Stories about Sport from July, 2012
Saudi Arabia: Kingdom's First Female Olympic Athletes Called ‘Prostitutes’
For the first time, two women from conservative Saudi Arabia will be competing in the Olympics. Their involvement in London 2012 triggered the Twitter hashtag, "Prostitutes of the Olympics."
Kenya: Javelin Throwing Olympian Trains Using YouTube
There is something special about Kenyan javelin thrower Julius Yego who will represent Kenya during the London Olympics. Yego turned to social media for guidance. After using YouTube to hone his skills and techniques, Yego's record improved to 81.12 metres.
Gender Verification Policy Introduced at London 2012 Olympics
"There is no tidy definition of gender. We tend to think of it in binary terms – male or female – but gender exists on a spectrum." - A blogger critiques the new policy which relies on testing testosterone levels of female athletes.
Peru: Gearing Up for the London 2012 Olympics
Just a few days before the London 2012 Olympic Games kick off, Peruvian netizens share their views and thoughts about this important sports event.
South Sudanese Marathoner to Compete Under Olympic Flag
South Sudanese marathoner Guor Marial will not carry his country's flag during the London Olympics. South Sudan, which gained independence last year, is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
Mexico: Combating Water Crisis by Climbing Mountains
The Challenge is to raise awareness about the water and sanitation crisis all over the world and raise money to ensure safe water for people. The founder of Challenge 21, Jake Norton, means to do this by climbing the top of the 3 highest peaks in each continent. A couple of videos allow us to look into how he's doing, including the climb up Mexico's Pico de Orizaba.
Argentina: Falklands Olympics Video Sparks Controversy
While Argentina prepares for the 2012 Olympics in London, an advertisement produced by the Presidency and filmed in the Falkland Islands has sparked a controversy with the phrase: "To compete on English soil, we train on Argentine soil."
Pre-Olympics 2012: What’s Buzzing
With the 2012 London Olympics drawing closer, activities relating to the Games are heightening every day. From countries participating in the Games to their athletes preparing to score their best, the world's online audience is coming alive and getting ready for this extravaganza.
Jamaica: Is Bolt still as fast as lightning?
Annie Paul republishes a piece she wrote for Newsweek on Usain Bolt's chances at the London Olympics.
Zambia: More Officials Than Athletes Travel to London Olympics?
Sports and Youth Minister Chishimba Kambwili recently said Zambia does not expect any medals from the London Olympics. Well, how can Zambian win medals if there will be more officials than athletes in London?
Uganda: Remembering the 2010 Bomb Blasts
Ugandans have taken to Twitter and Facebook to remember the 2010 victims of bomb blasts at Kyaddondo Rugby Club and Ethiopian Village bar in Kampala Uganda. The attacks took place when soccer fans were watching the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands in South Africa.
Palestine: Football Player Mahmoud Sarsak Set Free
Palestinian football player Mahmoud Sarsak was freed from an Israeli prison yesterday. His return to Gaza received a massive welcome.
Myanmar, Malaysia: Football Fans Debating about Overaged Players
Football fans from Malaysia and Myanmar are intensely debating about Myanmar's U-22 National Team which was accused of fielding overaged players in the AFC U-22 Championship Qualifiers 2013.
USA: Macedonian Blogger Climbs Denali in Alaska
Mountaineer and artist Ilina Arsova blogged [en, mk] about her climbing the Alaskan Denali (aka Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America. She previously covered her expeditions to Kilimanjaro in Kenya & Tanzania, and to Ama Dablam in Nepal.
Madagascar: Enjoying the 2012 Africa Cup of Rugby
Madagascar is hosting the Confédération Africaine de Rugby (CAR) Championship Division 1B competition from July 4 to 11. The other nations in the group are Morocco, Namibia and Sénégal. While the country has been marred in severe economic and political crisis since the 2009 coup, the Malagasy population is trying to escape their daily struggles by rooting for the Malagasy National Rugby Team also known as the "Makis de Madagascar."
Africa: London 2012 Olympics – We Are Coming!
With a few days remaining before the start of the London 2012 Olympics, the whole world is revving up for this sporting bonanza. For Africa, there are many prospects and for some countries, these games will be a culmination of years of preparation as well as renewed rivalries such as the one between Kenya and Ethiopia.
Trinidad & Tobago: Shaq Attack
Outlish collates and comments on some of the Facebook observations about Shaquille O'Neal's visit to Trinidad and Tobago.
Ukraine: Now That Euro 2012 is Over
Although the image of Ukraine has not improved with the help of Euro 2012, the "friendly" grassroots initiatives have certainly contributed to improving the experiences of foreign visitors and left positive memories of Ukraine for many. Tetyana Bohdanova reports.
Ukraine: “Football is Over”
On Facebook, Ukrainian writer Andrei Kurkov comments [ru] on the end of Euro 2012 in Ukraine: “Football is over. Europe has won and will depart tomorrow, leaving Ukraine in its own political shadow. […]”
