London, July 16
The power to shock has dwindled somewhat since that grey, milky dawn in Seoul in 1988 when we learnt that Ben Johnson, having carried us to the stars, had just 48 hours later left us scrabbling in the dirt.

More fools us, of course, for believing something Carl Lewis, who was not exactly free of suspicion himself, plainly didn’t when he came in, wide-eyed with shock, behind Johnson in the world record-shattering dash for 100m Olympic gold.

These, after all, were the Olympics which were preceded by the claim of the head of the British Olympic Association, Arthur Gold, that more than half of all competitors had at the very least experimented with performance-enhancing drugs. But then we still wanted to believe, even if the new sensation had tell-tale rheumy, yellow-tinged eyes, rough skin and an accelerating performance that was nothing less than stupendous.

Now the news that the world’s current fastest men Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell have tested positive — a quarter of a century after the president of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch, climbed up on a podium and announced that all of sport was engaged in a fight to the death — lands with a dull, albeit sickening, thud. His voice rang around a shocked world but the battle has been waged less resolutely than he promised.

The sports authorities have come up with a thousand promises, and more bromides, but when the United States Anti-Doping agency finally nailed Lance Armstrong, and made a mockery of the efforts of the cycling authorities, we finally had a guide to the degree of the collective failure.

Talking about fighting drugs to the death was an emotive phrase but the reality is that sport has never been involved in anything resembling hand-to-hand conflict.

The challenge has been to shift at least some of the doubt, to make great victories on the track and on the mountain passes and in the boxing rings attract a little less of the most profound ambivalence.

Today doubt is once again rampant as it seeps into every corner of athletics and beyond. If the authorities have prosecuted their idea of war, the crooked chemists and their clients have not exactly sued for peace.

They have ducked and dived in pursuit of better masking agents, more convincing ways of dealing with testing procedures which have — we discover yet again — never begun convincingly to close the door on the wrongdoers.

It is almost a year since the world elected to make another act of faith when accepting that the great and beguiling Usain Bolt had maybe ushered in a new, thrilling and, who knew, maybe clean epoch of track and field.

Bolt was indignant at the London Olympics when someone pointed out how hard it was to shed decades of accumulated cynicism, as was Sir Bradley Wiggins, but what, they were asked, did they seriously expect?

Along with Powell, five other members of Bolt’s Jamaica team failed drug tests at the recent national trials and on the lips of some of the exposed the explanations are so familiar it is as though they are plucked from a formula of confession which moves so swiftly from the high ground of innocence to the glum concession of a fair cop.

Both Gay and Powell have been loud in their criticism of drug cheats, the latter suggesting that they should be thrown into jail. Yet the corrosion grows, like rust in a car junkyard, and if there is still anger there is also a bone-deep weariness. How many more betrayals will we know before the war is won or lost?

— The Independent

Rome, July 16
Italian police have opened an investigation for doping against Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, ANSA news agency reported on Tuesday, as the athletes blamed their physiotherapist after they failed drugs tests. The pair, who tested positive for a banned stimulant, were training in northeast Italy but have now left the country after a police raid on their hotel, according to local media reports.

The prosecutor’s office in Udine, the city closest to where the Jamaican team was staying, is leading the investigation for suspected violation of a law that punishes the supply and ingestion of stimulants. Prosecutors have also confirmed the seizure of around 50 boxes including creams, sprays and vials that were seized in a search of the rooms of Powell, Simpson and Xuereb in the night between Sunday and Monday.

The development came after both athletes pointed to contaminated food supplements as the reason why they failed the dope tests. Britain’s Daily Telegraph quoted Paul Doyle, athletes’ agent, as saying that both Powell and Simpson had only recently begun working with Xuereb.

US-based Doyle said he had no reason to suspect “mal-intent” on Xuereb’s part and that, like the athletes, he was probably unaware of what exactly what the supplements contained. Both athletes tested positive for oxilofrine at the Jamaican championships last month. Italian police reportedly brought Xuereb in for questioning and raided his base on Monday, although ANSA said no arrest had been made. Xuereb began treating Powell for a hamstring injury that flared up in March this year, according to Doyle. — Agencies

New Delhi, July 16
With the all-important Asia Cup round the corner, Hockey India is all set to hire a specialist foreign goalkeeping coach for the Indian men’s team ahead of the August 24 to September 1 event in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra confirmed that that they are in look out for a foreign expert to work with Indian goalkeepers on short-term basis. “Yes, we are searching for a goalkeeping coach to work with our men’s team. We are looking for a specialist from abroad. We have shortlisted three candidates and appointment within two to three days,” said Batra.

HI sources said South Africa’s Dave Staniforth is the front-runner for the job. “Staniforth is our first choice candidate as having worked in the Hockey India League, he knows Indian hockey,” the source said. — PTI

Chandigarh, July 16
Milkha Singh’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the movie on his life ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, hit the screens. Barely a few hours after legendary Carl Lewis surprised him with a call, the ‘Flying Sikh’ received another surprise call from renowned Malaysian athlete Dr. Mani Jegathesan.

Incidentally, the Malaysian legend, a doctor by profession, of the 1960s was known as the ‘Flying Doctor’ for scorching the turfs across Asia in his prime.

“I stand nowhere when it comes to Carl Lewis. But during the entire conversation we had, he was full of praise for my hard work and accomplishments. He was surprised how could someone who started running on the track at the age of 22 achieve so much. He was especially impressed with my running barefoot,” he said.

“He also had a long conversation with my family and then asked for my address so that he could send me a token of his appreciation.”

The joy of getting a call from the legendary athlete hadn’t even sunk in when the Malaysian athlete called this morning. “Mani appreciated the storyline and congratulated me for overcoming the hurdles in my life,” said Milkha. “I’m getting numerous calls but these two from living legends were special. They have made me feel proud of whatever I could achieve. I have not only won medals but also the hearts of the people. I am very happy” said Milkha.

New Delhi, July 16
The Federation of International Cricketers (FICA) has said that it would come up with a “bundle of evidence” of unethical behaviour by some International Cricket Council (ICC) board members in the election of L Sivaramakrishnan to the ICC’s Cricket Committee.

FICA alleges that that various captains had been pressured by their boards to change their votes from Tim May to Sivaramakrishnan during the vote for player representatives on the ICC Cricket Committee in May.

There is a strong possibility that some captains could provide a written testimony to the ICC Ethics Officer looking into the issue.

“FICA are providing a bundle of evidence to the ICC Ethics Officer,” FICA chairman Paul Marsh said in a telephonic conversation. “We are confident of making a strong case, but it is ultimately up to the Ethics Officer to decide if the evidence warrants an investigation.”

“Out of respect for the process set out in the ICC Code of Ethics and to allow the Ethics Officer to conduct his investigation without outside pressure and, in particular, to protect the individuals involved, we cannot make public the evidence we have at this time,” Marsh said.

It is understood that a few captains have promised FICA that they would provide details of instructions they received from their cricket boards to change their stance in the re-vote.

FICA has alleged that BCCI president N Srinivasan - who has “stepped aside” from his position over the involvement of his son-in-low in the IPL spot-fixing controversy - had pressurised member boards to ensure that their captains voted in favour of Sivaramakrishnan.

Australian media has dubbed Srinivasan cricket’s “most dangerous man” for getting May dumped from the Cricket Committee.

Last month, the ICC expressed its anger and disappointment at what it believed was a confrontational stance taken by FICA over the issue. “It was mutually agreed with the FICA representative that major progress had been made to resolve any perceived deficiencies in the ICC Cricket Committee election system and we believed that, at the end of the meeting, we were close to reaching an outcome that was acceptable to the players and their representatives,” the ICC had said.

However, FICA has been taking a more aggressive line on this issue after that.

Melbourne, July 16
Sacked Australia coach Mickey Arthur has reportedly claimed that skipper Michael Clarke had described teammate Shane Watson as a “cancer” on the national cricket team.

According to reports in Australian media, legal documents tendered in the Melbourne court showed that Arthur had felt like “meat in the sandwich” in the divisive feud between Clarke and Watson.

Arthur, who was shown the door days before the Ashes series and two years before his contract was due to expire, has reportedly sought payments and compensation amounting to AUD 4 million or his job back from cricket Australia to the end of his 2015 contract.

According to documents lodged by Arthur as part of his claim against Cricket Australia, the South African has reportedly detailed some of the dressing room acrimony which marred the team’s on-field performances this year.

“There was major tension between Michael Clarke and Shane Watson,” Channel Seven reported from Arthur`s document of claim.

The 45-year-old, who was replaced by former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann, had to deal with the rift between Clarke and Watson ever since his appointment in November 2011, reports said. In the documents, Arthur also claimed that he was racially discriminated against because he was South African and didn`t understand the Australian way.

Arthur, who was under-fire for Australia`s poor show especially on the India tour and Champions trophy, and was also criticised because of the disciplinary issues within the camp, claimed that he didn`t get the support from Cricket Australia when he and Clarke had dropped four players, including then vice-captain Watson for the third Test in India.

Arthur also alleged that Watson had told him about the bar-room brawl where Australia opener David Warner had punched England batsman Joe Root during the Champions Trophy, which resulted in the Australian batsman being suspended in the team`s lead-up games to the Ashes. — PTI

New Delhi, July 16
The ICC said the umpires made a total of 72 decisions in the first Ashes Test, which is well above the average (49) for a DRS Test match. “The umpiring team was assessed to have made seven errors during the match, out of which three were uncorrected decisions and four decisions were corrected using the DRS,” the ICC said in the statement.

“As such, the correct decision percentage before reviews stood at 90.3 percent but climbed to 95.8 percent as a result of the use of the DRS.

This represented an increase of 5.5 per cent in correct decisions, which was the average increase from DRS Test matches in 2012-13.

Stuart Broad benefitted from an umpiring error, and his partnership with Ian Bell was crucial in England’s win.

“When coupled with the conditions, with reverse swing and spin playing an important role, and the added intensity of the first Ashes Test, it was a difficult match to umpire,” the statement said.

Reflecting on the assessment, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said, “The umpires did a good job under difficult conditions. This reflects the calibre of umpires Dar, Dharmasena and Erasmus who have consistently performed at a high level. However, like the players, umpires can also have good and bad days but we all know that the umpire’s decision, right or wrong, is final and must be accepted.

“While the ICC has complete faith in the ability of its umpires, our confidence in technology is also strengthened by the fact that there was an increase in the number of correct decisions in the Trent Bridge Test through the use of the DRS,” he said.

“Technology was introduced with the objective of eradicating the obvious umpiring errors, and to get as many correct decisions as possible. If it can help increase the correct decisions by 5.5 per cent, then it is a good outcome, but we must continue to strive to improve umpiring and the performance of the DRS.” — PTI

Chandigarh, July 16
Tiger Woods has sounded his intention for the Open Championship — he is "full go for the British Open," an update on his website said. Woods, who took a month off to heal a strained ligament in his left elbow added that "it will not be a problem and I should be able to hit the shots I want to hit."

Woods has won four times this year and will be looking for his 15th major title and his fourth Claret Jug. The world No. 1 may employ the no-driver strategy he used to win in the 2006 British Open as he attempts to end a five-year wait for a major win.

The 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose will definitely be the local favourite as he has always played well at the Open and finished fourth in 1998 when he was just a 17-year old amateur.

Phil Mickleson will have to put up with greater expectations from his fans, coming off a victory in the Scottish Open.

Defending champion Ernie Els needs to find his form as the South African, who played Castle Stuart as a warm-up to the Open Championship missed the cut last week.

The course has been lengthened by 156-yards mostly by adding new tees on the 2nd, 4th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes. And it will be important to avoid the rough as well as the pothole bunkers at Muirfield Golf Club.

Past champions here include Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, who won two of his three Open Championships here, and Ernie Els.

Qualifications for the Open have been played since the beginning of the year with regional qualifications all over the world. Out of 1300 who played the regional qualifiers just 12 players made it through the Local Qualifying in and around Scotland.

Shiv Kapur will be the only Indian in the field this week, triumphing through the qualifier at Dunbar. Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant will be joined by Kiradech Aphibarnrat, amateur Hideki Matsuyama, Daisuke Maruyama and Wu Ashun who qualified from IFQ Asia.

On Thursday 156 plays will tee-off as they vie to win the only major played outside the US and 160,000 spectators —over a thousand each day — will come to witness history unfolding. And that doesn’t include all the management of the Royal and Ancient who run the event, numerous referees, volunteers, greenskeepers, the staff and caterers who help make the event what it is.

Numerous television screens all over indulge spectators, giving them an ideal opportunity to sit back and enjoy a few pints of famous Scottish ale and take in the action as it unfolds, basking in the ambience of this event.

In Omaha, Kenny Perry won his second consecutive Senior major after a 63 in the final round in the US Senior Open.

The John Deere Classic was decided in a playoff as 19-year-old Jordan Spieth won the fifth playoff hole to become the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in 82 years. "I didn’t think it would happen so soon," said Speith.

Meanwhile, 10-year-old, Lucy Li from California became the youngest qualifier in US Women’s Amateur history when she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links to be played in August. — With agency inputs 

Muirfield, July 16
Shiv Kapur believes he is more prepared for his Open Championship challenge after receiving valuable advice from six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo. Kapur, the only Indian in the field, was in the company of Faldo, who won two of his three Open titles at Muirfield, when they played a nine-hole practice round on Monday.

“He knows the course very well and I tried to pick his brain on how to play in the wind and he was quite helpful and gave me some good advice. We played nine holes and it was a cool experience. I really had some good words of wisdom,” said Kapur.

“He told me to keep my arms and hands soft when playing in the wind. We also studied the approach shots into the greens and he said when you are on a links course you have to study what’s around the greens and not just on the greens. That’s something we are not accustomed too. We usually look at the yardage and hit our shots but these little things make a difference,” added Kapur.

The 31-year-old reckons the experience of playing with Faldo, who is coming out of semi-retirement to play this week, will put him in good stead as he shoulders the sole Indian challenge at the year’s third Major championship.

“This is the first time I played with him. He is arguably one of the greatest golfers of all time. It was a great experience,” he said. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Costa wins Tour de France 16th stage
Gap: Portugal's Rui Costa tackled the Col de Manse climb alone to win the 16th stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday. The Movistar rider broke away alone on the second-category climb near the end of the 168-km stage from Vaison-la-Romaine and stayed ahead down the tricky descent into Gap to win by 42 seconds. Frenchman Christophe Riblon finished second and his compatriot Arnold Jeannesson was third. Briton Chris Froome retained the race leader's yellow jersey despite nearly coming off his bike as he battled with Alberto Contador on the winding descent to the finish line.

Windies post a modest total against Pakistan
Guyana: West Indies recovered to make 232 for eight after being put into bat by Pakistan on a slow pitch at Guyana on Tuesday. Gayle was dismissed early but West Indies recovered through a fluent half century from Darren Bravo (54) who was associated in a 79-run partnership for the second wicket with Jonathan Charles (31).

Brief scores: West Indies 232/8 (Bravo 54, Charles 31)

Sahara buys Lucknow franchise in IBL
Lucknow: Sahara India Pariwar today joined the Indian Badminton League (IBL) as it bought the Lucknow franchise ahead of the inaugural event in the sport to be played August 14 to 31. "We are proud to associate with this initiative. Indian Badminton League will be a boost for Badminton,” said Subrata Roy. — Agencies