Former Australia Test captain Steve Waugh has thrown his weight behind Twenty20 cricket becoming an Olympic sport, saying it would help globalize the game.
"The idea of Twenty20 cricket at the Olympics is certainly worthwhile," said South China Morning Post.
"If you want to globalise the game then you have to do including countries like China and the United States, cricket and get into the Olympic Games will fast-track that move."
In December last year, cricket was given the status of "recognized sport" by the International Olympic Committee for two years.
The honor usually given to sports that are not part of the Olympic program, but are in line with its ideals of youth and promoting anti-doping policies.
Cricket was last seen in a large multi-sports event in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, but was eliminated in the next two editions in England and Australia.
Waugh played in Kuala Lumpur, where Australia won the gold.
"I had the time of my life in these Games." Winning the gold medal was one of the highlights of my career, "said the 43-year-old played 168 tests for Australia, including 57 as captain.
He added that he believed Twenty20 cricket was on the verge of becoming a huge worldwide success.
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"Twenty20 is going through a honeymoon phase at the moment," he said. "But in the years ahead, I think it will become a global phenomenon."
His comments follow those of his former Australia team-mate Adam Gilchrist, who in a column for Monday's edition of India newspaper Deccan Chronicle wrote: "Take it from someone who has won almost everything cricket has to offer - Games Olympic is the absolute Pinnacle in sport.
"The opportunity to be at the top of the Olympic podium, to lead an Olympic gold medal and proudly belting his national anthem would be a life-changing money can not buy experience."
Waugh, one of three mentors for the Olympic team in Australia along with former Wallabies captain John Eales gold medal winning rower Kate Allen, was in Hong Kong to see the equestrian team from Australia.
"I have 11 sports that I have been assigned and equestrianism is one of them," said the newspaper.
"I met with the team. I was asking the most questions. It's not about me telling them how to ride horses, but in reality we are talking about how to handle pressure situations.
Here
Wednesday 6 August 2008
China is Safe for Olympics
China said Tuesday that could guarantee a safe Olympic Games, while announcing that Islamic militants were trying to wage a holy war aimed at destroying the Games in Beijing starting in three days.
"Terrorists" inside and outside the country seeking an independent Muslim state in northwest China's Xinjiang region were involved, authorities said they increased security after an attack on Monday which killed 16 policemen.
The terror alert came as athletes continue to arrive in Beijing on Friday before the opening ceremony to launch the Games, being seen as a coming of age part of China after three decades of dramatic economic reforms.
"We can clearly see that these forces are trying to wage a psychological violence and the battle against the Olympic Games," said Shi Dagang, secretary of the Communist Party of Kashgar, a city in the Xinjiang region that borders Central Asia.
"They want to turn 2008 in a year of mourning for China."
Shi said Xinjiang police had arrested 18 foreign "terrorists" this year, and that one of the main threats came from East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a UN-listed terrorist group which allegedly operates in Xinjiang and Afghanistan.
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Shi said the ETIM have been involved in the attack Monday to Kashgar, as the two assailants explosives used were similar to those found during a raid on a basis of the group in Xinjiang last year.
"For these two people, it is very clear that they are part of violent terrorist forces," said Shi.
However, Beijing Olympic organizers sought to reassure the 10000 athletes and other 500000 is expected that foreign visitors who come to China for the Games that should not be concerned about security.
"We can ensure a safe and peaceful for the Olympic Games," organising committee spokesman Sun Weide told reporters.
China has already spent an intense security around Beijing and throughout the country in the run-up to the Games, some veterans with sports officials saying they had not seen such a show of force since the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
In Xinjiang, members of its Muslim Uighur ethnic group have complained for months of a massive security offensive that has seen many people arrested.
Xinjiang has about 8.3 million Uighurs, and many are unhappy with what they say has been decades of repressive communist Chinese rule.
China announced increased security to another level on Tuesday across Xinjiang, and in particular the famous oasis city of Kashgar.
The official Xinhua news agency said police had increased the roadblocks, while extra security forces were sent to protect buildings of government offices, schools and hospitals.
In Beijing, some athletes seemed more concerned that the final preparations for the biggest event of their lives are hampered by the city's poor air, which has persisted despite emergency measures sanitation.
Indonesian team official weight Syafraidi Cut Ali said his squad were under strict instructions to stay outdoors as little as possible.
"We stay in our bedrooms and dining areas, not outdoors," said Ali. "This is a problem."
Members of the U.S. cycling team were also seen arriving at Beijing airport with masks.
However, the International Olympic Committee medical commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist said pollution levels were not as bad as first feared and blamed the media for exaggerating the issue.
"I am convinced air quality not try to pose major problems for athletes and visitors in Beijing," said Ljungqvist.
He said that the media's reporting had convinced stars such as Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele and British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe to compete here could damage their health.
However, IOC president Jacques Rogge said during one year countdown to the Games last August that endurance events like the marathon may have to be postponed if pollution levels are severe. Here
"Terrorists" inside and outside the country seeking an independent Muslim state in northwest China's Xinjiang region were involved, authorities said they increased security after an attack on Monday which killed 16 policemen.
The terror alert came as athletes continue to arrive in Beijing on Friday before the opening ceremony to launch the Games, being seen as a coming of age part of China after three decades of dramatic economic reforms.
"We can clearly see that these forces are trying to wage a psychological violence and the battle against the Olympic Games," said Shi Dagang, secretary of the Communist Party of Kashgar, a city in the Xinjiang region that borders Central Asia.
"They want to turn 2008 in a year of mourning for China."
Shi said Xinjiang police had arrested 18 foreign "terrorists" this year, and that one of the main threats came from East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a UN-listed terrorist group which allegedly operates in Xinjiang and Afghanistan.
Read More
Shi said the ETIM have been involved in the attack Monday to Kashgar, as the two assailants explosives used were similar to those found during a raid on a basis of the group in Xinjiang last year.
"For these two people, it is very clear that they are part of violent terrorist forces," said Shi.
However, Beijing Olympic organizers sought to reassure the 10000 athletes and other 500000 is expected that foreign visitors who come to China for the Games that should not be concerned about security.
"We can ensure a safe and peaceful for the Olympic Games," organising committee spokesman Sun Weide told reporters.
China has already spent an intense security around Beijing and throughout the country in the run-up to the Games, some veterans with sports officials saying they had not seen such a show of force since the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
In Xinjiang, members of its Muslim Uighur ethnic group have complained for months of a massive security offensive that has seen many people arrested.
Xinjiang has about 8.3 million Uighurs, and many are unhappy with what they say has been decades of repressive communist Chinese rule.
China announced increased security to another level on Tuesday across Xinjiang, and in particular the famous oasis city of Kashgar.
The official Xinhua news agency said police had increased the roadblocks, while extra security forces were sent to protect buildings of government offices, schools and hospitals.
In Beijing, some athletes seemed more concerned that the final preparations for the biggest event of their lives are hampered by the city's poor air, which has persisted despite emergency measures sanitation.
Indonesian team official weight Syafraidi Cut Ali said his squad were under strict instructions to stay outdoors as little as possible.
"We stay in our bedrooms and dining areas, not outdoors," said Ali. "This is a problem."
Members of the U.S. cycling team were also seen arriving at Beijing airport with masks.
However, the International Olympic Committee medical commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist said pollution levels were not as bad as first feared and blamed the media for exaggerating the issue.
"I am convinced air quality not try to pose major problems for athletes and visitors in Beijing," said Ljungqvist.
He said that the media's reporting had convinced stars such as Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele and British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe to compete here could damage their health.
However, IOC president Jacques Rogge said during one year countdown to the Games last August that endurance events like the marathon may have to be postponed if pollution levels are severe. Here
Monday 4 August 2008
Grant Hackett Leading Aussie Swim Team
Legend Grant Hackett arrived here on Sunday at the head of Australia's 42-strong swim team and said he was willing to try to grab a third unprecedented Olympic 1500m title.
"I am sure that I get the best of myself. I have prepared very well," said Hackett, 28. "I feel fit and ready to race."
Australia is expected to battle with the United States to swim in the domain of August and 8-24 games include six world record holders in their squad.
The coach Alan Thompson admitted that the pressure is now on the team had arrived in Beijing after an isolated one-week training camp in Malaysia.
"We have been somewhat protected by the last two days, but I think this (arrival in Beijing) will undoubtedly take home to children that the whole world is watching, as well as Australia," he said.
Hackett is attempting what no one has done before - three consecutive Olympic titles in the most tiring event, the 1500m.
"Of course, realize the attention and expectations that go with that but at the same time as probably feel more relaxed for this Olympics than for the last two," he said.
Libby Trickett, who owns the 50m and 100m freestyle world records, and Leisel Jones, the 100m and 200m breaststroke world record, are among the best hopes for gold in Australia at the Games along with Hackett.
Also in the workforce are world record holders Jess Schipper, who has the man 200m butterfly best time, Eamon Sullivan, owner 50m freestyle, and Stephanie Rice, the fastest woman ever in the 200m individual medley.
Thompson said the squad was in excellent form and morale was high.
"We had a very good training camp and everybody was very satisfied with their performances. Everyone is healthy - touch wood - and we hope to keep it that way." Here
"I am sure that I get the best of myself. I have prepared very well," said Hackett, 28. "I feel fit and ready to race."
Australia is expected to battle with the United States to swim in the domain of August and 8-24 games include six world record holders in their squad.
The coach Alan Thompson admitted that the pressure is now on the team had arrived in Beijing after an isolated one-week training camp in Malaysia.
"We have been somewhat protected by the last two days, but I think this (arrival in Beijing) will undoubtedly take home to children that the whole world is watching, as well as Australia," he said.
Hackett is attempting what no one has done before - three consecutive Olympic titles in the most tiring event, the 1500m.
"Of course, realize the attention and expectations that go with that but at the same time as probably feel more relaxed for this Olympics than for the last two," he said.
Libby Trickett, who owns the 50m and 100m freestyle world records, and Leisel Jones, the 100m and 200m breaststroke world record, are among the best hopes for gold in Australia at the Games along with Hackett.
Also in the workforce are world record holders Jess Schipper, who has the man 200m butterfly best time, Eamon Sullivan, owner 50m freestyle, and Stephanie Rice, the fastest woman ever in the 200m individual medley.
Thompson said the squad was in excellent form and morale was high.
"We had a very good training camp and everybody was very satisfied with their performances. Everyone is healthy - touch wood - and we hope to keep it that way." Here
Olympic Torch in Sichuan
Olympic torch relay made a way through the southwest province of Sichuan on Sunday, three months after the destruction of the region's major earthquake, state media said.
Torch through the village of Guang'an, the Home, the former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, who instigated the many economic reforms, triggered the country's economic prosperity, Xinhua News Agency reported.
90 minutes of the start of a relay station after one minute of silence in memory of the victims, the 8.0 earthquake that caused nearly 90,000 people dead or missing.
The Group is the female policewoman Jiang Min, who took part in the rescue work after the May 12 earthquake and who lost 10 relatives in the disaster, Xinhua said.
Sichuan plans to have the torch between the 15 to 18 June, but the quake was forced to change plans. Torch will continue to remain in the province, until Tuesday, when the heads of state to Beijing.
Sichuan Mianyang will stop, the town most serious earthquake. Here
Torch through the village of Guang'an, the Home, the former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, who instigated the many economic reforms, triggered the country's economic prosperity, Xinhua News Agency reported.
90 minutes of the start of a relay station after one minute of silence in memory of the victims, the 8.0 earthquake that caused nearly 90,000 people dead or missing.
The Group is the female policewoman Jiang Min, who took part in the rescue work after the May 12 earthquake and who lost 10 relatives in the disaster, Xinhua said.
Sichuan plans to have the torch between the 15 to 18 June, but the quake was forced to change plans. Torch will continue to remain in the province, until Tuesday, when the heads of state to Beijing.
Sichuan Mianyang will stop, the town most serious earthquake. Here
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