Dopage : piqûre de rappel pour la NBA

La NBA serait-elle gangrénée par le dopage ? 

 

Le basket-ball a longtemps été considéré comme un sport dans lequel le dopage n’avait pas lieu d’être. Pourtant, des études récentes tendent à prouver que ce sport ne serait pas à l’abri de cette pratique. La récente suspension de Hedo Turkoglu, un joueur des Orlando Magic, pour utilisation de stéroïdes anabolisants a relancé le débat sur le dopage dans la NBA.

Aujourd’hui, dans tous les sports, la science contribue à améliorer les performances des athlètes par le biais de produits interdits comme la testostérone, l’EPO, les hormones de croissance ou les stéroïdes anabolisants. Ces produits contribuent principalement à la prise de masse musculaire rapide, ce qui nuit aux performances des basketteurs qui ont besoin de dextérité, d’endurance et de rapidité. Mais, en limitant les doses prises, les sportifs peuvent bénéficier d’une récupération physique accrue tout en profitant d’une prise de masse musculaire indétectable. De plus, les produits dopants sont souvent utilisés pendant les périodes d'entraînement estivales précédant la saison régulière. En effet pendant ces périodes difficiles les basketteurs sont soumis à des charges de travail très importantes. Le dopage leur permettrait alors d’améliorer leur performance, en évitant l’accumulation de fatigue et en permettant une récupération physique rapide. Par conséquent on peut se demander si le déni de l’utilisation du dopage dans le basket-ball est réellement fondé. 

Confrontés à des critiques de plus en plus virulentes, les instances dirigeantes de la NBA et le syndicat des joueurs de NBA ont dû réagir en augmentant les contrôles portant sur la prise d’hormones de croissance. Ils ont donc décidé d’imposer aux joueurs 3 tests sanguins par saison (2 pendant la saison régulière et un pendant la pré-saison). De lourdes sanctions seront appliquées en cas d’infraction (une interdiction de jouer pendant les 20 prochains matchs de son équipe pour une première infraction, 45 matchs pour une récidive et une radiation à vie de la NBA pour une multirécidive). Cependant ces mesures semblent dérisoires comparées à celles prises dans d’autres sports tels que la natation, le cyclisme ou le football. L’omerta sur ce sujet semble encore bien présente au sein de la ligue de basket-ball la plus populaire au monde.

Afin de répondre au désir de transparence du public américain, la NBA va devoir renforcer les contrôles pour garder une certaine légitimité.

Antonin Vorkaufer et Alexandre Marx

Bibliographie :
http://www.nba.com/2015/news/04/16/nba-and-nbpa-to-introduce-hgh-blood-testing/
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/54045/three-nba-doping-myths
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/41666640/

¡MURIÓ JONAH LOMU, UN SÍMBOLO DEL RUGBÍ MUNDIAL!

Antiguo jugador del neozelandés, Jonah Lomu, falleció el 18 de noviembre de 2015 a los 40 años como consecuencia de una larga enfermedad renal. Lomu murió de manera imprevista en su Auckland natal, según informaron su familia y la Federación de Rugbí de su país. "Fue algo totalmente inesperado, Jonah y su familia habían regresado anoche del Reino Unido", declaró al canal TV3 el portavoz de su familia, John Mayhew.

Un físico que cambió el rugbí

Lomu revolucionó el mundo del rugby en el 18 de junio de 1995. Durante décadas, dos familias se mezclaban en el mismo campo de rugbí: por un lado delanteros, gordos, forzudos y con una fuerza tosca, por otro lado, tres cuartos, rápidos y con figuras esbeltas. Pero, aquel día, a la semifinal contra Inglaterra, los fan del rugbí descubrieron Jonah Lomu. 

Se desmarcó por su velocidad et su estatura. Con 1,96 m y 120 kg, era capaz de correr los cien metros en menos de 11 segundos. Con cuatros ensayos en un partido de la Copa de Mundo contra Inglaterra entra en la historia. Marcó 15 ensayos en los dos mundiales que jugó entre 1996 y 2002. En 2004, Lomu recibió un transplante de riñón que lo dejó afuera de las canchas entre 2002 y 2006. Algunos meses después, con la ayuda de su esposa, que es también su agente, volvió a la competición, pero a pesar de los esfuerzos, no pudo volver en los rangos de All Blacks para jugar la Copa del Mundo 2007. 

Una multitud rindió homenaje a Jonah Lomu 

Miles de personas realizaron el tradicional ritual maorí del haka en homenaje a la leyenda del rugbí en el Eden Park de Auckland, ciudadela de los All Blacks. “No hay mejor lugar para despedirse de Jonah Lomu, explicó un antiguo entrenador de rugbí, John Hart. La ceremonia, previa a un funeral privado fue transmitida en directo por las principales televisiones neozelandesas. 

El gigante Lomu quedará hondamente grabado en la memoria y en el corazón de los fan del rugbí.

Mathile Peyret y Mariam Karkarashvili

Fuentes :
http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/jonah-lomu-honore-lors-d-une-ceremonie-poignante-a-l-eden-park-d-auckland_sto5009455/story.shtml
http://www.lemonde.fr/rugby/article/2015/11/18/jonah-lomu-icone-neo-zelandaise-du-rugby-est-mort_4812232_1616937.html
http://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2007/08/25/jonah-lomu-l-etoile-filante-du-rugby_947525_3242.html

Do Iron Men Rust Faster Than Others ?

It's a common spelling that sport is a boon for health, but is it really the case that the more we practice, the better we are ?

 

Everyone knows the famous hero of Marvel comics, Iron Man, who is gifted with great powers thanks to his self made iron suit. In the real world some men, even if they can't fly, are nevertheless capable of physical performances which are quite impressive.

These men bear the same name of this famous avenger of steel and they achieve probably the most difficult sportive event of all time : 3.8km of swimming, 180km of cycling and a marathon - that is to say 42km of running - including the equipement exchanged and all of this without resting between the events. This discipline, viewed as a bit insane for many, was born in 1977 when John Collins, a commander Navy, created it to reconcile the opinions of his cyclist, runner and swimmer friends each of whom thought their own discipline the most difficult.

Since then the challenge has become more and more popular, and each year new « Iron Men » emmerge everywhere in the world. Some of these are ordinary athletes who become legends, like Mark Allen who holds the title of world champion for the longest time with his own record of 8 hours 7 minutes and 46 seconds, or Paula Newby Fraser who who has been proclaimed 8 times.

Countless studies have shown that sports are a boon for health. It prevents the occurence of diseases, brings peace and happiness and lengthens life. But do these beneficial effects increase with the practice of sport ? Experts would say apparently not. It seems to be merely a U curve, according to an American study published in 2012, which shows that athletes running more than 32km per week, begin to see their life expectancy decreasing. Iron Men are capable of impressive feats, one must ask the affect of this extreme sport on the human body.

These atheltes live only for their next challenge and often sacrifice their family life for their training, which often lead them to social isolation. Moreover, the human immune system weakens after very demanding sportive activities, and the risk of contracting a pulmonary infection is multiplied by six. These extreme races are dangerous in and of themselves. The most common hazard is the physical collapse which occurs during the race and can lead to coma or even death. Overhydratation and a drastic fall in bood sodium levels can also be threatening. Despite the dangers and the warnings of medical professional, these adrenaline addict extreme sportmen are passionately devoted to this challenge which brings them a real sense of accomplishment. Despite the fact that not all of us are able to survive such hardships, they also embody a real message of equality.

Indeed, some Iron Man champions bear their titles very well. Dominique Benassi has an iron prosthesis in place of his right leg and has this year been crowned in wordchampion for the fourteenth time, in the Handisport category. He finished 1584th out at 2300 competitors, ahead of valid triathlets. This is a huge sign of inspiation and motivation for all who have lost a limb, Benassi proved that despite this handicap everything remains possible.

Gabriel Vallejo and Alexandre Mignucci

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcsOPDITgvw

http://leplus.nouvelobs.com/contribution/550082-marathon-triathlon-ironman-quand-le-sport-peut-devenir-une-menace-pour-la-sante.html

http://www.linternaute.com/sport/dossier/triathlon/ironman/presentation.shtml

http://www.lactualite.com/opinions/le-blogue-dalain-vadeboncoeur/liron-man-bon-pour-la-sante/

Super Bowl = Super Business ?

Super Bowl = Super Business ?

The Super Bowl is still a championship game, but the business side has been growing significantly for years.

By Thomas Grousson & Jonathan Champagne

The Super Bowl is THE opportunity for TV channels to make money.

$4 million was the price of a 30 second ad during the 2014 Super Bowl. And the cost has increased by more than 50% since 2007.

Despite the cost, the biggest international brands struggle to place their commercials.

Altogether, ads represent more than $250 million for the TV channel broadcasting the game. Almost 70 different ads are broadcast representing about 50 minutes of the Super Bowl.

“The best thing about the Super Bowl is the ads.”  bbc.com

In fact, one quarter of the people who watch the game are only focused on the ads. Nearly half of women watching the game tune in for commercials.

But another crucial ingredient to a successful Super Bowl is the show on and around the field. Out of 4 hours and 30 minutes of broadcast time, only one hour is devoted to active game time.

The halftime show, which lasts 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes in a regular game, is utterly spectacular with unbelievable special effects, a temporary stage and a huge concert featuring famous singers like The Black Eyed Peas, Janet Jackson or even Bruno Mars. Not surprisingly, the TV audience increases by 20% during halftime.

Even the National Football League (NFL) earns a lot of money.  The average price for a seat during the 2014 matchup was $3,000, although some people spent up to $300,000.

Moreover, a lot of food is eaten during the game, which makes Super Bowl day the second most important one for food consumption after Thanksgiving. For example, inside the sports arena and during the Super Bowl, 1.25 billion chicken wings, 2,000 Kgs of hot dogs, 1,000 nut boxes and 11 million pounds of crisps are eaten up.

Did you know?

The NFL earns $7 billion per year by selling TV rights.

The Super Bowl is broadcast in 182 countries.

It has never snowed during a Super Bowl and 2007 was the first time it rained.

Players on the winning team get a bonus of $92,000 while the losing team gets half that amount.

In the USA, more parties are organized for the Super Bowl than for New Year’s Eve.

The trophy given to the winning team is called the “Vince Lombardi” in tribute to the famous coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Tickets to the 1967 Super Bowl cost only $6 to $12.

Die Rhum-Regatta

Die Rhum-Regatta

Charlotte Flory 

Jetzt startet die 10. Auflage dieses Traditionalen Rennens, eine Regatta in der Einzelwettfahrt zwischen Saint-Malo und Pointe-à-Pitre. Eine Regatta mit versteckt Herausforderungen.

Die berühmte Rum-Regatta startet in St Malo und ist von der Bretagne in die Karibik. Am 2ten November haben die 91 Schiffe den St Malo Hafen verlassen, um das 10te Mal nach Guadeloupe zu segeln. Dieses Rennen ist sehr frei: alle Boote können sich beteiligen, egal ob sie groß oder klein sind. Die Teilnehmer sind alle sehr verschieden: sie können entweder Leistungssportler oder sogar Amateursportler, von 19 bis 75 Jahren, Mann oder Frau, französisch oder ausländisch sein.

« Ich habe während 48 Stunden nicht geschlafen… Es war Zeit, dass es endet! In jedem Fall war der Rum an der Ankunft sehr gut. Es war wirklich intensive! Ich erinnere mich nicht um eine Pause. Intensiv, anspruchsvoll, aber wundervoll Regatta. » Jean-Christophe Caso, Skipper in 2014

Dieses Rennen wurde ins Leben gerufen, um Werbung für den Rum zu machen. Es wurde von « le Syndicat des Producteurs de Sucre du Rhum des Antilles » der Rum Produktionsgemeinschaft organisiert. In Jahre 1978 hat der Gewinner für die erste Ausgabe in 23 Tagen die Regatta beendet, während der Gewinner heutzutage weniger als 8 Tage braucht, um 6500 km zu segeln.

Viele Leute, Begeisterte aber auch Neugierige kommen, um die Schiffe zu sehen und träumen. Der Start hat beinahe 2 Millionen Besucher in Saint Malo angezogen. Dieses Rennen ist ein Augenblick des Außergewöhnlichen. Als berühmte Regatta interessiert sie die Begabtesten in Segeln und also viel Sponsoren auch. Ein Zeichen für diesen Erfolg ? Zum Beispiel gab es für das letzte Rennen 800 Journalisten und sie haben 88 Stunden für das Fernsehen, 58 Stunden für das Radio aufgenommen und mehr als 5000 Artikel wurden geschrieben.

Tourist vs Ein wirtschaftliches und technologisches Performance

Aber diese Regatta ist nicht nur ein sportliches Event. Die direkten ökonomischen Auswirkungen für die Tourismusbranche werden auf 30 Millionen Euro geschätzt. Es ist auch eine wirtschaftliche und hochtechnologisierte Herausforderung und dies umso mehr, dass die Bretagne besonders von der Wirtschafts- und Bankkrise (besonders der Lebensmittelsektor) betroffen wurde. Ihre Schifffahrtstechnik und derer Spitzentechnologie haben sich entwickelt. Tatsächlich werden 90% den Schiffen, die mehr als 50 Fuss lange sind, in der Bretagne gebaut.

Dieses Rennen erlaubt auch die Beförderung von der Innovation in der Bretagne. Übrigens wird sie als "Sailing Valley" bezeichnet. Die Zunahme der Regatta wie The Volvo Race, Le Trophée Jules Vernes... trägt zu der wirtschaftlichen Belebung der Region bei. Die Gesamtheit dieser 110 Unternehmen erzielt einen Umsatz von 180 Millionen Euros und diese Branche stellt weiter ein.

Als touristisches, sportliches und hochtechnologisiertes Event ist es vor allem notwendig für die Bretagne und besonders für Saint Malo geworden.

Sources:

http://www.lemonde.fr/sport/visuel/2014/10/31/la-recette-gagnante-de-la-route-du-rhum_4515858_3242.html

http://www.routedurhum.com/fr/s02_corporate/s02p00_course.php

http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bretagne/2014/10/31/route-du-rhum-le-plan-d-emplacement-des-bateaux-pour-la-derniere-journee-quai-582203.html

http://tvmag.lefigaro.fr/programme-tv/article/television/84360/la-route-du-rhum-course-mythique-et-tactique-.html

http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/economie/20141031.OBS3769/route-du-rhum-la-sailing-valley-au-secours-de-la-bretagne.html

http://www.leparisien.fr/flash-actualite-economie/route-du-rhum-grande-maree-de-retombees-economiques-pour-saint-malo-28-10-2014-4248079.php#xtref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.fr%2F

http://www.guadeloupe.cci.fr/fileadmin/document/S_informer/Etudes_eCONOMIQUES/Les_retombees_economiques_et_sociales_RDR_Version_finale.pdf

The European football exodus

The European football exodus

Anna Jolivet et Hermann Graf von Westerholt

Why David Beckham, Thierry Henry  and Samuel Eto’o have decided to spend the autumn of their careers abroad.

Home to some of the world's finest clubs in professional football, Europe has established its status as “the promised land” among young footballers. In 2013, a survey showed that nearly 40% of the players in 31 European leagues were foreigners. Regardless of their origins, these sportsmen come to Germany, England and Spain to pursue their careers and to compete with other players at the top of their game. At the same time, very few Europeans leave the continent to start their careers.

Recently, more “exotic” destinations, like emerging countries in Africa and Asia, have started to attract European footballers who are past their peak and looking for a comfortable, lucrative way to end their careers. The same goes for the United States where public interest in soccer has grown rapidly since the 1994 World Cup final took place in Pasadena, CA.

But since the skill level of clubs in the USA, Africa and Asia is markedly lower than in European leagues, club owners are forced to pay more to sign former stars. If it were not for the money, big names like David Beckham, Thierry Henry or Samuel Eto’o would never have agreed to « waste » their talent in the American MLS or the Russian Premier League.

Samuel Eto’o became the highest paid football player in the world with a salary of €20M per year, or, as he called it, « an offer corresponding to my talents »  - when he joined Anzhi Makhatchkala in 2011. However, Eto’o had to return to the English Premier League in 2013, moving to Chelsea London when Suleiman Kerimov, Anzhi Makhatchkala’s Russian owner, announced plans to drastically cut back on investments. This example shows that most of the transfers in question are initiated by super-rich club owners whose interest in football as a long-term business investment may be limited.

A perfect counter-example of this is David Beckham’s transfer from Real Madrid to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. Despite his fixed salary of around €5M being comparatively low,     « Becks » was able to secure exclusive rights to the use of his image as well as some other huge publicity deals. In total, the “Beckham brand” earned him around €90 million between 2002 and 2009. As most of his income was based on publicity, Beckham himself had considerable interest in keeping his sponsors happy. His sponsors, in turn, seemed to be quite satisfied with the « Spice Boy’s » move to LA.  Beckham’s continued success on the pitch, and the hype he generated, granted them access to new, unexploited markets. Thus, it comes as no surprise that this partnership lasted longer than Eto’o’s adventure in Russia.

Shining stars of the profession are not the only inviduals that are drawn away from their homeland to answer the call of money. In India, some agents have specialized in drafting aging French first and second division players, paying them up to $80,000 per season. In addition to higher salaries, these players are also offered attractive short-term contracts allowing them to return to Europe as soon as other offers become available. The fact that the Indian season starts in October and ends in December makes it even more attractive for both players and investorsm as the risks are limited.

Samuel Eto'o salutes the crowd with his team mate Thierry Henry as he celebrates scoring his side's sixth goal during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Malaga at the Camp Nou Stadium on March 22, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-marche-fou-des-joueurs-en-8-chiffres/433917

http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/media_kit/keystatistics/

http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/sport/20111214.OBS6669/anelka-eto-o-henry-les-delocalises-du-football-europeen.html

http://www.footmercato.net/autre-championnat/anzhi-samuel-eto-o-assume-son-salaire-et-annonce-l-arrivee-prochaine-de-grands-noms_75057

http://afriquefoot.rfi.fr/20130807-samuel-etoo-devenu-trop-cher-anzhi-makhatchkala-russie/

http://fr.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/109/579/index.html

http://lexpansion.lexpress.fr/actualite-economique/beckham-une-marque-qui-rapporte-gros_1434217.html

http://sport24.lefigaro.fr/le-scan-sport/business/2014/08/21/27004-20140821ARTFIG00316-pourquoi-le-nouveau-championnat-indien-attire-les-joueurs-etrangers.php

La Route du Rhum: the Spirit of Liberty

 La Route du Rhum: the Spirit of Liberty

Last November 2^nd, 90 navigators set sail on one of the most prestigious regattas in the world

              Boats racing on La Route du Rhum

It’s not surprising that more than 60,000 people watched the departure of the race at Cap Fréhel near Saint Malo in western France. La Route du Rhum is one of the four greatest regattas,  and the only multihull long-distance race in the world!

The race has taken place every four years since 1978. It starts in north Brittany and finishes on the French island of Guadeloupe. The contenders travel at least 3500 nautical miles (5700 km), and sometimes up 4500 miles depending on wind and sea conditions. Competitors are divided into 5 categories depending on their boat’s size and type.

        La Route du Rhum’s paths participants choose

Boats used in the race are studied by groups of researchers and engineers for months preceding the event.  Even if the budget is a hundred times bigger for the best-funded competitors, every boat is carefully examined. The shape of the hull is particularly important as it determines the amount of friction with the sea. Moreover, since participants are alone on their boats and have to sail for more than 2 weeks, they are all equipped with automatic pilots. Some of theses auto pilots use state of the art technology that can, for instance, use waves to gain speed by surfing on them.

Why is La Route du Rhum so popular? The first key to the race’s success lies in the diversity of its participants.  The strongest contenders are obviously professionals but most participants are amateurs. Any mechanic, baker or salesman can take part in this adventure. Secondly, the short duration of this race makes it more intense. For one week, it is all that some people talk about! Moreover, the race is well known for its sudden developments. This year, 18% of the competitors abandoned in the first three days! One boat was broken in half two by a cargo vessel. And another was struck by lightning.

But racers are willing to take these risks because, although losers stay anonymous,  winners are instantly pushed into the spotlights and their names become the headlines of the most prestigious sailing magazines.

                                                                                   

Did you know...?

In 1978, for the first edition of the race, Michel Malinovski was still in first place a few miles from the finish line. Indeed, he was the first racer to see la Guadeloupe.

However, Micheal Birch catched up on him very quickly. He overtook Malinovski just before the end of the race and won this first edition. Malinovski arrived only 98 seconds later…

A legend was born!