OLYMPIC BRIEFS

Fasting causing drug test issue

The combination of fasting for Ramadan and the need for doping control has created a quandary for a pair of Moroccan men’s soccer players at the Olympics. Coach Pim Verbeek says two of his players found it “more or less impossible” to provide a urine sample after the team’s 2-2 draw with Honduras in Glasgow yesterday. The game was at noon, and the players had not had anything to eat or drink since 2:30am.

Musical inspiration

South Africa’s Olympic team has come to London with a little extra musical help. Vocal quartet Romanz flew over with the athletes a week ago after serenading them at Johannesburg’s International Airport. The group sang for the athletes again yesterday during a team reception at South Africa’s London embassy. Band member Burgerd Botha said Romanz hoped to lend the competitors moral support. He said “we want to uplift them, encourage them and show them the rest of South Africa supports them. What better way to do that than through song?”

Judo woman to fight without hijab

Saudi Arabia’s female judo competitor will fight at the London Olympics “without a hijab” the sport’s chief said yesterday. Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani, one of the first two female athletes sent to the Olympics by the conservative Muslim kingdom, will not be wearing the Islamic headscarf when competing in the women’s heavyweight tournament next Friday. “She will fight according to the principle and spirit of judo, so without a hijab,” International Judo Federation president Marius Vizer said.

Too hot to handle

Organisers are attempting to address complaints from swim coaches over excessive heat inside the Olympic Aquatics Centre. The unexpected heat wave affecting London this week has created a greenhouse effect that has sent the temperature around the pool deck and in the stands soaring to more than 30 degrees Celsius.

Clary says sorry to Phelps

Michael Phelps says teammate Tyler Clary apologised to him for a newspaper article that quoted Clary questioning Phelps’ work ethic and grumbling that he got by on talent alone. Phelps says Clary visited him and Clary told him the comments were taken out of context. – Sapa-AP/Reuters