TOXIC FALLOUT FROM THE WORLD CUP »
At the World Cup final, Argentina wrestled the magnificent $20 million, 18-carat solid gold World Cup trophy from France, the defending champion. Enthusiastic sports commentators raved about “the best supermatch of all time.” But when the dust of the desert has settled, there’s nothing left in Doha but the bitter taste of defeat – a defeat brought on by the failure of sportswashing to gloss over the Qatari image and present the Gulf state to the world as a liberal modern state. Among the debris from the Qatar fallout is the tarnished image of the European Parliament, some of whose MEPs, staff and lobbyists are accused of accepting succulent sportswashing bribes from Qatar. Upbraiding the suspects, EP President Roberta Metsola said, “Shame on you for violating the trust of the people of Europe.”
A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “Spain Goes to the Olympics with High Hopes but no Flag,” 18 July 1980 »
Although Spain won medals at the Montreal Olympics, experts are hesitant to predict the Spaniards' possibilities for success at Moscow. The Summer Games at Moscow, boycotted by many nations, may not live up to what we have come to expect from the Olympics but still the political entanglements combined with the hope the games will give to traditional underdogs should make the competition interesting.
Noche Flamenca’s “Antigona” in the Time of Corona: At Home with Soledad Barrio and Martín Santangelo »
Bessie Award-winning bailaora/choreographer Soledad Barrio is an intuitive and internal performer who possesses a preternatural connection to her character. She identifies with Antigona, “one of [whose] character traits is to love more than herself. She’s very passionate, and her objective is to take care of her family. It’s related to my life to be connected with family. One part of flamenco is love, passion and concern about the family unit. I connect with that a lot, too.” Noche Flamenca’s production of “Antigona” at La MaMa in Manhattan, scheduled for March 19-April 5, was cancelled due to the corona virus travel restrictions from Europe in March. Then all of New York went into lockdown. Shut in with husband choreographer/producer Martín Santangelo, Barios says “I’m diving into the abyss so I can resuscitate when this is over.”
SPAIN IS CROWNED BASKETBALL WORLD CHAMPION ! »
Spain never let up, overpowering its Championship rival from start to finish. The final score was Spain 95 – Argentina 75. The Basketball World Cup in Beijing is Spain’s second Championship win, the first being in 2006, beating Greece 70-47 in Saitama, Japan. But while still basking in the glow of its recent coup on the court, La Roja is now setting its sights on the gold medal at the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo!
MADRID FUSION 2017 AND THE HUMAN FACTOR IN CUISINE »
"Annually, a wide variety of concepts, inspired ideas and trends impact Madrid Fusion, showing the fabulous Food Designers' latest novelties"
STATESIDE STORIES: Obama’s International Legacy »
While President Barack Obama has taken to the skies in his final year in office, building a legacy of diplomatic efforts spanning the globe Strangely, the U.S. media seems to practically ignore his international travels while they focus on the all-consuming coverage of the campaigning to replace him in November
