London 2012: Fencing selectors defend team as squad completed - BBC News
British Fencing has defended the team it selected for London 2012 after finalising its 10-strong Olympic squad.
Eight of the team are going to the Games by virtue of discretionary "wild cards" as Britain is the host nation.
Performance manager Alex Newton told BBC Sport: "There would always be tricky decisions and people not liking them because there's so much at stake."
The last three competitors - Husayn Rosowsky, Anna Bentley and Sophie Troiano - were confirmed on Tuesday.
Defending the decision-makers
Selecting Sophie Williams over Jo Hutchison has been British Fencing's most controversial decision. Performance manager Alex Newton explains how it was reached.
"In women's sabre we could only send two athletes - we sent the top-ranked fencer at the time, Louise Bond-Williams, and then we had three more ranked 52, 53 and 59 in the world.
"They could all put in a credible performance in London, but medal-winning? I'm not sure. So do we send someone to take part, or do we look at the longer-term future of the sport and give experience to someone who can not only put in a credible performance but deliver something for the future?
"Selecting Sophie Williams isn't a gamble. We've done a huge amount of analysis, for example on who Sophie's beating: she doesn't lose against lower-ranked opponents and sometimes she can beat those higher-ranked. It's an analysed projection of what we think we can do with Sophie."
Rosowsky completes the men's foil team line-up with Bentley and Troiano added to the women's foil team, alongside fencers announced last week in the foil, sabre and women's epee disciplines.
Rosowsky, 21, said: "The opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd will make a massive difference to our chances. I'm not here just to make up the numbers."
Fencing is the latest sport to experience a series of acrimonious disputes over the composition of its Olympic team, as sports subjectively assign host-nation places that would not normally be on offer outside a home Games.
Men's foilist Richard Kruse and Natalia Sheppard, in women's foil, were the only two Britons to qualify for the Games on merit without recourse to the host-nation places available.
The subsequent decision to select young sabreuse Sophie Williams over the more experienced Jo Hutchison, as well as nominate a team in women's foil - an event where some consider British medal hopes minimal - has angered a section of the British fencing community.
Meanwhile, epee fencer Jon Willis has announced his retirement after being overlooked by the selectors, and foil fencer Keith Cook is appealing after being omitted because, he says, of confusion over his contact details.
"I think [appeals and debate] have got to be expected given that it's a home Olympics and these are places given to athletes who perhaps may never otherwise get the opportunity to go to an Olympics," said Newton.
"Any athlete wants to go to a home Games. Don't we all? I'm not surprised that some people have been hugely disappointed, but I have been surprised by people taking it out on other athletes.
"Is it Sophie Williams's fault she has been selected? No. Has it knocked Sophie's confidence? Wouldn't it knock yours if you had a half-page spread in the Times saying your dad bought you a place at the Olympics?
"If you look at Sophie's age and where she is in her career, she's currently 21 years of age. There's five years' difference between her and Jo. I'm not suggesting Jo isn't a good fencer, she's incredibly consistent, but actually Sophie is nearly as consistent and at this stage she has better results for her age in her first senior year than Jo or Chrystall [Nicoll, also omitted from the team] had."
Willis, 31, had an appeal against his non-selection - alleging Newton had been biased against him - turned down, but also told BBC Sport he disagreed with the nomination of a women's foil team ahead of him.
"My biggest gripe is there's a women's foil team taking up two wild-card places," said Willis. "If there was no women's foil team selected, I'm pretty sure I would have gone.
"I don't want to say anything against the athletes - we've been friends for many years - but if you look at my record and theirs, they don't compare. You can get all the stats you like but, my results versus theirs, I'm the better fencer. For some reason, they've selected a women's foil team."
The women's foil team is almost certain to face world number one Italy, who have won the majority of events in the past four years, early in the Olympic competition - making any hope of a medal unlikely.
Newton defended the selection panel's decision, explaining that even a defeat by Italy would leave the GB team fighting to finish fifth or sixth, which would be considered creditable.
"At the time of selection, Jon Willis was ranked 93rd in the world, with [women's foilists] Anna Bentley 84th, Martina Emanuel 71st and Natalia Sheppard 52nd.
"Jon was ranked lower than three of the four women's foilists, so where would the justification be?
"We analysed it slightly more than that and said, is anybody else in an individual event likely to get a result that's credible? We're not sure. Can the foil teams get a credible result? We believe they can, even if they may not get into the medal zone."
London leading destination city in 2012-study - Reuters UK
LONDON |
LONDON (Reuters) - The home of this summer's Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations for Britain's Queen Elizabeth is also the world's top destination this year, according to an index released by global credit card company MasterCard on Monday.
MasterCard's "Worldwide Index of Global Destination Cities" predicted that London will see 16.9 million people arrive by air compared with a million less for second place city Paris and airmiles ahead of New York at 13th place with 7.6 million arrivals.
The index also said that London, for the second year running, will attract the highest international visitor spend at $21.1 million, just ahead of New York at $19.4 million.
"London offers better value for money than New York," MasterCard Worldwide's global economic advisor Yuwa Hedrick-Wong told Reuters.
The queen's diamond jubilee saw London fill with visitors from abroad and around Britain for four days of celebrations at the start of June and the Olympics which will take place at venues in and around London from July 27 to August 12 is expected to pull in visitors from all over the planet.
"As our fantastic Diamond Jubilee celebrations demonstrated, London knows how to throw a party and, as we prepare to host the greatest Games the world has ever seen, it is no surprise our capital is the top choice for tourists," London Mayor Boris Johnson said in a statement along with Mastercard's index.
Well established international destination Bangkok was the other big winner in the index at third place with 12.2 million visitors who will spend $19.3 million.
"Bangkok's advantage is that it's a very tolerant culture," Hedrick-Wong told Reuters. "That explains its durability, especially attracting Europeans and Americans. I cannot imagine Western visitors doing the same thing in Malaysia, even China."
The Index, which encompasses 132 of the world's most important cities, is being marketed as a new map for understanding global connectivity.
Businesses and investors might find the Index's list of city growth rates of more interest than current rankings. Brazilian and Chinese cities also featured highly in the survey for both visitor numbers and spend.
"The growth patterns show how important cities are," says Hedrick-Wong, "and they're popping up from everywhere. They take on some really important local or regional significance overnight because of a new development."
Expect to hear much more about Recife and Belo Horizonte in Brazil, and Chengdu, Harbin, Xian and Guangzhou in China.
Using information gleaned from 87 airlines, national tourism boards, the United Nations and other global agencies, the MasterCard Index offers an optimistic overall forecast.
Total visitor numbers and cross-border spending will increase by 5.7 percent and 10.6 percent respectively for the top 20 destination cities in 2012.
The result is a bright spot in a period of slow world economic output, a persistent euro zone crisis and increased uncertainty in the financial sector.
"The growing need and desire to travel, especially by air, are set to expand in spite of the ups and downs of the business cycles," MasterCard's report said.
In a survey also out on Monday, by Mercer, London was ranked the 25th most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city for expatriates.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
Vauxhall picks Rockingham for Astra VXR launch challenge - Expert Reviews
Posted on 12 Jun 2012 at 10:32
Vauxhall has confirmed that it is to use the Rockingham motor racing circuit in Northamptonshire to launch the AStra VXR, its most powerful Astra model to date, in a special motorsport event.
The Motor Sport Association-accredited Astra VXR Media Sprint Challenge will see a selection of motoring journalists compete in road and track testing to see who can post the best time in Vauxhall's latest Astra over a course comprising a three-hour 110-mile route on the roads surrounding Rockingham followed by a sprint event on the Rockingham track itself.
Sadly, the event won't be open to the general public: as an MSA-accredited event, participants are required to hold a relevant race licence, while mandatory safety training will be provided before the chosen few are let loose in the new Astra VXR.
Vauxhall has good reason to be cautious: the most powerful production Astra to date, the new Astra VXR has a 280PS 2.0-litre turbo-charged engine which can push the vehicle to 60mph from a standing start in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. On a track, that translates into a hair-raising ride for the uninitiated.
The Astras used in the event, which is based on the Vauxhall Challenge theme used to launch the Astra GTC last year, will be full retail specification models including the mechanical limited-slip differential, bespoke Brembo brakes and FlexRide adaptive dampening system.
The general public will be given the opportunity to get their hands on the vehicles in July, when the Astra VXR goes on sale priced from £26,995.
Author: Gareth Halfacree
Plymouth's Tom Daley so excited after getting call for London 2012 Olympic Games - this is plymouth
TOM DALEY admitted he is already getting 'really excited' after the city diving superstar was named in the Great Britain squad for this summer's Olympics.
Plymouth Diving's Daley will lead the Great Britain charge in both the men's individual 10m platform and the synchro events at the London Games.
Daley made certain of his place in the teenager's own 'dream Games' by winning a gold medal at the British Championships which doubled as Olympic trials at Sheffield's Ponds Forge at the weekend.
The former world champion scored a total of 547 points in the individual, outscoring Waterfield who ended the dive-off with 452.
Britain's new national champion will be joined in both events by individual runner-up Peter Waterfield, while Daley's club-mates Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow have both been picked for the women's 10m synchro.
Although the most casual observer of diving would have assumed Daley was a shoo-in for London 2012, for the 18-year-old European champion to see his name on the list was clearly a relief.
And, he said, a reward for the self sacrifice and long hours spent training for the globe's biggest sporting event.
Daley said: "It is very exciting. It feels really great to be finally named in the Great Britain Olympic team.
"After all the training hours I've had to put in and all the thousands of dives, it feels so good to know I'm going to be there."
Daley acknowledged that because of his own excellent form this year the level of national expectation for him to medal will have been cranked up a couple of notches more.
But the teenager insisted his rivals, notably China's number one Qiu Bo, will also be feeling the strain the closer the Briton gets to him at world-class tournaments.
Daley said: "The pressure is going to be massive for everyone. It comes down to whoever deals with it the best.
"Qiu Bo has never been to an Olympic Games, so he's not going to know what it's like.
"There will be a lot of pressure on him, because he's the favourite and from China.
"And, gradually, everyone's scores around the world are getting higher and higher and therefore, closer to him."
The Plymothian believes having taken part in one Olympic Games already will work to his advantage.
Daley said the experience could be key to how he handles the pressure in London.
He said: "I think it helps massively to have been able to compete in the Olympics in Beijing.
"I've gained the experience of being at one. If I hadn't gone there (Beijing), it could have been a little bit overwhelming, being at home and all."
Daley admitted his own form in the lead up to next month's Olympics had been very pleasing, to say the least.
The 2008 Olympic finalist in Beijing, at the age of just 14 years and reigning Commonwealth Games champion ended this year's prestigious World Series as number one and then reclaimed the European individual crown in Eindhoven last month.
Daley, though, while delighted with those awards, said he is looking forward, with all his thoughts concentrated on the Aquatics Centre.
"The Olympics is the major event of the year and that is what you want to peak for. Everything is focused and concentrated on the Games in London," said Daley.
"Yes, I want to do well in every single competition I take part in, because I'm competitive.
"Everything I do, I want to do to the best of my ability: I'm a perfectionist.
"I go into every competition trying to win, because that's my nature.
"The only thing I can focus on is myself as diving is such an individual sport, not like tennis, for example, where you can hit a ball in one direction and your opponent will hit it back in another.
"With diving, you do what you do and hope it's good and the other divers will do exactly the same for themselves."
Daley said he is becoming confident at mastering what he considers his most difficult dive – the forward 4½ somersault, but insisted he will not be resting on his laurels.
"To be honest, I find all the dives very hard but the forward 4½ I consider my hardest. But I've been doing them a lot more consistently and doing them better," said Daley.
"It's difficult making sure I get that dive right and the others in (his tariff), too, and going into every competition trying to do the best I can."
Ever the realist, Daley said that while it is his goal to top the podium at the Olympics, he does not dream about medalling, just competing.
He said: "Obviously, it's my dream to win a gold medal, and that's any athlete's dream, isn't it?
"But whenever I dream about appearing at the Olympics, I'm just doing my dives, but I never see the scoreboard so I don't know where I'm going to end up.
"For me, it's all about doing everything I can beforehand to make sure I'm well prepared to compete at the Olympic Games."
Daley said his next event is the Olympics but that his schedule is showing no sign of relaxing.
"No, it's kind of scary knowing that the next competition I take part in will be at the Olympics," said Daley.
"It's all very busy for us. We're going to be training twice a day, five times a week.
"We (Team GB) all go to Majorca today for a training camp and then we go to the Olympic pre-camp on July 24, which is a complete lock-down and focused on preparing for the Games.
"That'll be at the Aquatics Centre and it will really be make or break time for me."
Motorists told to avoid London up to a MONTH before the Olympics so traffic lights can be turned green for VIPs in hated 'Games Lanes' - Daily Mail
- Work on 1,300 signals will start on July 1 to make sure it is all up and running in time
- More misery for commuters because they have already been warned to avoid trains and tube if possible
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Motorists will have to avoid central London from up to a month before the Olympics start so its hated VIP 'Games Lanes' can be up and running in time.
From July 1 more than 1,300 traffic lights will be adjusted to automatically turn green to speed chauffeur-driven dignitaries to venues, while millions of ordinary drivers face gridlock.
These 30 miles of road, part of a wider 109-mile circuit called the Olympic Route Network, will whisk VIPs from their hotels around Park Lane and Mayfair to the venues across the capital in luxury BMWs.
Commuters using public transport have already been warned to take holiday, work from home or travel early or late to avoid chaos on the trains and tube in the same period.
Traffic: Routes like this one, Shaftesbury Avenue, in central London, will have Games Lanes added to allow VIPs to travel without traffic
Transport for London said today they must start work on the traffic lights and new road barriers by the start of next month to make sure lanes are running properly two days before the opening ceremony on Friday, July 27.
They also claim that despite more red lights for normal motorists a ban on roadworks will improve the situation as long as fewer motorists drive into London.
And that the traffic will start to really build up two weeks before the Games when athletes, media and dignitaries arrive, culminating in the London legs of the torch relay in the days running up to the main event, they say.
'During the Games, London will be turned into a massive sporting and cultural venue. We have plans in place to get all athletes, officials and the world’s media to their Games events on time and to keep London moving and open for business,' TfL's commissioner Peter Hendy said.
OLYMPIC ROUTE NETWORK: WHAT THE COLOURS MEAN
Yellow route: Roads on this route will have a dedicated 'Olympic-only' lane for athletes, officials, VIPs, sponsors and media. The lanes will be in force from 6am until midnight.
Red route: Roads on this route, the busiest "core section" of the VIP network, will be affected by major restrictions to speed up traffic but will be fully open to the public. Measures could include bans on parking and right-turns, suspension of pedestrian crossings, phasing of traffic lights and no public entry from side roads.
Blue route: Roads on this route will only be affected on competition days. They will run from the athletes' accommodation to venues such as Wembley Arena, Earls Court and Wimbledon.
'From mid-July, central London and areas around Games venues will be much busier than usual. The ORN, which is part of the host city contract for the Games, will be a vital part of managing the busy roads and delivering a great Games.
'It will come into operation on July 25, a couple of days before the opening ceremony.
'Our advice to motorists is clear. From mid-July, avoid driving in central London, around the ORN and Games venues.'
Plan: Much of the the route will run people to the Olympic Park, pictured,
Busy: Commuters have already been warned to take holiday, work from home or travel early or late to avoid a packed tube system
The ORN and the Games Lanes will be enforced from 6am to midnight. They will shut again a couple of days after the Games and will not run between the Olympics and the Paralympics, which start on August 29.
The designated lanes will be set aside for athletes, coaches, administrators and even 25,000 'marketing partners', meaning regular drivers will face traffic jams and travel delays on their way to work.
The 25m Olympic Route Network (ORN) will be operational for 17 days of the event, covering the fortnight-long competitive period and a number of days before and after.
The Paralympics will also result in restrictions but they will cover a much shorter period.
Millions of drivers and commuters in London and the South East around the M25 will be hardest hit as jams and journey times increase by a third, traffic on key routes slows to just 12 mph, with the rush-hour traffic peaking 90 minutes earlier at 5.30am and 3.30pm, adding an average 20 additional minutes to a one hour journey.
But this could easily double to 40 minutes in the worst cases. In the 'worst case scenario' the Olympic opening ceremony could be held in 'a half empty stadium' because the other half are stuck in a jam.
Fleet: These luxury BMWs will chauffeur VIPs around London during the Olympics
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Britons. Do you actually want to host the Olympics or not? - Chavman's World, Hong Kong, 12/6/2012 11:03 Short answer is NO !! - Voice of Reason, Wales, ........ I agree. Shame we we're asked earlier.
- Mick, Hertford, 12/6/2012 13:41
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