New Statesman Scotland
Early morning beach bums on the Copacabana thought they were seeing things. Looking up to the famous statue of Christ towering over Rio de Janeiro, they saw a man standing on the outstretched right hand of the Lord. Many thought their imagination had taken over. But then it turned to nightmare. In what seemed like a re-enactment of Leonardo da Vinci's attempt at flying, the man leapt off, swooped down and seemed bound to hit the ground at bone-splintering speed. Suddenly, as if by magic, a parachute unfurled above him and eased him down to a safe landing. The daredevil Austrian parachutist, Felix Baumgarten, picked himself up, dusted himself down and made a sharp exit by car. Otherwise this first ever parachute jump off the famous statue would have landed him in a very uncomfortable place - jail. He had trained for his death-defying feat back home in Salzburg by jumping off a crane.
There appears to be a growing involvement of the law in sport. David Hannah, Dundee United footballer, is suing a Sunday newspaper for damages over allegations of his involvement in an unseemly episode during a mid-season break in Spain which involved night clubs, drink, ladies and the police.
In Aberdeen, a sports masseur, who ran a clinic called Dab Hands, appeared in the Sheriff Court. Two female clients claimed that their experience on the massage table was more akin to wandering hands. The acquittal verdict was just the very dab for the masseur.
The rumours are that Celtic are to sign a Brazilian called Rafael Scheidt (pronounced as read). The potential for litigation is mind-numbing.
North Berwick Rugby Club have been kicked out of the league for failing to fulfil fixtures. Their problem is a lack of prop-forwards. So serious was this that in a recent game, their front-row comprised a 53 year old, a 47 year old and a baby-faced 36 year old. Within a week of being kicked out of the league two new players joined - both props.
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