ROME: A vast international police operation involving 33 countries and the World Anti-Doping Agency has seized millions of doping substances and counterfeit medicines and arrested 234 people, Europol said on Monday (Jul 8).The operation involving 23 European Union nations and 10 other countries, including Albania, Colombia, Iceland, Switzerland and the United States, seized 3.8 million illegal medicines, a statement said.The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said the operation "dismantled 17 organised crime groups involved in the trafficking of counterfeit medicines and doping material across Europe."The Europol-coordinated operation codenamed Viribus was led by Italy's Carabinieri police and involved Interpol, the Joint Research Centre and the European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF.Europol said the operation, co-led by Greek police, was the largest of its kind ever."Over the last 20 years, the worldwide trade in anabolic substances has increased significantly," Europol said, citing athletes, … [Read more...] about Biggest-ever anti-doping blitz arrests 234 people
Horse racing results
Hoiles — the race caller with a head for figures
Richard Hoiles voice will be heard all round the world commentating on Royal Ascot this week for ITV having followed an unconventional path to becoming a commentator ASCOT (UNITED KINGDOM) - Richard Hoiles, whose voice millions round the world will hear calling the horses at Royal Ascot this week, has travelled an unconventional route to commentating and helping English broadcaster ITV garner awards for its racing coverage.The urbane Englishman loved racing but he never dreamt of being a commentator and qualified as an accountant.However, finding that "young hard-nosed strategic analysts" were not flavour of the month when the recession hit in 1992 he looked elsewhere for a career change and says modestly he "stumbled and fluked," his way into commentating."My mother's other half at the time worked in TV and as a favour to her set up a mock studio for me with Uttoxeter races on TV," Hoiles told AFP as he prepared to commentate for five days of Royal Ascot."Halfway through … [Read more...] about Hoiles — the race caller with a head for figures
European leagues need more competition to set pulses racing
ZURICH: RB Salzburg have dominated the Austrian Bundesliga for more than 10 years but something unsuual happened this season.They were nine points clear at the top and cruising towards yet another title when their lead was slashed to four points overnight, reigniting the title race. How did it happen?The league had introduced a new format, part of which involved halving teams' points totals at the two-thirds stage in a bid to make the title race more interesting.Since receiving the financial backing of energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull in 2005, Salzburg have won the title 10 times, including the last six in a row.Their success has had a snowball effect as the resulting participation in European competition has brought in extra revenue, further increasing the financial gap over rivals such as Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna and Sturm Graz.Austria has not been alone in having a predictable - some would say boring - championship virtually every season.All over Europe, many domestic … [Read more...] about European leagues need more competition to set pulses racing
Horse dies at Pimlico day before Preakness race
REUTERS: A three-year-old filly collapsed and died after racing at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Friday, a day before the Preakness Stakes.Congrats Gal fell to the track after finishing last in the Miss Preakness Stakes, officials said."Congrats Gal suffered death after the eighth race," the Stronach Group, which operates the track, said in a statement."The incident occurred after the wire (finish). Veterinarians attended to the horse immediately."A cause of death has not been determined and a full necropsy will be performed, the Stronach Group said.The death comes after 23 horses suffered fatal injuries at Santa Anita Park in California between December and March, resulting in the temporary closing of the track.People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) immediately called for an investigation of the Maryland death."The sickening collapse and sudden death of Congrats Gal at Pimlico today are proof that the Maryland racing industry has not done enough to protect horses," … [Read more...] about Horse dies at Pimlico day before Preakness race
Country House wins Kentucky Derby
Country House, a 65-1 longshot, won the 145th Kentucky Derby yesterday (Singapore time), after wire-to-wire leader and 4-1 favourite Maximum Security was stunningly disqualified from the top spot. It was the first time the horse that crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby was denied victory because it hindered another horse. Maximum Security, trained by John Servis and ridden by Luis Saez, was running comfortably in front on the sloppy Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky, but the colt moved sharply out from the rail as the field turned for home. After an objection and a nail-biting 20-minute review, he was ruled to have interfered with War Of Will and other horses - a move that stewards ultimately judged significantly affected the outcome. The result gave trainer Bill Mott a first Kentucky Derby victory at the age of 65. "First of all, I think our horse ran great," said Mott. "As far as the win goes, it's bittersweet. I'd be lying if I said it was any different. … [Read more...] about Country House wins Kentucky Derby