won at part in the Games because she Thomas Rohler of Germany competes in the men’s Javelin Throw final the 2008 Beijing Olympics. was suspended after a retested at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday. (Reuters) American mother-of-three sample from the 2008 Olympics Chaunte Lowe was the one jump- tested positive. AFP mar scoring the decisive penalty er of the quartet who cleared World champion Mariya Rio de Janeiro as Brazil beat Germany 5-4 on 1.97m to miss out on a medal. Kuchina was also unable to take penalties after the game ended Like 32-year-old Lowe, Beitia part because of the almost blan- 1-1 at the end of regulation time. was appearing at her fourth Ol- ket ban on Russian athletes. homas Rohler off ered “I’m sorry for Germany but ympics having fi nished 16th in It was the lowest winning Germany a crumb of I’m happy for Brazil.” Athens, seventh in Beijing and height in an Olympic fi nal since comfort after their foot- Turning to the competition, fourth in London. 1980 and two athletes jumped ball team lost to Brazil in Rohler said: “I woke up with the She always looked like con- higher in the Rio heptathlon, but Tthe Olympic fi nal by winning his right feeling this morning.” tinuing her upward trajectory in that did not bother the medal- country’s fi rst javelin gold in 80 “I was feeling maybe it’s the Rio after clearing 1.88m with a lists. years. right day for me. I was quite ex- minimum of fuss. “I am extremely happy,” said The unheralded Rohler cited to throw. I know how to Extending her arms out in Demireva, the youngest of the fi - launched a best of 90.30 metres throw 90m and I did it today – front her body and twitching nal four at 26. for Germany’s fi rst in the javelin 90.30 is really far.” her fingers before starting her “It is a dream come true. Since since Gerhard Stock won in the “We live for challenges in jave- run, Beitia charged towards the I got selected for the Olympic 1936 Games in . lin. That is why I love the sport.” bar with her pony tail bounc- Games in Rio I knew they would Kenya’s reigning world cham- Rohler added: “I think after ing behind her before also suc- be my Olympics. I put all my pion Julius Yego took silver with this year and after last year, we all cessfully clearing the next two heart and emotion into this silver 88.24m, while defending Olym- knew that it’s going to be a com- heights. medal.” pic champion Keshorn Walcott petition on a really high level.” Beitia became the oldest med- of Trinidad and Tobago claimed “Everybody is cheering at allist in the women’s high jump Spain’s Ruth Beitia celebrates bronze with 85.83m in a high- home. Everybody is awake. I by six years and was also a year after winning the women’s class competition. mean, it’s three at night (3am) older than Heike Drechsler when High Jump final at the Olympic “We saw the end of the game in in Germany. Hopefully, (they’re) the German won long jump gold Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sat- the warm-up area,” Rohler said very awake now and just cheer- at the Sydney Olympics. urday. (AFP) of the football game, with Ney- ing for me.” Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 3

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Semenya storms Felix wins her sixth to 800m gold

AFP of those rules, Semenya’s times Rio de Janeiro slipped, with many assuming she was taking medication to keep her testosterone levels within ac- career gold with ontroversial South Af- ceptable limits. rican runner Caster Se- She was still good enough to menya produced a dev- take silver behind Savinova in astating fi nish to London however. The Russian Cclaim the Olympic 800m crown, is facing a lifetime ban from the four years after being denied gold sport after evidence implicating by Russian dope cheat Mariya her in doping. 4x400 relay victory Savinova. And when the Court of Arbi- The 25-year-old 2012 silver tration for Sport ruled the Inter- medallist turned on the gas with national Association of Athletics Felix has more golds than any other woman athlete in history 150m to go, crossing the line Federations (IAAF) restrictions more than 1.20sec clear in 1min illegal, Semenya was free to com- Agencies 55.28sec at the Olympic Stadium. pete in her natural state. Rio de Janeiro Francine Niyonsaba of Bu- Hours before Saturday’s fi nal, Leading gold rundi took silver in 1:56.49 IAAF chief Sebastian Coe indi- medallists in with Kenya’s Margaret Wambui cated the world body would seek he United States maintained their claiming bronze in 1:56.89. to revisit the issue in future. iron grip on the Olympic wom- athletics “I used to be a sprinter, I ran Semenya however would not en’s 4x400 metres relay on Sat- the 100m, 200m in high school,” be drawn on the issue. urday when they held off Jamaica NINE Semenya said of her fi nish. “Tonight is all about perform- forT their sixth straight victory in the event “It was just a fantastic race. ances,” she said. “We’re not here Paavo Nurmi, Finland to give anchor her sixth ca- (1920-28): 10,000 metres Obviously, there can only be one to talk about the IAAF. We’re not reer gold. (2), individual cross country winner and it turned out good here to talk about speculations. The US fi nished in 3 minutes 19.06 sec- (2), team cross country (2), for me. It wasn’t about running “We’re here to talk about the onds. Jamaica took silver in 3:20.34 and 5,000m, 1,500m, 3,000m fast, it was about running a good 800m that we ran today.” Britain the bronze in 3:25.88. team. race.” Semenya never looked in trou- “It’s really special,” said four-time Ol- Carl Lewis, United States Semenya has been at the cen- ble in Saturday’s fi nal, biding her ympian Felix who had started the Games (1984-96): Long jump (4), tre of a raging controversy in time after a 57.59sec opening lap. somewhat frustrated after missing out on 100m (2), 4x100m relay (2), recent years because of her nat- Niyonsaba hit the front with qualifi cation for the 200m. 200m. urally occurring condition, hy- around 300m to go but Semenya The conclusion of her fourth Olympics Usain Bolt, Jamaica perandrogenism, which causes was always within striking dis- — she made her debut at the Athens 2004 (2008-16): 100m (3), 200m (3) elevated testosterone levels. tance. Games — left Felix refl ecting on her ca- 4x100m relay (3). Rival runners have said they With 150m left she made her reer with satisfaction. want authorities to revisit rules move, calmly accelerating clear “I can look back on the things that I’ve EIGHT that limit the amount of testo- to take the lead as the race for sil- accomplished and really be proud and re- Ray Ewry, United States sterone allowed in competitors. ver and bronze unfolded behind ally grateful for what track and fi eld has (1900-08): Standing long jump Partially in response to those her. brought to my life. And really be grateful (3), standing high jump (3), rumblings, chiefs Canada’s Melissa Bishop dug for what track and fi eld has brought to my standing triple jump (2). implemented restrictions on tes- deep in the home stretch but life. I’m really passionate about it and it’s (Note: Ewry holds the record for tosterone levels in 2011. was just pipped for bronze by brought me a lot of joy.” the most individual athletics golds). Following the introduction Wambui. Her teammate Courtney Okolo set the stage for the win by grabbing the lead in SIX the opening stage and the US never relin- Allyson Felix, United States quished it, pushed by Jamaica but well clear (2008-16): 4x100m relay (2), of the rest of the fi eld by the halfway point. 4x400m relay (3), 200m. Felix held off a late challenge by Jamai- ca’s Novlene Wiliams-Mills to claim her third medal of the Rio Olympics having USA’s Allyson Felix celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the women’s 4x400m Relay final on Saturday. (AFP) won gold in the 4x100m relay and silver in the individual 400m. The US gold streak in the event started at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “It’s amazing to come together with these women tonight and be able to fi n- ish it off ,” Felix said. “It was a good night.” and rounded out the US team. Jamaica’s silver was their fi fth straight medal in the event, following silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004, 2008 and 2012 while Britain claimed their fi rst medal since 1992. Felix now has more Olympic golds than any other woman track and fi eld athlete in history. “It’s amazing to come together with these women tonight and to be able to fi n- ish it off . It was a good night,” Felix said. The relay golds off set the disappoint- ment of an individual season disrupted by a freak ankle injury after a gym accident. That setback left her scrambling to regain full fi tness, ending her hopes of a 200m-400m double in Rio. She suff ered an agonising defeat in the fi nal of the 400m and failed to qualify for the 200m after missing out at the US trials.

FELIX EYES LONDON American women’s 4x400m relay team — Courtney Okolo, Natasha Hastings, Phyllis Francis and Allyson Felix — celebrate on the Asked to assess her season, she replied: podium after winning gold. (Reuters) “The toughest without a doubt. You make plans and you want things to go to a her parents though. She would not be drawn on the possi- The relay win was the latest in a a 20- certain schedule — and nothing went ac- “They like to show them off . I let them bility of returning for a fi fth Olympics in year unbeaten reign in the event for the cording to the schedule. do that,” she said. 2020. “London is next on the agenda,” she United States. “But that’s okay, it’s about growth and Felix expects to race once more in Eu- said. “As far as the next four years — I’m They have not lost a 4x400m relay character and I think I learned a lot of les- rope this year before turning her atten- just taking it year by year. I think that I since fi nishing in silver behind the unifi ed sons throughout this Olympic Games.” tion to the World Championships in Lon- probably have one more race this season, team of former Soviet Union states at the South Africa’s Caster Semenya (foreground) competes in the women’s Her medal collection will remain with don next August when she will be 31. maybe in Zurich.” 1992 Barcelona Games. 800m final in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE Russian Kolodko stripped of London Games shot put silver Russian Evgeniia Kolodko has the results of the above-men- United States reclaim men’s 4x400m title been stripped of her shot put tioned event accordingly and silver medal from the London to consider any further action 2012 Olympics after testing within its own competence,” Reuters nal straight to give Jamaica the silver in positive for banned substanc- the IOC said. Rio de Janeiro 2:58.16, while the Bahamas ran 2:58.49 es in a re-test, the International Russia this week lost two more to pip , who ran a national record Olympic Committee said on medals from the Beijing 2008 2:58.52, for bronze. Saturday. Games in the women’s 4x400 aShawn Merritt ran a blistering “I have only good feelings,” said Fran- “Kolodko... has been disquali- and 4x100 metres events after anchor leg to return the men’s cis. “I said to myself ‘Usain Bolt did it’ so I fied from the Olympic Games further positive tests in the 4x400m title to the United States, need to work for a medal.” London 2012 in which she re-examination of samples and win his third Olympic gold Merritt, who arrived in Rio with hopes ranked second and for which conducted by the IOC. Lmedal, in the fi nal athletics event of the of an individual 400-200 double, will she was awarded the silver The IOC stores samples for Rio Games on Saturday. return to home with a second career medal,” the IOC said. a decade to test with newer Before Matthew Centrowitz’s shock 4x400m relay gold and a bronze from the “Reanalysis of Kolodko’s methods or for new substanc- victory in the 1,500m earlier in the one-lap event. samples from London 2012 es. The ruling body conducted evening, the American men had been “For me, this is what the Olympics are resulted in a positive test for targeted re-tests before the limited to one gold medal on the Rio track all about, representing your country,” he the prohibited substances de- Rio Olympics. through in the 400 me- added. “I went for it every time I went on hydrochlormethyltestosterone A total of 98 samples were tres hurdles. the track.” (turinabol) and ipamorelin.” positive in reanalysis from The US have never gone two Games Chris Brown anchored the Bahamas Kolodko had been moved the Beijing Games and 2012 without winning the men’s one-lap re- team to win a record fourth medal in the up to silver after Belarussian London Olympics as the IOC lay, however, and after being upset by the event after a gold in 2012, silver in 2008 Nadezhda Ostapchuk was dis- attempted to root out cheats Bahamas in London four years ago, were and a bronze in the 2000 Sydney Games. qualified and stripped of her and stop them from going to determined to secure the title for a 17th Kevin Borlee, who was running in the gold medal following a posi- the Rio Games. time. Belgium team with his brothers Jonathan tive doping test at the time. Russia’s track and field team, , Tony McQuay and Gil and Dylan, said it was tough to miss out New Zealand’s Valerie Adams with the exception of one ath- Roberts combined over the fi rst three laps on a medal by 0.03 seconds. was awarded the gold with lete based in the United States, to give Merritt a two metre lead and the USA’s men’s 4x400m relay-winning team — Lashawn Merritt, , Tony McQuay “It’s hard now but in a couple of days I China’s Gong Lijiao getting the were banned from the Rio former 400m Olympic and world cham- and Arman Hall — celebrates on the podium on Saturday. (AFP) think there will be only good memories,” bronze. Olympics over what the World pion extended that to seven to win in two he said. “The (International Associa- Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) minutes, 57.30 seconds. Merritt. “The guys made it easy for me. all I had. Every man did his job and we’re “It’s the Olympic Games, we had the tion of Athletics Federations) said was a state-backed dop- “This was about Team USA, a great We wanted this gold, I’ve been running a bring that gold back to the US.” chance to compete, we enjoyed it and IAAF is requested to modify ing programme. bunch of guys that I work with,” said lot but I was going to give that anchor leg Javon Francis stormed down the fi - hopefully we will be back.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, August 22, 2016

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Record-breaker Ayana says doping Centrowitz ends US suspicions unfair

Reuters 12th and immediately questioned Rio de Janeiro the Ethiopian’s performance by saying: “I don’t think she is 100 percent”. wait for 1500m gold thiopia’s Almaz Ayana Lahti off ered no reason for her was supposed to be en- suspicion other than Ayana’s joying a glorious Olym- strong performance. Lahti bet- ‘No achievement in sport that tops Olympic gold, no world record, no other medal’ pic debut after shatter- tered her own personal best over ingE the women’s 10,000 metres the distance by 26 seconds and AFP world record last week but the the fi rst 13 women across the line Rio de Janeiro occasion was somewhat marred clocked lifetime bests and set fi ve by immediate questions about national records. whether she was clean. Ayana has rejected the insinu- atthew Centrowitz produced The same fate befell South ation and once again credited a stunning gun-to-tape Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, her training, not drugs, for her 1500m run on Saturday to who smashed Michael Johnson’s breathtaking speed. claim the United States’ fi rst 17-year-old world record to win “Through hard work, anyone Mgold in the event since 1908. the 400m gold medal. Instantly, can succeed,” said Ayana, who Centrowitz, fourth in the London journalists inquired how was it is the reigning 5,000m world Games four years ago and twice a world possible to run so fast without champion. championship medallist, timed 3min doping. The 24-year-old said she 50.00sec. Such is the atmosphere in “didn’t even notice the record Algerian defending champion Taoufi k modern-day athletics that any time” until after the race, in Makhloufi added silver to second place in standout performance swiftly which she beat Kenya’s most the 800m, in 3:50.11, while New Zealand’s arouses suspicion and forces the decorated female athlete Vivian Nicholas Willis claimed bronze (3:50.24). athlete on the defensive. Cheruiyot and fellow Ethiopian “There’s nothing like it. It doesn’t Ayana, who on Friday added a Tirunesh Dibaba, the defend- compare to anything else I’ve won in my 5,000m bronze to her 10,000m ing Olympic champion who took life,” said Centrowitz. crown, said such reactions were bronze. The last American to win the 1500m not fair. In the 5,000m fi nal, Ayana was in the Olympics was Mel Sheppard in the “There are many who sus- the hot favourite and many ex- 1908 London Games, and Centrowitz was pect doping to have taken place pected her to secure a memora- left shell-shocked by his performance. whenever a race is won or a ble long-distance double by be- “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I had an e-mail record is broken. I don’t accept coming the second woman ever from Jim Ryan before the race, Seb Coe this,” Ayana told Reuters in Rio. to win both events at the same gave me the medal and Hicham El Guer- After her memorable victory in Games. rouj is back there,” he said in reference to the 10,000m in one of the great- But after once again storming the US 1968 1500m silver medallist, IAAF est long-distance races ever, into a huge lead, the Ethiopian president and two-time Olympic gold journalists asked Ayana how this time couldn’t keep pushing medallist in the event and the Moroccan Matthew Centrowitz (foreground) of USA wins the men’s 1500m final in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. (Reuters) was it possible to cut 14 seconds and was overhauled by Cherui- world record holder respectively. off a record set by China’s Wang yot and fellow Kenyan Hellen “Seb said: welcome to the club! “On the best day I thought I could have Kiprop decided to move, and motored one’s going around me now,” he said. Junxia 23 years ago that has come Onsando Obiri, who took silver “Everything leading up to it, during got silver. Coming away with gold is un- up through the fi eld as the pace acceler- His face gritted in determination, the under scrutiny. ahead of Ayana. and after has been surreal. believable,” said Centrowitz. ated. 26-year-old American, coached by Al- Wang was among a team “My aim was to win the race. “I saw my dad on my victory lap and The American and Spain’s David Bus- Morocco’s reigning world and Olym- berto Salazar, held on for a shock victory, coached by Ma Junren, who for But I felt tired. I knew I wasn’t I yelled ‘are you kidding me?!’ and he tos set a slow early pace, Makhloufi boxed pic bronze medallist Abalaati Iguider and timing 50.62sec for the last lap. years had been dogged by doping going to win by the time race had yelled back ‘are you effi ng kidding me?!’ in the chasing pack with Kenyan favourite Djibouti’s Aynaleh Souleiman pushed Kiprop bolted after Makhloufi , but was allegations. four laps remaining,” Ayana said, and it kept going back and forth. I don’t Asbel Kiprop. Centrowitz through the bell for the last reeled in down the straight by Souleiman Ma has consistently denied the adding that it was “possible” she think any of us believed it.” The opening two laps were timed at a lap, with all eyes on Kiprop and Ma- and Willis and eventually fi nished sixth, drug claims and said his athletes may have got her tactics wrong. Centrowitz added: “There’s no relatively pedestrian 66 and 69.7sec re- khloufi . 0.87 off Centrowitz’s pace. reached such levels through hard Though she leaves Rio with achievement in sport that tops Olympic spectively. As expected, the Kenyan made his Makhloufi was left delighted with his work and natural remedies, in- fond memories, Ayana said her gold, no world record, no other medal. Kiprop saw his teammate Ronald Kwe- move with to run, the Alge- silver, saying: “After getting three Olym- cluding turtle’s blood. focus will now turn to becoming “The Olympics are the pinnacle of moi take a tumble that left him at the back rian sweeping in on his coat-tails. pic medals, I am now one of the top ath- However, in 2000, Chinese Ethiopia’s new distance queen, track and fi eld. This is the best that it of the pack, eff ectively leaving him unable But Centrowitz kept his nerve as the letes in the world.” authorities fi red Ma from the Ol- a mantle long held by her child- gets. I’ve been joking since I got this med- to off er the 2008 Olympic gold medallist pack entered the home stretch. Willis, who won silver at the 2008 ympic team after six of his ath- hood role model Dibaba. al that I don’t have to do anything else in and three-time defending world champi- “After the fi rst when no Games in Beijing, said the moment was letes failed drug tests. “I do dream of that,” Ayana my career! on any tactical help in the close-run race. one came around me, I thought ok no not as “joyous” as he thought it would be. said. ‘HARD WORK’ “That was my aim before and In Ayana’s case, suspicion was I’ll work even harder now. There further enfl amed by Swedish race is plenty of time. I’m still young Russia’s Isinbayeva earns IOC spot despite opposition rival Sarah Lahti, who fi nished and inexperienced.”

Double Olympic pole vault champion Seung-min of South Korea and New Yelena Isinbayeva, a fierce critic of a Zealand’s Sarah Walker — were elected Russian track and field ban at the Rio with overwhelming majorities each. Olympics, was elected an International None received more than three votes Olympic Committee (IOC) member against them. yesterday but a third of the votes were Isinbayeva, who announced her against her. retirement as an athlete this week, had The 34-year-old, still the world record repeatedly criticised the international holder, was excluded from the Games athletics’ federation (IAAF), saying she along with over 100 of her teammates would never forgive it for banning Rus- following revelations of a systematic, sians from the Games. state-backed doping programme in Rus- “It is a violation of human rights. I will sian sport. not be quiet, I will take steps,” she had Isinbayeva received 45 votes in favour said in July. “I will go to the human rights and 23 against with two IOC members Former Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva (left) cries as she, along with Hungar- court. I will prove to the IAAF and World abstaining as she was confirmed a mem- ian swimmer Daniel Gyurta (second from left), South Korean table tennis player Ryu Anti-Doping Agency that they made the ber of the Olympic body three days after Seung-min and German epee fencer Britta Heidemann (right), was accepted as new wrong decision.” earning a spot on the IOC’s athletes’ International Olympic Committee members yesterday. (AFP) Isinbayeva, who won gold at the Athens commission. and Beijing Games, is also hoping to With tears in her eyes, she greeted IOC year term on the body as a member The other four athletes’ commission replace Dmitri Shlyakhtin as head of president Thomas Bach following her of the commission which represents members — Germany’s Britta Heide- the Russian athletics’ federation (ARAF) election. She will now serve an eight- athletes’ interests. mann, Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta, Ryu when he steps down in November.

BOTTOMLINE ENDORSEMENT Any danger to whistle-blower Our sport is alive, strong: Coe

Reuters crowds and in the digital space, Rio de Janeiro it’s gone through the roof, that Stepanova not an IOC issue: Bach shows a real passion. We want to see full stadiums but it hasn’t Reuters Stepanova in order to be able to allow her to AAF president Sebastian aff ected the way people have Rio de Janeiro compete (in Rio),” Bach said. “It came to the Coe gave a ringing en- absorbed the event and hav- conclusion this would not be appropriate. dorsement to the Olympic ing some of those fi nals in the “We invited her to come and we off ered her athletics programme on morning has gone down well in ussian whistleblower Yulia Stepano- support if she should need it. Not only sup- ISaturday, acclaiming a “re- Europe.” va may be in danger after her rev- port for her life but also for her future (sport- markable week” that showed Coe was asked about the ex- elations on doping in her country ing career).” athletics is “alive and incredibly traordinary world records of that triggered a massive scandal and Stepanova’s revelations, along with those of strong”. Ethiopian Almaz Ayana in the forcedR her to fl ee, but it is not the Interna- the former head of the Sochi 2014 winter Games Speaking at a news confer- 10,000 metres and South Afri- tional Olympic Committee’s responsibility, drugs-testing laboratory, triggered a series of ence ahead of the last full night can Wayde van Niekerk in the the IOC said on Saturday. investigations including one from the WADA. of competition, Coe accepted 400. Middle-distance runner and former drugs The so-called McLaren report issued last there had been disappointing “There have always been cheat Stepanova helped uncover a state- month described, among other things, how crowds and scheduling chal- questions and I know that from backed and systematic doping programme Russians were replacing positive doping sam- lenges but insisted increased my own experience and from that saw more than 100 Russian athletes Russian Olympian Yuliya Stepanova (left) and ples with clean ones during the Sochi Games website traffi c was an indica- athletes I’ve trained with,” said banned from the Olympics, including essen- her husband Vitaly seen with their son at an with the support of the Russian secret service. tor of sustained interest in the the man whose 1981 800 metres tially the entire track and fi eld team. undisclosed location. Despite WADA’s call for a blanket ban, sport. world record stood for 16 years. She was then forced to go into hiding in the Bach defended the IOC’s decision to allow “This has been a remark- been issues. Coe said that being in the United States with husband Vitaly, a former ing of her account was done to discover her some Russians to compete after international able week,” he said. “Before to- A combination of the local stadium on Friday when Usain Russian anti-doping offi cial, after giving whereabouts. She has been branded a traitor federations cleared them saying it was a deci- night we have had three world organising committee and TV Bolt secured his “triple-triple” evidence that her government for years facili- by many people back home in Russia. sion to protect clean athletes. records, 10 area records, nine preferences seems to have over- and ninth Olympic gold medal tated widespread cheating across nearly all “If something happens to us then you “We have taken a decision there in the in- Olympic records and 93 nation- ruled the IAAF when it came was a memory that will stay Olympic sports. should know that it is not an accident,” terests of athletes, defending the individual al records. to scheduling, while ticketing with him for a long time. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Stepanova said in a conference call days ago. rights of these athletes and not making ath- “Athletics here has enthralled prices have deterred a local au- He has been speaking with said last week her online doping management She had been praised by the sport’s gov- letes be responsible for irregularities of their and entertained. Our sport is dience with little tradition for the Jamaican superstar sprinter account, which includes her location and ad- erning International Association of Athletics government,” Bach said. alive and incredibly strong.” athletics and few home com- for three years about how he can dress, had been illegally accessed. Federations (IAAF) and cleared to compete in He said all samples from Russian athletes Pressed to address the poor petitors to capture the imagina- contribute to the sport after his IOC president Thomas Bach, responding Rio but the IOC banned Stepanova due to her at Sochi would be retested, adding that they crowds, which have routinely tion. planned retirement next year. to a question about a perceived lack of sup- doping past and instead sent her an invitation would also be checked for any tampering, as seen the 60,000 Olympic Sta- “We have to realistic about “I’m very keen for him to port from the IOC for Stepanova, said: “I have to attend as a guest. described in the report. “You can be sure all dium barely a quarter full in the numbers, there have been ses- carve out some space to help to reject this. We are not responsible for dan- “The ethics commission had to answer samples of all Russian athletes participating mornings and showing many sions where I would like to have us to develop the sport and not gers to which Ms Stepanova may be exposed.” the question whether it was appropriate to in Sochi will be analysed. They will also be empty seats in evening ses- seen more people,” Coe said. just in an ambassadorial role,” Stepanova said this week that the access- change the constitution of the IOC for Yulia analysed with regard to tampering,” he said. sions, Coe accepted there had “But we have had good Coe said. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 5

FOOTBALL MOVING ON Hero Neymar steps Vindicated Neymar down as captain delivers Brazil’s most treasured gold Brazil’s Neymar poses for a selfie with fans. AFP national team, he is dedicated. I Rio de Janeiro fi nish this tournament with the ‘This phase now has passed. We can look forward to the future more confident and best possible impressions of Ney- mar as do the team.” more proud. Brazilian football is not dead’ arcelona star Neymar Dunga made Neymar captain said he will step down as following Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 AFP Brazil captain after lead- semi-fi nal defeat to Germany at Rio de Janeiro ing the Olympic Games’ the 2014 World Cup. Bhosts to their fi rst ever football The 24-year-old had missed gold medal. that match having suff ered two fter a rollercoaster Olympics for “Today I have been proclaimed broken bones in his back towards the hosts, it took just one kick a champion and I hand over the the end of a bruising quarter- of a ball from Brazil’s poster armband as captain,” Neymar told fi nal clash with . boy Neymar to make a nation’s SporTV after scoring the winning However, Neymar’s role as dreamA come true. penalty in a 5-4 shootout win over captain was questioned after he It is unusual for football to become Germany on Saturday. was sent-off in just his second the main event of the Games, but, for “It was something I received competitive match in the role the most successful nation in World Cup with honour and love. It was an against Colombia at last year’s history, the hitherto lack of Olympic gold honour to be captain, but from Copa America. had become an obsession. today I am no longer captain.” Neymar was also roundly Neymar fi nally succeeded where the New coach of the Brazil senior criticised for his underwhelming likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho had side Tite will take charge of his displays in Brazil’s opening 0-0 failed when he coolly slotted into the top fi rst game in charge against Ecua- draws against South Africa and corner to edge a penalty shootout 5-4 dor in World Cup 2018 qualifying Iraq. However, he rounded on against Germany at a packed Maracana on September 1 after Dunga was his critics after scoring not only on Saturday after a 1-1 draw. sacked following Brazil’s group Brazil’s winning penalty, but also “This is one of the best things that has stage exit from the Copa America. a brilliant free-kick in the gold happened in my life,” said the tearful Bar- “I send the message to Tite medal match. celona star. that from now he can look for “This is one of the best things It was a fi tting fi nale that after queries another captain,” added Neymar. that has happened in my life,” he and criticism of Brazilian fans’ penchant Neymar captained the mainly said. “Now they’ll (the critics) for treating every sport like football, the under-23 side during the Games have to swallow what they said.” biggest crowd of the Games packed the and Brazil’s Olympic coach Rog- That criticism melted away Maracana to do what they know best. erio Micale described his deci- amidst chants of “ole, ole, ole “Brazil could have won (gold) medals in sion to step down as “noble.” Neymar” in front of the biggest everything but if it hadn’t been in football “It was a noble gesture on crowd of the Games at the Mara- then nothing would have counted,” said ju- Neymar’s part to leave it up to cana as Neymar led the hosts to a bilant fan Leila Lopes da Silva, 70, to sum- Tite,” said Micale. long-awaited gold. marise the mood of a jubilant nation. “We had this discussion and it He opened the scoring with a Neymar’s spot-kick also exorcised wasn’t public at the time before. sensational fi rst-half free-kick some of the demons that have dogged I decided I wanted him to be cap- before Max Meyer’s equaliser Brazilian football since Germany sent tain, he was the best person to be sent the game into extra-time them packing from their own World Cup captain for the team. and eventually penalties. with a humiliating 7-1 thrashing just two “He knows that, the team However, Neymar was hand- years ago. knows that, but I repeat it was a ed his moment to shine when “This phase now has passed. We can noble gesture on Neymar’s part to Weverton saved Nils Petersen’s look forward to the future more confi dent let Tite decide who will be the cap- spot-kick and he kept his cool and more proud. Brazilian football is not tain. “It demonstrates maturity on to fi re into the top corner before dead,” said Brazil coach Rogerio Micale. Neymar’s part, he is a leader in the sinking to his knees in tears. Talk of revenge was exaggerated. Not one player played in both Belo Horizonte 775 days ago and in Rio on Sat- ALMOST HEROES urday. However, so wounded was Brazil’s Brazil’s forward Neymar celebrates scoring the winning goal during the penalty shoot-out of the men’s football gold medal match. pride that another capitulation on home soil was unimaginable. One young boy’s decision to scratch give a response to the Brazilian people overshadowed by off -fi eld scandal. It is for that reason that Neymar was out Neymar’s name on the back of his and we did that. We won.” Prosecutors in both Spain and Bra- Germany fall just selected for the Games instead of the shirt to replace it with captain of the Bra- The winning penalty capped a tumul- zil have come after he and his father on Copa America — where Brazil crashed zil women’s team Marta went viral. tuous two years for Neymar. charges of tax fraud. out at the group stages — back in June. He missed the 2014 semi-fi nal humili- His tricky relationship with the media short in Maracana The end justifi ed the means. OLE, OLE, OLE, NEYMAR ation in Belo Horizonte having narrowly looks set to continue. Neymar also struck a stunning free-kick “Now they’ll (the critics) have to swal- avoided being paralysed by a challenge that In the midst of Saturday’s celebrations Reuters in the fi nal to open the scoring, taking his low what they said,” added a vengeful broke two bones in his back during a bruis- he announced he no longer wants to cap- Rio de Janeiro tally to four in the last three games. Neymar. Fast forward two weeks and a ing quarter-fi nal clash with Colombia. tain the national team, seemingly scarred However, it was far from a smooth ride packed Maracana serenaded him with Since then he has established himself as by the backlash he suff ered at the start of to gold. Neymar was roundly criticised chants of “ole, ole, ole Neymar.” undoubtedly one of the best players in the the tournament. ermany refused to be in- and Brazil booed off as they were held “This is part of the Brazilian culture. world and won the Champions League and However, for now, he has delivered the timidated in the hostile to 0-0 draws by South Africa and Iraq in We love and hate from one day to the two La Liga titles with Barcelona. gold a host nation in need of a hero most cauldron of Rio’s Mara- their opening two games. next,” said Micale. “We knew we had to Yet, his success on the pitch has been desired. cana stadium but they Gfaced an uphill task against 11 Bra- zilian players roared on by 80,000 BOTTOMLINE vengeful and passionate fans. In the run-up to Saturday’s Olympic men’s soccer fi nal, both coaches had played down the idea that it was all about Brazil exacting revenge for a 7-1 home defeat to Germany in the World Olympic football only medal Cup two years ago. But no one had told the fans, Germany’s Serge Gnabry (R) and who booed the German players teammate Maximilian Meyer throughout the 120 minutes of react after the penalty shoot-out. play and the tense penalty shoot- that counts: jubilant Brazil fans out in which Nils Petersen’s miss Brandt posed a repeated threat in set up Neymar to score the win- attack, including with an extra- AFP the moment. “We’ve seen Brazilians full of ning spot kick for Brazil. time volley attempt. Rio de Janeiro “The Olympic #football confi dence,” she said. “Brazil has “It is very diffi cult,” Petersen Underlining their fi ghting spir- team conquered a first ever shown it’s strength. The Olym- told Reuters TV at an after-match it, Meyer staged a demonstrative #gold at a historic moment for pics were a success when noone celebration for the German team. celebration in the corner, right in razil won the entire Ol- the country. It’s the moment to expected it, not even us.” “When there are 80,000 people front of a sea of yellow-shirted ympics — or so it felt recapture the grandeur of our Even as the dancing heated up against you it’s not nice. Brazil fans, after slotting in his goal for fans dancing in the Brazil,” he tweeted. and the cool beer fl owed, some “If we had won the penalty from the edge of the box. streets after Neymar revelers struck a sober note. shootout in the end it would all fiB red the winning penalty for FEEL GOOD FACTOR “This victory won’t change have been fi ne, it would have been ‘HAD OUR CHANCES’ football gold. Temer, who is deeply unpopu- anything in the country. We a nice feeling, we unfortunately In the end it was not quite Drivers of cars and trucks lar and widely seen as part of need something more for that. had to bow down to the Brazilian enough, but the Germans sport- hooted and crowds in countless the corrupt elite entrenched in We’d need a decent government audience. “At fi rst there is always ingly picked themselves up and bars across the city screamed in the capital Brasilia, hopes that and politics,” said Tafarel Souza some pain when you have the walked around the stadium after a Saturday night delight. football success in Rio’s Mara- da Silva, a 27-year-old cattle chance to win gold. Now we have the match to applaud the fans. At one open air bar along Rio’s cana stadium will lift the grim dealer, resting from showing off to accept it and just take it. “We had our chances, we iconic Copacabana seafront, national mood – and his own his dancing skills. “It hurts a bit but we are still could have scored at least three every man, woman and child chances in the top job. “Tonight we have all this proud about the medal.” times. I think we could have won leapt from their seats, hugging, The notorious 7-1 defeat to emotion, but tomorrow it’s all Coach Horst Hrubesch said but there’s a lot of luck with pen- pouring beer and, because this is Germany in 2014 almost seemed over,” he said. he had steeled his players for the alties. You have to be a good loser Brazil, dancing samba between like an omen of Brazil’s ever But for one night at least, Bra- reception they would receive by too,” defender Lukas Kloster- the tables and on the sidewalk. deepening economic and politi- zilians could dream. trying to harness the energy of mann said. “The champions are back, cal worries since. They had won glory in the the crowd. Hrubesch said it was not a bitter the champions are back!” they Today the country is mired in sport they love most and in the “I said to my players before the moment. “Actually we have to say chanted. brutal recession and the bitter stadium that matters most. game: this is your stadium, go that if someone had told us this Even after two weeks of host- impeachment proceedings. This was a night for Brazil to out and you’ll see 80,000 people beforehand, then we would have ing South America’s fi rst Olym- So victory by the long under- be celebrated as a success story to welcome you,” he said. gone with it, and we would have pics, nothing could compare for Fans watch the men’s football gold medal match between Brazil and performing football team and its — a country at the top of the “You can turn it around and gone along with everything and Brazilians to winning their fi rst Germany at the Olympic Boulevard in Rio de Janeiro. sometimes wayward superstar world. make something positive out it, done it just like that,” he said. Olympic football title and de- Neymar is a morale booster. When the television cam- or you cave in and lose your nerve “But at the end of the day I feating Germany two years after nothing would have counted,” what we needed.” “I don’t think of it as revenge era cut to show Jamaican sprint and then you can’t play football.” must also say that if you look a 7-1 World Cup humiliation. said Leila Lopes da Silva, 70, Interim president Michel for the 7-1, I feel just that we king Usain Bolt in the crowd at And play they did. at today’s game and the way we Nothing else mattered. who joined the dancing and Temer — likely to be confirmed were better and we deserved it,” the Maracana the fans in the bar Apart from the Max Meyer have played the entire tourna- “Brazil could have won (gold) chanting in the beach bar. in the post this month if the said Lucia Shad, 60, who came were jubilant. goal that cancelled out Neymar’s ment, I don’t know what I can medals in everything but if it “Volleyball, judo, that’s all elected president is removed by to the Copacabana bar wearing a “He’s become a Brazilian!” free kick, they hit the bar three say about this team. hadn’t been in football then fi ne,” she said. “But football was impeachment — quickly seized headscarf in the Brazilian colors. one fan shouted. times in the fi rst half, and Julian “It was amazing.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, August 22, 2016 OLYMPICS DENMARK STUN WORLD CHAMPIONS FRANCE FOR HANDBALL GOLD Denmark denied France a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in men’s handball yesterday, beat- ing the favourites 28-26 on the last day of the Rio Games. Denmark were in the lead 16-14 by half-time, but had to fight until the end against their French rivals. It is the first-ever Olympic medal in men’s handball for Den- mark. Their previous best finish had been fourth place in 1984. France, on the other hand, now have four Olympic medals under their belt, along with the three worlds and two European titles won since the 2008 Games in Beijing. Earlier, Germany won bronze in the tournament by defeating Po- land 31-25. It was the first Olympic medal for the German handballers since their silver at the 2004 Games in Athens. Their team in Rio de Janeiro was the only one with an average age under 26. Poland led early in the match, at one point establishing an 8-5 lead. But after Uwe Gensheimer’s equalizer to make it 8-8, Germany took control of the match and Denmark players pose with their medals after beating France in the Rio Games handball final yesterday. held a 17-13 lead at half-time. They (RIGHT) France players Nikola Karabatic (centre) and other players with their silver medal. (AFP, Reuters) never looked back after that. DIVING Blood, sweat and tears at Rio 2016 There’s no gain without two weeks there were tears pain at the Olympics. of joy, of frustration, of agony, Chen caps golden The blood, sweat and and in the case of Renaud tears of the Rio Games... Lavillenie, of shock at the ear- splitting boos directed at him Bloodied but as he went head-to-head and lost to local hero Thiago Braz in unbowed the pole vault. The Frenchman The Olympics proved a painful was stunned and wounded and cruel experience for Dutch by the reaction, so much so Games for China cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten he was moved to comparing and French gymnast Samir Ait himself to Jesse Owens and Said. Ten kilometres (6 miles) the hostile treatment meted ‘I came here looking for two gold medals and I’ve achieved my dream. I never from the finish of the women’s out to the American athlete at road race and van Vleuten was Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics. thought I would get this medal for diving and I am still in a state of shock. Every in a good place. In the lead, gold “In 1936 the crowd was against within her grasp. Then disaster. Jesse Owens. We’ve not see athlete did really well and we all put in a lot of eff ort to come to the Olympics’ In a stomach-churning high this since. We have to deal with speed crash she was hurled it,” he said. The ill-judged com- over the handlebars on a tricky ment stirred up partisan locals bend. Instead of climbing the even further. He was roundly podium she was stretchered booed again at the following to intensive care with heavy night’s podium ceremony. That concussion and three cracked reduced Lavillenie to tears, his vertebrae. Happily she was well crumpled face a picture of mis- enough to take to Twitter 24 ery, as smiling Braz saluted the hours later, to tell her fans: “I am Brazilian national anthem after now in the hospital with some receiving his gold medal. injuries and fractures, but will be fine. Most of all super disap- Cook’s sweat pointed after best race of my career.” Another casualty in Rio but no dessert was Ait Said. Anyone watching It’s one thing to sweat and qualifying for the men’s vault sweat and then reap the will have winced in horror at rewards of your endeavour. It’s the sight of the unfortunate quite another to put in all the French gymnast snapping the hard graft for zero return. Just lower part of his left leg after ask Aaron Cook (pic). But not a bad landing. The 25-year-old yet perhaps, it’s too soon. Utter fell to the mat in agony clutch- devastation was etched all over ing the back of his knee and his face after his first round his leg, which was left at an knockout in the under-80kg angle that shocked many in the taekwondo competition. Defeat crowd. After surgery he showed is part and parcel of sport, but remarkable spirit in the face for Cook this was especially of adversity, declaring that he hard to swallow. For Rio was his wanted to try for Tokyo 2020: big moment, a first return to “I can be back on my feet in the Olympics since 2008 after not very long, well ‘on my feet’, being controversially over- everything is relative.” looked for selection by Britain at London 2012. His parents mort- Tale of two tears gaged their home to fund his ultimately failed appeal against Rio 2016 was awash with tears – the decision. He then resorted at times the Olympics was akin to drastic measures, switching to a crying convention. The nationalities. He walked out this Maracana almost floated down week behind the Republic of to Buenes Aires on the torrent Moldova flag. But all the exer- of tears shed by Neymar and tion, cost and personal hardship AFP “Getting married, having a fi rst child rounds and after failing to pull back in the tively the challenges we might face at these the rest of the Brazilian football he’s endured flashed before his Rio de Janeiro and having to defend the title and the pres- remaining three he fi nished last of the 18 Games,” said Liu. team after Saturday’s pen- tear-stained eyes as he was sent sures that comes with it isn’t easy,” said competitors, with the top 12 advancing to “In recent years more countries have at- alty shoot out gold medal win packing by a Taiwanese rival in Boudia, who wins a fourth Olympic medal. Saturday’s fi nal. tached importance to the Olympic Games, against Germany. Over the past his opening bout. hen Aisen capped a golden Olym- “I want to thank my wife and family for all The only title China failed to win in Rio so the level of play internationally has come pics for China in diving on Saturday, their support.” was the men’s synchronised 3m spring- up and the competition has become fi erce. winning the men’s 10-metre plat- Sanchez becomes the fi rst Mexican on board where Britain’s Jack Laugher and “We need to employ a new mentality Cform for his country’s seventh gold the men’s platform podium since Alvaro Chris Mears took gold. and new understanding how to improve in eight events on the fi nal day of competition. Gaxiola’s silver at the 1968 Mexico City In the men’s competition, Chen and Lin our performances and ability. We need The 20-year-old, already a winner in the Games. “In this sport anything can happy,” Yue also won the synchronised platform more experiences and learning.” 10m synchronised platform in Rio, scored said the 24-year-old Sanchez, who deliv- and Cao Yuan the 3m springboard. Liu said inexperience particularly had 585.30 points after his six dives — break- ered a consistent performance on the night. Their women sweep all their titles — cost China, whose team was young with ing the 100-point mark for three of them It was his second Olympic medal after Ren Qian, 15, taking the 10m platform; Shi three-quarters of them competing at their to return the title to China for the fi rst time his men’s 10m platform synchro silver in Tingmao the 3m springboard; Chen Ruolin fi rst Olympics. since 2004 London four years ago. and Liu Huixia the synchronised platform; “We have trained these athletes but the It also saw China surpass their previ- Chen’s teammate Qiu Bo, a silver medal- and Shi and Wu Minxia, the synchronised training isn’t enough,” he said. “Because ous best from Beijing 2008 with seven gold, list behind Boudia in 2012 and a three-time 3m springboard. when these athletes are facing fi erce compe- two silvers and a bronze to become the most world champion, dropped to sixth place af- tition and challenges they have to too much successful nation in diving at a single Olym- ter missing two of his dives. to think about and too many mental burdens pics in the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre. “It was my dream,” said a disappointed China blame ‘fierce’ and they didn’t play at their highest level.” Mexico’s German Sanchez won silver Qiu, 23. “I think (Chen won) because he competition after Rio flop But he had warm words for swimmer (532.70) with American David Boudia, the didn’t really think a lot, so he performed Fu Yuanhui, whose bubbly personality and gold medallist from London 2012, taking well. We have all trained for so many years China blamed fi erce competition for frank comments — rare for a Chinese ath- bronze (525.25). together, so I am happy for him.” their Rio fl op and promised to examine lete — won hearts at home and abroad. “I came here looking for two gold med- “His example gave me the feeling that their “shortcomings” after slumping to “Her happiness, starting from the bot- als and I’ve achieved my dream,” said Chen, I have nothing to be upset about because their worst Olympic performance in 20 tom of her heart, fully demonstrated her who led the way for fi ve of the six dives. “I it’s the Olympic Games and it’s either him years. China sent 410 athletes, their big- spirit to continue to challenge herself never thought I would get this medal for or me who gets the gold medal. It’s all the gest team at a foreign Olympics, but by the and achieve excellence,” said Liu. “This diving and I am still in a state of shock. Every same because we are all Chinese.” penultimate day they had won just 26 gold is something that touched audiences on athlete did really well and we all put in a lot Sanchez and Boudia had qualifi ed for medals, their fewest since Atlanta 1996. the very deepest level. Her ‘prehistoric of eff ort to come to the Olympics,” he added. the fi nal in ninth and tenth respectively Worse, China trailed not only the United strength’ as she put it fully demonstrat- Boudia, 27, had taken the lead after his with Chen leading the semi-fi nals earlier States but also Britain on the medals table, ed the modern Chinese athletes: they’re second dive, but lost his grip on silver with Saturday. a fact that has prompted splutterings of in- confi dent, they’re active and they’ve fully his fi nal forward four-and-a-half som- Tom Daley’s Olympic gold bid ended in dignation in Chinese media. pushing forward.” ersaults tuck. “It’s been a struggle and to heartbreak as the Briton fi nished a shock- China topped the table in 2008 and were Liu also praised China’s athletes for miss a dive but still become a bronze med- ing last in the semi-fi nals behind Chen and second in 2004 and 2012, but Chinese Ol- competing in the right spirit and not ap- allist at the Olympics is extremely satisfy- Qiu. The 22-year-old Daley looked set to ympic committee chief Liu Peng said rising pearing desperate to win at all costs. ing,” said the Texan. improve on his London 2012 bronze after standards had taken them by surprise. “We have fully demonstrated our Chi- Boudia said he had found it diffi cult to fi nishing fi rst in Friday’s preliminary round “There are a few problems we cannot nese spirit. We’re not arrogant when we prepare for his Olympic title defence after ahead of the Chinese. overlook. In the Rio Games we didn’t win win, we don’t give up easily and we con- getting married and becoming a father. But Daley endured a rocky fi rst three so many medals... we didn’t assess objec- tinue to strive forward,” he said. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 7 OLYMPICS

WELL PLAYED QOC confi dent of future following Qatar athletes’ strongest showing at Rio Four top-10 finishes and a first-ever Olympic silver medal from Barshim caps a satisfying Olympic Games for Qatar

Qatar’s Sheikh Ali al-Thani finished a creditable sixth in the show-jumping competition, 21-year-old Ashraf Elseify too finished sixth in hammer throw, 18-year-old Fares Elbakh came eighth in 85kg weightlifting, while Mutaz Barshim won the high-jump silver

By A Reporter Ali said: “No one expected us to reach the Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani in the Rio de Janeiro fi nals in our very fi rst Olympic competi- crowd supporting me every step of the tion but I knew we were capable of it. I way was extra motivation. am proud to have represented Qatar to “Not only that, but the fi rst call I re- s the Rio 2016 Olympic Games the best of my abilities and although we ceived after the competition was from come to a close, the Qatar only just fi nished competing we already the Emir himself, HH Sheikh Tamim Olympic Committee (QOC) have our sights set on Tokyo 2020.” bin Hamad al-Thani,” Barshim said. Ahas refl ected on the strongest Team Qatar’s highlight of the Olym- “None of this would have been pos- performance by a Qatari team at an Ol- pics came from Mutaz Barshim who sible without the help of my parents, ympic Games to date. With more top- claimed Qatar’s best ever Olympic result everyone in my country and God. 10 fi nishes than ever before, Qatar’s with silver in the men’s high jump with “I felt like the whole nation was be- fi rst-ever Olympic silver medal and an a clearance of 2.36m. Barshim also be- hind me, supporting me every step of incredibly young team, the QOC has comes Qatar’s most successful ever Ol- the way. This medal is for each and much to build on for the future. ympian with one bronze medal, claimed every one of you! I’m incredibly happy. Speaking from Rio de Janeiro, Sec- at London 2012, and one silver medal. Thank you!” he added. retary General of the Qatar Olympic Following his achievement, a cele- Yesterday was the fi nal day of opera- Committee, Dr Thani Abdulrahman al- bration ceremony was held at Bayt Qa- tions at Bayt Qatar. The QOC’s hospi- Kuwari, said: “We are incredibly proud tar and saw Brazilian and Qatari crowds tality house has been hugely successful of our performance at Rio 2016, which come together to wave Qatari fl ags and and sold out to the public just four days shows the progress that Qatar is making share in the celebration in the true spir- after opening. It has also been rated as on the sporting fi eld on a global level. it of Olympism. one of the top four hospitality houses Team Qatar was the biggest athlete del- Barshim entered the Souq behind by various international media outlets egation that we have sent to an Olympic the bicycle used in the Rio 2016 Open- and has seen large numbers of Brazilian Games with more sports represented ing Ceremony and received huge cheers and international visitors experience than ever before and the most number many just at the start of their sporting tar had athletes competing in handball, 34-year-old and silver was taken by a from the crowd. He was then welcomed Qatar’s warm hospitality, culture and ever of top 10 fi nishes. careers. This refl ects the potential that beach volleyball, weightlifting, judo 40-year-old. to stage and shown a surprise fi lm with passion for sport each day. “Simply making it to an Olympic Qatar has on the global sporting stage in and equestrian for the fi rst time ever, Qatar’s handball team made it to the the highlights of his victory, before sil- All proceeds of the hospitality house Games is an achievement in itself and the future and we look forward to bright whilst Nasser al-Attiyah competed in quarter-fi nals and in the Equestrian, ver confetti was fi red into the air. are being donated to Futuro Olimpico, a each member of Team Qatar has raised and positive years to come.” his sixth consecutive Olympic Games. three members of the team—Sheikh “When I was young I used to watch Brazilian NGO which supports and helps the profi le of their sport and spread the Team Qatar consisted of 36 athletes Qatar’s top 10 fi nishes came in four Ali al-Thani, Bassem Mohamed and Ali my father and other great athletes and young people from disadvantaged back- Olympic spirit to new audiences and competing across ten sports, with 90% diff erent sports. Fares Elbakh came al-Rumaihi — qualifi ed for the fi nal on dream of standing on the podium at the grounds get into athletics and build a bet- new fans watching back at home. We of the team making their Olympic de- eighth in the men’s 85kg weightlifting their Olympic debut. Sheikh Ali al-Tha- Olympic Games. ter future through sport. The donations know that they will have inspired a new but. About 50% of the team were aged at just 18 years old and Ashraf Elseify ni made it through to a jump-off after “Today, at the age of 25, I celebrate will enable the NGO to buy new equip- generation of sporting heroes to follow 25 or under with 16-year-old Dalal al- came sixth in the hammer throw at just clearing two rounds with zero penalties winning my second Olympic medal ment and uniforms and provide a lasting in their footsteps. Most importantly, Ajmi and 17-year-old Noah al-Khulaifi 21 years old. To put that into perspec- and eventually fi nished in sixth place. and for me that is such a blessing. It legacy for Rio’s talented young athletes we have an incredibly young team with the youngest members of the team. Qa- tive the hammer throw was won by a Speaking after his competition, Sheikh was a great competition and having HE following the Rio Olympic Games.

BOTTOMLINE It was love-all for the ‘power couples’ at the Games

AFP Rio de Janeiro

shton Eaton and Brianne Theis- en-Eaton are the power couple of the Olympics, a gold and bronze medal to their names, but they haveA little to talk about. American star Eaton, who retained his decathlon crown in Rio, and his Canadian heptathlon bronze medallist wife, mar- ried in 2013. They met as students at the University of Oregon and they are one of a number of medal-winning couples in Rio. struggles that go into their athletics careers. jealous because he got silver and mine is gaged. Kenny took his career track haul of But living in each other’s pockets, train- “Our relationship helps us because we team. But his is team...,” Boubakri said. golds to six in Rio while Trott has four. ing and living together, makes them just a understand what each other are doing, like British pair Kate Richardson-Walsh and Out on the dressage arena, love was also normal couple. “I feel like we’ve put these physically and mentally,” said the Ameri- Helen claimed a gold medal each in wom- in the air... and on a guy’s clothes. Britain’s goals ahead of everything else, including can two-time world champion. “So be- en’s hockey. It was the fi rst time the Brit- Charlotte Dujardin won her third Olympic our marriage,” Theisen-Eaton admitted. cause we do the same workouts and have ish had won gold in the event while the two dressage gold, watched by her fi ance who “We don’t go on dates, and we don’t re- the same coach, when she is struggling I women were the fi rst married gay couple to made good on a longstanding marriage pro- ally spend time together because we spend can know exactly why, know exactly the compete at an Olympics. posal by scrawling ‘Can we get married now?’ so much time together. So when we get things to say, and I think her likewise for Britain downed two-time champions the on his shirt. As she performed her victory lap, home we just want our own time to do what me. That’s where it’s really good.” Netherlands 2-0 in a shoot-out after the fi - Dean Golding pointed at his declaration of we want to do by ourselves. And we don’t The pair are not the only couple with nal had been tied 3-3 in normal time. Helen, love fl ashed across the front of his shirt as he really have anything to talk about. We’re medals from Rio to adorn their walls and 34, scored a penalty stroke in the shoot-out. stood to cheer in the front row. the couple that goes out to eat, and we sit shelves when they get home. Kate and Helen, 34, married in 2013 and “He actually asked me just before the at the table at a restaurant and look on our Ines Boubakri, won a bronze medal in the now that their international careers are London Games, and I said yes,” said Dujar- phones all the time.” women’s foil for Tunisia, while her husband over, they will move to the Netherlands to din. “But I don’t think he has believed it is Ashton, 28, says he and his 27-year-old Erwann Le Pechoux was in the French foil take up relatively lucrative club contracts. going to happen, so now he has gone and college sweetheart are a perfect match. Suc- team that lost to Russian in the men’s fi nal. British cyclists Jason Kenny and Laura made it so public that I defi nitely have got (FROM LEFT) and Brianne Theisen-Eaton; Jason Kenny cess and failure makes them appreciate the “He has always supported me but I’m a bit Trott aren’t married yet, but they are en- to do it. He is just such a.... banana.” and Laura Trott; Charlotte Dujardin with boyfriend Dean Golding . Gulf Times 8 Monday, August 22, 2016 OLYMPICS

FOCUS Insulted & disgusted Russia the big losers at Rio Russia’s Rio Olympic team consisted of sians from competing in the Games, which run athletes to the sport’s global community. only 285 athletes aft er suspensions due in Rio from September 7-18. The Russians have The Russians seem a ways from being ac- to doping concerns. That led to a major appealed the IPC decision and the Court of Ar- cepted, especially as more and more athletes drop in the Russians’ medal collection bitration for Sport CAS is expected to make a are being stripped of their past Olympic medals from Brazil. Still, there was little sense of ruling today. due to positive doping tests. Russian shot put humility back home in Russia, where the It is not just the world ruling bodies who are athlete Evgeniia Kolodko was the latest to lose next project is already in the works, the pushing against the Russians but some coun- her medal as re-tests of her doping samples 2018 football World Cup tries as well — including Germany. found a steroid and growth hormone and she DPA The German anti-doping agency NADA has lost her London 2012 silver medal. Rio de Janeiro/ demanded further investigations and more The Russians will not be stripped of any ath- penalties for Russia. letics medals from Rio 2016 because the team “The Winter Games will take place in about did not win any since it was entirely suspended he biggest loser of the Rio Olympics is one-and-a-half years and you must say here from Brazil — save for the US-based long jump- probably Russia. But Russian President as well that the Russian state has thwarted and er Darya Klishina. Vladimir Putin tried to build up the cheated the anti-doping system,” NADA chair- Swimmer Yuliya Efi mova, who recently re- Tmorale of the battered sports giant — woman Andrea Gotzmann said, calling for a ban turned to the sport after being suspended for going old school and sending a personalised tel- of Russians at the 2018 Winter Olympics. doping, felt the outrage of others in Rio, where egram to each athlete who won a medal in Brazil. In Moscow, meanwhile, Russian offi cials she was whistled and jeered on the medals po- Times are tough if you’re a Russian athlete. feel insulted and disgusted about such claims. dium as she won two silvers at the Games. The spectators in Rio booed most of the Rus- Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has threatened to “They (some athletes) have no idea what it’s sians competing and many Russians were even stop Russia’s payments to the World Anti-Dop- like if they swapped places with me. It’s very chastised by opposing athletes. ing Agency (WADA). upsetting when politics enters into sport,” said The Russian team was decimated with just Russia’s two-time Olympic pole vault cham- the 100m and 200m women’s breaststroke sil- 285 athletes in Rio — down from the 436 at Russian swimmer Yuliya Efimova, who recently returned to the sport after being suspended for pion and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva ver medallist Efi mova. London 2012 — after many were banned due to doping, felt the outrage in Rio, where she was jeered on the medals podium as she won two silvers said she will tackle the issue when she joins the There is a bit of relief for Russian sports of- suspected systematic state doping. IOC’s athletes commission. fi cials as they prepare for the next major sports And the once mighty Russians will likely fi n- including 24 golds. That 82 was the number the Committee president Thomas Bach really could “Russia was treated unfairly and I will do eve- projects back home — the Confederations Cup ish fourth in the medals table behind United medals won in London, not taking into account not do too much to change that. rything to stop this kind of situation in the fu- next summer and the 2018 World Cup. States, Britain and China. Entering the fi nal day medals that were since taken away for doping or Bach could have made it even worse if he had ture,” Isinbayeva said. “Something like this will Football’s ruling body FIFA has not been as of action in Rio, Russia had picked up 17 golds, added due to doping cases from other athletes actually called for a complete ban of the Rus- not happen with me and cannot be repeated.” tenacious as the IOC in regards to doping. And 17 silvers and 19 bronze. or teams. sian team for Rio. That is exactly the case for Isinbayeva is considering running for the the most recent performances of Russia’s foot- But their 53 total medals were a far cry from The fronts between Russia and the Olym- the upcoming Paralympics as the International presidency of the Russian athletics federation ballers have not exactly raised any suspicions of the 82 medals they picked up at London 2012 — pics have hardened. And International Olympic Olympic Committee IPC has banned all Rus- (ARAF) with the aim of bringing back Russian doping.

BASKETBALL WATER POLO Serbia down Croatia for fi rst Olympic gold US roll past Spain to Reuters had said the team was under Rio de Janeiro tremendous pressure to bring home the gold, telling reporters “We have won everything else, erbia’s world champion now we want this.” men’s water polo team But early in the 12-team defeated arch-rivals tournament, it looked like the Croatia 11-7 to win their unthinkable could happen to win 6th straight gold fiS rst Olympic gold medal in the Serbia, which ran the risk of sport and dethrone the title failing to pass into the knock- holders on Saturday. out rounds. The team’s jittery ‘It’s mind boggling when you think about it what this team has been able to accomplish. The Serbian victory came performances began with two as the country’s athletes round draws and a loss. There is such a level of expectation, such a level of respect and it filters down. Everyone out an impressive Games in Rio Serbia steadied their play and also prepare to compete for in the later rounds with fi ve who puts that jersey on they get it. We are doing stuff that may never be done again’ gold in women’s volleyball and straight wins on their way to the men’s basketball. title against Croatia, which had In a water polo fi nal marked by won a gold medal in London. rough and aggressive play in front Sporting rivalries have al- of both goals, Serbia showed su- ways been fi erce between Ser- perior fi repower and defence. bia and Croatia, neighbouring Serbia’s Dusan Mandic scored countries that fought a war four times, while goalkeeper against each other in the 1990s. Branislav Mitrovic’s impressive Water polo matches in the blocks kept Croatia out. Two region can pack stadiums with goals came from Filip Filipovic, up to 25,000 fans, as happened age 29 and a veteran of two past in at the European Serbian Olympic teams which championships earlier this year, each won bronze. Filipovic was where Serbia won. elected the most valuable player With a relatively small popu- of the tournament. lation of less than 8 mn, Serbia A Serbia team that has swept has had outsized success at the up world and regional titles Rio Games. since 2012 fi nally proved its After its men won the water dominance on the most pres- polo, Serbia’s women’s volley- tigious stage. Filipovic said his ball will take on China in the team, known for both stellar gold medal match later on Sat- defense and great shooting, urday, following their upset of was probably the best ever as- the United States. sembled in the sport. “Let’s say Serbia has already captured we want this from the whole bronze in women’s basketball, beginning of our careers. We defeating France. Its men’s bas- trained so hard, and so much we ketball team take tournament suff ered,” he told reporters. favourites the United States in Water polo is among the Sunday’s gold medal match. most popular sports in the Earlier on Saturday in the countries of the former Yugo- bronze medal men’s water polo slavia, and before the Olym- match, Italy beat Montenegro pics Serbia coach Dejan Savic by 12-10.

VOLLEYBALL Hosts Brazil blank

Reuters medal in Olympic women’s basketball. quarter-after-quarter,” said . fi rst-time Olympians and she was already Italy to reclaim gold Rio de Janeiro Earlier, Serbia beat France 70-63 in the “This team didn’t get complacent. I think thinking about life without the three elder bronze medal game. that is the sign of a true champion, some- stateswomen. AFP in London after leading by two With the US victory , Tami- one who loves the game.” “I am a little bit sad that this journey Rio de Janeiro sets to nil. Despite the presence of he United States women’s ka Catchings and joined is over with these incredible people,” said 2.09-metre (6ft 10in) tall giants basketball team thumped Spain former teammates Teresa Edwards and Four golds in hand, American the 26-year-old Delle Donne, most valu- Lucas and Souza, it was the rela- 101-72 to claim a sixth straight as the only players to win four trio may say farewell to Games able player of the WNBA league in 2015. fter losing the last tively diminutive 1.96m Lipe who Tgold medal on Saturday to gold medals in basketball. Forward Angel McCoughtry, 29, said two fi nals, Brazil re- rose to get the crucial block on rubber-stamp their credentials as one of Taurasi and Lindsay Whalen paced the Three American women made history her second gold with the team was diff er- claimed the Olympic the fi nal point and send a packed the greatest Olympic sporting dynasties US on the scoreboard, pouring in 17 points on Saturday by tying the Olympic record ent because she “got to play with Diana and men’s volleyball gold home crowd into party mode. of all time. apiece, while Maya Moore potted 14. for the most golds in basketball at four. Sue and Tamika Catchings one last time.” medalA with a 3-0 victory over Italy started fast and opened After a sloppy start that saw Spain lead “It’s pretty incredible,” said 34-year-old Chances are they won’t be back for the “I think this is it for them and this is Italy yesterday. up an early three-point lead much of the opening quarter, the US fi - Taurasi, who left the door open for a pos- record-breaking fi fth. special because I may not see them again. Watched on by football star but by the midway point of the nally settled into their familiar rhythm, sible fi fth Olympic run. “We had the goal to Tamika Catchings, 37, said it was her Four times, that is amazing. So I am glad I Neymar, the volleyball team fi rst set, Brazil had pulled out a turning a 10-0 run into a 17-point halft- win the gold medal but there is something last game with the national team. Captain got to spend the fourth with them.” made it a golden double follow- four-point gap over their error- ime lead. more to it than that. It’s not about one per- Sue Bird, 35, said she’s not retiring from Auriemma was especially full of praise ing the Selecao’s penalty shoot- prone opponents. From then on there was no way back for son, one coach, it’s about how can we make basketball so it’s “weird” for her to talk for Taurasi, a guard that he began coach- out victory over Germany in the It was a high-powered af- Spain as the US extended their Olympic this the best basketball team ever.” about the future. “Ask me in year or so,” ing at 17 and who he said had a “storybook next door Maracana stadium on fair with serves reaching up to winning streak to a staggering 49-0. Team USA captain Bird, who sat out the she said after leading the Americans to tournament.” Saturday night. 120km/h (75m/h) while a fi ercly Only two other teams can claim such semi-fi nals with a knee injury, was back their sixth consecutive gold. “I have been very fortunate to have The United States beat Rus- partisan home crowd ensured a run of domination in an Olympic team in the line-up and was also non-commit- Diana Taurasi, 34 and the top scorer coached some of the most iconic play- sia 3-2 in the battle for bronze the atmosphere at the Marac- sport. The US men’s basketball team tal about her national team future while in Team USA’s 101-72 defeat of Spain, is ers in the game, so the biggest challenge between the last two Olympic azinho was rocking—and pretty earned seven consecutive gold medals Catchings confi rmed that Saturday’s gold leaving the door open to Tokyo 2020. is next year,” Auriemma said. “We don’t champions. hostile towards Italy. from 1936-1968 while India claimed six medal game was her last. Whatever they decide, Coach Geno have that next year on our team, or the Led by 20 points from the Having been unable to win a straight men’s fi eld hockey titles from Humbled 103-63 by the US in prelimi- Auriemma is already contemplating a year after that, I don’t see anybody com- tournament’s top scorer, the fi rst set against opponents with 1928-1956. nary round play, Spain had looked deter- passing of the torch. ing along that is at that level,” he added. impeccable Wallace, Brazil a lamentable spiking accuracy “It’s mind boggling when you think mined to off er more resistance in the final, “It’s a very emotional time when you’re Catchings, a forward, said she had im- avenged a 3-1 pool stage defeat of under 15% and blowing two about it what this team has been able to holding a 17-14 lead late in the opening around these players — Sue, Diana and agined herself being an Olympian when to the Italians, who have never set points in the second, one accomplish, this programme,” said US quarter. Tamika — and you know this may be their she was younger, but she never imagined won Olympic gold, losing in the with a serve into the net, Italy coach Geno Auriemma. “There is such But after Angel McCoughtry hit a layup last,” said Auriemma. “And at the same doing it four times and winning. fi nal three times now. could have been forgiven for a level of expectation, such a level of re- and connected on two free throw attempts time,” he added, “you have three young “This part of my life is over,” Catch- It was a fourth fi nal in a row letting their heads drop. spect and it fi lters down. Everyone who the US never trailed again. players that have never been here be- ings said. “I feel God has blessed me with for Brazil, who also beat Italy in Yet they rallied, their spiking puts that jersey on they get it. We’re doing “It’s one thing to do the unexpected, fore and they get to go home with a gold so many things and this is only part of my Athens in 2004 before losing to effi ciency reaching an incredible stuff that may never be done again.” it’s another to do what you are expected medal.” life, but whatever I do next is going to be the US in Beijing and suff ering a 70% at one point in the third set. For Spain, the silver was their fi rst to do year-after-year, game-after-game, was one of those bigger than this.” Russian comeback four years ago It was not enough in the end. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 9

SPOTLIGHT INCREDIBLE JOURNEY Rodriguez breaks the silence with Bolt, Phelps exit rhythmic gymnastics leaves a gaping Olympic void

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach hailed the two superstars Carolina Rodriguez of Spain competes using the ribbon. as ‘icons’. But he will leave the 31st Olympic Games wondering how to fill their places AFP and had to be very expressive, so Rio de Janeiro eventually it became instinctive.” She quickly rose through the ranks of the sport joining a high arolina Rodriguez has performance centre in never been lost for aged 15, competing at the 2004 words. For the past 23 Olympics with the Spanish team years she has been tell- in the group all-around. Cing stories with her body through But at 21 there was no longer rhythmic gymnastics. room for Rodriguez in the Span- From there she has taught her ish team, and she was sidelined parents, who are both deaf, to by the national federation. feel the music that they cannot It looked as if her career was hear, beginning an incredible prematurely over. journey which has lead them all She returned to her native to the Olympic fi nals. Leon and began to train girls When she had fi nished her in her sport. It was there she routine with clubs in Rio, the crossed paths again with her giggly Spaniard started to make childhood coach Ruth Fernan- quick gestures with her hands dez, who encouraged her to pur- towards her parents. sue her dream. The camera focused in on her while awaiting the score of her ‘TARGET THE IMPOSSIBLE’ penultimate routine. She was Together they decided to target telling her parents that she loved the impossible — the Spanish them in sign language. national title — and succeeded. At 30 years old, Rodriguez Since 2009, Rodriguez has has already broken an Olympic been Spanish all-around cham- record in the sport as the oldest pion eight consecutive times. ever competitor. It shows her extraordinary re- Despite being a veteran, on silience to come back not only Saturday she competed for the from injuries but competing at fi rst time in an Olympic individ- the 2004 world championships ual all-around fi nal. 10 days after her brother was She fi nished eighth in the killed in a car accident. 10-woman fi nal with Russian Her career again looked over Margarita Mamun, 20, continu- after the 2012 London Olympics ing Russia’s streak going back where she failed to qualify for to Sydney 2000 ahead of three- the fi nals. “I went through fairly time world champion team-mate complicated surgery after Lon- Yana Kudryavtseva, 23. don 2012 and I suspected it was File picture of Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrating after winning the 4 x 100 metres relay gold. (Below) Michael Phelps poses with one of his medals. It was the culmination of a the end for me because by then I dream come true for the gymnast was a veteran. AFP strengthened their position as icons, like greatest,” declared the ebulliant Jamai- from Leon in northeastern Spain “But I started to feel good, had Rio de Janeiro Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt,” Bach can, who preens and poses with the same who started training aged seven then to hope, I got into the fi nal said Saturday. unabashed ardour with which he runs. years in an abandoned church. of the worlds and so, little by lit- From Beijing in 2008 through London “It’s a massive gap, but it’s not a gap When Rodriguez speaks with tle, climbing, I’ve gotten here,” win titans Usain Bolt and 2012 and, fi nally, in Rio, Bolt and Phelps that is insuperable,” International Asso- her hands, everyone hears her. she said. Michael Phelps have mined a captivated die-hard fans of their sports ciation of Athletics Federations president “I think my expression is a gift Despite not medalling in her trove of Olympic gold, changed and casual spectators attracted like Sebastian Coe said of Bolt’s departure. that comes from my parents be- fi nal Olympics, Rodriguez has no the sporting landscape and left moths to the Olympic fl ame. He compared it to questions asked cause when I was small I had to regrets. Ta huge hole that starts in Rio and goes Both presaged their mature exploits with with Ali’s withdrawal in the 1970s. “Well, fi nd ways to communicate with “The most important thing around the world. precocious Olympics appearances, Phelps Floyd Mayweather, Marvin Hagler, them,” she explains. is to do it with my heart. I know International Olympic Committee as a 15-year-old contesting the 200m but- Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Ray Leonard “When I hadn’t yet mastered I was born to do this sport. It’s president Thomas Bach hailed the two terfl y in 2000, and Bolt, at 17, fi nishing fi fth come along.” sign language I had to be able been nice to have a 23-year ca- superstars as “icons”. But he will leave in his heat in the 200m in 2004. Bolt’s bouncy showmanship — com- to show if I had a stomach ache reer,” she said. the 31st Olympic Games wondering how By those Games in Athens in 2004, plete with sly grins for out-classed rivals to fi ll their places. Phelps was already challenging Mark ting that his decision to return for one as he passes them with the fi nish line in There is noone in sight with the sport- Spitz’s record of seven titles at one last, fi fth, campaign, saw him bow out at sight — is the opposite of Phelps’s steely GYMNASTICS ing power nor the charisma to take the Games, coming away with six golds and the same time as Bolt. competitive demeanour. place of Phelps and Bolt — who have two bronze. The Jamaican’s unprecedented third But the American revelled in his Rio 32 gold medals between them — in the In Beijing he cemented his place among sweep of the 100m, 200m and 4x100m triumphs, and showed a softer side with swimming pool or on the running track. Games greats with a perfect eight golds in means debate will rage loud and long as infant son Boomer included in his vic- Russia wins fi ft h “The Greatest” maybe just Muham- eight events at the Water Cube while Bolt to which can claim the status of “greatest tory celebrations. “As a kid I set out to mad Ali-style hyperbole that Bolt likes to electrifi ed the Birds’ Nest stadium with his Olympian”. do something that nobody had ever done throw about but his nine golds over three 100m, 200m and 4x100m sprint triumphs. Phelps leads the medals table by a mile. before,” Phelps said. “I can look back at successive team gold Olympics cannot be countered. From Beijing on they were linked in His fi ve golds in Rio took his already stun- my career and say: ‘I did it.’” Phelps won fi ve golds in Rio at the age Games lore, each adding to his legacy in ning tally to 23 gold among a total of 28. “I’ll have to make a new bucket list of 31 having retired once and come back 2012 — Bolt with another sprint sweep Bolt, meanwhile, has dominated in the now,” Bolt said. “I’ve achieved all I want- — and crashed a car under the infl uence and Phelps with four more gold to add to tests of speed that are the quintessential ed to in track and fi eld.” along the way. his staggering tally of Olympic medals. sporting contests, maintaining his su- Bolt has a wealth of riches to carry out “We have seen athletes who were icons Although a burned-out Phelps fl irted premacy over an unprecedented span of his wishes. The Olympic hopes may not be even before they arrived here, they have with retirement after London, it was fi t- years. “I’ve proven to the world I’m the answered by the time Tokyo 2020 starts.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

China down Serbia to win gold Team Russia pose with their gold medals.

Reuters at the important moment.” “That’s what we want, of AFP clubs. Rolling the hoop along the Rio de Janeiro Serbia won the opening set course. No team comes here not Rio de Janeiro contours of their bodies, diving with powerful serves and spikes wanting to win the gold,” she through it, and using their feet by top scorer Brankica Mi- told Reuters. “But this bronze to catapult it to fellow gymnasts hina’s young women’s hajlovic, but China took control is just as special for me because ussia’s rhythmic gym- were popular moves. volleyball team over- of the match in the key third set. we were able to fi ght back from nasts shut out the rest They drew rapturous applause came a surging Serbian Serbia beat off an 8-point run a disappointing loss. We were so of the world for a fi fth as they each arched one leg back side on Saturday in four by China and went down to an close,” she said. successive Olympics to perform a synchronised fast- setsC to take their country’s third unstoppable spike by top Chi- The United States reached the yesterday,R with a free-fl owing paced Biellmann spin. Olympic gold medal in the sport. nese scorer Zhu Ting. fi nals in the two previous Ol- acrobatic display with hoops Russia’s dynamic performance Serbia was competing for the Serbia eliminated Russia in ympics in London and Beijing, and clubs winning them another with their second routine al- fi rst time for an Olympic medal the quarter-fi nals and then dis- but were defeated by Brazil both group all-around gold medal. lowed them to leapfrog the early and had beaten China in the pre- patched the favourites, the Unit- times. At the Beijing Olympics, Spain had high hopes of snap- pacesetters, and they topped the liminary round, but the Asian ed States, from the Rio Games the US team coached by Lang ping Russia’s reign as they were standings with 36.233. powerhouse prevailed in the fi - on Thursday in a fi ve-set upset beat China in the semi-fi nal, leading at the halfway point of “We were concerned after the nal by 19-25 25-17 25-22 25-23. when the US team lost their top cementing her reputation as one the competition following an ex- fi rst rotation when everything The United States won bronze scorer Foluke Akinradewo to a of the best women’s volleyball quisite display with fi ve ribbons, did not go smoothly,” said Rus- earlier on Saturday after beating leg injury. coaches. with the champions trailing in sia’s Anastasiia Tatareva. the Netherlands, a consolation Lang, 55, won her second gold third behind Bulgaria. “There was a collision and one for the world’s top-ranked team USA WIN BRONZE on Saturday, this time as the With 30 meters of multi- of the ribbons ended up on the in their pursuit of an elusive gold. With their star middle blocker coach of young crop of Chinese coloured ribbons on show in fl oor. That hiccup forced us to China, coached by former top back on the court on Saturday, athletes that had a shaky start the opening routines, the main pull ourselves together and do player Lang Ping, last won the the Americans beat the Dutch in Rio with losses to the Nether- challenge for the gymnasts was our best to beat our rivals.” gold medal in Athens in 2004. women 25-23 25-27 25-22 25-19 lands and Serbia. to avoid getting tangled as they Spain, who won the gold in They won their fi rst gold in in the bronze medal match. “With a young team, you showed off their synchronized 1996 when the sport made its Los Angeles in 1984 when Lang Akinradewo said some ther- never know. One day is great, the choreography and acrobatic Olympic debut but then failed was on the team. Gold medallist China’s Ding Xia (L) poses for a selfie on the podium apy on her left leg put her back next is not,” Lang said. “We have skills during the two minute 30 to get on the podium at the next “Before the tournament we after the women’s Gold Medal volleyball match. in competition for the bronze to be patient and just had to go second displays. four Olympics, claimed silver never thought we could win the medal game, as she shed a tear one game at a time. The competition came alive with 35.766. “For us this sil- gold,” Lang, who coached the in 2008, told reporters after the “Our young players did not play over missing another opportu- “I am very happy for the young when world champions Russia ver medal feels like gold,” said United States to a silver medal match. “I think we were lucky. well at the beginning, but they did nity to capture the gold. girls. They trained so hard.” returned with two hoops and six Spain’s Alejandra Quereda. Gulf Times 10 Monday, August 22, 2016 SPORT

MOTORCYCLING TENNIS Cilic survives marathon match to Briton Crutchlow face Murray in fi nal wins rain-hit Czech MotoGP Italian legend Valentino Rossi claimed second on his Yamaha after finishing more than seven seconds behind the Briton, ahead of championship leader Marc Marquez

Marin Cilic of Croatia hits a return to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria dur- ing their semi-final clash in Mason, Ohio.

AFP “I’m in another fi nal now. Go Cincinnati I’ll go out there and give it a good go tomorrow and get a few days break before getting ready for reshly crowned Olympic New York.” gold medalist Andy Mur- Murray will be playing in his ray defeated Canadian seventh straight fi nal after win- No.1 Milos Raonic 6-3, ning his 22nd consecutive match. 6-3F to book a spot in the ATP- He owns four titles in 2016 and WTA Tour’s Cincinnati fi nal has defeated Raonic fi ve times where he will face Marin Cilic. since January. Murray has had to overcome Murray broke in an opening fatigue associated with the quick game interrupted for 15 minutes turnaround from the Rio Games by raindrops, with Raonic con- gold medal match, while Cilic tributing two double faults. will have less than 12 hours of Murray won his eighth match rest before taking the court for from 11 meetings with Raonic as the fi nal. the pair played a re-run of July’s Winner Moto GP rider Cal Crutchlow of Great Britain That’s because his 4-6, 6-3, Wimbledon fi nal won by the celebrates on the podium after winning the Grand 7-5 semi-fi nal victory over Scot. Prix of Czech Republic at Masaryk Circuit in Brno Grigor Dimitrov was delayed Murray is mounting a strong yesterday. two hours by rain and didn’t fi n- bid to displace Novak Djokovic ish until 1:20 am Sunday (5:20 from the number one ranking. GMT). If he were to win the title for a Cilic has reached a fi rst Mas- third time he could trail Djokovic ters 1000 fi nal on his 71st at- by a scant 815 points. tempt. Angelique Kerber also has No. “I was twice a break down in 1 on her mind as she moved to the the third set, I didn’t play good brink of the top WTA ranking by tennis today. It was not easy to holding off Simona Halep 6-3, play but I managed to win,” he 6-4 move to the fi nal. said. The German Olympic silver Murray said he is also feeling medallist is poised to replace the eff ects of playing a lot of ten- Serena Williams on the top spot nis in a short period of time. if she can defeat 15th seeded “It’s better for me to be fi n- Karolina Pliskova after the Czech ished now, but I’m not going to upset Garbine Muguruza of be fresher than Marin or Grig- Spain 6-1, 6-3. or,” said Murray, winner of 50 Williams has been the number matches this season. “I’ve played one for 183 straight weeks. a lot of tennis. This week has “There is still one match to been hard for me coming from go and I will not think yet about Rio.” this,” Australian Open winner “Because I’ve won a lot the last Kerber said after reaching her few months, keeping the match- second fi nal at the venue. AFP by Ducati’s Andrea Iannone, the winner es shorter is something that has “If it happens, it will be amaz- Brno, Czech Republic RESULTS CHECK from Austria a week ago. been good, especially this week ing. I have to focus on a match Capitalising on his choice of hard- for sure.” against a tough opponent.” MotoGP: World championship option front and rear tyres, Crutchlow ritain’s Cal Crutchlow on a Hon- 1. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 47min 44.290sec, 1. Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) 181 pts, 2. Alex Rins worked his way through the pack pa- da took his maiden MotoGP win 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) at 7.298sec, 3. (ESP/Kalex) 162, 3. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) 137, tiently from 10th on the grid to take the as he dominated a rain-hit race Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 9.587, 4. Loris Baz 4. Jonas Folger (GER/Kalex) 108, 5. Thomas lead from the Italian whose soft-option American Peterson beats Pieters to at Brno in the Czech Republic (FRA/Ducati) 12.558, 5. Hector Barbera (ESP/ Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 106, 6. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/ front tyre visibly started to wear off . yesterday.B Ducati) 13.093, 6. Eugene Laverty (IRL/Ducati) Kalex) 94, 7. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 92, “I took the gamble, nobody else did,” Czech Masters title Italian legend Valentino Rossi claimed 13.812, 7. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 23.414, 8. 8. Hafizh Syahrin (MAS/Kalex) 79, 9. Dominique said Crutchlow, marvelling at the com- second on his Yamaha after fi nishing Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 24.562, 9. Maverick Aegerter (SUI/Kalex) 71, 10. Simone Corsi (ITA/ bined-compound strategies used by his : American Paul Peter- “It was fantastic, the crowds have more than seven seconds behind the Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) 24.581, 10. Tito Rabat (ESP/ Speed Up) 59 rivals. son birdied the final hole to seal been great all week. My sports Briton, ahead of championship leader Honda) 37.131 Moto3: “As far as I’m concerned, they’re all a thrilling one-shot victory over psychologist was on the bag Marc Marquez on a Honda. World championship 1. John McPhee (GBR/Peugeot) in 45min wimps, if you choose one you don’t defending champion Thomas this week and my coach and my With seven races to go, the result leaves 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 197 points, 2. Val- 36.087sec, 2. Jorge Martin (ESP/Mahindra) at choose the other.” Pieters in the final round of the girlfriend came all the way from Marquez at the top of the overall stand- entino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 144, 3. Jorge Lorenzo 8.806, 3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Honda) The 37-year-old Rossi, who has won Czech Masters yesterday. Phoenix. It’s just so great to have ings on 197 points, 53 ahead of Rossi. (ESP/Yamaha) 138, 4. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/ 9.777, 4. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) 10.654, 5. fi ve top-class Grands Prix at Brno, bat- Belgian Pieters led by two all the team here.” Peterson drew Reigning world champion Jorge Loren- Honda) 109, 5. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) Niccolo Antonelli (ITA/Honda) 13.872, 6. Jakub tled back from as low as 12th early in the strokes overnight from Peterson, level with the 24-year-old Pieters zo dropped to third overall, on 138 points, 100, 6. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 96, 7. Pol Kornfeil (CZE/Honda) 15.533, 7. Bo Bendsneyder race. who had catapulted himself after the par-five opening hole at after fi nishing 17th at Brno and a lap be- Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha) 81, 8. Andrea Dovizioso (NED/KTM) 15.819, 8. Joan Mir (ESP/KTM) 16.289, “At the beginning I was desperate be- into contention with a 64 on the Albatross Golf Resort, as he hind as the victim of a poor strategy. (ITA/Ducati) 79, 9. Hector Barbera (ESP/Ducati 9. Nicolo Bulega (ITA/KTM) 16.473, 10. Jorge cause I thought we’d made a mistake,” Saturday. birdied while his playing partner “We did the best job we could to- Avintia) 76, 10. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 66 Navarro (ESP/Honda) 16.681 said the nine-time world champion. The world number 398 carried took a six. The seesaw nature day and I’m really, really pleased for my Moto2: World championship “But lap by lap, the rear was coming that form into the final day in of the final round continued, team,” said the 30-year-old Crutchlow, 1. Jonas Folger (GER/Kalex) 45min 30.342sec, 1. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 179 pts, 2. Jorge better.” Prague, as he rolled in seven and although Pieters was the of the independent LCR Honda team. 2. Alex Rins (ESP/Kalex) at 5.175, 3. Sam Lowes Navarro (ESP/Honda) 118, 3. Enea Bastianini (ITA/ “It was a great race, I’m very happy for birdies in a five-under-par 67 to beneficiary of a two-shot swing “I smashed the bike yesterday and (GBR/Kalex) 9.021, 4. Mattia Pasini (ITA/Kalex) Honda) 94, 4. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) 93, 5. these 20 points also because I am second take his maiden professional win on the second green, Peterson honestly they didn’t leave the circuit till 14.763, 5. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 17.959, 6. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Mahindra) 90, 6. Nicolo in the championship and I think today on 15 under par overall. found three more birdies to take midnight last night. That was the best Hafizh Syahrin (MAL/Kalex) 24.247, 7. Danny Bulega (ITA/KTM) 89, 7. Joan Mir (ESP/KTM) 83, we did a good job and we made the right “This is the best feeling in the a one-shot lead at the turn. way to repay them today.” Kent (GBR/Kalex) 25.696, 8. Franco Morbidelli 8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Honda) 82, 9. Nic- choice.” world,” he told the European Peterson, whose previous best But, kissing his phone after calling his (ITA/Kalex) 25.916, 9. Miguel Oliveira (POR/ colo Antonelli (ITA/Honda) 74, 10. Jakub Kornfeil Marquez said he was happy with his Tour website. “My team and I finish on the European Tour was wife who had given birth to their fi rst Kalex) 27.199, 10. Anthony West (AUS/Suter) (CZE/Honda) 68 ninth podium fi nish in 11 races this sea- have put in so much hard work a tie for fifth in Malaysia last year, child on August 2, he confessed a Mo- 36.340 son, although he admitted he had to and long hours by everybody slipped back with a bogey on toGP win was not everything. manage his soft tyres. and I’m just so happy.” the 11th, but a birdie at 16 was “I expected probably a diff erent feeling “In the end we lose only four points “We had this as a goal this year enough to give him a single-shot but with Lucy giving birth the other week “Don’t get me wrong, winning a race is In wet conditions following several with Valentino (but) we increased the and to be able to accomplish it advantage going to the 72nd that was the best feeling in the world,” fantastic but I got the best present a cou- hours of steady rain, pole-sitter Marquez advantage with Jorge,” said the 2013 and means so much.” hole. said Crutchlow. ple of weeks ago.” took an early lead but was soon replaced 2014 world champion.

RUGBY Hansen salutes Barrett, Coles aft er victory

AFP Barrett at the heart of most of the Kiwis’ attacks. porters after Saturday’s game. “He got called in late, wasn’t really expecting Wellington Offi cial man-of-the-match Barrett, preferred Hansen reserved his highest praise for dough- to play because we didn’t want him to play.” to Aaron Cruden, scored a try, set up two others ty World Cup hooker Coles, who came off the “He played really well and left himself out and landed three conversions and two penalties reserves bench in just the third minute after there on the track.” oach Steve Hansen has paid tribute for a 17-point haul. Codie Taylor was knocked out and helped from “When someone does that for you I think you to the contributions of Beauden Bar- Barrett was the complete package, troubling the fi eld. can only pay them the biggest compliment that rett and Dane Coles in the All Blacks’ the shaky Wallaby defence with his composure, Coles was initially ruled out of the match you can and he’s a champion and he played like Cruthless demolition of Australia in the accuracy and speed to set alight the All Blacks with a rib cartilage injury only to called up as a one.” Rugby Championship series opener in Sydney. backline. replacement when hooker Nathan Harris rup- The All Blacks are now in the familiar box seat The world champions swamped the hapless Hansen — who shrugged aside the distraction tured knee ligaments in training on Thursday. to go on and retain the trans-Tasman Bledisloe Wallabies six tries to one in a 42-8 mauling on of a listening device being found in the team’s He needed painkilling injections to play, and Cup — which they have held since 2003 — in Saturday that was the biggest Bledisloe Cup Sydney hotel before the game — praised the bril- played out the rest of the game inspiring team- their two remaining games against the Wallabies winning margin by a New Zealand side in Aus- liance of the Wellington Hurricanes playmaker mates with his commitment. at home in Wellington and Auckland. tralia. Barrett. “He was blowing and he’s probably sore, but The Australians have lost three times in Wel- The All Blacks had the contest won by half- “He’s a special player, he can do special things they’re all sore,” Hansen said of Coles. lington since their last win there in 2000, and time when they led 32-3 after shredding Aus- and while he has a mindset that he wants to be “He’s tough, there’s no doubt about that. He have not won in 16 Tests at Auckland’s Eden tralia’s defence to score four tries, with fl y-half better then I’m sure he can,” Hansen told re- epitomised the team.” Park since their last triumph in 1986. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 11 SPORT

CRICKET HORSE RACING Qatar Racing’s South Seas wins at Finch, Smith help Sandown Park Aussies overcome Lanka in fi rst ODI Smith, who top-scored with 58, put together a 62-run partnership with George Bailey (39) to thwart Sri Lanka’s spin attack on a sluggish pitch which was taking vicious turn Agencies Trained by Andrew Balding, London South Seas remains unbeaten in three runs. The two-year-old AFP SCOREBOARD Colombo Australian cricket captain Steven Smith son of Lope De Vega holds en- (R) plays a shot during the first One Day atar Racing Limited’s tries in the Group 2 Champagne International (ODI) cricket match at the R Sri Lanka South Seas raced to Stakes at Doncaster, Group 1 alf-centuries from Aaron Finch Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in K. Perera b Starc ...... 1 an impressive win in Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes and skipper Steve Smith helped Colombo yesterday. T. Dilshan c Smith b Henriques ...... 22 the TCA Abu Dhabi and Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Australia pull off a tricky chase SolarioQ Stakes (Gr3) at Sandown Stakes at Newmarket in the K. Mendis c Head b Faulkner ...... 67 to defeat a resilient Sri Lanka by D. Chandimal not out ...... 80 Park this Saturday after over- coming months. Hthree wickets in the fi rst one-day inter- coming a slow start. “You had to be impressed A. Mathews c Head b Faulkner ...... 0 national in Colombo on yesterday. D. de Silva c Bailey b Starc ...... 2 In the fi nal furlongs, the colt, with his fi rst two wins,” said Australia, who suff ered their first series T. Siriwardana c Finch b Starc ...... 19 ridden by jockey Oisin Murphy, Balding, “but it’s nice to see him whitewash against the hosts in the three T. Perera c Wade b Faulkner ...... 21 came up on the inside rail and go and do it in a race with a bit of Tests, chased down 228 in 46.5 overs at D. Perera c Hazlewood b Faulkner ...... 10 kept progressing forwards and depth. The second might have the R. Premadasa Stadium to lead the A. Aponso not out ...... 2 none of his rivals could keep been an outsider, but he’s pretty fi ve-match ODI series 1-0. Extras (b 1, w 2) ...... 3 up with him. He left the sec- good, and so is the third. The Pacers James Faulkner and Mitchell Total: (8 wickets, 50 overs) ...... 227 ond place to Salouen, two and a Dewhurst or the Racing Post Starc, who became the fastest to reach Fall of wickets: 1-3 (K. Perera), 2-45 quarter lengths behind. How- Trophy are the obvious options 100 wickets in his 52nd match, also played (Dilshan), 3-124 (Mendis), 4-124 (Mathews), ever, the latter fi nished fast in but Sheikh Fahad will want to their part with seven wickets between 5-132 (de Silva), 6-173 (Siriwardana), 7-209 the middle of the track. In third discuss everything. They usu- them after Australia elected to bowl fi rst. (T. Perera), 8-224 (D. Perera) place came Eqtiraan, still quite ally step up to something better Opener Finch, who scored a quickfi re Bowling: Starc 10-1-32-3, Hazlewood green. from this race.” 56, gave Australia a brisk start despite the 10-0-56-0, Faulkner 10-0-38-4, Henriques early wicket of David Warner, who was 9-0-48-1, Zampa 7-0-34-0, Head 4-0-18-0 out for eight after a scratchy 17-ball stay Did not bat: L. Sandakan SA-NZ TEST at the crease. Australia Finch took on the Sri Lankan bowlers D. Warner c K. Perera b T. Perera ...... 8 with ease in the fi rst 10 overs of the man- A.Finch c Mathews b Aponso ...... 56 datory powerplay as he regularly cleared S. Smith c sub b D. Perera ...... 58 Wet outfi eld the infi eld to notch up seven boundaries M. Wade c Dilshan b Sandakan ...... 26 and two sixes during his 46-ball knock. G. Bailey c Sandakan b D. Perera ...... 39 Finch, who registered his 12th ODI M. Henriques c sub b Sandakan ...... 6 wipes out day half-century, fell to debutant left-arm T. Head st K. Perera b D. Perera ...... 10 spinner Amila Aponso after edging the J. Faulkner not out ...... 5 ball to Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Math- M. Starc not out ...... 5 three in Durban ews at fi rst slip. three wickets, claimed Smith in the 38th innings. Extras (b 2, lb 1, w 12) ...... 15 On-fi eld umpire Aleem Dar ruled Finch over with Australia needing another 38 to Dilshan fell for 22 but Mendis, whose Total (7 wickets; 46.5 overs) 228 not out before Sri Lanka successfully re- win the match. 176 in the fi rst Test remained the defi ning Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Warner), 2-79 viewed the decision in their favour much The visitors lost three more wickets af- knock of the three-match series, regis- (Finch), 3-128 (Wade), 4-190 (Smith), 5-202 to the disappointment of the batsman. ter that but bowling heroes Starc, on fi ve, tered his fourth half-century in only his (Henriques), 6-216 (Bailey), 7-222 (Head) Mathews though could not hold on to a and Faulkner, also on fi ve, remained un- eight ODI. Bowling: Mathews 7-0-33-0, Dilshan 3.5- sharp chance at slip, giving Smith a new beaten as Australia recorded their highest The 21-year-old got good support from 0-25-0, T. Perera 5-1-25-1, Aponso 10-1-27-1, life at 15 off Dilruwan Perera and the bats- ODI run chase in Sri Lanka. wicketkeeper-batsman Chandimal, who Siriwardana 6-0-34-0, D. Perera 10-0-48-3, man made the most of it. Earlier Faulkner and Starc restricted scored an unbeaten 80, as the pair put Sandakan 5-0-33-2 Another debutant spinner Lakshan Sri Lanka to 227 for eight despite half- together a 79-run third-wicket stand to Did not bat: A. Zampa, J. Hazlewood Sandakan got his maiden ODI wicket in centuries from Kusal Mendis and Dinesh help Sri Lanka rebuild. Toss: Sri Lanka Matthew Wade, who had worked hard for Chandimal. But a double strike by Faulkner in the his 26 which came off 34 deliveries to put Starc, who took three wickets, struck 30th over checked Sri Lanka’s surge after Australia in trouble at 128/3. with the fourth ball of the innings to have Mendis and Mathews were dismissed in old record set by Pakistan off -spinner But Smith, who top-scored with a opener Kusal Perera trudging back to the the space of three deliveries. Saqlain Mushtaq, who claimed 100 wick- dogged 58, put together a 62-run part- pavilion for one. Starc returned with another wicket- ets in 53 matches. nership with George Bailey (39) to thwart Veteran batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan taking spell to send Dhananjaya de Silva The in-form Chandimal kept his focus Sri Lanka’s spin attack on a sluggish pitch and Mendis, who scored 67, then came trudging back to the pavilion and claim to register his fi fth consecutive ODI half- which was taking vicious turn. together for a 42-run second-wicket his 100th wicket. century after scoring four on the England Off -spinner Dilruwan, who ended with partnership to bring some stability to the The left-armer broke a 19-year- tour.

SPOTLIGHT Cobb beats pain barrier as Northants win T20 title

AFP taken the painkillers and decided to bat- at Leicester, but I came here and they had last represented their country in 2012 Birmingham tle through.” an exceptional white-ball side which was and 2013 respectively. Cobb was duly named man-of-the- part of the reason — to try and play in big Northamptonshire captain Alex match in the fi nal for the second time games. Wakely insisted, however, that not hav- osh Cobb rounded off his season in his career having taken four for 22 in “I’ve really enjoyed my cricket, a great ing to change their team had worked to in style after a sparkling innings Leicestershire’s Twenty20 triumph in bunch of lads, the team spirit’s excep- the benefi t of his club. of 80 helped Northamptonshire 2011. tional and I’ve been here two years and “There’s always stuff written about beat Durham in English cricket’s “My one with Leicester was for bowl- I’ve played in three of four possible quar- Northants that’s not great,” said Wakely. Children play cricket on the sidelines after the play was abandoned Twenty20J fi nal at Edgbaston on Satur- ing a few long-hops,” he joked. “To get it ter-fi nals and two T20 fi nals.” “The fact we’ve got such a small squad in Durban yesterday. day. with the bat today, the position we were Northamptonshire, beset by fi nancial means we’re not looking over each oth- He then revealed that he had under- in, makes it very special.” problems have one of the smallest staff in er’s shoulders. There’s no jealousy — it’s AFP the sun was shining at the gone a painkilling injection and delayed Cobb moved across the Midlands to county cricket, with no England players just the best feeling in the world.” Durban scheduled resumption of play, knee surgery in order to be fi t for Sat- join Northamptonshire three years later to call on. He added: “We’ve managed to play there were extensive wet, mud- urday, with Northamptonshire beating and his innings on Saturday saw the By contrast, Durham, Nottingham- pretty much the whole team all the way dy areas on a fi eld which was re- Durham by four wickets under the Edg- Wantage Road club recover from the dire shire and Yorkshire all welcomed back through the competition. wet outfi eld prevented seeded in June and was fl ooded baston fl oodlights. position of nine for three to seal a four- several England internationals on Satur- “You look at Notts — they’ve chopped any play on the third by a freak storm in July. There are several weeks of the Eng- wicket win. day. But Northamptonshire beat a Not- and changed their side and it doesn’t al- day of the fi rst Test After an inspection by the lish season left, but for the 26-year-old Saturday’s success came just a day af- tinghamshire side featuring Alex Hales ways weigh up. between South Africa umpires at midday (1000 GMT), Cobb, his campaign is done. ter Cobb signed a new Northamptonshire and Stuart Broad before seeing off a Dur- “Greg Smith at Notts, for me, was one Aand New Zealand at Kingsmead it was announced that un- “This is the last time you’ll see me on contract and he jokingly said: “I should ham team that included Ben Stokes and of the best players for Notts all year then yesterday. derfoot conditions remained the fi eld this season,” he said. have given it a few more days and I might Mark Wood. he’s not playing — I don’t agree with it. New Zealand remained on 15 treacherous, with water coming “I have been struggling with my knee. have got a few more quid (pounds).” The only internationals in Northamp- You’ve got some international players, for two in reply to South Africa’s up to the surface. But I always believed that we’d be play- On a more serious note, Cobb added: tonshire’s side are the South African pair they’re going to come back and play, but fi rst innings total of 263. Following a further inspec- ing in a fi nal and that’s the reason I’ve “I wasn’t massively enjoying my cricket of Richard Levi and Rory Kleinveldt, who we don’t have that problem.” Rain, which started falling at tion two hours later, it was de- lunchtime on Saturday, contin- cided conditions would not ued through Saturday and into improve in time for play to get BOTTOMLINE yesterday morning. Although under way. Azhar ready for England aft er Ireland washout Day four abandoned

AFP However, with a total of 337 for six in but the rain had the better of the day.” Nawaz and Imad Wasim and if they keep in Trinidad Malahide, Ireland a crushing 255-run victory over Ireland He added: “I am still very satisfi ed with performing, and if Sharjeel performs at Malahide in Thursday’s fi rst of a two- our preparation, and although because and continues his form into the England AFP, Port of Spain: Play was the previous two days. game series, it will be a confi dent Paki- of the rain we couldn’t get much practice games, we are looking very good,” he said. abandoned without a ball being Only 22 overs have been akistan one-day captain Azhar stan side that head into their next match, in here, we have two days in Southamp- “It looks a very balanced side and if we bowled for a third consecutive bowled so far in the match with Ali is happy with his side’s prep- the fi rst of a fi ve-game series against ton and we will be ready to go for the fi rst perform to our potential we can produce day on the scheduled fourth the West Indies reaching 62 for aration for next week’s one-day England, in Southampton on Wednesday. game against England.” very good results. As a unit we are very day of the fourth and final Test two before lunch on the first series against England despite Azhar’s only regret was that he didn’t The 15-man squad shows eight chang- confi dent.” between the West Indies and day, before the weather and Pthe second ODI against Ireland being get the opportunity to accommodate the es from the party which drew the recent Ireland’s next assignment is the fourth India at the Queen’s Park Oval in developing problems with the abandoned without a ball being bowled other members of his one-day squad in a four-match Test series in England 2-2 but game in the Intercontinental Cup, against Trinidad yesterday. saturated ground ruined the on Saturday. second game in Ireland. Azhar is happy with the selection and he Hong Kong in Belfast, starting on Au- Umpires Nigel Llong and Rod fixture completely. The overnight rain did not stop until an “It was a very good performance in the gave special mentions to spinner Imad gust 30, when they resume their quest for Tucker determined that the re- India lead the series 2-0, but hour after the scheduled start at Malahide fi rst ODI, we wanted to experiment with a Wasim, who took fi ve wickets in Thurs- Test-match status. pair work being undertaken on must win the fourth Test if they and although there were a few bright spots few more things today,” he explained after day’s ODI and Sharjeel Khan, who made a They then head off to South Africa at a saturated outfield eliminated are to avoid relinquishing their throughout the day, the rain kept return- Saturday’s washout. memorable 152 in the same match. the end of September for ODIs against the any chance of play despite al- world number one status to ing and the umpires offi cially abandoned “It was another international to win “We have lot of options, especially with hosts and Australia in the space of three most continuous sunshine over arch rivals Pakistan. the game at 3:30pm (1430 GMT). and we would have loved to have played the all-rounders coming in, Mohammad days.

Monday, August 22, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT WINNING RUN Guardiola surprised Juve boss Allegri by City’s fl ying start hails 90-million man Higuain ‘It was important for him and for the team. There are still a lot of areas we can improve Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. in but I’m very happy with this test. We have made a much better start than last season’ AFP short time the level we played in Stoke-on-Trent, and here. “To win 4-1 here is very good and we have scored nine goals ep Guardiola admits he in two games. It was a nice week is surprised how well for us.” Manchester City have Sergio Aguero took his total started under his man- to six goals in three games with agementP after a 4-1 victory at City’s fi rst two goals, before sub- Stoke City extended their win- stitute Nolito added two more ning start to the season on Sat- late on to give the victory margin urday. an emphatic look. Guardiola’s team have won Stoke had pulled within one two Premier League games, ei- goal just after half-time when ther side of a 5-0 victory at Bojan Krkic scored from the pen- Steaua Bucharest in the Cham- alty spot after Raheem Sterling pions League, since the former had been judged to have fouled Barcelona and Bayern Munich Ryan Shawcross. manager replaced Manuel Pel- That followed an earlier foul legrini in the close-season. by Shawcross on Nicolas Ota- And the City boss is delighted mendi to hand City a penalty with his start in English football. for their opening goal as referee “We have had a short time to- Mike Dean twice penalised in- gether and in spells in our last fringements following corners. three games my players have “We have to be careful,” Guar- shown me how intelligent they diola added. “That’s why I like to are,” Guardiola said. defend with zonal marking be- “They are really good players cause it is not man to man. with a lot of quality which “You just attack the ball, may- they have shown here in one of be block sometimes if the people the toughest places in the Pre- come and attack the ball. It was mier league – at least people told a little bit strange and I am sure me that. Mark Hughes can say the same. “We saw again an amazing team “All the teams have to careful spirit, how they communicate be- with these kind of actions. I am tween each other, how they cel- not a guy that likes to complain. ebrated the goals and how they “I don’t want the players to celebrated afterwards with the think I am looking for an alibi. Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain celebrates after scoring against Fiorentina during their Serie A match. fans. That is the fi rst step. If you win you deserve to, if you “We will improve many things don’t win then you don’t de- AFP by Paul Pogba’s world record transfer is as quick as ever, even if his waistline tina goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu and but I am little bit surprised in the serve.” Rome move to Manchester United. has expanded over the summer. his near post from a tight angle. By taking Higuain from Napoli and “I’m really happy to have made my de- Roma’s 4-0 thrashing of Udinese was midfi elder Miralem Pjanic from Roma but, for the win and for the goal,” he said. overshadowed by the sight of highly- EPL uventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and having signed Brazilian right-back “We have to carry on like this. It was rated Greek centre-back Kostas Manolas has hailed Gonzalo Higuain’s debut Dani Alves, Allegri is widely seen as hav- really important to start with a win. We limping off injured three days before the goal as testimony to the predatory ing put together a squad capable of chal- worked well and deserved the win.” second leg of the club’s crunch Champi- instincts that prompted the club to lenging for Champions League glory as Higuain, who was treated to a standing ons League qualifi er against FC Porto. Antonio gives West splashJ out 90 million euros on him. well as being runaway favourites to top ovation in the Juventus Stadium, said he Roma are favourites to advance to the The striker came off the bench the Italian league again. had been touched by the warmth of his money-spinning group stage after a 1-1 on Saturday night to fi re the Italian cham- Roma boss Luciano Spalletti admit- welcome in Turin. “I hope I can repay the draw in in the fi rst leg. Ham Olympic cheer pions to a 2-1 win over potential title rivals ted as much after his side produced a aff ection with a lot of goals,” he said. “I But Spalletti’s defensive options are Fiorentina, making it a perfect start to second-half blitz to beat Udinese 4-0 in want to win as many titles as possible but already limited as a result of Thomas Juve’s bid for a record sixth straight title. their opener at the Stadio Olimpico. there is a long way to go.” Vermaelen being suspended after being “Higuain was very good and that goal was “Everyone thinks that,” Spalletti said Fiorentina’s Croatian striker Nikola sent off in the first leg. not at all easy to take,” Allegri said. with a smile. “But no one wants to just Kalinic had cancelled out Sami Khedira’s Spalletti said taking off Manolas had “It was important for him and for the give up and accept this analysis. We all stunning fi rst-half opener for the cham- been precautionary. team. There are still a lot of areas we can have to battle hard. It will be a pleasure to pions before Higuain killed the contest. “His groin was giving him a bit of improve in but I’m very happy with this try to challenge them, precisely because The 28-year-old, who scored 36 league bother and there was no point in taking test. We have made a much better start they are strong.” goals for Napoli last season, had been on any risks, that is why we took him off .” than last season and we have got three Higuain had been left out of Juve’s for exactly eight minutes and 27 seconds Two second-half penalties from Ar- points in the bag.” starting line-up because he is not deemed when Khedira’s blocked shot spun across gentinian midfi elder Diego Perotti and Allegri is still struggling to work out his to be fully match fi t. But he came off the the Fiorentina goalmouth. late strikes from Bosnian striker Edin best line-up after overhauling his squad bench to seal the three points with a Higuain was fi rst to react and he was Dzeko and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah se- in the close season with the funds raised strike that suggested his poacher’s brain able to squeeze the ball between Fioren- cured Roma’s win.

BOTTOMLINE West Ham United’s Michail Antonio (R) celebrates after scoring.

AFP merical advantage with fi ve min- London utes to play when Gokhan Tore lifted an inviting cross to the back post and Antonio fl ew in to Klopp baffl ed by Reds’ meltdown est Ham United’s head home from close range. Premier League bow AFP last year. at London’s former MIDDLESBROUGH WIN Burnley “Liverpool had fi ve or six men Olympic Stadi- Earlier, Uruguayan striker Stuani in midfi eld at all times and if I Wum ended with a 1-0 win over scored twice to earn Middles- did that I would have the ball Bournemouth yesterday cour- brough victory at Sunderland in urgen Klopp admitted he for a long time. But that doesn’t tesy of Michail Antonio’s 85th- the northeast rivals’ fi rst top- was baffl ed by Liverpool’s win you the game. I want to pen- minute header. fl ight encounter since January surprise defeat at Burnley etrate, create and take chances. West Ham have moved into the 2009. Stuani put Aitor Karanka’s in which they enjoyed “I don’t think there will be arena, now known as the Lon- Boro ahead with a glorious 25- overJ 80 percent of possession, many teams who get the ball as don Stadium, after leaving Upton yard strike in the 13th minute at but still lost 2-0 to the newly- much as Liverpool, they get so Park and Antonio’s late goal made the Stadium of Light before fi n- promoted club. many bodies in there. their fi rst domestic fi xture at the ishing off a neat team move on Reds boss Klopp confessed he “It takes concentration and ground one to remember. the cusp of half-time. thought his team had actually focus from the players to see In the day’s other game, Sunderland replied through seen more like 90 per cent of the through that and see they’re not Cristhian Stuani netted a stun- Patrick van Aanholt in the 71st ball at Turf Moor on Saturday, hurting us that much and that ning brace as Middlesbrough minute, but Boro, promoted but they failed to create a single we will have breakaways and beat local rivals Sunderland 2-1 from the Championship in May, noteworthy chance as fi rst-half counters.” to register a fi rst victory since prevailed to record their fi rst goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Dyche could take particular securing promotion. top-fl ight win over the Black Gray earned Sean Dyche’s team pleasure, not only in securing a West Ham beat Europa League Cats in over 10 years. their fi rst points of the season. fi rst victory of the campaign at opponents NK Domzale 3-0 in “It’s always important to win, “How can I be happy with just the second time of asking, their fi rst match at their new especially in a derby and for our this?” Klopp said. “When we gave but also in seeing his two for- home, but Slaven Bilic’s side were crowd who have been waiting for away the fi rst goal they defended wards get off the mark - in the narrowly beaten 2-1 by Chelsea in this moment for a long time, so for their lives. Both of their strik- case of Vokes, ending a 27-game their opening league fi xture. I’m pleased for the players and ers Andre Gray and Sam Vokes are run without a Premier League They procured the only chance the crowd,” said Karanka. really hard workers. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp looks dejected after the match against Burnley. goal dating back to 2009. of note in the fi rst half against “I told the players they would “We had absolutely no luck and “Both strikers are off the mark Bournemouth, with goalkeeper start at 150 percent, but with everybody needs to be more clini- “Even at half-time, I felt we doesn’t mean you should still sult and carry on.” and they feel good about it,” Dy- Artur Boruc obliged to parry at his players of the quality of Cristhi- cal. We have to accept it. Burnley still had the possibility of it. But concede the goals,” he said. che said. near post from Enner Valencia. an Stuani we were able to score a deserved to win with a very pas- our timing and decision making “It was a diffi cult game for us, POSSESSION MYTH “The win was important be- Josh King threatened to spoil fi rst goal like that, which opened sionate performance. We have to really was not good.” we passed the ball, lost the ball Meanwhile, Burnley boss Dyche cause it means you (media) don’t West Ham’s big day with a long- up the game.” say it was not enough today. Klopp was critical of his team’s at the wrong moments. was dismissive of the statistic of keep dragging up the statistic of range strike early in the second “We know we lost a game in defensive eff orts in the opening “The fi rst half was not good possession and pointed out that, how long since we won. half, drawing a full-stretch save Results which we had 80 percent pos- 4-3 victory at Arsenal and, after for growing self-confi dence, we as his team proved emphatically “But it’s just the psychol- from home goalkeeper Adrian. session today but there are dif- conceding a further two goals at lost a little bit of our timing, pa- against Liverpool, it often has lit- ogy of it. Getting that win clears Bournemouth lost midfi elder Sunderland 1 (Van Aanholt ferent ways to play football. Turf Moor, Liverpool have kept tience, all that stuff . tle bearing on the result of a game. your minds. Harry Arter after he was shown 71) Middlesbrough 2 (Stuani “That’s okay. But when we just two clean sheets in their last “Usually, in a game like this, “Possession doesn’t win you “We know there is work to do, a second yellow card for holding 13, 45) conceded the early goal, life was 13 league games. you win if you don’t make mis- games,” Dyche said. “That myth we are still in the market, want back Cheikhou Kouyate, having West Ham 1 (Antonio 85) not over, we had a lot of time to “We saw the situations com- takes at the wrong moment but came out a few years ago and to keep improving but it will do earlier been booked for dissent. Bournemouth 0 win the game. ing around the goals but that we did. We have to accept the re- Leicester proved it was a myth the lads the world of good.” West Ham exploited their nu-