This article was originally published on October 12th, 2018.
Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
New sports idea I am interested in -
A new women-only motorsport series, W Series, has been announced. The new motorsport is designed to help women get into Formula 1. The series will give up to 20 of the world's top female racing drivers compete for a $1.5 million prize fund. Starting in May 2019, the competition will stage six races, with racers competing in identical cars. The W Series has gathered mixed reviews, with high profile fans such as former F1 driver David Coulthard and also many vocal opponents including Pippa Mann (@PippaMann), who believes the W Series introduces segregation into the sport.
Sports film I am watching -
Eight Men Out, is a film based on Eliot Asinof's 1963 book Eight Men Out: The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series. Focusing on the 1919 Black Sox scandal, in which eight members of the Chicago White Sox conspired with gamblers to intentionally lose the MLB World Series.
Sporting Legend I am following -
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (@DrewBrees) proved himself to be one of the greats this week after breaking the NFL career passing yards record. Brees, needed 201 yards to overtake Payton Manning's record of 71,940 yards. He managed the feat in the second quarter when he found Tre'Quan Smith for a 62-yard touchdown. Peyton Manning appeared in a lighthearted video congratulating Brees for breaking the record that he previously held.
Soccer story I am keeping an eye on -
Last season, the Italian side Virtus Entella was relegated from Serie B, through the play-off system. Meaning that the club would be playing in this season's Serie C. However, Serie B has seen Cesena, Bari, and Avellino all go bankrupt this summer. The Italian National Olympic Committee (Coni) decided a points deduction for Cesena should apply to the 2017-18 and not 2018-19 season, meaning Virtus Entella would move up one place in last season's Serie B table and avoid relegation. The club has been told to stop playing in Serie C because they would be moved up a division. Having all of their fixtures canceled.
However, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has stepped in and said Coni did not have the authority for such a decision. Currently, Virtus Entella are without a league, as they wait for the governing bodies to come to a consensus.
Sport event I'm excited about -
This week saw the start of the third Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 2018 Youth Olympic Games, will see 3,997 athletes from 206 countries compete in 241 events across 32 sports. This version of the Olympic Games will see the introduction of four new Olympic sports: karate, roller speed skating, breaking, and sport climbing.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan