GENEVA, SWITZERLAND -Alvaro de Miranda of Brazil riding AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan took maximum points in Geneva Sunday 11 December in the series final of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping, Western European League event.
The crowd had their money’s worth watching the 38-year-old rider and his 13-year-old gelding, in the second-round race against the clock, “a thriller in which the lead changed again and again”, according to the FEI.
Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden, the 2011 European Champion, was runner-up and Patrice Delaveau from France riding Orient Express was third. Sunday’s results have strengthened Bengtsson’s position at the top of the series, but Miranda, in 18th place, is now reportedly looking for a spot at the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012 final in The Netherlands next April.
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Two Chinese gymnasts who have been suspected of being under-age for the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games, met in Lausanne Monday 21 December with Fig, the international gymnastics federation, to review their case. A decision on Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun will be made 26 February by Fig’s executive committee, based on the recommendations of the three-person disciplinary commission which met with the athletes and the Chinese Gymnastic Association.
The gymnasts are suspected of having been as young as 14, according to USA Today. Olympic Games athletes must turn 16 during the year of the Games in which they compete. The Chinese team earned bronze in Sydney.
Reports that Chinese women gymnasts may have been too young for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games were squashed by Fig, which ruled the young women were of age, following an investigation.
Nyon, Switzerland and Monaco (GenevaLunch) - The draw for the first round of the Champions League will mean that Real Madrid, AC Milan and Marseilles will play in the same group as FC Zurich, severely denting the chances of the Swiss team making the next round but guaranteeing another sporting feast for the city. The highlight of this group will be the Milan-Real match which will see the Madrid’s recent signing, Brazilian star Kaka, return to his old club.
The Premier League teams generally had a fortunate draw, avoiding the big teams, although Manchester United will not be keen on playing German champions Wolfsburg. Chelsea also face tough matches against Porto and Atlético Madrid.
Details: Uefa
