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| Gasol gets 3-year extension with Lakers EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Pau Gasol knows he surprised nobody by agreeing to a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers nearly two seasons before it kicks in.... hosted.ap.org |
Time to rebel against invasive drug rules The debate on drugs in sport has been driven by fanaticism for too long. The idea has been abroad that the only way to confront the scourge of cheating is to adopt a zero-tolerance approach that treats professional sportsmen as something akin to criminals. Oppressive monitoring, invasive scrutiny, blood testing — all are part and parcel of the Orwellian reality of modern sport. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
MU could see $10 million windfall by joining Big Ten University of Missouri officials have about 10 million reasons to make the leap to the Big Ten Conference should they be invited. bizjournals.com |
Kansas City Wizards stadium work will begin immediately Work will begin immediately on a new $165 million soccer stadium for the Kansas City Wizards — part of a $400 million development plan approved Tuesday evening by Wyandotte County officials. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Schumacher has 'great feelings' on return • German questioned about plans to win the 'right way'• Seven-times world champion unveils new coloursMichael Schumacher was today forced to defend his reputation as he faced up to the least attractive aspect of his Formula One comeback. Despite his unprecedented success, there remain stains on the German's character, such as his infamous collisions with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve as he fought for the world championship in 1994 and 1997 respectively.There was his victory in the 2002 Austrian grand prix when his then team-mate Rubens Barrichello was ordered to pull over to allow the now 41-year-old by.And there was the deliberate parking of his Ferrari at La Rascasse in qualifying for the Monaco grand prix as he attempted to thwart his then title rival Fernando Alonso.When asked whether his return was an opening to show he could win in the right way, Schumacher's response bristled with indignation. Speaking at the launch of the new Mercedes GP team in Stuttgart, he sarcastically replied: "Ninety-one victories, seven titles, you win only in a bad way. Absolutely. Yeah, you're right, I need to prove [myself] now."When it was put to Schumacher the initial question referred to the manner he won, and not what he won, Schumacher caustically remarked: "Yeah, I know. I did win all this in the manner in which you are trying to ask questions."In a more serious tone, he added: "Let's be sensible and think about the reality, and look forward to what we might all face, learn and enjoy together. That's what I'm looking for."On a more positive note, Schumacher spoke of his sense of personal renewal having returned to F1. He announced his comeback to the sport just before Christmas and was joined by his team-mate Nico Rosberg, the team principal Ross Brawn, the chief executive Nick Fry and the Mercedes motorsport head Norbert Haug.The new car is poised for its debut on the opening day of the first test in Valencia next Monday, leaving Schumacher, Rosberg et al to stand alongside last season's double championship-winning model.The obvious difference, however, was that the white, yellow and black of the Brawn GP car that carried Jenson Button to the title has now been replaced by Mercedes' traditional silver.The manufacturing giant Mercedes completed a takeover of the Brackley-based team in November, with Brawn then luring Schumacher out of his three-year hiatus following Button's defection to McLaren.Schumacher had planned to return with Ferrari for the European grand prix in Valencia last season only for a neck injury sustained in a motorbike accident last February to scupper those plans.But the enthusiasm he received on that occasion encouraged him to consider a full-time return."Being part of this team is a great feeling, a great emotion," said Schumacher just 48 days before the first race of the season in Bahrain. "Finally the 2010 Formula One season is firing up. I am totally committed to this new challenge. This season feels like a restart for me and I am so motivated."We have a very exciting combination here. We have a world champion team in every sense of the word, and I cannot wait to get into the car for the first time in Valencia. I am convinced the team will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go."Driving for Mercedes-Benz again is like the closing of a circle for me as I started my racing driver career [in sports cars] with the three-pointed star on my helmet. This is another reason why I cannot wait for the competition to get under way."Rosberg was announced as the first German to be signed for Mercedes since 1955 and he said: "It's very special, a dream come true. It's fantastic, and I really look forward to it."Working with people like Ross, Nick, Norbert, and especially Michael, is something I'm very much looking forward to."Brawn added: "Working with Michael again is a very special event I didn't know would happen again, so for motivation, it's exciting for me to be involved with him again."Nico is a wonderful prospect and I'm sure he will enjoy working with Michael and seeing how a seven-time world champion operates."The final thing is being part of the rebirth of the racing team of such an iconic brand as Mercedes-Benz. I've been very privileged to be involved in many great things in my time, but this is very special indeed."Michael SchumacherMercedes GPFormula OneMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |