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Without NHL, Russia emerges as Olympic gold favorite

Russia, OAR, ROC — whatever the name, now that the NHL is out of the Beijing Olympics, the Russians will be the favorites for the gold medal. After the NHL withdrew from the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday to save a league schedule ravaged by virus outbreaks on numerous teams, Europe-based players are set to dominate the Olympic men’s tournament. That puts the Russians, competing in Beijing as ROC for Russian Olympic Committee, in a strong position to retain the gold medal it won in 2018 under the Olympic Athletes from Russia name. The name changes were required as part of ...

NHL has good excuse to skip Beijing Olympics

First, the U.S. diplomats and a handful of allies said “no.” Now it’s the NHL. Some party this is shaping up to be. It was just bad luck that Beijing landed the Winter Games in what turned out to be the time of COVID-19. But the decision to go ahead as scheduled rests squarely with the hosts and their International Olympic Committee cronies. Here’s hoping that like most of the people who marry solely for money, they wind up having to earn every cent. The NHL is the most anodyne of the major sports leagues, so unlike the diplomats who bowed out, it wasn’t making a political ...

Unexpected title sweet for Marauders

By Michael Boytim mboytim@altoonamirror.com HERSHEY — Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic played well enough to win the state championship in 2019 when it lost to Farrell in overtime. When the Steelers were moved up to Class 2A following that title due to the PIAA’s success formula, it seemed ...

Pry’s ascent is coronation for family

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Brent Pry will be introduced as Virginia Tech’s head football coach today in Blacksburg, Virginia. What a day it is for him and the entire Pry family. Altoona natives Jim Pry and his wife Kathy were both 18 years old when Brent was born. “We ...

Jeffrey got his coaching start in Altoona

Altoona has played a big role in world soccer history, of which few people may be aware. William Jeffrey was the head coach of the 1950 United States World Cup team that was famous for beating England 1-0 in one of the greatest upsets in soccer history. He was also the coach of Penn State for 26 seasons, winning 10 national college championships and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Coming from Edinburgh, Scotland and playing at an early age, he had a career-ending injury. His mother sent him to live with an uncle in the United States, and he began working as a ...

Franklin can’t run from reality

James Franklin curtly interrupted a postgame questioner Saturday about Penn State not producing a 100-yard rusher this season. “Year’s not over,” he shot back. Well, yes, James, it is. The Nittany Lions’ 30-27 loss in the snow to Michigan State at Spartan Stadium doesn’t preclude a bowl trip, but it sucked the last bit of life out of the program and for sure the fan base for 2021. Maybe Franklin wants to go into some John Belushi rant — “Over? It’s not over until we say it is!” The reality is this team will begin to be dismantled as early as today. Likely, ...