AUSTRALIA 
Sports Blog: Passports and Potholes
Monday, 12 May, 2008
Rob Grasso (SBS)
Cycling has faced its fair share of potholes in recent times. Remember last year's Tour de Farce? I mean France?
That's right. The race which saw several cyclists dismissed for testing positive, the wearer of the yellow jersey voluntarily retired by his team for missing doping tests and German TV stations pulling the pin in disgust.
Video: Man United win title
A major public relations fire was burning. Make that raging.
Fast forward to 2008 and cycling's world governing body, the UCI presented a solution. It was called the Biological Passport. Its aim? To record and chart athletes' blood and urine parameters throughout the cycling season.
Well Le Tour's little brother, the Giro d'Italia got under way at the weekend. So will we see a scandal free cycling season?
Highly Unlikely. Build a better mousetrap and the mice will find an alternative to cheese.
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong maintained in his autobiography it's not about the bike. Let's hope its not about EPO or HGH either.
Harry Kewell and Mark Milligan. Two footballers whose short-term future hangs in the balance. Any other takers for Limbo F.C.?
Kewells rejection of a reduced contract at Anfield seemed a touch petulant given a cursory look at the facts.
In his past two seasons, the injury plagued Liverpool star made just 18 appearances for the Reds. That's an appearance fee of $330,000 per match.
Not bad money if you can get it but certainly not a favourable Return On Investment by any stretch. Captains of Industry concur.
Meanwhile, in more twists and turns than a drunk driver on a mountain highway, Milligan was finally allowed to attend Australias upcoming pre-Olympic tournament in Malaysia.
Currently off contract with Sydney F.C, the 22-year old had his tournament ban reduced to two matches after Olyroos coach Graham Arnold accepted his apology for opting to forgo a recent camp in favour of trialling in England.
Lets hope Milligan doesn't go AWOL again.
Bellygate seemed to take its toll on Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett.
But the two-time Olympic 1500 metres champion really has gut no reason to be nervous ahead of the Beijing Games. Hackett's performances at the Australian championships more than proved that.
And finally, a salute to a man who will be remembered as much for the way his coaching revoloutionised Rugby League as for the wisdom he imparted.
Jack Gibson, who passed away on the eve of Australia's Centenary test against New Zealand achieved more than most.
The Coach of the Century played 162 first grade games and won five premierships as a coach, helping the Eels to three consecutive titles during the early 80s. Its a feat that hasn't been achieved since.
Perhaps Gibsons' goodness will prove his greatest legacy.
Eels legend Peter Sterling summed it up best.
"Jack loved his players, he cared about his players. And I think the great thing about being coached by Jack Gibson... is he was more concerned about you off the field than he ever was on (the field)."
In the words of the man himself.
Played strong. Done fine.
Source: Robert Grasso
That's right. The race which saw several cyclists dismissed for testing positive, the wearer of the yellow jersey voluntarily retired by his team for missing doping tests and German TV stations pulling the pin in disgust.
Video: Man United win title
A major public relations fire was burning. Make that raging.
Fast forward to 2008 and cycling's world governing body, the UCI presented a solution. It was called the Biological Passport. Its aim? To record and chart athletes' blood and urine parameters throughout the cycling season.
Well Le Tour's little brother, the Giro d'Italia got under way at the weekend. So will we see a scandal free cycling season?
Highly Unlikely. Build a better mousetrap and the mice will find an alternative to cheese.
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong maintained in his autobiography it's not about the bike. Let's hope its not about EPO or HGH either.
Harry Kewell and Mark Milligan. Two footballers whose short-term future hangs in the balance. Any other takers for Limbo F.C.?
Kewells rejection of a reduced contract at Anfield seemed a touch petulant given a cursory look at the facts.
In his past two seasons, the injury plagued Liverpool star made just 18 appearances for the Reds. That's an appearance fee of $330,000 per match.
Not bad money if you can get it but certainly not a favourable Return On Investment by any stretch. Captains of Industry concur.
Meanwhile, in more twists and turns than a drunk driver on a mountain highway, Milligan was finally allowed to attend Australias upcoming pre-Olympic tournament in Malaysia.
Currently off contract with Sydney F.C, the 22-year old had his tournament ban reduced to two matches after Olyroos coach Graham Arnold accepted his apology for opting to forgo a recent camp in favour of trialling in England.
Lets hope Milligan doesn't go AWOL again.
Bellygate seemed to take its toll on Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett.
But the two-time Olympic 1500 metres champion really has gut no reason to be nervous ahead of the Beijing Games. Hackett's performances at the Australian championships more than proved that.
And finally, a salute to a man who will be remembered as much for the way his coaching revoloutionised Rugby League as for the wisdom he imparted.
Jack Gibson, who passed away on the eve of Australia's Centenary test against New Zealand achieved more than most.
The Coach of the Century played 162 first grade games and won five premierships as a coach, helping the Eels to three consecutive titles during the early 80s. Its a feat that hasn't been achieved since.
Perhaps Gibsons' goodness will prove his greatest legacy.
Eels legend Peter Sterling summed it up best.
"Jack loved his players, he cared about his players. And I think the great thing about being coached by Jack Gibson... is he was more concerned about you off the field than he ever was on (the field)."
In the words of the man himself.
Played strong. Done fine.
Source: Robert Grasso