08042016 sports by tribune242

SPORTS SECTION E

Rio Olympics

Swimming, Page 2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

Reflecting on our first Olympic track and field medal By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net s the Bahamas prepares to participate in its 10th Olympic Games as an independent nation, led by its 24-member track and field team, we reflect on that moment over two decades ago when the sport played a pivotal role in changing the country’s Olympic profile forever. Wednesday, August 3, marked the 24th anniversary of Frank Rutherford capturing the Bahamas’ first Olympic track and field medal, a bronze in the triple jump at the 1992 games in Barcelona. Rutherford jumped 17.36 metres to finish third behind Americans Mike Conley (18.17m) and Charles Simpkins (17.60m). Since his milestone accomplishment, the Bahamas has medalled in every

FRANK RUTHERFORD captured the Bahamas’ first Olympic track and field medal, a bronze in the triple jump at the 1992 games in Barcelona on August 3. Olympic Games ever since. His effort changed the way the Bahamian fanbased viewed excellence in

sport and particularly at the Olympics, to a point where a position on the medal podium is expected from a

small country of just over 300,000. “When you talk about inspirational, pivotal and

historic country building moments - something that affects not just the athletic world but something that affects the athletic competence of a people. “I feel like this was one of those moments,” Rutherford said. “There are moments that shift the way a people of a country think. When people make contributions at a global level, their compatriots can uplift them and it in turn uplifts us all. “That moment for a young country like the Bahamas it represented in some small way what you see the founding fathers envisioned for the Bahamas – the ultimate power, knowledge and understanding that Bahamians could achieve in any field and to see Bahamians walk with that kind of confidence. “That moment reinforced that as one of the pillars in our society and sports was used as the vehicle for that.”

Rutherford was expected to come into the event as a major contender. A former three time NCAA champion, he won the Bahamas its first World Championship medal with a bronze in the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships and won a silver medal at the 1992 World Cup in Havana, Cuba. “I had a very outstanding qualification round a few days before the final where I jumped 17.28m on my third jump and by the luck of the draw I was the last jumper in the field. That would make for some incredible drama in the final. When it was time for the final, I felt a state of readiness for the expectations of winning the gold medal and breaking the world record. Everything was lined up to do that and I felt like God had answered every prayer in a perfect sense for me to

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Former sprinter Atkins calls his absence on Walk of Fame ‘shameful’ By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net YET another Bahamian sporting icon took to social media to voice his displeasure at a perceived lack of recognition by the Bahamian government. As the local sporting community continued its recent trend of honouring sporting legends with portraits placed on the “Walk of Fame,” former world class sprinter Derrick Atkins called his absence “shameful.” “I who has put the Bahamas on the map in the 100m can’t even get a thank you let alone my pic up. I am the first, not the second, the first Bahamian to run under 10 secs in the 100m, World silver medallist in the 100m, two time Olympian, U-23 Champion in the 100m and 200m, 15 time NAIA All-American and seven time national champion in college,” he posted in a Facebook status up-

date which went viral yesterday, “Y’all should be ashamed of y’all self celebrating somebody who hasn’t done nothing yet typical Bahamian mentality. Y’all forget about those who have pave the way. I guess that’s life for you.” Much of the public backlash toward Atkins was based on the fact that he cited New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield as someone undeserving of the honour since he is in the infancy of his professional career. Atkins later clarified his remarks and insisted his post was not meant to be a personal attack on Buddy Hield. “This message is to Buddy Hield. Word travel fast. My message isn’t directed towards you, it is to the system that we have in the Bahamas. Much respect to you for making it to the pros and your great college career,” Atkins said. His comments came approximately a week after Waltiea Rolle, the first Bahamian to be drafted

DERRICK ATKINS into the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), took to social media to express her displeasure at a lack of recognition by the Bahamian government. Atkins, 32, is the Bahamian

100m national record holder, and the only Bahamian to run legally under 10 seconds. The highlight of his career came in in 2007 in Osaka, Japan, where he clocked an astonishing 9.91 seconds for the Bahamas’ national record and the silver medal at the IAAF World Championships behind American Tyson Gay and ahead of race favourite, Asafa Powell of Jamaica. A graduate of both CR Walker and Dickinson State University, he represented the Bahamas at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. In 2008, Atkins missed a spot in the final at the Beijing Olympics where he ran 10.13 for sixth in his semi-final. In 2012 in London, he ran 10.08s to finish fourth in the semi-finals but did not advance. Atkins officially announced his retirement last June and currently serves as an assistant coach working with the sprints and relays for

the Kennesaw State Owls in Kennesaw, Georgia. He was recently inducted in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of fame for his college career, which includes three team national track and field championships, seven-time individual national champion, 15 National NAIA All-American honours, nine time DAC-10 All Conference honours and Dickinson State University male athlete of the year. His Kennesaw State bio also indicates: “He has indoor and outdoor conference sprint records that are still standing, and he led his team to four Dakota Athletic Conference championshiPS. “Atkins won national titles in the 100 metres in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In addition, he is an eighttime All-American in the sprints and relays. Atkins led Dickinson State to two consecutive national championships in 2004 and 2005 and to a runner-up finish in 2003.”

DEANDRE AYTON AND ‘TEAM HARDEN’ ROUT ‘TEAM CANADA’ 12396 IN ADIDAS NATIONS By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net ADD another off-season accolade to the résumé of DeAndre Ayton, playing on the circuit of another shoe and athletic apparel giant. Ayton was a leading member of a star-studded “Team Harden” which included seven ESPN top 20 players and routed the competition at the Adidas Nations Tournament in Garden Grove, California. Ayton finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds in his team’s 123-96 win over “Team Canada” Monday night. He averaged 17.4 points and 11 rebounds per game as his team went undefeated over the course of the four game run. His top game of the tourney was 26 points and 11 boards against “Team Canada” in the semi-final. His team also included No. 2 Wendell Carter Jr, No. 5 Trevon Duval, No. 7 Kevin Knox, No. 9 Gary Trent Jr. No. 12 Hamadu Diallo and No. 16 P.J. Washington. Adidas Nations, over four days, includes more than 80 of the top under 18 players from around the world hosted with the opportunity to hone their skills under the guidance of elite coaches. A mix of skill and devel-

AYTON opment drills and scrimmages took place July 29July 31. The camp culminated on August 1 with third-place and championship games played at Cerritos College and broadcast live on ESPNU. Ayton’s Adidas Nations performance came just after his standout series at the recent Nike EYBL Peach Jam. He averaged 21 points, 13.2 rebounds and 3 blocks per game, while shooting 57.89 per cent from the field. A busy summer for the incoming high school senior also included his Bahamian national team debut with the Centrobasket team that finished seventh in Panama.

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The Greatest: Phelps returns for another Olympic farewell By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer MICHAEL Phelps is back for a sequel to his Olympic farewell. This time, he insists, it really is goodbye. After retiring and then un-retiring, Phelps will be in Rio as the first US male swimmer to compete in five Olympics. He is already the most decorated athlete in the history of the games, with 18 golds and 22 medals overall, and at age 31 remains the biggest star in a sport that will also feature teen sensation Katie Ledecky and an increasingly diverse pool of potential champions from around the world. Look for Phelps to add significantly to his medal total. He qualified for his three best individual events and will likely be part of all three men’s relays on the powerful US team. Just don’t expect another comeback. “This is it,” Phelps said. “No more.” Sure about that? “I’m done,” he reiterated. “The body is done. This is my last one.” Phelps initially retired after the London Games, only to backtrack on that decision about 18 months later. Looking back to four years ago, Phelps said he didn’t really want to be at the Olympics and wasn’t in top condition, even though he was still good enough to capture four golds and two silvers. He came back with a rekindled passion for swimming, only to run into another major challenge when he was arrested for the second time on drunken driving charges. That led Phelps to completely overhaul his personal life. He went into therapy, gave up alcohol, got engaged, made peace with

qualify at the Brazilian trials. Even so, the local fans should have plenty of reasons to cheer. Established swimmers such as Thiago Pereira, Bruno Fratus and Joana Maranhão are joined by up-and-comers Larissa Oliveira and Etiene Medeiros.

KATIE LEDECKY, of the United States, celebrates after winning the women’s 800m freestyle final at the Swimming World Championships in Kazan, Russia. Ledecky has gone from a surprise gold medallist in London to one of the world’s most dominant swimmers at age 19. (AP) SWIMMER Michael Phelps poses with his gold medal in the men’s 4 x 100-metre medley relay at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. After retiring and then un-retiring, Phelps will be in Rio as the first US male swimmer to compete in five Olympics. (AP) his estranged father and, in the biggest change of all, became a father for the first time when son Boomer was born in May. No matter what happens in Rio, this is how he really wants to go out. • Here are some other things to watch at the swimming competition in Rio, which includes open water and the synchronised events: THE KATIE SHOW: Ledecky has gone from a surprise gold medallist in London to one of the world’s most dominant swimmers at age 19. She

is the world-record holder and huge favourite in both the 400- and 800-metre freestyle, and could bring home another gold in the 200 free. In addition, she will anchor the 4x200 free relay for the Americans, making them the team to beat. AUSSIE COMEBACK: Australia has traditionally been the second-strongest swimming nation behind the US, but the team from Down Under endured a dismal showing in 2012 with only one gold medal and no individual victories. Look for a big comeback in Rio. The Aussies returned

to form at last year’s world championships with seven golds and 16 medals overall. Sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell lead the way, along with Emily Seebohm and Mitch Larkin. NOT SO BUSY: Missy Franklin was one of the big stars in London, winning four golds and a bronze while competing in seven events. The 21-yearold American will have a lot more free time on her hands this time after a disappointing performance at the US trials. Franklin qualified for only two individual events and her relay duties will be limited to the 4x200 freestyle. It’s a similar story for another US great, Ryan Lochte. The 11-time Olympic medallist sustained a groin injury on the first day of the US trials and managed to qualify for

only one individual race — a far cry from the six events (four individual, two relays) he had in London. SHADOW OF DOPING: Gold medallists Sun Yang of China and Park Tae-hwan of South Korea will both swim in the Olympics after serving suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs. And several Russians were implicated in a huge state-sponsored doping ring. American Elizabeth Beisel said she is worried the competition in Rio won’t be clean. HOME TEAM: While Brazil will field its largest swimming squad ever and have the crowd on its side, the home team will be missing its biggest star. Worldrecord holder Cesar Cielo, a three-time Olympic medallist, stunningly failed to

LATE NIGHTS: For the second time in three Olympics, the schedule has been altered so the swimming events can be televised live in the US during prime time. The change isn’t quite as drastic as eight years ago in Beijing, when preliminaries were held in the evening and the finals the following morning. In Rio, the prelims have been moved back to 1pm local time, while the finals won’t begin until 10pm — both about three hours later than most meets. DIRTY WATER: The 10-kilometre open water races, a part of the Olympics since 2008, will be held against the gorgeous backdrop of Copacabana. The state of the water is not so pretty. There are major health concerns after Brazilian officials failed to live up to their pledge to clean up an ocean contaminated with raw sewage and potentially dangerous bacteria. RUSSIANS IN SYNC: Russia’s the overwhelming favourite in synchronised swimming, a sport known for hair gel, nose plugs, garish suits and dazzling showmanship. The Russians have not been beaten at the Olympics since 1996, and their only loss at the last three world championships came in a mixed-gender event that is not part of the Rio programme. The only drama was whether they’d be cleared to compete. With that out of the way, Russia is good as gold.

UNLIKELY HAITIAN OLYMPIAN AIMS AT SWIMMING MEDAL PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — It’s been nearly 90 years since Haiti earned a medal at the Olympic Games. But swimmer Frantz Mike Itelord Dorsainvil is aiming to break that dry spell. The lanky 25-year-old swimmer who only began to swim competitively six years ago is arguably the most unlikely Olympian on Haiti’s small team. But he doesn’t lack for confidence. “I will be giving all my effort to make sure I bring back a medal for my homeland,” Dorsainvil said after a recent day of training. The swimmer, who has never lived abroad — unlike many athletes who typically represent the impoverished Caribbean country — trains in an 18-metre long pool. An Olympicsized pool is 50 metres. “I have to do six laps just to make 100 metres. I go

back and forth, back and forth,” he laughed during a phone interview from the pool in Carrefour on the outskirts of the capital Portau-Prince. Swimming barely exists as a sport in Haiti, where there are few pools. Many Haitians, even some who fish for a living, never learn how to swim. Dorsainvil is hoping to change all that. He says he’s hopeful that the sport will take off in his Caribbean homeland if he and his teammate, 19-year-old Haitian-American Naomy Grand’Pierre, are able to win a medal. Grand’Pierre is a student at the University of Chicago and will be Haiti’s first Olympic female swimmer. “I hope we can help make swimming popular here. It’s disappointing that so many Haitian people are not able to swim,” Dorsainvil said.

HAITIAN Olympic swimmer Frantz Mike Itelord Dorsainvil readies for a day of training in preparation for the Rio Summer Olympic Games, at a private swimming pool in the Port-au-Prince neighbourhood Carrefour, Haiti. The lanky 25-year-old swimmer who only began to swim competitively six years ago is aiming to win a medal in the Rio Olympics. (AP)

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Thursday, August 4, 2016, PAGE 3

Meet our Olympians Name: LATARIO COLLIE Nickname: Twin Age: 22 High School: Teleos Christian College: Texas A&M Best subject: Science Event (s): Triple jump, Long jump Best time (s): 17.18m, 7.86m International teams competed on: World Juniors 2010, World Youth 2011, World Juniors 2012, World Championships 2015 Coached by whom: Antonio Saunders, Peter Pratt, Chris Grimes Favourite color: Red Favourite food: Sushi Idol: Leevan Sands Parents: Crista and Ricardo Minns Sibling (s): Rickera Minns, Ricardo Minns, Rickazi Minns and Lathone Collie Status - Married, engaged, single: Expectations for Rio:

my expectations are to get on the medal podium • The Tribune is featur-

ing profiles of the Bahamian Olympians daily in the build-up to the 2016 Games in Brazil next month

TRIPLE/LONG JUMPER LATARIO COLLIE

Reflecting on the Bahamas’ first Olympic track and field medal FROM PAGE 1 do so,” he said. “I felt so comfortable and at home in that stadium because it did not matter to me what the rest of the field could do. I did not care what anyone else could have jumped. My mental preparation was that I was going to overcome any and everything. Everyone knew that Frank Rutherford that year in 92, could have done the impossible in the triple jump. I wasn’t complacent but I was positioned to make history. It was just a matter of going out there and making it happen.” Rutherford sat in seventh position after the first round when he jumped 16.75m on his first attempt and Russian athlete Leonid Voloshin of the Unified Team took the lead at 17.32m. By round two, he moved into second place with a jump of 17.36m, behind Conley who took control of first place with a mark of 17.63m. Rutherford equalled the mark of 17.36m in the third round. He jumped 17.16m and 16.33 in rounds four and five. He recalled the series of jumps as if the event took place not 24 years, but 24 hours ago. “My first jump I nearly fouled along with Conley and Simpkins. The Cuban [Yoelbi Quesada] comes through and jumps 17.15m and the Russian jumped even further to take an early lead. I was in medal position by the second jump, and held on to that silver heading into the sixth and final round,” he said. Simpkins would surpass Rutherford on his final attempt to take silver, but the bronze medal was secured for the Bahamas when Voloshin fell just short of the bronze medal mark. As the last jumper in the field, the stadium grew tense as Rutherford had an opportunity to win and surpass the pair of Americans on the final jump of the competition. “I’m standing on the runway with the last jump at the 92 Olympics so I know I’ve already secured third place and I had a chance to go ahead and accomplish my goals that I set out to do which is to chase the gold medal and the world record,” he said. “The thrill at that moment was unbelievable. I’m looking down at Conley and Simpkins and they are shaking with the nervous clap, wishing me well but nervous at the same time. I came down and put everything I had into one final attempt and some people today still believe it’s the longest triple jump in history, but it would up being called a foul.” Rutherford got up from his jump, which appeared to surpass the 18.00m mark, and raised both fists triumphantly, anticipating that he leapt into gold medal standing. In the midst of competition, he was caught up in the dissappointment of the final foul call and nearly missed the magnitude of the moment – he had won the country’s first Olympic track and field medal. “I looked over and saw one Bahamian journalist sitting there with tears coming down his eyes and that was the great Brent Stubbs. I tried to figure out what

Brent was crying for because in that moment I was just concerned about that last jump. I was concerned about that gold medal. As they announced it over the loud speaker it set in and the whole stadium became aware of what happened for the Bahamas,” Rutherford said. “The history making of the Bahamas winning its first medal, I had no idea and was lost in the moment once it actually happened, but Brent brought the reality to me because he was the only other journalist that was there and my eyes immediately connected with him in the crowd. It was truly a special moment.” Rutherford was followed by the (soon to be) ‘Golden Girls’ team of Pauline Davis-Thompson, Sevatheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Eldece Clarke-Lewis taking silver in the 4 x 100m relay at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. The 2000 Games in Sydney was the most successful for team Bahamas with three medals - an individual gold for Davis-Thompson in the 200m, the official coronation of the Golden Girls in their signature event and a bronze medal for the emerging men’s 4x400m programme featuring Avard Moncur, Troy McIntosh, Carl Oliver, Tim Munnings and Chris Brown. In 2004 in Athens there was gold from Tonique Williams in the 400m and bronze from Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie in the 200m. Beijing in 2008 saw triple jump return to the forefront with a bronze from Leevan Sands and silver from the men’s 4x400m team of Brown, Michael Mathieu, Andretti Bain, and Andrae Williams. “My inspiration coming up was Elisha Obed, I knew he was the world champion I wanted to be a world champion. A lot of the younger athletes that I meet today when they compete in the US, they know me and they know my accomplishments. I don’t know if anyone explained the historical significance, but they’re aware of it,” he said. “In my opinion it’s really hard for a younger generation to really appreciate historical pivotal life changing moments if it’s not taught in the classroom and if that moment isn’t framed somewhere in your history when people can pass a monument and be reminded of it everyday. “ Despite the impact of his achievement 24 years ago, Rutherford insists the moment has yet to be properly commemorated by the government of the Bahamas. “What I expected did not happen, and I kind of understand why it didn’t. When I won in 1992 our country was going through a political revolution. The country was in a very nasty election cycle so everyone was in serious crazy campaign mode and the country was focused on that. We were, and in many ways still are very politically immature. I was told by my ex-wife at the time that the PLP got on the platform stump and said the they delivered the first Olympic medal and connected my success with theirs,” he said. “I came home on the 9th of Au-

gust, there was a motorcade, there were many Bahamians at the airport but it was very gentle sub-par celebration, but it wasn’t what I expected it to be. Everyone was in that political mood. There was a committee that put together gifts for me, other incentives, but when the government changed, it was taken personal against me. I was turned into a political football. That part of it derailed the magnitude of winning the medal for my country. FNMs were so emboldened that they won the election; they frowned upon me in every aspect. So whatever was initially planned, for whatever reason, much of it never came to fruition.”

Today, Rutherford concentrates his efforts on his Elite Development Programme, which continues to prepare young Bahamian students with an opportunity to further their education through sports in the United States. The programme, based in Houston, Texas includes a star-studded list of alumni includes Devard Darling, Michael Carey, Waltiea Rolle, Mavin Saunders, Alex Cooper and many others. “I see myself as one of those tools that God put in a country to help it evolve into being a world class country. I think what I demonstrated in terms of the hard work, sacrifice and challenging

the system to bring a higher level standard of preparation for our athletes to reach that level was instrumental. It would not have been possible without the vision and support of our forefathers and Sir Lynden Pindling whose mandate was for me to show that Bahamians could go on the world stage and excel in all areas of life, mine just happened to be sport,” Rutherford said. “Even today my image suffers because of the steps I made because of the ultimate confidence to win and succeed at the highest level, but you can’t deny the impact that moment in 1992 has had on track and field and on the country at large.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 4, 2016, PAGE 5

In the NFL this Sunday, ‘they play em but they don’t matter’ THE National Football League’s (NFL) annual “they play em, but they don’t matter” slate of games are scheduled to get underway this Sunday and I, for one, am completely excited because football is finally back after a six-month hiatus. Well certainly this is not the tough-nose, someone might get hurt, style of football we have all grown to love; but nonetheless, football where an opposing offence is allowed to rush the quarterback. Nope, stay calm, there are no predictions, bets or promises to follow. Just simple keys to the preseason and a couple of tidbits you and yours can look out for. NFC EAST A quick reminder here, Josh Norman is now a member of the Washington Redskins and will square off against both Dez Bryant and Odell Beckam Jr twice a year. Also, he will match up against DeSean Jackson every week in practice, a matchup that has already led many to speculate that Norman was somewhat overpaid by Washington. Another factor of note in this division heading into week one of the preseason is quarterback play. In addition to the Eagles trading a king’s ransom to move up to snag Carson Wentz with the second overall pick out of North Dakota State, the return of Tony Romo under centre for the Cowboys and the promotion of Kirk Cousins to “undisputed” starter, all indicates that NFC has opened itself up to an arms race. Already in training camp the Cowboys have lost their back-up quarterback to a broken fibula and are now rummaging the league’s scrap heap hoping to find someone capable of protecting them against a repeat of last year where the team suffered after Romo went down with another broken collar-bone. As if this news wasn’t enough, the Cowboys now find themselves denying reports that Tony Romo turned up to camp nearly 20-pounds overweight after a picture surfaced depicting the quarterback from a not so flattering angle. But according to the team’s executive vice president Stephen Jones, the quarterback is in the best shape he has ever been in. “He’s in great shape,” Jones said to the Star Telegram. “I think he’s in some of the best shape he’s been in. Everybody can always

FOURTH QUARTER PRESS

BY RICARDO WELLSedia.net rwells@tribunem

THE POTENTIAL rehashing of the Legion of Boom glory days with the return of Brandon Browner, the Hawks feel that another SuperBowl run is imminent.

AS if this news wasn’t enough, the Cowboys now find themselves denying reports that Tony Romo turned up to camp nearly 20-pounds overweight after a picture surfaced depicting the quarterback from a not so flattering angle. get a picture taken of you that makes it look different than it is. But Tony is in great shape.” Over in New York, the perennial Super Bowl or bust Giants are said to be rounding into form. According to sources, despite the apparent media silence on the team, players truly feel that the team can make a run at the postseason glory this year behind a balanced offensive attack led by the even-keel Eli Manning. NFC NORTH It is no secret that the offensive line of the Chicago Bears has been resembled a work in progress for many much of the last decade. As the preseason kicks off this weekend, a “work in progress” may just be an understatement. With position placements still up in the year for many of the teams returning lineman, many experts are predicting another long arduous season for Jay Cutler mad the Bears. Over in Detroit, the Lions are poised for a major step back with the surprising retirement of future Hall of Fame WR Calvin Johnson. While the battle on the outside for the second and third WR spots are

terrific, the interior battles matter most in my eyes. According to several league insiders, the team is giving Centre Travis Swanson all the reps he can handle, hoping that the veteran lineman could out pace fellow veteran Gabe Ikard and rookie Graham Glasgow. NFC SOUTH In a division known for miraculous turnarounds, this preseason marks a chance for the once dominant Saints to again state their claim as the best of the South. The reason I am interested in the Saints is out respect for the talent, I think, free agent pickup Nick Fairley still has. The former Lion was snatched up by NOLA to help re-establish the team’s once sturdy pass rush. Throughout the preseason I implore you to keep your eyes on Fairley, as he goes, so will that Saints defense. NFC WEST Everything changed when the Rams went Hollywood. Now the NFC West has a number of must see games. Nope, not those Ram games, the Seattle/Arizona match-ups; obviously.

The key features here are the defensive units for both the Cardinals and Seahawks, specifically the defensive-back units. The potential rehashing of the Legion of Boom glory days with the return of Brandon Browner, the Hawks’ feel that another SuperBowl run is imminent. Down in Arizona, the Cardinals believe that they have the best defensiveback unit in the game. The 2016 preseason will clarify which of the units is more prepared for the regular season. AFC NORTH How do the Steelers progress without Le’Veon Bell for first four games of the year? While this isn’t the only question in the AFC North, it is the biggest. If the Steelers stumble out of the gate to start the year, a slow start could spell doom for their season. I want to see desperately what the team opts to do at the running back position. Last year, DeAngelo Williams performed admirable once Bell went down with an injury, but that was a fresh Williams in the later stages of the NFL season. I fully expect the team to make a move ahead of the regular season to acquire another lead-back to aid with the load left by Bell’s suspension. Moreover in the North, the Browns could truly shock some teams this year. With the signing of Robert Griffin and the return of Josh Gordon, there could be some major fireworks in ‘BelieveLand’ this year. AFC SOUTH This is why the preseason is so important. In a divi-

Tigers’ Martinez returns from DL to hit go-ahead home run By DAVE HOGG Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — J.D. Martinez broke an eighthinning tie with a pinch homer on the first pitch he had faced since June and the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night for their eighth straight victory. Playing for the first time since fracturing his elbow June 16, Martinez received a long standing ovation on his way to the plate to hit for James McCann leading off the inning. The cheers got a lot louder when Martinez launched Chris Sale’s first pitch into the shrubs above the centerfield fence. Martinez took a curtain call after the inning, much to the crowd’s delight. The White Sox put their first two runners on against Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth, and Melky Cabrera moved to third on Justin Morneau’s fly out. Rodriguez struck out Todd Frazier, but walked Avisail Garcia to load the bases. Dioner Navarro grounded out to second to end the game. Sale (14-5) took the loss, allowing two runs on six

DETROIT Tigers’ J.D. Martinez rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale in the eighth inning yesterday in Detroit. (AP) hits in an eight-inning complete game. He walked one and struck out 10. Shane Greene (2-2) got the win after pitching out of a seventh-inning jam, while Rodriguez picked up his 30th save. Rookie Michael Fulmer allowed one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Sale was making his first start against the Tigers since being a late scratch on July 23 — the night he cut up the team’s throwback jerseys. Fulmer and Sale dueled

early, although the rookie was aided by Chicago hitting into three double plays in the first four innings. The Tigers finally broke through in the fourth. Miguel Cabrera led off with a double, Victor Martinez walked and Nick Castellanos hit an RBI double down the right-field line. Sale struck out Justin Upton, and Mike Aviles hit a foul pop down the first-base line. Jose Abreu made a running catch, then turned and easily threw out Victor

Martinez at the plate. Fulmer kept rolling until the sixth, when Morneau tied the game with a long two-out homer to rightcenter. Morneau has hit two of his three homers this season off Fulmer. Frazier walked on four pitches and Fulmer hit Garcia, bringing Greene out of the Tigers bullpen to end the rally. Frazier and Garcia were the 10th and 11th runners inherited by Greene this season, with none having scored.

HOW do the Steelers progress without Le’Veon Bell for first four games of the year? sion like this where there are so many questions to be answered, the preseason offers pundits a peek at the key answers. At this point, I am uncertain of just how good Andrew Luck and Marcus Mariota will be this year. While playing time for both would be sparse over the next four weeks, those small glimmers might tip us off on what to expect this year. Also, the Texans made a lot of changes. This is where we would see the first signs of whether those decisions were best or not.

preseason games, I wished they had six to play. Mark my words, the Raiders will be the most exciting preseason team. While I am not predicting an undefeated run in the preseason, the overall youth of the team will allow the Raiders to compete with every unit it rolls out.

AFC WEST The Raiders have four

Enjoy the preseason ladies and gentlemen!

AFC EAST Let’s keep this brief: 1) Fitzpatrick is back. 2) Brady will give way to Jimmy G for first team reps. 3) Rex is still Rex. 4) The Dolphins still suck.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STANDINGS

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 4, 2016, PAGE 7

PELE SAYS HE WAS INVITED TO LIGHT OLYMPICS CAULDRON

Olympics begin with Sweden beating South Africa in soccer By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The first Olympics in Brazil are underway — aptly with a game of soccer in the sport’s spiritual home. Just not a very memorable one. Sweden’s women beat South Africa 1-0 in a drab group-stage game yesterday in front of a sparse crowd of only a couple of thousand spectators in Rio de Janeiro. It was settled by veteran defender Nilla Fischer opening her third Olympics by scoring in the 75th minute. The Olympic Stadium was far fuller and more boisterous later in the day when the hosts were in action. Brazil’s women began their quest for a first Olympic soccer title against China, a day before the men’s team opens against South Africa in the capital Brasilia. Organisers will be hoping the 14 soccer games being played over yesterday and today will see excitement build ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium, which hosted the World Cup final two years ago. The Olympic flame is now in Rio, ready for the lighting of the cauldron

By MAURICIO SAVARESE Associated Press

stopped the relay on Tuesday in Sao Goncalo, one of the poorest cities of greater Rio, in a sign of the strife that threatens to disrupt movement around the games venues. Police used tear gas yesterday in further clashes as the torch was paraded through the streets of Rio. Protesters are demanding improvements in education and healthcare, with some angered by the 39.1 billion Brazilian reals ($12 billion) — a mix of public and private money — being spent on building venues and infrastructure for the Olympics. Brazil embarked on its Olympics bid at a time of prosperity in 2006, but the games are opening with the country in the grip of its worst recession in decades. The opening event of the Olympics was staged in a venue with a tainted association. The Olympic Stadium is also known as Joao Havelange Stadium, named after the 100-year-old Brazilian who led soccer’s governing body FIFA for 24 years. Havelange stepped down as honourary president of FIFA in 2013 to avoid possible suspension for taking kickbacks. Soccer will make way for track and field in the stadium from August 12.

SWEDEN’S CAROLINE SEGER, right, and South Africa’s Refiloe Jane fight for the ball during the opening match of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at the Rio Olympic Stadium in Brazil yesterday. (AP) on Friday. The torch relay, which began with a ceremonial lighting in Ancient Olympia, Greece in April, hitched a ride on a tour boat to reach the first city in South America to host the Olympics. A protest involving 50 people

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Three-time World Cup champion Pele says he was invited to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, but sponsorship deals could stop him from performing the prestigious task. Speaking at an event in Rio, Pele said he was invited to light the cauldron by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Rio 2016 organising committee chairman Carlos Arthur Nuzman. Philip Wilkinson, a spokesman for the Rio 2016 organising committee, did not confirm the information, saying the identity of the person lighting the cauldron was supposed to be a surprise. Pele, 75, said he has a commitment to a sponsor that would make him travel on Friday, the day of the opening ceremony. The Brazilian said Nuzman

THe WeaTHer repOrT

5-Day Forecast

TOday

OrlandO

High: 90° F/32° C low: 75° F/24° C

Tampa

FrIday

saTurday

sunday

mOnday

Partial sunshine

Partly cloudy

Partly sunny

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Some sun with a t‑shower in spots

Partly sunny, a t‑shower in spots

High: 92°

Low: 79°

High: 92° Low: 80°

High: 92° Low: 78°

High: 90° Low: 80°

High: 90° Low: 81°

AccuWeather RealFeel

107° F

88° F

106°-87° F

108°-92° F

112°-95° F

112°-93° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

aBaCO

High: 87° F/31° C low: 81° F/27° C

7‑14 knots

High: 90° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C

6‑12 knots

FT. lauderdale

FreepOrT

High: 89° F/32° C low: 80° F/27° C

W S

WesT palm BeaCH

uV inDex toDay

TOnIGHT

High: 88° F/31° C low: 78° F/26° C

High: 89° F/32° C low: 78° F/26° C

mIamI

High: 89° F/32° C low: 78° F/26° C

6‑12 knots

Key WesT

High: 89° F/32° C low: 82° F/28° C

nassau

High: 86° F/30° C low: 81° F/27° C

N E

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

9:43 a.m. 10:04 p.m.

3.0 3.4

3:40 a.m. 3:46 p.m.

0.0 0.1

Friday

10:27 a.m. 10:45 p.m.

3.0 3.3

4:22 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

0.1 0.2

Saturday

11:11 a.m. 11:27 p.m.

3.0 3.1

5:03 a.m. 5:15 p.m.

0.2 0.3

Sunday

11:54 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.9 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:43 a.m. 6:00 p.m.

0.3 0.5

Monday

12:08 a.m. 12:39 p.m.

2.9 2.8

6:23 a.m. 6:47 p.m.

0.4 0.6

Tuesday

12:51 a.m. 1:27 p.m.

2.7 2.8

7:06 a.m. 7:38 p.m.

0.5 0.7

Wednesday 1:38 a.m. 2:18 p.m.

2.6 2.7

7:51 a.m. 8:33 p.m.

0.6 0.8

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:39 a.m. 7:53 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:14 a.m. 9:11 p.m.

First

Full

last

new

aug. 10

aug. 18

aug. 24

sep. 1

CaT Island

High: 85° F/29° C low: 79° F/26° C

7‑14 knots

7‑14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 91° F/33° C Low .................................................... 79° F/26° C Normal high ....................................... 89° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 76° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 90° F/32° C Last year’s low ................................... 75° F/24° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 25.47” Normal year to date ................................... 20.39”

eleuTHera

High: 92° F/33° C low: 79° F/26° C

invited him in person and Bach called him to do the same. “I need to solve the travel issue. It is an international commitment with an English company. But I would love to (light the cauldron),” Pele said. “If I manage to change (the travel plans), I would like to have the honour to light it.” Almost two weeks ago Pele held the Olympic flame in Santos, the city in the outskirts of Sao Paulo where he started his football career. He never took part in the Games. In 2004, Pele carried the Athens Games torch in Rio and wept as he did it. At the time, he said that one of the few regrets of his successful career was to never have played at the Olympic Games. Brazilian media reported in recent weeks that three retirees were the favourites to light the cauldron at the Maracana stadium on Friday: Pele, sailor Torben Grael and tennis player Gustavo Kuerten.

andrOs

san salVadOr

GreaT eXuma

High: 85° F/29° C low: 79° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C low: 79° F/26° C

High: 88° F/31° C low: 81° F/27° C

W S

lOnG Island

insurance management tracking map

High: 85° F/29° C low: 79° F/26° C

7‑14 knots

mayaGuana High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CrOOKed Island / aCKlIns raGGed Island High: 85° F/29° C low: 79° F/26° C

GreaT InaGua High: 88° F/31° C low: 81° F/27° C

N E

High: 85° F/29° C low: 79° F/26° C

8‑16 knots

marine Forecast aBaCO andrOs CaT Island CrOOKed Island eleuTHera FreepOrT GreaT eXuma GreaT InaGua lOnG Island mayaGuana nassau raGGed Island san salVadOr

Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday:

WINDS S at 6‑12 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots SSE at 7‑14 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots

WAVES 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 85° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 85° F 84° F 82° F 82° F 85° F 85° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 86° F 86° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 82° F