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Emms has words of advice for former partner

Published

1 week ago

13 de February de 2025

James Cartwright

BadmintonNational School Sport Week

FORMER partner Gail Emms has warned Nathan Robertson he needs to make sure every minute counts this year if he’s to land an unexpected podium berth at London 2012.

HAPPY TIMES: Gail Emms is hoping Nathan Robertson can rediscover that medal winning feeling and climb the podium at London 2012

Emms called time on her badminton career after the Beijing Games in 2008 and as yet Robertson, 34, and new partner Jenny Wallwork, have struggled to live up to their impressive collective CV, which included Olympic silver at Athens.

The relationship threatened to blossom last year with the pair claiming Commonwealth Games mixed doubles silver but with the duo needing to a top-12 world ranking to book their 2012 spot some hard yards still await.

The pair had an encouraging start to their pursuit of the world’s top dozen by reaching the semi-finals of the Singapore Open earlier this month – the first qualifying event for 2012.

And while encouraged herself by their performance in the Lion City Emms believes the duo need to pull out all the stops now if they’re to be roaring at London 2012.

“It’s been good to see that Nathan and Jenny had a good start to the season at the Singapore Open,” said Emms – speaking at Heaton Manor School in Newcastle as they celebrated Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week, an event which will involve four million children across Britain.

“It was the first tournament in the Olympic qualification period and so for them to start by getting to the semi-final was fantastic.

“Olympic qualification is a long road and something that takes in a lot of tournaments and things so it is obviously not secured yet but it was a good start.

“They had a good draw in Singapore and they took advantage of it which is great but they need to keep working on that now because to me the qualification for 2012 is so important.

“They need to be in the top 12 in the world to qualify but I think it is important that they are comfortably in the top 12.

“They don’t want to be scraping into it in maybe 11th or 12th I think it’s important for them to be as high as they can.

“I think that will mean that Jenny and Nathan will then arrive at the Olympics in a really positive state of mind and that will then mean they approach the Games themselves in a really positive light.”

And while admitting there is some work ahead for Wallwork to get herself up to Olympic medal-challenging standard Emms believes for Robertson it is more a case of having what he holds.

“I think to qualify well they need to make sure that Nathan stays at the level he is at while Jenny needs to improve a little bit and then if they can both find a little bit more consistency as a pair then they can definitely qualify for the Games and then go there and do well,” added Emms.

“At the Athens Olympics and then at Beijing Nathan and I qualified in fourth and then in fifth and that meant we arrived at the Games confident that we could get ourselves a medal.”

Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week uses the power of London 2012 to inspire children to try Olympic and Paralympic sports. Your local school could carry the Olympic Flame in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay or win tickets to London 2012 at: www.lloydstsb.com/nationalschoolsportweek

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My first and last….with Nastia Liukin

Published

1 week ago

13 de February de 2025

James Cartwright

BORN to two world gymnastic champions, it came as little surprise when Nastia Liukin captured all-around Olympic gold in Beijing last summer. Here she is chatting dodgy food, bad injuries and Jennifer Aniston with ‘s Chris Cottrell.

BALANCING ACT: Olympic gold medallist Nastia Liukinwas in the gym from an early age

My first trip to the gym: Both my parents were gymnasts so it was probably around the time my dad was still competing I guess. I was about four. I don’t really remember one specific time – I was thrown into it from day one because my dad was still doing it at a high level when I was born.

My first event: It was when I was six years old, level five – it was just a district competition in Texas. I don’t think I did too well actually. I was six years old and it was my first competition. I know I was late so that wasn’t a good start!

My first international event: That was the 2002 Junior Pan American Championships in the Dominican Republic when I was 12. I won five medals there so it was a great experience for me in terms of competition.

But I remember not liking the food. I was always very picky when I was young. Other than that, it was really cool to be there. Getting on my national team and payroll was one of my favourite parts.

Being able to wear the leotard with USA on it was a great feeling.

My first Olympic memory: Beijing was my first and only Olympic experience and I remember every single minute. From when we landed to walking into the village for the first time to the first training session is still very clear in my mind. And walking into the arena is probably the most vivid memory.

We didn’t go to the opening ceremony because we were competing right after which was a shame but it’s all still really vivid.

GOLDEN GIRL: Nastia Liukin poses with her gold medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Getty Images)

My first big injury: In 2006 I got injured when I rolled my ankle and had to have surgery. I was still competing but I was out for about a year because it was still hurting. It’s probably my lowest point in gymnastics so far.

My last takeaway: What’s that? Food? Oh, does Starbucks count?

My last album: I bought Colbie Callait – Breakthrough recently. She’s one of my favourite artists.

My last film: Love Happens with Jennifer Aniston. Yes, I really liked it.

SAY CHEESE: ‘s Chris Cottrell with Nastia Liukin at the O2 Arena

Luge

Furlong leaves Paralympics closing ceremony early to attend luger’s memorial

Published

1 week ago

13 de February de 2025

James Cartwright

Posted: Monday 22nd March 2010 | 8:14

BEFORE the flame had even been extinguished at the Winter Paralympics, Vancouver 2010 chief executive John Furlong was on a helicopter for the saddest duty of a rollercoaster six weeks.

CLOSING ADDRESS: John Furlong speaks during the closing ceremony of the Winter Paralympics before leaving to catch a flight to Nodar Kumaritashvili’s memorial service (Getty Images)

Furlong will attend a memorial service for Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger killed in a training accident on the opening day of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, on Tuesday.

He had thought he would have to miss the service because of Sunday night’s closing ceremony in Whistler but organisers shifted the running order to allow him to speak at the beginning of the event.

Furlong then took a helicopter to Vancouver airport to catch the 18 hour flight to Georgia, taking with him all the condolence books and mementos that were left at a makeshift memorial for Kumaritashvili by Olympic athletes.

“I’m going to meet the family, and it is the right thing to do,” he said.

“I would want to go. I think this is obviously a major thing that happened here and it is important for us to be there to the end, to be seen to support the family. It is not something I would have been prepared to put aside.”

Vanoc have already confirmed that Kumaritashvili’s family – who are said to be suffering financial hardship following the death of their son – will receive a death benefit from an insurance policy that it had bought for all Olympic family members.

Meanwhile, International Paralympic Committee chairman Sir Phillip Craven hailed the Games as the ‘best Winter Paralympics ever’ as misty rain made conditions difficult during the closing ceremony, while Furlong earlier added:

“Tonight we take our final steps across the finish line of Canada’s Games. Our work is done.

“Paralympians you have dazzled us with your agility, your strength, your endurance, your sportsmanship. You have given us drama and thrills we will never forget.”