Torch reaches Viking outpost
The Olympic torch has reached the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, stopping in an ancient Viking settlement. Relay runners arrived in bright sunshine in L’Anse aux Meadows on Thursday. Wind-driven waves smashed against the rocky shoreline, sending a sea mist into the air. The runners took the flame inside a hut, where it was met by people dressed in Viking costume. The flame proceeded to the town of St Anthony amid traditional Newfoundland music. The torch was expected to arrive in St John’s yesterday. The relay finishes in Vancouver in February for the start of the Winter Games.
■OLYMPICS
Female ski jumpers in court
The British Columbia Court of Appeal in Vancouver on Thursday heard arguments about why female ski jumpers should have the right to compete at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Fourteen women are appealing a British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that found the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) does not have the power to change a decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC voted in 2006 against including women’s ski jumping in next year’s Games, saying the sport had not developed enough to meet the basic criteria for participation. The women skiers argue that VANOC is subject to Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and its failure to include women’s ski jumping is discrimination since there will be men’s ski jumping at the Games. US jumper Lindsey Van said the case was about fighting for the Olympic ideal. “You have to have hope and show up or you’re already defeated,” she said.
■ATHLETICS
Liu Xiang wins hurdles title
China’s former world record holder Liu Xiang has easily won his third Asian 110m hurdle championship, posting a time of 13.50 seconds in driving rain in Guangzhou, China. The 2004 Athens Olympic champion led from the start late on Thursday to win his second competition since returning from surgery on an Achilles tendon injury that kept him out of last year’s Beijing Games. The win automatically qualifies Liu for next year’s World Athletics Championships. Teammate Shi Dongpeng finished second, while South Korea’s Park Tae-kyong won the bronze. Last month, the 26-year-old won his third national 110m hurdle championship at the China Games, winning in a time of 13.34.
■FORMULA ONE
Lotus still looking for cash
Lotus Formula One is still seeking sponsorship to help the new Malaysian team survive in its first season next year despite a tight budget. Launched two months ago as a collaboration between the Malaysian government, who hold no equity in the team, and a trio of entrepreneurs, Lotus insisted it had the means to compete. A team director told Malaysia’s Bernama news agency the company would look to attract investors from various corporate bodies, including government-linked companies (GLCs). “What is wrong with asking for sponsors from GLCs like Petronas?” Kamarudin Meranun said. Malaysia’s state oil company was a long-time backer of the BMW-Sauber team. Lotus’ start-up capital of around US$47 million is a fraction of Ferrari’s budget, estimated at between US$300 million and US$400 million. Foreign-based Malaysian engineers would also reduce bills. “The [team] put up an advertisement to fill 225 posts, we received over 6,500 applications,” Kamarudin said.
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