Controversy in Olympic women’s hockey as rivals blast umpires

SYDNEY, Sept 17 : Defending champions and hot favourites Australia received a wake-up call from Britain before sweating their way to a narrow 2-1 win in the Olympic Women’s Hockey here today......more

Dutch duo, Dolan keep records pouring out of olympic pool

SYDNEY, Sept 17 : Inge De Bruijn, inspired by compatriot Pieter Van Den Hoogenband’s world record semi-final swim, captured the 100m Butterfly Olympic Gold Medal today in a world record.....more

Indian horseman may
ride at the Olympics

SYDNEY, Sept 17: India is likely to participate in the equestrian event at the 27th Olympics here. Chef de mission of Indian.....more

New drugs expulsions
rock Sydney games

SYDNEY, Sept 17: The Romanian weightlifting team was thrown out of the Sydney games today and a Norwegian lifter was suspended in fresh drugs scandals marking another black day for the team and the sport. ....more

Rajinder Tickoo Memorial day-night Cricket
Karan Nagar (Jr), KCCC find berths in semi-finals

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 17: Karan Nagar (Jr) Cricket Club and KCCC sailed into the semi-finals of the Rajinder Tickoo Memorial .........more

16 Bn, 33 Bn make easy wins in CRPF Inter-Bn Handball

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 17: The 16 Bn and 33 Bn registered easy victories in the ongoing Third CRPF Inter-Bn Handball....more

Gupte gives credit to Jasrotia

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 17: Manu Gupte, who scored a hat-trick by coming runners-up in three free style swimming .......more

Vikram and Chandan pair wins doubles Badminton tie

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 17: The pair of Vikram and Chandan Singh outplayed Anshuman and Rohit in straight sets of 15-7, 15-13 in ..more

Controversy in Olympic women’s hockey as rivals blast umpires

SYDNEY, Sept 17 : Defending champions and hot favourites Australia received a wake-up call from Britain before sweating their way to a narrow 2-1 win in the Olympic Women’s Hockey here today.

Both camps then hit out at the umpires and the technical officials on the sidelines, saying inconsistency in supervision had ruined the game.

The British, who had a third penalty corner turned down after the final hooter went off, were livid, but said they will not protest.

"There have been 250 complaints I know of over the years, and none of them have been upheld," Britain’s Manager Jon Royce said. "There’s no point lodging a protest.

"But it’s sad that such a good game had to end in controversy."

Australian coach Ric Charlesworth was equally critical of the officials.

"We scored a fair goal in the first half that was disallowed," he said.

"There were a few penalty corners given against US, but the same offence was not penalised at the other end.

"People have a right to know why this is being done. If the players and coaches don’t know how the rules will be interpreted, how will the crowd know.

"It’s a pity the technical people were frozen," charlesworth said. "I am really not happy at the way the game was conducted."

China, meanwhile, made an astonishing Olympic debut, scoring a 2-1 win over the Netherlands, one of the favourites for the women’s title.

Yang Huiping converted a penalty corner in each half to give the Chinese their biggest win ever.

Margje Teeuwen reduced the margin for the Dutch one minute before the end, but it came too late to prevent defeat in the Group B game.

The Dutch women were fancied to repeat their gold medal success at Los Angeles in 1984 after winning the champions trophy at home in Amstelveen in June.

The Chinese, novices by comparison, finished 11th out of 12 at the last World Cup two years ago and took fifth place in the Olympic qualifiers at Milton Keynes, England in April.

Atlanta silver-medallists South Korea, who lost to Argentina yesterday, suffered another setback when they were held to a goalless draw by Spain.

With just a solitary point from two matches in Group A, the Koreans must defeat Australia and Britain to stay in contention for the medal pool round.

Germany, held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand in their first Group B match, came from behind to defeat newcomers South Africa 2-1 in the last game of the day.

Both teams were locked 1-1 at half-time as Germany’s Fanny Rinne equalised Marilyn Agliotti’s goal. Britta Becker scooped the match-winner soon after the break following a penalty corner.

Australia, backed by a full house of 15,000 at the State Hockey Centre which included Prime Minister John Howard, needed all the guile that has made them the world’s best hockey team to overcome their plucky British rivals.

Australia went ahead in the 18th minute through Nikki Hudson, but were then denied another goal till the breather.

The British girls raised their game in the second half and were rewarded with a penalty corner goal by denise marston-smith.

The Aussies, however, took the lead again four minutes later when Katrina Powell swooped on a loose ball and pushed home.

Both Australia and Britain were awarded seven corners each, indicating the close tussle through the game. (AFP)

Dutch duo, Dolan keep records pouring out of olympic pool

SYDNEY, Sept 17 : Inge De Bruijn, inspired by compatriot Pieter Van Den Hoogenband’s world record semi-final swim, captured the 100m Butterfly Olympic Gold Medal today in a world record of her own.

The Dutch duo were joined in their record-setting exploits by American Tom Dolan, who broke his own six-year-old World Mark to win his second straight Olympic 400m medley gold.

"I saw Pieter’s Race, and I went totally bananas," said De Bruijn, who lowered the 100m fly world record for the third time this year with her time of 56.61. "I had a lot of adrenalin flowing through my body. I need that when I race so I can be mentally strong."

Van Den Hoogenband trespassed on Australian swimming fans’ sacred ground, snatching the 200m freestyle world record from Ian Thorpe in the first semifinal with a time of 1:45.35.

Thorpe, who had twice lowered the world mark - to 1:45.51 - at the australian trials here in May, was proved less than invincible for the first time in these games when he failed by two-hundredths of a second to get the record back in the second semi.

"I was surprised, I didn’t expect to swim so fast," said Van Den Hoogenband, who earlier in the day had despaired of challenging Thorpe for the gold medal in tomorrow’s final. "I wanted to break 1:46."

His euphoria certainly didn’t cause him to revise his evaluation of Thorpe, who lowered the world record in winning the 400m free gold last night and then anchored Australia’s world record-setting 4x100m freestyle relay.

"it’ll be a great final, but I don’t think the world record will last that long," Van Den Hoogenband said. "Hopefully one day."

De Bruijn was more optimistic on his behalf.

"He went so smooth," she said. "If he can remain calm, I think he can do a good job against Thorpe tomorrow."

Dolan brought the world record tally for the first two days of Olympic swimming to eight with his 4:11.76 - more than two seconds ahead of silver medallist Erik Vendt of the United States. Canada’s Curtis Myden who won bronze in both the 200m and 400m medleys four years ago in Atlanta came third.

"It’s amazing, so much better than ’96," said Dolan, who battled back from career-threatening knee surgery in May of 1999.

While Dolan was savouring Olympic success the second time around, De Bruijn was getting her first taste of games gold.

She found it took away the sourness of the doping insinuations that have greeted her spree of eight world records this year leading up to the games.

"Right now I’m above all those accusations," the beaming 27-year-old said. "It doesn’t matter to me anymore because I’ve got the gold medal."

American Jenny Thompson couldn’t say the same. The US great, whose six Olympic gold medals have all come in relays, failed in her first chance at these games to close out her Olympic career with an individual gold.

Thompson finished a disappointing fifth and now has only the 100m freestyle - in which she’ll also face world record-holder De Bruijn - to pursue her quest. (AFP)

Indian horseman may ride at the Olympics

SYDNEY, Sept 17: India is likely to participate in the equestrian event at the 27th Olympics here.

Chef de mission of Indian contingent Ashok Mattoo told newspersons today that he had given permission to rider Anees Imtiaz to take part in the event provided organisers in Sydney allow him.

Mattoo said Imtiaz has been practising here for the last few months and as per the revised qualification standards, he can take part in the event.

As Imtiaz has been here training for some time on his own, he will not be a burden on the Indian Olympics Association (IOA), he said adding, "we don’t have to pay for his airfare or boarding and lodging."

Mattoo said he has given Imtiaz the permission after being fully satisfied that the rider had indeed cleared the qualification hurdles. "Now it is up to the organisers here to give him an entry."

The main reason for allowing Imtiaz to participate is to give the youngster an exposure at this level which will help him and the country in the long run, he added. (UNI)

New drugs expulsions rock Sydney games

SYDNEY, Sept 17: The Romanian weightlifting team was thrown out of the Sydney games today and a Norwegian lifter was suspended in fresh drugs scandals marking another black day for the team and the sport.

Two more athletes faced possible expulsion from the Olympics as a result of random tests.

Whereas, the sports programme went into its second day. In early-day highlights, Canadian Simon whitfield scored a stunning victory in the men’s triathlon and China’s Tao Luna won gold in the 10 metres air pistol shooting event.

In the water, Australian teenage swimming sensation Ian Thorpe — the superstar of Saturday’s opening day of competition — broke another Olympic record, this time in heats of the 200 metres freestyle.

In later action, the US women’s hold on the team gymnastics title they won so dramatically in Atlanta was loosened as they struggled to qualify for Tuesday’s final. They must wait until Monday to see if their score will be enough to take them through.

The Chinese women’s hockey team, playing their first match in Olympic competition, beat world power the Netherlands 2-1 on Sunday in a major upset.

Bulgarian Izabela Dragneva became the first woman’s weightlifting champion in Olympic history when she won the 48 kg category.

And living Olympic legend Steve Redgrave, aiming to become the first Rower to win gold at five consecutive Olympics, helped the British Coxless fours win their heats in convincing fashion.

Matthew Pinsent, a gold medallist with redgrave in the Coxless pairs at Barcelona and Atlanta, told a news conference: "We’re rowing now as well as we have done in this combination."

The bombshell announcement of the romanian weightlifters’ expulsion from the games came from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) which also cancelled all their results so far in the competition. The reason? three Romanians had tested positive in the space of a calendar year.

"We have asked the Romanian team to withdraw. The ban is immediate and the team will take no further part in the games," IWF general-secretary Tamas Ajan told Reuters. In further bad news for a sport haunted by doping scandals, the IWF said Norwegian weightlifters Stian Grimseth had been suspended after failing a doping test this month.

Two more athletes face possible expulsion from the Olympic village as a result of random tests carried out by Wada.

The inaugural Olympic triathlon event saw whitfield launch a heart-stopping late charge to win gold.

The 25-year-old timed his run to perfection, cruising behind Germany’s Stephan Vuckovic before finding extra pace 200 metres from the finish outside the Sydney opera house.

It was an amazing recovery from whitfield who had crashed during the cycling leg but remounted and caught the pack.

Thorpe, 17, collected his first two Olympic gold medals on Saturday on one of the greatest nights in swimming history when five world records fell.

Clearly suffering no adverse reaction from his victories in the 400 metres freestyle and the 4x100 metres freestyle relay, Thorpe clocked one minute 46.56 seconds in his 200 metres freestyle heat to beat the 1:46.70 Olympic mark set by Russian Yevgeny Sadovy in 1992 at Barcelona.

Against the backdrop of yet more bad news on the doping front, IOC vice-president pound sounded an upbeat note on Sunday, arguing that drug cheats had been forced to stay away from Sydney because of improved drug testing procedures.

Pound told the Australian nine network’s Sunday programme that Wada, involving the IOC and world drug agencies, was already having a big impact.

"We’ve increased the out-of-competition testing programme on a no-notice basis, we’ve performed in excess of 2,000 unannounced out-of-competition test," he said.

"I think a number of people have not come to Sydney because we and the IOC have approved the Epo (blood doping) testing.

"I think it’s a big, big step. But can I tell you that there’s nobody here in Sydney that has ever used prohibitive substances? no, I can’t." (REUTERS)

Rajinder Tickoo Memorial day-night Cricket
Karan Nagar (Jr), KCCC find berths in semi-finals

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 17: Karan Nagar (Jr) Cricket Club and KCCC sailed into the semi-finals of the Rajinder Tickoo Memorial day-night Cricket Tournament being organised by the Baba Jamuna Dass Cricket Club at Paloura, here today.

In the first quarter-final, Karan Nagar (Jr) defeated Rahul Cricket Club by 32 runs. Earlier, Karan Nagar won the toss and decided to bat first scored 117 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 15 over, which Rahul Club failed to chase and the whole side was bowled out for 85 runs.

Middle order played an important role in Karan Nagar’s good scoring when fifth wicket partnership between Ranga and Rinku added 62 runs. Ranga made brilliant 44 runs off 37 balls including two sixes and four boundaries, while Rinku contributed 23 runs off mere 12 balls with the help of five boundaries.

In reply, Rahul Club made good start by scoring 19 runs in the first two overs without losing any wicket. But, Rahul Club’s hopes were shattered by the quick bowling by Billa, who claimed four important wickets. Rinku supported Billa well in the attack and took two wickets for Karan Nagar. In the 85 runs, Rohit and Sunil were the main contributors with 19 and 18 runs respectively.

Ranga was declared as man of the match for his all round performance. Messrs Rafiq Ahmed Khan and Shafiq Ahmed Khan officiated the match.

In the second quarter-final of the day, KCCC outplayed Challenger Cricket Club by three runs in a close finish.

Batting first after winning the toss, KCCC scored 117 runs in the allotted 15 overs for the loss of eight wickets. Dhruv Mahajan was the main scorer with 36 runs which he scored with the help of one six and two boundaries. While’s Shashi contributed 25 runs including one six and three fours. For Challenger Club, Dimple and Chander shared two wickets each.

Batting second, Chllenger Club lost two early wickets, but Suresh, who came at number three position fought till the end, but could not lead his side to victory. In the last over, Challenger Club had required 10 runs, but a fine bowling show by Dhruv changed the scenario and Challenger Club fell short of three runs to their target of 118 runs.

Suresh was the highest scorer with 40 runs off 30 balls made with the help of three sixes, while Chanderkant contributed 17. For KCCC Ashok took two wickets. Shashi was declared as man of the match. Messrs Mohd Rafique Khan and Ninda officiated the match.

Tomorrow’s fixture

Baba Jamuna Dass Cricket Club V/s Junoon Club

Suryavanshi (Jr) V/s Sainik Colony Club.