Ragan Smith competes on the balance beam during the women's U.S. gymnastics championships, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. Photo: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu
Ragan Smith and her coach now have the same title.
On the 25th anniversary of Kim Zmeskal Burdette’s third national championship, Smith won her first Sunday night at the P&G Championships. Next year, when the video montage of past national champions airs before the competition, they’ll have double reason to watch.
“It hit me today: I want her on that screen. I want to see her in that video next year,” Zmeskal Burdette said.
Next up: Seeing if Smith can win the all-around title at the world championships, just as Zmeskal Burdette did in 1991. Worlds are Oct. 2-8 in Montreal, and the four-woman team will be announced after a selection camp next month.
Smith finished with 115.250 points, more than three in front of Jordan Chiles. In a sport that’s usually decided by tenths and hundredths of a point, that qualifies as a rout.
While the final margin might have been a surprise, Smith’s victory was not. The year after the Olympics is always one of transition, and this one is no different.
The Final Five was at the competition simply as spectators, watching from a suite. The gymnasts who will form the next American juggernaut are still juniors; Maile O’Keefe and Emma Malabuyo posted such big scores they would have finished 2-3 in the senior competition.
But it’s one thing to be the favorite and another to live up to the hype. Smith did both.
“She’s the leader of the team,” said Valeri Liukin, the women’s national team coordinator. “She feels that. She knows she needs to lead this team to the next generation and she looked like it.”
Smith, the alternate on last year’s Rio Olympics team, was one of the few veterans, and her experience showed. While other gymnasts bobbled and wobbled, she was solid both days of competition.
“It feels amazing,” said Smith, who was planning to celebrate with a trip to Disneyland to watch the fireworks. “All my hard work has paid off and I’m just excited to be the U.S. champion.”
Oh, sure. She had slight mistakes — it’s a wonder she stayed on the balance beam, twice landing aerial tricks with her foot on the very edge of the apparatus — but was clearly a cut above everyone else.
While most gymnasts might as well be tumbling to elevator music for as much as they incorporate it into their routines, Smith timed her dance elements perfectly to the beat. When she did steps to a Latin-sounding portion, it was easy to imagine her dancing in a plaza in Spain.
But most telling was that when she finished, she looked happy but not overly satisfied.
“She’s a solid elite athlete,” Liukin said. “And we still have room to improve.”
So do Chiles and Riley McCusker, who managed to finish third despite being on crutches (torn heel ligament) and in a wrist cast (growth plate) only a few weeks ago.
McCusker was second to Smith for almost the entire meet. But she stumbled out of a turn on floor exercise and landed her last tumbling pass out of bounds. That opened the door for Chiles, who passed her on the final event.
And that was even with Chiles botching one of her first skills on balance beam.
Chiles was supposed to do a wolf turn, spinning while crouched on one leg, the other extended to the side. But she got off balance and had to stand up to keep herself from falling.
She somehow managed to keep rotating — her coaches counted an additional three revolutions — turning her mistake into a gymternet meme.
Chiles’ score, a 14.2, put her 0.2 points ahead of McCusker.
“I’m definitely not disappointed at all,” said McCusker, who resumed doing full routines less than three weeks ago. “I’m just so happy just to be here.”
This article was republished with permission from the original author and 2015 Ronald Reagan Media Award recipient, Nancy Armour, and the original publisher, USA Today. Follow columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.
The United States retained the Solheim Cup after clinching a convincing 16½-11½ win over Europe at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa. Photo: AP / Charlie Neibergall
The United States retained the Solheim Cup after clinching a convincing 16½-11½ win over Europe at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa.
The hosts went into Sunday’s singles matches with a commanding 10½-5½ lead and needed just 3½ points to maintain their grip on the title.
Lexi Thompson fought back from four down to snatch a half against Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist in a memorable opening contest before Paula Creamer claimed a one-up win against England’s Georgia Hall and Cristie Kerr beat Melissa Reid, also of England, 2&1.
Angel Yin secured a half-point from her meeting with France’s Karine Icher to put Juli Inkster’s team on the brink of victory and the triumph was sealed thanks to Lizette Salas’ one-up success over Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England.
“To secure the point that wins us the Solheim Cup is unbelievable,” Salas was reported as saying by BBC Sport.
“My hands were shaking.
“This is really special.”
America’s other two points today came courtesy of wins for Gerina Piller and Danielle Kang.
Piller beat England’s Florentyna Parker 4&2, while Kang defeated Denmark’s Emily Pedersen 3&1 in the last match.
Europe had five winners today to add to the half-points won by Nordqvist and Icher.
Scotland’s Catriona Matthew claimed a one-up win over Stacy Lewis before Germany’s Caroline Masson overcame Michelle Wie 4&2.
England’s Charley Hull finished one-up against Brittany Lang and there were also victories for Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, 4&3 against Brittany Lincicome, and Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, 3&2 at the expense of Austin Ernst.
“The Europeans fought hard today and made it really close,” Inkster was reported as saying by BBC Sport.
“I really haven’t been nervous all week but today I was a little bit.
“It’s an honor to captain this team and I’m really proud of the girls.”
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti speaks as LA2024 bid chairman Casey Wasserman applauds at left during a news conference Monday at StubHub Center. Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The United States Sports Academy’s Dr. Fred Cromartie predicts that the awarding of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games to Los Angeles and the recent resounding success of American athletes in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in London will spark a renewed interest in Olympic sports in the United States.
“I think we will see more Americans interested in participating in the Games as athletes and spectators,” Cromartie said. “Just like in Atlanta in 1996 and Salt Lake City in 2002, the Olympic Spirit will move Americans to support the Los Angeles Olympics.
Dr. Fred Cromartie is the Director of Doctoral Studies at the United States Sports Academy.
“I do think the success Americans had at the World Championships will translate into excitement for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
“I believe it will also generate some real interest in America in regards to Olympic sports like track and field. I hope the young people who watched this on television will be inspired that one day, they can compete with the best athletes in the world on a global stage as well.”
Cromartie is the Academy’s director of doctoral studies and is also an Academy alumnus, having earned his Master of Sports Science in sports medicine and Doctor of Education in sports management at the Academy. He was recognized in 2002 as the Academy’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
Cromartie, who has taught numerous Olympism classes at the Academy, noted that at the IAAF World Championships, American athletes won 30 total medals – 19 more than the second place country, Kenya – and produced dramatic finishes in some of the more high profile events.
The American success in London also happened at an ideal time, 11 years before Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Olympic Games. In August, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did something it had not done before by selecting host cities for consecutive Summer Olympic Games at the same time. The cities are expected to be formally awarded the bids in September, with Paris awarded the 2024 Games and Los Angeles the Games in 2028. This will be the third time each city has hosted an Olympiad.
A majestic dive for the line propelled Tori Bowie to 100 meter gold at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships for the first major individual title of her career. Photo: Reuters
Cromartie said children who were inspired watching the IAAF World Championships on television will likely be old enough to participate in the Olympics by 2028. According to the IAAF, the meet’s cumulative television audience reached 400 million people globally.
“If you watched what transpired in London, you saw that stadium jam packed with spectators and fans,” Cromartie said. “That was phenomenal. Plus there was an anomaly with a lot of first time winners and some high profile upsets that made the event particularly exciting.”
While some have said Los Angeles “lost” by not earning the 2024 bid it had spent years trying to secure, the IOC sweetened the deal by offering $1.8 billion in funding for a youth-focused Olympic development program in the Los Angeles area.
“Between now and 2028 – that’s 11 years – Los Angeles and the United States can continue to develop their Olympic programs,” Cromartie said. “Los Angeles convinced the IOC to fund its youth-focused Olympic development program over the next 11 years. This is unprecedented.”
“Today, the superstar athletes in America are participating in football, basketball and baseball,” Cromartie said. “It is important that we work to give children a view into the Olympic world so they can see there is something else out there.
“We’ve had some high profile athletes be very successful at the Olympics, but overall there seem to be fewer who have really captured the eye of the American public. That’s why the youth-focused Los Angeles bid is important.”
Cromartie has attended three Olympic Games – Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Salt Lake City 2002 – and plans to be in Los Angeles in 2028.
“I’ve been fortunate to attend a number of the Games and I was engulfed in what the Olympic spirit is all about,” Cromartie said. “The Olympics are the greatest sports spectacle in the world. People are generally pleasant to each other and support and cheer for all athletes.
“The Olympics offer something that is unique that you don’t get with other sports stories,” Cromartie said. “You feel a connection to these athletes who come from such diverse backgrounds and the struggles and successes they may have had. And in America, we often get the biggest events on television in prime time. It’s a good time for you and your family to watch a true, global event together.
“I remember watching the Olympics with my family when I was growing up, then watching them again with my daughter,” Cromartie said. “It really is unique. I would encourage everyone to go to Los Angeles for the Games there.”
From a purely athletic standpoint, the Olympics are home to the world’s best athletes. The Games are also home to the ideal of Olympism, which promotes a philosophy of life balanced in the body, will and mind. They blend sport with culture, education and art and promote universal fundamental ethical principles. The Olympic Movement aims to build a peaceful world by educating young people through sport, friendship, solidarity and fair play.
But Olympic Games are not always financially successful. A 2016 report from Oxford University showed the costs of hosting an Olympiad exceed budgetary estimates by 156 percent on average, based on figures gathered from Olympic Games between 1960 and 2016. The figures have led to fewer countries going through the bid process.
The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were marred by financial instability, government corruption and unfulfilled plans.
“In Rio, government overspent and didn’t live up to the promises made,” Cromartie said. “Most of the Rio venues are already obsolete today. There’s always a ‘legacy plan’ attached to an Olympic bid, and that plan is to have those venues used as sports venues on a regular basis after the Games. Very few of the structures in Rio are actually being used now.”
Cromartie said the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 could be financially successful because the city has a strong economy and competent leadership and will not have to invest in building stadiums and infrastructure.
“Successful Olympiads are most often hosted in places where there are already venues in place,” Cromartie said. “Or if they do build, they make sure to use those venues afterward.”
The next Winter Olympic Games will be in February 2018 in PyeongChang, South Korea. While the Korean peninsula is currently under the world’s microscope because of the provocative actions of North Korean President Kim Jong-Un, Cromartie said it wouldn’t be the first time the Games were held in dangerous situations.
The Munich 1972 Olympics were overshadowed by a massacre perpetrated by terrorist group Black September, in which 11 Israeli athletes and coaches and one German police officer were killed. The Atlanta 1996 Olympics were marred by the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, which killed two spectators and injured 111 others. In 2014, the Sochi Olympics faced terrorist threats from more than one group, but nothing happened.
“The one thing against all Olympiads is that there are too many people with bad intentions out there,” Cromartie said. “I think PyeongChang can be safe and successful but there’s always a chance for someone to disrupt the Games. That’s happened before and the IOC has to be prepared for what may happen.
“Security will be heavy as ever there,” Cromartie said. “In order for the IOC to really say, ‘let’s hold off on doing the Games,’ there would have to be some imminent threat. If there is, then the IOC would have to make that call. World security is on alert right now and the IOC is monitoring everything. They will do whatever they can to ensure safety for everyone.”
After PyeongChang, the 2020 Summer Olympics will be hosted by Tokyo, while the 2022 Winter Olympics will be in Beijing.
The Academy, America’s only freestanding accredited sports university, offers numerous courses that delve deeply into the Olympics and Olympism. The Academy teaches classes on all aspects of the Olympics including the modern Olympics and how they came to be, the modern Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin, the international organizational structure and function of the Olympic movement, and the various political, governmental, social and economic aspects of the Games. Both the Academy’s Master of Sports Science and Doctor of Education in sports management degree programs offer Olympism emphasis options.
The Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports.
The Academy is based in Daphne, Ala. For more information, call (251) 626-3303 or visit www.ussa.edu.
By Eric Mann
Eric Mann is the communications assistant at the United States Sports Academy.
Justin Gatlin, center, won the 100 meters at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships. Christian Coleman, left, finished second while Usain Bolt, right, finished third. Photo: AFP
Speaking ahead of the final evening session on 13 August, International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe described the IAAF World Championships London 2017 as the most competitive and compelling World Championships of all time.
“I can’t remember a time when the competition has been so competitive and the stories around them so compelling,” said Coe. “From the opening salvo of discus and long jump to the 4x400m this evening we have witnessed sometimes no more than the thickness of a vest between the finalists.
“There is a clear recognition of the connection between athletes and fans,” he added. “The ability of athletes to raise their game is, in a large part, driven by theater provided by full houses.
“When we get that right, this sport is unassailable.”
Many of the sport’s established stars – Mo Farah, Wayde van Niekerk, Sally Pearson, for example – won gold medals, but there were also several surprise medalists, which has introduced fans a field of young athletes making their debut on the global scene.
The likes of 100m silver medalist Christian Coleman, 400m hurdles winner Karsten Warholm, 200m finalist Abdul Sani Brown and triple jump winner Yulimar Rojas are among the many captivating stories that have unfolded over the past ten days.
The sport’s stars, new and old, have been able to better connect with fans at these championships, thanks to various social media campaigns taking place both inside the stadium and for those watching at home.
Many athletes have commented on how the atmosphere from the sell-out crowds have helped inspire them to medal-winning performances and highly competitive finals with unprecedented depth in numerous events.
This World Championships has also helped the IAAF reach a landmark of 1.2 million spectators at World Athletics Series events in 2017, almost doubling the previous record figure. 900,000 of those spectators came from the IAAF World Championships.
USC Village will act as the media hub during Los Angeles 2028. Photo: Los Angeles 2028
The University of Southern California (USC) has officially opened their Village, which will act as the media hub for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The facility is a $700 million, 15-acre residential and retail complex that will house more than 2,500 students.
The USC Village is a key component of Los Angeles 2028’s Main Press Centre (MPC) cluster.
Anchoring the cluster is USC’s new Annenberg Hall, which is a five-minute walk from the Media Village.
It will offers members of the media “state-of-the-art workroom facilities” and onsite support and catering services, according to Los Angeles 2028 bosses.
The media transport mall will be located within the perimeter of this MPC cluster, which organizers say will provide a “clean to clean”, referring to there being less security cordons between different sections, experience for journalists moving between their accommodation and the other Olympic sites.
“On behalf of Los Angeles 2028, I would like to congratulate USC, my alma mater, as it celebrates the grand opening of the state-of-the-art USC Village,” said Los Angeles 2028 vice-chair Janet Evans.
“This world-class housing will serve as the Los Angeles 2028 Media Village, providing unparalleled convenience and comfort for journalists covering the Games.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) membership unanimously agreed to award both the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games at the same time at last month’s Extraordinary Session in Lausanne.
It was agreed that a Tripartite Commission would be formed consisting of representatives from the IOC and both Paris and Los Angeles.
However, Los Angeles announced its candidacy for the 2028 Games, leaving the path clear for Paris to host the 2024 edition.
The recommendation to award 2024 and 2028 simultaneously is now expected to be rubber-stamped by the IOC membership at their Session in Lima on September 13.
It will mark the third time that Los Angeles has hosted the Games, having previously done so in 1932 and 1984.
Aug 2, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Ichiro Suzuki (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Marlins Park. Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes it is better to just think and not say anything. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giminez seems rather happy that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has reached a tentative agreement to sell his Major League Baseball team to a group of investors that includes Derek Jeter. So much so that the mayor might start attending baseball games at the Marlins’ municipally funded stadium. But the mayor issued a stern warning to the Jeter group. Don’t allow Loria’s stepson David Samson to be part of the team. Seems rather remarkable that a mayor of an area with some major problems including having no money for increasing mass transit would even bother to tell a set of baseball owners what to do. But a previous administration said yes to funding the stadium which as a by-product made a rich man, Loria even richer.
The stadium was supposed to be the “catalyst” for the “rebirth” of baseball in Miami. Hundreds of millions of dollars were poured into a municipally-owned stadium including a financial contribution from Loria. The deal gave him a barrel filled with money from people which included those who would never set foot inside the facility—tourists and local taxpayers—through increased revenue from concessions, parking and signage. The city’s decision to fund the stadium did not go well with the community. The mayor, Carlos Alvarez, was recalled and lost in a landslide during a special election in 2011. Although there was a laundry list of complaints but the stadium expenditure seemed to be the most pressing grievance. The stadium for Loria meant more money for his pockets but the Little Havana community didn’t see much of a positive economic impact from the venue. Stadiums and arenas are not economic engines that can revitalize a city or a large area surrounding a facility. Because Miami-Dade has an investment maybe the mayor’s voice should be heard on second thought. He is a partner.
Umpire Joe West and Chicago Cubs manager have words during a baseball game. Photo: AP
Just when we thought good old fashioned arguments between managers and umpires were gone forever, replaced by instant replay, baseball is going old school on us.
You can’t watch a game these days without explosive arguments or volatile comments from breaking out across the country.
In just the last few days:
Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler rips into home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez, imploring him to quit his job, accusing him of ruining the game.
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon goes ballistic on the umpiring crew, saying their ninth-inning interpretation of a ruling that Ben Zobrist swung at a bunt when hit by a pitch was “asinine.’’
St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny screams “It’s not your show,’’ when home-plate umpire Chris Seagal called timeout, and is ejected trying to save All-Star catcher Yadier Molina from being tossed, first.
Los Angeles Dodgers veteran second baseman Chase Utley is ejected for asking second-base umpire Ramon De Jesus to move out of his sight line while in the field, saying he’s never seen anything like it.
Zobrist becomes so angry after being called out on a game-ending strike that he openly pleads for an electronic strike zone.
Yet, instead of being mad at all of the bad behavior, Commissioner Rob Manfred reminded everyone Thursday at the owners’ quarterly meetings that he’s a traditionalist at heart.
Oh sure, he still has radical ideas about speeding up the game, and plans to have a pitch clock in 2018, and was on board to have a players’ weekend in which everyone can wear nicknames on their jerseys, but scoffs at the idea of an automated zone that would eliminate the majority of manager-umpire arguments.
Maybe the automated strikeout without umpires will come one day, but Manfred sure sounds like a man who’s reluctant to have it happen under his watch.
“It would be a pretty fundamental change in the game,’’ Manfred said, “to take away a function that has been performed by our umpiring staff, really with phenomenal accuracy. The fact of the matter is they get them right well over 90% of the time.
“There is a human aspect to that, a work aspect to it, that’s always been an important part of our game.
“I don’t think you can just jump to the conclusion that if you have to technology to do it that’s the right thing for your product.’’
Besides, it’s nothing more than wasted noise now anyways, Manfred says, with baseball unequipped to become the sporting version of the driverless car.
“I don’t believe the current technology is sufficient to call balls and strikes on a real-time basis,’’ Manfred says. “If and when we get to that technology – and sooner or later we’re going to get there – there’s still a fundamental question about whether or not we want to remove that human element from the game.’’
Bravo.
Oct 23, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Umpires huddle after Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (not pictured) was initially ruled out on a fielder’s choice at second base during the first inning during game one of the MLB baseball World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. The play was overturned and Pedroia was ruled safe. Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Come on, there’s nothing wrong with human error, and if you take the umpires off the field, who will the players and managers have to yell at during games?
It’s perfectly fine for players and managers to occasionally scream at umpires, kicking a little direct along the way, but lately, it’s gone a little extreme.
It’s rather hypocritical to let a player like Kinsler accuse Hernandez of intentionally making bad calls, saying he needs to leave, and receive nothing more than a small fine while umpires are suspended for even cracking jokes. It was just a week ago that veteran umpire Joe West was suspended three games without pay for teasing Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre about his propensity for disagreeing on calls in a USA TODAY Sports story.
The umpires’ union is appealing West’s suspension.
“It is not unusual after a very competitive event,’’ Manfred said, “for a player to say something that we don’t think is helpful over the long term. We have always dealt with those by player discipline and fines. That’s the ordinary course.
“I see the umpire thing differently.
“You know, umpires have to be beyond reproach on the topic of impartiality. That’s why there are really specific rules in the Umpire Basic Agreement about public comment.’’
West served his suspension last week when he missed three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. The World Umpires Association strongly condemned the suspension in a statement.
“Joking interactions between umpires and players are a routine part of the game,” the union said. “We disagree strongly with the decision to punish Joe West simply for sharing a humorous exchange with a player.”
Major League Baseball had previously declined comment until Manfred lashed back Thursday.
“I was a bit surprised, I have to say,’’ Manfred said. “I actually sat down with Joe West after his public comments. He and I agreed that a three-day suspension was the appropriate discipline for his violation of the collective bargaining agreement.
“Unfortunately, Mr. West decided he didn’t want to live up to that agreement. We had to proceed in a different way. I did have a very specific understanding with Mr. West what was going to happen here, and he was in agreement with what was going to happen.’’
Yet, according to the World Umpires Association, West never agreed to the suspension, insisting that West was wronged, and pointed toward Beltre’s comments.
“Obviously, I know that he was kidding,’’ Beltre told reporters. “I play around with him. He plays around with me. And that was it. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I’m sad that it happened.”
In a few months, this will change. Instead of the umpires, the players likely will be the ones directing their anger toward Manfred. MLB plans to announce after the season that there will be a pitch clock in 2018, along with a reduction of permissible mound visits, in hopes to speed up the game. The average game time is 3 hours, 5 minutes, the longest in baseball history – five minutes longer than a year ago.
Manfred wants the union’s cooperation, but even if the players association continues to oppose a pitch clock, it’s going to happen. There will be a 20-second clock between pitches when no one is on base, and longer when there are runners
“We’re having ongoing conversations with the Players Association,’’ said Manfred, who met last week with union chief Tony Clark and a group of players. “The tone of those conversations was very positive. I remain confident that we will have changes for next year on pace of play that will be significant.’’
But, for now, it will be business as usual.
Managers and players will keep yelling at umpires. Players and managers will keep getting ejected by umpires. And pitchers and hitters will always complain about the strike zone.
Police evacuate people after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017. Photo: REUTERS
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has said that the organisation “condemns” yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils.
A van drove into a crowd of people along the popular tourist destination of Las Ramblas in the center of the city which hosted the 1992 Olympic Games.
Hours later, Spanish police shot dead five suspected terrorists in the town of Cambrils, located about 68 miles south-west of Barcelona, after a second attack.
So far, the death toll from the two incidents stands at 14 while many others have been left injured.
Via the IOC Media Twitter profile, Bach spoke out against the attacks.
“#BarcelonaAttack is also an attack on the Olympic Values in the host city of the Olympic Games 1992,” Bach said.
“We utterly condemn #BarcelonaAttack.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends.”
A minute’s silence was held in Barcelona as a mark of respect for those who died in the incident.
Police, who have arrested four people in relation to the incidents, are still hunting for the man who drove the van in the crowd of people on Las Ramblas.
Spanish media have named Moussa Oubakir as the suspected driver.
It has been reported that the 18-year-old used documentation obtained from his brother Driss to allegedly hire the van used in the attack.
Floral tributes have been left at the site of the attack on Las Ramblas.
Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick, left, signs an articulation agreement with United States Sports Academy President and CEO Dr. T.J. Rosandich.
The United States Sports Academy recently entered into an articulation agreement with Stillman College that aims to help students from the historically black college pursue careers in the world of sport.
Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick recently visited the Academy campus in Daphne, Ala., to sign the agreement with Academy President and CEO Dr. T.J. Rosandich. Stillman is a historically black liberal arts college located in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Under the agreement, the Academy will admit qualified students from Stillman’s bachelor’s degree program into its Master of Sports Science degree program, which offers majors in sports coaching, sports health and fitness, sports management, sports studies and recreation management. The Academy’s master’s degree is a fully online, flexible program that allows students to enroll and start at any time, as well as complete the degree at their own pace.
The Academy will also waive application fees for any Stillman student graduating with a physical education degree and will allow Stillman students to begin Academy coursework without official graduation status, provided all other admission requirements are met. Qualified members of the Stillman faculty may also be invited to become members of the Academy’s National Faculty, a group of faculty who teach for the Academy’s post-secondary non-degree international sports education programs.
The Academy also offers an upper division Bachelor of Sports Science degree program that provides the subject specific courses typically taken during the student’s junior and senior years. The agreement provides for Academy bachelor’s students to be able to take their required general curriculum core coursework at Stillman; these courses typically are taken in the freshman and sophomore years.
“This agreement creates an opportunity for our students in physical education and related majors to get their graduate studies and experience from an excellent academic program,” Warrick said. “Physical education is one of our largest majors so many of those students are looking to get certification as teachers or coaches and they are interested in sports careers. This will be really important for our students.
“This will benefit our students because the Academy faculty members are experts in the world of sports,” she said. “I think having these direct links to the Academy programs will give them a path to a career. This will make it easier for them to find their path.”
“The Academy is very pleased to be able to partner with such an historic institution and a fellow member of the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAICU),” Rosandich said.
“This agreement benefits students and faculty from both institutions.”
Academy Dean of Student Services Dr. Vincent Nix said the agreement is a “win-win” for both institutions.
“The agreement provides a seamless avenue for their students to continue graduate studies in a field about which they are passionate,” Nix said. “If they earn a bachelor’s degree in physical education and are interested in a career in sports, this is a natural fit for those students. It will allow them to continue their studies and be able to work while they do it.
“We are partners; this agreement will benefit students of both institutions,” he said.
Stillman College is a “liberal arts institution committed to fostering academic excellence and to providing high quality educational opportunities for diverse populations with disparate levels of academic preparation. Primarily a teaching institution, Stillman has a proud and evolving tradition of preparing students for leadership and service in society.” For more information go to www.Stillman.edu.
The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports.
The Academy is based in Daphne, Ala. For more information, call (251) 626-3303 or visit www.ussa.edu.
By Eric Mann
Eric Mann is the communications assistant at the United States Sports Academy.
Usain Bolt of Jamaica during a lap of honor at the IAAF World Championships in London. Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
Usain Bolt has hit back at critics who claimed he had faked an injury during the 4×100 meter relay at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in London by revealing he has torn his hamstring.
The eight-time Olympic gold medalist and 11-time world champion posted an image of his scan on Twitter and confirmed he would need three months of rehabilitation.
Bolt’s farewell race ended in disaster when he pulled up in the home straight of the 4x100m relay, ending his chances of capping off a remarkable career with another gold medal.
Jamaica’s team doctor, Kevin Jones, initially said the 30-year-old had suffered from a bout of cramp, but further scans have revealed the actual extent of the problem.
In a series of Twitter posts, which he later deleted, Bolt said he felt the need to address people who had questioned his injury.
Bolt and the Jamaican team blamed organizers for their star sprinter sustaining an injury after claiming they were at fault because a medal ceremony delayed the start of the relay.
“Sadly I have tear of the proximal myotendineous junction of biceps femoris in my left hamstring with partial retraction,” said Bolt.
“I don’t usually release my medical report to the public but sadly I have sat and listened to people questioning if I was really injured.
“I have never been one to cheat my fans in any way and my entire desire at the Championship was run one last time for my fans.
“Thanks for the continued support my fans and I rest, heal and move onto the next chapter of my life.”
The confirmation that Bolt has suffered a hamstring tear also rules him out of playing in a Manchester United legends match on September 2.
The Jamaican was due to be part of the team to take on Barcelona at Old Trafford.
