Have you caught any of the BMX racing at the Olympics over the last few days? If not, then you have definitely been missing out. It may not be a typical Olympic sport but it is certainly one of the most unpredictable, exciting and addictive.
Every race is jam=packed full of thrills, spills, flying bikes and crashing falls as the eight riders attempt to find the optimum line around the burms - corners to you and me.
At the semi-final stage the entire event becomes somewhat of a free-for-all as each rider battles for every place to ensure themselves a spot in the final. In how many sports could you fall twice and still reach the final? Well that is what has happened to Shanaze Reade of Great Britain who fell in her opening time trial and then collided with another rider at the first turn of her opening semi-final run to finish seventh out of eight.
However, she showed true character to finish runner-up to Laetitia le Corguille before then beating her French rival in the third and final semi-final run to reach the Olympic final - and in the fastest time of the competition as a whole making her first seed for the final. Which she again fell in trying to actually 'take out' Anne Caroline Chausson of France at the final bend - that is what it looked like anyway - as the world champion failed to medal.
It is simply amazing that none of the riders have been on the receiving end of a serious injury at some point in the event - in fact Kyle Bennett of the United States suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Men's Quarter Final runs, but the doctor popped it back into it's socket and he made the semi-final regardless.
Simply the best sport I have seen at the Olympics this year for sheer entertainment value and what more could you want possibly want?
Thursday 21 August 2008
Monday 18 August 2008
THE UNITED STATES OF PHELPS
Something has just dawned on me about Michael Phelps’ unbelievable achievements in the Water Cube at the Beijing Olympics. The ‘Baltimore Bullet’ – by himself – would be lying tied sixth position in the Medals Table. To be honest, that is for want of a better word…insane!
The 23-year-old swimmer all but confirmed his status as the ‘Greatest Olympian of All Time’ with his record haul of eight gold medals in one Olympic games – beating Mark Spitz’s seven gold medals from Munich in 1972.
Agonising. Dramatic. Intense. Exciting. Breathless. Exhilarating. There are not enough words in the English language to describe the feelings during Phelps’ quest.
France had the 4x200m freestyle relay all wrapped up when 100m freestyle Olympic Champion Alain Bernard left the blocks on the final leg. In fact, it was there race until Jason Lezak of the USA began pulling himself over the water faster than he has ever done so before or will ever manage again. Lezak reeled in and overtook Bernard with metres to go and the first obstacle to Phelps’ dream had been overcome – in breathtaking fashion.
The remainder of the first six gold medals – matching his own record from the 2004 Athens Olympics – were achieved with consummate ease. Phelps simply – to put it bluntly – battered his opponents without even a cursory glance. He was ‘in the zone’ and the rest knew they had no hope of living with ‘The Man’.
However, gold number seven was the one Phelps himself was – and this is an assumption - dreading. The 100m butterfly. The only event he does not hold the world record in. The event he was beatable in…possibly.
Mirolad Cavic of Serbia, the world record holder, knew as he walked out for the final that he was the man with the chance to end Phelps’ pursuit of greatness. Better yet, he knew he could do it.
For the first time all week, Phelps’ usually flawless start failed him and he turned at the 50m mark in sixth place. Not only was the dream dying, it was falling apart at the seams. Would he even medal? Now was the time for the champion inside Phelps’ mind to pull his tired body into gear.
Fortunately for him, his second major weapon was firing on all cylinders. Throughout the week, anybody near Phelps approaching the turn found themselves – to all intents and purposes – a country mile behind. As the swimmers re-surfaced Phelps appeared alongside fellow American Ian Crocker in second position, but Cavic was clear, a long way clear at that.
Now he needed his biggest weapon. His heart. His desire. His champion’s spirit, whatever you want to call it, he has it in abundance.
In trademark style, arguably the greatest athlete of all time, laid siege to the Serbian and began to claw back the gap stroke by stroke. However, Cavic countered the threat and appeared to have fought ‘The Great Michael Phelps’ and emerged victorious.
Any other chasing swimmer, at any other time, in any other place and Cavic would have cruised to victory. Not here, not now, not with Michael Phelps on the hunt. As Cavic completed his final stroke he was still half a body length clear and it still seemed over, he had done it. But he hadn’t. As Cavic glided towards the wall, Phelps threw his arms furiously over one last time. Was it enough?
Why did anyone even wonder? The boy from Baltimore won, by a whole 0.01 seconds - in terms of distance, he won by less than 5mm. It is quite possibly the only time during whole meet that a swimmer touched the wall with their arms above the water…now they will wonder why they ever glide towards it. Phelps said afterwards that he did not care if he hit the wall, he would go through it for the gold medal.
In case you can’t tell, I was a little excited throughout this race. There is something about seeing sporting history unfold in front of your eyes that makes you want it to happen. Perhaps it’s because Phelps comes across as a likeable person – with the reputation held by many of his countrymen, it is perhaps surprising that a person labelled ‘The Greatest of All Time’ is so modest and understated.
The moment Phelps clinched the seventh gold, to match Spitz’s record, is something I will never forget and in years to come will become like Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick, Solskjaer’s injury time winner, Tiger Woods winning the US Open on one leg and Federer versus Nadal. Where were you when Phelps won when he had lost?
Of course, the 4x100m medley relay was the last of the eight but after the 100m butterfly was there any doubt that the Americans would win this one. Fittingly it was Phelps – and his new ‘best mate’ Lezak – that brought it home for the USA after Aaron Piersol and Brendan Hansen had allowed the dangerous Australians a halfway lead. Cue Phelps’ destruction on the butterfly leg. Cue Lezak holding off the 100m freestyle world record holder Eamon Sullivan. Cue mass hysteria in the packed stands of the Water Cube. Cue the eighth gold medal.
There is no doubt Michael Phelps has left a telling mark on these Olympics in a fashion that no other, not even the frighteningly quick Usain Bolt, can match. Beijing 2008 will be remembered for Michael Phelps relentless pursuit of eight gold medals and little else.
Some still claim that ‘although eight is a great achievement, it was only swimming’…to them I inform you: “Michael Phelps – on his own – won as many gold medals as Russia.”
The 23-year-old swimmer all but confirmed his status as the ‘Greatest Olympian of All Time’ with his record haul of eight gold medals in one Olympic games – beating Mark Spitz’s seven gold medals from Munich in 1972.
Agonising. Dramatic. Intense. Exciting. Breathless. Exhilarating. There are not enough words in the English language to describe the feelings during Phelps’ quest.
France had the 4x200m freestyle relay all wrapped up when 100m freestyle Olympic Champion Alain Bernard left the blocks on the final leg. In fact, it was there race until Jason Lezak of the USA began pulling himself over the water faster than he has ever done so before or will ever manage again. Lezak reeled in and overtook Bernard with metres to go and the first obstacle to Phelps’ dream had been overcome – in breathtaking fashion.
The remainder of the first six gold medals – matching his own record from the 2004 Athens Olympics – were achieved with consummate ease. Phelps simply – to put it bluntly – battered his opponents without even a cursory glance. He was ‘in the zone’ and the rest knew they had no hope of living with ‘The Man’.
However, gold number seven was the one Phelps himself was – and this is an assumption - dreading. The 100m butterfly. The only event he does not hold the world record in. The event he was beatable in…possibly.
Mirolad Cavic of Serbia, the world record holder, knew as he walked out for the final that he was the man with the chance to end Phelps’ pursuit of greatness. Better yet, he knew he could do it.
For the first time all week, Phelps’ usually flawless start failed him and he turned at the 50m mark in sixth place. Not only was the dream dying, it was falling apart at the seams. Would he even medal? Now was the time for the champion inside Phelps’ mind to pull his tired body into gear.
Fortunately for him, his second major weapon was firing on all cylinders. Throughout the week, anybody near Phelps approaching the turn found themselves – to all intents and purposes – a country mile behind. As the swimmers re-surfaced Phelps appeared alongside fellow American Ian Crocker in second position, but Cavic was clear, a long way clear at that.
Now he needed his biggest weapon. His heart. His desire. His champion’s spirit, whatever you want to call it, he has it in abundance.
In trademark style, arguably the greatest athlete of all time, laid siege to the Serbian and began to claw back the gap stroke by stroke. However, Cavic countered the threat and appeared to have fought ‘The Great Michael Phelps’ and emerged victorious.
Any other chasing swimmer, at any other time, in any other place and Cavic would have cruised to victory. Not here, not now, not with Michael Phelps on the hunt. As Cavic completed his final stroke he was still half a body length clear and it still seemed over, he had done it. But he hadn’t. As Cavic glided towards the wall, Phelps threw his arms furiously over one last time. Was it enough?
Why did anyone even wonder? The boy from Baltimore won, by a whole 0.01 seconds - in terms of distance, he won by less than 5mm. It is quite possibly the only time during whole meet that a swimmer touched the wall with their arms above the water…now they will wonder why they ever glide towards it. Phelps said afterwards that he did not care if he hit the wall, he would go through it for the gold medal.
In case you can’t tell, I was a little excited throughout this race. There is something about seeing sporting history unfold in front of your eyes that makes you want it to happen. Perhaps it’s because Phelps comes across as a likeable person – with the reputation held by many of his countrymen, it is perhaps surprising that a person labelled ‘The Greatest of All Time’ is so modest and understated.
The moment Phelps clinched the seventh gold, to match Spitz’s record, is something I will never forget and in years to come will become like Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick, Solskjaer’s injury time winner, Tiger Woods winning the US Open on one leg and Federer versus Nadal. Where were you when Phelps won when he had lost?
Of course, the 4x100m medley relay was the last of the eight but after the 100m butterfly was there any doubt that the Americans would win this one. Fittingly it was Phelps – and his new ‘best mate’ Lezak – that brought it home for the USA after Aaron Piersol and Brendan Hansen had allowed the dangerous Australians a halfway lead. Cue Phelps’ destruction on the butterfly leg. Cue Lezak holding off the 100m freestyle world record holder Eamon Sullivan. Cue mass hysteria in the packed stands of the Water Cube. Cue the eighth gold medal.
There is no doubt Michael Phelps has left a telling mark on these Olympics in a fashion that no other, not even the frighteningly quick Usain Bolt, can match. Beijing 2008 will be remembered for Michael Phelps relentless pursuit of eight gold medals and little else.
Some still claim that ‘although eight is a great achievement, it was only swimming’…to them I inform you: “Michael Phelps – on his own – won as many gold medals as Russia.”
TEAM GB SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF?
Who would have thought it? As we enter the closing stages of the Beijing Olympics, Great Britain occupy third spot in the medal table. That is not a misprint, the battling Brits are in front of everyone except for the richest nation in the world - The United States of America - and the most highly populated nation on earth - the hosts China.
The 29th Olympiad have gone so well for Team GB thus far that the British public even have a new hero to aspire to and, believe it or not, she is a swimmer. Rebecca Adlington - aged just 19 - arrived in Beijing without fanfare, in fact the majority would have to admit to not even knowing who she was beforehand.
However, Adlington soon made a name for herself as she claimed the 400m freestyle gold medal having trailed for all but the final few centimetres. With that came the promise of further glory as her favoured event is actually the 800m freestyle...and so it proved as Adlington demolished the field to take her second gold medal and smash the oldest world record in the sport by more than two seconds.
The blue touch paper had been lit for Team GB and the cyclists began to confirm there place as the leading team on two wheels the world has to offer. Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Rebecca Romero and the rest of their talented team-mates have delivered world record after world record, gold medal after gold medal.
After the obligatory gold medal from the brilliant Ben Ainslie in the Sailing Finn class and the 'Three Blondes in a Boat' - Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson - took gold in the Yngling class Britain had enjoyed its finest, and most gold-filled, 48 hours in modern Olympic history.
It appears, that after years and years and years of waiting, the British public have a team of Olympians to be proud of - not just a selection of individuals who touch our hearts such as Sir Steve Redgrave and Denise Lewis, but a collection of them.
Unbelievable as it may sound, their could be more gold on the way for Team GB as the sailing regatta continues to offer hope while the men's triathlon is often anybody's race. As well as this, Shanaze Reade is expected to be challenging for top spot on her BMX - I still can't believe that is an Olympic event, nobody should be able to have that much fun in the Olympics (Bolt and Phelps excluded).
Regrettably, the Bird's Nest stadium is unlikely to prove a happy hunting ground as the track and field events take over, an area where there is precious little gold medal promise. With the notable exceptions of triple jumper Phillips Idowu and 400m world champion Christine Ohuruogu, the best Britian can hope for is that the likes of Ohuruogu's fellow 400m runner Nicole Sanders can find a place on the podium.
As Australian comedian Adam Hills said last week: "Why are the British only good at events that involve sitting down?"
Okay, okay it was meant as a joke and everyone had a good laugh about it...but he has a point.
Of Britain's twelve gold medals so far, only the two from Adlington have been won without the assitance of a sailing boat, rowing oars or a bike.
However, the performances of our seated athletes have set the foundations in place for the likes of Idowu and Ohuruogu to fulfil their potential and bring home gold medals from the track.
On the whole it has already been a superb Olympics for Team GB and whatever happens over the closing days, it will be remembered for all the right reasons...but wouldn't it just top it off to rub the Aussies noses in it.
The 29th Olympiad have gone so well for Team GB thus far that the British public even have a new hero to aspire to and, believe it or not, she is a swimmer. Rebecca Adlington - aged just 19 - arrived in Beijing without fanfare, in fact the majority would have to admit to not even knowing who she was beforehand.
However, Adlington soon made a name for herself as she claimed the 400m freestyle gold medal having trailed for all but the final few centimetres. With that came the promise of further glory as her favoured event is actually the 800m freestyle...and so it proved as Adlington demolished the field to take her second gold medal and smash the oldest world record in the sport by more than two seconds.
The blue touch paper had been lit for Team GB and the cyclists began to confirm there place as the leading team on two wheels the world has to offer. Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Rebecca Romero and the rest of their talented team-mates have delivered world record after world record, gold medal after gold medal.
After the obligatory gold medal from the brilliant Ben Ainslie in the Sailing Finn class and the 'Three Blondes in a Boat' - Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson - took gold in the Yngling class Britain had enjoyed its finest, and most gold-filled, 48 hours in modern Olympic history.
It appears, that after years and years and years of waiting, the British public have a team of Olympians to be proud of - not just a selection of individuals who touch our hearts such as Sir Steve Redgrave and Denise Lewis, but a collection of them.
Unbelievable as it may sound, their could be more gold on the way for Team GB as the sailing regatta continues to offer hope while the men's triathlon is often anybody's race. As well as this, Shanaze Reade is expected to be challenging for top spot on her BMX - I still can't believe that is an Olympic event, nobody should be able to have that much fun in the Olympics (Bolt and Phelps excluded).
Regrettably, the Bird's Nest stadium is unlikely to prove a happy hunting ground as the track and field events take over, an area where there is precious little gold medal promise. With the notable exceptions of triple jumper Phillips Idowu and 400m world champion Christine Ohuruogu, the best Britian can hope for is that the likes of Ohuruogu's fellow 400m runner Nicole Sanders can find a place on the podium.
As Australian comedian Adam Hills said last week: "Why are the British only good at events that involve sitting down?"
Okay, okay it was meant as a joke and everyone had a good laugh about it...but he has a point.
Of Britain's twelve gold medals so far, only the two from Adlington have been won without the assitance of a sailing boat, rowing oars or a bike.
However, the performances of our seated athletes have set the foundations in place for the likes of Idowu and Ohuruogu to fulfil their potential and bring home gold medals from the track.
On the whole it has already been a superb Olympics for Team GB and whatever happens over the closing days, it will be remembered for all the right reasons...but wouldn't it just top it off to rub the Aussies noses in it.
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