| From This Week In Texas Sports/Events
The World Figure Skating Championships proved a shocking wake up call for the United States as they almost went without a medal for the first time in 15 years. Ice Dancing favorites
Tanith Belbin and
Ben Agosto suffered a devastating fall in the compulsory dance and wound up fourth overall at a competition many expected them to win. The French team of
Isabelle Delobel and
Olivier Schoenfelder finally topped the field after 11 attempts at the senior world level with an elegant freedance that gave them the highest score of the season. In the women’s event, Japan’s
Mao Asado made an uncharacteristic mistake on her first jump in the long program, crashing into the boards on her triple axel attempt. She got up, dusted herself off, and delivered what was perhaps one of the most unbelievable comeback performances of all time to capture the gold. Lackluster
Kimmie Meissner once again struggled, yet still had the highest American finish in seventh place. With a disappointing season, Meissner did not make the world team based on her national’s finish, but with three women ineligible due to age restrictions, she was the best hope for an American medal. In pairs, the German team of
Aliona Savchenko and
Robin Szolkowy skated a magnificent program to earn the first gold medal for their country since their coach
Ingo Stauer won the title with
Mandy Wotzel in 1997. Much hubbub has been made about the team losing their national funding because Steuer was accused of once working for East Germany's secret police. With the win, hopefully the government will get over it and realize that this team is the best chance they have for Olympic Gold in over two decades.
Joubert, who has become a fan favorite for constantly taking off his shirt, threw down the gauntlet with a fantastic and energetic long program. Buttle, who doesn’t have the technical ability of Joubert, relied on his artistic interpretation and exquisite line to propel him to the top of the podium. Joubert probably should have earned his second World title, but the judges unquestionably awarded it to Buttle. Meanwhile... gay hockey fans accused Madison Square Garden and the New York Rangers of enabling homophobia at hockey games.
The New York Times reported that gay fans were canceling their tickets because of incidents that they say were promoting anti-gay behavior. The extremely childish behavior prompted
Kevin Jennings, executive director of the
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, and
Jeff Kagan, the Commissioner of
Gay Hockey International, to write a letter to Rangers General Manager
Glen Sather asking him to create a fan-education program that denounces anti-gay remarks. The organization began posting a warning sign stating that fans engaging in offensive language and behavior would be tossed out. Probably not the best way to eliminate homophobia in the sport, but at least the issue is being addressed. Oooohhhh Andy. Since his US Open win in 2003, the tennis sensation has been unable to win a major event. This week, while trying to capture a title at the Indian Wells Masters, he was ousted in the second round by German
Tommy Haas. Roddick threw a fit, breaking a few rackets, screaming at officials, and knocking a few balls into the stands. Following the match, he announced he would forgo the Olympics in order to focus on the US Open. Seems like an odd choice, but OK. At the press interview, a wayward reporter asked him if he ever made time for love in his life, to which he responded, “I'm all about the love. I love everybody. I'm falling in love with you as we speak.” The reporter was quickly removed from the press conference.
Vick was ordered to pay a $1 million fine for the perpetual care of the animals rescued from his Virginia home last year. At the Monday night Olympic flame lighting ceremony in China, three Tibetan’s breached tight security demanding a boycott of the games because of China’s long history of human rights violations. Security officers quickly grabbed the protestors, but not before their outcries were seen by media onlookers. "We have nothing against the Olympic Games or the athletes. We want to draw attention to the fact that China is the world's biggest prison,"
Reporters Without Borders secretary general
Robert Menard stated after his arrest. The flame, which begins its 130-day journey, will make stops in London, Paris, San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Dar es Salaam in Africa.
The NFL's competition committee is considering a rule that would ban a player from wearing his hair long enough to obscure his name on the back of his jersey. According to
NFL Network, the Kansas City Chiefs, who were penalized for unnecessary roughness when
Larry Johnson took down Polamalu, proposed the rule change. Maybe the guys will take a page out of
David Beckham’s book and realize that shaved is in. Till next week, Blog Hard! |
The men’s event shaped up to be the most compelling drama of them all as US national champion
Finally, the NFL is cracking down on the “hippie look” of their players. Pittsburg Steelers safety