January 16th 2013

A friend of mine was at the Els club this week. He saw a chap on the driving range. He said he had a Manchester United golf bag and thought to himself "look at this kid, who does he think he is?" He then saw him hit a ball and thought to himself "quite a good shot, lucky I'm sure" and then another ball, "again, a decent shot". The keen golfer then turned around and it was only the world number one, Rory McIlroy, getting some practice in before the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship which runs from January 17th to January 20th. It's the beginning of the Desert Swing, 3 tournaments back to back in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai. McIlroy has finished runner-up for the last two years and he’s certainly more than capable of winning in the capital if his Els club practice is anything to go by. Although, the Manchester United golf bag can go. Watch out for the world number 3 in Abu Dhabi as well though. Tiger Woods, the 14 time major winner, is talking himself up for the championship. Reckons he is the fitness he has been for over 10 months. No matter how he plays, it's great to see Tiger performing in the country.

Of course the European Tour covers the entire globe and some of the courses are in the middle of some stunning resorts. It's not just golf that can take you to paradise though. Beach Soccer can too. Tahiti is the setting for the 2014 Beach Soccer World Cup in September. The UAE side are hard at work next week in Qatar attempting to qualify for that world cup and if they do.... I think the Tahiti embassy may be a little busy with visa requests for any beach soccer fans in the UAE. I'm one of them, and even if you haven't followed the side, Tahiti is a good enough reason to do so. Marcelo Mendes has only failed once to get his side to the world cup….book your trip now before everyone does. Small print. Don’t blame me if they don’t qualify.

January 9th 2013

Here we go then , 2013. All around the world sport will be in full flow but right here in the UAE, we’ll get some of the best bits. We start the year off with great news. The recent Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge was once again a roaring success in its third year, and it has paved the way for a fully sanctioned ICU (International Cycling Union) Dubai Tour.  That means we’ll have the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Alberto Contador and Mark Cavendish all racing through the streets and in doing so, really cementing Dubai as a cycling capital. The Dubai Tour will begin in 2014, but the good news is welcome at the beginning of this year and the event is just another world class sporting competition on the ever-growing sports calendar of the UAE.  

So what is on the horizon for the coming year then? Well we’ll not be able to hide form the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will battle it out. Woods has announced he is in the best shape he’s been in for over a year so the world number 3 is hoping for a good start to the season.  The action gets underway in the capital on January 17^th. The Dubai Desert Classic is back for it’s 24^th year starting January 31^st. Emirates Golf Club will once again stage one of the biggest European Tour events there is with Lee Westwood hoping to go one better than last year and win. Last year saw the records beaten all over the place at the Dubai Marathon, and there is more excitement expected for 2013? The Dubai Marathon is on January 25^th. Then as the year progresses we can enjoy another two weeks of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship. Federer and Radwanska will be defending their titles in February. The Abu Dhabi Triathlon takes place in March, as will the Dubai World Cup and as the year continues we’ll have the World Swimming Championships starting in July and of course the DP World Tour Championship, the Rugby Sevens and much more towards the latter part of 2013. There is so much to enjoy over the next 12 months.

One more thing…  Football fans, with the UAE currently doing battle in the Gulf Nations Cup in Bahrain let’s make an effort to go and see the national team play whenever we can this year. The UAE really do have a golden generation of young players at the moment. OK they may not have the same profile of the likes of Beckham and Gerrard but they are very good and deserve more than 300 turning out to watch them. 2013 could be a huge year for them. Not to mention the beach soccer side who will be aiming to qualify for the Tahiti world cup with games in Qatar this month.

Sport In The UAE - December

26th December 2012 - Golf golf golf

Had enough of golf recently? No? Good, because there is plenty more to cone. The Desert Swing is a period on the European Tour that sees back to back tournaments starting in Abu Dhabi before moving to Qatar and then Dubai for the Desert Classic. Most of the European Tour players begin their “Race to Dubai” campaigns at these dates knowing it’s a great way to tick 3 events off straight away. You have to play at least 12 European Tour events to keep your card. Abu Dhabi will be the first Desert Swing event getting underway on the 17^th January and as we know, the likes of Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy will be playing. One other man that will be tackling the national course in the capital is European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal. Chatting to me at the Royal Trophy event in Brunei, a tournament that sees Europe take on Asia in exactly the same format as the Ryder Cup, Olazabal says he will play the entire Desert Swing and is looking forward to being competitive again after his captaining duties. Olazabal also captained the European side in Brunei against Asia although saw his team lose out in a play-off to hand the Asian’s only their 2^nd Royal Trophy victory. One thing is for sure, the Spaniard will not be captaining again admitting he is done with being captain. Let’s not forget though that we will know who Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain will be as the announcement is made in Dubai around the time of the Desert Classic. India’s Jeev Milkha Singh has also told me he will compete in all 3 tournaments in the middle east.

18th December 2012 - Dubai 2024?

So the Queen jumped out of a helicopter for the opening of the London Olympics, I wonder how Dubai will beat that in it’s opening ceremony in 2024. That is of course if the Dubai Olympic 2024 bid is successful. It was announced over the last week that Dubai will be bidding for the 2024 game and it has every chance in becoming the first Middle Eastern city to stage the games. Dubai actually was putting a bid together for 2020 before pulling out to prepare a better bid for ’24. The bidding process begins in 2015 and a decision made in 2017. Interestingly Doha look set to bid too and since the games have never been held in this part of the world you’d have to think that either Dubai or Doha would be favorites. So if it does come down to a battle between the two cities, who has the upper hand? Well, Doha will have just held the world cup so the infrastructure will be there but Dubai can offer some iconic settings, much like London. Beach volleyball in front of the Burj Al Arab for instance. Staging the Olympics would also give Dubai the push to finish many projects on hold such as Sports City and if the International Olympic Committee could see that the games would have a lasting effect, Dubai will be hard to beat. The world islands could easily be the Olympic village with each nation staying on their own country island. One country that possibly won’t be represented is India. Recently banned by the IOC because of corruption allegations among India’s Olympic Committee. Hopefully that is sorted out before 2024.

5th December 2012 - Qatar 2022

A few bosses in Dubai may have seen a large portion of their staff take sickies in recent weeks with the Sevens and Golf all taking place… I think in 10 years time there will be a few more manful cases doing the rounds. The Qatar World Cup in 2022 is less than 10 years away, should it be held during the traditional summer months. Before we know it, the sporting world’s best show will be on our doorstep and just a one-hour flight away we will have 32 of the world’s best teams competing for the famous trophy. There has been an awful lot of talk about the tournament being staged in the summer what with the 50 degree heat Qatar experiences at that time. We all know that a DVD box set and hibernation is a much better activity during July & August in Dubai. UEFA president Michel Platini has even said that domestic leagues should be put on hold and the showpiece event staged in November and December, in cooler conditions. Qatar 2022 boss Hassan Al Thawadi however has come out and said this week that it will absolutely be staged in the summer and Qatar 2022 will in fact leave behind a legacy. That legacy being that tournaments of this scale will no longer have to worry about the heat. The way forward so says Al Thawadi is never before seen cooling technology that will cool the stadiums and infrastructure. I can’t wait to see Qatar’s electricity bill for the month “August 2022”.

Sport in the UAE - November

Wednesday 28th November 2012 - Football fans

The UAE national football team, as we all know, had a fantastic London 2012 campaign. It is indeed a golden generation for the side with a heap of young talent helping the UAE climb the world rankings. They are now up to 109^th in the world. That’s only 9 spots behind Northern Ireland. The form of the side hasn’t seen an increase in fans heading to see them in action though. In fact, just 300 went to see the recent win against Estonia who are 84^th in the world. Compare that top the 12,000 plus that went to see Northern Ireland last week. More than 300 people were at Barasti watching the north London derby on Saturday and when I asked these football loving fans why they didn’t go to see live football in the UAE? Unaware of the game and difficult KO times was the response. It is true. It’s difficult to keep up and 4.45 KO’s on a Monday afternoon isn’t going to get thousands through the gates.

Sunday 25th November 2012 - DP World Tour Championship Dubai

What a weekend of golf. Rory McIlroy is a class act, and I spokle to him directly after his win.

Wednesday 21st November 2012 - Sailing Arabia

One for February next year, when the sailing conditions will be spectacular. The 3rd edition of "Sailing Arabia - The Tour" will take place across 2 weeks starting form Feb 10th. Local and international teams compete in a sailing race which takes in the Gulf. Starting in Bahrain, passing through Qatar, Abu Dhabi, RAK, Dibba and onwards to the finish in Muscat it's a race that is easy to catch and may well even inspire a little weekend away to a port destination. As it stands teams from France and around the Gulf will be sailing the Farr 30 boats with more likely to be added.

Wednesday 14th November 2012 - Al Wasl FC

Al Wasl have been quick to find a permanent replacement for Bruno Metsu, who continues to battle stomach cancer. The club have decided to stay French and in Guy Lacombe they have someone who was highly recommended by Metsu. Lacombe is a former PSG & Monaco coach and he also won a gold medal whilst playing for the French Olympic football side at the 1984 games in LA.

Wednesday 7th November 2012 - Asain Swimming Championships

I’m not sure about you, but the swimming pool for me at this time of the year is brilliant. Being outdoors, in the water, you can’t beat that. One thing you won’t see in my pool however is synchronized swimming. But, if that is something you want to see in the pool, then this weekend you will not be disappointed. History is in the making as the 9^th Asian Swimming Championships take place this weekend at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex. The fantastic facility is actually holding its third world class event in under two months, which is great to see. What’s on offer? All four disciplines of swimming, synchronized swimming, water polo and diving will be contested. Over 700 competitors will be competing from 23 countries and a heap of Olympic champions will be on show.

Monday 5th November 2012 - Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2012

Once again the best teams from each continent are in Dubai to battle it out on the sand. The UAE are hoping to prove themselves as they begin to look ahead to the Beach Soccer World Cup next year.

Sport in the UAE - October

Wednesday 31st October 2012 - Bruno Metsu

To the Pro-League and let me offer my support to Bruno Metsu. Only appointed Al Wasl manager in the summer replacing Deigo Maradona and after seeing his Al Wasl side get off to a great start to the 2012/13 campaign, the Frenchman has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and therefore has stood down as coach. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

Monday 29th October 2012 - Alvaro Quiros

Thursday 25th October 2012 - Andy Murray says no to Dubai

“Championship point, Federer serves into Murray’s forehand. The return looks too high… it is too high. Roger Federer gets his 5^th Dubai title”. Those words from Ben Jacob’s commentary on Dubai Eye of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final earlier this year. Sadly, we won’t be hearing the same in 2013. Not because Murray will be winning, but because he won’t be attending. Less than 2 weeks after he committed to Abu Dhabi in December, he has said no to Dubai. Why? It’s somewhere he has tremendous support, fairly easy to travel too and is more than capable of winning. It’s what comes after Dubai that is the problem. Indian Wells, it’s an ATP 1000 Matsers event. Dubai is a 500. You’d actually get more points for just reaching the final of a Masters event compared to winning Dubai. Andy Murray since getting his first slam at the US Open now has his eyes set on the world number one spot. To do that, you need to be winning the 1000 pointers. And last year, Murray crashed after Dubai. Sadly for us, his success this year means we’ve lost him. One man that thinks Murray has a long way to go to get to number one is Thomas Berdych, the current No. 6. He’s tipping Djokovic to get back to the top, whilst Murray has a fight on his hands.

Tuesday 23rd October 2012 - Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

Big few weeks for golf in the region. The HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship has been announced with World No. 1 & 2, Rory McIlroy & Tiger Woods are the first names on the team sheet. McIlroy may well be at that tournament as the 2^nd man (after Luke Donald did it last year) to have won both money lists on either side of the Atlantic. The Northern Irishman explained how he will be cutting the number of tournaments he plays in 2013, but Abu Dhabi is one he will be at. A must see.

Wednesday 17th October 2012 - Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters are playing in the UAE next weekend. Well worth a watch.

Monday 15th October 2012 - World Class Swimming

I may have mentioned before that Dubai is now within the top 3 cities in the world for sport. Behind London and Melbourne. Not bad ay? If you think about it we do offer everything from surfing events and horse racing to test match cricket and world class golf. Somewhere in the middle of that sports sandwich we mustn't overlook the meets at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex. It's on the bypass road, a big blue building. Not only do we offer the best in sporting events but we offer the best facilities too. That's not me saying that but the Olympic gold medalists that swim in it. Recently we've had the Swimming World Cup, Synchronized Swimming and Water Polo meets take place. I spoke to Chad le Clos during that time and he told me that the swimming facilities in Dubai are second to none. Here is a man who loves Dubai, it's where he "announced himself on the world stage". In the summer he beat Phelps to Olympic gold in the 200m Butterfly. Not just him though, fellow countryman Cameron van der Burgh (another Olympic gold medalist) also agrees that Dubai offers by far the best complex in the world. However, with that statement he may have been talking about Karama. He was very keen to tell me he’d picked up goodies for friends. Even after winning his gold medal in Dubai, he chucked it into the crowd. Nice gesture. I wouldn’t be surprised if on his trip to Karama, someone tried to sell it back to him.

Monday 8th October 2012 - The Pro-League

This season's Pro-League is seemingly like this last year in Formula One. Everyone beating everyone and as unpredictable as you could wish. League champions Al Ain went into their first game feeling confident and going 1 nil up early on only to lose to Al Ahli 6 - 3. Shock. Then as we look to Al Ahli to put in another strong performance, they lose to Al Jazira 2 - 0. If the Pro-League can continue to entertain with goals flying in and attendances staying above the 5000 mark it would be crime for any football fan not to go and watch a few games.

Friday 5th October 2012 - Padle Tennis

Padle Tennis is quickly becoming a phenomenon. It is now the 2nd most played sport in Spain behind only football and it is the fastest growing sport in the world. I went to have a look at the first location in Dubai to offer Padle Tennis courts, at Emirates Golf Club.

Tuesday 2nd October 2012 - The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens are coming..

With the Long Lunch happening recently, you know the 7s is coming. I spoke to General Manager Jim Fitzsimons whilst attending. Aswell as learning that this year’s 7’s will provide so much more (pitch 2 for instance will have a heap more food & beverage facilities wrapping around the pitch on the banks) I also listened with interest that infact it was a the 7’s world cup in Dubai back in 2009 that convinced the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to make the sport an Olympic one. The IOC impressed at how the game was run, the atmosphere and the pace. Well done Dubai.

Monday 1st October 2012 - MENA Tour

The MENA Tour is up and running for 2012 and the 6 tournament event kicks off at Dubai Creek. I was there to chat to the first winner of 2012, Zane Scotland.

Sunday 29th September 2012 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7's

Tomorrow sees the 2012 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7's tickets go on sale. In what promises to be the biggest tournament yet, with more teams participating than ever before and new additions to the village area it is set to be a fantastic weekend. I spoke to All Black legend Justin Marshall ahead of the 7s and got his thoughts on the form of rugby becoming an Olympic sport and his life after playing.

Saturday 22nd September 2012 Beach Soccer

Let’s think back to a time when Dubai was just the sandpit we lovingly refer to it today. Pearl diving was at the heart of daily life, as was trade on the creek, but there was one other activity that kept Dubaians busy. Beach Soccer. That’s right. Dubai may well have hosted the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2009, and the Beach Intercontinental Cup last autumn, but it all started way back when. Infact, as I was told by the Dubai Sports Council this week, Beach Soccer has been played for over 40 years in Dubai. And why not? We have some of the best beaches in the world. This form of football is one of the best to watch. Spectator wise, you’re close to the action. It’s fast, and the skill on show beats the 11-a-side game hands down. It’s great news then, that there will be plenty more action to come for us. The Sports Council have signed up the Intercontinental Cup for another 5 years, and it will now be based at Dubai Festival City (no more battling traffic at JBR to get there) and more tournaments like the recent President’s Cup at Al Mamzar beach will take place too. Well worth a watch.

Wednesday 19th September 2012 Dubai Olympics?

When you first moved to Dubai, how long were you expecting to stay? For many of us, myself included, our stay has turned out to be longer than we imagined. Fancy kicking about another 12 years? Why? Well, because Dubai is one of the greatest cities in the world of course, but also, 2024 could well see Dubai host the Olympic games. I was at Terminal 3 last week to welcome the UAE Paralympic team home from London. Aswell as congratulating out medal winners, Abdula Sultan Alaryani, who won gold in the mixed R6-50m rifle and Mohammed Hammadi, a silver & bronze medalist on the track, I spoke to the UAE Olympic Committee. They told me how Dubai seriously thought about bidding for 2020 but decided it was too soon but that we should expect a serious bid for some time after that. When I asked if it would be before the 2032 games, I got a grin which would suggest either 2024 or 2028. I honestly believe an Olympic games in Dubai would be fantastic. Road race through the desert roads, a triathlon around the palm? Golf will by then be an Olympic sport, as will rugby 7’s. We’re half way there already. Some of the venues could be just as iconic as London.

Tuesday 11th September 2012 UAE Paralympic Team

Welcome home the UAE Paralympic team. After the UAE Olympic team put in a strong performance in London it was the turn of the Paralympians, and they performed brilliantly. Three medals, one of each. I caught up with them as they arrived back in Dubai.

Thursday 6th September 2012 Golf

What with the Ryder Cup coming up and the DP World Tour Championship Dubai. I spoke to Wayne Johnson from JGE's ahead of both huge tournaments.

Saturday 1st September 2012 Diego Maradona

When I was growing up the kind of sporting idols I looked up to were my PE teacher, Alan Shearer & Diego Maradona at the '86 world cup. I didn't think that Diego would again be acting as my role model again almost 30 years later. Soon after London 2012 "inspired a generation" Dubai now has it's very own role model. It comes in the form of one of the greatest footballers the world have ever seen, it also comes in the form of a man who hasn't been that great since hanging up his boots. Diego Maradona is now charged with getting people playing sport in Dubai as he teams up with Dubai Sports Council to become an "ambassador of sport". Would Maradona inspire you? Well, he didn't manage to inspire his Al Wasl players into performing, but you can't deny his reputation & history in the game of football may well see some kids want to get off the sofa and kick a ball about with Diego. He should be kicking lots of balls about as he tries to get the UAE playing more sport, bearing in mind the salary he is on. A reported 800,000 dihrams a month. Get inspiring Diego.

Saturday 1st September 2012 Lara's Foundation

Julia Cafferkey and Lady Elizabeth Riesenburg will complete a kayak challenege - a 25km route around Palm Jumeriah on the 12th October 2012. The route will be an entire lap of the palm and will also take them through Dubai Marina and past JBR beach, back to their starting point on the palm. This is all in aid of Lara's Foundation and I caught up with the girls to find out more.

Tuesday 28th August 2012 Lara's Foundation

Julia Cafferkey and Lady Elizabeth Riesenburg, will complete a kayak challenge - a 25km route around Palm Jumeriah on 12^th October 2012. The route will be an entire lap of the palm and will also take them through Dubai Marina and past JBR beach, back to their starting point on the Palm. This is all in aid of Lara's Foundation and I spoke to Julia to find out more.

Tuesday 15th August 2012 Dubai Sports World

The London Olympics were all about getting people to play more sport. The trick is, now that the games have finished, for the UK to ride the wave and continue the passion for sport. But it isn't just the UK that have seen the population go sport crazy. I went down to Dubai Sports World to see if the games were having an impact in Dubai too.

Wednesday 8th August 2012 Abu Dhabi Corporate Games

When London 2012 comes to end after the Olympic & Paralympic games the UAE will host it's own games. The Abu Dhabi Corporate Games will take place in November & will see teams from all over the UAE & the world take part in the 25th Corporate Games, the first to be held in Abu Dhabi. I spoke to Fanny Marcout about what we can expect.

Saturday 4th August 2012 Wimbledon

Serena Williams today became the first woman since Stefi Graf to win all 4 grand-slams and get an Olympic gold medal. Williams beat Sharapova in the ladies' singles final. I watched the USA beat France in the men's doubles and of course tomorrow we see a repeat of the Wimbledon final from just a few weeks ago, when Andy Murray & Roger Federer both go for gold. I spoke to a Swiss fan about Federer;s chances on the iconic Centre Court.

Saturday 4th August 2012 Olympic Stadium

With the 100m heats happening tofay it means the fastest man in the world makes his debut at London 2012. Usain Bolt had an amzing Beijing Olympics and fans in London can't wait to see him perform. His training partner Yohan Blake however is one man, who can beat him. So, who do the London fans think will win.

Saturday 4th August 2012 Olympic Park

The UAE football side had a good London 2012. The first worldwide tournament they have competed in since Italia '90 & they left London 2012 with a lot of people heaping praise onto them. I spoke with Marcus Speller, form The Football Ramble podcast to discuss the UAE's London 2012 efforts.

Saturday 4th August 2012 Olympic Park

"Super Saturday" at London 2012 with 25 gold medals up for grabs. Over 200,000 people are expected through the Olympic Park gates today. I caught up with a few.

Saturday 4th August 2012 London

Hello from London. The Olympics are in full flow and I've got more action for you today from the Olympic Stadium & Wimbledon.

Friday 3rd August 2012 London

In the events I have attended here at London 2012, the USA won the all-around gymnastics final. China won the mixed doubles in Badminton and Italy & USA won their group games in the woman's volleyball. Elsewhere, huge wins for Andy Murray means he has booked a place in the Olympic final against the man that beat him just a few weeks ago during the Wimbledon final. Roger Federer awaits Andy Murray in a game that Murray says will be one of the biggest of his career. Federer had to work hard to get past Del Potro, the Swiss won the tie 19-17 in the final set. Maria Sharapova will play Serena Williams in the ladies' final. The UAE's Mohammad Khadija failed to pick up a medal in Weightlifting but at only 17 years of age has plenty of time ahead of her. Plus, on the first day of track & field Ethiopia's Dibaba held on to her Olympic 10,000m title in stunning style, and Poland's Majewski retained his Shot Put crown.

#ClassicOlympics: Moscow 1980

American's boycotted the games. Scotland's Alan Wells wins 100m gold with crazy wife watching on from stand.

Friday 3rd August 2012 Wembley Arena

Badminton at London 2012 has not been short of making the headlines. With 4 players expelled from the games for "not playing the game to win" it was good to see 3 games today where winning was very much on the agenda. China dominated winning gold & silver in the mixed doubles final. I spoke to fans at Wembley Arena about London 2012 so far.

Wembley Arena

The home of the Badminton at London 2012 & also where the swimming was held at the 1948 London games.

Wembley Arena

The stage is set for the finals of the Badminton event.

Friday 3rd August 2012 Panasonic

Being here in London at the Olympic Games is all thanks to Panasonic. A worldwide partner of the games, I spoke to Anthony Peter, Director of Communications at Pansonic about why Panasonic are so passionate about sport.

Friday 3rd August 2012 London  

Good morning from London, here at our home provided by Panasonic. A busy day ahead, which I'll guide you through here.

#ClassicOlympics: Syndey 2000

Cameroon win gold in men's football. Beat Brazil in the QF's with 9 men and beat Spain in the final on pens.

Thursday 2nd August 2012 London

Hello from London. Here with Panasonic as we take in 3 days of Olympics action. First things first. London is a fantastic place to be at the moment. The atmosphere is electric, the colours of 204 nations can been seen everywhere with the Union Jack as the backdrop. As for the games, Day 6 provided more broken records & history being made. In cycling at the Olympics Park's Velodrome Sir Chris Hoy hailed his fifth Olympic Games gold as his best ever, after Great Britain's men's team sprint squad triumphed on a night of high drama. Hoy equaled Sir Steve Redgrave's gold medal tally in the process. It was a fantastic day for Team GB as the medal's started to roll in. Elsewhere Michael Phelps claimed his 20th Olympic medal as he won the 200m medley. Phelps became the first man to win the event at 3 consecutive Olympics. At Wimbledon, Andy Murray beat Nicolas Almagro to set up a men’s tennis singles semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic, who beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. In the other semi, Roger Federer will play Del Potro. In the women's event, Serena Williams will take on Victoria Azarenka in the last four while Maria Sharapova will meet Maria Kirilenko in an all Russian clash.
Also at the North Greenwich Arena the USA took gold in the all-around woman's gymnastics. I was there to take in the medal event. the USA fans were out in force to cheers their girls on. It was Gabby Douglas who impressed the most to get the gold ahead of the Russian girls Victoria Komova & Aliya Mustafina.

North Greenwich Arena

The scene of London 2012's Gymnastics.  

Wednesday August 1st 2012 Dubai

As the Olympics head towards the middle weekend of the games in London, we have a lot to look forward to. I’ll be in London for the next 3 days as the track & field events begin so we’ll be inside the Olympic Stadium where of course on Sunday night it’s the 100m final & you’d think Bolt & Blake will be going for glory. A heap of medals are to be won over the weekend and I’ll be taking in gymnastics, volleyball, badminton & we’ll be live from Wimbledon during The Grill on Saturday as the woman’s gold medal match takes place as well as the men’s doubles gold medal match.

You can keep up to date with everything online & on-air.

#ClassicOlympics: Barcelona 1992

Unemployed & broke Chris Boardman wins 4k cycling pursuit gold. He lapped his opponent, the world champion.