How should we talk to men about sexism?
Laurie Penny and Martin Robbins are both writers, both feminists and both happened to be sitting alo...
Source: www.independent.co.uk
London 2012 Olympics: four days to go - live blog - The Guardian
Welcome to today’s Olympics live blog – with only four days to go until the Games begin.
Here’s what’s coming up today:
• The Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, has given an interview with the BBC, saying he feels security for the Games will be fine despite the G4S fiasco and he is happy with the Games’s strict sponsorship rules, emphasising that spectators can wear what they want to the Olympics, although “ambush marketing” will be targeted. He also defended IOC members’ staying in plush hotels, saying they worked very hard. I’ll post a full report shortly. IOC members are due to visit the Olympic Village today, attend a reception at Buckingham Palace and begin their 124th session, at the Royal Opera House.
• Sir Chris Hoy is set to be named later today as the flag-bearer for Team GB at Friday's opening ceremony. It will be the second successive time the cyclist will have been given the honour - he also carried the union flag in the closing ceremony at Beijing four years ago. Hoy won the biggest number of votes among the other 542 members of the British delegation. Last week it was announced that he would not ride in the match sprint at the Olympics, although he will take part in the keirin and the team sprint.
• The Olympic torch is travelling around south London, visiting Bexley, Lewisham, Bromley, Croydon and Streatham. Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, will carry the flame into the forecourt of the centre in Lewisham set up in memory of her son. The flame will also travel to Wimbledon and be carried on to centre court, where the Olympic tennis will take place, starting on Saturday. And the torch will also take a detour into the fictional London borough of Walford when it visits the EastEnders set – live scenes of the torch passing through Albert Square will be dropped into tonight’s otherwise-prerecorded episode. Send your pictures to paul.owen@guardian.co.uk or tweet me @paultowen.
• A triumphant Bradley Wiggins was due back home today to have a very short bit of time off with his family and allow the realisation that he has become the first British man to win the Tour de France to sink in. But he is thought to be planning a ride on his local Lancashire roads and will later join his fellow cyclists in preparing for the Olympic road race this weekend.
In today’s news so far:
• Lord Coe, the head of London organising committee (Locog), has said it is not up to him who will light the Olympic flame on Friday at the opening ceremony. Coe said he had input but the final decision would be taken by the opening ceremony creative teams led by the film directors Danny Boyle and Stephen Daldry. On Saturday the British Olympic Association chief executive, Andy Hunt, said the decision would be made jointly between the BOA and Locog. Possible candidates include Daley Thompson, Steve Redgrave, Kelly Holmes, Roger Bannister, David Beckham, or a non-sporting figure such as a child from east London. A dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony is to take place today.
• There were severe delays on the Jubilee line, a major route to the site of the Games, as Londoners wait to see how the crowded tube system will cope with the influx of Olympic visitors. There were also delays on the Overground and the Central line was partly suspended after a person fell under a train.
• The US basketball team beat Argentina 86-80 at a friendly in Barcelona.
All this and more right here throughout the day.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
London Games open in troubled times - Reuters UK
LONDON |
LONDON (Reuters) - London, an ancient city steeped in theatre and pageantry, stages its third summer Olympics against a sombre backdrop tempering the excitement and anticipation before the world's greatest sports festival.
Euphoria in Singapore, where London secured the Games in 2005, was succeeded within 24 hours by horror in the British capital when 52 commuters were killed by four suicide bombers.
Consequently the Games of the XXX Olympiad, opening at the Olympic stadium in east London on Friday, will feature Britain's largest peacetime security operation which has further inflated the budget in troubled economic times.
"The security threat comes from a number of diverse actors ranging from al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists, lone wolves acting independently, Irish Republican Army offshoots as well as anarchists," said an assessment from the Asia-Pacific Foundation, a London-based think tank.
"Another potential danger is street violence similar to the wild, apparently spontaneous and totally unpredictable riots, that hit parts of London for five days in August 2011, causing hundreds of millions of pounds in property damage."
London's creaking transport system, criticised as "often obsolete" by International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspectors after the city was short-listed for the Games, is another problem.
So, too, is the unpredictable British climate during a summer of unrelieved gloom and drenching rain, although signs that the weather gods may have finally relented came at the weekend with clear skies, rising temperatures and optimistic forecasts.
On the plus side, the Asia-Pacific Foundation report pointed out that Britain has a "very successful track record" in hosting major sports events, a point stressed by London 2012 Olympics organising committee chairman Seb Coe.
"You do not want people coming to London feeling they have come to a siege town," Coe told Reuters. "London stages these global events all the time and often at the same time. We have a good track record but I am not being remotely cavalier or particularly sanguine about the nature of what we have to do."
London held the 1908 Olympics at the height of the golden Edwardian summer when Britain ruled much of the world. The 1948 Games were hosted by a city ravaged by wartime bombing in an emotionally and physically exhausted country burdened by a record debt.
In a link with the past, the Olympic Park is located in an area of London which suffered some of the worst bombing in World War Two, as part of a programme of economic regeneration.
UNPARALLELED SPORTING HISTORY
Britain possesses an unparalleled sporting history, stemming from that astounding period in Victorian Britain when the rules for virtually all the games now played throughout the world were either invented or codified.
"We're coming to a nation that invented modern sport in the second half of the 19th century," IOC president Jacques Rogge said at Formula One's British Grand Prix this month.
"We're also coming to a nation that has included sport in its school curriculum and it's a nation that loves sport, knows sport, and that will show."
The Olympic movement has been criticised as bloated, grandiose and in thrall to the sponsors and television companies who provide the money which underpins modern sport.
No credible alternative economic model exists and, even if the IOC ceased to exist, the sports and leisure industries would soon entice the individual federations into new multi-sports commercial ventures.
Under Rogge, the IOC has moved with the times and there is also nothing remotely bloated about the background of the athletes expected to make the most impact when the track and field competition, the core sport of the Games, starts on August 3.
Usain Bolt electrified the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing four years ago with world records in the 100 and 200 metres followed by a third as a member of the Jamaican 4x100 relay squad.
Bolt is coached by Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club in Kingston, where the facilities are rudimentary but the work ethic relentless.
After Bolt again shattered the world 100 and 200 records at the 2009 Berlin world championships, clocking a scarcely credible 9.58 and 19.19 seconds, another golden double in London seemed a formality provided he remained fit and focused.
Four years, though, is a long time in the life of any athlete and now another sprinter from the Racers Track Club threatens to dethrone Bolt in London.
Yohan Blake rejoices in the nickname of "The Beast", a tribute to his ferocious appetite for training. Whereas Bolt is tall, lean and languid, Blake is compact, muscular and explosive.
At the Daegu world championships last year, Blake won the 100 metres after Bolt was disqualified for a false start. This year he beat Bolt, who has been hampered by a right hamstring strain, decisively in both the 100 and 200 at the Jamaican Olympic trials.
The 100 metres is the most exciting and the most elemental of races, equivalent to a world heavyweight title fight in that the winner of the former can plausibly claim to be the fastest man in the world while the victor of the latter can say he is the meanest.
It is also the most unforgiving. "In the 100 metres a single mistake can cost you victory," said Carl Lewis, winner of nine Olympic track and field titles.
Lewis is the only man to retain the Olympic 100 title, albeit through the disqualification of Ben Johnson at the 1988 Seoul Olympics after a positive drugs test.
In London, the race is likely to be won and lost at the start. Because of his height, Bolt is slow to unwind out of the blocks but if he does get away swiftly there is nobody in the world who can touch him.
PHELPS VERSUS LOCHTE
Kenyan athletes, who are expected to dominate the middle and long distances, possess a similar work ethic and equally lofty standards. Public expectations are high while running is one of the few avenues out of rural poverty.
David Rudisha holds the world 800 metres record, once owned by Coe, and plans to go one better than the twice Olympic 1,500 champion and win the Olympic title for himself and his nomadic Maasai tribe.
"Everybody wants to be recognised as Olympic champion, as world champion," he said. "That gives us our happiness as athletes."
The first week of the Games ending on August 12 and featuring 10,500 athletes from 204 countries taking part in 26 sports will be dominated by another duel between a pair of athletes from the same country.
In Beijing, swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in eight events to better the Olympic record set by fellow American Mark Spitz. This time he will swim seven races, four individual plus all three relays.
"No one should be expected to do that twice," said coach Bob Bowman. "Once was more than enough. Trust me. It was."
Phelps's main rival will be team mate Ryan Lochte, who won five golds at last year's world championships and who has undergone a gruelling regime out of the pool to build up his strength.
The pair are scheduled to meet in the 400 individual medley on the first day of competition at the London Aquatics Centre on Saturday and in the 200 medley on August 1.
Phelps, who will retire after the Games, has another record in his sights. Three medals of any colour will makes him the most prolific medallist in Games' history ahead of Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina who collected 18.
No single fan, however many dedicated television channels he or she watches, can absorb the entire Olympic spectacle. The beauty of the Games is the prominence it gives to sports which mostly pass unnoticed in the larger world.
South Koreans are the masters in archery, Hungarians have a proud record in water polo, including the infamous underwater battle against the Soviet Union at the 1956 Melbourne Games after their country had been invaded by the Soviet Army.
Chinese gymnasts ruled in Beijing, Cuba has traditionally dominated the men's boxing and Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria have impressive weightlifting pedigrees.
London in the early years of the 21st century is a multi-cultural, cosmopolitan city and sport is a lucrative global spectacle, where the boundaries of time and space have vanished with the proliferation of sports channels and websites.
The combination could result in an outstanding Games starting with Friday's opening ceremony when the eyes of the world will focus on the British capital.
(Editing by Clare Fallon)
Source: uk.reuters.com
Dog attack leaves eight people injured in Hastings - The Guardian
A man has been arrested following a dog attack that left eight people needing hospital treatment.
Sussex police went to Marline Road in Hastings, East Sussex, at about 8.55pm on Sunday after reports that two dogs had escaped into the street and several people were injured.
When officers arrived, one of the dogs had already been captured by members of the public in a dog crate, a police spokesman said.
The second dog was contained by a dog unit in a garden with the help of police officers at the scene, allowing the South East Coast ambulance service to treat the injured.
Police believe three people received serious bites and scratches to their bodies but their injuries are not life-threatening, the spokesman said.
Five others received hospital treatment for minor injuries. All those hurt during the attack were aged between 20 and 50.
The spokesman said he could not confirm the breed of either dog.
A 22-year-old man from Hastings was arrested at the scene on suspicion of allowing dogs to be dangerously out of control and is in police custody.
Inspector Sarah Godley, from the East Sussex neighbourhood response team, said: "This was an incredibly distressing incident for everyone involved and quick work from members of the public and officers at the scene meant that the incident was quickly brought under control.
"Firearms officers were deployed to the incident but they were stood down when it became clear that the unarmed officers were able to get the dogs under control safely.
"We are now trying to establish exactly what has happened tonight and are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident.
"Officers will remain in the area tonight and tomorrow and I would encourage anyone with information or concerns to speak to them."
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Rampaging dogs attack ten people - The Sun
Sussex Police attended Marline Road in Hastings, East Sussex, at about 8.55pm yesterday after reports that two dogs had escaped into the street and several people were injured.
When officers arrived, one of the dogs had already been detained by members of the public in a dog crate, a police spokesman said.
The second dog was contained by a dog unit in a garden, helped by other police officers at the scene, allowing the South East Coast Ambulance Service to treat those who had been injured.
Police said a woman and two men received serious bites and scratches to their bodies but their injuries are not life-threatening, the spokesman said.
They have all been referred for outpatient treatment at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex.
Five others received hospital treatment for minor injuries and all those hurt during the attack were aged between 20 and 50.
The spokesman said he could not confirm the breed of either dog but said they had been taken to secure kennels in the South East where they are being examined and assessed.
A 22-year-old man from Hastings and a 21-year-old man were arrested at the scene on suspicion of allowing dogs to be dangerously out of control.
Both are in police custody, the spokesman said.
Inspector Sarah Godley, from the East Sussex neighbourhood response team, said: “This was an incredibly distressing incident for everyone involved and quick work from members of the public and officers at the scene meant that the incident was quickly brought under control.
“Firearms officers were deployed to the incident but they were stood down when it became clear that the unarmed officers were able to get the dogs under control safely.
“We are now trying to establish exactly what has happened tonight and are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident.
“Officers will remain in the area tonight and tomorrow and I would encourage anyone with information or concerns to speak to them.”
Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 1537 of July 23, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Source: www.thesun.co.uk
London 2012: Sir Chris Hoy to carry flag for Team GB - BBC News
Sir Chris Hoy has been chosen to carry the flag for Great Britain at the opening ceremony of the London Games on Friday.
The four-time Olympic gold medal winner polled the most number of votes among the 542 members of the British team.
The 36-year-old cyclist also carried the Union Flag at the 2008 closing ceremony in Beijing.
"I'm absolutely delighted and honoured to have been voted as the flag bearer for Team GB," said Sir Chris.
"To lead out your team at a home Olympics is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that that I can't wait to experience in just a few days time."
Other Olympians who received support included archer Alison Williamson, who will competie in her sixth Games.
Hoy, who will compete in the team sprint and keirin at London 2012, is the first cyclist to have the honour of carrying the British flag at an opening ceremony.
The Scot will lead out Team GB when they become the last of the 204 competing nations to enter the arena.
Analysis
Sir Chris Hoy was always one of the outstanding candidates for this role. His election was all but sealed when sailor Ben Ainslie, his main rival, was ruled out. Ainslie begins competing on Sunday, so will not attend the opening ceremony.
Sir Chris already has four Olympic gold medals and hopes to have increased that total to six by the end of the Games.
Hoy told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm still in shock, it's all sinking in. I'm just looking forward to Friday.
"To have the athletes vote for you it makes it even more special. This will be my first experience of an opening ceremony so for a number of reasons it will be very special."
It has been a remarkable few days for British cycling following the success of Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France.
Brian Cookson, president of British Cycling, told BBC Sport: "Just when you think it can't get any better it does. It is the cherry on the cake for British Cycling after Bradley Wiggins's success on Sunday.
"Sir Chris is a brilliant athlete and a fantastic ambassador for the sport of cycling. Hoy is reaching his potential just at the right time in the sport and deserves this pivotal role at London 2012."
Hoy, who is Scotland's most successful Olympian, was named BBC Sports Personality of the year in 2008.
He won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, a gold at Athens in 2004 and another three golds in Beijing four years ago.
Team GB's Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: "Team GB could not have placed the flag in better hands.
"It is a great honour for Sir Chris and the team will be proud to march behind him. He is a fantastic ambassador for his sport and his country."
Hoy is not due to compete until the second week of the Games, when he will try to surpass rower Sir Steve Redgrave's British record of five gold medals.
The British Olympic Association asked each sport represented in Team GB to nominate one candidate. The team leaders of each sport then voted on the shortlist.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Mario accuses Sam of cheating on Joey - The Sun
Last time we saw Sam on the show she told her sister Billie she wasn’t sure Lucy’s boyfriend, former ladies’ man Mario, could be trusted.
But last night the boot was on the other foot as Mario got his revenge during his and Lucy Mecklenburgh’s engagement bash.
Sam hadn’t been invited to the party but was waiting outside with Joey for Arg and Gemma – who they had had dinner with and wanted to show their faces at the do.
Lucy and Mario came down to invite the snubbed couple into the party – but a row soon flared up when Sam said that there was “proof” that Mario had been flirting and messaging other girls.
Bride-to-be Lucy said: “That was three months ago, why would you bring that up?” and raged that Sam was “completely ruining” the party.
Mario then piped up, telling Joey and Sam that he had heard plenty of rumours about THEM.
He sniped at Joey: “I heard things about you in Ibiza,” before turning to Sam and saying: “and I heard things about you in Vegas.”
Mario also claimed to have seen snaps of Sam during a night out at Essex nightclub Faces – but she raged: “You are chatting s***”.
Earlier she and Joey had dinner with Gemma Collins and Arg – who fell out when Arg compared his missus to Vanessa Feltz.
Gemma fumed: “Vanessa Feltz is out of order – she’s not even funny” before breaking down in tears.
She added that she thought she and Arg were the "new Posh and Becks".
Also in the show, Lydia Bright opened up to best pal Lucy about her new relationship with Tom Kilbey, saying: “He is so amazing. He is just romantic and puts thought into everything.
“He is literally perfect and I love him. He is so beautiful.”
Source: www.thesun.co.uk
Transport trouble for London four days from Games - Reuters UK
LONDON |
LONDON (Reuters) - Severe disruptions hit three of the main rail links to the Olympic Park in east London early on Monday, four days before the start of the Games, in the latest transport fiasco to raise anxiety levels in the British capital.
Adding to the stress factor, the labour union RMT announced industrial action by staff in some parts of the city's transport network during the Games to demand bonuses in recognition of the extra work involved.
Weary Londoners accustomed to almost daily problems on the Tube, the world's oldest urban underground railway network, have been predicting for years that the overstretched system would struggle to cope with the Olympics.
The Monday morning rush hour seemed to confirm their worst fears as they were met with announcements over the speaker system that the Central Line was suspended on its busiest stretch while the Jubilee Line was running at a snail's pace.
Compounding the misery, a key overground link was also "experiencing severe delays".
These announcements were met with disbelieving rolls of the eyeballs as the Central Line, Jubilee Line and Overground all go to Stratford, site of the Olympic Park and focus of years of infrastructure improvement efforts.
"This is going to be brilliant for the Olympics," said one passenger on the crowded but at least functioning Northern Line, to guffaws from fellow commuters pressed into the carriage like sardines.
The Central Line closure was due to a passenger on the tracks, hardly the fault of those running the Tube. But ominously, the Jubilee Line delays were caused by faulty platform-edge doors at North Greenwich station -- gateway to several Olympic venues.
The Overground's problems were due to a signalling failure, one of London transport's most common ailments, according to the announcements.
"It's been a bit of a nightmare. They seem to be understaffed. I'm not sure they're going to be able to cope," said Mike Troughton, 30, emerging from busy Liverpool Street station.
The RMT said staff from South West trains would refuse to work overtime throughout the Games, while staff at Serco, the company that runs the bicycles-for-hire known as "Boris Bikes" after the capital's colourful Mayor Boris Johnson, would take similar action during the first weekend of the Games.
Some staff at Transport for London, including those manning information telephone lines, would strike for short periods during the opening weekend, the RMT said. These actions are all over demands for Olympic bonuses.
"Although we have secured good deals on Olympics recognition and reward for the vast majority of our members we still have a small number of employers holding out," said RMT boss Bob Crow in a statement.
"We cannot accept that blatant unfairness and the time has come for these employers to seize the opportunity, get round the table and sign off agreements that recognise the additional work and pressures that these staff will be carrying."
(Reporting and writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Source: uk.reuters.com
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