Beijing Games' Top-10 Best/Worst Moments

The Beijing Olympics featured some fine moments and some not-so-stellar occasions.

On the positive: Mix Morgan Freeman’s voice with Usain Bolt’s speed and Chinese diver’s Guo Jingjing’s grace with the wit of Bob Costas.

On the negative: Are the Karoylis for real and just how difficult is it to hold a baton?

Here are my top-10 lists in reverse order:

Best

10. Opening ceremonies. Jaw-dropping choreography, music, dance, singing, etc. No better way to open a global event.

9. Morgan Freeman’s voice in commercials. The man’s got “pipes.” Let him read the phonebook, it would sound great.

8. Ato Bolton, track and field commentator. Who better to analyze Usain Bolt’s history making than a guy who’s been there? Bolton had superior insight.

7. Chinese diver Guo Jingjing. Perhaps the most graceful athlete in the Olympics. The diver’s personal life has been endlessly scrutinized, but no one in the Olympics performed with such precision.

6. Technology. The touch pad timing in swimming, freeze frame in diving and robotic camera detailing side views in track sprints provided mesmerizing viewing.

5. The women’s gold medal match in the beach volleyball won by the United States. It was superior athletic competition. Long rallies, sportsmanship, all-round fun.

4. Jason Lezak’s final 50 meters in the 4x100-meter free relay. Lezak overcame nearly a body-length deficit and allowed Michael Phelps to secure his second of eight gold medals. The close finish set the tone for all of the Olympics’ finest moments.

3. Bob Costas. The host of NBC’s prime time coverage was at his best. He handled hard news, soft news and controversy as a pro’s pro. He mixed in humor and often was too quick for his own colleagues. Costas still dresses like he’s going to work as a bank officer, though. Dude, NBC can afford it. Get a wardrobe makeover.

2. Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals and seven world records. It was among the greatest Olympic performances in history. And, oh, he may earn $100 million because of it. Not bad for a week’s work.

1. Usain Bolt’s dominance. The Jamaica runner’s final races in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4x100-meter relay took about 40 seconds total. The result: three gold meals, three world records. Nobody close. Enough said.

Worst

10. Bela and Marta Karolyi. Bela was so over-the-top emotionally and so pro-American, it was hard to take him seriously. Marta Karolyi often crossed the line between passion for her sport and abusive coach. She’s just hard to watch.

9. Karch Kiraly. He may be the biggest name in the history of volleyball. But his broadcasting skills can be summed up in one word — dull.

8. Dara Torres was the 10th oldest Olympian in Beijing. Nice woman, nice story. But where was the coverage of the other middle-age athletes doing great things?

7. Tom Hammond, track and field. Knowledgeable, for sure. But was he wearing eye shadow?

6. Andrea Kremer, swimming commentator. Could you possibly provide your expertise by at least by getting athletes’ reactions in the form of questions?

 5. Carol Lewis, track and field commentator. No one among NBC’s crew of more than 100 commentators talked so much and had so little to say. An example: “He ran hard in the semifinal, but he’ll have to give it his all in the final.” Gee, no one would have ever thought of that.

4. The USA track team’s race number malfunction: Geez, who forget the assigned numbers? The felt pen substitutes got the job done, but looked silly.

3. The USA track team’s collectively inability to hold a baton. What was the problem? It was too hot to hold?

2. Gymnastics commentators: Al Trautwig, Tim Daggett and Elfi Schlegel. Note to Daggett: Stop using the word “WOW” to begin every sentence of commentary. Note to Schlegel: Do you really think coaches care what you think? Note to Trautwig: Remember journalism school? One of the ideas is to attempt objectivity.

1. Coverage (rather, lack of) of the women’s marathon. How about some time-gap splits and mile splits? Where were the Americans? Where were the post-race interviews? It was as if the announcers were watching a different event than the one being broadcast.

Kudos To Amputee Beijing Athlete Natalie du Toit

It was the Beijing Games’ greatest human interest story and nothing in the competition will more unique and as inspiring as Natalie du Toit's debut in a debut event — the women’s open water swim.

The South African swimmer, the first amputee to compete in the Summer Olympics, finished 16th in the field of 25 women in the 10-kilometer event.

Unlike the marathon, which received more than two hours of coverage, the open water swim was covered briefly by NBC. Cris Collinsworth interviewed du Toit before her event and handled the interview with class. Collinsworth and Bob Costas also discussed the story in studio setting and avoided any potential syrupy pitfalls.

Du Toit, who lost her left leg in a motorcycle accident seven years ago, qualified when she finished fourth in the 6.2-mile race at the open water World Championships last month in Seville, Spain.

Du Toit did not swim her best race in her Olympic debut, but she made no excuses. She finished in 2:00.49.9 and said she had plenty of work to do. Du Toit will defend five Paralympic Gold Medals when the Beijing Paralympics beginning August 8.

Usain Bolt: Facts, Stats & Lightning

Within a few minutes of the completion of his 100-meter and 200-meter double victory, both in world records, Usain Bolt of Jamaica was being compared to some of the best sprinters in track and field history.

Certainly at 6-foot-5 and with his showman-like personality, he’s among the sport’s most unique athletes. And while Michael Phelps is the rage of the Beijing Olympics, Bolt is getting his share of acclaim.

Here are some quick facts and figures about the double gold medalist:

* Bolt’s first sport was cricket and he specialized in fast bowling;

* With his world records in the 100 meters (9.69) and 200 meters (19.30), Bolt became the first person to break world marks in both events during the Olympics;

* With his two sprint wins, Bolt became the first sprinter since Don Quarrie to hold both 100 and 200 meters world records simultaneously.
 
* Bolt’s winning margin of .66 seconds was the largest since the 200 meters became part of the Olympics 108 years ago;

* Bolt has two nicknames: “Lightning Bolt” and “Bolt From The Blue.” The nicknames began after Bolt set the previous 100-meter world record May 31, 2008 in New York just after a lightning storm;

* Bolt turned professional in 2004 and he became the first junior to run under 20 seconds for 200 meters with a 19.93 effort at the CARIFTA Games in Bermuda.

* In the 2004 Olympics, Bolt was eliminated in the first round of the 200 meters after running 21.05 seconds and suffering from a leg injury.

* Bolt received several American university scholarship offers but declined all of them and remained in Jamaica to train.

Five-Time Gold Medalist Eric Heiden Co-Authors New Book

After careers as an Olympic speed skater, professional cyclist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Eric Heiden is sharing his diverse expertise from each of his pursuits in a newly co-authored book.

Heiden, now age 50, won all five speed skating medals at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. After retired from speed skating, Heiden transitioned into two other careers — pro cycling for seven years and then medical doctor.

Heiden and long-time friend and colleague, Dr. Max Testa, have collaborated with veteran journalist Deanne Musolf on the new release, “Faster, Better, Stronger.”

It’s Sub-titled “10 Proven Secrets To A Healthier Body In 12 Weeks.”

Heiden and Testa have extensive experience working with myriad athletes, Tour de France cyclists to world champion hockey players, NBA stars to Olympic speed skaters. The two physicians developed the UC Davis Sports Performance Center in Sacramento, Calif., and they now work together at the Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Musolf has written for many national publications in her nearly 20-year career.

The book is divided into two parts: the whys and hows behind exercise that works and a step-by-step system to evaluate your current fitness level and design a personalized fitness regime.

Faster, Better, Stronger (ISBN 13: 978-0061215230, $25.95) is published by Collins Living and available via major retailers and online outlets.

Michael Phelps' Feat: $12.5 Million Per Gold Medal?

If endorsement industry experts are accurate, each of Michael Phelps’ eight swimming gold medals in the Beijing Olympics could be worth $12.5 million.

"What is the value of eight golds in Beijing before a prime-time audience in the U.S?" Peter Carlisle, Phelps’ long-time agent, asked when interviewed in the Wall Street Journal on Monday. "I'd say $100 million over the course of his lifetime."

Entering the Beijing Games, Phelps was reportedly earning an estimated $5 million annually from endorsements with AT&T, Visa, PowerBar, Omega and Speedo.

Phelps received a $1 million bonus from Speedo for his record performance in Beijing.

The newspaper also reprted Phelps’ contract with Nike could be worth $40 million. And he’s about to be the spokesman for PureSport, a soon-to-debut new sports drink

And not to be fogotten, Phelps and his Olympic teamates won’t have to worry about buying pizza — at least for a while. Pizza Hut has offered free pizza to the swimmers for one year.

Beijing Dispatch: Glenn Stilwell Eats Insects

(Glenn Stilwell, a friend and colleague, is working as an audio engineer at the Beijing Olympics. Here's another of his continuing dispatches.)

After one of our long days here at water polo, I remembered some emails sent to me in the months leading to my gig here.

They showed an open air market selling all manner of bugs and beetles, snakes and sea horses, larva of whatever . . . Well, that seems like a place to check out.

And I did. I went farther down that road when I visited a place called Wangfujing last night. Wangfujing is a pedestrian street near Tienanmen Square. On the out side it would appear to be just like any open shopping plaza back home.

However, down a narrow side street, dimly lit and crowded by locals are rows of food stalls, each selling its version of delectable little creatures.

Now I can't tell you if this is just a tourist trap or a legitimate part of the Chinese diet. I can tell you that the sights, sounds and smells of the place are something to behold.

First impressions they say are very important, but that never seems to stop me. And to their credit my fellow Water Polo workers were hungry too. What would you imagine the reactions are when you look into the window and you see a pot that has 10 or more scorpions on a stick? How about a sea horse on a stick? Hummm . . . looks like that one is still alive. Are you hungry? I'll have four scorpions on a stick, hold the sauce

They went down smoothly and without incident. thanks in part to the Coca-Cola company. I think these things do need a little more chili oil.

Should Kobe Bryant And Yao Ming Play In The Olympics?

I know professionals from many sports compete in the Olympics. Nevertheless, there’s something unsettling about Kobe Bryant and Yao Ming, among many other NBA stars, competing in the Olympics.

Barring catastrophe, the U.S. squad will compete for the gold medal at the conclusion of the final week of the competition and the American squad will included some of the world’s highest paid athletes.

Basketball was first an Olympic sport as an outdoor competition in Berlin in 1936, four years after FIBA, its international federation, was organized.

Only amateur players competed in the Olympics and in 1948 basketball transitioned from an outdoor to indoor sport. The United States won every Olympic gold medal until its controversial loss to the Soviet Union in 1972. The U.S. refused to accept the silver medal after winning seven straight gold medals and a compiling a 63-0 win/loss record.

Professionals were permitted to compete in international competition, including the Olympics, in 1989 and since many of the NBA’s best players have competed for their respective countries.

Nonetheless, whether it’s Yao Ming or Kobe Bryant, I still wonder: Do these multi-millionaires really need gold medals?

Professional athletes compete in Olympic cycling, tennis and track and field, among other sports. But watching and listening to Bryant and teammates discuss the Olympics as the ultimate moment of the their sports careers after they’ve just dismantled another country seems disingenuous.

Even if its against other countries’ pros, I like to see the U.S. again attempt the prove the strength of American basketball by selecting current or just-graduating college players to future Olympic teams.

Jason Lezak: Swimmer Of The Beijing Games

Now that the competition is over, my vote for best swimmer in the Beijing Olympics goes to Jason Lezak.

Michael Phelps has his eight gold medals and has made Olympic history that may never be equaled. But without Lezak, Phelps’ quest for a swep of all of his events would have ended after one gold medal.

Nothing disparing to Phelps. His performance in Beijing will be preserved in Olympic history.

But remember a week ago?

Lezak overtook French team anchor Alain Bernard in the  final 25 meters to give Phelps his second gold medal while recording the fastest 100-meter freestyle split in history (46.06) and completing the Americans’ world-record effort nearly four seconds faster than the previous mark.

Lezak, 32, the oldest male swimmer in the Olympics, also anchored the gold medal-winning U.S. Team in the 4x100 medley relay, allowing Phelps to complete his gold medal quest.

It was likely Lezak’s final Olympic performance, and while Phelps will reap the financial rewards, Lezak will be a little like cyclist George Hincapie.

Hincapie the only cyclist who rode as a teammate on all of Amstrong’s seven overall victories at the Tour de France. Hincapie had his moments, including a sage win. But he was the teammate who often catapulted Armstrong into a position to win.

Lezak and Hincapie are the kind of athletes who should be the most revered.

Track Cycling: NASCAR on Two Wheels?

As one of the sports in the inaugural Summer Olympics in 1896, track cycling remains very popular in many countries, most notably Japan, France, Italy, Great Britain and Australia.

It’s still in a niche sport in the United States, however, and there only a handful of active tracks around the country.

I’ve attended the World Track Cycling Championships in several times, including twice in the United States more than 20 years ago in Colorado and a couple of years ago in Carson, Calif.

The 10 track cycling events, seven for men and three for women, begin Friday at he Laoshan Velodrome. The indoor track is banked to an incredible angle, 42 degrees.

The disciplines include sprints to long-distance events. The races are held at high speeds and there are crashes and incredible bursts of power. It’s a little like NASCAR.

I’ve attended the World Track Cycling Champions several times, including both occasions when it was held in the United States in my lifetime, 1986 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and in 2006 in Carson, Calif.

It’s amazing to me that track cycling isn’t more popular in the United States. Like NASCAR, it involves athletes performing at high speeds. Unlike NASCAR, it’s hard to miss the body language of the athletes as they perform. It’s really cool, so check it out beginning Friday.

A Tale Of Lance & Two Kristin Armstrongs

There’s one Lance Armstrong and two women named Kristin Armstrong. Lance Armstrong, winner of seven Tour de France titles, was married to Kristin Armstrong, mother, journalist, marathon runner.

The other Kristin Armstrong is no relation to the above-mentioned Kristin Armstrong or to Lance Armstrong. But she’s also a cyclist and Wednesday she won women’s the individual time trial gold medal at the Beijing Games.

Since her Olympic debut four years ago, Kristin Armstrong, the new Olympic gold medalist, has often been asked about Lance Armstrong. She never seems upset by the question, though, and she cordially explains that she’s not related. She’s married to Joe Savola, but uses her maiden name.

The new Olympic gold medalist added to her lengthy career accomplishments that include the 2006 world time trial title with her time trial win in Beijing. She has joked with Lance Armstrong about their coincidence of thei last names and chosen sport. But two Kristin Armstrongs do not know each other.

But Kristin Armstrong now also has some bragging rights. She has a gold medal. In addition to his seven Tour de France titles, Lance Armstrong has a world road race title. But he never won an Olympic gold medal.

Michael Phelps Owes Jason Lezak — A Lot

Michael Phelps now has five gold medals in the Beijing Olympics and has become the possessor of more gold medals than any Olympian in history.

But he best not forget his teammate Jason Lezak and just how much Lezkak’s monstrous finishing kicks means.

Epic Olympic moments never grow old. And it’s now been three days, but it was Lezak’s anchor leg of the U.S. men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay that’s still the buzz of the sports world.

Lezak overcame world recorder-holder Alain Bernhard of France in the waning meters to not only give the United States the upset win, it allowed Michael Phelps to continue his quest for eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics with his second title.

The effort also provided the Americans with a world record of 3:08.24 and it quieted an outspoken French squad that was all-but certain of its pending dominance in the event.

Lezak, who has been an underachiever in the Olympics, won after out-touching Bernard and sealing the Americans’ win by eight hundreds of a second.

The finish is destined to become among the all-time great Olympic moments.

Swimming fans marveled at Lezak’s anchor leg. And even those who have little interest in the Olympics and just happened to be watching it were mesmerized.

Despite the French squad’s bravado, the winning Americans approached French first the during the podium presentation to offer congratulations.

What that showed is that not only were the Americans the best team, they showed class and sportsmanship after winning the race.

And, of course, if Michael Phelps goes on the win eight gold medals, he’ll likely have Jason Lezak to thank again — big time — for his epic swim.

Beijing Dispatch: Glenn Stilwell Reports

Glenn Stilwell is a broadcast engineer (and friend) who's working at the water polo venue at the Beijing Olympics. I'm featuring his dispatches. Here's No. 4, received on 8/10/08.

 

"Opening ceremonies started us off with a bang a few days ago and here at water polo we've gotten into a little groove. We have a long day followed by a not so long day and then repeat.

Those of us in the engineering department are always the first to arrive and almost always the last to leave. And our venue is not the most active. Next door to us is handball where they have split crews working 18 hours per day or more. I never knew team handball was so popular worldwide.

The rain started coming down yesterday afternoon and lasted late into the night. It does make the haze go away and the air not feel so heavy. Our broadcasters are filling in nicely and for the most part we haven't had much trouble. We do get the occasional announcer that turns off his or her own microphone and then tries to turn it back on, only to turn on the wrong switch. Then they start frantically calling our control room and we dutifully go out and push the button labeled "on" for them.
 
A few days ago, I had a chance to visit the LLama Temple when it was open. Beautiful gardens adorn the front breezeway and then you're greeted with a series of temples that all contain Buddhas. In the final building is the world’s largest sitting Buddha.You're not allowed to take pictures and you should bring some incense to burn.

People are praying there and pay homage to Buddha. We saw a very nice western man sitting on a bench talking to a local Chinese woman. He was trying to convert her to Christianity. Now I for one don't care what you believe, but PLEASE don't go into someone else's house and tell them what they should believe. It is very disrespectful to me. Ok back off the soapbox and back to the game....
 
The last match yesterday was men's US vs. China. The Americans won but it didn't really look that easy. They will have their hands full when they meet Montenegro, Serbia, or Hungary. Today's final match is women's U.S. vs. China, so the stands should be full and the place rocking out every time a team scores."
 

Queen Jeannie Pedals On As Beijing's Middle-Aged Persevere

Jeannie Longo’s first of two appearances in her seventh Summer Olympics didn’t go as planned. But the 49-year-old French woman remained optimistic and didn’t rule out competing again in the London Olympics in 2012.

Longo is the eighth-oldest athlete competing in Beijing. The top-10 oldest athletes range from Hiroshi Hoketsu, 67, of Japan, an equestrian, to Dara Torres, 41, the American swimmer.

Longo, the 1996 Olympic road race gold medalist, has won more than 1,000 races in her long career. While riding a steady rain Saturday, she finished 24th, trailing winner Nicole Cooke of Great Britain by 33 seconds. Longo will also compete Wednesday in the individual time trial.

I first met Longo more than 20 years ago. She was part of the Celestial Seasonings/Red Zinger team competing in the Coors International Bicycle Classic in Colorado.

Longo was the best women’s cyclist in the world. She was in her mid-20s then, fiery, charming and tough on the bike. Like a lot of the French of the time, she wore an ascot with her non-cycling clothes. I immediately liked her, the opposite of most of her competitors, whom she sometimes called “silly girls.” Her rivals may still not like her, but they respect her. She’s known as “Queen Jeannie.”

Here’s the list of the 10 oldest athletes (according to Reuters), their country and the sport in which they'll compete in Beijing:

Hiroshi Hoketsu, 67, Japan, equestrian
Laurie Lever, 60, Australia, equestrian
John Dane, 58, USA, sailing
Susan Nattrass, 57, Canada, shooting
Mark Todd, 52, New Zealand, equestrian
Iain Murray, 50, Australia, sailing
Luan Jujie, 50, Canada, fencing
Jeannie Longo, 49, France, cycling
Ralf Schumann, 46, Germany, shooting
Dara Torres, 41, United States, swimming

Beijing Dispatch: Glenn Stilwell Reports

Glenn Stilwell, a friend from Sacramento who’s working as an engineer at the water polo venue at the Beijing Olympics, has checked in a few hours before the Games’ opening day.

8/07/08 Dispatch No. 3

“Been here a week and by the looks of the place we’re ready to go. I saw Golden State Warriors’ play-by-play man Bob Fitzgerald. He’s going to be the water polo announcer for NBC.

“We got him all set at our #1 commentary position today. The cameras are in place and engineers are scrambling on the final touches. Last night, I went to the Hou Hi district which is around a little lake. It’s nothing but bars and cafes. It was a good time had by all and I’m sure we will be back.

“From the sleepy little town it was when I got here, our village has turned into the bustling metropolis. Now there are hundreds of people around the plaza enjoying lively conversation and in my case the 10- meter square area that has a strong enough wifi signal.

“It is very hot and humid most of the time. I’ve turned my AC down to 22 degrees Celsius. Our driver picks us up in the morning and luckily for us he’s already got the car cooled off by the time he arrives. This does pose an interesting phenomenon as my glasses instantly fog up upon exiting the vehicle.

“Our venue has a similar situation as it gets a bit hazy inside during the day. We have out own little micro climate inside. When I exit on my way to lunch the air seems very, very heavy. One thing about hanging around a bunch of TV engineers is that we always find ways to do things.

“A Russian sitting next to me and talking to family back home on his laptop is using iTunes. Free calls back home, that’s a great idea! OK, looks like the laundry is done. Need to get a good night’s sleep. We have an early buss tomorrow and my fellow thespians and I are going to visit the Great Wall of China in the afternoon. Shea Shea (Thank You) for listening… Glenn.

The 8-8-8 Beijing Good Luck? It's Already A Joke

A women’s soccer match was held at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday, marking the unofficial start to what is certainly going to unfold as the most controversial Olympiad in memory.

Norway defeated the United States 2-0. According to all official presentations, of course, the Beijing Games don’t actually begin until Friday on the “shoulders” of the Chinese hype of the “good luck” date of 08-08-08.

We’re less than one full day into the competition, unofficial and all, and already there’s plenty of fodder for pessimism.

Chinese Olympic officials revoked the visa of American Joey Cheek, a 2006 speedskating gold medalist for his activism against the tragedy that is Darfur.

Four members of the U.S. Oiympic cycling team gave what one prominent U.S. journalist called a “forced apology” after they wore breathing masks soon after arrivng in China.

And then came word via international news organizations that security forces at the Olympics will be 100,000 strong, and that the national stadium is being protected in part by anti-aircraft weaponry.

Gee, what can President Bush possibly have on his mind to say Thursday when he speaks in Bangkok?

According to information released Wednesday and published on CNN.com, President Bush in part will say:

"America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists.”

So, let The Games begin on Friday, officially. And that 08-08-08 stuff? Seems like eights just ain't going to be enough.

Cycling First To Test Beijing Air

Paul Verkuylen, contributing to the Australian-based site www.cyclingnews.com, has authored an authoritative piece, quoting various international coach and health experts about the pro air quality in Beijing and the first endurance sport scheduled — road cycling.

"There is no way to acclimatize to dirty air,” Heiko Salzwedel, Denmark's head cycling coach, told the site. “"The best thing to do is avoid it all together for as long as possible."

The men’s road race, followed by the women’s road race, will cover a vast area around Beijing and will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. Beijing time.

One medical expert told the British news organization, Sky News, that unless smog in the Olympic capital clears, athletes may find their times considerably reduced, and that we should not "expect any world records to be broken."

"Athletes breathe in ten times as much air into their lungs as spectators," said Professor Frank Kelly, professor of environmental health at Kings College, London. "The pollution will cause their lungs to decrease in diameter, so they will not be able to take as much air into their lungs, which will affect their performance."

“Some of the athletes will suffer severe reactions and all will see impacts on their health They are pushing their bodies to their limits so pollution will have serious consequences.”

According to CyclingNews.com sources, many athletes have applied to be allowed to use asthma medication during the Games. And to combat the smog, many countries have opted to sking the opening ceremony and arrive to their events as close to the start as possible.

Many teams are also issuing protective masks to their athletes.

Organisers have said they may have to re-schedule or move events if the levels of pollution are too high at the time that they are scheduled. Road race competitors may have to change strategy to account for the high levels of pollution. Much like racing at altitude, the smog levels may force riders into oxygen debt as they force the pace or attack.

Dispatches From Beijing — Glenn Stilwell

Glenn Stilwell is one of my three friends (and colleagues) working at the Summer Olympics in Beijing in different areas of the media.

A longtime broadcast engineer in Sacramento, Calif., Glenn and I co-hosted an endurance sports radio show for a year and we’ve been friends for many years. We share an appreciation of cycling and the industry in which we work.

When television and radio broadcasts succeed, it’s largely because of behind-the-scenes folks like Glenn who make the communications work properly.

Glenn will be working in Beijing at the water polo venue for the international broadcast network.

One of the life challenges Glenn faces daily is Diabetes. He gives himself daily insulin injections.

Glenn has forwarded two emails, one just before his departure and one a few days after his arrival. I’ll check in with Glenn periodically during the Summer Olympics and post his observations. Here are his first two dispatches:

7/31, Glenn Stilwell In Beijing #1

“What a glorious trip it will be, no matter all the warnings from the media, friends and colleagues, and even my health provider. If we always listened to the naysayers we’d never leave the house. It’s smog, it’s dog, it’s political oppression, it’s isolated depression, it’s malaria and dingy fever . . . How does this world get anything done?

“It’s because we don’t listen and need to experience things first hand. Hopefully in the next few weeks I can give you some small glimpse of my trials and tribulations from a job that I wanted and am proud to do. ‘Live, From Beijing, It’s Saturday Night?' ”

8/4, Glenn Stilwell In Beijing #2

“ ‘NEE HOW.’ ” That's hello in Beijing. We're humming right along here . . . Putting out lots of little fires here at the office. Our main translator has made me some cards to carry explaining diabetes (TAN-NEOW-BEEN) and what my insulin kit contains and does.

It has been a bit of a hassle getting it through to the venue each day. Security is very good and I feel very safe. The security services (police and army) have a tough job and we're glad they are here.
 
My cohorts and I went to the famous Silk Market last night. Quite an eye- opening experience. There are to many floors to count with hundreds of stalls on each . . . Selling everything from CDs to suits. Everybody seems to be my friend . . . At least what they all told me as I strode past. I didn't feel all that comfortable with all the touching, I guess that's part of it.

“I went and looked at some watches after dinner and found a Tag Monaco and got them down to 200 Yuan ($24). My assistant manager has to go back to pick up his suit today. I might or might not go back. It's not that much fun for me. Too many people trying to sell me knock-off stuff. Don't know where we'll go next, but I'm sure it will be fun.”
 
 

Beijing Top-10 Wish (More) List

The Beijing Games, like any modern-day Olympiad, will provide thinly veiled reasons for sporting enthusiasts' sick days. And despite the varied controversies surrounding the Summer Olympics, I’ll be among the vast and avid television- viewing masses.

I’d watch any sport with Jim McKay as the announcer or host and it’s the recently deceased broadcaster’s voice I first remember watching the Summer and Winter Olympic through the years. It’s all changed now, of course.

I’ve only attended the Olympics twice. In Albertville, France, in 1992, I primarily reported on speedskating for several news organizations, but I also spent some time in the figureskating venue. In 2002, I attended the Winter Olympics in the Salt Lake City, Utah, but only for a few days as a web site news writer.

Nonetheless, the Beijing Games will likely have its share of drama and controversy, and I’ve seen enough of the Olympics in person and on television to know what I like and don’t like. I’ve compiled two lists:

The 10 things I’d like to view, read and hear more during the competition and the 10 things I’d like to view, hear or read less.

Here are the 10 things I’d like to view, hear or read about more:

1. Bob Costas stepping out a little. Costas is a damn good veteran network anchor — and he plays it right down the middle. Bob, you’ve been around long enough now, you’ve got a great vocabulary and you know sports better than most. So, give us a little attitude. Get rid of the coat and tie in prime time at least once.

2. Athletes thanking their parents for encouraging them to try their best, whether they win a medal or not.

3. Gold medalists making the first efforts to congratulate fellow competitors. It shows class.

4. Interviews with last place male and female in their respective marathons. The winners will be fine, too. But the duo who finish last in that air? Ever done a marathon and finished on a hot day, cold day, windy day, rainy day or when you were far from being at your best. Enough said. Those folks deserve to be interviewed.

5. Network executives deciding to make something of one of the sports or singular events that usually get nothing, let’s say track cycling. It’s the best high-speed, edge-of-your-seat sports I’ve witnessed. It’s held on a banked track and you can see everything. No disrespect, but it's not too from from being a condensed version of NASCAR. But it's cooler.

6. Morgan Freeman. The actor’s voice-overs in NBC's  promotional commercials are great. Hell, bring him in for chats with Bob Costas. Let him do some spur-of-the-moment play-by-play.

7. Reporters interviewing athletes by asking questions, not the often-used approach, “Tell me about your . . . run, jump, swim, bike, routine."

8. Innovation. Projected lane markers in the swimming pool? Cool. A field level, side-angle camera during 100 meters? Cooler. Come on, NBC. You’ll have the population of a major city working in Beijing. Bring your best stuff.

9. Dara Torres is great. She’s a 41-year-old mother with a great smile and she’ll likely be a media darling in Beijing. It’s all good. But, hey, NBC researchers: News Bulletin . . . Jeannie Longo of France may be the best cyclist in history. She has something like 1,000 career victories. She’ll be competing in Beijing at age 49.

10. Coverage of every sport at least once in prime time.

 

 

Beijing Top-10 Wish (Less) List

The Beijing Games, like any modern-day Olympiad, will provide thinly veiled reasons for sporting enthusiasts' sick days. And despite the varied controversies surrounding the Summer Olympics, I’ll be among vast and avid television- viewing masses.

Here's the list of the top-10 things I'd like to view, hear or read about less:

1. Camera close-ups showing Bela Karolyi hugging gymnasts. The guy and his wife are controversial enough (scary, if you ask me) and this obligatory affection routine after every routine is pathetic.

2. Video of athletes waiting in the catacombs while listening to their ipods. Riveting, not!

3. Carol Lewis. Yup, she once was a fine Olympian. But no one can talk more on the NBC Olympic track and field broadcast team and say less. Here’s a staple of Lewis’ commentary prior to any track final: “ (Fill in the name) ran hard in the semifinals, but he/she will have to give it all he/she’s got in the final.” Really. Damn. Never thought of that.

4. Columnists making fun of race walking, badminton, handball, track cycling or synchronized swimming. No doubt, all are easy fodder for criticism. But, hey, “armchair quarterback” with the free-wheeling laptop or big mouth and likely wide girth, go try a sport before you crucify it.

5. Athletes thanking God for helping them win the gold medal. I respect your faith. Right on. But you won or didn’t win based on your effort or lack thereof.

6. Military references by athletes, coaches, announcers. No one participating in the Olympics is going to war or into battle or fighting for their lives. Soldiers do that. Olympic athletes are competing in sporting events unless, of course, there happens to be a war at the Olympics, which is not entirely impossible.

7. Use of term “grueling” by any member of the print, broadcast of online media. In may only be more overused by two other terms and one of single-word oddity of “journalism,” “grizzly murder,” “brutal murder” and “indeed.”

8. Tennis players arriving on the court with enough rackets to supply all contestants in a doubles match and their immediate families.

9. The entourage that comprises each NBC broadcast booth. We don’t need the Summer Olympics version of the Winter Olympics' degree: “Hi, I’m Dick Button. Welcome to figureskating coverage. I’ll be joined by every former figureskating medalist still alive.”

10. Commercials. (It’s good to dream.)

Haze & Hypocrisy: No Way To Begin Olympics

Bad air and politics are no way to start the Summer Olympics. And while it would be considered naïve to think the Beijing Games will begin in complete bliss, it seems these Olympics more any other in recent years are about to begin in what, with all due respect to the athletes, has all the makings of utter chaos.

It’s about  a week and counting and all the spin and last-minute clean-the-air programs can’t possibly change the fact that competition will be held in under filthy skies.

 And likewise, while a last-minute decision will allow four Iraqis to participate, how we are all getting along is at such a constant uncertainty, can the world actually meet and compete without a simultaneous keen eye on what’s happening outside of the Olympic venues?

After winning the bid, Li Lanqing, the vice premier of China, said: "The winning of the 2008 Olympic bid is an example of the international recognition of China's social stability, economic progress and the healthy life of the Chinese people."

Six years later, Juan Antonio Samaranch, former International Olympic Committee, said he believes the Beijing Games will be "the best in Olympic history."

Are these men really speaking sincerely?

They sound foolish.

Auto racing isn’t part of the Olympics. And it’s likely its passionate fans watch and attend events with hopes that nothing drastic happens.

But it’s likely they’re keenly aware that crashes will likely occur.

I’ll watch the Olympics as much as the next sports enthusiast.

But I can’t help it. I’ll be watching with hope that nothing from the “real” world infiltrates what in some instances is still pure competition at its best.

Walk This Way? Let's Hope NBC Gets It

The Associated Press is keen on quickly reporting world records, but even a global news agency as vast as the AP has varying priorities. A world record in the 100-meter dash or 1,500 meters is likely to get significantly more attention than the 10-kilometer race walk. And maybe that's justified.

But a srong case could be made that anyone setting a world mark in race walking is just a fit and has trained just as hard, if not harder, than any athlete from a track and field glamour event.

And so it was Sunday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Francisco Javier Fernandez, who will represent Spain in the Beijing Olympics, sliced about five seconds off the previous record when he completed the 10,000-meter men's walk at the Spanish national championships in 37 minutes, 53.09 seconds.

The previous mark was set by Italy's Ivano Brugnett in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

The AP reported the new record with a two-paragraph story. And while race walking is a popular sport in Spain, Fernandez likely got less "play" in his country than he normal. His compatriot, Carlos Sastre, won the Tour de France on the same day.

In recent years, NBC has reallized the race-ending drama of race walking and has provided decent coverage of the unheralded endurance athletes with the unique gaits. Let's  hope for American audiences, the network does so again.

Tour de France Winner Carlos Sastre Set For Beijing

Carlos Sastre, the veteran Spanish rider who Sunday won the 95th Tour de France and led his CSC-Saxo Bank squad to the team title, will now also be a favorite in the Beijing Summer Olympics.

Sastre, the third straight Spanish winner of the Tour de France, has been added to the Spanish Olympic cycling team, according to the Spanish Cycling Federation.

Sastre will join a strong team that will include compatriots Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Oscar Freire (Rabobank), Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Alberto Contador (Astana), winner of this year's Giro d'Italia and the 2007 Tour de France.

Other Spanish winners of the Tour de France include: Federico Bahamontes (1959), Luis Ocaa (1973), Pedro Delgado (1988), Miguel Indurain (1991-95), Pereiro (2006) and Contador (2007).

Sastre will replace of Oscar Pereiro on the Spanish Olympic team who crashed out of the Tour on stage 15 and underwent surgery for a broken arm.

In the Tour de France, single-day races as well as stage events riders compete international trade teams sponsored by companies. In World Championships and the Olympics cyclists compete for their countries

Nine Events Make Olympic Debut In Beijing

The mainstay sports -- track and field, swimming, gymnastics and soccer -- will all return when the Beijing 2008 Games begin in two weeks.  They'll all have great moments, for sure.

But I've always appreciated unheralded sports, and where will that fondness lead me while watching the Olympics?

A total of 302 events (165 for men, 127 for women and 10 mixed events) will be contested. That represents one more event than during the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

As for new flash sports likely unheralded sports, nine new events will be held, which include two from the new cycling discipline, BMX. Women will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the first time. In addition, marathon swimming events for men and women, over the distance of 10 kilometers, will be added to the swimming discipline.

Team events (men and women) in table tennis will replace the doubles events. In fencing, women's team foil and women's team sabre will replace men's team foil and women's team epee.

The open water swim should be cool to watch and an endurance event for track and field, the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Here's a list of sports scheduled for the Beijing Games: Aquatics, Archery, Athletics (track and field), Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Field hockey, Football/soccer, Gymnastics, Handball,  Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Softball, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling.

Let The (Beijing) Games Begin — On Aug. 6

The Summer Olympics and its more than century of traditions, still offer countless moments of grand sport for the sake of sport. But the Games are still an ever-increasing competition of contradiction.

Fine, largely amateur sports still exist. But money, television contracts and huge corporate involvement control the Olympics. That's nothing new.

Another small contradiction that's part of the Beijing Olympics  involves its promotion.

For months, Olympic organizers have touted its start on 08-08-08 -- as if the triple-eight dates August 8, 2008 have a magical connection, which the Chinese believe they do. The number eight is, of course, a lucky number in China. Its pronunciation in Chinese is similar to the word that means "prosper" or "wealth."

The opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics are schedule on Aug. 8 and a full slate of Olympic events then unfold on Aug. 9.

But as of today's date (July 19), the beginning of Olympic competition is 18 days away when women's soccer matches begin on Aug 6. Men's soccer begins on Aug. 7.

Natalie du Toit First Summer Olympic Amputee

The Olympic Games always provide great human drama. None of the stories in the Beijing Summer Olympics will more unique and as inspiring as Natalie du Toit's circumstances.

The endurance swimmer from South Africa will be the first amputee to compete at the Summer Olympic Games.

Du Toit, who lost her left leg in a motorcycle accident seven years ago, qualified when she finished fourth in the 6.2-mile race at the open water world championships last month in Seville, Spain.

The top 10 finishers qualified for Beijing in swimming's equivalent of the marathon.

Du Toit will also defend her five gold Paralympic gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics, which take place two weeks after the Summer Olympics, beginning August 8.

Surprising Christian Vande Velde: Go To Beijing Via France

One of the surprises in the Tour de France is the performance of American Christian Vande Velde. Now beginning his second decade as a pro, Vande Velde is in third place overall about halfway through cycling's biggest race.

Vande Velde, 32, is riding in the Tour de France for the sixth time and he's twice been a member of the winner's team when he rode in a support role for the first two of Lance Armstrong's seven titles.
 
Pro cyclists compete for international trade teams for most of the year, and Vande Velde is in his first season with the American-based team, Garmin-Chipotle.

After two strong mountain stage efforts, Vande Velde, who lives in Boulder, Colo., trails race leader Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) of Australia by 38 seconds with the Tour de France continuing through July 27.

It's only during the Olympic and World Championships that pro cyclists exchange their corporate sponsored jerseys and ride for their respective countries.

Vande Velde, who earlier this summer held the early overall lead in the Tour of Italy, was recently selected as one of the five riders on the U.S. Olympic road cycling team. He also competed in the 2000 Olympics as a track cyclist.

Vande Velde, who has finished as high as 24th overall in the Tour de France, will be joined by George Hincapie of Greenville, S.C., Jason McCartney of Coralville, Iowa, David Zabriksie of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa, Calif., on the Olympic road team.

Hincapie, who was named to the U.S. team for a record fifth time, is the only other U.S. road team member competing in the Tour de France.

Open Water Swimming Warrants Network Time

The Winter and Summer Olympics have their sexy, nearly made-for-television sports. Figure skating is the darling of networks in the Winter Olympics and gymnastics gets an uncanny amount of Summer Olympics television coverage.

Nothing against either sport. The athletes train hard, for sure. But I've always appreciated the unheralded sports in the Olympics. There are no better athletes in the Winter Olympics than cross country skiers. And in the Summer Olympics racewalkers are great but often overlooked athletes.

Both sports nearly all-day, television unfriendly disciplines with small, niche crowds in attendance. Thus, the decision is easy. Olympic television coverage is limited for the final minutes or perhaps intermittent coverage.

One new endruance event in Beijing is a discipline worthy of the some serious airtime. It's the men's and women's open water, 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) swims. Twenty-five women will compete on August 20 and 25 men the next day.

The event will be held in the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, about 20 miles from the Olympic Village in central Beijing. The facility has lane lines over 1 kilometer in length, anchored to the bottom, and the water is continuously filtered through a gigantic filtration system.

The new event will also feature two of the most interesting athletes in the entire Summer Olympics. Natalie du Toit of South Africa became the first Paralympian to qualify for the Olympics against able-bodied athletes. And Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands qualified after recovering after battling leukemia using stem cell therapy. Both athletes are medal contenders.

Here's hoping the television media gives the open water competition its fair share of exposure. Perhaps it might even lead to more coverage of other endurance Olympic sports. Racewalking and cross-country skiing come to mind.

New Olympic Swimming Bodysuit: Fast But Nowhere To Hide

So, now that everyone has seen 'em in action, what should we think of the new bodysuits worn by athletes at the U.S. Olympic Trials?

Competitive bodysuit-type swimsuits have been around since the 2000 Olympics, and the current version with ultrasonically welded "seams" were introduced six months ago in a blaze of national publicity including athletes' appearance on national television morning shows and various modeling sessions.

So what's the result? The Speedo LZR Racer (pronounced: Laser Racer) obviously makes a difference. How many world and American Records can possibly be established just based on athletes peaking at the right time or via intense competition?

The athletes described wearing the new suit as tantamount to being a rocket in the water. And it's likely in the Beijing Olympics the new swimmers' attire will help them produce more records.

But two things struck me about the $550 LZR Racer while watching the Olympic Trials.

Swimmers arguably have the best physiques of any Olympic athletes. But the bodysuit fits so tightly, it makes even the best athletes with the best athletic bodies look like they have fat under their arms.

And did anyone else catch Gary Hall, Jr., asking another guy to un-zip him after one of his races?

I'm all for innovation and individualism, but something still seemed, well, different about a guy asking another guy to unzip him.

Jeannie Longo: France's Queen Of The Olympics

Cycling has been part of the Olympic Games for more than 100 years. Like soccer, it's a daily part of life in Europe and it's woven into culture in many countries like football, basketball and baseball are in the United States.

Lance Armstrong and Greg LeMond are names likely known to the general public, but neither is as accomplished as Jeannie Longo. At age 49 (and soon to 50) she maybe the greatest cycling in history and the finest athlete of whom you've never heard.

Earlier this week, Longo, who's approaching 1,000 career victories, was named to her seventh Olympic team for France. She'll be among the oldest athletes competing in the Beijing Summer Olympics.

I've been reporting on Longo for more than 20 years, and consider some of the interviews I done with her as on par with other legendary women athletes I've interviewed, Grete Waitz to Annika Sorenstam.

Longo competed in the Coors International Bicycle Classic in Colorado and California in the mid-1980s and more recently in the Ore-Ida Women's Challenge in Idaho, the now-defunct largest women's stage race in the United States.

Longo is not without controversy. She's respected but not always well liked by fellow competitors who view her as fierce and feisty and intense to a fault. She's fought and been reprimanded by the French cycling governing organization. And she's argued with sponsors.

But with age, Longo has also mellowed. She's often called "Queen Jeannie" and she remains competitive -- often against women half her age. And she wants to win another medal in either the road race or individual time trial in the Summer Games.

Longo, who has a doctorate in Sports Management, was born Oct. 31, 1958 in Annecy, France. She began her athletic as a downhill skier. After winning the French schools' ski championship and three university skiing championships, she switched her main athletic endeavors to cycling at the urging of her then coach (and now husband) Patrice Ciprelli.

Within a few months of taking up cycling as her main sporting endeavor, Longo, then 21, won the 1980 French Road Race Championship and her nearly three-decade career had begun in earnest. To date, she has more than 50 national titles, 13 word titles and four Olympic medals, including the 1996 gold medal in the road race in Atlanta, Ga.

New Beijing Auto Mandate: A Lot Of Hot Air?

One major concern at the Beijing Summer Olympics is poor air quality. The capital of China is one of the world's most polluted cities, and the potential health risks for athletes (and spectators) has prompted outspoken comments and resulted in competitors questioning competition safety.

Beijing was awarded the Summer Olympics nearly seven years ago. But with the start of competition about five weeks away, the latest effort to clean the air seems like a good public relations move and maybe even a little environmental awareness -- albeit late in the game before The Games.

Beijing officials announced July 1 they have mandated taking 300,000 high-emission cars off the roads as a combined measure to ease congestion and clean up the air during the Summer Olympics.

The move comes as a reaction to the International Olympic Committee considering moving some endurance events to different venues because of the poor air quality.

The 300,000 "yellow grade" cars, which fall short of the city's benchmark emissions standards, are banned from Beijing's roads until Sept. 20. Authorities had also banned trucks, tractors and other "low-speed cargo vehicles" from entering Beijing municipal limits from neighboring provinces.

Beijing claims to have already taken 50 percent of government cars off the roads, and will ban private cars (via odd or even license plate numbers) on alternate days from July 20.

Authorities hope to take 45 percent of the city's 3.29 million cars off the roads and slash car emissions by 63 percent. Temporary construction halts and factory closures, beginning July 20, are also seen as a way to help improve air quality.

Nonetheless, all of the last-minute maneuvering could be futile. The country's top environmental chief in May warned Beijing could only guarantee clean air with favourable weather conditions during the Games.

Let the Human Drama Begin

The 2008 Summer Olympics begin on August 8, and like millions of viewers I'll watch the NBC telecast as often as possible.

As a sportswrtiter, I've attended and reported on the Olympics twice -- 1992 in Albertville, France, and again 10 years later in Salt Lake City, Utah. As such, unlike many fans, my enjoyment of the OIympics is slightly jaded. I've been a sportswriter for more than 30 years and I've interviewed hundreds of athletes and seen them at their bests and worsts.

Sportswriters for wire services, newsapapers and magazines are trained to be objective. But all of that has changed with the electronic media, particularly on sites like PNN.com.

Reporting with an opinion is what it's all about here, and that's what I plan to do as the Summer Olympics reporter for this site. With this is mind, what I like about the Olympics is already being broadcast via a VISA commmercial.

The 30-second spot shows prohibitive favorite Derek Redmond of Great Britian pulling up in the 400-meter final in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Redmond's father comes onto the track and father and son, embraced, cross the line together - last.

Actor Morgan Freeman does the voice over, as he does with a few other  VISA commercials for the Summer Olympics. It's overt commercialism for a credit card company. The spot is edited and produced like a slick Hollywood movie.

Who cares? It's a great moment of a father and son's relationship. And with Freeman's voice? It doesn't get any better.

It's the kind of stuff, human drama, that attracts me to sport. Bring on the Summer Games in Beijing.