OLYMPICS
TEAM GB footballers to struggle to get out of their group - even with the likes of UAE and Senegal to deal with. I just don't think Stuart Pearce is up to the job.
MARK CAVENDISH to strike gold in the cycling road race - with Bradley Wiggins claiming a silver consolation.
MICHAEL PHELPS to claim a psychological advantage by beating arch rival and fellow American Ryan Lochte in the first of their Olympics battles, the men's 400m individual medley.
TOM DALEY and Pete Waterfield to grab bronze or silver in the 10m Platform Synchro.
WeeklySport
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
THE WEEKLY SPORT SAYS: LET THE GAMES BEGIN - IGNORE THE WHINGERS...AND ENJOY THEM!
FRANK
WORRALL OLYMPICS SPECIAL REPORT: EDITION 1
IF you took in the constant whinging about the Olympics, you could easily come to the conclusion that London 2012 is bad news. That the Games, which officially open this Friday, are a waste of time, a waste of money and will bring only problems.
If there was a gold medal for whinging, Great Britain would win it every time. We are undoubtedly the world leaders in seeing the glass half empty rather than half full. We love to moan on about the weather, the state of the country, the state of the economy etc etc.
Why not simply allow the scales of cynicism fall from your eyes - and lap up the action? And don't worry if you can't make it to any events, or had no luck in securing tickets...the whole show will be broadcast on the BBC over
the duration.
Even the opening ceremony on Friday will be a world-class example of what we in Britain can achieve - and billions around the world will see that we, as a nation, have still got what it takes.
Curated by the redoubtable Danny Boyle - the man who brought us Slumdog Millionaire - it is sure to offer up a marvellous mix of music, theatre and entertainment.
The Queen will officially open the ceremony and then Boyle's extravaganza will swing into action with 10,000 volunteers and some truly stunning visuals and action.
Then the athletes - from more than 200 countries - will parade around the Olympic Stadium before the flame is lit to announce that the Games have finally begun.
The big question right now surrounds the identity of the person who will light the flame. My information as of today (Wednesday July 25) is that the mystery person is none other than David Beckham. That would be a great choice
to my mind after the footballer was so cruelly (and wrongly) snubbed by the pathetic Stuart Pearce for the Team GB squad. Beckham has done as much as anybody to get the Games in London and giving him such a pivotal role would be a good way of thanking him. He is a fine ambassador for this nation, a fine man and a great example to young people.
Plus he is one of the five most famous people in the world - which helps when the show is going out live to the world.
Here at the Weekly Sport, we will be advising you what to watch and when to watch it in this column every Wednesday. We will also be speculating which events during the week offer the best chances of Olympic glory for Great Britain.
As a starter, here are our selections for the week from today to next Wednesday, August 1...
SATURDAY JULY 28
ALSO: NOT Brits, but still worth tuning in to see the first of an anticpated thriller series between the brilliant Americans Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the Men's 400m individual medley (SWIMMING, BBC1, 7.30pm).
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS, BBC3, 2,45pm
BETH TWEDDLE is the Brit we are all depending on for glory.
SWIMMING, BBC1, 7.30pm
REBECCA ADLINGTON will be hoping to be our golden girl in the Women's 400m freestyle.
ALSO: Look out for Zara Phillips taking part for GB in the Team Eventing at Greenwich Park (EQUESTRIAN, 10am, on air time on BBC1 to be confirmed).
DIVING FINAL, BBC1, 3pm
THE talented and likeable Tom Daley is after a gold medal. Best of luck to Tom and Pete Waterfield in the 10m platform synchro at the Aquatics Centre.
ALSO: Look out for Great Brit Zoe Smith as she takes part in the 58kg event at the Excel Arena (WEIGHTLIFTING, 12.30pm, on air time on BBC1 to be confirmed).
SAILING, BBC RED BUTTON, 12noon
BEN AINSLIE is on target for a remarkable FOURTH consecutive gold medal.
ALSO: Look out for Brits Richard Kraus at the Excel (FENCING, 10.30am) and Tonia Couch with Sarah Barrow in the Aquatics Centre (DIVING, 10m PLATFORM SYNCHRO, 3pm). On air times for both events to be confirmed on the day. Check for all times to be confirmed by the BBC with TV listings on the day.
IF you took in the constant whinging about the Olympics, you could easily come to the conclusion that London 2012 is bad news. That the Games, which officially open this Friday, are a waste of time, a waste of money and will bring only problems.
The pundits
have been moaning about the traffic snarl-ups the Olympic lanes on the M4 and
within London itself will bring.
They
have carped on about the tubes being crammed and how it will be difficult to
get to work in London.
Then
there has been the sniping about the balls-up by G4S which has led to the Army
being asked to provide security.
Jeez,
even the rain has been used as a reason why we shouldn't have held them in the
Capital - and that is forgetting
the cost of the whole shebang!If there was a gold medal for whinging, Great Britain would win it every time. We are undoubtedly the world leaders in seeing the glass half empty rather than half full. We love to moan on about the weather, the state of the country, the state of the economy etc etc.
Rarely
do we see the good in situations and give ourselves a pat on the back.
Well,
maybe we should start reversing that pessimistic attitude, starting this week,
and become a more positive, prouder
nation - if only for the duration of the Olympics.
No
amount of whinging or sniping is going to stop the Games taking place in London
over the next couple of weeks - so why
not sit back and enjoy them?
Why
not sit back in awe at some of the wondrous sporting achievements that will
take place in front of your very eyes -
and salute the athletes who have dedicated themselves for a lifetime to scale
such heights?Why not simply allow the scales of cynicism fall from your eyes - and lap up the action? And don't worry if you can't make it to any events, or had no luck in securing tickets...the whole show will be broadcast on the BBC over
the duration.
Even the opening ceremony on Friday will be a world-class example of what we in Britain can achieve - and billions around the world will see that we, as a nation, have still got what it takes.
Curated by the redoubtable Danny Boyle - the man who brought us Slumdog Millionaire - it is sure to offer up a marvellous mix of music, theatre and entertainment.
The Queen will officially open the ceremony and then Boyle's extravaganza will swing into action with 10,000 volunteers and some truly stunning visuals and action.
Then the athletes - from more than 200 countries - will parade around the Olympic Stadium before the flame is lit to announce that the Games have finally begun.
The big question right now surrounds the identity of the person who will light the flame. My information as of today (Wednesday July 25) is that the mystery person is none other than David Beckham. That would be a great choice
to my mind after the footballer was so cruelly (and wrongly) snubbed by the pathetic Stuart Pearce for the Team GB squad. Beckham has done as much as anybody to get the Games in London and giving him such a pivotal role would be a good way of thanking him. He is a fine ambassador for this nation, a fine man and a great example to young people.
Plus he is one of the five most famous people in the world - which helps when the show is going out live to the world.
Here at the Weekly Sport, we will be advising you what to watch and when to watch it in this column every Wednesday. We will also be speculating which events during the week offer the best chances of Olympic glory for Great Britain.
As a starter, here are our selections for the week from today to next Wednesday, August 1...
SATURDAY JULY 28
ROAD
CYCLING, BBC1, 2pm
CAN
the wonderful Bradley Wiggins or his equally talented countryman Mark Cavendish
win gold for GB? Expect a titanic race for gold as the race climaxes on The
Mall.ALSO: NOT Brits, but still worth tuning in to see the first of an anticpated thriller series between the brilliant Americans Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the Men's 400m individual medley (SWIMMING, BBC1, 7.30pm).
SUNDAY
JULY 29
ROAD
CYCLING, BBC1, 2pm
NICOLE
COOKE from Wales claimed gold in the Women's Race in 2008. Can she do it again?
She will face tough competition from fellow Brit Lizzie Armistead.ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS, BBC3, 2,45pm
BETH TWEDDLE is the Brit we are all depending on for glory.
SWIMMING, BBC1, 7.30pm
REBECCA ADLINGTON will be hoping to be our golden girl in the Women's 400m freestyle.
ALSO: Look out for Zara Phillips taking part for GB in the Team Eventing at Greenwich Park (EQUESTRIAN, 10am, on air time on BBC1 to be confirmed).
MONDAY
JULY 30
DIVING FINAL, BBC1, 3pm
THE talented and likeable Tom Daley is after a gold medal. Best of luck to Tom and Pete Waterfield in the 10m platform synchro at the Aquatics Centre.
ALSO: Look out for Great Brit Zoe Smith as she takes part in the 58kg event at the Excel Arena (WEIGHTLIFTING, 12.30pm, on air time on BBC1 to be confirmed).
TUESDAY
JULY 31
SAILING, BBC RED BUTTON, 12noon
BEN AINSLIE is on target for a remarkable FOURTH consecutive gold medal.
ALSO: Look out for Brits Richard Kraus at the Excel (FENCING, 10.30am) and Tonia Couch with Sarah Barrow in the Aquatics Centre (DIVING, 10m PLATFORM SYNCHRO, 3pm). On air times for both events to be confirmed on the day. Check for all times to be confirmed by the BBC with TV listings on the day.
We
hope that's given you a taste for the action. As you can see, it's a great
first week - so sit back and enjoy the action from the greatest show on Earth!
FRANK
WORRALL
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
FRANKIE'S FLUTTERS
I HAVE a bad feeling about Lewis Hamilton at the moment - and cannot see him winning the German GP, although I would be delighted to be proved wrong. I can see Alonso or Webber triumphing on Sunday.
I think England and South Africa could battle out a draw in the First Test at the Kia Oval. Defeat for either team would put them very much on the back foot as there are only three Tests to play for - but cricket fans should be the real winners with a feast of fine play.
Will Tiger Woods win at Lytham? I have a feeling he might - but it could be worth putting a bet on him to finish first or runner-up.
In football, I predict that Liverpool striker Andy Carroll will end up signing for his old club, Newcastle.
I think England and South Africa could battle out a draw in the First Test at the Kia Oval. Defeat for either team would put them very much on the back foot as there are only three Tests to play for - but cricket fans should be the real winners with a feast of fine play.
Will Tiger Woods win at Lytham? I have a feeling he might - but it could be worth putting a bet on him to finish first or runner-up.
In football, I predict that Liverpool striker Andy Carroll will end up signing for his old club, Newcastle.
PIETERSEN IS THE KEY FOR ENGLAND
CRICKET
ENGLAND v SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday to Monday
THE First Test gets underway at the Kia Oval on Thursday between the teams ranked No 1 and No 2 in the world - and it should be a cracker.
World No 1s England know they face a tough three-match series against the Boks, who can boast the best bowler in the world in Dale Steyn.
But England themselves are no slouches - in James Anderson they possess a man who is a similar giant with the ball in his hands.
The two teams are evenly matched and that adds to the feeling that the series will be wonderfully entertaining to witness.
Maybe England have a small edge...in Kevin Pietersen they have a man who has more to prove than most.
He has been mired in controversy of late after his premature retirement from international limited-overs cricket.
Plus, of course, he is playing against his fellow countrymen (he was born in South Africa and only qualified for England through his English mother) and there is always an edge to his game when he plays against the Boks.
I have a feeling that a revved-up Pietersen and Anderson could see England home - but it will be very close.
FRANK WORRALL
ENGLAND v SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday to Monday
THE First Test gets underway at the Kia Oval on Thursday between the teams ranked No 1 and No 2 in the world - and it should be a cracker.
World No 1s England know they face a tough three-match series against the Boks, who can boast the best bowler in the world in Dale Steyn.
But England themselves are no slouches - in James Anderson they possess a man who is a similar giant with the ball in his hands.
The two teams are evenly matched and that adds to the feeling that the series will be wonderfully entertaining to witness.
Maybe England have a small edge...in Kevin Pietersen they have a man who has more to prove than most.
He has been mired in controversy of late after his premature retirement from international limited-overs cricket.
Plus, of course, he is playing against his fellow countrymen (he was born in South Africa and only qualified for England through his English mother) and there is always an edge to his game when he plays against the Boks.
I have a feeling that a revved-up Pietersen and Anderson could see England home - but it will be very close.
FRANK WORRALL
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