News of the week

A lot of news to get to, so let’s start with an update of an ongoing story, Oster Pistorius, the double amputee who wants to run in the Olympics this year but was banned by the IAAF to do so, appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration of Sport. Last week he won his appeal and can now try to qualify for the China Games. In the past few days Oster has come out in the press and stated that 2012 Games in London would be more realistic for him to try to qualify for. Good for you Oster, for standing up for what you believe in and not giving up on your dreams. Hope to see you in China or London; it will be a historic day when you do run in the Olympics.
There will be a South African amputee in the Beijing Olympic, 24-year-old Natalie Du Toit. Natalie lost her left leg when a car while riding her scooter in 2001 hit her. She has qualified for the 10-kilometer open water-swimming race, which is making its Olympic debut in China. Unlike Oster, Natalie does not use a prosthetic limb when swimming. She said, “I have always had a dream to take part in the Olympic Games, and losing my leg didn’t change anything.” Good for you Natalie and go for the gold. Hopeful, Natalie and Oster’s stories will inspire young people with disabilities to reach for their dreams.

Last week two of the greatest women athletes of this generation retired. First, Annika Sorenstan, in my opinion, the greatest women golfer of this generation. Annika won 72 LPGA tournaments, 10 Major titles, and a record 8 Player of the Year awards. She will retire at the end of the year to peruse other avenues outside of competitive golf. She will be best remembered for playing with the men in the 2003 Colonial tournament, becoming the first Women to play on the Men’s PGA tour since 1945. She will be missed, she was the reason I watched the LPGA.

On the other hand Justine Henin has announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis. She is only 25 years old and the world’s number one player at the time of her announcement. Justine won 7 Grand Slam titles and 31 WTA career wins. I can understand this retirement; tennis is a hard sport that has no off season. December is the only month of the year without a regular tournament but it is filled with big money exhibitions in Asia. January starts all over again with the first Grand Slam of the year the “Australian Open”. I’m a little surprised at the timing of this announcement with the “French Open” starting next week! But if you’re burned out you’re burned out and need to step away from the sport.

Hopeful, I will have an update and weekend TV preview later this week. Talk to you later.

That’s my take: I would like yours.

Jamie Lazaroff