Phillips Idowu has revealed that Charles Van Commonee has confiscated his mobile telephone and personal computer "for the rest of the season" and banned the Triple Jump star from "going near a computer". Van Commonee - who branded Idowu a "clown" on the BBC - is said to be furious that the Belgrave Harrier used Twitter to withdraw from this weekend's European Team Championships.
"It's a total joke" thundered Idowu from a phone box "who the hell does he think he is? I'm the World Champion and yet I can't be trusted with a mobile phone. Ridiculous." The triple jump ace added that it "was none of Van Commonee's business" what he did online. "Where exactly is Charles' Gold medal?" pondered Idowu "when he wants some fashion advice he should call me."
Idowu went on to say that the ban was having a "negative impact" on his performance because he was unable to call the AA when his new car broke down last week. "I tried to fashion a device with a paper cup and a bit of string, but it didn't work" said Idowu "in the rain, the cup just disintegrated".
Van Commonee has defended his decision, but faces serious problems within the Team GB camp after Helen Clitheroe was caught on Facebook chat after lights out yesterday evening and Dwain Chambers was found to be "following" the out of favour Idowu on Twitter. Meanwhile, a row has erupted within the BBC after Denise Lewis 'unfriended' Colin Jackson in a row thought to be over shoes and Jonathan Edwards revealed that he didn't even know what Twitter was.
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Showing posts with label Belgrave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belgrave. Show all posts
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
EMERY DEMANDS FACEBOOK GROUP REMOVAL
Stephen Emery has threatened to have Facebook "taken off the internet" after he discovered a derisory group about him. The social networking page has been in existence since last summer and was created by some disgruntled Rugby & Northampton fans after the 5k man made a big money switch to Coventry Godiva. Speaking exclusively to the echo the group's founder described the "immense hurt" that Emery's snub had caused his boyhood team. "We were nearly relegated [from Birmingham League Division 1] weren't we? I always thought that when Stephen wore that vest saying 'I'M RUGBY TILL I DIE' he would always be with us. I cried myself to sleep the night he left".
Emery famously "nearly veered off the road in horror" when his agent telephoned through Rugby's contract renewal offer. Claiming to be "better than that" the then largely unknown athlete deserted his club-mates overnight for cross region rivals, Coventry. He has since shot to fame and commanded a salary rumoured to run into the tens of millions as well as attracting interest from big clubs such as Newham and Belgrave. Emery has not been without controversy since the switch and boss David Dix was forced to leave him out of the squad for the National 12 Stage this April.
The Loughborough based ace refused to answer questions about the incident at his weekly press call this evening, but did threaten to ban a journalist from this Friday's pre-BMC conference after he asked him "how important Facebook was" in his preparation. A source close to Emery said that the star was "absolutely fuming" and had dismissed two close aides after they didn't pick it up sooner. "Nineteen people have been having a laugh at his expense" said the insider "that is outrageous. We have a meeting booked with Mark Zuckerberg [Facebook's founder] first thing in the morning to discuss compensation".
The Facebook group in question can be found here.
Emery famously "nearly veered off the road in horror" when his agent telephoned through Rugby's contract renewal offer. Claiming to be "better than that" the then largely unknown athlete deserted his club-mates overnight for cross region rivals, Coventry. He has since shot to fame and commanded a salary rumoured to run into the tens of millions as well as attracting interest from big clubs such as Newham and Belgrave. Emery has not been without controversy since the switch and boss David Dix was forced to leave him out of the squad for the National 12 Stage this April.
The Loughborough based ace refused to answer questions about the incident at his weekly press call this evening, but did threaten to ban a journalist from this Friday's pre-BMC conference after he asked him "how important Facebook was" in his preparation. A source close to Emery said that the star was "absolutely fuming" and had dismissed two close aides after they didn't pick it up sooner. "Nineteen people have been having a laugh at his expense" said the insider "that is outrageous. We have a meeting booked with Mark Zuckerberg [Facebook's founder] first thing in the morning to discuss compensation".
The Facebook group in question can be found here.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
EXCLUSIVE: NEWHAM COULD GO BUST 'BY THE END OF 2011'
Newham and Essex Beagles lost £210m in the last financial year and could go out of business by the end of 2011, according to a report seen exclusively by the lufbra echo. The London club's dire financial performance has been blamed on ever increasing oil prices meaning it is costing a fortune to fly athletes in from all corners of the globe. "Obviously these are very disappointing results" said a senior aide to the Chairman "the important thing is that we have a clear plan on how we deal with this debt".
However, insiders are privately "gravely concerned" that the club will have nowhere to go if they fail to land a lucrative new contract with a private sponsor soon. "The decision not to award us the Olympic Stadium (it went instead to West Ham United) was a major blow" revealed an anonymous source "the club had always budgeted on getting the increased revenue from that. I do not know how we will cope without it - the truth is that there is no Plan B".
Newham spent £150m on wages alone last year and Team Manager Bob Smith, has been told that he will "have no money to spend" for the foreseeable future. It is also understood that Smith has himself taken a 20% pay cut as part of the club's austerity measures. Refusing to comment on the financial situation, Smith used his weekly press conference to talk up the club's "superb squad" and "to notch morale" heading into the National Road Relays next weekend. "We smashed it up last year" said Smith "and there is no reason why we can't do the same this. We are the number one club in Europe right now and will be proving it in the coming weeks and months. Belgrave are history".
The North London club were fined heavily in January after they breached transfer rules. This - coupled with a failed takeover bid from a group of wealthy Arab businessmen - is thought to have led the club into the dire position they now find themselves in. Rumours that the likes of Robbie Schofield and Mo Farah will have to be sold to help pay the bills are unlikely to appease the already uneasy fans. A spokesman for the Newham Supporters Trust blasted the "lazy, good for nothing management" that were "leading the club into terminal decline." Calling for a "fan centred" approach, the source claimed that a 10% increase in season ticket prices were "driving fans away".
However, insiders are privately "gravely concerned" that the club will have nowhere to go if they fail to land a lucrative new contract with a private sponsor soon. "The decision not to award us the Olympic Stadium (it went instead to West Ham United) was a major blow" revealed an anonymous source "the club had always budgeted on getting the increased revenue from that. I do not know how we will cope without it - the truth is that there is no Plan B".
Newham spent £150m on wages alone last year and Team Manager Bob Smith, has been told that he will "have no money to spend" for the foreseeable future. It is also understood that Smith has himself taken a 20% pay cut as part of the club's austerity measures. Refusing to comment on the financial situation, Smith used his weekly press conference to talk up the club's "superb squad" and "to notch morale" heading into the National Road Relays next weekend. "We smashed it up last year" said Smith "and there is no reason why we can't do the same this. We are the number one club in Europe right now and will be proving it in the coming weeks and months. Belgrave are history".
The North London club were fined heavily in January after they breached transfer rules. This - coupled with a failed takeover bid from a group of wealthy Arab businessmen - is thought to have led the club into the dire position they now find themselves in. Rumours that the likes of Robbie Schofield and Mo Farah will have to be sold to help pay the bills are unlikely to appease the already uneasy fans. A spokesman for the Newham Supporters Trust blasted the "lazy, good for nothing management" that were "leading the club into terminal decline." Calling for a "fan centred" approach, the source claimed that a 10% increase in season ticket prices were "driving fans away".
Thursday, 11 November 2010
FARAH: BACK ME OR I'M OUT
Mo Farah has demanded a new contract worth in excess of £20m, the Lufbra Echo can exclusively reveal. The GB International and double European Champion stormed out of 'clear the air' talks with his club Newham and Essex Beagles, after he was told that he would have to stay in a 4 star hotel. Farah - a long time friend of the Echo - contacted us to vent his spleen about the "painfully slow" progress being made on his new contract. "They want to restart first thing in the morning," fumed the sub 13 minute 5k man "and so put me up in a Hilton. It's disgusting. I have never been so insulted in all my life. I just said 'you know what? I don't need this right now' and stormed off."
Farah maintains that he is being "more than reasonable" when asking Newham to buy him a new Bentley (complete with driver) as well as a swish West London home on top of a £5m basic salary. "I need somewhere to rest and since they've put a block on helicopter transport, I have to get to races at least in some comfort. These really are basic needs. Paula Radcliffe got a swimming pool from Bedford when she joined." Farah famously criticised UK Athletics for their poor hotel provision at the World Cross and this latest spat with his club has led many to speculate that his future could be away from the British Isles. "I've had some huge offers from Spain" revealed Farah this evening, "but I don't want to go there yet. I feel that my future is in London for the time being, but if Newham can't provide what I'm after then I might have to go somewhere like Belgrave."
The mention of a move to Belgrave is unlikely to sit well with the Newham faithful. One fan told the Echo that there would be "no way back" for Farah if he opted for the Claret and Golds. "Everyone knows that they are the club we most enjoy beating," said the Newham season ticket holder "if he goes there then that will be it. He'll need 24 hour security."
Farah, however, seems unmoved by such comments. "I have to do what is right for me and I think that Newham lack ambition. I look around the squad and I think how it is ageing. They rely on me far too much and so I think that I should be reimbursed accordingly- I just don't need the added stress." The 5k star has not been without his difficulties this year. Back in March, he was forced to ditch plans to appear on Masterchef and only last week had to endure the trauma of a long haul flight in economy class. "It was all they [the airline] had on offer," explained the clearly still upset star "I have never been so humiliated in all my life. It really is awful back there." Whilst it seems unlikely that such "nightmares" will have to be survived again, the future for Mo Farah is far from certain.
Farah maintains that he is being "more than reasonable" when asking Newham to buy him a new Bentley (complete with driver) as well as a swish West London home on top of a £5m basic salary. "I need somewhere to rest and since they've put a block on helicopter transport, I have to get to races at least in some comfort. These really are basic needs. Paula Radcliffe got a swimming pool from Bedford when she joined." Farah famously criticised UK Athletics for their poor hotel provision at the World Cross and this latest spat with his club has led many to speculate that his future could be away from the British Isles. "I've had some huge offers from Spain" revealed Farah this evening, "but I don't want to go there yet. I feel that my future is in London for the time being, but if Newham can't provide what I'm after then I might have to go somewhere like Belgrave."
The mention of a move to Belgrave is unlikely to sit well with the Newham faithful. One fan told the Echo that there would be "no way back" for Farah if he opted for the Claret and Golds. "Everyone knows that they are the club we most enjoy beating," said the Newham season ticket holder "if he goes there then that will be it. He'll need 24 hour security."
Farah, however, seems unmoved by such comments. "I have to do what is right for me and I think that Newham lack ambition. I look around the squad and I think how it is ageing. They rely on me far too much and so I think that I should be reimbursed accordingly- I just don't need the added stress." The 5k star has not been without his difficulties this year. Back in March, he was forced to ditch plans to appear on Masterchef and only last week had to endure the trauma of a long haul flight in economy class. "It was all they [the airline] had on offer," explained the clearly still upset star "I have never been so humiliated in all my life. It really is awful back there." Whilst it seems unlikely that such "nightmares" will have to be survived again, the future for Mo Farah is far from certain.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Patricia Mead
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Belgrave Harriers legend, Patricia Mead. Pat, a former president of the club, has been one its most loyal supporters for decades. Vocal and informed, Pat graced athletics and cross country events across the country (and indeed world) from the local leagues to European Cups. She encompasses everything that is good about our sport: passionate, dedicated, particular and approachable. She was a graded official and along with her husband Alan, gave hours and hours of her time to the sport throughout the summer.
On a personal level, Pat was a fantastic supporter to me as I started my career in athletics. No matter what standard of athlete you were, no matter what club that you competed for, Pat always had time to talk athletics or whatever took your fancy. She was a talented official, a loyal Belgravian, engaging company and a great friend. The sport of athletics has today suffered an enormous loss.
James Fairbourn
2nd October 2010
On a personal level, Pat was a fantastic supporter to me as I started my career in athletics. No matter what standard of athlete you were, no matter what club that you competed for, Pat always had time to talk athletics or whatever took your fancy. She was a talented official, a loyal Belgravian, engaging company and a great friend. The sport of athletics has today suffered an enormous loss.
James Fairbourn
2nd October 2010
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
FROM THE EIGHTLANE FORUM.....
Eightlaners respond to the crucial issue to dog the running world this week:
THE RETURN OF SEMENYA
Lookatherballs
Shes so obviously a bloke. Look at how she runs; cum on iaaf lets get this freek banned for life
Interested
What exactly does the test involve? I remember reading about it in an academic journal once, but I don’t think the IAAF have been exactly transparent on this
Fv4.
It is a complex and very interesting process. Physiologically, there can be no dispute that Caster is probably female. That is to say that the IAAF will have engaged in extensive tests to ensure that she is eligible to compete as such. The question is what does SHE see herself as. That would have fascinating psychological implications for the sporting world at large.
Milkman
1010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010110101100010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
Tt_3
What more evidence do you need. SHE’S A GUY FOR SURE. She has a deep voice and runs better than everyone else.
We love simpson
It’s the girls that have to race her I feel sorry for. Imagine having to look at that just before you start.
Get a grip
I think you should all get a grip and go and do sum trainin
Cheatcheatcheat
It’s a common problem in African villages. Caster has clearly been offered enough money to feed her family for a lifetime just to keep quiet. She probably gets a testosterone injection once a week and providing she gets the right dose, the authorities will never know.
BNP Lover
Spot on ‘Cheatcheatcheat’, I am fed up wit them africaans coming and rewining are sport. When are the wimps at wada gonna get on top of this????????????????????????????????? BAN AFRICANS FOR LIFE
GBATHLETICSRULES
I think they should gender test all athletes who beat Semenya
Balls
Surely there is a very simple test that can be done: LOOK AT HER BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RunnersLife
Really interesting interview on Runnerslife with Semenya. They ask her what her opinion is on steady runs, tempos and interval work. She give in depth answers lasting around 25 words. WELL DONE RUNNERSLIFE AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Agreed
I don’t know the last poster in anyway and I am not from Wales, but have to agree- it’s a really really good read and I don’t think the creators get the respect they deserve.
Grow some balls and take the pace
I rekon the reason everyone h8s RL so much is cos that c*** mcloud posts on their. when is he gonna fuck off and get a reel job rather than post crap about not gettin payed to race abrord?????????
Daddys boy
That’s the best post all day ‘Grow some…’ It’s about time someone spoke up against that bully, McLeod.
Back to the point
But what about that cheat Semenya? Lets not forget that she is rewining are sport.
So is mcleeeeeeooooooddd!
I fink ryans to blame
African Violet
I think that this raises a pertinent question. Is the Loughborough regime responsible for the downfall of athletics in this world and the greater prevalence of drug cheats? Maybe if Gandy and his cronies took their responsibility a bit more seriously, then this would never have happened. I bet that if Semenya was a Gandy athlete, there wouldn’t have been any questions. Like when he shoe-horns shit athletes into the Loughborough International as ‘past’ students. They cheat just as badly.
Old Welshy
I am quite interested in Caster’s training. Although she can run a good 800m, I am not sure if she really has the kick to medal globally over 1500m+. Given that she has two years until the OG, perhaps it is time for her to focus primarily on the half mile distance? I know that she does a lot of ‘base’ work, but this might be wasted when it comes to the crunch
Homo
WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON WESLSHY??????????????????????????????? Shes a bloke and so wont be aloud to the Olympics
Old Welshy
No reason to get personal. I was only commenting on her training as I know it well
Milkman
1010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
10101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
10101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
Belgrave=evil
Wen r Belgrave goin to steel semenya for there bal team? Hahahaha!
Spot on
Love that last post. It is about time people publicaly slated Belgrave- they get waaaaaay too much support.
Iblameuka
I think that Stewart is to blame with his fuck of salary and shite dress sense. SACK STEWART, SAVE SEMENYA
Do some runnin
Has anyone ever thought that we may just be wasting our lives talking about things that don’t matter when we could be training and trying to emulate our heroes? Just a thought. Love the site though- well done Alan!
Athleticos????????????
Why haven’t those lazy aresholes at athleticos dun anythink on this? They claim to be passionate about the sport but this is reely crusial stuff and they aint got nuffink.
Cynical
I hate u all. Wen I was runnin in the 1950s loods of peeps wanted ter reed my blogs and now they only give a shit about lesbians and trannies. I nearly thru away all my v95 medals ve over day cos I fort whats ve point. Wife convinsed overwise.
Administrator
This thread is now locked.
THE RETURN OF SEMENYA
Lookatherballs
Shes so obviously a bloke. Look at how she runs; cum on iaaf lets get this freek banned for life
Interested
What exactly does the test involve? I remember reading about it in an academic journal once, but I don’t think the IAAF have been exactly transparent on this
Fv4.
It is a complex and very interesting process. Physiologically, there can be no dispute that Caster is probably female. That is to say that the IAAF will have engaged in extensive tests to ensure that she is eligible to compete as such. The question is what does SHE see herself as. That would have fascinating psychological implications for the sporting world at large.
Milkman
1010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010110101100010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
Tt_3
What more evidence do you need. SHE’S A GUY FOR SURE. She has a deep voice and runs better than everyone else.
We love simpson
It’s the girls that have to race her I feel sorry for. Imagine having to look at that just before you start.
Get a grip
I think you should all get a grip and go and do sum trainin
Cheatcheatcheat
It’s a common problem in African villages. Caster has clearly been offered enough money to feed her family for a lifetime just to keep quiet. She probably gets a testosterone injection once a week and providing she gets the right dose, the authorities will never know.
BNP Lover
Spot on ‘Cheatcheatcheat’, I am fed up wit them africaans coming and rewining are sport. When are the wimps at wada gonna get on top of this????????????????????????????????? BAN AFRICANS FOR LIFE
GBATHLETICSRULES
I think they should gender test all athletes who beat Semenya
Balls
Surely there is a very simple test that can be done: LOOK AT HER BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RunnersLife
Really interesting interview on Runnerslife with Semenya. They ask her what her opinion is on steady runs, tempos and interval work. She give in depth answers lasting around 25 words. WELL DONE RUNNERSLIFE AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Agreed
I don’t know the last poster in anyway and I am not from Wales, but have to agree- it’s a really really good read and I don’t think the creators get the respect they deserve.
Grow some balls and take the pace
I rekon the reason everyone h8s RL so much is cos that c*** mcloud posts on their. when is he gonna fuck off and get a reel job rather than post crap about not gettin payed to race abrord?????????
Daddys boy
That’s the best post all day ‘Grow some…’ It’s about time someone spoke up against that bully, McLeod.
Back to the point
But what about that cheat Semenya? Lets not forget that she is rewining are sport.
So is mcleeeeeeooooooddd!
I fink ryans to blame
African Violet
I think that this raises a pertinent question. Is the Loughborough regime responsible for the downfall of athletics in this world and the greater prevalence of drug cheats? Maybe if Gandy and his cronies took their responsibility a bit more seriously, then this would never have happened. I bet that if Semenya was a Gandy athlete, there wouldn’t have been any questions. Like when he shoe-horns shit athletes into the Loughborough International as ‘past’ students. They cheat just as badly.
Old Welshy
I am quite interested in Caster’s training. Although she can run a good 800m, I am not sure if she really has the kick to medal globally over 1500m+. Given that she has two years until the OG, perhaps it is time for her to focus primarily on the half mile distance? I know that she does a lot of ‘base’ work, but this might be wasted when it comes to the crunch
Homo
WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON WESLSHY??????????????????????????????? Shes a bloke and so wont be aloud to the Olympics
Old Welshy
No reason to get personal. I was only commenting on her training as I know it well
Milkman
1010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
10101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
10101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101011000
Belgrave=evil
Wen r Belgrave goin to steel semenya for there bal team? Hahahaha!
Spot on
Love that last post. It is about time people publicaly slated Belgrave- they get waaaaaay too much support.
Iblameuka
I think that Stewart is to blame with his fuck of salary and shite dress sense. SACK STEWART, SAVE SEMENYA
Do some runnin
Has anyone ever thought that we may just be wasting our lives talking about things that don’t matter when we could be training and trying to emulate our heroes? Just a thought. Love the site though- well done Alan!
Athleticos????????????
Why haven’t those lazy aresholes at athleticos dun anythink on this? They claim to be passionate about the sport but this is reely crusial stuff and they aint got nuffink.
Cynical
I hate u all. Wen I was runnin in the 1950s loods of peeps wanted ter reed my blogs and now they only give a shit about lesbians and trannies. I nearly thru away all my v95 medals ve over day cos I fort whats ve point. Wife convinsed overwise.
Administrator
This thread is now locked.
Friday, 16 April 2010
UKA CALL FOR CALM AS ASH CLOUD SPREADS
UKA are “seriously considering” cancelling early athletics meetings this summer after the ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano spreads across Europe. European airspace is in meltdown and many athletes are resorting to extraordinary measures in a bid to return to the UK. A UKA spokesman urged athletes to “remain calm” in the crisis, but conceded that it was now “very likely” that events such as the BUCS Outdoor Championships would be axed. “We don’t want people taking insane risks just to get back for BUCS,” said the source from his holiday home in New Zealand, “Nick Goolab and Stephen Sharp have already attempted to swim home from Portugal for the National 12 Stage and we can’t have everyone trying this.” The Belgrave pair were fished out of the Atlantic Ocean just half a mile from shore after Sharp inadvertently went the wrong way. Speaking from a hospital in Lisbon, where both were given the all clear, Sharp said “I didn’t realise that my iPhone wasn’t water proof and so the route map application broke and we ended up swimming towards Africa....Nick’s knackered now but it’s all good training.” Despite the setback, Sharp refused to rule himself out of the relays that start at midday tomorrow. “It’s not over yet,” said the most successful relay runner in British history, “I have spoken to Alan [Mead, Belgrave manager] and asked for a later leg. We could run there and just do a shortened cool down.” For their part, Belgrave have denied encouraging their stars to take unprecedented measures in order to make the relays. “We preach responsibility,” said an insider, “our guys must remember that they are role models to millions of kids and when they do something stupid it may be copied.”
In Portugal, David Howe and Alasdair Donaldson have been delayed in departing from LSAC’s warm weather training camp and Preston AC have had to postpone their return by nearly a week. A Preston source bemoaned a “difficult” situation. “The other night we really fell out with the Loughborough lot on the grounds we wouldn’t see them again. Now we’re stuck with them and their egos for ages- it’s awful.” Donaldson meanwhile is believed to have abandoned a bid to cycle up to Front Romeu in the Pyrenees, where his UKA colleagues are currently based. It is rumoured that the Scot fell off his bike only three kilometres into the trip and “badly grazed” his right knee. Our UKA source went on, “this situation does weird things to people. I know that Alasdair wants to be with the guys in France but he’ll be fine in Portugal.” Yesterday evening, Donaldson indicated that he was “gravely concerned” at the prospect of being stranded in Portugal. The Newham and Essex Beagle has claimed that he is being “relentlessly bullied” by the girls at the LSAC camp. “They aren’t being very nice,” sobbed the Scot, “Dani [Christmas] said that my tan wasn’t very good yesterday and that’s so upsetting.”
Back in the UK, some athletes are refusing to train in light of the “horrendous” air quality. Gary Bradbury revealed that he could “hardly breathe” on a recent recovery run and said that he would be writing off the next three weeks as a precaution. Chris Warburton was in a similar situation and indicated that his “entire season” may well now be over. “I think the dust cloud had an early effect on me in Portugal,” said the 3:38 man, “it’s been erupting for a couple of weeks now and that would explain why Stephen Emery was able to beat me in training.”
Elsewhere, Paula Radcliffe has paid £250,000 for a special “EasyBreathe” system to help her avoid any long term damage during her training. The Bedford and County said, “it’s great- I wear this special mask and it almost feels like normal.” The Marathon World Record holder revealed that there was a bit of snag when the company refused to print the Nike Swoosh on the device and thus rendering it useless. “It was fine in the end because Gary [Lough, Paula’s husband] drew it on with a Nike permanent marker,” Radcliffe explained, “he’s good like that- always coming up with ingenious solutions.”
In Portugal, David Howe and Alasdair Donaldson have been delayed in departing from LSAC’s warm weather training camp and Preston AC have had to postpone their return by nearly a week. A Preston source bemoaned a “difficult” situation. “The other night we really fell out with the Loughborough lot on the grounds we wouldn’t see them again. Now we’re stuck with them and their egos for ages- it’s awful.” Donaldson meanwhile is believed to have abandoned a bid to cycle up to Front Romeu in the Pyrenees, where his UKA colleagues are currently based. It is rumoured that the Scot fell off his bike only three kilometres into the trip and “badly grazed” his right knee. Our UKA source went on, “this situation does weird things to people. I know that Alasdair wants to be with the guys in France but he’ll be fine in Portugal.” Yesterday evening, Donaldson indicated that he was “gravely concerned” at the prospect of being stranded in Portugal. The Newham and Essex Beagle has claimed that he is being “relentlessly bullied” by the girls at the LSAC camp. “They aren’t being very nice,” sobbed the Scot, “Dani [Christmas] said that my tan wasn’t very good yesterday and that’s so upsetting.”
Back in the UK, some athletes are refusing to train in light of the “horrendous” air quality. Gary Bradbury revealed that he could “hardly breathe” on a recent recovery run and said that he would be writing off the next three weeks as a precaution. Chris Warburton was in a similar situation and indicated that his “entire season” may well now be over. “I think the dust cloud had an early effect on me in Portugal,” said the 3:38 man, “it’s been erupting for a couple of weeks now and that would explain why Stephen Emery was able to beat me in training.”
Elsewhere, Paula Radcliffe has paid £250,000 for a special “EasyBreathe” system to help her avoid any long term damage during her training. The Bedford and County said, “it’s great- I wear this special mask and it almost feels like normal.” The Marathon World Record holder revealed that there was a bit of snag when the company refused to print the Nike Swoosh on the device and thus rendering it useless. “It was fine in the end because Gary [Lough, Paula’s husband] drew it on with a Nike permanent marker,” Radcliffe explained, “he’s good like that- always coming up with ingenious solutions.”
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