Current pole vaulters lack technique: Sergey Bubka

Amit Kumar Das
New Delhi, Mar 17 (PTI) Legendary pole vaulter Sergey
Bubka reckons the 6.14m mark he set way back in 1994 still
remains uneclipsed because his successors are not technically
equipped enough.
"It is better to ask athletes who are still competing,
why they cannot jump higher. But I think it has to do with
their technique," the six consecutive IAAF World Champion told
PTI during the Laureus sports award in Abu Dhabi recently.
"It is technique that can allow them to jump 6.20, 6.30
and go to another level. I think this (technique) is the main
reason why they came close but could not better the mark," he
explained.
The Ukrainian legend, who broke the world record for
men's pole vault 35 times -- 17 outdoor and 18 indoor -- has
only one Olympics gold and the maestro said he wanted to have
more.
"I'm lucky to win one gold medal. Of course, in some way,
I missed 1984 because of boycott. It could have been a good
chance. Another time I was injured. I tried to be back but
didn't succeed.
"Olympics is Olympics, it is the most powerful and
popular event. I wanted to have more but perhaps I deserved
only one," Bubka said.
Though he had complete dominance on pole vaulting at his
time, he was highly unlucky in the Olympic Games. The first
Olympics after his introduction into international athletics
was in 1984, which was boycotted by the USSR. (More) PTI ATK
AY SHN
Two months before the games, Bubka vaulted 12 cm higher
than the eventual Olympic gold medal winner Pierre Quinon.
In 1988, Bubka entered the Seoul Olympics and won his
only Olympic gold but in 1992 he failed to clear in his first
three attempts and was out of the Barcelona Olympics.
A heel injury spoilt his Atlanta Olympics in 1996 as he
was forced to withdraw from the competition without making
even a single jump and in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Bubka was
eliminated from the final after three attempts at 5.70 m.
The strapping vaulter officially retired in 2001.
Asked whom he considers to be the best among the current
vaulters, Bubka said, "Today most impressive are the female
pole vaulters because we don't have stronger leader in men.
Last year's Steve Hooker was in leading position in Olympics
but the most impressive is Yelena Isinbayeva."
Bubka won his first gold in the 1983 World Championships
in Helsinki, clearing 5.70 metres and then went on to win five
successive golds in pole vaulting in World Championship till
1997 in Athens.
Until the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics (USSR) in late 1991, Bubka competed for Soviet teams
and later represented Ukraine. PTI ATK SHN

Return of Clijsters, Henin good for women tennis: Monica Seles

Amit Kumar Das
Abu Dhabi, Mar 15 (PTI) The women tennis has got richer
and the WTA competition more challenging with the return of
Justin Henin and Kim Clijsters, says former star Monica Seles,
who has no doubt that the former will be a contender at the
French Open -- the next Grand Slam of the season.
The two Belgian players recently came out of retirements
to make a stupendous comeback to the competitive tennis.
On her return, Clijsters became the first unranked player
and wildcard to win US Open and the first mother to win a
major since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
Henin too has proved that she is still the same force
which she was before by reaching the finals of the Brisbane
International and the Australian Open this year.
"I think 2010 is going to be as good as it can get. With
the two (Henin and Kim) pushing Serena, Venus Williams, Jelena
Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina, it is going to be
really good. To me all this is going to be great as a tennis
fan," Seles said recently at the Laureas Awards ceremony here.
Now the clay court of the Roland Garros are awaiting
Henis where she has triumphed four times -- including three
consecutive title wins -- before.
Interestingly, it was Seles only who won three French
Open titles in a row in the open era before Henin equalled her
record and the former World number one says the Belgian is
there to grab the fifth trophy in May-June.
"As a former player when I watch, I'd like the best
players to play against each other. That's where you see the
highest level of tennis being played. The Australian Open was
great. The French Open will be even more interesting. Justin
will be the favourite to win the French Open," Seles said.
The Hungarian-American player is eagerly waiting the
second Grand Slam to unfold.
"But Kim is a great mover and a fantastic player. I can't
wait for the French Open to start and watch Kim and Justine
play," Seles, bubbling with joy, said.
Seles, who was listed as 13th greatest player of all time
by 'Tennis magazine', is amazed by the incredible comeback of
the two Belgian players, who she says have become a source of
inspiration for the women tennis players.
"I think, for Kim to have a child along the way and come
back and win a Grand Slam (US Open) last year is really
amazing. The way she played with such mental toughness and
conviction in the US Open will be an inspiration to any
woman.
"And Justin's comeback is great for the sport. She has
already shown her mettle in the Australian Open this year. But
she lost to Serena in the final," she added.
Talking about Roger Federer, Seles said the Swiss star
will set such records that would be hard to break for any
tennis player in years to come.
"It's been an unbelievable year (2009) for him. After a
brief bad period, how he came back to win the French and US
Open was amazing. He is a great ambassador for the game not
only on court but also off-court.
"Roger has dominated his sport to a level we have not
seen before. He is going to set records which won't be broken
for a long time," Seles said.
World Number one in 1991-1992, Seles was forced out of
the sport for more than two years following an on-court
attack by a German spectator, who stabbed her in the back.
But the gritty player battled her way back to the courts
and won the 1996 Australian Open, before announcing her
retirement in 2008.
Seles currently works on women issues and has got herself
involved with various forums like Laureus.
"I do tennis clinics for kids in USA as I like them to
get involved in sports. I also give motivational speech for
women on weight loss issues," said Seles, a member of the
International Tennis Hall of Fame.
"I became an Laureus Academy member recently. I believe
in their message. I have been involved in a project in South
Africa and two different projects in New York. I went to White
House this year to push in for equality for women sports," she
added. PTI ATK DB AT

'Lighting' Bolt named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

Amit Kumar Das
Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) Olympic gold medallist sprinter
Usain Bolt won the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the
Year award for the second consecutive time while American
tennis player Serena Williams bagged the women's prize in a
glittering function at the Emirates palace here tonight.
The Jamaican was honoured for his sterling performances
this year, where he won three more gold medals at the World
Championships, continuing his amazing blitz on sprinting after
the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Bolt, nicknamed "Lightning Bolt", pipped other strong
contenders for this award such as tennis sensation Roger
Federer, who won French Open and Wimbledon last year, FIFA
footballer of the year Lionel Messi.
Bolt, who was not personally present at the function,
send his message through a video conference after winning the
award.
"I am focusing on 2012 London Olympics and breaking more
records. But I am not keen on running 400m hurdles," an
ecstatic Bolt said.
Sizzling tennis star Serena, who won two grand slam title
– Australian Open and Wimbledon – last year now stands only
second to Roger Federer, who has so far won Laureus award four
times.
Williams had won the Laureus comeback award in 2007,
while Federer won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award from
2005-2008.
The ace tennis star rose to the peak of tennis when she
regained the world No 1 ranking for the fifth time in her
career. She also broke the record set by Justine Henin for the
most prize money earned by a female tennis player in one
season with a total of USD 6,545,586 during the year.
Serena, who also couldn't make it to the event, said she
was delighted to have won the award.
"I am very happy to win this Award. I feel bad that I
cannot be in Abu Dhabi. It's my third Laureus Award and I
would like to thank all the Academy Members who voted for me
and to the world's media who nominated me. Its is great to
have got so much support after last year's ups and downs," she
said through video conference.
"As a tennis player you look at the amazing names of the
Academy Members - like John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova,
Boris Becker and Monica Seles - who have won so many Grand
Slams and they know what it takes to do that. There is nothing
better in sport than being acknowledged by the people that you
looked up to when you were a young player," she added.
"I think I was also nominated four more times. I know
only Roger Federer has more Awards, so it would be cool to
catch him up."
About the 2010 season, Serena said it will be an exciting
year with Henin and Kim making a comeback. "I've had a few
injury problems over the years, so it's been great to get back
to the top and be World No 1 again. It's going to be an
interesting year with Justine Henin back, but I'm playing well
and I want to win every tournament I play."
Among others, reigning Formula One World Drivers'
Champion Jeson Button won the Breakthrough of the year Award,
while his last year's team Brawn GP was named Laureus World
Team of the year.
Belgium sensation Kim Clijsters, who shocked the world by
winning the US open on her come back to tennis after an
absence of two years following her retirement, won the Laureus
Comeback of the Year Award.
South African swimmer Natalie Du Toit, who won five golds
during the 2008 Summer Paralympics, won the Laureus disability
award, while Australia's three-time World surfing champion
Stephanie Gilmore was named Laureus World action Sportsperson
of the Year.
Academy member Nawal El Moutawakel received the Laureus
lifetime achievement award for her work for women in sport and
the International Olympic committee. And the sport for good
award went to American basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo for
his charitable work in his native Congo.
The Awards Ceremony was attended by global figures from
the world of sports and entertainment, including Franz
Beckenbauer, Boris Becker, Ian Botham, Sergey Bubka, Nadia
Comaneci, Kapil Dev, Emerson Fittipaldi, Cathy Freeman, Mika
Hakkinen, Mike Horn, Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, Monica
Seles, and Steve Waugh.
Among the Hollywood stars were double Oscar-winning actor
Kevin Spacey, who hosted the glittering Awards Ceremony,
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, UK film stars Hugh
Grant and Clive Owen, US actors Kyle MacLachlan from Desperate
Housewives and Michelle Rodriguez who played leading roles in
the Oscar-winning movie 'Avatar' and the TV series 'Lost'.
Also present were Grammy nominated singer-songwriter
Mika, England Test cricketer Andrew Flintoff, Formula One
winner David Coulthard, world boxing champion Amir Khan,
Olympic rowing legend Steve Redgrave, and supermodel Jessica
Michibata. PTI ATK

2010 CWG will have no security problems: boxer Amir

Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) British boxer Amir Khan today
said that security concerns in the 2010 Commonwealth Games was
the product of media hype and the mega event in India will be
a huge success.
"I think this security scare is more media hype. I was in
Pakistan for three days and everything was so chilled out,
there was no problem. I am sure when India hosts the
Commonwealth Games, the security will be tight," Amir said
here at the Laureus World Sports Awards here.
"I think Commonwealth Games is the second most important
event, the first being the Olympics. It is massive tournament
I always wanted to participate in the Commonwealth Games,"
said Amir, who won a silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Amir said the World Boxing Series was a brilliant concept
and it would give the amateur boxers to show their potential.
"The amateur boxers would get a chance to have more
fights against the best and prove who is the best among the
amateurs," he said.
Asked if given a chance he would like to participate in
the series, Amir said, "If I had a chance I would like to
participate in the world series of boxing in India."
"After Athens Olympics, I decided to turn professional.
Beijing Olympics was still four years to go then and I took
this huge decision to turn professional as it gave me
financial stability also and it had a massive affect on my
career." PTI ATK PDS

World Cup toughest challenge of life: Capello

Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) England is hungrier than any
other country and it would be the toughest challenge of his
life to take the side in the football World Cup finals in
South Africa in June-July, feels manager Fabio Capello.
England have been drawn along with the USA, Algeria and
Slovenia in Group C at the finals starting on June 11 and
Capello has set a semifinal target for the team.
"All teams are hungry to win the World Cup but England is
hungrier than anybody. It has been a challenge to be the
manager of the England team but I like the challenge and I
think taking the team to the World Cup finals will be the
toughest challenge of my life," Capello told reporters at the
Laureus World Sports Awards here.
"I try to win always and our focus would be to beat the
best teams and reach the semifinals atleast. We have some good
players, we believe we are at the same level as other teams
and we can beat them," he added.
The Italian considered star striker Wayne Rooney as one
of the best footballers in the world, at par with Argentine
striker Lionel Messi and Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Messi and Rooney are among best footballers. Messi is
fast and imaginative, while Rooney is strong. I feel Rooney,
Messi and Ronaldo are current best players," he said.
With the World Cup being hosted in South Africa for the
first time, Capello feels one of the African teams can spring
a surprise in the quadrennial event.
"I think one of the African teams like Ghana, Ivory Coast
and Nigeria will create something surprising." PTI ATK PDS

Bans are a bit harsh for poor performance: Pollock

Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) Former South African skipper
Shaun Pollock today said if poor performance was criteria for
handing out bans to Pakistani cricketers then the punishment
is a "bit harsh".
The PCB today invoked indefinite bans on Mohammed Yousuf
and Younus Khan and also imposed one-year bans on Shoaib Malik
and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan on the recommendations of the inquiry
committee which probed their flop show Down Under.
The Akmal brothers — Kamran and Umar — and Shahid Afridi
were put under observation and imposed heavy fines.
"I don't know. If that's the reason that they lost in
Australia so they are banned then its a bit too harsh. Elevens
players make a team and they all have to perform. I don't know
what the review system is but its not easy to comment when you
don't know the truth is," said a shocked Pollock, when
informed about the ban.
Talking about his IPL side Mumbai Indians, Pollock said
Sachin Tendulkar's show with the bat would be crucial to their
fortunes in the Twenty20 tournament, beginning Friday.
"I think Mumbai will need him to play well. Here is a guy
so great so you would obviously want him to bat 20 overs and
steers the ship through. If he can get some scores he can get
the team to some wins in some matches," said the former
all-rounder.
Pollock, who is here as an academy member for the Laureus
Sport Award, also feels that Umpire referral system requires
some fine-tuning to give better results.
"Certain things needs to be adjusted. We all want right
decisions to be made so we have to ensure that the technology
we use can get all in perfect place.
"Tennis have implemented it and there is no discussion on
that. When something new is implemented it is difficult to
change people but one year down the lane if you can get
everything in line, it is good technology and can help the
game," he said.
Pollock said the South African team has the firepower to
excel and dominate world cricket in the next two years.
"I don't watch as much cricket as I used to as I have
some other focuses but it is really nice to see the guys doing
well. The team have moved on in the last 10 years. They have
the team to dominate in the next two years. It would be good
time for South Africa in future," he said. PTI ATK AT

Do not give in to terrorism, tour India: Former star players

Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) Legendary cricketers like Steve
Waugh and Ian Botham today adjured the athletes worldwide to
not let terrorism affect sport anywhere in the world including
India, which is set to host extremely popular IPL and
Commonwealth Games later this year.
Waugh said the terror attack on Sri Lakan cricket team in
Pakistan last year has changed the safety perception of the
players but was of the view that players should not surrender
to terrorism by skipping sport events.
"Sportspersons are more concerned now a days. Earlier
they used to feel they are safe but in the last couple of
years that perception have changed because of the way the Sri
Lankan players were attacked in Pakistan.
"The entire landscape has changed but as sportspersons,
we shouldn't give in to the terrorism and must travel to play
the game," said the two-time World Cup winning captain.
Ian Botham, former England all-rounder, also echoed
similar views at a discussion on cricket as a part of the
Laureus Sport Awards at the Emirates Palace here.
"We got to take a stand. We have so many tournaments
lined up. In India we have IPL, Commonwealth Games. In South
Africa we have the Soccer World Cup then there is the world
cup Twenty20 in the West Indies and the 50-50 World Cup in the
sub-continent and Olympics in London in 2012.
"We just can't allow one phone call before the events to
disrupt the tournaments. We shouldn't surrender to terrorism.
My suggestions will be to go and enjoy the game," Botham said.
There are some apprehensions among players about
travelling to India but India's World Cup winning captain
Kapil exuded confidence that the Indian government will do
whatever it takes to ensure safety of the athletes.
"We can't really run away. One has to think positive and
I hope that the world would become a safe place. I am proud
that the IPL is in India and I am sure the Indian government
will make sure that everything goes on well. Mishaps can
happen anywhere so I think if world is safe than India is
safe," Kapil said.
Former South African skipper Shaun Pollock also supported
Kapil's view and was in favour of organising Indian Premier
league in India alone.
"The South African team went to India recently but it was
one team. In IPL, it is 10 teams traveling at 10 different
venues, so it is difficult but IPL has to be in India
otherwise the Indian fans will lose out. I'm sure the Indian
government will make the necessary arrangements," Pollock
said. PTI ATK AT