Sport

Sastre’s victory in Tour De France emphasizes Spain’s current domination in world sport



BY GEORGE KAGAME



Sport is one of the unique social features that can identify with and also announce the 'arrival' of a major power player among nations in the wider world of international relations.
Therefore, it was with no surprise that five years after the end of the cold war, the supposed victor of that long grueling and sad episode of civilization-US, was given the right to host the 1994 World Cup, four years after the collapse of the Berlin wall in 1989.

Sport is also currently announcing the arrival of another episode of civilization, China, which is tipped by many observers to be the next super power of world politics is hosting this year's Olympic championships beginning next week. And that country has already befitted from wide inches of space in international media thanks to the Olympics.
This is not about China however, it is about Spain. Two years ago, Spanish clubs were playing eye catching football in the European Champions’ league that had Roman Abramovich at Chelsea jealous.

The nature of their flamboyant attacking football was expressed in the character and personality of a Ronaldinho inspired Barcelona-appearing to be able to play the 'beauty and the beast' with equal competence.

Spain's dominance of world sport was also evident during that time when Fernando Alonzo dominated Formulae one and Rafael Nadal rivaled Roger Federer in tennis, Federer considered by many modern tennis experts as the greatest of that sport. 2008 began on a high for Spain, Spanish club were not playing impressively in Europe, but Spanish players were very instrumental in the performance of other major clubs in Europe, the high profile of Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal were primary evidence in that category. Right after the end European football club there was again Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, then football's European Championship, then Nadal at Wimbledon. And last week it was Carlos Sastre who continued Spain's rampant run of sporting success this year with a victory in the Tour de France as stunning as it was unexpected.
During the European Championship, it was noted that the Spanish victory with Aragones at the top was a high personal victory, it also fulfilled the long standing dream of Spain to emulate Real Madrid in football terms was the ultimate dream game of a neutral fan.
The victory of last week of Spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre in the grueling Tour De France it was another Spanish conquest in world sport and it was not just any ordinary achievement as the tour has in recent years suffered the bad publicity of positive doping tests for its most recent victors.
Satre’s victory, it was reported, came with no allegations of drugs and hopefully that will be copied by other mainstream sports disciplines like short distance athletics.

Keane, latest jigsaw in Liverpool puzzle

Robbie Keane has toiled his way through many premiership games since his courtship with Inter Milan in the late 1990s. From running the midfield in the brilliant midfield that was assembled by David O’leary at Leeds United to leading Totenham Hotspur’s title challenge in the last couple of years.
Last week, the Irishman made another move to Liverpool after a good season at the Lane.
Apart from the little problem of finding space in Rafael Benitez squad which is already bulging, Keane will have to deal with increased expectations. Fitting into a system in which either he or Steven Gerrard will seemingly have to yield up their preferred offensive central role.

ENDS
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