Basketball: Isn't it a ironic that the U.S. Women's team is the one that hasn't been embarrassed yet in International Play? So far, the women's team has
won each of their first two games meanwhile, the men's team--well, I think we all know
what happened there. I just find it extremely ironic that all the detractors of the women's game--both college and WNBA--call it inferior. But yet, it's the women who are fundamentally sound, who know how to play the game and can make shots where as the men's team--well, they just looked pathetic out there. If we don't win--and let's face it, tomorrow's game against Greece is huge--there is a lot of blame to go around--from coaching, to the players there to the players who couldn't be bothered to go. Heaven forbid that an NBA player give up a few weeks of his summer in order to represent his country in the Olympic Games.
Beach Volleyball: Now this is why the Olympics is just great. Athletic, attractive women who run around in tight, form-fitting bikinis, playing volleyball. How can you NOT love that as a sporting event?!? But as much as I tuned in because of the concept of--cute girls in bikinis playing volleyball--I stayed around to watch
Holly McPeak and Elaine Young's win on Saturday and Misty May and Kerri Walsh (pictured above)
defeat Japan in yesterday's round. I also watched the opening round of the indoor volleyball with the U.S. Women's team losing to China. I have to admit, it was compelling viewing and you can't help but get caught up in pulling for the U.S. team to win.
Diving: I have to admit it, I'm always impressed by the skill of the divers when they do this . It's like poetry in motion. Now, I can go off a diving board and do a pretty decent dive, but it's nothing compared to what these talented people can do. For one, I am scared to death of doing any twists out there. Back in my younger days, I took a diving class and learned how to do all types of great stuff, including flips. Well, one of the last times I did a flip, I got about three quarters of the way through and something went wrong, and I did a huge old backflop and let me tell you...that sucker stung! So, I have been a big gun-shy ever since. Also, I find it amazing how close to the board the divers get. I guess all those years of my mother telling me to "Jump out from the board" have made me wary. Also, while in high school, I saw a guy try to do his own Olympic diving and hit his head on the board. Thankfully, he was rescued and there was no permanent damage, but it's still stuck with me as scary to this day.
But if they were to institute a competition for great cannonballs...I'd be right up there competiting for the gold. Also, the ability to create as large a splash as possible would be one I think I could medal in.
If you're interested, Dave Barry is over at the Olympics and sending in daily reports. I'm linking out his first couple here.
Ready, set . . . TIPIYOTKI!
Looking for ruins? Pick a Tipiyokti and start climbing
No naked athletes in modern times
Take the bus? Yeah, if only it were that easy
posted by Michael Hickerson at 8/16/2004 12:19:00 PM |
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