Olympic Fencing controversy

A controversial fencing semifinal bout of the women's individual epee competition was won on a final touch with 1 second remaining and the losing fencer launched an appeal of the decision which eventually cost her the finals.

With time running out in one of the two semifinal matches for the women's individual epee competition, South Korea's Shin A Lam led Germany's Germany's Britta Heidermann by a single point. Officially, Heidermann had just one second to launch an attack and score a touch, which would advance her on to the gold medal match to face the Ukraine's Yana Shemyakina, a lack of time which all but ensured that Shin would advance.

Instead, the timing mechanism on the piste became stuck, giving Heidermann extra time to complete her attack and win the bout, which earned her the spot in the gold medal bout. Officials, unsure what to do without a true, official protocol to follow, eventually decided to award the victory to Heidermann.

As one might expect, Shin and her coaches were enraged with the decision, and launched an immediate appeal. Yet the appeal itself has proved to be incredibly lengthy. After more than 30 minutes of a delay that included the Korean federation having to expedite a payment for the use in the official appeal, Shin's attempt to overturn the result failed, bringing a crushing end to a ridiculously long period marked by piquant discussion between Olympic and Korean officials and occasional announcements trying to explain what was going on to the spectators in the crowd.

Clearly, Shin should have had a chance for the gold medal; if the timing mechanism didn't get stuck, the clock would have run out and she would have advanced. Yet denying Heidermann a shot without some kind of a playoff-style bout might have been equally cruel.

Either way, the fencing tournament somehow ended up with an unfortunate and completely unforeseen loser which will lead to plenty of gripes and arguments going forward from multiple national federations, to be sure.

Olympic Stadium in London

Searchlights illuminate the Olympic Stadium in London during a rehearsal for the opening ceremony on Friday. Volunteers who took part in the run-through described the secrecy-shrouded rehearsal as beyond their “wildest expectations.”

Organizing the Olympics is estimated to cost British taxpayers $14.4 billion.

Games volunteers and troops were given tickets to the final run-through as a thank-you for their efforts, while members of the 15,000-strong cast were able to reserve tickets for friends and family.

The theme of the $42-million spectacular is “Isles of Wonder,” inspired by a passage from William Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest.” The show is set to be watched by a vast global television audience

Brett Favre returns to football as high school offensive coordinator

Brett Favre is expected to sign a contract as a high school offensive coordinator.

Favre is expected to be named the new offensive coordinator at Hattiesburg Miss. Oak Grove High within days. The move could become official as early as Monday night.

While Oak Grove head football coach Nevil Barr told WDAM that no official decision had been made, Favre's longtime agent, Bus Cook, told the Sun-Herald that Favre was definitely taking a position at the school to "give him something to do."

Barr and Favre are reportedly close friends, and the coach has expressed a great deal of flexibility in potential roles for the legendary quarterback as a way to get him involved in the program.

Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard deal

There are rumors on Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard deal for days but they stay as rumors. Bynum's agent, David Lee, said Thursday that his client has not told him whether he would sign a contract extension with another team besides the Lakers, a move that is widely considered a precursor to any trade involving Howard.

It seems Dwight Howard isn't the only All-Star center dealing with commitment issues these days. Andrew Bynum might soon face a decision on his future as well.

Lebron "The Decision", Dwight Howard "The Indecision"

Nonito Donaire win by decision

One might be tempted to dismiss Donaire’s performance against Jeffrey Mathebula on Saturday as so-so because he struggled to find his target much of the fight and failed to put him away. The fact is Donaire (29-1, 18 knockouts) did an excellent job in difficult circumstances. The 5-foot-11 Mathebula is a nightmare of an opponent, one with in impossibly long jab – designed to keep his foe at bay and more all-around ability than might be obvious at first glance. Donaire had to work extremely hard – bobbing, weaving, leaping to get inside Mathebula’s defense and do damage. That he succeeded more than enough to win a one-sided decision and unify the WBO and IBF junior featherweight titles was an impressive accomplishment. Donaire is more than ready for anyone in or near his weight class.

ringtv

Federer Grand Slam champion again at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Roger Federer won the Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

"The victory today is a dream come true for me and my family, you know, seeing them there,'' he said. "It's big.''

Federer, 30 ended a Grand Slam drought and equaled a Wimbledon record by winning the tournament for the seventh time Sunday, beating Andy Murray of Britain, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

For months Federer had been widely viewed as a champion in decline, eclipsed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Now he has won a 17th major title, padding his record, and he's back atop the ATP rankings for the first time since June 2010, matching Pete Sampras' record of 286 weeks at No. 1.

In less than three weeks, Federer will be back at Wimbledon trying to win his first Olympic singles gold medal. He'll be tough to beat in a setting where he plays his best tennis.

He matched the record of seven Wimbledon titles set in the 1880s by William Renshaw and tied in 2000 by Federer's hero, Sampras. And while he ended his own 2 1/2-year Grand Slam dry spell, he extended decades of frustration for the British, who haven't had a homegrown men's champion since 1936.

source sportsillustrated

Miami Heat Got Ray Allen, leaves Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics' Big Three is officially over, Ray Allen is taking his talents to South Beach.

Ray's agent Jim Tanner confirms that he has agreed to join the Miami Heat. It happened late Friday agreeing to a three-year contract. Heat owner Mickey Arison also twit confirming the news.

Allen will go to Miami for half the money the Celtics were offering, choosing the sunnier weather, chance to play with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and a fresh start with a new team. Allen was visibly unhappy during his final season in Boston, again placed on the trade block because of his expiring contract and then having to approach Doc Rivers about moving to the bench when murmurs became louder that the team wanted to start second-year guard Avery Bradley.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo sports also said that the deterioration of Ray Allen's relationship with Rajon Rondo playded a significant factor in his leaving for Miami.

The Celtics attempted a late run at Allen, offering $6 million per season for two years and promising a more defined role. But the team’s signing of Jason Terry, another 3-point marksman, clouded Allen’s status if he returned.

On Thursday, Allen met with Heat president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and team executive Alonzo Mourning but left without agreeing to a contract. He returned to Boston Friday and informed the Heat of his decision in the evening.

I just hope this will make both teams better.

Miami Heat wants to get Ray Allen

Miami Heat wants to get Ray Allen really bad. The Celtics can offer Ray Allen twice as much money annually as the Miami Heat. Celtics are offering $6M for two years (total of $12M) and Miami is offering 3 years at $3M (total of $9M).

The Heat are putting on a full court press for Allen and LeBron James is specifically taking to twitter to court Ray in any way he can think of. It is going to be a very tempting offer for Allen. He'd have the opportunity to play for a Championship in each of his final 3 years in the league. Ray would likely be coming off the bench in Miami but he'd still get plenty of minutes and be counted on for his legendary shooting.

Spain Beat Italy for Euro 2012

The World champions Spain took their place among the game’s greats beating Italy 4-0 to become the first team to win successive European Championship titles on Sunday.

Goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata gave Spain an easy victory over Italian. Italians are down to 10 men because of injury for the last half-hour. Silva scored with a rare header after a Cesc Fabregas pull-back in the 14th minute before a superb sprint finish from left-back Alba following a pinpoint Xavi pass doubled their lead four minutes before halftime.

Torres, who scored the winner in the final when they won the title in 2008, struck their third goal in the 84th minute before setting up fellow substitute Mata to add the final flourish in the 88th.

Reuters