Bongled

A rare 'Bongle' by Michael Phelps has landed the Aquaman in some hot water. Phelps was photographed doing the 'Bong' at a party in the States this past November.

The image of Phelps "smoking pot" is far different from the shots of the gold medals hanging from his neck months earlier after the Olympics. There is no doubt that he is one of the greatest Olympians; heck he pulled off a near miracle winning all those gold medals.

However, the incident has again pushed to the front 'burner' the issue of legal use of pot in the States or in sports generally. Personally, I find the incident neither evil or otherwise, but rather juvenile.

Medicinal Marijuana is legal in a few countries e.g. Canada and The Netherlands easily come to mind. Since this Phelps story broke, legal 'pot' supporters have jumped to his defense. Others who are not so pleased by his latest indiscretion are accusing Phelps of betraying his 'role model' status. Sport's Attorneys have been quoted as saying he might lose some of his multi-million dollar endorsements.

To be fair, Phelps has apologized for his actions, but should he have to? Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have said they used 'pot', (for the records Mr Clinton "did not inhale") and look how shabby things turned out for them.

Let us holistically look at this particular incident and the whole pot issue. If Phelps had smoked pot during the competitive swimming 'season' he would have faced a ban or punishment of some sort. Phelps has been scolded by the US Swimming Association and others, but no one is saying if pot is detrimental to his health or not. Or asking if 'pot' gives him an 'advantage' over his other non-bonging competitors.

I don't for the life of me understand how doing something can be 'OK' from March to October but not so the rest of the year? This stance by the sports bodies is nonsensical and a touch hypocritical!

Couple of weeks ago in London, William Galas lost his Arsenal captaincy when he was in a similar brouhaha. Although Galas was stripped for "un-sportsmanlike conduct" and for being a loud mouth, a smoking incident definitely lit the fire that eventually burned him. But I wonder If he had been caught smoking during the off season, if this would have happened? I believe nadda!

In my opinion, Sports eggs need to either completely ban these recreational drugs all year or allow them period! These sports men and women are role models to very impressionable young people and benefit finacially in terms of the endorsements and mega salaries they command. They need to be "Model Citizens". Of course these folks are not perfect; mistakes and slips should be followed by apologies and punishments where appropraite.

As for Aquaman, he should get a wack up side his head for this mistake. I say leave him to his Mother..but for now "Go to your room, dude"

Postscript
Phelps actually lost an endorsement deal from Kellogs yesterday. and was banned for 3 months by USA Swimming Association.

Inset Photos used Courtesy of Sports Illustrated and News Of The World

Note to Doubters: Gunners Are Not Done Yet....."

Yes though Man City piped us 3-0, we are not done yet. It is still very early in the season, heck we are over a month away from mid-season.

Galas is thankfully been stripped of his Captaincy. The young Gunners will bounce back and contend for the title. Pundits and skeptics [like Galas] are already writing off The Arsenal. It is not over yet.

Arsene has once again proved his mettle and reclaimed his dressing room from the disruptive Frenchman by dropping his countryman from the squad as punishment for his outlandish comment about his teammates.

With Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool and Aston Villa all only taking 1 point from their respective games, the title race is still open and The Gunners will have a say about who gets the title come May.

Don't count us out just yet...

Que est Galas?

William Galas says Arsene Wenger's side is ''not brave enough in battle''. What? Is this dude supposed to be The Gunners Captain? What the heck is he doing ratting on his team like this? Galas has gone too far this time.

Frankly I think that Arsene has protected him too long and it is time the Gaffer strips his fellow Frenchman of the Skipper's arm band...

Galas epitomizes the Gunners problems this season. Not enough consistent fire power...not enough bite. The team needs as good a leader on the pitch as it has in the locker rooms. His angst should be channeled into firing up his young teammates instead of whining to reporters. After four loses (one more than all of last season)and before the Christmas break too..the Gunners season is almost derailing and Galas laments that "there are things that can't be said and can't be tolerated.." You are right Monsieur, your lack of 'fight' and believe in your team is intolerable and does not show character.

Galas should simply step up and lead or step aside.

Bon chance Galas

Lightning Strikes Twice...Actually Thrice...

The games of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China will definitely have lots of talking points after hostilities are over; from the baby-faced Super Chinese gymnasts to the “Phelp-fish” and certainly and in his own class Jamaican sprint class act Usain Bolt.

To say the Jamaicans dominated the sprints in Track and Field will be an understatement, Bolt their lead off man smashed two world records himself while with help from the 4 x 100 meters relay quartet completed Jamaica’s dominance by erasing the long standing record in this distance. His total haul at the end of the games; 3 Gold medals, 3 World record times; this is unprecedented.

Folks are already asking questions though, some under their breaths while others are more vocal. Why are these Jamaicans suddenly dominating? Are they clean? My response, Time will tell, you bet.

Rogge Tries To Steal Bolt's Jolt

Another disturbing angle to the whole questioning thing is how many folks are not so happy with Usain Bolt’s pre- and post-race demeanor. They unbelievably argue that his celebrations and being goofy is not good sportsmanship. Chief of Bolt’s critics is International Olympic Committee President, Mr Jacques Rogge. Rogge believes Usain is bringing the games into disrepute by disrespecting his fellow competitors. The IOC Chief had asserts that Bolt is ridiculing his opponents by his now trademark outlandish and enthusiastic celebrations.

Well, Chief Rogge I beg to disagree, Sportsmanship or the Olympic spirit is a
‘true’-way street, and it would be awful to see an athlete like Bolt not be himself, at his best. Every time the 22 year old Jamaican steps onto the tracks in Bird Nest Stadium, the 91,000 strong crowd in the stands respond well to him; antics and all. While Rogge describes 8-Gold medal swimming sensation Michael Phelps as an icon, he doesn’t show any respect for Bolt’s unique achievements.

I think Jacques Rogge should apologize to Jamaicans and to Usain, better still I think he should be forced to do the Usain Bolt “happy dance” inside the Bird’s Nest and without shoes too; that would certainly be good for Olympic Spirit.

Half Man...Half Amazing!!!

He stands at a towering 6 feet 5 inches, strides with the elegance of an ostrich cross-bred with a Hare; he is new World record holder, Olympic Champion in the 100 meters and world's fastest man Jamaica's Usain "Lightning" Bolt.

I have never seen anyone, any sprinter dominate a race like this. Usain Bolt completely eclipsed the race and he did not even run at full throttle. With an emphatic fist pump of his chest he erased his own 9.72s world record time, setting an unfathomable 9.69s all with minimum effort. In the 100 meters final event with six out of the eight finalist running under 10 seconds, it was no surprise that the Olympic record of Canada's Donovan Bailey would fall, the only question was how fast Usain Bolt would run.

Rather unfortunately Asafa Powell, another Jamaican missed out on the podium and a deserved medal, same for American sprint king Tyson Gay. Along with Usain these three 'speedsters' were supposed to crush that World record this Olympics. As it turns out Usain got the job done, and pretty easily too.

I can only imagine what would have happened if both Asafa and Tyson Gay had been at their best in the finale? We might have witnessed an even more special show from the Jamaican Lightning Bolt. "This kid is simply awesome" says Donovan Bailey and I plenty agree.

Power Shift in The Beautiful Game.....Matters 'A-rounding'

Inter Finally Win it

Things are changing in the world of The Beautiful Game. It is very evident in no less than in the Italian championship regarded by some as the world's 'numero uno' league.

FC Internazionale Milano just won their third consecutive scudetto and their 16th in the Nerazzuri's checkered history. On the other hand their more successful city rivals AC Milan will not feature in next seasons Champions League after finishing 5th in Serie A. The Rosoneri were piped to the final spot by Fiorentina....who would have thought?

Milan's disappointing season notwithstanding, Carlo Ancelotti, the Manager will continue on to the next season, while despite Inter's success Roberto Manchini is expected to lose his coaching job to The Special One, Jose Mourinho. Manchini has come under "unfair" criticism for Inter's less than impressive scudetto run. He has been continuously hounded by Massimo Moratti, and it is no secret the Inter President's proverbial 'writing on the wall' will spell doom for Manchini this summer.

It is obvious to all now that Serie A is in a dip, a deep slump. The bribery scandals and allegations of interfering with officiating has seriously affected the credibility of the league. It is evident now as more top class players prefer to take their boots and lace up for Premier league teams. The fact that these players are getting better wages in the Queen's country also underlines this fact.

As if confirming the shift of power, the Champions league was dominated by the Premier League's top four teams. A.C Milan were booted out of contention by Arsenal and the other three Premiership teams found themselves in the last four. The final in Moscow later this month will feature Man United and Chelsea; the Premiership's top two teams.

It will be interesting to see how the Serie A teams fight to reclaim their lost status and how the Premiership will keep their high flying status. In a bitter twist though, England will not be represented in Europe's Nations Cup while once again World Champions Italy are favoured to win it. The fact that England is now coached by Italian giant Fabio Capello and the implications is not lost on anyone. England now attracts the best of the best; Capello for my pennies and cents is the best Football mind in the business rivaled only by the astute and reverential Gunners gaffer Arsene Wenger.

But what does this all mean? Where does this all lead football aficionado's. Will football suffer? I doubt it. In the coming weeks and months, a clearer picture will emerge as to where the football power shift is favouring. These summer's transfer moves will determine the trend of football and ultimately the winners and losers. Suffice to say Aficionado's will always be the winners.

So Long Jens, Mathieu....

The Gunners side ended their season on a high note thanks to a Theo Walcott strike against Sunderland.

Arsenal great Jens Lehmann played his last game for Arsene Wenger's side. Lehmann an important member of the Arsenal Invisibles who went through a whole season without losing a single game, a feat unequaled by any Premier league side.

So long 'mad' Jens, we will surely miss you and your wild ways.

So long Mathieu Flamini for 4 great years in Highbury and at the Emirates, and so long any other players on their way out. We wish you well always.

For Mr Wenger, we believe in you still.

Congratulations Man United for a deserved Premiership victory; Sir Alex is indeed a legend.

For all you Gunners and goners.....Arsenal will be back.

See you in August