Poll: Weiner drops to fourth place

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) has dropped to fourth place in the New York mayoral race, according to a new poll.

The Quinnipiac poll released Monday found Weiner with 16 percent support among Democratic primary voters, well behind New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn who leads the pack at 27 percent.  

Former New York Comptroller Bill Thompson tops Weiner with 21 percent and New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio holds 20 percent support. 

The poll's findings follow revelations earlier in the month that Weiner, who had previously been the frontrunner in the race, had continued holding sexually explicit conversations with Internet users in 2012, after he resigned from Congress following similar behavior. 

The poll found that 53 percent of likely voters think Weiner should drop out of the race while 40 percent think he should stay in. 

Weiner has not indicated any plans to drop out of the race, even as his opponents and national politicians denounce him. Last week House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called his behavior "reprehensible." 

The poll was conducted from July 24-28 among 446 likely Democratic primary voters. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.6 percentage points. 

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Poll: Weiner drops to fourth place

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) has dropped to fourth place in the New York mayoral race, according to a new poll.

The Quinnipiac poll released Monday found Weiner with 16 percent support among Democratic primary voters, well behind New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn who leads the pack at 27 percent.  

Former New York Comptroller Bill Thompson tops Weiner with 21 percent and New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio holds 20 percent support. 

The poll's findings follow revelations earlier in the month that Weiner, who had previously been the frontrunner in the race, had continued holding sexually explicit conversations with Internet users in 2012, after he resigned from Congress following similar behavior. 

The poll found that 53 percent of likely voters think Weiner should drop out of the race while 40 percent think he should stay in. 

Weiner has not indicated any plans to drop out of the race, even as his opponents and national politicians denounce him. Last week House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called his behavior "reprehensible." 

The poll was conducted from July 24-28 among 446 likely Democratic primary voters. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.6 percentage points. 

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Fourth Jamaican fails test

Last Updated: July 19, 2013 9:32am

Traves Smikle: Fourth Jamaican in four days to reveal failed test

Olympic discus thrower Traves Smikle has become the fourth Jamaican athlete in four days to admit to having failed a doping test.

Smikle said the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) had informed him that a urine sample taken at the Jamaica National Trials in June revealed banned substances but he insists he has never knowingly taken illegal drugs.

"As an athlete, I must take responsibility for whatever is found in my body; however I wish to state that I did not knowingly or willfully ingest any banned substance," the 21-year-old said.

"Personally, I am very saddened and surprised by these findings, as I have never attempted to cheat and have always considered myself an ambassador for the sport and a strong supporter of drug testing."

Smikle represented Jamaica in the Olympics last year though did not reach the final.

He admitted he was "hurt and embarrassment" to fail a test and be the source of a new blow for Jamaican sport, still reeling from the news that high-profile sprinters Asafa Powell Sherone Simpson and fellow discus thrower Allison Randall all failed tests.

We review the last seven days in the world of sport and pick out the winners and losers.

Irish stars Droopys Jet and Ballymac Vic are favourites for the William Hill Greyhound Derby final.

Anna Watkins has backed the Women's Sports Trust to capitalise on the Olympics and boost female sport.

View the original article here

Fourth Jamaican fails test

Last Updated: July 19, 2013 9:32am

Traves Smikle: Fourth Jamaican in four days to reveal failed test

Olympic discus thrower Traves Smikle has become the fourth Jamaican athlete in four days to admit to having failed a doping test.

Smikle said the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) had informed him that a urine sample taken at the Jamaica National Trials in June revealed banned substances but he insists he has never knowingly taken illegal drugs.

"As an athlete, I must take responsibility for whatever is found in my body; however I wish to state that I did not knowingly or willfully ingest any banned substance," the 21-year-old said.

"Personally, I am very saddened and surprised by these findings, as I have never attempted to cheat and have always considered myself an ambassador for the sport and a strong supporter of drug testing."

Smikle represented Jamaica in the Olympics last year though did not reach the final.

He admitted he was "hurt and embarrassment" to fail a test and be the source of a new blow for Jamaican sport, still reeling from the news that high-profile sprinters Asafa Powell Sherone Simpson and fellow discus thrower Allison Randall all failed tests.

We review the last seven days in the world of sport and pick out the winners and losers.

Irish stars Droopys Jet and Ballymac Vic are favourites for the William Hill Greyhound Derby final.

Anna Watkins has backed the Women's Sports Trust to capitalise on the Olympics and boost female sport.

View the original article here