Atletico dump Ronaldo"s Real Madrid out of Copa del Rey

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Fernando Torres scored his first Atletico Madrid goals in eight years as the La Liga champions dumped holders Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey 4-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday.

Already leading 2-0 from last week’s first-leg, Torres stunned the hosts inside the first minute when turning home Antoine Griezmann’s pass to hand Atletico a vital away goal.

Sergio Ramos pulled a goal back for Real, but Griezmann and Torres repeated the trick seconds into the second-half to restore Atletico’s lead.

Fresh from winning the third Ballon d’Or of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo ensured the home side at least salvaged a draw on the night, but they have now failed to beat Atletico in five meetings this season.

Atletico will almost certainly face Barcelona in the last eight, who travel to Elche later on Thursday holding a 5-0 first-leg.

Ronaldo paraded the Ballon d’Or in front of an adoring full house at the Bernabeu prior to kick-off.

However, it took just 46 seconds for Atletico to silence the home fans as Griezmann broke down the left and squared for Torres to turn home his first Atletico goal since May 2007.

Real then laid seige to Atletico goal in search of the four goals they needed to progress to the last eight.

Gareth Bale saw a flicked header easily held by Jan Oblak, whilst the Slovenian was on hand to somehow prevent Ronaldo turning home Karim Benzema’s knock-down moments later.

However, Atletico’s second choice ‘keeper was at fault when the hosts levelled after 20 minutes as he got nowhere near Toni Kroos’s free-kick and Ramos gratefully headed into an empty net.

Mario Suarez made a desperate clearance from just in front of his own goal line to prevent Ronaldo giving Madrid the lead and Oblak made a smart low save from Marcelo as the visitors held on till half-time.

And incredibly Atletico struck again within a minute of the restart after half-time in similar fashion as Ramos gifted the ball to Griezmann, who fed Torres and he cut inside Pepe to slot home his second goal of the night.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker could even have had a hat-trick moments later as he wriggled past Ramos inside the area, but Griezmann took the loose ball from his teammate and smashed a shot just wide.

Ronaldo restored parity on the night for Carlo Ancelotti’s men when he stooped to head in Bale’s cross from the left nine minutes after the break.

Torres, making his debut for Atletico on loan after returning to his boyhood club for whom he scored 82 goals between 2001 and 2007 this month, was then removed by Diego Simeone with Arda Turan joining Griezmann in attack.

That change blunted Atletico’s attacking options, but did allow the visitors to enjoy more possession as they comfortably saw out the last half an hour.

Benzema had one final chance to set up a grandstand finish, but he blasted over on the volley from close range to ensure Madrid’s winless streak against Diego Simeone’s men continues.

Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) round of 16 second-leg match Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. The game ended 2-2, but Atletico won 4-2 on aggregate. (PHOTOS: AFP)

Atletico Madrid forward Fernando Torres (left) scores during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) round of 16 second-leg match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. The game ended 2-2, but Atletico won 4-2 on aggregate.

View the original article here

Atletico dump Ronaldo"s Real Madrid out of Copa del Rey

Ronaldo leads star-studded Real Madrid in Club World Cup semi-final

RABAT, Morocco (AFP) — World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo enters the Club World Cup stage today as he heads the all-star cast from Real Madrid in their semi-final against Mexican side Cruz Azul in Marrakesh.

The 10-time European Champions go into the game in superb form on a run of 20 consecutive victories and with their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo having scored 25 goals in 15 league games this season.

“We’ve had an unforgettable year, winning a lot of titles, especially La Decima (10th Champions League title), and are in a good position in the league. We now go to the Club World Cup with the intentions of winning it,” said their coach Carlo Ancelotti after the 4-1 win at Almeria at the weekend.

Ronaldo though won’t be just a one man team.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas looks to have returned to form after a worrying slump, French international Karim Benzema is in devastating form up front and Welshman Gareth Bale is also flourishing.

However, Colombian star James Rodriguez and German World Cup winning midfielder Sami Khedira will miss the semi-finals, but Ancelotti says both should be back for the final if Real qualify.

Cruz Azul will want to make the most of their good fortune in the quarter-final against Australia’s Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers.

They trailed until the last minute of regular time against 10-man Wanderers before levelling and then went on to win 3-1, which also saw their opponents have another player sent-off, in extra-time.

“It’s a huge match for us and they (Madrid) go out favourites,” said Cruz coach Luis Fernando Tena.

“But football is a funny game and anything can happen,” added the coach, who guided Mexico to Olympic gold in 2012.

Real Madrid, though, can count on Mexican striker Javier Hernandez for some inside knowledge on Real’s rivals.

“He’ll (Hernandez) get a game and we are lucky to have him here, he’s performing really well in training every day,” said Ancelotti.

Real Madrid have a massive fan base in the country, which lies just across the Mediterranean but the torrential rain that ruined the quarter-finals in Rabat has seen the semi-finals switched to Marrakesh, 350km to the south, despite the 45,000 fans who had bought tickets.

Ancelotti is seeking his second World Club Cup as a coach having won it with AC Milan in 2007 after winning the Champions League.

View the original article here

Ronaldo leads star-studded Real Madrid in Club World Cup semi-final

Real Madrid, Spain dominate European club scene

by Andy SCOTT

Thursday, December 18, 2014    

If, after years of unbridled success, 2014 was brutally disappointing for Spain on the international stage, it was a glorious year for the country at club level.

A thrilling title race in La Liga, home to the world’s best player Cristiano Ronaldo and his great rival Lionel Messi, made it the envy of the rest of the continent, while Spain took a clean sweep of the European trophies and Real Madrid are in line to cap it all by becoming club world champions.

More than anyone else, it was a year to remember for Real, who finally won the European Cup for an unprecedented 10th time, ending a 12-year obsession with ‘La Decima’.

After years of frustration since Zinedine Zidane’s stunning volley in Glasgow secured their ninth European Cup in 2002, and more than a billion euros spent in the transfer market by president Florentino Perez, Carlo Ancelotti’s side beat city rivals Atletico 4-1 after extra time in a pulsating final in Lisbon in May.

It was so nearly a nightmare for Los Blancos, with only a stoppage-time equaliser by Sergio Ramos keeping their hopes alive before they ran away with the game in extra time once Gareth Bale had put them ahead.

“This squad is full of young players, talent and desire. This can be the start of a great cycle,” coach Ancelotti ominously declared later, having matched former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley’s achievement of winning three European Cups.

“When I signed for Madrid the Champions League was the primary objective for this season. Here the history with ‘La Decima’ made it even more important,” added the Italian.

So much so that Casillas, who would later endure a disastrous World Cup as the holders were eliminated in the group stage, said the night in Lisbon felt “like something even bigger than winning the World Cup.”

For Atletico, meanwhile, it was a reminder that they remain the David against their city neighbours’ Goliath and could only continue to upset the odds for so long.

Diego Simeone’s side have been a breath of fresh air across Europe and their Spanish title triumph, secured with a final-day draw away to rivals Barcelona, came against all odds.

After almost a decade in which Real and Barcelona had utterly dominated La Liga, Atletico broke the mould with a side led by the bruising centre-forward Diego Costa.

It seems hard to believe that such a story will be repeated any time soon, however, making their failure in the Champions League final all the more agonising.

An elite few continue to dominate in Europe’s leading leagues. Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich may have been humbled by Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League semi-finals, but they won the Bundesliga in record quick time and conceded just three goals in going unbeaten through their opening 16 games of this season.

Overcoming the blow to their prestige of seeing president Uli Hoeness jailed for tax evasion in the spring, Bayern’s all-conquering team are being taken to new levels by Guardiola, of whom Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “I have never seen such diligence in any other coach.”

In France, Paris Saint-Germain won last season’s Ligue 1 title with a record points tally from Monaco and remain favourites to win this season’s crown, despite Marseille’s revival under Marcelo Bielsa.

And in Italy, the country’s richest and most decorated club Juventus won the league with a record tally of 102 points last season, and few would bet against them winning another Scudetto in 2015.

But on the European stage, Spain has outshone the rest, with Sevilla winning the Europa League and then losing to Real in the final of the European Super Cup.

Spain has dominated the transfer market too, with the biggest moves seeing Colombia World Cup star James Rodriguez join Real from Monaco for 80 million euros ($99m) and the controversial Luis Suarez leave Liverpool for Barcelona for a similar amount.

And while Italy was as active as anywhere in terms of coaching changes, with Massimiliano Allegri replacing Antonio Conte at Juventus, Filippo Inzaghi taking over at AC Milan and Roberto Mancini returning to Inter, the highest-profile appointment came at Barcelona, where former player Luis Enrique arrived in the summer.

The Catalans, after a glorious era under Guardiola, are currently playing catch-up with their great rivals Madrid, though, just as Messi has played second fiddle to Ronaldo, at least at club level.

While Messi reached the World Cup final with Argentina, Ronaldo was eliminated at the group stage with Portugal, but he has broken the 60-goal barrier for a fourth calendar year in a row, and his goals have powered Real on an incredible run of 21 straight wins, with a Club World Cup final still to come.

View the original article here

Real Madrid, Spain dominate European club scene

Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul await 2020 Olympics vote

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Leading Tokyo’s final pitch for the 2020 Olympics, Japan’s prime minister assured the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday that the leak of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant is “under control” and will never affect Tokyo.

The Japanese city is competing against Madrid and Istanbul, with all three making their final presentations ahead of a vote later in the day by the IOC.Tokyo made its case as the “safe pair of hands,” Madrid as the least expensive option, and Istanbul as the historic choice for a region yet to host the Olympics.Tokyo has been considered a slight favourite but has been on the defensive in the final days of the campaign amid mounting concerns about the Fukushima leak.“Some may have concerns about Fukushima,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in English. “Let me assure you the situation is under control. It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo.”Abe returned to the issue later when Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg asked for more assurances.“It poses no problem whatsoever,” Abe said in Japanese, adding that the contamination was limited to a small area and had been “completely blocked.”“There are no health related problems until now, nor will there be in the future,” he said. “I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way.”Tokyo Electric Power Company, Fukushima’s operator, has acknowledged that tons of radioactive water has been seeping into the Pacific from the plant for more than two years after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami led to meltdowns at three of its reactors. Recent leaks from tanks storing radioactive water used to cool the reactors have added to fears that the amount of contaminated water is getting out of hand.With major risks surrounding each bid, the final presentations could help decide a tight race. Abe and Prime Ministers Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Mariano Rajoy of Spain all flew to Buenos Aires straight from the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.All three are repeat bidders: Istanbul for a fifth time overall, Madrid for a third straight and Tokyo a second in a row. Picking the city with the least risks shapes up as the challenge for the IOC.IOC elections are extremely unpredictable as members vote by secret ballot and take different personal reasons into account. Some members are still undecided and will be waiting for the final presentations before making up their mind.With two IOC members absent, 95 will be eligible to vote in the first round. With a majority required for victory, the process is likely to go two rounds. The city with the fewest votes is eliminated after the first round, setting up a final head-to-head ballot. Outgoing IOC President Jacques Rogge will open a sealed envelope to announce the winner.Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympics, continued to portray itself as the safe choice at a time of global political and economic uncertainty.“Tokyo can be trusted to be the safe pair of hands and much more,” bid leader and IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda said. “Our case today is simple. Vote for Tokyo and you vote for guaranteed delivery. … Tokyo is the right partner at the right time.”Tokyo’s delegation also included Japan’s Princess Takamado.“This may be the first time a member our family has addressed you, but the imperial family of Japan has always been active in sports,” she said.Madrid, which has picked up momentum in recent weeks, contended that its bid makes the most economic sense, a project that can help Spain recover from severe recession and 27 percent unemployment rate. Madrid says 80 per cent of its venues are ready and only $1.9 billion is needed for construction, a fraction of the other two bids.“Madrid has perhaps the most reasonable and responsible financial foundation in recent Olympic history,” Rajoy said. “We can host the Olympics in 2020 with no risk to the Olympic movement.”Crown Prince Felipe, a former Olympic sailor and Spain’s flag-bearer at the 1992 Barcelona Games, said holding the games during difficult economic times is an “opportunity” for the country. He called the bid “both affordable and a responsible model for the future.”“We aren’t talking about dreams, but realities,” bid leader Alejandro Blanco said. “We’re not talking about concepts. We aren’t throwing away money, nor are we building castles in the sky.”Madrid’s presentation also featured Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers star and two-time Olympic silver medalist.“If you choose Madrid today,” he said, “I know that you will find no safer home for the 2020 Games, and no greater partner for next seven years than the people of Spain.”After the presentation, Heiberg asked Madrid about Spain’s position on doping, which has been perceived as lax.“Spain is at the same level as all other countries fighting doping,” Blanco said. “We’ve had a problem in the past, but we have prosecuted the athletes as well as those who harmed the health of the athletes.”Blanco also said Spain had adopted a new anti-doping law.“Please have no doubt,” he said. “We are a reliable partner. We believe in clean sports, we believe in athletes. You will always have Spain at your side.”Istanbul, making its fifth overall bid, was up first. The Turkish delegation pressed its case to take the Olympics for the first time to a predominantly Muslim country, to a city linking the continents of Europe and Asia.With the civil war in neighboring Syria posing a major issue for the Istanbul bid, Erdogan said taking the games to Turkey “will send a very meaningful and strong message, not only to the world, but to our broader region.”“At this critical moment, we would like to send a strong message of peace to the whole world from Istanbul,” Erdogan said.After the formal presentation, IOC member Prince Albert of Monaco asked what hosting the games in Turkey would mean to the wider region.“We believe that hosting the Olympics in Istanbul will give this signal, this spirit of friendship and sharing and peace,” Erdogan said. “And our country is a place where there is a lot of unity and diversity, and that is the idea that we can share on a broader scale with the Olympics Games being hosted in Turkey.”Istanbul’s bid has also been hit hard by the anti-government protests in June and a slew of doping scandals among Turkish athletes.Turkish IOC member Ugur Erdener promised that Turkey “will continue to enforce our zero-tolerance policy on doping.” Sports Minister Suat Kilic said Turkey would use criminal laws to prosecute anyone involved in promoting the use of banned substances.

View the original article here

Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul await 2020 Olympics vote

Madrid eliminated as host for 2020 Olympics

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The 2020 Olympics will be held in either Tokyo or Istanbul after Madrid was eliminated in the first round of Saturday’s voting by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Madrid initially tied with Istanbul as an also-ran in the secret balloting by the IOC Istanbul won a tiebreak vote 49-45.The IOC then immediately voted between the Japanese and Turkish cities in a second round, and IOC President Jacques Rogge announced that one received a winning majority. The winner was to be announced at a ceremony at about 4:15pm (EDT).Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympics, is bidding for a second straight time. This is Istanbul’s fifth overall bid.In their final presentations, Tokyo made its case as the “safe pair of hands,” Madrid as the least-expensive option, and Istanbul as an historic opportunity to bring the Olympics to a predominantly Muslim country for the first time.Madrid, bidding for a third straight time, had seemed to have gained the most momentum in recent weeks despite Spain’s economic crisis and 27 per cent unemployment rate. The Madrid team claimed the games would pose no financial risk because most of the venues were already built.Tokyo has been considered a slight favourite but has been on the defensive in the final days of the campaign amid mounting concerns about the leak of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.“Some may have concerns about Fukushima,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in English. “Let me assure you the situation is under control. It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo.”Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg asked for more assurances.“It poses no problem whatsoever,” Abe said in Japanese, adding that the contamination was limited to a small area and had been “completely blocked.”“There are no health related problems until now, nor will there be in the future,” he said. “I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way.”Tokyo Electric Power Company, Fukushima’s operator, has acknowledged that tons of radioactive water has been seeping into the Pacific from the plant for more than two years after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami led to meltdowns at three of its reactors. Recent leaks from tanks storing radioactive water used to cool the reactors have added to fears that the amount of contaminated water is getting out of hand.Tokyo continued to portray itself as the safe choice at a time of global political and economic uncertainty.“Tokyo can be trusted to be the safe pair of hands and much more,” bid leader and IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda said. “Our case today is simple. Vote for Tokyo and you vote for guaranteed delivery. … Tokyo is the right partner at the right time.”The Turkish delegation pressed its case of taking the games to a city linking the continents of Europe and Asia.With the civil war in neighbouring Syria posing a major issue for the Istanbul bid, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said taking the games to Turkey “will send a very meaningful and strong message, not only to the world, but to our broader region.”“At this critical moment, we would like to send a strong message of peace to the whole world from Istanbul,” Erdogan said.IOC member Prince Albert of Monaco asked what hosting the games in Turkey would mean to the wider region.“We believe that hosting the Olympics in Istanbul will give this signal, this spirit of friendship and sharing and peace,” Erdogan said. “And our country is a place where there is a lot of unity and diversity, and that is the idea that we can share on a broader scale with the Olympics Games being hosted in Turkey.”Istanbul also has faced anti-government protests and a slew of doping scandals among Turkish athletes.Turkish IOC member Ugur Erdener promised that Turkey “will continue to enforce our zero-tolerance policy on doping.” Sports Minister Suat Kilic said Turkey would use criminal laws to prosecute anyone involved in promoting the use of banned substances.Madrid said 80 per cent of its venues were ready and only US$1.9 billion was needed for construction, a fraction of the other two bids.“Madrid has perhaps the most reasonable and responsible financial foundation in recent Olympic history,” Spanish Prime Minster Mariano Rajoy said. “We can host the Olympics in 2020 with no risk to the Olympic movement.”Crown Prince Felipe, a former Olympic sailor and Spain’s flag-bearer at the 1992 Barcelona Games, said holding the games during difficult economic times was an “opportunity” for the country. He called the bid “both affordable and a responsible model for the future.”Heiberg asked Madrid about Spain’s position on doping, which has been perceived as lax.“Spain is at the same level as all other countries fighting doping,” bid leader Alejandro Blanco said. “We’ve had a problem in the past, but we have prosecuted the athletes as well as those who harmed the health of the athletes.”Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Madrid eliminated as host for 2020 Olympics

Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul await 2020 Olympics vote

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Leading Tokyo’s final pitch for the 2020 Olympics, Japan’s prime minister assured the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday that the leak of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant is “under control” and will never affect Tokyo.

The Japanese city is competing against Madrid and Istanbul, with all three making their final presentations ahead of a vote later in the day by the IOC.Tokyo made its case as the “safe pair of hands,” Madrid as the least expensive option, and Istanbul as the historic choice for a region yet to host the Olympics.Tokyo has been considered a slight favourite but has been on the defensive in the final days of the campaign amid mounting concerns about the Fukushima leak.“Some may have concerns about Fukushima,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in English. “Let me assure you the situation is under control. It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo.”Abe returned to the issue later when Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg asked for more assurances.“It poses no problem whatsoever,” Abe said in Japanese, adding that the contamination was limited to a small area and had been “completely blocked.”“There are no health related problems until now, nor will there be in the future,” he said. “I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way.”Tokyo Electric Power Company, Fukushima’s operator, has acknowledged that tons of radioactive water has been seeping into the Pacific from the plant for more than two years after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami led to meltdowns at three of its reactors. Recent leaks from tanks storing radioactive water used to cool the reactors have added to fears that the amount of contaminated water is getting out of hand.With major risks surrounding each bid, the final presentations could help decide a tight race. Abe and Prime Ministers Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Mariano Rajoy of Spain all flew to Buenos Aires straight from the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.All three are repeat bidders: Istanbul for a fifth time overall, Madrid for a third straight and Tokyo a second in a row. Picking the city with the least risks shapes up as the challenge for the IOC.IOC elections are extremely unpredictable as members vote by secret ballot and take different personal reasons into account. Some members are still undecided and will be waiting for the final presentations before making up their mind.With two IOC members absent, 95 will be eligible to vote in the first round. With a majority required for victory, the process is likely to go two rounds. The city with the fewest votes is eliminated after the first round, setting up a final head-to-head ballot. Outgoing IOC President Jacques Rogge will open a sealed envelope to announce the winner.Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympics, continued to portray itself as the safe choice at a time of global political and economic uncertainty.“Tokyo can be trusted to be the safe pair of hands and much more,” bid leader and IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda said. “Our case today is simple. Vote for Tokyo and you vote for guaranteed delivery. … Tokyo is the right partner at the right time.”Tokyo’s delegation also included Japan’s Princess Takamado.“This may be the first time a member our family has addressed you, but the imperial family of Japan has always been active in sports,” she said.Madrid, which has picked up momentum in recent weeks, contended that its bid makes the most economic sense, a project that can help Spain recover from severe recession and 27 percent unemployment rate. Madrid says 80 per cent of its venues are ready and only $1.9 billion is needed for construction, a fraction of the other two bids.“Madrid has perhaps the most reasonable and responsible financial foundation in recent Olympic history,” Rajoy said. “We can host the Olympics in 2020 with no risk to the Olympic movement.”Crown Prince Felipe, a former Olympic sailor and Spain’s flag-bearer at the 1992 Barcelona Games, said holding the games during difficult economic times is an “opportunity” for the country. He called the bid “both affordable and a responsible model for the future.”“We aren’t talking about dreams, but realities,” bid leader Alejandro Blanco said. “We’re not talking about concepts. We aren’t throwing away money, nor are we building castles in the sky.”Madrid’s presentation also featured Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers star and two-time Olympic silver medalist.“If you choose Madrid today,” he said, “I know that you will find no safer home for the 2020 Games, and no greater partner for next seven years than the people of Spain.”After the presentation, Heiberg asked Madrid about Spain’s position on doping, which has been perceived as lax.“Spain is at the same level as all other countries fighting doping,” Blanco said. “We’ve had a problem in the past, but we have prosecuted the athletes as well as those who harmed the health of the athletes.”Blanco also said Spain had adopted a new anti-doping law.“Please have no doubt,” he said. “We are a reliable partner. We believe in clean sports, we believe in athletes. You will always have Spain at your side.”Istanbul, making its fifth overall bid, was up first. The Turkish delegation pressed its case to take the Olympics for the first time to a predominantly Muslim country, to a city linking the continents of Europe and Asia.With the civil war in neighboring Syria posing a major issue for the Istanbul bid, Erdogan said taking the games to Turkey “will send a very meaningful and strong message, not only to the world, but to our broader region.”“At this critical moment, we would like to send a strong message of peace to the whole world from Istanbul,” Erdogan said.After the formal presentation, IOC member Prince Albert of Monaco asked what hosting the games in Turkey would mean to the wider region.“We believe that hosting the Olympics in Istanbul will give this signal, this spirit of friendship and sharing and peace,” Erdogan said. “And our country is a place where there is a lot of unity and diversity, and that is the idea that we can share on a broader scale with the Olympics Games being hosted in Turkey.”Istanbul’s bid has also been hit hard by the anti-government protests in June and a slew of doping scandals among Turkish athletes.Turkish IOC member Ugur Erdener promised that Turkey “will continue to enforce our zero-tolerance policy on doping.” Sports Minister Suat Kilic said Turkey would use criminal laws to prosecute anyone involved in promoting the use of banned substances.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul await 2020 Olympics vote

Bale "too young" for Madrid move

Gareth Bale is “too young” to move abroad and would be making a mistake by leaving Tottenham for Real Madrid this summer, according to David Pleat.

Bale, 24, has indicated he wants to speak to the Spanish giants.

But former Tottenham manager Pleat, who feels it would take a fee of £100m to even tempt them to sell the forward, told BBC Sport: “I think he’s a little bit young to go abroad.

“I doubt he’d find it easy. Many have failed when they have moved overseas.”

Pleat added: “One or two have succeeded, but not many. Most have had a difficult time. I think he is young to go, but he might feel that, with his partner and baby, it will be a new start for him.

“I think it might be better if he stayed, continued to work and maybe next summer leave if that is his wish.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has described Bale as “one of the top three or four players in Europe”.

Speaking on the club’s tour of the United States the goalkeeper said: “It’s normal that his name is being discussed because he has all the qualities a footballer needs.

“Every transfer is controversial in its own way, for better or worse, but we are speaking about a very good, decisive player.

Former England striker Michael Owen spent a year at Real Madrid after leaving Liverpool in 2004, before returning to England with Newcastle.

The 33-year-old believes moving overseas is difficult for a player, telling BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek on Sunday: “Any player going from over here to Spain, it’s a lot different to what you imagine.

“It’s a slow pace of life. I was in a hotel for six months with a young child. It’s very difficult. You need to get a lot of things in order off the pitch. I’d be surprised if he went this year.”

“I’m sure we’ll make another signing before the transfer window shuts.”

Bale joined Tottenham from Southampton in May 2007 and signed a new four-year contract in June 2012.

He went on to enjoy his most successful season for the club in 2012-13, scoring 26 goals.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has insisted the Wales international is not for sale and says talks about a new deal are ongoing.

Real Madrid are yet to submit a formal offer for Bale but Pleat, who managed Tottenham from 1986 until 1987 and had three spells as caretaker-boss, expects Spurs to resist an approach from Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

“Regardless of whether the player wants to leave, the club are in the driving seat,” said Pleat.

“If [a club] have strong and brave leadership, which they have at Tottenham, they have to resist any formal offer that comes in, which Tottenham are determined to do.”

Pleat was also director of football at Spurs from 1998 until 2003 under current chairman Daniel Levy and is aware of how the 51-year-old businessman operates.

He believes it would take a huge offer to tempt Levy to part with Bale.

“Tottenham have been very firm,” he said.

“If something shattering, like £100m, is put on the table, then I think even the resistance of Daniel Levy may have to give in, but I think even supporters would understand it for that money.”

View the original article here

Bale "too young" for Madrid move