Athletics Africa Magazine

For Africans, the race against AIDS is a long long one. Nigeria’s largest GSM telecoms operator, MTN Nigeria has raised the stakes for it's 4th Lagos International Half Marathon event on December 2nd, with an innovative online quiz competition. The popular competition was designed to educate the populace about the yearly event and to create awareness of the race and its fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic. The quiz, running on http://www.mtnonline.com/marathon for about nine weeks now, allow subscribers to text their answers with the word 'quiz ' before a space, and then the answer to a dedicated short code, 32052 weekly, with each text costing 30 Nigerian naira more on the 2006 MTN Lagos International Half Marathon fun train AthleticsAFRICA

Boy Soke of South Africa and Helaria Johannes of Namibia emerge victors in their respective races at the Nedbank South Africa 10km Championships in Stellenbosch last weekend, according to the IAAF. Soke won in a career best of 28:39, followed by Tshamano Setone (28:45), Enos Matalane (28:48), Kanie Simons (28:56), and Lukertz Swartbooi (28:56) respectively. "It was important for me to prove that winning the 12 km at the South Africa Senior Cross country Championships last month was no fluke. "I came to this race as one of the underdogs. This is why I ran conservatively for the first half of the race," said Soke. Meanwhile, Namibian Helaria Johannes set a blistering pace right from the start to claim the women’s race in a personal best of 32:28 - improving her previous mark of 33:42. South African Louisa Leballo settled for second place in 33:11 with Zimbabwean Sharon Tavengwa third in 33.24. AthleticsAFRICA

The IAAF has banned the Ghanaian male athlete, Aziz Zakari for two years. Zakari was provisionally suspended by the athletics governing body on July 11, 2006 following an adverse analytical finding for the prohibited substance, Stanozolol (S1. Anabolic Agents) in his system after a routine doping test. The test was conducted In-Competition (IC) on April 29, 2006 at the IAAF Grand Prix Meeting in Dakar, Senegal. IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said that analysis of Zakari's backup "B" sample confirmed the original positive finding. Under IAAF rules the minimum sanction for a first violation for Stanozolol is ineligibility for 2 years. Zakari has a career best time of 9.99 seconds in the 100 metres. So what do you think of this punishment? do you think the IAAF is doing enough to eradicate drugs use in the sport? lets have your comments below. AthleticsAFRICA

The African men's team begins the defence of their title won in Madrid four years ago as the two-day 10th IAAF World Cup kicks off this afternoon in Athens, Greece. Star watch: Gary Kikaya (Congo, 400m Watch out for events results and day's highlights on AthleticsAFRICA .com

“Throughout the last two months, I have heard stories that I was the most likely to fail. But I believe in myself and my ability. I simply ignore such stories and comments.” [ Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia ]. Tough words from a lovely sista. I just love this woman's confidence. Dibaba has won races in Oslo, Paris, Rome, Zurich, and Brussels to remain in the hunt for a share of the entire $1 Million jackpot. The Ethiopian World 5000m and 5000m champion is within touching distance of a share of the IAAF Golden League Jackpot. The DKB-ISTAF Berlin, the final meeting of the series, takes place this Sunday (3 Sep) at the world famous 1936 Olympic stadium in the German capital. Watch out on this space AthleticsAFRICA

How the mighty have fallen. I've not been very happy since the news broke that the World and Olympic 100m champion J ustin Gatlin and Marion Jones returned positive tests and Gatlin now faces life ban . I've been really upset because these two lovelies were my favourites sprinters. I almost wished it was not true. Was there a systematic doping going on in the USATF or could some knuckle head be at large sabotaging top athletes with drugs? Well, Gatlin,24, has bravely decided to own up and accepted the punishment and heard he has been banned for up to eight years and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) has set the maximum suspension, but the actual length of it will be determined by an arbitration panel. The ban came into effect on 15 August, and is set to run until 24 July, 2014, unless it is overturned or reduced at the arbitration hearing. Do you think there is a systematic doping in US athletics? Have your say. AthleticsAFRICA

The Confederation of African Athletics has announced the team to represent the continent at the 10th IAAF World Cup holding from 16-17 September 2006 in Athens, Greece. Africa selects World Cup team AthleticsAFRICA

I 've been wondering if Asafa has a thing with the number 977. Three times now the speedy Jamaican has equalled the world record for the men's 100m at 9.77 seconds .He did that today at the IAAF Golden league in Zurich. The first was on 14 June of last year at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, before he equalled the feat on 11 June of this year in Gateshead, England, just one month after American Justin Gatlin equalled the mark in Doha, Qatar. The 23-year-old confessed that he'd “just have to dip when I get to the finish line,” And me thinks thats is a good decision, I am tired of 9.77. Just a dip down to 9.75 would be nice, wouldn't it Asafa. AthleticsAFRICA

IAAF President Lamine Diack has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the Beijing Sports University by Professor Hua Yang, President of the University and Chairman of the Academic Degree Evaluation Committee. After receiving the award, Dr Diack spoke of his delight at receiving this honour on behalf of the entire World Athletics Family. “Although I am extremely proud of being held in high esteem by an academic community known for its commitment to excellence. "I am fully aware that the aim of their acknowledgement, reaches far beyond the boundaries of personal recognition. "It is an encouragement to remain deeply rooted in the pursuit of human well being through sport and the values and ideals it enshrines in the minds of young people all over the world." AthleticsAFRICA

Congo's star quartermiler Gary Kikaya has transformed his form on the IAAF World Athletics tour to win the men's 400m in Mauritius. Kikaya, the fastest African this season, became the first athlete from the Democratic Republic of Congo to win a medal at the Africa Championships when he won the 400m in 45.03 seconds. The University of Tennessee alumni has the fifth-fastest time in the world this year in the 400m and is ranked fifth in the world by the IAAF . The 28-year-old holds four Congolese national records, topping the country's list in the indoor and outdoor 200m and 400m. He also tied his own national record, finishing the 400m in 44.53 seconds on his way to a second-place finish at the IAAF Super GP in Stockholm on July 25th. South African Paul Gorris took the silver medal in 45.50 seconds and Zimbabwean Young Talkmore Nyongani settled for the bronze medal in 45.60 seconds. AthleticsAFRICA: Umbrella knocks athletes down

The African Athletics Confederation (AAC)Council has adopted a resolution supporting the re-election of Senegalese Lamine Diack as IAAF President at next year's elections. The elections are scheduled to hold during the IAAF Congress in Osaka, Japan on 22-23 August 2007. The AAC Council issued a statement after it's meeting in Port Louis, Mauritius on the eve of the 2006 edition of the African Athletics Championships, that reads: "Taking into account the forthcoming IAAF elections in 2007 and noting with satisfaction the excellent work accomplished by IAAF President Lamine Diack, we are urging Mr. Lamine Diack to stand for re-election for another term in order to continue serving the development of athletics around the world." AthleticsAFRICA

Watch highlights of Day 3 of the African championships, as officials umbrella knocks two athletes unconscious during the womens 10,000m event. Also, African record holder and defending champion Olusoji Fasuba wins the 100m in 10.37 seconds and Kenya's Paul Kipsiele Koech takes the 3000m steeplechase. Video by AthleticsAfrica . Music by Cyber Dread and Images courtesy MBC TV, Mauritius. AthleticsAFRICA

Ghana's World Indoor and Commonwealth Games Long Jump champion, Ignisious Gaisah could have broken the African record in Mauritius yesterday, bar an excessive following wind. Gaisah leapt to a massive distance of 8.51m (+3.7) at the final round to snatch the gold medal from South Africa's Khotso Mokoena who had led briefly up to that point with 8.45m. Algeria Issam Nima was third with 8.37m. The African record set in 1997 by Senegalese Cheikh Toure stands at 8.46m. AthleticsAFRICA

The UN at this point is very busy managing the crisis in the middle East, But there is also a humanitarian crisis in Africa. In the eastern Ethiopian town of Dire Dawa, more than 191 people have been killed and several thousands others were displaced and others reported missing in the Addis Ketema, Genfele, Coca Cola and other neighbouring areas. As the people cries for help, the President Girma Wolde-Giorgis commiserate with the victims families and sends his condolences. One man though, has risen up to help. He's none othe than the Ethiopia’s former two-time Olympic and four-time World 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie. Haile has donated a total of ETB 150,000 (USD 17,000) to assist victims of massive floods in the Eastern Ethiopian town of Dire Dawa, according to the IAAF. Around 200 have already died and 300 others are still missing after the Dechatu River burst its banks and flooded Dire Dawa town on Saturday night. The death toll is expected to rise as police intensifies ...

Top African track and field athletes are expected to converge at the beautiful city of Bambous, in Mauritius for the week-long 15th Africa senior athletics championships 2006 commencing on Wednesday 9th August. The lovely Island in the southern part of Africa is hosting the 15th edition of the African prime athletics event showcasing the creme de la cream of world track and field. About 49 African countries are participating in 20 events at the Germain-Comarmond stadium in Bambous in order to select the continent's team to the at the 10th IAAF World Cup in Athletics holding in Athens, Greece from the 16th -17th September. AthleticsAfrica.Com will bring you indepth and extensive coverage from our reporters in Mauritius. Stay with us.

Having always impressed to deceive, South African Long Jumper Godfrey "Khotso" Mokoena Leaped to a national record of 8.39 metres at the 5th annual EAA Permit meeeting in Lapinlahti,Finland this evening. Mokoena, told the IAAF reporters : "I am really glad with the South African record. It is great to compete against Tommi Evilä in Finland. "The crowd is always with us and atmosphere is great. Today also the weather and track were perfect, so I gave all I had to the competition. "I really look forward to Helsinki Grand Prix – IAAF World Athletics Tour - meeting on 26 July, and aim to move my PB-mark further little by little." Compatriot Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, the Olympic silver medallist, took the 800m in 1:44.99.

Slow time, but he didn't really care, the young African fastest man has already shown the world he is fast in Doha , he won the men's 100m on Saturday in Hengelo FBK-Games in a slow 10.33 seconds in difficult conditions. After enduring two false starts Olusoji Fasuba, cold and stiff was just delighted to win the race. He told the IAAF : "This was my first race in Europe. I am very happy to win the race today, because it gave me the chance to show my face in Europe."

I am sad this week. just like after the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, the talking point once again is the disappearance of African athletes from their team. Now 12 Sierra Leonean athletes are missing again! Well they have been found and as usual they are making pleas for asylum . Now for elite athletes from what? Hunger? or what are they claiming this time?. I can understand if real poor people back in Freetown are crying of hunger, but national athletes are at least a priviledged few. Have we completely lost the pride in our heritage that we shamelesslessly go hand in mouth, begging for all sorts of countries to make us their slaves. How can free-born adults remove their toga of pride to begin a shameful dance in the street? What these self serving and selfish individuals have done now, along with all these bad press, was to make it ten times more difficult for ordinary African youths to secure visa to some of these western nations now. ...

well the 4x400m is no different here as the Nigerians men and women teams underachived once again. Alas, the Bahamas men dropped the baton again! The men - Former Olympics silver and bronze medallists ended up fifth, having being second with about 90 metres to go. Good news for Africa, South Africa men picked the silver medal behind an impressive Australian team but the SA women has been disqualified along with England for standing in a wrong lane to receive the baton. Wait a minute, the Nigerian women have been elevated to the bronze medal position, despite having the worst performance by a Nigerian relay team in a long time. Now, where does Africa go from here!

Oh Gosh, Australia has joined the casualty list now! Yesterday was kind of chaotic here in Melboune as my favourite Nigeria, England and Trinidad dropped their batons at the Men's 4x1000m relay semis . Well, at the finals now Aussie last leg just missed collecting his baton. Ghana just dropped out too. The Cameroonian did not even bother to show up. What a shame, Nigeria comes away with a terrible change over again! do this girls ever train together at all? Jamaica once again comes away with the Gold . The quartet of Daniele Browning, Sheri-Ann Brooks, Peta Dowdie and Sherone Simpson coming home in 43.10. But, fingers crossed for the 4X400m. I will get back to you later.

South African Elizna Naude has won the women’s Discus with a throw of 61.55m. India’s Seema Antil came second with a season best 60.56 metres while Australia’s Dani Samuels won bronze with a personal best of 59.44m. In a close finish in the Women’s Javelin, Sunette Viljoen of South Africa won gold , with her best throw of 60.72 metres coming in the second round. South African Janus Robberts also took gold in the Men's Shot Put Final with 19.76m, narrowly beating Jamaican Dorian Scott by one centimetre and Australian Scott Martin (19.48) claiming the bronze

Botswana's Gable Garenamotse, a silver medallist at the Manchester Games in 2002, posted a personal best time of 8.15 metres to lead four other African athletes into tomorrow finals of the men’s Long jump in Melbourne. South African Fosu Amoah improved on his personal best by 10cm, jumping 7.95m while Ghan’s recently crowned World Indoor athletics champion, Ghana's Ignisious Gaisah jumped 7.91m to move on to the finals. South Africa’s Martin Mcclintock and Godfrey Khotso Mokoena are also through. Mokoena is ranked ninth in the field told the Games News services after qualifying: "In the Final anything is possible - anything can happen. “It's not about being worried, it's about being focused. I'm just happy to be in the Final." Gaisah, who is competing in his first Games, said: "I'm looking forward to jumping as far as I can in the Final tomorrow.”

The 2006 Commonwealth Games has been declared open this morning b her Majesty the Queen of England in a glittering ceremony in front of a sell-out 81,000 crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The BBC team in Melbourne reported a "two-hour spectacular, thought to have cost £20m, kicked off with the arrival of a 'flying' Melbourne tram." Now we awaits the start of 12 days of intense athletic competition. With the Track and Field events starting on Sunday 19th, Africa chances in the sprints has brightened with the withdrawal of defending 100m champion Kim Collins of St Kitts & Nevis from the Games due to injury. Look out for Nigerians Olusoji Fasuba, Uchena Emedolu and Deji Aliu in the 100m on Sunday. (Photo) Nigerian-born Ambroze Ezenwa will compete for Australia at the Games.