ON THE WALLABY- 29th July 2007

”If you’d like to know a man, find out what makes him mad” – old drovers saying

C’MON IRAQ AND CADELL EVANS!

It’s a long night coming up tonight in front of the TV with the final of the Asian Cup Soccer between Iraq and Saudi Arabia and the final leg of the 2007 Tour de France where just 31 seconds, after nearly 2500 kilometres of racing, separates first from third.

Taking the soccer first, what a wonderful thing it would be if Iraq can beat Saudi Arabia and be the winners of the 2007 Asian Cup.

Here is a team, comprising Sunni, Shia and Kurds who are showing firstly the world, but more importantly their tragedy and strife ridden nation, that all three ethnic groups can play, and win, together.

Whether they win or not on the scoreboard, they have won already for, in having overcome the obstacles such as not training in Iraq, coming from various parts of the world and their respective clubs and bearing the weight of sadness through personal losses of family and friends, they have shown champion qualities and I, and many, many other Australians I am sure, “dips our lid to ‘em”

Go Iraq!!

Onto the roads of France heading for Paris tonight will be Australia’s hopes of winning the Tour de France in the form of Cadell Evans.

I know the race has been marred and besmirched by drugs scandals but having watched it night after night, boy have those blokes got courage and stamina!

SBS TV, who have been giving their usual excellent coverage, have been promoting the race by saying it is “where men meet” and they are not far wrong.

In last night’s final time trial, over 55 kilometres, the first three averaged just over 50 kilometres or thirty miles an hour and by the time they had all finished, after over 2500 kms of road racing, just 31 seconds separates first from third.

Apparently by now previously the winner and holder of the yellow shirt was always clearly stamped but tonight, it will be a combination of tactics and speed and whilst I readily admit to having at last gained some smidgeon of understanding of road racing, that final few kilometres should be fantastic viewing- even if it is on at about 2am!

Carpe diem

Tony

Tony Fountain

Professional Speaker, auctioneer and author

tony@fountainandco.com

Bowral NSW Australia

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