It can only mean one thing. If Usain Bolt is contemplating an extension of his career beyond the 2017 World Championships, then his coach, Glen Mills, must have again set new acceptable targets for the tall man. Mills has done it before, and the sport of athletics is breathing a slow sigh of relief because he is doing it again. Had Bolt retired after his sport-altering 2008 and 2009 seasons, he would already have been the king of sprinters. It’s a no-brainer. The world-record doubles at the Beijing Olympics and the Berlin World Championships were, and still are, the stuff of legend. Mills had the tall man focused and led him on consistency. He came back to show how human he was with the infamous 100-metre false start at the 2011 Worlds and how brilliant he was with the rip-snorting Olympic double title defence in London almost four years ago. When he retained his Olympic crown in the 100m, he did it in 9.63 seconds. That’s inferior only to his world record of 9.58. Had he retired then, he would still be the best sprinter of all time. After all, no one had done the Olympic sprint double twice. Had he retired then, he’d have missed the 2013 and 2015 World Championships, where he reigned supreme. In 2015, his absence would have left Justin Gatlin as World 100-metre champion. Bolt will be 34 when the 2020 Olympics roll around. Glen Mills, however, has seen something in the athlete he has coached for more than a decade. Perhaps if and when Bolt loses the snap required to rule the 100m, they will concentrate on the 200 metres. If he doesn’t break the 19-second barrier this year or in 2017, that will be one reason to continue. If that barrier is breached by next season, it’s my guess that Bolt’s retirement would probably come as originally contemplated at the end of the 2017 season. There would hardly be any reason to run another step. The only target left would be the 400 metres. No one has ever won global titles at 100, 200, and 400 metres. If he sticks around past 2017, even with his well-known disinterest in the longest of sprints, Bolt could be the one. • Hubert Lawrence has been amazed by Bolt since 2002. AIMING FOR A RECORD
2004 Olympic relay gold medal winner Aleen Bailey is still running and hopes to continue her track and field career once injuries allow her to do so. Now 36, Bailey is working to regain full fitness and will make her mind up about staying on track in March. Despite all she has achieved, the former Vere Technical High school star feels she has more to give. Coached now by her former Vere Technical teammate Soyini Thompson, Bailey spoke candidly of her future when asked about possible retirement. “I haven’t decided yet,” Bailey responded. “I’m still working out. I haven’t decided yet … I’ll make a decision based on how I feel in March.” She and Thompson, who is the head women’s track and field coach at Charleston southern University, will be waiting until then to see if a pesky hip injury responds to treatment. That problem is the extension of two years of trouble for the 2001 and 2003 national senior 100m and 200m champion. “I was in a car accident and I took a year off and I’m getting old”, she smiled. “So, last year, I tore my hamstring and that took a while. That’s why we’re trying to figure out if the hip doesn’t start feeling better.” If she makes her March fitness deadline, she will be optimistic about her own sprinting prospects. “I never doubt myself even it looks difficult,” she promised. Her additional motivation is to inspire others. “It’s not about me, It’s about whom I’m inspiring to do their best and not give up something that they love.” After leaving Vere in 1999, she starred at Barton Community College and the University of South Carolina. On the international scene, she reached her first major individual final in 2003, with a fifth-place finish in the 100m at the World Championships. At the 2004 Olympics, she was again fifth in the 100m final and was fourth in the 200m final won by compatriot Veronica Campbell. The bronze went to Bahamian Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Bailey still feels the disappointment. “The fourth place kinda hurt, thinking that you were this close to the medal, but I was happy and proud of myself.” She was also in the 2007 World Championships 200m final. Ten years after she made her international debut with a bronze medal in the 4x100m in the 1999 World Championship, Aleen ran strongly to reach the 100m final at the 2009 World Championships and upgraded her 1999 bronze to gold in the 4x100m. She ran a great third leg at the 2004 Olympics and in a memorable moment, grasped Campbell’s hand to ensure the baton was safely passed. Her experience as a baton expert has led her to believe that Jamaica could break the women’s sprint relay world record of 40.82 seconds this season. “I think we should do it this year, definitely,” Bailey predicted. “I think the team just needs to be more unified together and not divided because the men’s team, they gel, they gel. Once we get the females to gel like that then the world record is definitely (possible).” The record was set by Americans Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter in the 2012 Olympic final.
LATEST STORIES Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ 1. Mike Nzeusseu – C, Lyceum Pirates13 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocksLast Week: N/APhoto by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netIt’s easy to look at Lyceum as a CJ Perez-centric team.But on Friday, Mike Nzeusseu reminded every one what makes the Pirates the most dangerous team in all the NCAA.Facing a Letran squad with a depleted frontline, the Cameroonian big man had a field day in the paint, imposing his presence to help Lyceum survive its toughest test yet and come away with the 75-68 win.The face that the Pirates came back from a 17-point deficit without coach Topex Robinson at the sidelines is proof enough how disciplined this team is.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ 2 nabbed in Bicol drug stings National Historical team rescues Amorsolos, artifacts from Taal For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Teen gunned down in Masbate Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite Eight games have already passed, and Lyceum and San Beda continue to run away from the pack.The others teams, meanwhile, are left to jostle for position in hopes of gaining a significant advantage come the homestretch of the eliminations.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’This week’s list is an interesting one with only one holdover from last week’s rankings.Here’s INQUIRER’s top seven performers from this past week. Renzo Navarro. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netHis numbers may not be as stellar as the others in this list, but Renzo Navarro’s overall impact for San Sebastian has been undeniable late in the first round.Forging a deadly backcourt combination with senior Ryan Costelo and sniper RK Ilagan, the transferee has seen an uptick in his minutes and he has capitalized on the opportunities.Navarro’s biggest contributions this week for the Golden Stags was his flurry late in San Sebastian’s 75-73 thriller over EAC on Friday, dropping all five of his points in the final minute to tow his side to the win.7. Clint Doliguez – F, San Beda Red Lions11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 stealLast Week: N/AClint Doliguez. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netIt’s tough to pick a standout for San Beda, especially after that barnburner of a win against Perpetual on Thursday.But we’ll go with Clint Doliguez, who once again found a way to shine despite the overall ugly showing from his teammates.The 22-year-old has shown signs of potential through the course of the season, and his latest outing is no different.It may only be a matter of time before Doliguez establishes himself as a reliable rotational player for the Red Lions. That’s why it’s no surprise that Lyceum is still flying high in the standings at 8-0.2. Ervin Grospe – F, JRU Heavy Bombers16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assistsLast Week: N/APhoto by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netA couple of wins go a long way, and for JRU, stringing its first winning streak of the tournament means going as high as third place in the penultimate week of the first round.What makes the Heavy Bombers tick? It’s undoubtedly the stability provided by Ervin Grospe to the squad, earning him praises from coach Vergel Meneses.But the veteran forward’s task still isn’t over, as JRU faces a tough draw against San Sebastian and Perpetual.However, if the Heavy Bombers pass this test, it shouldn’t be hard for them to break out of their roller coaster ride of a season, let alone a spot in the Final Four.3. Prince Eze – C, Perpetual Altas17.0 points, 19.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocksLast Week: N/APhoto by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netLooking like the dominant Perpetual big men of old, Prince Eze is slowly earning his way among the ranks of his predecessors.With his consistent double-double showing, the Altas were able to snap out of their two-game losing skid with a 68-59 win over Arellano last Tuesday.Unfortunately, Perpetual needed more from him and his crew as the team lost to San Beda, 57-53 in its homecourt in an ugly and lowscoring game.There’s still positive signs, though, and if Eze could keep this up, coupled with the Altas marksmen hitting from their range, the Las Piñas-based crew could fully realize their potential as this season’s giant killers. Albay to send off disaster response team to Batangas 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson 4. Rey Nambatac – G, Letran Knights19.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assistsLast Week: 4FILE PHOTO by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netRey Nambatac was the lone holdover from last week’s list.Nambatac’s double-double performance helped Letran rack up four straight wins to move up to the top four, but that streak could not topple the mighty Lyceum on Friday, 75-68.It shouldn’t come as a shock, too, that Nambatac was the focus of the Pirates’ defense, forcing the Knights to finish the first round with a 5-4 card.Luckily, Letran will have at least two weeks to assess things before gearing up for battle again in the second round.5. Jed Mendoza – G, JRU Heavy Bombers13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 stealsLast Week: N/APhoto by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netTey Teodoro may still be far from the playmaker coach Vergel Meneses is envisioning him to be, but Jed Mendoza has come to JRU’s rescue.The 21-year-old guard has taken the bull by the horn and has made the most of the opportunity given to him by his coach.Mendoza has been steady for the Heavy Bombers, doing it all to orchestrate the offense for his side, while also being a pesky on-ball defender.We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Things are just looking up for this budding JRU star.6. Renzo Navarro – G, San Sebastian Golden Stags9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists (1-1)Last Week: N/A 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano warn public of fake account posing as her Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments With the collegiate season in full swing, INQUIRER lists the week’s top seven performers in the ongoing NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament. From their game statistics to their overall impact in the outcomes, everything is weighed to come up with the best players from the week that was.ADVERTISEMENT Marshawn Lynch sits once again during national anthem
One of the panelists of the War Memorial Lecture Series (WMLS), Att’y Vulate Hage, has observed that looking at past situations that led to the 14-year civil crisis, Liberians are still in crisis. As one of the contributing factors to this, she mentioned the unfair distribution of natural resources. The WMLS brought together five speakers: Cllr. Taiwon Gongloe, Att’y Hage, Mr. Kenneth Y. Best of the Daily Observer, Att’y Jerome Kolleh and Rev. Emmanuel Bowier. These speakers provided “surgical” explanations to the genesis of the civil crisis in Liberia and the continuing problems that plague the country and threaten its peace and stability.Addressing the WMLS, which was held at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Sinkor last Wednesday, Madam Hage explained that many of the actions that contributed to the brutal civil crisis continue to exist in the current regime headed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.The government has failed the people of Liberia, Att’y Hage declared, stating that she was worried about what older people will tell their children after electing former war lords to lead them. Liberia, she said, is the only country that elects leaders who made pre-election promises but have nothing to show after serving many years in power.“What will we tell our children, especially the younger ones, after we elected former warlords as leaders? What is the example that we as older ones are setting for the young generation, when those we elected are doing the same old things that contributed to the 14-year civil crisis in this country? “We have to find a way to bring about the change we want as people and citizens of Liberia. It is time for each of us, most especially our young people, to get the education we need that will empower us to bring about the change we desire and deserve in Liberia,” she declared.Also speaking, Cllr. Taiwon Gongloe observed that for a long time we heard that this country was a God-fearing one, but it has not materialized because we have all suffered the deadly consequences of our leaders’ failure to deliver good effective and results-oriented governance to the people.According to him, the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is one of those institutions which suffered most from the civil crisis that resulted from the perennial problem of poor governance in LiberiaCllr. Gongloe was referring to the massacre of over 600 people inside that church at Tubman Boulevard and 14th Street in Sinkor on the fateful night of June 29, 1990. Hundreds of Liberians had sought refuge in that church from the murderous death squads that paraded the country, especially Monrovia in 1990. But the death squad, allegedly led by President Samuel K. Doe himself, entered St. Peter’s that night and butchered over 600 men, women and children. Among those killed that night, Cllr. Gongloe said, were a former classmate who duxed his high school graduating class. His name was Charles Saye Dianyee, who was brutally murdered along with his younger brother Nyan and their sister Yei, and their two children.During that reign of terror under the Doe regime, pastors were editing their Sermons to be on the safe side despite the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech. Yet, even though the regime had staged a coup d’etat on April 12, 1980 to “redeem” Liberians, there were things that pastors couldn’t have said to their congregations. This was a clear indication that the redeeming mission of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC) had failed.Reflecting on the historical perspective, Counselor Gongloe said there was another promise that had been betrayed. The settlers from the United States of America that landed on these shores in 1822 said they had come to ‘Christianize and civilize the country, yet ended up allocating to themselves all of the power, leaving the indigenous majority out of the political mainstream. This lasted for over a century until the 1980 coup d’etat.Cllr. Gongloe stressed that it was time for Liberia to look back and learn from their history in order to avoid the mistakes of yesterday and today. He further called on Liberia’s young people to continue serving God and strive for education, as the time will come for them.He called on the government to ensure that chiefs and clan chiefs be elected as the constitution requires that these people be elected by the people. The government must stop violating the rights of our people.Counselor Gongloe said he had observed that the Daily Observer newspaper in the beginning of the regime of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was “regime friendly.” But he said he had equally observed that the Observer had distanced itself from the regime and had now become critical of many of its policies that tend to lead the country astray.Rev. Emmanuel Bowier, the note historical commentator, also emphasized that all the factors that contributed to the long crisis in the country are still occurring in the current regime and it was important that the older folks begin advising the leaders of the country to change the direction in which they are leading the country.He said it was unfortunate that leaders continue to repeat the identical things that fully contributed to the 14 years of civil crisis in Liberia, adding that such mistakes would lead to additional crises if not arrested immediately by the current regime.“Liberians have suffered from this national crisis for too long and it is now time that we stop those things that have caused the deaths of so many of our people. We need to speak out to our leaders to ensure that the right things are put into place.”Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
The Huskies have two games this week. On Friday evening at 8:30 the team welcomes the Sexsmith Vipers to the North Peace Arena and the next day they hit the road to take on the North Peace Navigators. Saturday’s tilt can be heard live on Moose FM with the pregame show at 7:45, and the opening faceoff at 8 p.m.- Advertisement –
The Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge is a not-for-profit event, with 100 percent of the proceeds raised from this event going towards the Hot Meal Program at local schools.The Verticle Slam Ultimate Challenge is taking place Saturday, June 8 at the Beatton River Valley Hills, with the shotgun at 8:00 a.m.To register for this event, you can sign up online.For more information, you can visit the Verticle Slam website or Facebook page.Advertisement FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – There are some changes coming to this year’s edition of the Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge.According to Event Organizer, Laurie Cardinal, there are some changes to this year’s event, such as moving the venue to the Beatton River Valley Hills, rather than at Big Bam Ski Hill.“It’s changed. We’ve changed the location this year, so we’re doing it in the Beatton River Valley Hills, along the Cecil Lake Road.”- Advertisement -Other changes include the removal of the obstacle courses and they will be having the race start at one time.“We have taken the obstacle course out this year, so we don’t have the obstacle, but we have now is a 5, a 10, a 15 kilometre, and a Half Marathon. Another thing different is we’re going to do one start-time for everybody at 8:00 in the morning.”Sign up fees start from $25.00 to $55.00 depending on which distance you wish to participate in.Advertisement
With the significant amounts of rain the Peace has been experiencing, the forest fire risk has been quite low, but with warmer, drier weather forecast for the region, that risk is expected to increase.Currently the area has a low to moderate risk of wildfires, says Jill Chimko, a fire information officer with the Prince George Fire Centre. However, Chimko says only a few days ago, that risk was classified as low to very low, which means it’s only taken a few days to increase the fire danger rating.- Advertisement -The forecast increase in temperature is expected to further increase the risk of wildfires and she says a breeze can even quicken that process.So far, the Peace has only had nine wildfires, all less than 10 hectares in size, compared to more than 100 during the same time last year. However, with the drier weather, the risk is increasing and residents are being urged to be cautious when using campfires or driving ATVs to prevent sparks from flying from the exhaust.To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.
0Shares0000Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring for Belgium at Hampden © AFP / Andy BUCHANANGLASGOW, United Kingdom, Sep 7 – World Cup semi-finalists Belgium capitalised on a series of Scotland mistakes with goals from Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and a Michy Batshuayi double to thrash the hosts 4-0 in a friendly at Hampden on Friday.Roberto Martinez’s men showed their class and no hangover from their exertions in finishing third in Russia to warm-up for their Nations League opener against Iceland on Tuesday. However, the visitors were handed a series of gifts by a Scotland side that slumped to a fourth defeat in five games since manager Alex McLeish was appointed for a second spell in charge.“We were very clinical in front of goal,” said Martinez. “The players were well focused overall and for us it was a good excercise for Tuesday.”The contrasting fortunes of the two nations was summed up by Belgium playing to a crowd less than that which celebrated their return from Russia in July at a barely half-full Hampden.Martinez named a strong side with six of those that started the World Cup semi-final defeat to France in the starting line-up.But it took a gift from Aston Villa’s John McGinn to get the visitors going when the midfielder was caught in possession on the edge of his own box and Mousa Dembele and Thorgan Hazard teed up Lukaku for his 41st international goal.Eden Hazard smashed home Belgium’s second a minute into the second-half, but again McLeish might have been disappointed to see goalkeeper Craig Gordon beaten at his near post.A truer test of McLeish’s ability to qualify Scotland for a first major tournament in over 20 years will come when Albania are the visitors to Hampden on Monday in the Nations League.However, vast improvements will need to be made in possession as Valencia striker Batshuayi scored twice in eight minutes before the hour mark after pouncing on slack passes by Charlie Mulgrew and Ryan Jack.“It was just a catalogue of errors,” said McLeish. “If anybody’s got to take the blame, it’s me for telling them they have to pass it.“It’s harsh lessons, big lessons for the young ones especially, but they should not be downhearted as they were up against a top team.”However, the former Rangers manager rejected suggestions it was a risk to take on such a tough fixture and the consequences of a morale-sapping defeat just days before kicking off Scotland’s Nations League campaign.“It looked the best choice of opposition for me. We’ve got to test ourselves,” he added.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
Fisheries officers told a man they would drown him like his dead brother, a court was told.Mark Colhoun at court yesterday.Mark Colhoun appeared at court in Letterkenny yesterday charged with assaulting a fisheries officer. Mr Colhoun, 29, has also taken a case of assault against the fisheries officer at Green Brae along the River Foyle between Donegal and Derry in April of last year.Mr Colhoun lost his brother on the same stretch of water in May, 2011.The remains of tragic David Colhoun, 22, were not found until ten months later in February 2012 after a massive search.Mark Colhoun’s solicitor Frank Dorrian made the claim against the Loughs Agency officer at Letterkenny District Court yesterday.Mr Dorrian said it was his client who was assaulted by fisheries officers when they came across him as he was exercising his dog on April 30th last.The solicitor put it to fisheries officer Jason McCartney that officer Donal Lynch, who is charged with assault, called Mr Colhoun, of Beechwood Grove, Lifford, a scumbag before threatening him.“He said ‘I will drown you like your brother. You know he lost his brother in the River Foyle?,” asked Mr Dorrian.However officer McCartney said no such threat was made.In fact, Mr McCartney said it was Colhoun who started the row.He said he came over to fisheries officer Lynch, of Carrickmore St Johnston, and started throwing his fists at him.Mr McCartney said “I repeatedly tried to clam Mr Colhoun down as he was in an agitated state. I kept telling him I didn’t want any trouble today and let’s not do this.“He completely ignored my attempts and his eyes were fixed firmly on Officer Lynch. At this point he reached over and tried to grabbed Officer Lynch. He dragged him down banking by the hood and was repeatedly punching him in the face.”Another man fishing on the river, Edward Hutchman, claimed he saw Mr Colhoun approach officer Lynch first and started striking him.A friend of Mr Colhoun, Michelle Norris, who was exercising his dog with him claimed both men had been involved in the scuffle but that officer Lynch first took off his jacket.Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case until April 1st next to hear evidence from a number of other witnesses.MAN CLAIMS FISHERIES OFFICER TOLD HIM HE WOULD DROWN HIM LIKE HIS DEAD BROTHER was last modified: January 14th, 2014 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:David ColhounJudge Paul KellyLiffordLoughs AgencyMark Colhoun
A woman has pleaded guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting a female in Co Donegal.Letterkenny Court.The incidents happened between January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2006. The woman, who cannot be named, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court yesterday.She pleaded guilty to both charges.Judge John O’Hagan ordered that a social worker prepare a report on the case and also directed that the woman should be assessed for suitability for probation or community service.He also said the victim should b asked if she wants to give a statement on the matter to the court.The case was adjourned until April.WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUALLY ASSAULTING ANOTHER WOMAN was last modified: December 10th, 2014 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:donegalLetterkenny Circuit Courtsexual assault