Hi ,
Another week flying by with typical Winter weather testing us all - although in some regions of NZ, some a lot more than others.
The Commonwealth Games have kept us on the edge of our seats over the last while though. Some great efforts by our Kiwis. I just finished watching our Netball Team play England - bit of a hammering in Netball terms. I felt I had seen a similar Game a couple of weeks ago - a Game with little direction, no defence, poor ball handling, no Plan B - oh, hang on, sounds like Ireland vs All Blacks! I think our Girls can recover better though. Here's
hoping.
On to the Commonwealth Games with their catch phrase "sport is just the beginning". So, Ally Wollaston gets an injury at Tour de France and has to pull out of the Team Pursuit. Without 4 starters in this race, you are automatically ruled out. Up steps Ellese Andrews to make up the 4, hence our Kiwi Team is able to start. A Hero indeed, especially with her own commitments over the next few days. Ellese does a couple of
laps, then pulls over leaving Michaela Drummond, Emily Shearman and Bryony Botha to race and gain a Silver Medal. All four Cyclists are Winners of the Silver Medal. Well yes, but Ellese goes on to prepare for her next event and cannot make the Podium, meaning she does not get the Medal.
Quote: With her sprint duties taking obvious precedence, Andrews didn't attend the medal ceremony when the Kiwis received their
silver, and fell afoul of a bizarre ruling. According to an official communication released by the Commonwealth Games, Andrews has been punished for her absence with a fine of 200 Swiss francs, a loss of her silver medal and docking of any UCI points. Kris Shannon, The NZ Herald.
Cant help but feel that the CGF and IRB share the same offices - and Gin bottle. As Sports Fans will know, Ellese has three Gold Medals at time
of writing this. Yes indeed, "sport is just the beginning".
