April 19, 2010

Volcano prevents runners from Boston Marathon: Boston Marathon officials say based on their database, more than 500 runners could be affected by the volcano that has grounded planes around Europe. On Sunday an elite runner who competed in the 10,000 meters in the Olympics confirmed that they would not arrive in time to compete. Other sports are having issues too, including a Japanese MotoGP event and the London Marathon.

posted by Demophon to other at 09:33 AM - 5 comments

There's a handy round-up on the BBC website of sporting fixtures affected by the volcano here, although it's not complete as it makes no mention of the fact that my planned trip to Ireland on Thursday to play at Royal County Down on Friday looks very much up in the air (or not as the case almost certainly will be). In truth, it's such a good course, I'm going to get there even if it means I have to drive to Scotland and swim across.

Sounds like the European semi-finals will go ahead. Barca are travelling 450 miles in a bus over two days to get to Milan to face Inter, while Lyon have to travel 360 miles to Munich to play Bayern. In the Europa League, Liverpool are going to have to negotiate a 1,200 mile jouney to Madrid to battle it out with Athletico and Fulham will have to travel 580 miles to Hamburg for their semi-final. Home advantage never looked so advantageous.

In the immortal words of one thwarted Scottish stag party attendee: "I hate Iceland!"

posted by JJ at 09:49 AM on April 19, 2010

First Iceland throws the world financial system into further chaos and now this. What good has Iceland done other than almost put West Ham into administration?

posted by holden at 10:02 AM on April 19, 2010

That video must really be making the rounds. Got it from my B-i-L late last week with the suggestion "he could be complaining about the UK grocery chain Iceland, and its lack of off-licences". Regardless, I think we all agree the sweatshirt makes the film.

posted by yerfatma at 10:08 AM on April 19, 2010

Tesco should use the clip as a negative spin ad campaign.

Iceland is the only place on earth were the Atlantic Fault appears on land. What could possibly go wrong?

posted by JJ at 10:49 AM on April 19, 2010

One of the quirkier sports related volcano stories I've seen involves the pro cyclist Kurt-Asle Arvesen, who got stranded on a north sea oil rig for five days. He went to give a lecture and got stuck, so carried on training by running up and down the stairs.

posted by afx237vi at 04:22 PM on April 19, 2010

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