The Hindu : Sport : Pini — instant national hero

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Pini — instant national hero

MELBOURNE: Ryan Pini was elevated to instant national hero status when he won Papua New Guinea's first ever Commonwealth Games swimming gold medal.

``Truly Amazing,'' the Post-Courier newspaper said in a headline of Pini's upset win over former world champion Michael Klim, who was pictured with his head in his hands alongside a triumphant Pini in front page photographs Tuesday.

``Papua New Guinea's superhero Ryan Pini produced one of the greatest achievements.''

The National daily said thousands of Papua New Guineans watched the race live on television.

``The nation last night roared itself hoarse,'' it said.

Prime Minister Michael Somare reportedly stopped a Cabinet meeting in the capital, Port Moresby, to watch Pini's race, and faxed his compliments to the swimmer in Melbourne.

``Let me be among the first to say congratulations for your valiant effort,'' Somare said.

``You can imagine how proud I am to see you come first among a world-class group of swimmers. You have done our country proud.''

Pini's win in 52.64 seconds was Papua New Guinea's first swimming gold and only the second gold medal ever won by the impoverished Pacific island country at the Games. Its only gold was in lawn bowls in 1990.

Pini, 24, who was born and raised in Port Moresby, moved to Australia's Queensland state five years ago to attend university and train.

He said his home country had only one swimming pool suitable for training, and even that was often unusable because there wasn't always enough money for chlorine.

Distraction

Tom Jones, or Sir Tom as he's about to be, won't get to see his grandson competing in the Commonwealth Games because Jones is going to London to visit the queen.

The Welsh singer announced on his website that he'll receive his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on March 29.

His grandson, Alex Woodward, is competing in shooting for Wales at the Commonwealth Games.

``I don't think he is going to be here because he has to work and then he is going to be knighted,'' Woodward, 22, told the South Wales Echo newspaper. ``I am here to shoot and something like this can be a distraction.''

Woodward is part of Wales' 18-member shooting team and will be competing in open full bore and open full bore pairs events.

Conspicuously absent

Melbourne 2006 chairman Ron Walker took an ill-timed swipe at New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark for not attending the Commonwealth Games.

``I'm disappointed Helen Clark didn't see it fit to travel three hours to come over here,'' Walker was quoted saying on Tuesday.

``Obviously she was either too busy or doesn't like sport or both of those things, but it would have been nice for her to have come and supported her athletes.''

Maybe he should have taken a look at Clark's diary first.

Clark's senior spokesman David Lewis said the New Zealand leader was concerned with issues of state importance.

``The prime minister would love to be in Melbourne watching the games, but unfortunately she has a few other things on her mind,'' Lewis said.

Clark on Tuesday announced the resignation of a senior minister, David Parker, who admitted filing false annual returns to the nation's company registrar's office.

Maximum mileage

Familiarity didn't breed contempt for Kathy Watt. Instead, it was motivation to keep competing at age 41 in the Commonwealth Games.

The 1992 Olympic road race champion had hometown advantage in the extreme: her regular training route along Melbourne's seaside became the Commonwealth Games course for the individual time trial.

``When I heard the games were going to be in Melbourne ... and the turn was at the bike shop — I couldn't resist,'' said Watt, who owns a bicycle shop along the course. ``I've probably ridden this road thousands of times.''

Watt had to settle for silver behind Australian teammate Oenone Wood in Tuesday's time trial.

``I was pretty happy. I was hoping to win gold but maybe the course was a little bit flat for me. It's good Australia having 1-2-3.''

Doing it for Sands

Sprinter Marc Burns dedicated his 100-metre bronze medal from the Commonwealth Games to suspended Bahamas triple jumper, Leevan Sands.

Sands, a former world championship bronze medallist, was suspended after his 'A' sample tested positive to the stimulant, methamphetamine.

Burns, the Trinidad and Tobago sprinter, is a longtime friend of Sands. ``When I heard the news I was a bit disappointed,'' said Burns. ``When I found out the drug he got tested for, I know Leevan, he is not that type of person.

``Everyone knows he didn't do it. He has earned all his victories and all of his records. I just hope that his case comes out for the best.''

The 24-year-old Sands tested positive on Feb. 11 at the NCAA indoor championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Sands 'B' sample has yet to be tested. A second positive sample could result in a two-year ban. — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail