"Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is."
Johan Cruyff
Showing posts with label RIP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RIP. Show all posts
Thursday, 24 March 2016
Thursday, 3 March 2016
Sarah Tait 1983 - 2016
Australian London Olympics silver-medallist rower Sarah Tait has died after a battle with cancer, aged 33.
Tait, who captained Australia’s rowing team at the Beijing Olympics and was in the women’s eight when Sally Robbins famously stopped rowing before the finish of the final in Athens 2004, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in March 2013.
The West Australian also won a gold and silver medal at the 2005 World Rowing championships, as well as a bronze in the same competition in 2011. She won her Olympic silver medal in the pairs in 2012.
Tait, who is survived by her senior national coach husband Bill and two children, stepped away from rowing in February 2014 to fight the disease.
Rowing Australia CEO, Rob Scott, paid tribute to Tait’s ability to act as a role model to both past and present athletes. “She was one of the most determined and passionate rowers in our sport and she will be deeply missed by everyone in the rowing community,” he said in a statement. “The entire Australian rowing community sends its thoughts and best wishes to Bill, the children and Sarah’s family at this tragic time.”
Scott’s views were echoed by Australian team head coach, Chris O’Brien. “Her spirit for rowing was paralleled with her dedication to her family and friends,” O’Brien said.
“Sarah was one of rowing’s most successful and impressive female athletes who has left a permanent mark on our sport. I was personally inspired by Sarah’s pursuit of success in sport and life. She will be sadly missed.”
#RIP
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Jonah Tali Lomu 1975 - 2015
New Zealand rugby union great Jonah Lomu has died aged 40.
Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 63 matches for New Zealand between 1994 and 2002, had been diagnosed with a rare and serious kidney condition by 1996.
It forced him to quit the game and he had a kidney transplant in 2004, but the organ stopped functioning in 2011.
"Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world," said New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew.
"We're lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family."
Family spokesman John Mayhew told New Zealand television that Lomu's death was "totally unexpected" and that he had only arrived back from the UK on Tuesday, after spending time there for the Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said: "The thoughts of the entire country are with his family."
Speaking to the BBC, New Zealand Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman said Lomu "was the first global rugby superstar".
He was a "huge inspiration to Polynesian men and actually in later years with his battles against kidney disease, very inspirational to people suffering from chronic diseases as well", he said.
Lomu is survived by his wife Nadene and two sons.
Jonah Lomu scored 43 All Blacks tries, including four against England in the 1995 World Cup semi-final
The son of Tongan immigrants, Lomu made his Test debut in 1994 against France in Christchurch.
As well as playing for several domestic teams in his homeland, he made 10 appearances for Cardiff Blues in Wales between 2005 and 2006, shortly before his retirement.
Despite never winning the World Cup, he is the joint top try-scorer in its history - alongside South Africa wing Bryan Habana, scoring 15 tries in 11 games.
He was at his best at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, terrifying defensive lines with his speed and size - 192 cm tall (6 feet 4 inches) and weighing about 119 kilograms (18 stone 10 pounds).
In a memorable match against England in the 1995 semi-final, he bulldozed several players and ran straight over the top of full-back Mike Catt on his way to a try.
His performance in that tournament has been widely credited with helping attract the major commercial deals that enabled the sport to enter the professional era.
But a rare kidney condition, nephrotic syndrome, hampered his career. A later transplant was rejected by his body in 2011.
After news of his death broke, former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the Jonah Lomu family tonight. A very special person."
All Blacks World Cup winner Dan Carter tweeted: "I still can't believe the sad news. Love and thoughts go out to Jonah's family."
And former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies said: "Can't believe that Jonah Lomu has passed away. Was with him and his wife and family for an evening last month.
"So sad, life is so cruel. RIP Jonah you were a true legend and a gentleman. You changed the game of rugby and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with your family."
#RIP
Sunday, 13 September 2015
Mose Malone 1955 - 2015
Three-time NBA MVP and Hall of Fame member Moses Malone has died at the age of 60.
Know as the ‘Chairman of the Boards’, due to his rebounding skills, Malone helped the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA title in 1983, and was named finals and league MVP in the same year.
“It is with a deep sense of sadness that the Sixers family mourns the sudden loss of Moses Malone. It is difficult to express what his contributions to this organization – both as a friend and player – have meant to us, the city of Philadelphia and his faithful fans,” the 76ers said on Sunday.
“Moses holds a special place in our hearts and will forever be remembered as a genuine icon and pillar of the most storied era in the history of Philadelphia 76ers basketball. No one person has ever conveyed more with so few words - including three of the most iconic in this city’s history. His generosity, towering personality and incomparable sense of humor will truly be missed. We will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers and as we are once again reminded of the preciousness of life.”
The 12-time All-Star ranks fifth on the list for NBA rebounds in a career and eighth for points scored. He averaged 20.6 points and 12.2 rebounds.
Malone’s talent was obvious from a young age and when he signed for the Utah Stars of the ABA in 1974 he became the first player to turn pro straight from high school. After the ABA-NBA merger he played for a number of teams, most notably the Houston Rockets and the 76ers. He retired at the end of the 1994-95 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
#RIP
Friday, 25 April 2014
Francesc "Tito" Vilanova i Bayó 1968 - 2014
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| Getty Images |
Tito Vilanova, the coach who succeeded Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and won the Spanish league title in his only season in charge, died on Friday after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 45.
Vilanova, who has battled a recurring tumor in a saliva gland, was admitted to a local hospital in Barcelona last week. He reportedly had emergency surgery on Thursday.
"It is with sadness that Barcelona must announce that Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova has died today at the age of 45," the club said on their website. The death of our former coach occurred this afternoon when he could not overcome this disease which he had battled since 2011."
Vilanova first became ill in November 2011, while an assistant to Guardiola, and took a leave of absence after undergoing surgery. The soft-spoken Vilanova returned and took over from Guardiola the next season, when he led Barcelona to the Spanish league title with a record-equalling 100 points.
Vilanova had a second tumour removed in December 2012 and travelled to New York several times during the season to receive further treatment before returning to the sidelines. In April 2013 Vilanova said he felt fine and "had never thought about quitting". He finished the season before suddenly being forced to resign following a relapse in July.
As an assistant, Vilanova helped Guardiola propel Barcelona into their most successful period and transform a team led by Lionel Messi into one of the world's best ever. Barcelona won 14 of a possible 19 major trophies from 2008-12 under Guardiola before adding the league title with Vilanova in 2013.
Despite the impressive league display, Vilanova was unable to win another Champions League title last season. Barcelona lost to the eventual champions, Bayern Munich, 7-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
As Guardiola's assistant, Vilanova provided the tactical know-how that helped the coach build one of the best teams in the history of the sport winning two Champions League titles in their impressive haul.
Vilanova will also be remembered for his role in a brawl in the 2010 Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona, when Real Madrid's then coach,José Mourinho, poked him in the eye.
As a young player, Vilanova was at Barcelona's training academy from 1984-89 but never made it to the first team. Instead, he went on to play for clubs such as Celta Vigo and Mallorca before his career was cut short by a serious knee injury.
Vilanova then went into coaching and got a job with Barcelona's cadets, tutoring players such as Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fábregas and Messi. Vilanova left to work as the sport director at third-division Terrassa before returning to Barcelona to take over the club's "Barca B" feeder team.
Barça sent their "deepest condolences" to Vilanova's family and said they would be opening a space in the main grandstand at the Camp Nou for people to express their condolences.
The club's president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, said on Twitter: "Tito Vilanova was a wonderful person, and will never be forgotten at FC Barcelona. Thank you for everything you taught us. Rest in peace."
Mourinho, now Chelsea's manager, said on his club's Twitter account: "Tito Vilanova's passing is a sad day for football, for Barcelona and most importantly for his family and friends. On behalf of everybody at Chelsea Football Club I send my deepest condolences at this most difficult time."
Vilanova is survived by his wife, Montse Chaure, and two children. His son Adrian is in Barcelona's youth academy.
Anima Eius Requiescat In Pace
#RIP
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Luis Aragones 1938 - 2014
Luis Aragonés, the coach who led Spain to victory at Euro 2008, has died at the age of 75. Aragonés was a prominent and sometimes controversial figure – notoriously sparking controversy with a racist jibe at Thierry Henry in 2004 – but was also a successful coach at club level, most notably with Atlético Madrid, leading them to the La Liga title in 1977 as well as three Copa del Rey trophies. Reports in the Spanish media said Aragonés had been admitted to a Madrid clinic in the early hours of Saturday morning but died soon after.
Atlético posted a tribute on their website, and will mark his death with a minute's silence before today's match against Real Sociedad. The statement read: "One of the greatest Rojiblancas legends has left us. There have been condolences from around the footballing world. Our president, Enrique Cerezo, expressed his sorrow saying: 'Luis Aragonés was a great player and coach, but above all a great person and a friend. On behalf of the whole club, I want to express our condolences to his family'."
Aragonés made his name as a player with Atlético between 1964 and 1974, making more than 350 appearances, winning three league titles and also representing Spain 11 times before hanging up his boots.
He then took up the reins with the Madrid club, the first of four spells at the helm in which he led them to six trophies and promotion from the Segunda Division in 2002. Aragonés also guided Barcelona to Copa del Rey success during his one season in charge of the Catalan club in 1987-88.
He took charge of the national team in 2004 and was immediately the subject of controversy when he was caught on camera using racist language about Thierry Henry in a training ground conversation with Arsenal's José Antonio Reyes, saying: "Tell that black shit that you are much better than him." He was fined £2,060 by the RFEF for the incident, but later had it overturned and insisted he was not a racist.
Aragonés went on to lead Spain to their first major title in 44 years at Euro 2008 the start of a hat-trick of tournament triumphs that continued under his successor, Vicente Del Bosque, at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
An ill-fated spell at Turkish side Fenerbahce followed, which came to an end in the summer of 2009, before Aragonés officially announced his retirement in December last year – four years after leaving his final coaching post.
#RIP Descansa en Paz
Friday, 11 October 2013
Maria de Villota 1980 - 2013
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| Getty Images |
Formula 1 reserve racing driver Maria De Villota has been found dead in a hotel room in Seville, Spain.
No cause of death has yet been released for the 33-year-old Spaniard, who lost her right eye in a crash while testing for the Marussia team last year.
De Villota, daughter of former Formula 1 driver Emilio De Villota, suffered severe head and facial injuries after colliding with a lorry.
She was reported to have been in Seville to launch her autobiography.
F1 teams and drivers have expressed their shock at the news.
Caterham reserve Alexander Rossi, an occasional analyst for BBC Sport, said: "Absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear Maria De Villota has passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out. We will never ever forget you."
Mercedes added: "Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Maria de Villota following the tragic news of her passing.
"Her courage, determination and hope were an example and inspiration to many. She will be sadly missed by our sport."
De Villota had previously competed in Spanish Formula 3 and the Daytona 24 Hours race.
Factfile
Born in Madrid on 13 January 1980
A former World Touring Car Championship and Superleague Formula driver, she was the daughter of ex-Formula 1 racer Emilio de Villota
She held a degree in sports science from the European University of Madrid
Since 2001, she had competed in various Spanish races
In 2010 she finished fourth at the Nurburgring in Superleague Formula
Her first taste of F1 came in 2011 at the Paul Ricard circuit near Marseille in France, when she tested a Renault R29
#RIP
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