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Sunday, August 5, 2012
Alex Morgan and New Zealand Goalkeeper Jenny Bindon Unhurt After Horrific Knee-to-Face Collision
Olympic Track and Field 2012: Power Ranking Men's 100M Contenders After Round 1
The top contenders for the gold in the men's 100 meters at the 2012 Olympics is coming into focus at the end of completion of Round 1.
Of course, it would be foolish to put too much stock into the numbers posted by these elite sprinters. Few of them have begun to run all out yet, but it still offers us a glimpse of their form, and it is a decent base of comparison.
So with these guys already having hit the track, here are my latest power ranking in the race to be crowned the world's fastest man.
4. Ryan Bailey, USA
Ryan Bailey hasn't been getting a lot of press on his chances of winning gold here. Shoot, he is largely an afterthought on his team, but that should all change now as Bailey turned in Round 1's fastest time at 9.88 seconds.
The 9.88 was his personal best, and it set a new U.S. Olympics heat record. Bailey ran this race hard, and it is going to be tough for him to make a big jump up in time, but this kind of speed definitely means he is in play for a medal.
3. Tyson Gay, USA
Tyson Gay won his heat with a hard, but smooth run, which led to a time of 10.08. There is nothing about that time that is eye-popping, but it was a good sign just to see Gay, who has struggled with injuries and is dealing with a surgically-repaired hip, comfortable on the track.
I have little doubt that Gay has another gear in store for the finals. It will take the race of his life to win gold, but he is looking great to at least emerge with a medal.
2. Yohan Blake, Jamaica
Current world champ Yohan Blake deserves to be No. 1. He is in great form and easily turned in a 10.00 in Round 1, and his recent performances have had him crossing the finish line ahead of the only man in front of him on this list, Usain Bolt.
At the Jamaican Olympics Trials, Blake won the race as he turned in a time of 9.75, which took down Bolt's 9.86.
It would be shocking if Blake didn't finish at least second, but here is why he is not No. 1 on this list.
1. Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Usain Bolt, the world record holder and defending Olympics champion in the 100 meters, is having a subpar year. As was just mentioned, he didn't even win his national Olympics trials. However, he looked fantastic in his Round 1 run.
Bolt posted a pedestrian 10.09 in his run, but this isn't about his time. He had a terrible start, as he had a slight stumble and only five other runners had a slower start time. Also, as Bolt is known to do, he coasted the last 20 meters of this race.
In Beijing in 2008, Bolt's opening run was an even slower 10.20. It is pretty clear that Bolt has another gear here, and while he struggles with his starts, he is unlikely to struggle as badly as he did in this run.
Bolt is not going to be beat, and as a result, he will join Carl Lewis as the only men to win Olympics gold in the 100 in back-to-back Olympics.
2012 NHL Free Agency: Latest on Doan & Arnott
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Chelsea and Villa taste defeat
An error from Raul Meireles let in Will Buckley and although Petr Cech saved his effort, Giles Barnes was on hand to put the south-coast side a goal up, before Andrew Crofts sealed the victory late in the second half as the Blues slipped to their third defeat of pre-season.
West Brom needed a late equaliser from Peter Odemwingie to salvage a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.
The hosts took the lead through Nejc Pecnik after 34 minutes with a cross-cum-shot which looped over Ben Foster before the Nigerian international scored in the 88th minute.
Championship side Nottingham Forest recorded a 3-1 win over top tier club Aston Villa at the City Ground.
After a goalless first half, Lewis McGugan netted from the edge of the area after 71 minutes to put the home side in front before captain for the day Barry Bannan equalised for Villa with a free-kick two minutes later.
Marcus Tudgay was on target after 77 minutes to put Forest back in front before McGugan rounded off the scoring with five minutes left.
Premier League newcomers Reading drew 2-2 at Bournemouth.
Adrian Mariappa headed home a Nicky Shorey free-kick before the Cherries equalised through Wes Thomas, who converted a Matt Tubbs cross.
Hal Robson-Kanu put the visitors in front from the penalty spot but Miles Addison rescued a draw for the home side.
West Ham, who before Saturday's match at Ipswich had already lost three pre-season friendlies, fell behind after 15 minutes when Michael Chopra netted from the spot.
Summer signing from Nottingham Forest Luke Chambers put the hosts two goals up four minutes later with a header.
Matt Taylor pulled one back for the visitors after 73 minutes with a long range effort, but Jason Scotland sealed a 3-1 win for the Suffolk side seven minutes from time.
And the other Premier League new boys, Southampton, beat last season's top flight basement boys Wolves 2-0 at St Mary's.
Saints took a first half lead when Billy Sharp converted an Adam Lallana cross for his fourth goal of pre-season, before Jason Puncheon doubled the lead midway through the second half when he drove into the net from the edge of the area.
Sunderland followed up a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Hartlepool with a 2-0 reverse against Helsingborgs in Sweden.
After a goalless first half the hosts took the lead after Alfreo Finnbogason's strike hit the post then rebounded off goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and into the net.
The lead was doubled after 73 minutes when a low strike eight yards out by May Mahlangu went under the Belgian.
North-east rivals Newcastle faired better as they drew 0-0 with Dutch side ADO Den Haag.
Gabriel Obertan was unlucky not to find the net with a dipping volley after 24 minutes which was well saved by home stopper Gino Coutinho, while Shola Ameobi had a goal ruled out for offside after 79 minutes.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/chelsea_and_villa_taste_defeat/11376469
Ball denies brawl prompted attack
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … cops have received tips about a brawl at a UW football player’s home roughly one week before Ball was jumped on campus.
According to our sources, cops have been told Ball was at the home … and along with some of his teammates, may have participated in beating up a non-football player.
Cops were never called to the scene and no police report was ever filed.
Ball sent a tweet on Thursday to deny the report:
The report that I was involved in a fight is totally false.
— Montee Ball (@M_Ball28) August 2, 2012
This is only further complicating matters. If Ball is to be believed, that means he was jumped by five ...
Carlos Santana Hit a Home Run But Awarded Himself a Double
VIDEO: Carlos Santana smacked a home run but settled for a double.