Foul!

Soraya Jimenez, who won the 58-kilogram weightlifting competition at the 2000 Sydney Games to become Mexico's first female Olympic champion, died of a heart attack Thursday at her home in Mexico City . She was 35. Jimenez, who retired after numerous injuries and surgeries to her left knee. She was described in a statement by the Mexico Olympic Committee as one of her country's "most beloved athletes." Read the full report here .

Armstrong was not afraid of being caught. 'There weren't many out of competition testing'; he 'schedules' taking drugs to be clean during races. "I'm not the most believable guy in the world at this moment, I know that."  "Yeah...yeah. I was a bully."  "I don't know if you took the two words out of thin air but I'm both, more of a jerk now than a humanitarian." "Look at this arrogant prick (referring to himself). I say that today." "It did not feel wrong at that time. Scary." "That was the last time I won, (my speech, before I retired after my 7th win) it was lame." "I didn't know it was big but I now know. I see anger, betrayal by people who believed me. They've every right to feel betrayed, it's my fault." Those were some of the quotes by Lance Armstrong during a worldwide exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey on that ended minutes ago. Hours before ...

PERSATUAN Badminton Malaysia (BAM) tidak meletakkan keutamaan untuk memenangi pingat emas pertama buat kontinjen negara pada temasya Sukan Olimpik 2016 di Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sebaliknya, badan induk sukan badminton negara itu mahu memberi fokus terhadap perancangan jangka masa panjang apabila meletakkan sasaran untuk merealisasikan impian meraih pingat emas pada Sukan Olimpik 2024. Read the full report in today's Kosmo . 1. It's good that BAM is looking beyond their 4 year Olympic cycle as they normally do. 2. It's good that BAM is realistic in its target. BUT 3. What have they done in the previous years and what do they plan to achieve between 2012-2024? 4. What have they been planning besides counting on the likes of Lee Chong Wei and doubles pair Koo Kein Keat-Tan Boon Heong prior to London 2012? 5. What's beyond 2024? One could construe the BAM's vision of netting gold in 2024 as realistic. But critics would argue their 12 year plan is ...

Kegagalan. That was the word used by former Mailsport journo Rizal Hashim during a phoner with Sukan Awani Ekstra on Astro Awani (ch 501) yesterday. I was a guest on the said show as we discussed about Malaysia's performance at the 2012 Summer Games. Rizal had plenty to say about the powers-that-be, mainly the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council to which I refrained from commenting and to only react by saying; "Ouch". The Road to London 2012 programme - initiated by former Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob - had the 'objective' of ending the gold medal drought. It was not meant to be but some insist the RM20 million programme has "reaped its benefits" as reported here . Some may say Azizulhasni Awang failed to rise to the occasion but I know national cycling coach John Beasley would be happy with Azizulhasni's performance, given the fact that Azizulhasni bounced back from several setbacks prior the Olympics. Also, the succes...

It got many excited as London Olympic bronze medalist Pandelela Rinong is 'finally' on twitter. With a picture of her and her favourite nickname as her handle ( @LuluGDolphine ), one would have expected the Sarawakian lass to have stepped into the world of Twitter. However, a quick check by the author proved otherwise as evident in the exchange of SMS-es ( pic ). Harimau Muda A coach Ong Kim Swee has several 'pages' on Facebook and Twitter. He has denied having set up accounts on any social platforms. Parody accounts are common as even former Works minister and MIC president Samy Vellu is also seen on Twitter. So the next time you follow, like or request to add someone from such social networks, do some homework before blindly acknowledging. Otherwise, there could be a serious form of misrepresentation that could offend many in return. HD says: The price of being famous I guess.

National diver Pandelela Rinong made a splash at the London Olympics after bagging the bronze medal in the women's 10m platform final. China's Chen Roulin won the gold medal with a total of 422.30 points while Australian Brittnay Broben surprised many by playing bridesmaid after collecting 366.50 points. Pandelela, meanwhile, obtained 359.20 points to clinch the bronze. This is the nation's second medal at the Summer Games after national shuttler Lee Chong Wei netted the silver medal in the men's singles final. Congratulations to Pandelela and the coaches.

UPDATE 11.20am: Chong Wei arrived at KLIA at 7.30am and was ushered out by 8.30pm. When interviewed by Astro Awani's sports desk, Chong Wei said he will try for the 2016 Olympics and revealed it could be in the (mixed) doubles event. Was it a joke or something he is seriously toying with? Only time will tell. In the meantime, read here for Chong Wei's 2016 dream. ---- Top national shuttler and London Olympics silver medalist Lee Chong Wei is expected to return to a hero's welcome at the KL International Airport at abour 7.30am. Despite having failed to net the gold medal, Chong Wei is still considered a national hero after putting up a gritty display against Lin Dan before losing 21-15, 10-21, 19-21 in the men's singles final on Sunday. While the younger generation get excited over the return of Chong Wei, a former Olympian is set to make his way to our Parliament at noon. Former national cyclist Ng Joo Pong is expected to meet Minister in the Prime Minis...

IT was 79 minutes that kept fans at the edge of their seats. Malaysians were all hoping for a fairy tale ending – the perfect gift to celebrate the nation’s 55th birthday and to end the Olympic gold medal drought. It was supposed to be a picture of jubilation where top national shuttler Lee Chong Wei was to kiss the Jalur Gemilang on his track top as he held the gold medal with pride. The Negaraku was supposed to echo within the walls of the Wembley Arena, at an Olympic event for the first time. But it was not meant to be. Instead, it was déjà vu for badminton lovers. History repeated itself in a cruel manner as the same pictures that splashed the local dailies in 2008 Beijing will be seen again tomorrow – the picture of Lin Dan biting the gold medal with Chong Wei playing bridesmaid with the silver medal around his neck. The third placed is dominated by the Chens – at the 2008 Beijing Olympics it was Chen Jin and at the London edition it was Chen Long. Desp...

By Jennifer Smith ( The Telegraph, UK ) 1. Shakespeare was the first person to use the word “Olympian” in 1591, in Henry VI, with the line: "Promise them such rewards / As victors wear at the Olympian games." 2. The ancient Olympics were first referred to in Homer’s Iliad, written in the 7th or 8th century BC. 3. The earliest record of the Games dates from 776 BC, when the only event was a foot race …. 4. ... and women, slaves and “impious” persons were banned from taking part in or watching the Games. 5. The “Olympic Truce” required that wars and disputes with the Hellenic world be suspended for the duration of the Games. 6. The first post-classical “Olimpick” games took place near Chipping Campden in 1612, exactly 400 years before London 2012. 7. The National Olympic Association was set up in 1865. Its aim was to establish a National Olympic Games, which would be held in a different city every year. 8. The first National Olymp...

According to former Mailsport editor Tony Mariadass "Malaysian sports have been embroiled in more controversies than feel good stories of late." He cites the never-ending football bribery disease, the failure of the hockey lads to qualify for the Olympic and the doping issue surrounding the athletics scene - among others. But come the London Olympics, rest assured that there will be more officials present than athletes. Do not be surprised if even a journalist who hardly covers sport nor his organisation hardly covers local sports, could well be present with an official media accreditation in London. I wonder who eh..... Read Tony's full posting here . HD says: Hmm....

As published in Mailsport. The Harimau Muda lads finally completed their pre-Olympic campaign. Having lost 3-0 to Syria on Wednesday en route to finishing at the bottom of Group C in the third round of the Asian qualifiers, the performance of the youngsters received mixed reaction from fans and observers alike. Man-of-the-Match Mardek Mardkian scored a brace and later assisted teammate Al Suma to score the third goal for the Syrians. National defender Fadhli Shas, meanwhile, was sent off for a questionable challenge forcing Malaysia to play with 10 men. There are those who credited the team, saying it has been awhile since Malaysia actually made it to the final rounds of the qualifiers. The nation have only qualified for the Olympics on two occasions — the 1972 Munich and 1980 Moscow Games. However, Malaysia boycotted the 1980 edition after Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Harimau Muda A coach Ong Kim Swee and his lads have received brickbats from certain quarters. Not n...

A lot has been said about the Sea Games and Olympic qualifiers' fixtures next month as seen here . But time is running out for coach Ong Kim Swee ( pic ) . And he is certainly feeling the pressure. The Sports Ministry - having much aspirations and dreams - is determined to see Malaysia defend their Sea Games title. The Sea Games final is usually held on the final day of the regional meet (Nov 22 in this case). But Malaysia is scheduled to play Syria in Bukit Jalil on Nov 23. That's hardly 24 hours of rest when Fifa stipulates players need 48 hours to rest. Any coach in Kim Swee's position will "ditch" the Sea Games campaign and focus on the Olympic qualifiers instead. But will Kim Swee be allowed to do so? Will the stakeholders and the fans understand? Don't expect Kim Swee to coach both teams while Syria will not be fooled to reschedule their meet to the convenience of Malaysia. Read Kim Swee's predicament in today's Mailsport . HD says: Kim Swee is ...

Ong Kim Swee's lads lost 2-0 against Japan in the Group C Asian Zone final round Olympic qualifying match in Fukuoka hours earlier. Read here and here for the highlights of the match. HD says: Looking forward to the following matches.