It's time to say farewell to the summer Olympic games for another four years till London in 2012. Despite my scepticism about the Olympic movement since Atlanta '96, I have to admit this was a great event.
I have no comments to make on politics, human rights or Beijing's notorious air quality, but instead I want to make special mention of the athletes who made it memorable for me.
I've already mentioned my top four in previous posts: Abhinav Bindra, Sushil Kumar, Vijender Kumar and Usain Bolt, so I will pass over them. Here are the others, in alphabetical order:
Rebecca Adlington (GB, Swimming): The Brits are a pretty miserable lot when it comes to swimming. They can row and sail better than most nations, but anything involving actually getting in to the water is a different story. Then came Adlington, who shocked everyone by winning the 400m freestyle which wasn't even her pet event. That was the 800m, which she won by breaking Janet Evans' 19 year old world record. Apparently she was motivated by a promise of Jimmy Choo shoes by her mother if she won. Must be a girl thing.
Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe, Swimming): Zimbabwe is a nation in terrible economic shape. In July 2008 had an inflation rate of 2.2 million percent. That's no laughing matter, even if you say that like Dr. Evil. The country's white community has been systematically targetted by the government resulting in terrible racial tension. For Coventry to be able to retain her Olympic gold medal and have a truly cross-over appeal in her country is amazing.
Chris Hoy (GB, Cycling): The leader of Great Britain's dominant track cycling team, The Real McHoy became the first Brit to win three gold medals at a single Games since 1908. And this was after his pet event (the 1 km time trial) was dropped from the Beijing slate.
Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Football): An incredibly biased entry here, Liverpool's Mascherano became the first Argentinian to win Olympic gold medals in successive Olympics. I believe it's Liverpool's first Olympic gold medal.
Rohullah Nikpai (Afghanistan, Taekwondo): Nikpai won a bronze medal in the men's 58 kg even in Taekwondo. That was Afghanistan's first medal in the summer Olympics...ever. And considering his country's tortured history during his lifetime--Nikpai was a refugee in Iran as a teenager due to the violence in his country--Nikpai's feat is all the more amazing.
Rebecca Romero (GB, Cycling): 2004 Olympic silver medallist in rowing, 2008 Olympic gold medallist in cycling. Now that is a pretty good career switch.
MY ATHLETE OF BEIJING 2008:
When Baron de Coubertin founded the modern Olympic games in the 1890s, he gave the famous maxim: "The important thing is not to win, but to take part."
I don't think anyone fulfils this better than the 16th placed finisher in the women's 10k Open Water swim, Natalie du Toit, South Africa flag-bearer at the opening ceremony. Read her story. Or just look at the thousand words below:
Any questions?
I have no comments to make on politics, human rights or Beijing's notorious air quality, but instead I want to make special mention of the athletes who made it memorable for me.
I've already mentioned my top four in previous posts: Abhinav Bindra, Sushil Kumar, Vijender Kumar and Usain Bolt, so I will pass over them. Here are the others, in alphabetical order:
Rebecca Adlington (GB, Swimming): The Brits are a pretty miserable lot when it comes to swimming. They can row and sail better than most nations, but anything involving actually getting in to the water is a different story. Then came Adlington, who shocked everyone by winning the 400m freestyle which wasn't even her pet event. That was the 800m, which she won by breaking Janet Evans' 19 year old world record. Apparently she was motivated by a promise of Jimmy Choo shoes by her mother if she won. Must be a girl thing.
Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe, Swimming): Zimbabwe is a nation in terrible economic shape. In July 2008 had an inflation rate of 2.2 million percent. That's no laughing matter, even if you say that like Dr. Evil. The country's white community has been systematically targetted by the government resulting in terrible racial tension. For Coventry to be able to retain her Olympic gold medal and have a truly cross-over appeal in her country is amazing.
Chris Hoy (GB, Cycling): The leader of Great Britain's dominant track cycling team, The Real McHoy became the first Brit to win three gold medals at a single Games since 1908. And this was after his pet event (the 1 km time trial) was dropped from the Beijing slate.
Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Football): An incredibly biased entry here, Liverpool's Mascherano became the first Argentinian to win Olympic gold medals in successive Olympics. I believe it's Liverpool's first Olympic gold medal.
Rohullah Nikpai (Afghanistan, Taekwondo): Nikpai won a bronze medal in the men's 58 kg even in Taekwondo. That was Afghanistan's first medal in the summer Olympics...ever. And considering his country's tortured history during his lifetime--Nikpai was a refugee in Iran as a teenager due to the violence in his country--Nikpai's feat is all the more amazing.
Rebecca Romero (GB, Cycling): 2004 Olympic silver medallist in rowing, 2008 Olympic gold medallist in cycling. Now that is a pretty good career switch.
MY ATHLETE OF BEIJING 2008:
When Baron de Coubertin founded the modern Olympic games in the 1890s, he gave the famous maxim: "The important thing is not to win, but to take part."
I don't think anyone fulfils this better than the 16th placed finisher in the women's 10k Open Water swim, Natalie du Toit, South Africa flag-bearer at the opening ceremony. Read her story. Or just look at the thousand words below:
Any questions?
2 Comments:
There was a double amputee that competed in the same triathlon I did a few years ago. He didn't finish first but he certainly got the loudest applause when he crossed the line. Very inspiring.
Also, I don't think those Jimmy Choo shoes are even that cute. That incentive would not have worked with me.
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