Last Tuesday, the Falcons and several of the team’s cheerleaders made appearances at 12 stops around the city, including various area schools. The team delivered new sports equipment and promoted physical fitness. The day was part of the team’s Hometown Huddle program, which, in its 10th year, delivers a series of volunteer projects implemented on the same day in all NFL cities.
Good news, golf fans: if you are interested in watching young, talented golfers compete, you may want to check out the Duramed Invitational, which will be held this Friday through Sunday at Chateau Elan. The event is part of the developmental tour for the LPGA. Tickets range from $10 for one day to $15 for all three days. For more information, visit DuramedInvitational.com.
LANCE IS BACK
With plans to make a dramatic return to cycling after three years of retirement, Lance Armstrong passed yet another hurdle in his way, as it was announced last week that the seven-time Tour de France champion has been cleared by cycling’s governing body to make his comeback. Interestingly, the International Cycling Union made an exception to its drug-testing rules for Armstrong to return to the sport. A strict interpretation of the rules would prevent the 37-year-old Texan from competing until Feb. 1, 2009, six months after he filed his paperwork with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Last Wednesday, however, the UCI stated it has improved its drug-testing standards enough for Armstrong to return early. As a result, the cycling legend’s comeback will officially begin in Australia at the Jan. 20-25 Tour Down Under.
After another disappointing season, the Atlanta Braves will look to improve their postseason odds for the 2009 season through trades, free agency and, as usual, their farm system. Last Wednesday, however, one of the team’s better prospects, Freddie Freeman, encountered a small setback when it was discovered he had a cracked rib on his right side. Freeman, who was chosen as the club’s Organizational Player of the Year, was sent home from the Florida Instructional League on Wednesday as a result. The injury is not believed to be serious and Freeman expects to be fully recovered in time for Spring Training.
GENERALS, MUSTANGS FALL
Last Wednesday the Georgia Generals used a 28-10 victory over the Georgia Ragin’ Bulls to advance to the second round of the North American Football League playoffs. In disappointing fashion, however, the Generals lost Saturday’s road showdown with the Nashville Storm. Similarly, the Georgia Mustangs lost a second-round matchup with the Pensacola Lightning and are now also eliminated from playoff contention. Had both teams advanced, they would have faced each other in the next round.
While NBA athletes are no doubt overpaid, they often sacrifice basic social freedoms as a result. Take for example Golden State Warrior Monta Ellis, who recently violated his contract with the team after getting into a moped accident in the offseason. Ellis, who agreed to a six-year deal worth $86 million during the summer, severely sprained his ankle in the August mishap and, after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament, will be sidelined for at least the first several weeks of the regular season. Injured or not, however, the fourth-year guard will be missing from regular-season action, as Ellis was suspended without pay for the team’s first 30 games. Last year, the Mississippi product averaged 20.2 points and 3.9 assists per game.
In big-time international soccer news, the United States breezed to a 6-1 victory over Cuba last Saturday night and into a spot in the final round of World Cup qualifying. DaMarcus Beasley scored a pair of first-half goals, while Landon Donovan and Brian Ching gave the U.S. some breathing room early in the second. With two semifinal-round matches remaining, the Americans (4-0) have already secured a berth in next year’s six-nation finals of the North American/Central American/Caribbean region. In the finals, the top three teams qualify for the 2010 World Cup, while the No. 4 nation must face the fifth-place team in South America in a playoff for the final spot.
Janovitz can be reached at sjanovitz@scoreatl.com.
Loading ...
