It was a quiet morning for Steve Waugh until he met a group of Bangladeshi journalists during the opening archery event at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday. The event was dominated by Koreans who hardly knows anything about cricket. Completely unnoticed, Waugh was having a good time with old foe Michael Atherton, who was covering the event for a local newspaper. But his peace was broken with the arrival of the Bangladeshi group, who all wanted to chat with him and take photographs. Only then people around realised he is also a star despite just being the liaison officer of the Australia team.
‘First Ashes Test’
It could not be known what Atherton told Waugh during their chat, but they had at least something to discuss about July 30 when Australia’s Taylor Worth will go up against Englishman Alan Wills in men’s individual round. Waugh already declared it as the first Ashes Test in official news channel, reminding everyone about the old cricket rivalries between the two countries. ‘He’s up against a Brit and that’s the most important thing. Round one, first Ashes Test.’ Ironically, Bangladeshi Emdadul Haque Milon was also drawn against Britain’s Godfrey Larry and their battle will go simultaneously during the ‘Ashes’ on the same venue.
Better way to London
High jumper Dragutin Topic has saved himself the price of a few beers and some tickets to a Champions League football match by appearing at the Olympics. That’s what he would have owed the sports doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wolfhart had he failed to compete in London. ‘It was in January 2011. I was visiting Dr Muller-Wolfhart. He asked me why I wasn’t competing and I said I have pain in my back. He said he’d treat me for free if I made the Games. I’m glad I did otherwise I would have a big bill to pay. ‘I said there has to be a limit to what I have to pay if I lose, otherwise I could have ended up paying him two million euros. ‘The bet also included some beers and some tickets for a Champions League game.’
Too early to compete
Al Hamad Mansour of Qatar is perhaps the only athlete in the Olympics who have to compete in less than nine hours after carrying the national flag in
Friday’s opening ceremony. Mansour will compete in 10-meter air rifle, Games’ first medal event, qualification which will start as early as 8:50am. He was given the responsibility of carrying the flag in the opening ceremony, which would not end until zero hour the previous night. ‘It won’t affect me. I am sure I will have some time to rest. I’ll go and sleep after the Opening Ceremony,’ a confident Mansour told reporters.
-With New Age input
