Can doping in sport ever be stopped?
Russian whistle-blower and 800m runner Yulia Stepanova My first reaction to WADA finding such widespread state-sponsored doping in Russia was relief, Relief because the doping habits athletes themselves talk about are now being recognised at a high level. Then sadness hit+ADs because any clean athlete … [Read more...]
Wordless Wednesday: Swimming to Rio2016
Wordless Wednesday: Pictures via Paralympics Ireland #morethansport More Wordless Wednesday bloggers here. And here on Image-in-ing … [Read more...]
Sport is glitz and shadows
Sport, it is glamour, it is excitement, it is power. But it is also doping, corruption and homes bull-dozed to make way for stadiums. The horrors emerging from Qatar of migrant workers dying and journalists arrested for talking about it. The seemingly never-ending doping scandals in athletics or … [Read more...]
What are your sports wishes for 2016?
2016 is just around the corner and with it the thrill of the Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil. Of course women???s sport is much more than these two events but they are still the biggest showcase. I???m not making any sports resolutions this year but I do have wishes for the New Year … [Read more...]
How to perfect your rowing technique on and off the water
One of the sights I love most at home in Cork is the rowers gliding up and down the Lee. They seem to be there at all hours, even when there???s serious frost on the river banks.+ACY-nbsp+ADs-The closest I???ve come to that is tackling the rowing machine in the gym and if you???ve done that too you???ll … [Read more...]
Accepting the Hijab in sports
Egypt's Eman Gaber PIC Reuters via Mail Online A basketball player who couldn't represent her country drew attention once again to the challenges facing Muslim women who wish to wear the hijab while competing. But that incident during the Asian Games is actually a blip.?? A very public blip … [Read more...]
Facing up to doping in Sport
Paula Radcliffe PIC via her website. It's been a grim week for many sports between the implosion at the top of FIFA and a BBC programme on 'micro-dosing' to cheat in sports. I try to keep this blog focused on positive and inspiring stories but the attraction between competitive sports and … [Read more...]
Irish Paralympians Road to Rio
Sometimes I get to mix my love of sport with my actual job. Yesterday I had a story in the paper about four inspiring sports people from the world of Paralympics.Irish Mail on Sunday PHOTOS Thomas HonanThe road to the Rio Paralympic Games 2016 starts this summer for would-be Irish contenders.The … [Read more...]
Para-cycling and the Road to Rio 2016
Dame Sarah Storey won Women's C-5 500m TT PIC Bryn Lennon Getty This week the 2015 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships take place in Holland with cyclists competing for valuable places in Rio2016.For me Paralympians are some of the most inspiring sports women you can find. These are women … [Read more...]