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August 25 - 31, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Sports International
Bolt not expecting to break 200m record in Diamond League USAIN Bolt says he will not try to break the 200m world record at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne. The six-time Olympic champion heads a field of 19 London 2012 gold medallists at the Pontaise Stadium on Thursday. Bolt will race against compatriots Warren Weir, Jason Young and Nickel Ashmeade and the USA’s Wallace Spearmon in the 200m. “I am not worried about world records right now - I am just trying to get through the season,” said the Jamaican. Bolt is the current 200m world record holder, with a time of 19.19 seconds in the 2009 World Championship final in Berlin, but he does not expect to come close to that mark in Lausanne. “It can be one of those tracks (to break world records), in great shape and in great weather,” he said. “But I’m just trying to end this season injury-free, because it has been a stressful season for me. “I am just trying to get through these last three races.” Triple Olympic medallist Yohan Blake takes on the USA’s Tyson Gay, who finished fourth in the Olympic
Matt Jarvis could head to West Ham.
West Ham agree £10.75m deal for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, is just trying to get through the season.
100m final, and Ryan Bailey in the 100m in Lausanne. Olympic 100m bronze medallist Justin Gatlin was also due to compete in Lausanne but withdrew on Wednesday with a stomach problem. A total of 52 medallists from London 2012 have been entered for the 11th leg of the Diamond League. All three medal winners from the men’s 400m in London will feature, with Olympic champion Kirani James taking on runner-up Luguelin Santos and third-placed Lalonde Gordon.
Great Britain’s Martyn Rooney and Conrad Williams are also competing. GB’s Olympic high jump bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz will face Russian Ivan Ukhov, who won gold in London. In the women’s events, 100m medallists Shelly-Ann FraserPryce, Carmelita Jeter and Veronica Campbell-Brown are all competing. The penultimate Diamond League meeting takes place in Zurich on 30 August, with the final event in Brussels on 7 September. (BBC)
Pietersen left out of England’s World Twenty20 title defense ENGLAND will make their defense of the World Twenty20 title without gifted batsman Kevin Pietersen, who was omitted from their 15-man squad Tuesday. Pietersen was man of the tournament in their triumph in the Caribbean two years ago, but is at odds with teammates and the England management for “provocative” texts sent to opposition South African players. The 32-year-old was left out of the third Test against South Africa at Lord’s, which ended in a 51-run defeat, despite scoring a superb century in the previous match of the series. He has apologised for the text messages, which allegedly criticised England captain Andrew Strauss, but it has not been enough to earn him a recall to the England fold. “Kevin Pietersen’s future involvement is still being determined and he was therefore not considered for selection in either squad,” national selector Geoff Miller told the official England and Wales Cricket Board website. South African born Pietersen averages nearly 50 runs per innings in Test cricket and is renowned for his ability to score quickly in one day internationals and the Twenty20
Kevin Pietersen is in the international wilderness after being left out of the England squad for the World Twenty20.
format. But earlier this year he made a shock announcement to retire from one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches for England. After his superb 149 in the second Test against South Africa, Pietersen cast further doubt on his future by saying “obstacles” must be overcome for him to continue playing. He was believed to be referring to a fake Twitter account which portrayed him in unflattering terms
and was being followed by several of his teammates. But Pietersen was soon using YouTube to announce that he was available again for England in all forms of cricket. It was not enough to earn him selection for the final Test where England lost their No.1 status and his exile has now continued. Pietersen’s close friend, the Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, said Tuesday that it was a “tragedy” that he would not be playing for England. “There’s a bit too much ego at the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), there’s no give or take or compromise,” Warne told a press conference in Sydney. “If he doesn’t sign his England contract, if he doesn’t play for England again, I just think that’s a tragedy.” But Warne added: “Kevin Pietersen has to put his hand up and say ‘I’ve conducted myself in a pretty ordinary fashion, too’.” England’s squad contained few surprises, with eight survivors of the squad which won the trophy two years ago. Jonathan Bairstow, who scored 95 and 54 in stepping in for Pietersen at Lord’s, is included.
WEST Ham have agreed a deal worth a potential £10.75m for Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Matt Jarvis. The fee was settled between the clubs late on Wednesday night and the 26-year-old England international will now travel to London to discuss personal terms ahead of a proposed medical. West Ham will pay £7.5m up front with add-ons taking the deal beyond £10m. Sunderland are also understood to be interested in Jarvis, but have yet to make an official bid for the player. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been tracking Jarvis, 26, all summer and is now hopeful of completing a deal before Saturday’s trip to Swansea City.
Jarvis, who has made one international appearance for England, played for Wolves in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Barnsley, after which manager Stale Solbakken gave his thoughts on the player’s future. “It’s on the top political level now because every player has a valuation and if that valuation is matched I’m in the discussion,” said the Norwegian, who is attempting to guide Wolves back to the Premier League following their relegation last season. “It’s not my money so someone will make a final decision. I don’t know if the two clubs are still talking. I’ve had my say and the final call will be taken. We do it together and we’ll do the best for Wolverhampton.” (BBC)
New Zealand’s rugby player Sonny Bill Williams is no stranger to boxing, but he is yet to touch gloves with such a big name in the sport.
All Blacks star Williams to fight Francois Botha NEW Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams will fight former heavyweight contender Francois Botha in Durban on 17 November, according to a promoter. Promoter Thinus Strydom said arrangements for the bout, which is scheduled for Durban on 17 November, were concluded this week. Botha, 43, has fought Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko in a 59-bout career.
Asked earlier this year about a possible fight against Williams, Botha told South African newspaper Rapport he would do it “during halftime of a rugby match” with “one hand tied behind my back”. The 27-year-old Williams helped New Zealand beat Australia on Saturday but is quitting the All Blacks to play rugby union in Japan next season. Since 2009 he has boxed five times, winning all of his bouts.