Ethiopia conquers women's Olympic 5000 meters Elvan claims silver

It was a race the athletics world expected to be between just the two Ethiopian Lionesses with the bronze allotted to rising star Meselech Melkamu. A battle between the two queens to claim the throne of Ethiopian athletics was what every one dreamed yet it failed to happen. Athens Olympics champion Meseret Defar to defend her title and her IAAF world best athlete of the season crown while for world double champion and record holder and already Beijing gold medalist Trunesh Dibaba, a jewel to her crown. Above all it was the best venue to settle scores between them for old rivalry is very normal in world sports. In the meantime the one to benefit and raise its flag happened to be mother Ethiopia, home of great distance athletes. At the end it was a medal sweep for the Ethiopian 5000 meter squad though the bookies so obsessed with technicality hardly to record it. Their argument that Elvan Abiy Legesse is Turkish is not true for it is Elvan’s passport that is Turkish not the athlete.
However things appeared to go wrong from mid distance of the race for Meseret stayed in the pack instead of pressuring the race to her liking. Rather Elvan already a silver medalist in 10000 meter took the initiative to dismantle the pack and see who is what. Two laps to go Elvan added fuel to her pace by this time the remaining pack leaving the three by themselves. Until the final 50 meters where the three pushed to the limit Trunesh was calm and things fully under control while Meseret’s face show remorse.
Twety meters to the finishing line, sure footed Trunesh raced in her graceful stride clocking 15:41:40 to claim her second gold of the week. Despite falling way back from her Oslo record 14:11:15 she brought home her second gold true to her word.
The youngest ever world champion six years ago, Trunesh entered the history books as the first woman to win the 5000 & 10000 meters. The ever smiling Trunesh nick named by one or popular Ethiopian newspaper, Addis Admas, chief editor Nebiy Mekonen “The Ostrich” now shared the record with fellow Ethiopian 1980’s world renowned distance runner Miruts Yifter also known as “The Gear Changer.” Miruts won Olympic double in 5000&10000 meters in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Trunesh gliding in to the gold medal, Ethiopian- Turkish Elvan crossed the finished line in 15:42:74 bringing her second silver medal for her adopted nation of Turkey. wise Elvan stayed between the two and a dashing start before the bell gone. Crossing the line Elvan went wild with joy.
Though it is hard to believe the reigning IAAF world athlete of the season and the record holder until recently Meseret Defar finished third in 15:42:74, to.
Though at the time the event took place Capital had gone to print double Olympic gold medalist Kenenisa was favorite for the planet’s 5000&10000 meter gold medalist’s table.

Former EFF executive send letter to FIFA Call on Asheber to refrain

Former Ethiopian football federation executive
committee members, assistant professor Sisay
Zeleke and instructor Kassahun Teka have submitted a letter opposing the former EFF president Dr Asheber W/Giorgis’ firm standee of complying with FIFA’s decision.
In a surprising move the two former executive body members and strong allies to Dr Asheber wrote a letter to world soccer governing body (FIFA) with a copy to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ethiopian Youth and Sport Ministry and to the former president, urging them to lift the ban following the latest ruling.
Assistant professor Sisay, who had been active in Dr Asheber’s campaign to claim back the presidency, was considered a staunch supporter of the former president and his sudden change of mind surprised everyone. Dr Asheber who was heard last week-end on a radio sport talk saying his cabinet is full of intellectuals, with the likes of Assistant Professor Sisay Zeleke. It is a big coup for the sport to win the professor to its side.
Instructor Kassahun Teka one of the most famous footballers who had play for Saint George and the national team and was later coach at club and national level for the past three decades, was member of the EFF executive committee under Dr Asheber. As executive member and education officer and considered the right hand man to the former president, Kassahun had been out of the public eye since the newly appointed executive body took the administration. His sudden change of mind in the shape of the surprise letter on Thursday August 2, 2008, urges CAF and FIFA to lift the ban on Ethiopian football from the international arena.
In their letter Sisay and Kassahun called the attention of Dr Asheber to refrain from fighting against the interest of Ethiopian football and work to make peace and harmony in the nation’s football family.
Capital tried to contact Professor Sisay and Kassahun Teka to entertain the story from their view point but could not access them. Sources said their cell phones are switched off following message after message from the public in appreciation their new stand. The public expects CAF and FIFA would be relieved to hear the truth from the very people involved and will soon reconsider its decision.

Is it the beginning of the end for Brazil’s football?
Messi outshines Ronaldinho

Though Olympic soccer is a stage normally reserved for second fiddlers, Brazil’s football federation takes it seriously. National coach Dunga called the likes of twice world player of the year Ronaldinho and Manchester United’s robust mid fielder Anderson to bring the gold medal for the first.
However, despite a swift start and a 2-0 quarter final victory over former Olympic champions Cameroon, Brazil appeared out of steam to the semi final clash against arch rival and defending champion Argentina. A Lionel Messi inspired Argentine hammered Brazil 3-0, all three goals in the second half. Hardly to compare Ronaldinho with an only free kick that kissed the woodwork and rising world soccer majician Messi who set up two three triplets and some dangerous shots saved by a lucky goal keeper
Blamed for the current poor performance all time low 6th in world ranking and 5th on world cup qualification table, boss Dunga is in front of the firing squad waiting for the shet. Whether Brazil, under stop-gap head coach Dunga can rebound soon to first spot in the rankings is holy debate.
Meanwhile, Nigeria easily crushed surprise semi finalist Belgium 4-1 to a repeat of the 1996 Olympic cup final against Argentina the Birds Nest Olympic stadium. After the unexpected quarter final 3-2 victory over Italy, Belgium seemed a strong side capable of challenging the African representative who had been criticized for their performance at the group stage. On the semi final Nigeria appeared too much a for Belgium not only in the goal tally but also taking full command of the match from the very start.
Hosting the classic Olympic soccer cup final between hot favorite to defend the title Argentina and African pride Nigeria is said to be one of the best events of the Beijing Olympics.