Lesport Magazine

contents

lesport magazine march 2008 front of book

20

3 the gurus The state of American women’s tennis 5 the stuff Rugby’s hottest new gear 7 the kick The possible exodus of Freddy Adu 9 the ace Centre Court’s extreme makeover 11 the chill X-games athletes in the Olympics 13 the splash Ian Thorpe prepares for Beijing

16

features 15 welcome 16 culture clash? Dubai’s sports scene is booming, but is it compromising its values in the process? By Joannie Tims 20 tennis teaser Serbian star Novak Djokovic has wowed crowds with his talent and his charm. By Tim Akins 24 cyclical concerns A dark cloud of steroids looms over the Tour de France, but how is the cycling world really coping? By Daniel Martinez

24

back of book 29 the hot spots British Columbia’s must-see spots 31 the wire 32 the lens Cricket in India

On the cover: Novak Djokovic reacts during a match at the 2007 Australian Open. Photo by Jamelle Johanssen.

LeSPORT EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief GRAHAM SCHROEDER

LeSport Readers, The first time I saw Novak Djokovic play tennis was in the men’s final at last year’s U.S. Open. His impeccable talent might have caught my eye, but his charisma and knack for making me laugh caught my heart. Djokovic went on to lose to the perennially dominant and top-ranked Roger Federer, but avenged the loss in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open, en route to his first major championship. Read the story “A Joke with Djokovic” to get an inside scoop on his goofy theatrics, locker-room friendships and unconventional training methods. Also, as the Tour de France approaches, LeSport wanted to get an update on the current anti-doping investigations that the French government and the international cycling community are trying to cleanse the sport of steroids. And to round out this month’s features, Joannie Tims writes an excellent story on the recent economic boom that is taking over Dubai, particularly the city’s sports scene. As globalization increases, Dubai has successfully become a major hot spot for the international elite, but not at the expense of its Islamic heritage. After I left Arthur Ashe stadium, I realized that I had just witnessed the inevitable predecessor of Roger Federer. I smiled as a buddy and I walked to our cars and started reliving the hysteria of Djokovic’s flawless impersonation of Maria Sharapova’s serve warm-up. “This boy really has it,” I thought. He sure does.

Thanks for your continued support,

Associate Editor ALEX JOHNSON E-Editor MARCIA PRICE Assistant Editor LORI WINTHROP Copyeditor LORI WINTHROP BUSINESS & PRODUCTION Publisher CHRISTOPHER HORN Advertising Director DANIELLE MCMICHAEL Circulation Director ANDY JACOBS Production Manager GREG SHEPHERD Art Director ALABASTER PETERS Advertising Director TIMOTHY NEWMAN SUBSCRIPTIONS Contact 212.838.5560 or visit www.lesport.com for subscription information. EDITORIAL OFFICES 132 E. 54th Street, 16th Floor New York, NY 10019 212.838.5500 REPRESENTATIVES LA - Martin Dietz, Pacific Sports Advertising Agency, 1452 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 1425. P: 310.325.5600 London – Allen Greenswood, Sporting Investments, 1216 Downing St., London, Eng, P: 09.34.23.564.336 Paris – Laetitia Petiot, Le Bureau Sportif, 154 la rue d’Amerique, Paris, France. P: 011.44.2.46.65.76.42 Rome – Michelle de Laurentis, A&G Media Corp., 2845 Ortuzzi, Rome, Italy. P: 39.55.965.3921 Buenos Aires – Ricardo Piedro, El Equipo Atletico, 231 calle de Roma, Buenos Aires, Argentina, P: 023.4456.6534 Tokyo – Akiko Haikuro, Yakamura Media Group, Inc., 231 Osaka NW 23, Tokyo, Japan. P: 932.4566.7775

Graham Schroeder Editor-in-chief

2



NOTICE: The information found in LeSport Magazine is written by sports experts, but not by doctors. Check with your doctor before doing any exercises, taking any supplements or starting a new sport. If you intend on traveling, make sure you are cautious of your surroundings. LeSport Magazine is not responsible for any mishaps, injuries or losses because of its content.



LeSport Magazine March 2008

the[gurus]

American Aces Mary Carillo analyzes the state of women’s tennis and says there’s hope in the resurgence of the Williams sisters and Lindsay Davenport’s comeback. Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour. “It’s probably in his best interest to not follow the tennis gene,” she said. “Hopefully, he’ll be involved in some kind of sports.” or a fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and

see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour. Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “It’s probably in his best interest to not follow the tennis gene,” she said. “Hopefully, he’ll be involved in some kind of sports.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her ”I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal

March 2008 LeSport Magazine

American women dominated the game in the early 2000s. They hope to repeat their past success in 2008. Photos from the USTA.



3

thegurus

The tenacity of the Williams sisters and Davenport have been major factors in their 17 Grand Slam titles. Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

“I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ll play her first match since September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. 4





Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Davenport says her pregnancy allowed her to take time to rethink. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Davenport says her pregnancy allowed her to take time to rethink her future as a tennis player. Davenport says her pregnancy allowed her to take time to rethink her future as a tennis player. The regular season ends July 25. • LeSport Magazine March 2008

the[stuff]

Wonders from Down Under Phil Moore looks at the latest in Australian rugby gear, including lightweight uniforms, synthetic balls and artificial turf.

Top: The Australian National Rugby Team currently uses lycranylon hybrid jerseys for their matches. Left: The new Australian balls are made from recycled tires. Photos from Getty Images.

Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour. “It’s probably in his best interest to not follow the tennis gene,” she said. “Hopefully, he’ll be involved in some kind of sports.” or a fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach

March 2008 LeSport Magazine



5

thestuff Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things

Most of Australia’s rugby stadiums now have an artificial turf that has the same cushion and absorbency as grass, but doesn’t require regular maintenance and has a sustainable irrigation system. Photo by Angus Wright.

have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; The regular season ends July 25. • 6





LeSport Magazine March 2008

the[kick]

Adieu, Adu? Greg Moreau discusses the possibility of MLS phenom Freddy Adu crossing the Atlantic to play in the European leagues.

Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of

World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified

March 2008 LeSport Magazine

Freddy Adu is the future of USA Soccer, but is he the future of the MLS? Photos courtesy of USA Soccer.



7

thekick

Adu, who plays for Real Salt Lake in MLS, might consider going to the European Leagues if he doesn’t see the American soccer situation getting any better. Photo by Dillon Van Broek

Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t

made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are

Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; The regular season ends July 25. she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the thing. •

the[ace]

Rain, Rain, Go Away Wimbledon’s show courts are undergoing renovations to ease the stress of the tournament’s notorious rain delays. By Davis Dickenson Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday.

“I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; The regular season ends July 25. • she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about

She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25.

balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour. “It’s probably in his best interest to not follow the tennis gene,” she said. “Hopefully, he’ll be involved in some kind of sports.” or a fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and

March 2008 LeSport Magazine

The new and improved Centre Court at Wimbledon will have a retractable roof to combat the pesky rain delays. Computer rendering courtesy of Wimbledon.



9

theace Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of

Construction had an impact on the 2007 Championships, but overall, the fortnight ran smoothly as Wimbledon prepares to tackle the rain. Photo by Associated Press.

the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; The regular season ends July 25, when Sacramento faces the Capitals. • 10





LeSport Magazine March 2008

the[chill]

X-Factor The Winter X Games wow us with tricks every year and has become more important with the inclusion of most events in the Olympics. By Alisa Thornton Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour. “It’s probably in his best interest to not follow the tennis gene,” she said. “Hopefully, he’ll be involved in some kind of sports.” or a fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me Snowboarder Adam Petty works the halfpipe at the 2005 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo. At the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy, Petty went on to medal in snowboarding. Photo by Ron Winter.

March 2008 LeSport Magazine



11

thechill

Top: From left, Kelly Clark, Ana Svenssen and Jenna Abrams, all medalists in the snowboard slalom in Torino. Left: Adam Petty earns gold in Torino. Photos by Annie Jones.

Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things

have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour.

the[splash]

Thorpedo Launch Former Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe of Australia discusses his new training regimen and his aspirations to medal again in Beijing. By Roe Gregory Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Multiple medalist Ian Thorpe has a new sponsor and a better outlook on the Beijing Olympics after a great campaign in Sydney in 2000 and a subpar showing in Athens in 2004. Photo courtesy of Adidas.

March 2008 LeSport Magazine



13

thesplash

Thorpe hired a new coach and has a new training program in hopes of repeating his Sydney success. Many people from Australia’s Olympic committee have noted Thorpe’s invigorated spirit and expect great things in Beijing. Photos by James Denton.

Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito.

The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour.

lesport magazine march 2008

the features that you’ll find: Soaring skyscrapers and sports galore running wild in the desert oasis of the United Arab Emirates

Easy-going Australian Open champion with effortless on-court impersonations

[French politics, steroid scandals and the Tour de France]

A computer rendering of the Burj Dubai, which will become the world’s tallest structure upon completion, standing at a height of more than 2,600 feet. Photo by Emaar Properties.

Is There A Culture Clash?

Not In Dubai.

A jam-packed skyline, faux-snow ski resorts and man-made islands make Dubai a Western-influencesd oasis in a region hesitant to full embrace Western ideals. With mult-million-dollar events and state-of-the art venues, Dubai has become one of sport’s biggest stages and it’s still growing. By Ava Sprilenko

D

ubai International Capital (DIC) and Chinese firm First Eastern according to the statement. The volume of trade between the UAE and Investment Group announced on Monday the launch of a fund China rose 41.6 percent last year to $20.4 billion, it said. that will invest in Chinese companies and possibly list them The joint venture between Dubai Holding’s investment arm and the on Dubai securities markets. Chinese investment bank and private equity firm is expected to raise $1 The joint venture between Dubai Holding’s investment arm and the billion. It will be called China Dubai Capital. Chinese investment bank and private equity firm is expected to raise $1 The partnership highlights the growing interest of Middle East billion. It will be called China Dubai Capital. investors toward China, with more oil-based sovereign wealth money The partnership highlights the growing interest of Middle East expected to tap the region’s economic boom. China, too, is seeking to investors toward China, with more oil-based sovereign wealth money boost investment returns by investing abroad. expected to tap the region’s economic boom. China, too, is seeking to China Dubai Capital will invest in a wide range of sectors including boost investment returns by investing abroad. infrastructure, resources, healthcare and services. China Dubai Capital will invest in a wide range of sectors including DIC said in the joint statement that its emerging markets division infrastructure, resources, healthcare and services. aims to manage more than $5 billion in assets in Asia, the Middle East DIC said in the joint statement that its emerging markets division and North Africa in the next three years. aims to manage more than $5 billion in assets in Asia, the Middle East China and the United Arab Emirates in April 2007 signed a and North Africa in the next three years. memorandum of understanding aimed at developing economic relations, China and the United Arab Emirates in April 2007 signed a according to the statement. The volume of trade between the UAE and memorandum of understanding aimed at developing economic relations, The joint venture between Dubai Holding’s investment arm and the March 2008 LeSport Magazine 17

The Burj Dubai tower under construction in the United Arab Emirates has surpassed the 629 metre (2,063 foot) KVLY-TV mast in the United States to become the world’s tallest man-made structure, its builders announced on Monday. The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, had held the record for most of the 45 years since its construction, although it was topped between 1974 and 1991 by a radio mast in Poland that later fell down. Developers Emaar have yet to reveal what the final height of Burj Dubai will be but it is expected to reach 900 metres (2,953 feet) when completed early next year. At 160 storeys, Burj Dubai was already the world’s tallest building exceeding the 508 metres (1,667 feet) of the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan. When completed, Burj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic metres (11.5 million cubic feet) of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 142,000 square metres (4.97 million square feet) of glass, Emaar said. A business website meanwhile reported plans by a Dubai-based competitor to build an even bigger building in the Gulf emirate. State-owned Nakheel is planning a 1,200 metre-high (3,937 feet) tower that would comfortably surpass Burj

The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, had held the record for most of the 45 years since its construction, although it was topped between 1974 and 1991 by a radio mast in Poland that later fell down. Developers Emaar have yet to reveal what the final height of Burj Dubai will be but it is expected to reach 900 metres (2,953 feet) when completed early next year. At 160 storeys, Burj Dubai was already the world’s tallest building exceeding the 508 metres (1,667 feet) of the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan. When completed, Burj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic metres (11.5 million cubic feet) of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 142,000 square metres (4.97 million square feet) of glass, Emaar said. A business website meanwhile reported plans by a Dubai-based competitor to build an even bigger building in the Gulf emirate. State-owned Nakheel is planning a 1,200 metre-high (3,937 feet) tower that would comfortably surpass Burj Dubai, ArabianBusiness.com reported. An unidentified source at Australian architects Woods Bagot told the website it had been awarded the contract to help construct the tower. Nakheel, which is part of state-owned conglomerate The photo on the left is Dubai in 1991. The city has undergone rapid development and now has a sprawling urban core, visible in the picture on the right from 2005. Photo courtesy of Amaar Properties.

Dubai, ArabianBusiness.com reported. An unidentified source at Australian architects Woods Bagot told the website it had been awarded the contract to help construct the tower. Nakheel, which is part of state-owned conglomerate Dubai World, told the website it was working with Woods Bagot but declined to discuss details of the project. “We are finalising the design concept of a new project involving an iconic structure -- Woods Bagot are a consultant on this project,” Nakheel. “We are still in the design concept stage, it would be premature to discuss any details at this early stage,” it added. Flush with windfall revenues from high oil prices, other Gulf oil states are reportedly considering joining the race to build the world’s tallest building. Saudi Arabia, which sits on a quarter of the world’s proven oil reserves, is planning a mile-high (1,600 metre, 5,249 foot) tower in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, according to the London-based Middle East Economic Digest. The Burj Dubai tower under construction in the United Arab Emirates has surpassed the 629 metre (2,063 foot) KVLY-TV mast in the United States to become the world’s tallest man-made structure, its builders announced on Monday.

Dubai World, told the website it was working with Woods Bagot but declined to discuss details of the project. “We are finalising the design concept of a new project involving an iconic structure -- Woods Bagot are a consultant on this project,” Nakheel. “We are still in the design concept stage, it would be premature to discuss any details at this early stage,” it added. Flush with windfall revenues from high oil prices, other Gulf oil states are reportedly considering joining the race to build the world’s tallest building. Saudi Arabia, which sits on a quarter of the world’s proven oil reserves, is planning a mile-high (1,600 metre, 5,249 foot) tower in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, according to the London-based Middle East Economic Digest. The Burj Dubai tower under construction in the United Arab Emirates has surpassed the 629 metre (2,063 foot) KVLY-TV mast in the United States to become the world’s tallest man-made structure, its builders announced on Monday. The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, had held the record for most of the 45 years since its construction, although it was topped between 1974 and 1991 by a radio mast in Poland that later fell down. Developers Emaar have yet to reveal what the final

18

LeSport Magazine March 2008

Counter-clockwise from top: A rendering of the multiple sporting venues in Dubai’s multibillion-dollar Sports City project. The current course for Dubai’s PGA gold tournament, which showcases players such as Tiger Woods and Vijah Singh. Dubai is host the the highest purse in horse racing. A booming skyline acts as the track’s backdrop. Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

CpiThe Burj Dubai tower under construction in the United Arab Emirates has surpassed the 629 metre (2,063 foot) KVLY-TV mast in the United States to become the world’s tallest man-made structure, its builders announced on Monday. The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, had held the record for most of the 45 years since its construction, although it was topped between 1974 and 1991 by a radio mast in Poland that later fell down. Developers Emaar have yet to reveal what the final height of Burj Dubai will be but it is expected to reach 900 metres (2,953 feet) when completed early next year. At 160 storeys, Burj Dubai was already the world’s tallest building exceeding the 508 metres (1,667 feet) of the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan. When completed, Burj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic metres (11.5 million cubic feet) of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 142,000 square metres (4.97 million square feet) of glass, Emaar said. A business website meanwhile reported plans by a Dubai-based competitor to build an even bigger building in the Gulf emirate. State-owned Nakheel is planning a 1,200 metre-high (3,937 feet) tower that would comfortably surpass Burj

Dubai, ArabianBusiness.com reported. An unidentified source at Australian architects Woods Bagot told the website it had been awarded the contract to help construct the tower. Nakheel, which is part of state-owned conglomerate Dubai World, told the website it was working with Woods Bagot but declined to discuss details of the project. “We are finalising the design concept of a new project involving an iconic structure -- Woods Bagot are a consultant on this project,” Nakheel. “We are still in the design concept stage, it would be premature to discuss any details at this early stage,” it added. Flush with windfall revenues from high oil prices, other Gulf oil states are reportedly considering joining the race to build the world’s tallest building. Saudi Arabia, which sits on a quarter of the world’s proven oil reserves, is planning a mile-high (1,600 metre, 5,249 foot) tower in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, according to the London-based Middle East Economic Digest. The Burj Dubai tower under construction in the United Arab Emirates has surpassed the 629 metre (2,063 foot) KVLY-TV mast in the United States to become the world’s tallest man-made structure, its builders announced on Monday. The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, had held the record for most of the 45 years since its construction, although it was topped between 1974 and 1991 by a radio mast in Poland that later fell down. Developers Emaar have yet to reveal what the final height of Burj Dubai will be but it is expected to reach 900 metres (2,953 feet) when completed early next year. At 160 storeys, Burj Dubai was already the world’s tallest building exceeding the 508 metres (1,667 feet) of the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan. When completed, Burj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic metres (11.5 million cubic feet) of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 142,000 square metres (4.97 million square feet) of glass, Emaar said. A business website meanwhile reported plans by a Dubai-based competitor to build an even bigger building in the Gulf emirate. State-owned Nakheel is planning a 1,200 metre-high (3,937 feet) tower that would comfortably surpass Burj Dubai, ArabianBusiness.com reported that the building was going up fast. The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, had held the record for most of the 45 years since its construction, although it was topped between 1974 and 1991 by a radio mast in Poland that later fell down. Developers Emaar have yet to reveal what the final height of Burj Dubai will be but it is expected to reach 900 metres (2,953 feet) when completed early next year. At 160 storeys, Burj Dubai was already the world’s tallest building exceeding the 508 metres (1,667 feet) of the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan. When completed, Burj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic metres (11.5 million cubic feet) of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 142,000 square metres (4.97 million square feet) of glass, Emaar said. A business website meanwhile reported plans by a Dubai-based competitor to build an even bigger building in the Gulf emirate. When completed, Burj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic metres (11.5 million cubic feet) of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 142,000 square metres (4.97 million square feet) of glass, Emaar said. A business website meanwhile reported plans by a Dubai-based competitor to build an even bigger building in the Gulf emirate. The buiilding is made of steel, glass and sand, and will have three rivers running through it. •

March 2008 LeSport Magazine



19

20

LeSport Magazine march 2008

A

Joke Djokovic With

Serbian tennis phenom Novak Djokovic’s playful, outgoing reputation has flourished as much as his game has. By Patrick Rafter

A

sizzling start to the 2008 tennis season had Novak Djokovic re-evaluating his goals heading into his title defense at the Sony Ericsson WTA and ATP Masters Series that starts here this week. The 20-year-old Serb seized his first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open in January, and on Sunday he captured the first of the year’s prestigious Masters Series titles at Indian Wells, California. “It has been a dream start, of course,” Djokovic said after a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 victory over unexpected American Mardy Fish in the Pacific Life Open final. “Before I started playing this season, I said that my two goals are to be consistent with the results, reach the Masters Cup and hopefully win one Grand Slam. “I did all that in a very, very small amount of time.” However, Djokovic doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels. “I don’t want to stop here,” he said. “I’ll try to keep going in Miami, and I’m defending champion there. Coming up from Indian Wells as the tournament winner, it’s much easier.” World number three Djokovic has narrowed the gap on secondranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal to 425 points. Both Nadal and world number one Roger Djokovic celebrates Federer arrive in Miami in search of a first 2008 a victory at title. Wimbledon in 2007. For Federer, it is the first time since 2000 He has become that he has gone so far into a season without renowned for his hoisting a trophy. The Swiss, who has reigned easy-going attitude at number one since 2004, was slowed and exuberant celebrations. early this year by a debilitating bout with Photo by Jars Ulrich. mononucleosis. At Indian Wells he looked more his old self - until he was shocked in the semi-finals by unseeded Fish. Fish’s spectacular run at Indian Wells - where he beat three top-10 players -

propelled him from 98th in the world back into the top-50, a welcome advance for the oft-injured player once ranked as high as 17th in the world. Other players expected to make a run at Djokovic’s Miami title are Americans Andy Roddick - the 2004 champion - and James Blake, Russian Nikolay Davydenko and France’s Australian Open finalist JoWilfried Tsonga. Defending women’s champion Serena Williams returns, seeking her fifth Miami title in seven years. Williams won three straight crowns from 2002-2004, then returned to Miami in 2007 for the first time since her 2004 title run. Last year Williams saved two match points against top-ranked Belgian Justine Henin en route to an 0-6, 7-5, 6-3 triumph. If Williams can win again, she would tie German great Steffi Graf for most singles titles in tournament history. Henin, who skipped the Indian Wells event, returns to the fray in Florida. Also gunning for Williams’s title will be her sister, Venus, rising Serbian stars Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia. Ivanovic solidified her hold on the world number two ranking with a convincing win over Kuznetsova in the Indian Wells women’s final. Jankovic took over the number three spot in the world rankings with her run to the semi-finals in California while Kuznetsova arrives in Miami in the world number four spot after her third runner-up finish of 2008. One notable absentee is Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova, who withdrew after her semi-final defeat in California complaining of a shoulder injury. Tennis mum Lindsay Davenport, who was forced to retire from her quarter-final match in Indian Wells with a back injury, remained hopeful that she would bounce back in time to compete in Miami. Jankovic took over the number three spot in the world rankings with

March 2008 LeSport Magazine



21

“I know the crowd wanted him to win more,” Djokovic said. “That’s OK. It’s all right. I still love you guys—don’t worry.” Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic won the Pacific Life Open finals in a Serbian sweep on Sunday. Djokovic compensated for losing last year’s final by ending American Mardy Fish’s string of upsets 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Women’s top seed Ivanovic consigned second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova to runner-up for a second straight year by winning 6-4, 6-3. The 20-year-olds’ his and her championships came some two months after they just missed a sweep in the Australian Open. Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the men’s title, and Ivanovic lost to Maria Sharapova in the final. There has been civil strife in Kosovo since it declared its independence from Serbia last month, but Djokovic and Ivanovic said they do not want to discuss politics. Serbian swimmer Milorad Cavic was suspended from the European swimming championships on Friday for wearing a T-shirt proclaiming “Kosovo is Serbia” at a medal ceremony. “I’m really sad to hear about this,” Ivanovic said. “But on the other hand, I don’t know much about politics and I don’t get involved in that area. When I’m out here playing, I just want to represent my country in the best possible way. “They (Serbs) really love tennis right now. It’s a cool thing to wake up (in the middle of the night) and watch us play,” she said, alluding to the time difference. “They’re proud to be Serbians, like I think everyone is in their own country.” Djokovic, whose father and other relatives are from Kosovo, recently taped a video saying he believes Kosovo will always be a part of Serbia. “It kind of touched me in that moment that this was my quest to give support to my country,” he said. Otherwise, he said, he simply considers himself an athlete representing his country. “I think professional athletes all over the world ... are one of the biggest ambassadors of their country; considering the fact that our country is in a very difficult position, they’re struggling in economics and politics, as well,” he said. “But this is something I don’t want to get involved in.” Djokovic was given the tough match expected by Fish, the lowest-ranked finalist in nine years at 98th. Fish stunned No. 1 Roger Federer in the semifinals, No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko and No. 7 David Nalbandian and refused to buckle under Djokovic, who came within two points of the title receiving serve at 4-5 in the second set. Fish held serve, then broke Djokovic and won his service game again to force a third set. Djokovic seemed to slip out of his rhythm during Fish’s comeback, twice slamming his racket to the court after missing shots. Fish then had 0-40 on Djokovic’s serve in the opening game, but the Serb saved them all with two of his five aces. He then broke Fish in the next game with a backhand winner down the line and held serve the rest of the way to claim his ninth career title and second of the year. Ivanovic claimed her sixth career WTA Tour title with another blazing forehand winner after 81 minutes. Kuznetsova lost her third final of the season, following Sydney and Dubai. The Russian, a former U.S. Open champion, has lost eight of her last nine finals, and the lone title last August at New Haven came on an injury retirement. Ivanovic pushed Kuznetsova twice off the court into forced errors for the 5-4 break then served a love game for the first set. “It’s a great victory for me,” Ivanovic said. “When I managed to

break her on 4-all it gave me confidence, and I went strong from that point on.” In the second, the two traded early breaks but Kuznetsova was under increasing pressure and lost the last four games. “She wasn’t giving me any free points and she was attacking,” Kuznetsova said. “You feel like it’s her day, like everything goes her way.” Kuznetsova, runner-up to Daniela Hantuchova last year, ended Maria Sharapova’s 18-match winning start to this season in the semifinals on Friday. She has a career mark of 9-15 in tour finals. Serbian swimmer Milorad Cavic was suspended, as European swimming championships on Friday for wearing a T-shirt proclaiming “Kosovo is Serbia” at a medal ceremony. “I’m really sad to hear about this,” Ivanovic said. “But on the other hand, I don’t know much about politics and I don’t get involved in that area. When I’m out here playing, I just want to represent my country in the best possible way. “They (Serbs) really love tennis right now. It’s a cool thing to wake up (in the middle of the night) and watch us play,” she said, alluding to the time difference. “They’re proud to be Serbians, like I think everyone is in their own country.” Djokovic, whose father and other relatives are from Kosovo, recently taped a video saying he believes Kosovo will always be a part of Serbia. “It kind of touched me in that moment that this was my quest to give support to my country,” he said. Otherwise, he said, he simply considers himself an athlete representing his country. “I think professional athletes all over the world ... are one of

22

Djokovic and his playful nature have garnered both praise and criticism from tennis fans. Photo by Jars Ulrich.

LeSport Magazine march 2008

Photo by Jars Ulrich.

Djokovic showed his talent, Djokovic used lots of off eye-catching and and his auncanny personality plays little of his personalityatto this year’s Open dismantle the Australian field and win his first Grand Slam title. Photo by Jars Ulrich. Novak Djokovic started making peace with the crowd as soon as he lifted the trophy. After beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (2) Sunday night to win the Australian Open for his first Grand Slam title, Djokovic knew a little public relations was in order. True, he had kept the Rod Laver Arena crowd in stitches last week with his Maria Sharapova impersonation. But Djokovic also had upset Roger Federer in the semifinals and now had eliminated Tsonga, who was riding a great wave into the title match. “I know the crowd wanted him to win more,” Djokovic said. “That’s OK. It’s all right. I still love you guys -- don’t worry. I’m very, very happy that I won my first Grand Slam here, so hopefully we’ll see you here on this stage a lot more often.” Djokovic felt as if he had to fight two rivals -- the fans and his opponent -- in beating Federer and Tsonga. He frequently yelled when things went wrong. “Sometimes, you just can’t control your emotions on the court,” he said. “I’m still learning. I’m still young.” The 20-year-old Serb is the first man other than No. 2 Rafael Nadal to win a Grand Slam title from Federer since Marat Safin won the 2005 Australian Open. Djokovic said he was under extreme pressure to defeat Tsonga, an unseeded Frenchman who had beaten four players in the top 14, including Nadal in straight sets in the semifinals. Tsonga’s audacious style, resemblance to Muhammad Ali and magnificent run in only his fifth major made him a popular contender at Melbourne Park. His great tale about his Congolese father witnessing the epic “Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight bout between Ali and George Foreman in 1974 added to the legend. The underdog story gained momentum when Tsonga’s father, Didier, who flew in from France for the match, stood and threw four right hooks to celebrate his son’s first-set success. Djokovic admitted he felt the heat. But he regrouped after the first-set barrage and began to climb back. He did not face a break point in the second and third sets. He staved off one crucial break point in the fourth before dominating the tiebreaker. “Coming on against a player with nothing to lose -- he was going for the shots and he was very dangerous, especially in the first set -- I was pretty nervous,” he said. Tsonga, so aggressive earlier in the tournament, seemed

content to rally from the baseline, especially after getting passed several times. The forehands that whipped past Nadal and kissed the lines were wayward. And he netted some of the soft touch volleys that gave him easy points against the Spaniard. “I was trying to stay with him because I knew sooner or later, with my style of game, I could get in control of the match,” Djokovic said. With Federer only two majors shy of Pete Sampras’ record 14 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic said he needed to make the most of any opportunity. “This match was especially important because I was the favorite and I knew everybody was expecting me to win, so anything but the win was a loss,” Djokovic said. “I wanted really to win because I felt my chance. I wanted to win my first Grand Slam. Now things are different.” Djokovic will remain at No. 3 in the rankings behind Federer and Nadal. Tsonga, ranked 38th coming into the tournament, will move up to No. 18 after advancing past the fourth round for the first time. He thinks he has the game to crack the top 10. Djokovic understands that he has to play at his best ability now. “This match was especially important because I was the favorite and I knew everybody was expecting me to win, so anything but the win was a loss,” Djokovic said. “I wanted really to win because I felt my chance. I wanted to win my first Grand Slam. Now things are different.” Djokovic felt as if he had to fight two rivals -- the fans and his opponent -- in beating Federer and Tsonga. He frequently yelled when things went wrong. “Sometimes, you just can’t control your emotions on the court,” he said. “I’m still learning. I’m still young.” The 20-year-old Serb is the first man other than No. 2 Rafael Nadal to win a Grand Slam title from Federer since Marat Safin won the 2005 Australian Open. Djokovic will remain at No. 3 in the rankings behind Federer and Nadal. Tsonga, ranked 38th coming into the tournament, will move up to No. 18 after advancing past the fourth round for the first time. He thinks he has the game to crack the top 10. Djokovic understands that he has to play at his best ability now. “Not everybody can beat players who beat,” he said. “It’s very difficult, and I did it. So, of course, I’m confident now.” •

March 2008 LeSport Magazine



23

Tour de Farce

The Tour de France has historically been a triumph of extreme physicality and insurmountable determination, yet the ongoing steroid scandal has tarnished the race and the sport. What are the ways the international cycling community plans to tackle this uphill battle. By Marcel Dubois

Racked by drug scandals, rider “There is a generation gap departures, team withdrawals and developing in cycling between the fighting among the leaders of the old guys like him, for whom doping sport, the 94th Tour de France is embedded normality, and the ended Sunday as one of the most young ones,” Bradley Wiggins, a tumultuous races in the event’s British rider for Cofidis and one of history. Moreni’s teammates, wrote in an If there was a silver lining to essay in The Observer on Sunday. the problems at the Tour this year, “The sooner they are gone the it came in a generation of riders better.” that seemed to emerge unexpectEven if the young riders are edly to dominate many of the top successful at establishing a clean prizes. generation of the sport, they will Alberto Contador, a 24-yearhave to contend with in-fighting old from Madrid who rides for the between the organization that runs Discovery Channel team, won the the Tour de France and the Interoverall title, the youngest rider in national Cycling Union, the sport’s a decade to win cycling’s biggest governing body. event. He edged the Australian The leaders of the Tour de Cadel Evans of Predictor-Lotto by France organization demonstrated 23 seconds, the second-narrowest their seriousness about fightmargin in a Tour. ing doping this year by asking Contador’s Discovery teamVinokourov’s team to drop out mate Levi Leipheimer of the Unitof the Tour. But as much as they ed States was third, 31 seconds criticized riders who broke the behind. Two of the other three rules, the Tour leaders also aimed riders who wore the race leader’s a barrage of criticism at the cycling yellow jersey during the threeunion, which is known as U.C.I. week Tour were also younger than Christian Prudhomme, the 27 — Fabian Cancellara, 26, a director of the Tour, and Patrice Swiss rider with the CSC team; Clerc, the president of the Tour’s and Linus Gerdemann, 24, a Gerparent organization, criticized the man with T-Mobile. U.C.I. for not informing the Tour Juan Mauricio Soler Hernánthat Rasmussen had missed three dez, a 24-year-old Colombian who drug tests in the three months rides for Barloworld, won the combefore the Tour, one of them by petition for best mountain climber. the U.C.I. and two by the Danish Amets Txurruka, 24, a Spanish antidoping agency. rider for Euskatel, won the prize “The U.C.I. is totally unprofesas the Tour’s most aggressive sional,” Prudhomme said at a rider. And Tom Boonen, 26, a news conference before the start Belgian riding for Quick Step, won of the Tour’s next-to-last stage the green jersey as the Tour’s best Saturday. “We want something sprinter. better, and something that can Even before some of the race’s fight doping.” bombshells exploded in the final Prudhomme said the Tour week, some young riders knew it intended to run itself without the was time for them to start changU.C.I. next year, joining with the ing the sport’s culture. French and other national antidopAbove: A stage in the eastern part of France in the foothills of the Alps. Top left: Racers transcend on the scenic sites of Paris in the “I think cycling has big probing organizations to oversee the race’s final leg. Bottom left: Alberto Contador wins his first Tour de lems,” Gerdemann said after he Tour’s drug controls. France title amid countless scandals concerning team leaders and won the seventh stage of the race, He also said that the criteria past champions. Photos by Avery Johnson. as the Tour crossed into the Alps. for invitations to the Tour would “It’s really hard for young riders to change. This year, 18 of the 20 take all the responsibility now, but the sport gave them the chance, so I teams in the U.C.I.’s ProTour racing series got automatic invitations. think it’s now the right moment to give the sport something back.” Next year, Prudhomme said, race bids would be based on ethical qualifiYoung riders from several French and German teams organized a cations, “more so than a team’s results.” protest against doping on the morning of the 16th stage, one day after Those new regulations could also affect several other major races Alexander Vinokourov, 33, and his Astana team withdrew from the race that are run by the Tour de France’s parent, the Amaury Sports Orgain the wake of Vinokourov’s failed blood test. The results of that test nization. Those races include Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix and Fleche showed the presence of foreign blood cells, indicating that Vinokourov Wallone. had a transfusion, a violation of antidoping rules, sometime after the race Whether such actions will be enough to save the Tour de France and started July 7. cycling as a whole from the doping scandals that upset this year’s race But as many young riders stayed behind at the start line, some of the remains to be seen. older ones took off onto the road, including Michael Rasmussen, 33, of Racked by drug scandals, rider departures, team withdrawals and Rabobank, who was in the yellow jersey at the time. That night, Rasmusfighting among the leaders of the sport, the 94th Tour de France ended sen, who has never failed a drug screening, was fired by his team. RaSunday as one of the most tumultuous races in the event’s history. bobank said he had lied about his whereabouts in June, at a time when If there was a silver lining to the problems at the Tour this year, it antidoping officials had been trying to find him to give him drug tests. came in a generation of riders that seemed to emerge unexpectedly to Also riding away was Cristian Moreni, 34, an Italian rider for Cofidis. dominate many of the top prizes. At the end of the stage, Moreni was led away by the French police after Alberto Contador, a 24-year-old from Madrid who rides for the it was announced that he had tested positive for synthetic testosterone. Discovery Channel team, won the overall title, the youngest rider in a March 2008 LeSport Magazine



25

In 2006, American Floyd Landis was at the top of the cycling world after his comefrom-behind victory in Tour de France. His 120-kilometer spurt in Stage 17 led to a drug test that inevitably put his win in question. In September, Landis was forced to forfeit his title and began months of arbitration to defend his innocence in the doping scandal. Photos by the Associated Press.

Racked by drug scandals, rider departures, team withdrawals and fighting among the leaders of the sport, the 94th Tour de France ended Sunday as one of the most tumultuous races in the event’s history. If there was a silver lining to the problems at the Tour this year, it came in a generation of riders that seemed to emerge unexpectedly to dominate many of the top prizes. Alberto Contador, a 24-year-old from Madrid who rides for the Discovery Channel team, won the overall title, the youngest rider in a decade to win cycling’s biggest event. He edged the Australian Cadel Evans of PredictorLotto by 23 seconds, the second-narrowest margin in a Tour. Contador’s Discovery teammate Levi Leipheimer of the United States was third, 31 seconds behind. Two of the other three riders who wore the race leader’s yellow jersey during the three-week Tour were also younger than 27 — Fabian Cancellara, 26, a Swiss rider with the CSC team; and Linus Gerdemann, 24, a German with T-Mobile. Juan Mauricio Soler Hernández, a 24-yearold Colombian who rides for Barloworld, won the competition for best mountain climber. Amets Txurruka, 24, a Spanish rider for Euskatel, won the prize as the Tour’s most aggressive rider. And Tom Boonen, 26, a Belgian riding for Quick Step, won the green jersey as the Tour’s best sprinter. Even before some of the race’s bombshells exploded in the final week, some young riders knew it was time for them to start changing the sport’s culture. “I think cycling has big problems,” Gerdemann said after he won the seventh stage of the race, as the Tour crossed into the Alps. “It’s really hard for young riders to take all the responsibility now, but the sport gave them the chance, so I think it’s now the right moment to give the sport something back.” Young riders from several French and German teams organized a protest against doping on the morning of the 16th stage, one day after Alexander Vinokourov, 33, and his Astana team withdrew from the race in the wake of Vinokourov’s failed blood test. The results of that test showed the presence of foreign blood cells, indicating that Vinokourov had a transfusion, a violation of antidoping rules, sometime after the race started July 7. But as many young riders stayed behind at the start line, some of the older ones took off onto the road, including Michael Rasmussen, 33, of Rabobank, who was in the yellow jersey at the time. That night, Rasmussen, who has never failed a drug screening, was fired by his team. Rabobank said he had lied about his whereabouts in June, at a time when antidoping officials had been trying to find him to give him drug tests. Also riding away was Cristian Moreni, 34, an Italian rider for Cofidis. At the end of the stage, Moreni was led away by the French police after it was announced that he had tested positive for synthetic testosterone. “There is a generation gap developing in cycling between the old guys like him, for whom doping is embedded normality, and the young ones,” Bradley Wiggins, a British rider for

Cofidis and one of Moreni’s teammates, wrote in an essay in The Observer on Sunday. “The sooner they are gone the better.” Even if the young riders are successful at establishing a clean generation of the sport, they will have to contend with in-fighting between the organization that runs the Tour de France and the International Cycling Union, the sport’s governing body. The leaders of the Tour de France organization demonstrated their seriousness about fighting doping this year by asking Vinokourov’s team to drop out of the Tour. But as much as they criticized riders who broke the rules, the Tour leaders also aimed a barrage of criticism at the cycling union, which is known as U.C.I. Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour, and Patrice Clerc, the president of the Tour’s parent organization, criticized the U.C.I. for not informing the Tour that Rasmussen had missed three drug tests in the three months before the Tour, one of them by the U.C.I. and two by the Danish antidoping agency. “The U.C.I. is totally unprofessional,” Prudhomme said at a news conference before the start of the Tour’s next-to-last stage Saturday. “We want something better, and something that can fight doping.” Prudhomme said the Tour intended to run itself without the U.C.I. next year, joining with the French and other national antidoping organizations to oversee the Tour’s drug controls. He also said that the criteria for invitations to the Tour would change. This year, 18 of the 20 teams in the U.C.I.’s ProTour racing series got automatic invitations. Next year, Prudhomme said, race bids would be based on ethical qualifications, “more so than a team’s results.” Those new regulations could also affect several other major races that are run by the Tour de France’s parent, the Amaury Sports Organization. Those races include Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix and Fleche Wallone. Whether such actions will be enough to save the Tour de France and cycling as a whole from the doping scandals that upset this year’s race remains to be seen. Racked by drug scandals, rider departures, team withdrawals and fighting among the leaders of the sport, the 94th Tour de France ended Sunday as one of the most tumultuous races in the event’s history. If there was a silver lining to the problems at the Tour this year, it came in a generation of riders that seemed to emerge unexpectedly to dominate many of the top prizes. Alberto Contador, a 24-year-old from Madrid who rides for the Discovery Channel team, won the overall title, the youngest rider in a decade to win cycling’s biggest event. He edged the Australian Cadel Evans of PredictorLotto by 23 seconds, the second-narrowest margin in a Tour. Contador’s Discovery teammate Levi Leipheimer of the United States was third, 31 seconds behind. Two of the other three riders who wore the race leader’s yellow jersey during the three-week Tour were also younger than 27 — Fabian Cancellara, 26, a Swiss rider with the CSC team; and Linus Gerdemann, 24, a German with T-Mobile. Juan Mauricio Soler Hernández, a 24-year-

In 2007, Team Rabobank removed from the race its team leader and Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen, seen here celebrating his Stage 16 victory, shortly after his win. Rasmussen lied about his training activities. Photo by Avery Johnson.

Racked by drug scandals, rider departures, team withdrawals and fighting among the leaders of the sport, the 94th Tour de France ended Sunday as one of the most tumultuous races in the event’s history. If there was a silver lining to the problems at the Tour this year, it came in a generation of riders that seemed to emerge unexpectedly to dominate many of the top prizes. Alberto Contador, a 24-year-old from Madrid who rides for the Discovery Channel team, won the overall title, the youngest rider in a decade to win cycling’s biggest event. He edged the Australian Cadel Evans of Predictor-Lotto by 23 seconds, the second-narrowest margin in a Tour. Contador’s Discovery teammate Levi Leipheimer of the United States was third, 31 seconds behind. Two of the other three riders who wore the race leader’s yellow jersey during the three-week Tour were also younger than 27 — Fabian Cancellara, 26, a Swiss rider with the CSC team; and Linus Gerdemann, 24, a German with T-Mobile. Juan Mauricio Soler Hernández, a 24-year-old Colombian who rides for Barloworld, won the competition for best mountain climber. Amets Txurruka, 24, a Spanish rider for Euskatel, won the prize as the Tour’s most aggressive rider. And Tom Boonen, 26, a Belgian riding for Quick Step, won the green jersey as the Tour’s best sprinter. Even before some of the race’s bombshells exploded in the final

week, some young riders knew it was time for them to start changing the sport’s culture. “I think cycling has big problems,” Gerdemann said after he won the seventh stage of the race, as the Tour crossed into the Alps. “It’s really hard for young riders to take all the responsibility now, but the sport gave them the chance, so I think it’s now the right moment to give the sport something back.” Young riders from several French and German teams organized a protest against doping on the morning of the 16th stage, one day after Alexander Vinokourov, 33, and his Astana team withdrew from the race in the wake of Vinokourov’s failed blood test. The results of that test showed the presence of foreign blood cells, indicating that Vinokourov had a transfusion, a violation of antidoping rules, sometime after the race started July 7. But as many young riders stayed behind at the start line, some of the older ones took off onto the road, including Michael Rasmussen, 33, of Rabobank, who was in the yellow jersey at the time. That night, Rasmussen, who has never failed a drug screening, was fired by his team. Rabobank said he had lied about his whereabouts in June, at a time when antidoping officials had been trying to find him to give him drug tests. Also riding away was Cristian Moreni, 34, an Italian rider for Cofidis. At the end of the stage, Moreni was led away by the French police after it was announced that he had tested positive for synthetic testosterone. “There is a generation gap developing in cycling between the old guys like him, for whom doping is embedded normality, and the young ones,” Bradley Wiggins, a British rider for Cofidis and one of Moreni’s teammates, wrote in an essay in The Observer on Sunday. “The sooner they are gone the better.” Even if the young riders are successful at establishing a clean generation of the sport, they will have to contend with in-fighting between the organization that runs the Tour de France and the International Cycling Union, the sport’s governing body. The leaders of the Tour de France organization demonstrated their seriousness about fighting doping this year by asking Vinokourov’s team to drop out of the Tour. But as much as they criticized riders who broke the rules, the Tour leaders also aimed a barrage of criticism at the cycling union, which is known as U.C.I. Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour, and Patrice Clerc, the president of the Tour’s parent organization, criticized the U.C.I. for not informing the Tour that Rasmussen had missed three drug tests in the three months before the Tour, one of them by the U.C.I. and two by the Danish antidoping agency. “The U.C.I. is totally unprofessional,” Prudhomme said at a news conference before the start of the Tour’s next-to-last stage Saturday. “We want something better, and something that can fight doping.” Prudhomme said the Tour intended to run itself without the U.C.I. next year, joining with the French and other national antidoping organizations to oversee the Tour’s drug controls. He also said that the criteria for invitations to the Tour would change. This year, 18 of the 20 teams in the U.C.I.’s ProTour racing series got automatic invitations. Next year, Prudhomme said, race bids would be based on ethical qualifications, “more so than a team’s results.” Those new regulations could also affect several other major races that are run by the Tour de France’s parent, the Amaury Sports Organization. Those races include Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix and Fleche Wallone. Whether such actions will be enough to save the Tour de France and cycling as a whole from the doping scandals that upset this year’s race remains to be seen. Racked by drug scandals, rider departures, team withdrawals and fighting among the leaders of the sport, the 94th Tour de France ended Sunday as one of the most tumultuous races in the event’s history. If there was a silver lining to the problems at the Tour this year, it came in a generation of riders that seemed to emerge unexpectedly to dominate many of the top prizes. Alberto Contador, a 24-year-old from Madrid who rides for the Discovery Channel team, won the overall title, the youngest rider in a decade to win cycling’s biggest event. He edged the Australian Cadel Evans of Predictor-Lotto by 23 seconds, the second-narrowest margin in a Tour. Contador’s Discovery teammate Levi Leipheimer of the United States was third, 31 seconds behind. Two riders wore blue. •

March 2008 LeSport Magazine



27

the[hotspots]

Canada’s Crown Jewel Travel blogger Jen Leo notes the best places in British Columbia to visit, dine and relax when you’re not on the slopes. Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I

go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour. “It’s probably in his best interest to not follow the tennis gene,” she said. “Hopefully, he’ll be involved in some kind of sports.” or a fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Top: Vancouver offers breathtaking views, Her son was born three weeks early due hundreds of green tours and is a sports to unspecified complications, although he lover’s paradise. Photo by Alan Jarvin/ is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has Vancouver Tour Agency. Above: Whale watching nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she in the waters around Vancouver is a popular tourist attraction. Make sure to reserve a and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an spot a month of two in advance of your trip. unusual name. Photo by Amanda Petrie. Davenport plans to bring her son, March 2008 LeSport Magazine 29

thehotspots

Snowmobiling is a great alternative to skiing if your sick of the slopes, but soaking up the snow. Many of the mountain villages and ski resorts outside Vancouver all have snowmobile rentals. Photo by Raymond Hillsborough.

30





Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child. “I hope so,” she said Tuesday on a conference call from her Laguna Beach home. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.” A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “The thing that intrigues me is the Olympics and trying to go back as a mother,” she said. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 — two days after her 31st birthday. She’ her first match since the last September on Saturday night as a member of the Sacramento Capitals of World TeamTennis. “I’m feeling great. All of a sudden, things have healed really quickly,” she said. “It’s been so much fun preparing. I’ve been hitting with my husband.” Davenport will play doubles with Elena Likhovtseva and mixed doubles with Mark Knowles against the Newport Beach Breakers. Also on the Capitals, coached by Wayne Bryan, are Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito. The match in Sacramento will be Davenport’s only appearance because the league’s regular season ends July 25. “I looked at it as really a kind of fun challenge,” she said. “To see if I could come back so quickly and give me a kick in the pants and see if I could be active.” Her son was born three weeks early due to unspecified complications, although he is healthy. She said Jagger’s name “has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones”; she and husband Jonathan Leach just wanted an unusual name. Davenport plans to bring her son, husband, nanny and other family members to Sacramento. “I’m hoping he’ll bring me even more joy on the road and more fun,” she said. “The challenge for me is about balancing everything. I totally understand the working mom’s guilt. If I go practice, I feel bad.” Davenport said her husband supports a possible comeback. “He thinks it’s great,” she said. “He’s totally encouraging me to do whatever I want.” Davenport, the world’s former No. 1 player, doesn’t foresee her son on the pro tennis tour. Her father-in-law is former Southern California tennis coach Dick Leach and her brother-in-law Rick played on the ATP Tour. “It’s probably in his best interest to not follow the tennis gene.” • LeSport Magazine March 2008

the[wire]

LeSport readers weigh in on what stories they liked, which ones they hated and how we could’ve done better.

On “Maria, Bella” from December 2007 issue. Dear LeSport: In the past year, I have worked with my neighbors to bring a farmers market and community garden to my neighborhood, and can testify that the grass roots are willing and eager, but the city is confused. Without a common mission, departments are at crosspurposes and wasting our tax money hindering the very things they should be boosting. Have you looked at a P-patch waiting list lately? Have you talked to the folks trying to site farmers markets in their ‘hoods? Do you know of the red tape encountered when an apartment dweller wants to grow tomatoes in a vacant lot? Or put a pear tree in a parking strip? These are hardly frivolous issues. Please reconsider and use your tremendous influence to educate, not obfuscate.

On “From Scandal to Scoreboard” from January 2008 issue. LeSport, In the past year, I have worked with my neighbors to bring a farmers market and community garden to my neighborhood, and can testify that the grass roots are willing and eager, but the city is confused. Without a common mission, departments are at crosspurposes and wasting our tax money hindering the very things they should be boosting. Have you looked at a P-patch waiting list lately? Have you talked to the folks trying to site farmers markets in their ‘hoods? Do you know of the red tape encountered when an apartment dweller wants to grow tomatoes in a vacant lot? Or put a pear tree in a parking strip? These are hardly frivolous issues. Please reconsider and use your tremendous influence to educate, not obfuscate.

On “Land of a Thousand Skates” frpm January 2008 issue. LeSport Magazine, Have you looked at a P-patch waiting list lately? Have you talked to the folks trying to site farmers markets in their ‘hoods? Do you know of the red tape encountered when an apartment dweller wants to grow tomatoes in a vacant lot? Or put a pear tree in a parking strip? These are hardly frivolous issues. Please reconsider and use your tremendous influence to educate, not obfuscate. These are hardly frivolous issues. Please reconsider and use your tremendous influence to educate, not obfuscate. — Victoria Martinez, Spokane, Wash.

— Adam Weistman, Jackson, Miss.

— Mark Whitehorn, Seattle March 2008 LeSport Magazine



31

the[lens]

Epic Day on the Pitch Photographer Ben Greensburg shoots the memorable cricket clash between perennial powerhouses India and Australia.

Left: A squabble between members of each team. Right: The Indian team was left celebrating, as Australia could not overcome a deficit, and the Indians won by 15 runs.

Above: An Australian batter hits the ball. Right: A big crowd, with fans of both countries intertwined, was on hand to witness the nearly week-long event.

32





LeSport Magazine March 2008