Every four years, I brush up on my Spanish. Yes, it’s time for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and I make it a point to watch the Spanish-language broadcasts on Univision. I find the announcers more in tune with the game’s subtle nuances — and when to convey genuine excitement.
Unfortunately, the master of excitement, Andrés Cantor, is now with Telemundo, a rival Spanish-language network owned by NBC Universal. Many soccer fans in the U.S. may recall his famous “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL” proclamantions whenever a goal is scored. By far his best was the goal by Ernie Stewart against Colombia in 1994…
Mr. Cantor realized what had just happened, so this particular call was exceptionally long and vociferous. The U.S. went on to win that game, after the infamous own-goal by Colombian defender Andrés Escobar (he was subsequently killed in a bar fight in Medellín afterwards).
I’ve played soccer for decades and I now enjoy coaching my kids whenever I can, and they love playing it, too. We’re looking forward to the U.S. opening against England on 12 June 2010 (match 5 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg). The World Cup is the biggest sporting event, commanding viewership in the billions. I’ll be one of them.
May is National Bike Month so get your bikes out and take a ride — alone, with friends or your entire family. Looking for a special event? Find it here.
1. In Denmark, at last count, 18% of the population cycle daily.
2. In Copenhagen, 36% of the population of the Greater Metropolitan area cycle daily to work or places of learning. That is 500,000 daily cyclists.
3. If you exclude the Greater Metro Area and just count Copenhagen proper, 55% cycle daily. On a hot summer’s day that number can reach 65%.
4. 80% of the above cyclists continue to ride throughout the winter.
5. In urban areas in Denmark there are separated bike lanes along most streets. In the country, most roads have separated bike lanes off to the side.
6. Denmark has the world’s safest bicycle culture. Our safety statistics are exceptional.
7. The busiest bike stretch in the nation is Nørrebrogade in Copenhagen. 35,000 cyclists use the street each day.
8. The average speed of cyclists in Copenhagen is 15,3 km/h.
9. Danes cycle just over 1000 km a year per capita. The Dutch occupy second place, just under 1000 km.
10. There are 1.7 million people in Copenhagen and 1.7 million bicycles.
11. Only 40% of Copenhageners own a car.
12. 36% of Copenhageners ride a bicycle, 35% take public transport and the rest drive or walk.
