How would you like to travel to Beijing with USA Swimming?
June 30, 2008
Can you imagine the ultimate travel experience for the hard core swimming fan? It would have to be a trip to the Beijing Olympics to cheer on your swimmers. On top of that you would want to be hosted by an actual Olympic gold medalist.
If money is no object you can travel to Beijing with USA Swimming. You can have Misty Hyman and Josh Davis as your hosts as you enjoy the first class hospitality put on by USA Swimming. Misty won gold in the 200m butterfly event at the Sydney Olympics. Josh won three gold medals at the Atlanta Olympics and two silvers at Sydney.
If this sounds like something that appeals to you go ahead and contact USA Swimming to find out more about the full-service packages that they have on offer. Part of the package includes “A” level tickets (preferred sponsor seating) in the USA Swimming seating block. You can’t beat that!
The accommodation that has been selected is for a room at the Great Wall Sheraton. I can tell you that you will enjoy your stay at this five star hotel. I have been there many times myself.
There are three packages to choose from. 11-nights, 6-nights and 5-nights. Prices start at $16,000 and to get the ultimate swimming Olympic games package you pay $36,000.
What to find out more? Check out the usaswimming.org website.
Tyson Gay runs fastest ever 100 meters to claim Beijing berth
June 30, 2008
When is the fastest time ever not a world record? It could be the run in 1988 at the Seoul Olympics when Ben Johnson was busted for drugs. It could also be when a 4.1 meters-per-second tailwind assists the runners.
In this case it was the latter. Tyson Gay running in the final of the 100m men’s event at the US Olympic track and field trials ran the amazing time of 9.68 seconds. As the tailwind was above the limit of 2 meters-per-second the run does not count as a world record. Nonetheless he has shown that the 100m final at the Olympics will not be a race just between the two Jamaicans Bolt and Powell.
Second across the line was Walter Dix in 9.80, followed by Darvis Patton.
Phelps and Hoff open US Olympic swim trials with world records
June 30, 2008
Michael Phelps has broken his own world record in the 400m individual medley on the opening day of the US Olympic swim trials being held in Omaha Nebraska. His time of 4:05.25 took nearly a second off his time set at the 2007 World Championships. Second placed Ryan Lochte completed the eight laps in 4:06.08 which also bettered the previous record of 4:06.22.
Katie Hoff broke the 400 IM world record set by Australia’s Stephanie Rice at the Australian swim team Olympic trials earlier this year. Her time of 4:31.12 shaved off 34-hundredths of a second from the record. Elizabeth Beisel took second place with the third fastest time in the world for 2008. She has only been bettered by two world record setting swims.
The other swimmer to book themselves a ticket to the Beijing Olympics was Larsen Jensen. He won a hotly contested 400-metre freestyle event. Jensen set a new American record and edged out the former holder, Peter Vanderkaay.
The first place finishers in each of the finals have automatically qualified for Beijing. The second-place finishers are most likely to be added later in the week however it is not guaranteed.
Next up will the finals for the women’s 100m butterfly, men’s 100m breaststroke and women’s 400m freestyle.
44 year wait finally over for Spain as they claim the Euro 2008 trophy
June 30, 2008
In 1964 Spain won their first European title. In 2008 a 44 year wait for Spanish fans is finally over. In 1984 the Spanish team reached the final of the European Cup but since then they have failed to live up to expectations, that is until now.
A fantastic Fernando Torres goal in the 33rd minute where he outpaced Philipp Lahm before chipping delightfully over goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to score the only goal of the match. A pass from Xavi Hernández had released Torres on his way to scoring.
Several minutes earlier the post had denied Torres after he had shook off Per Mertesacker to create some space for a header only to see it bounce back off the upright.
The fact that Spain had not been this far in a major tournament since 1984 was seen as more of an inspriration rather than a burden as they entered the final against Germany.
At the start of the match the German team had been boosted with the news that their captain Michael Ballack would take part in the match after earlier talk of him being forced out with a calf injury.
Germany started the match looking better than Spain, however as time passed the Spaniards gradually took control of the match.
In the end Spain has finally delivered on the talent that comes out of the country. Now it remains to be seen if they can go on with things and claim the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
USA Olympic team trials for swimming starts today
June 29, 2008
The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming begins Sunday in Omaha, Nebraska. The swimmers just get this one chance to claim a spot on the US Olympic swim team for the Beijing Olympics to be held in China in August.
All eyes will be on Micheal Phelps as he sets out to break Mark Spitz’s seven gold records at a single Olympics.
The biggest stars in USA Swimming will be competing for a spot on the 2008 US Olympic Team. The top two swimmers in each event, along with the top six swimmers in the 100m and 200m free, will book their tickets to Beijing, China.
Just how many world records are broken remains to be seen. Since the introduction of the new swimming suits the records have been tumbling.
The meet concludes on Sunday July 6. Here is the schedule of events for the US Olympic swimming team trials.
2008 USA Olympic Trials - Track and Field underway
June 29, 2008
The USA Olympic trials are currently underway Hayward Field, University of Oregon - Eugene, Oregon.
After many hours of dedication this is where it all begins or ends as the best athletes in the USA compete for a spot on the USA track and field team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China.
Yesterday the Women’s 100m Final took place. Muna Lee grabbed first place ahead of Torri Edwards and Lauryn Williams. Those girls are off to Beijing.
On Sunday the men’s 100m final is scheduled for 4.49pm. In the quarterfinals Tyson Gay ran 9.77 to break Maurice Greene’s American record of 9.79 set in Athens in 1999. The trials are not about breaking records but booking a place on the Olympic team.
The trials conclude on Sunday, July 6. The final event to be run on the track is the 1500m men’s final which is scheduled for 5.50pm.
To get all the results or read the latest USA Olympic track and field trials news you can visit the USATF website.
I am looking forward to seeing the 100m men’s final in Beijing live from within the Birds nest stadium.
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Chris Evert and Greg Norman tie the knot in paradise
June 29, 2008
Amid tight security golf champion Greg Norman and tennis legend Chris Evert have married in paradise on an island aptly named Paradise Island. The island is in the Bahamas.
For Evert it his her third marriage after previously saying “I do” to tennis player John Lloyd and US skier Andy Mills. Greg Norman had been married to Laura.
Norman’s 21-year-old son Gregory Junior is reported as being best man. Both parties are 53-years-old.
Some unwitting tourists were caught up in the security operations and were turned away from where the wedding was held. The guest list is reported as being a who’s who of sport and show business. Even Bill Clinton was believed to have attended the wedding.
Greg Norman spent 331 weeks as the world’s number one ranked golfer. He continues to play on the senior’s tour when not working on his business interests which include golf course design and construction.
Golf fans know him as the “Great White Shark” due to his aggressive style of play on the golf course. Norman won the British Open twice, in 1986 and 1993. He is one of the best players to not have won a US major. He famously came close several times.
Perhaps the most agonizing were the 1986 PGA Championship when Bob Tway holed a greenside bunker shot. Yet another amazing shot snatched away the 1987 Masters when Larry Mize knocked in a 45-yard chip shot on the second playoff hole.
Chris Evert was the world no. 1 women’s tennis player for seven years. She won 18 grand slam singles titles, including a record seven French Open titles. At one time she was engaged to tennis great, Jimmy Connors. The couple did not get married.
All the best to the newlyweds.
Nadal - Federer final still on track at Wimbledon
June 29, 2008
After day 6 action at Wimbledon the odds are still looking good for a Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal final.
Nadal completed a straight sets win over Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-3. That was a good win for the Spaniard as Kiefer can be a tricky opponent on grass.
Nadal will play Mikhail Youzhny in the next round. The Russian was taken to five sets by Radek Stepanek but came through 6-3 in the fifth. Youzhny the 17th seed will test Nadal although he has never made it past the fourth round.
If Nadal does get past the Russian he will have either Andy Murray or Richard Gasquet to contend with in the quarterfinals. Gasquet of course made the semifinals in 2007. Whoever it is that advances will be hard to beat for Nadal.
On the other side of the draw we see Roger Federer in the fourth round against the last man to hold up the Wimbledon trophy before Federer made it his own. The 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt. This will be a tough match for Federer as Hewitt is playing well at the 2008 Wimbledon event and is keen to finally beat Federer in a grand slam. He has lost the past five times the pair have met in a grand slam.
Federer has also defeated Hewitt 11 straight times in their head to head. The overall head to head record is 13-7 to Federer. The last time Hewitt defeated the world no. 1 was in their memorable Davis Cup semifinal in 2003.
I am hoping for an upset win by Hewitt but form dictates that Federer will take his win streak over Hewitt to 12.
Marat Safin still looms as a danger man in Federer’s half of the draw. He next plays Stanislas Wawrinka. The Swiss no. 2 player in reaching the fourth round has achieved his best ever result at Wimbledon. Safin if he can play at the top of his game should beat the 13th seed.
Mario Ancic and Baghdatis would also need to be kept in check for Federer to make the final.
Exciting times are ahead for week 2 at Wimbledon. As is tradition for Wimbledon the middle Sunday is a rest day so no play will take place.
Who is your tip to win the 2008 title?
Are foreign tourists being scared away from attending Beijing Olympics
June 29, 2008
With just 40 days until the opening of the Beijing Olympics in China it seems that foreign tourists are choosing not to go in the numbers many local hotels and bars were hoping for.
In an article in the Telegraph in Britain David Eimer writes that fewer foreigners are going to Beijing than normal. He is talking about for the Olympics and also last month as visitor numbers were reported to be down by 15 per cent. This was the first drop in three years.
This news is not what the hotel developers want to hear as they have embarked on a huge building program to cash in on what they thought would be an Olympic tourist bonanza.
The article suggests that tourists are being influenced by the bad news coming out of China such as the earthquake in Sichuan province in May and the Tibet situation.
I have also seen many articles that talk about foreigners being deterred by the strict new visa rules. Exactly what these are I don’t really know as I had no problem applying for my visa to visit Beijing or the Olympics.
Bar owners in Beijing are also said to be not feeling good about how business will be during the Cina Olympics. The article says many bars are being forced to close early during the Olympic period due to fears of Muslim extremist attacks.
As a result of all this many of the hotel owners are not going to get the golden cash cow they were expecting. This is actually good for tourists as now the prices will have to come down to more reasonable levels as hotels try to fill empty rooms.
The article mentioned that the Nanjing Great Hotel, which is located near the popular Wangfujing shopping district and is not far from the Forbidden City is offering rooms for 3 000 rmb a night during the Olympic games. This is only three times it usual rate. A member of staff is quoted as saying “We still have 100 rooms left”.
I have searched a few of the hotel sites for rooms during the Olympic period and found many rooms are available for less than three times the usual rate. One hotel that I have personally stayed in before, The Landmark has a room for $147 AUD per night from 12 Aug to 15 Aug.
I used the HotelsCombined website to search for Beijing hotels as it combines results from over 30 hotel booking sites to give you all the information in one place. This saves time when hunting for the best hotel room prices.
Are you thinking of going to Beijing for the games? Or were you originally going but decided not to?
Would like to hear from why you are going or it not, why not. Also grateful if you can share this article.
Jankovic through to fourth round
June 29, 2008
Jelena Jankovic has overcome a slow start to move into the fourth round at Wimbledon. She defeated Caroline Wozniacki 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Jankovic was troubled by a leg injury and took time out for treatment during the match. In the end it did not hamper her enough to lose the match.
We have seen Jankovic battle through injury to get good results at grand slam tournaments in the past. At the Australian Open and the French Open she had various injuries.
The win today sees the highest remaining seed advance to a matchup with Tamarine Tanasugarn.
After the match Jankovic spoke about her injury. She said she slipped at one stage during the match and strained her knee. It was strapped by the trainer however later in the match Jankovic removed the strapping as she felt restricted in her movement.
Hopefully the injury is not bad enough to prevent Jankovic taking to the court in the next round.
