Lioness

The World Anti-Doping Agency banned Russia from international competition for four years last December. The ban includes Olympic Games and world championships, and Russia's flag or name cannot be used. Athletes, however, are not banned from competing but can only do so under a neutral flag From the curling regs. The Russian athletes were called the Curling Federation to allow them to compete in this years world championships. Doping amongst Russian athletes has been rife, it was almost seen as a way of life in a lot of sports. The curlers had to undergo drugs tests in the months leading up to the worlds - presumably Emil and Artem would have faced something similar

The irony of comments in post 12 on that linked story I was never a fan of Lindback either tbh. Don’t think he had the attitude or guidance to match his ability. Just hope we aren’t reading about a downward spiral of his life in years to come

after a year and a half without racing, isnt it a bit bizarre to call for any rider to retire at this stage?

Hope they said 'thank you' to you! lol It might not help MikeBaker though because they might not be making provision for travelling fans - probably depends on the level set

Whereas every other post is about the meeting? In fact love him or loathe him, so far Shovvy is the only one who has mentioned speedway and also given a link for anyone wanting to watch it! Hmm.... lol So, anyone got the teams? Hope for the sake of the track staff that it’s cooler next week than it is today or they’ll be battling dust !

Its an interesting one from a club point of view. If you allow live streaming once crowd restrictions are lifted it may well result in more people watching due to on line coverage but at what cost? And how do you police it? If someone within travelling distance takes you up on the live stream, it costs the club in real terms. It could be three or four people watching - thats basically free admission for all bar one person - plus you lose out on takings at the bar, at the snack outlets, for programmes, half time draw tickets, souvenirs. Yes there will be people watching who perhaps wouldnt live but the numbers would not make up for potential loss of income. If you advertise for away fans or for say fans over 50 miles from the track, how do you police it? In todays internet market of VPNs its impossible. How would you make sure it was only away fans who used it? Maybe some sort of arrangement amongst the clubs (ha! yeah right! lol) where their season ticket holders get to buy through their own club who know where they live? How is that fair though to fans who pay per meeting? Whats to stop friends from different tracks 'making an arrangment' or sharing the feed? Much as I have loved having on line streaming from all sorts of sports over the pandemic, in the real post covid world I am not sure that there is any way it would work for the clubs. Happy to be proven wrong

There is actually another way to do it to try and protect a facility. Dumbarton supporters owned a ‘ransom strip’ round their old ground and when the ground was sold off for development they were able to secure a new built ground on the outskirts of the town as part of the deal. Edinburgh Accies are trying to do the same but their case is more difficult because it’s historical and Scotland’s positive prescription laws could come into play. I always saw it as worth looking at though. It won’t ultimately stop a club loosing its home but could be the difference between surviving elsewhere and going out of existence obviously that’s no help for clubs already lost though

Judging by the covid regulations in other areas (shops, workplaces etc) it wont all be about how many people are allowed in, they will have had to plan for separate areas of the stadium. they may have to make arrangements for separate entrances/exits. If they do they can probably use the gate at the side of the loos (assuming its still there?) as presumably they will be allowed to switch to the main gate being used by the end of the meeting? Fair play to them for going for it though, remember they are facing a new situation too and will have had to do a lot of planning and will need to be cut a bit of slack on the night if there are teething problems.

anyone want to talk speedway?

has Glasgow moved to england?

Re Conor Bailey, did he get his issues in Australia sorted out ok? I’m a bit out of touch. If not, that might be the reason he is not on the list as yet as technically his licence had been withdrawn

Nice one Richard

Its a shame that the Poultec stuff seems to have been hidden amongst a thread for a someone convicted of an evil crime. The Poultec scheme looks an excellent programme for young riders and they deserve lots of positive coverage for it imo

a footballer is not meant to give a speech at his testimonial events though or it becomes chargeable!

I very much doubt that prison will change him Moomin when all the chances given to him by people in speedway - promoters and riders - were just abused. I agree with everything else you say. Plenty of kids from rough areas don’t get anywhere near the chances he was afforded yet make good. You just can’t help someone who is obviously evil to the core

plenty of them but he isnt worthy of them. Until COVID stopped me in my tracks remember I worked with vulnerable people. For me it is one of the most despicable crimes you can commit

pity they didnt have the power to add an additional sentence of putting him in a locked room with his hands tied and with fit healthy young relatives of the victims. Even unfit older relatives. From what I have been told from people who were around speedway in Manchester yes he had a bad start in life but he was given chance after chance and chose to go down this route. Hell mend him ETA they are looking for people to try and test COVID potential immunisations on. I'd say scum like this should have that added into their sentence too. They forfeit the right to be treated humanely the minute they prey in this manner on vulnerable people

Great stuff from Zmarzlik, again the best racing was between him and Woffy.

I think I must be the only person to have fallen out of love with F1! I am very much in a minority though. If there is one thing that most other sports can learn from F1 it is what a difference you can make with a good marketing strategy, good promotion, and making it appeal to the younger masses and the media

Hey everybody loves the hedge! Its actually a tidy wee ground, enjoy my visits there

The way we played last season there was more chance of that than a football thread! lol

Falkirk FC - or if you are literary minded (sp?) I think it was Oscar Wilde

Thats when you 'expect the unexpected'

That figures

Wouldn’t the terms of his release not restrict internet for 3 years as he was put on the register?