Chef de mission Kitty Chiller said the problems included “blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring”, with the first Australian athletes to arrive, on July 21, living in hotels due to the state of the village. Chiller said some village apartments had water running down the walls and “a strong smell of gas,” while stairwells were unlit and floors were in need of a massive clean.New Zealand’s Olympic Committee encountered similar problems upon arrival in Rio a week ago. They themselves had to turn handymen to fix several issues, including plumbing. “There was more work than we anticipated,” chef de mission Rob Waddell said.”We are shifting into buildings where they are still working through some of the minor things like the plumbing, the shower curtains and taps. Given the scale of the size of the team, there is quite a bit of detail to work through and make sure everything is fixed and ready.”The first Australian athletes, boxers and canoeists, were scheduled to move into the village on Sunday. “From what we’ve seen,” an AOC spokesman said, “you wouldn’t put people in there yet.” Chiller, who would reassess the situation later on Sunday, said she had raised concerns on a daily basis with the organisers and the International Olympic Committee, and was “pushing hard for a solution”.Extra maintenance staff and more than 1000 cleaners had been engaged to fix the problems and clean the village, Chiller said, but the faults, particularly the plumbing issues, had not been resolved.Such issues are not uncommon in Brazil, where narrow pipes and poor plumbing mean residents throw toilet paper in bins rather than flush it away.Rio 2016 organisers did not respond to requests for comment but one official told Reuters they were aware of problems and were working to resolve them.”There are lights, beds, air conditioning, but we still lack a few details,” the source said on condition of anonymity.”There really are last-minute details to finish but it will be done this week.”Chiller said Great Britain has also encountered problems in the village, but Team GB’s communications director Scott Field downplayed those.An advance team from the UK had been in Rio for days but found only minor problems with plumbing and electrics.”We are confident that our accommodation is ready to receive athletes and will be to the highest standards within the Village,” Field said.”Whilst we have encountered some maintenance difficulties this is not uncommon with new build structures of this type and we have been working hard to overcome them.”Australia’s criticism is just the latest in a long list of critiques of Rio’s preparations: AOC boss John Coates once called Rio’s preparations the “worst ever”, while Chiller has been critical of security, especially following the recent gunpoint robbery of Australian Paralympian Liesl Tesch.Rio de Janeiro’s mayor Eduardo Paes fired back on Monday morning (NZ Time), saying the city’s athletes’ village was nicer than Sydney’s was in 2000.In a nod to the ongoing spat with the Australians, he added: “I almost feel like putting a kangaroo in front of their building to make them feel at home.”The unfinished state of the athletes village confirms some of the worst fears held about Rio’s lack of preparedness for the Games.All Olympic cities end up in a last-minute flurry, but from accounts, Rio has left too much to too late.This builds on an impression formed by visitors to the World Cup of soccer in Brazil two years ago, that infrastructure would prove to be a big and perhaps insurmountable issue for the Olympic Games.The timing of this latest drama is unfortunate, to say the least. All eyes were turning to Rio on Sunday as the IOC convened to consider throwing Russia out of the Games – eventually deciding not to issue a blanket ban on Russian athletes, despite a damning report on wholesale and state-sponsored doping up to and including the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. In a small off-set, the AOC generally is satisfied with what it has seen so far of the level of security at the athletes’ village and in Rio generally.
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Team PNG youth return with higher goals
Despite returning without a medal this time round, the team was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games and have set higher future goals for themselves.“The main purpose for Team PNG was to expose our young athletes to a higher level of competition and a multi-sport Games environment, and each of them achieved that which is a great building block for the future,” said Team PNG Chef de Mission, Michael Henao.He said the opportunity gave them a high level Games experience which is a great build up for future senior events such as the 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2019 Pacific Games and the 2020 Olympics.Some of these young athletes will also have a chance to attend the Youth Olympic Games towards the end of 2018.Meantime, the team finished the Games with swimmers, Ryan Maskelyne and Ebony Tkatchenko really strong in their events with Maskelyne posting a Personal Best in the 100m breaststroke heats, and going into the finals with the fifth fastest time.Like her team mate, Tkatchenko, the youngest of Team PNG contingent, also missed out on a medal but drew much praise from her coach, Greg Fasala.“She has so much potential,” he said.Flag bearer, Mathew Stubbings’ aim of making a quarter finals finish in Tennis were dashed when he went down to his Indian opponent who was the number one ranked player in the tournament.Combining with Patricia Apisah for the mixed doubles, they could not repeat PNG’s medal feat from the last Games but were still pleased with their efforts.Sprinter, Lawrence Lamond ran the 200m dash and finished 7th in his heat with a time of 23.63 but it was not enough to get him into the semi-finals. His athletics teammate, Letisha Pukaikia, also ran the 200m and clocked 26.40 but her time too was not enough to get into the women’s semi-finals.Beach volleyballers, Damien Aisi and Tonnie Gima played St Lucia for 7th place and won in two straight sets (21-8 and 21-9) to restore some pride. It was a grand finish for the two young men who, like the rest of the team, had been digging deep all week.Henao congratulated the athletes on their efforts and encouraged them to use the experience to push them further in achieving their individual goals.In transit on his way to Kimbe, young sprinter, Lamond summed it up by saying “it was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. I know the standard of my international competition and how much I need to improve. I’m going to work even harder now.”Henao thanked sponsors for Team PNG and also appealed to the national government to provide funding for sports so that PNG can continue to excel at international events.
Man City top of English Premier League after beating Fulham
Tim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’ P260,000 each in aid to displaced Marawi folk released by US Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Among its remaining seven games, City still has to play a resurgent Manchester United and third-placed Tottenham.“Seven games left for the Premier League, and it’s easy — we have to win every game to be champions,” Guardiola said. “We have a tough, tough opponent (Liverpool). But that’s the challenge.”Fulham is 13 points from safety with 18 points to play for.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Fulham defender Joe Bryan even helped City with its second goal in the 27th.Bryan’s slack attempt to pass the ball back to Calum Chambers was intercepted and Bernardo Silva squared to Aguero, who struck past goalkeeper Sergio Rico for his 19th league goal.With a comfortable lead and little threat from Fulham, City could afford its finishing being wayward after the break when Aguero came off injured.“He says he felt something, but hopefully he’s not injured,” Guardiola said. “He decided on not continuing. Hopefully it will not be a big issue.”Next up is another game against relegation-threatened opposition, with Cardiff going to City on Wednesday.ADVERTISEMENT Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Manchester City at Craven Cottage stadium in London, Saturday, March 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)LONDON — Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero sent Manchester City back to the top of the English Premier League after being gifted goals by Fulham to seal a 2-0 victory on Saturday.City moved a point ahead of Liverpool, which hosts Tottenham on Sunday but will have played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.ADVERTISEMENT View comments MOST READ LeBron James to sit out last 6 games of Lakers’ season It is little wonder Fulham is next-from-last and facing relegation given the sloppiness of the defending before both City goals.A misplaced, casual clearance by Timothy Fosu-Mensah in the fifth minute was seized on by Kevin de Bruyne. Aguero received the ball from the Belgian and he teed up Bernardo Silva to strike low into the net.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissSPORTSCoronation night?SPORTSThirdy Ravena gets offers from Asia, Australian ball clubsFulham was so ineffective on the ball that, when the hosts finally strung passes together in the 15th minute, there were ironic cheers around Craven Cottage.It was a brief intermission from the City supremacy. Sarah Geronimo’s ‘Tala’ enters Billboard’s world digital song sales chart Sarah Geronimo’s ‘Tala’ enters Billboard’s world digital song sales chart LATEST STORIES Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? ‘Duterte legacy:’ Gov’t boasts achievements so far Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Phivolcs: Slim probability of Taal Volcano caldera eruption Comelec assures no disruption in operations with retirement of execs
Ex-NBA star OJ Mayo joins Fubon Braves in ABL
He is just the third player in ABL history with NBA experience joining Alab Pilipinas’ Renaldo Balkman and Saigon Heat’s Gary Forbes.Mayo had a decent NBA career across eight seasons averaging 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals but was slapped with a two-year suspension after violating the NBA Anti-Drug Policy in 2016.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSAndray Blatche has high praise for teammate Kai SottoSPORTSBig differenceSPORTSAlmazan status stays uncertain ahead of Game 4He joined in 2008 NBA Draft where he was picked third overall by Minnesota but was shipped to Memphis.The 6-foot-4 shooting guard will form a backcourt with Lin Chih-Chieh in the debuting Braves, who replaced defending champions CLS Knights of Indonesia. No need to wear face masks in Metro Manila, says scientist Fubon will play its first game on the opening day of the season against Macau on Nov.16. Bulgaria football coach quits, 5 more arrested after racism Phivolcs: Cloud seeding in ashfall affected areas needs study FILE – O.J. Mayo #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 20, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFPMANILA, Philippines—Former NBA lottery pick O.J. Mayo is taking his talents to the ASEAN Basketball League, joining newest member Fubon Braves.Mayo is suiting up for his third team in Asia after Taiwan’s Dacin Tigers and China’s Hunan Jinjian Miye.ADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES LOOK: Taal Volcano island 2 days after eruption Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. DSWD Bicol donates P1.5M worth of food packs for Taal eruption evacuees
SEA Games 2019: Didal collects 2nd skateboard gold PLAY LIST 02:10SEA Games 2019: Didal collects 2nd skateboard gold03:30PH’s Rogen Ladon boxing flyweight final (HIGHLIGHTS)03:34PH’s Carlo Paalam boxing light flyweight final (HIGHLIGHTS)01:04Daybreak as smoke, ash billows from Taal volcano01:05Poor visibility, nakaapekto sa maraming lugar sa Batangas03:028,000 pulis sa Region 4-A, tuloy ang trabaho03:57Phivolcs, nahihirapan sa komunikasyon sa Taal01:04Sold-out: Stores run out of face masks after Taal spews ash01:45Iran police shoot at those protesting plane shootdown 400 evacuees from Taal eruption take refuge in Mt. Banahaw 2 village execs nabbed in Bohol buy-bust MOST READ Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments ‘People evacuated on their own’ ‘Gago’
We must live a life of high moral standard and ethics
Dear Editor,I have decided to pen this letter on moral standard and ethics from personal experience with people in Guyana, as well as those out of Guyana. The word ‘ethic’ can be defined as follows: ”a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct.The basic concepts and fundamental principles of decent human conduct includes study of universal values, such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety and, increasingly, also for the natural environment.”Let me begin with work ethic with the question: How many people in Guyana go to work on time? How many managers, supervisors, CEOs and clerks can you meet at 08:30h in their offices? I have visited several offices in Guyana and observed most workers going to work late and the bosses are never in office on time. I also observed that many workers just idle their day away collecting the Government’s money by false pretence, including their bosses.If you call many offices to talk to a person in position they are always in a meeting or not in office or too busy to take your call. They never return a call or reply to your email, Facebook or WhatsApp messages etc. I have seen these activities in most of our offices in Guyana more than 35 years now.Over two months ago, I saw a vacancy at the University of Guyana. I sent an application online I got a reply four days later stating that my application was received. After a month, I sent them an email of inquiry about my application.They replied in a few days saying that my application is still under consideration. It’s over two months now… I sent them another inquiry in a week and got no reply.Here is the highest academic institution of learning taking months to process a job application and don’t have the moral standard to write to me to say if my application was NOT accepted or to go for an interview. I may suffer a heart attack if they invite me for an interview.My next experience is with the Legal Affairs Ministry. They wrote me a letter dated November 28, 2017, informing me that my ”Application of Appointment as Justice of Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits is now at the Minister of State for final deliberation.”That letter was only sent to me because I wrote about it several times in the newspapers questioning why my Police report took over two years to be sent to the Legal Affairs Ministry.After several inquiries to the office of the Minister of State by calls, to date it’s about eight months now and I did not received an email, phone call nor letter pertaining to the status of my appointment. This procedure of my application started in 2003 since the People’s Progressive Party Administration about 15 years now and to date it would be better if I was told I am not appointed and reasons given. (I have done over six Police interviews in those years).What I have discovered in this country is simple matters that can take a week or a month will take years because of incompetence and lack or morality and ethics.Sometimes Managers and Ministers are in their offices but they refused to answer calls; they tell their secretaries to say they are not in office. What are they telling their secretaries in simple terms is ‘’to lie for them’. A gentleman told me in Brazil you can buy a property and get the paper work done the same day or less than a week. Here in Guyana, is months and years and the royal run around at the Guyana Revenue Authority for the compliance. In Trinidad you get your Birth Certificate same day; here is weeks and months.I wrote a book and sent it to my publisher 01:35h I got a reply in five minutes. I sent Warwick University an email I got three replies in 10 minutes back and forth. How do we compare ourselves with these institutions abroad? Why can’t we be competent like them?I haven’t seen the great change of this country since modern technology all over you go is tons of old books and papers that should be replaced by CDs and flash drives. We don’t have much work ethics in Guyana.We are always late and used terms like ”it’s better to be late than never” we go to work late, watch TV late, wake late, and laze around our jobs doing nothing and people in this country have a real drinking problem they are always drunk even on their jobs.Most times, people are pushed into offices because of political affiliations and they get FAT salaries for doing absolutely nothing. We must ask ourselves many questions like how competent is this person holding this office? What did he/she ever run efficiently before? Are they honest? Are they punctual? Can they run this office? Do they have a stable family life? Are we very principled when it comes to keep our WORD AND TIME with people? You are a manager you invited an applicant for a job interview at 09:00h but you showed up at 12 noon. What example are you setting for that new applicant? NONE. You need to be fired.Simple evaluation of people should not take us long. But in this country people ”drag their feet” on their jobs even our schools have teachers who need teachings themselves because they are never in class and they can never complete the CXC exam syllabus on time.Our character, morality, integrity, punctuality and speaking the truth at all times are keys to the foundation of a person of exemplary character and attitude. Mahatma Gandhi had this to say about character:”In times to come people will not judge us by the creed we profess or the label we wear or the slogans we shout, but, by our work, industry, sacrifice, honesty and purity of character.”It’s about time we as a people wake up to these truths about morality and ethics and inculcate more efficient work ethics.Regards,Reverend GideonCecil
Wenger: Arsenal are taking a gamble on Southampton youngster Chambers
Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are taking a gamble by signing teenage defender Calum Chambers from Southampton.The 19-year-old full-back, who has only made 18 Premier League starts, has reportedly agreed personal terms to join the Gunners and has completed a medical, with the move expected to be announced on Monday.The compensation heading back to Southampton is estimated to be around £16million and, while Wenger understands the size of the fee may be surprising, he is confident Chambers will justify the outlay with his versatility.Wenger told several national newspapers: “He can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield. I hope he will give us competition for the players in these three positions.“He hasn’t played many games, no, but the English players on the market in England are very expensive and at the end of the day I was ready to take a gamble because he is a player for the future.”Chambers would act as a deputy to France international Mathieu Debuchy, a recent arrival from Newcastle, while Carl Jenkinson remains an alternative option at right-back for the north London club. 1 Southampton star Calum Chambers 
Exclusive – Harry Redknapp rules out Aston Villa move and urges club to hire lower league coach
Harry Redknapp has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Aston Villa manager’s job, but believes the club should take a gamble and hire one of the many talented young coaches outside of the top level.Redknapp’s name has been mentioned alongside the likes of Brendan Rodgers, David Moyes and Nigel Pearson as potential replacements for Tim Sherwood, who was sacked as boss this weekend after a run of six straight defeats left Villa at the foot of the table.Ex-Lyon boss Remi Garde has also emerged as one of the favourites for the position, but former Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers boss Redknapp believes there is a host of untapped talent in the lower divisions of English football who would relish the opportunity.“It’s a fantastic football club but I wouldn’t see myself getting that job,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.“It would be difficult for me now, but it’s a great job for somebody. There are managers in the lower divisions, when are they going to get a chance?“How are they ever going to manage at a top level unless they get their team promoted? If you’re managing in the Championship, the only way you’re going to get into the Premier League is if you take your team up.“There are loads of lads down there who could do the job, they just need the opportunity.”The Villans have endured a dreadful start to the season, claiming just four points from their opening ten games, after a torrid summer which saw key trio Christian Benteke, Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar depart for pastures new.But despite a weakened team, Redknapp believes the squad is talented enough to beat the drop again for a second successive year.“It’s going to be a great job for whoever gets it. It’s all there for somebody to have a real go and make a success of it, even though they have lost some key players.“It’s very difficult when you lose key players and you can’t replace them. Even Manchester City look a different team without Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.“You still feel, though, that there’s enough there for Villa to stay up this year, and then hopefully you’ll get a bit of backing in the future and take the club forward again.”
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news: Duo set for stay, while winger rumours persist
5 Jacob Murphy (Norwich City) – Spurs have, reportedly, shown interest in Liverpool target Murphy, but it appears they will miss out on the young winger. Attracting interest following five goals and five assists in the Championship this season, it seems the Reds will pip Tottenham to his signature by offering him back to the Canaries on loan for the rest of the season. 5 5 Bruma (Galatasaray) – Click the right arrow above for more Tottenham transfer rumours… – Outlets in Turkey have been suggesting Tottenham have an interest in the Portuguese winger for several days now. Galatasaray are reportedly looking for replacements for Bruma, and the player himself has created a fuss by liking pictures of himself mocked up in a Spurs kit on Instagram. Tottenham Hotspur are usually one of the busiest sides in any transfer window.Even now, as they climb the Premier League table, with a squad packed full of stars and talent coming through the academy, they are linked with moves in the market.Speculation will always surround the club, but what are the latest rumours doing the rounds in the press and online?Click the right arrow above to see the transfer talk currently going on in north London… 5 5 Kevin Wimmer – It seems incredibly unlikely the Austrian centre-back will be leaving Spurs in the January transfer window. The 24-year-old was reportedly disappointed at his lack of playing time, despite coming in for key matches when team-mates were absent, and also showing his versatility when he filled in at left-back against Chelsea in November. Borussia Dortmund were among the clubs linked with swoops for Wimmer, but Pochettino has played down these rumours, insisting he is a player for the future. Ross Barkley (Everton) – Struggling to maintain a starting spot with the Toffees, there are rumours the England international could move on to pastures new. Ronald Koeman has recently been blunt in his assessments of the player, believing he has a lot of work to do to fulfil his potential, but a move to Tottenham has been speculated about. And Steven Gerrard, speaking on BT Sport, has now insisted the attacking midfielder could thrive if he opts to move to Spurs, or even Chelsea. Dele Alli – Man of the moment Alli struck twice against Chelsea both times with his head to boost Tottenhams top four hopes. Proving he can handle the pressure, having seen his name linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United in the hours preceding the fixture. But manager Pochettino has insisted no players will be leaving the club in January, even if they do stump £50million. 
LISTEN BACK: Sligo boss Niall Carew
Sligo senior football boss Niall Carew spoke to Ocean FM’s Darragh Cox on The Final Whistle on Friday, August 4, after being re-appointed to the role for a fourth season.
Sligo referees to take charge of Connacht finals
Sligo’s Marty Duffy is to take charge of this year’s Connacht Senior Club Championship final.The experienced Enniscrone/Kilglass clubman will be the man in the middle for the meeting of Galway’s Corofin and Mayo champions Castlebar Mitchells at Tuam Stadium on Sunday week.Corofin are the reigning champions and knocked out Roscommon’s St Brigid’s in the semi-finals, while Castlebar have had to beat Leitrim champions Mohill and Sligo kingpins Tourlestrane to reach the decider.Duffy will have Leitrim’s Eamon O’Grady and Sligo’s John Gilmartin as his linesmen, while TJ Keavney from Sligo will be the fourth official.Meanwhile, Gilmartin himself will be the man in the middle for Sunday’s intermediate decider involving Michael Glaveys of Roscommon and Claregalway of Galway.That game takes place in Dr Hyde Park.Also this coming Sunday, Sligo’s Ballymote will contest the Connacht Junior final.They will face Mayo’s Lahardane in Castlebar’s MacHale Park on Sunday at 2pm, and the game will be live on Ocean FM.Roscommon official Brendan Healy will be the man in the middle for that game.