Olympics FanHouse

Olympic Controversy: South Korea Protests Norway's Last-Second Handball Goal

Michael David Smith — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe

Even if you're like me and practically all Americans and you know nothing about handball, you have to admit that this is a thrilling way to end a game:

With one second left and the game tied 28-28, Norway's Gro Hammerseng threw the ball past South Korea's goalie, Lee Min-hee, from about 25 feet away, giving Norway a 29-28 victory.

Or did she? South Korea insists that the goal actually crossed the line after time had expired, and that the game should have gone into overtime. I've looked at the video a few times and think the South Koreans are right, at least if the clock in the upper left corner of the screen is the correct time.

But the International Handball Federation and the International Olympic Committee say the goal will be upheld, and South Korea's protests will be denied. So Norway will play Russia for the gold medal and South Korea will play Hungary for the bronze.

Olympic Controversy: South Korea Protests Norway's Last-Second Handball Goal originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Judo Gold Medalist Satoshi Ishii Challenges Fedor Emelianenko

Michael David Smith — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Asia

After Japan's Satoshi Ishii won the gold medal in heavyweight judo this week, he made a bold statement: Ishii said he wants to fight the top heavyweight in mixed martial arts, Fedor Emelianenko.

Dave Meltzer reports that Ishii is a national hero in Japan, and that if he did fight Fedor, it would probably be a bigger draw in that country than an experienced, legitimate MMA heavyweight taking on Fedor would be.

Fedor is currently sidelined after breaking a bone in his hand while punching the daylights out of Tim Sylvia, but he has said he expects to be ready to participate in his annual New Year's Eve fight in Japan. So could Ishii be his opponent?

It sounds like a long shot, but not totally out of the question. There's no such thing as professional judo, and if Ishii wants to make a living off his skills, MMA might be the best bet. I'd prefer to see Fedor fight an experienced MMA heavyweight, but if Ishii is his next opponent, I'll be watching.

Judo Gold Medalist Satoshi Ishii Challenges Fedor Emelianenko originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan Beats U.S., Wins Softball Gold

Michael David Smith — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:53:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, USA

In one of the biggest upsets in any sport in these Olympics, Japan has defeated the United States 3-1 to win the softball gold medal.

The U.S. had won the last three gold medals, had a 22-game winning streak in Olympic softball and was accustomed to not just winning but blowing out its opponents. So dominant was the U.S. that softball games involving the Americans often invoked the mercy rule, and American dominance was one of the main reasons that the sport has been canceled for the 2012 Olympics.

But Japan, which got a fourth-inning home run from Eri Yamada, was the better team today. Team USA will settle for silver.

Japan Beats U.S., Wins Softball Gold originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympic 5 Things: Lithuania vs China

Tom Ziller — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe

During the remainder of the Olympic men's basketball tournament, FanHouse will give you 5 Things to watch for in each game.

Will Yao play mad? On Monday, Chinese coach Jonas Kazlauskas held Yao Ming to seven minutes in the second half. Yao was furious. We assume he's gotten over things. If he hasn't? Yao rarely plays angry; he's an extremely mature fellow, typically calm and reserved, unless he's getting mauled on the court. But he's had a bit of an edge to him this week. He's barked at Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue more than he ever has in Chuck Hayes' presence. He looked like he wanted to punch Kazlauskas when he was removed. He didn't talk to reporters. I've only seen Yao under the spell of bloodlust once, in Sacramento last season as some combination of Mikki Moore and (surprise!) Ron Artest aggravated the snot out of the big guy. He was ineffective and eventually got ejected. I imagine things are fine on Team China now. If there are, however, raw nerves, Yao might either play with a fire we haven't seen ... or he might be distracted into malperformance.

Trade secrets. One more Kaslauskas note: this Coach K is Lithuanian, and coached the Lithuanian national team until 2001, and knows the games of many of Lithuania's top players well. That sort of trade secret thing won't work without talent ... with China has with Yao and sometimes Yi. As a longtime Oakland Raider fan (pity me), remember the Jon Gruden Super Bowl.

Did Lithuania bluff against Australia? The Lithuanians got absolutely murdered by Australia. The consensus is that the team didn't quite tank the game (nothing was at stake), but Lithuania didn't go full-brew either. If you're of the mind the team tried close to its best and still came up with the pitiful result, you'd be wary of Lithuania, who boasts only the sixth best efficiency differential of The Games, behind even Greece (who has not been impressive). If the Australia loss was a fluke owed to boredom and lookingforwardedness (aw yeah! Oxford word of the year), Lithuania's record looks much better, and China would look to be a smashed gourd coming right up.

Linas Watch. My friend Matt Moore has helped preach the Gospel of Linas Kleiza; the young Nug has been a bucket-getting ox, I tell you. That is, of course, what he does in the NBA as well. The only difference in international competition is that he actually gets plenty of minutes. Kleiza is Shane Battier's long-lost shadow, twins in threeball range and bench-pressing prowess. But Battier opts to defend nastier than any Blue Devil in history while Linas shows the dark side of gunnerdom. If this were 2000 and Vince Carter were defending him, Kleiza could win the tournament by himself.

Rest for the weary. The Olympic schedule isn't terribly repressive: there are no back-to-backs, and everyone has one rest day between games, no excuses. But some cats are playing a ton of minutes. With deep Spain possibly looming on Friday, Lithuania would do well to put China away early, if possible. The next two tests are hard enough without spilling blood in the quarterfinals against a team Lithuania should be able to handle handily.

Olympic 5 Things: Lithuania vs China originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympic 5 Things: United States vs Australia

Tom Ziller — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, USA

During the remainder of the Olympic men's basketball tournament, FanHouse will give you 5 Things to watch for in each game.

Can the Team USA transition game be stopped? Through five pool play games, no one came even remotely close to slowing Team USA's fast break. The central challenge, beyond the overwhelming speed and finishing ability of every single player in red, white and blue, is that the Americans get out in transition so freaking often. The pickpocketing ways of Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul make up one avenue. LeBron James has been an interior disruptor, and the team flies off his deflections, steals and blocks. The team runs out on defensive rebounds, with Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh looking for an outlet guard, and those guards (Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant, mainly) getting the ball up the court quickly. Even on the rare opponent make, the Americans push. How do you stop all that? You don't. You try to limit it as much as possible, by protecting the ball and slowing the game to a crawl. But nothing you do will prevent a few breakaway dunks from going down.

Can Australia be effective in the half-court offense? The wonderful Xs and Os of Basketball blog took a detailed look at Australia's versatile half-court offense recently, showing how many different ways the Aussies set up shop. Certainly, it's a better system than Germany or China offered, and it's a slower, more deliberate movement-driven offense than Spain runs. (Spain tends to be a bit free-wheeling and quick; Australia is closer to the old slow Princeton ... though there are serious differences.) The United States hasn't been tested in the half-court, really -- it has blown its opponents up way out at midcourt and built big leads before the foe can get settled. With Patrick Mills running Australia's show, the Boomers should be able to get into their offense early. At that point, it will be up to the Americans to show they can play real halfcourt defense.

Is this the biggest challenge to the Americans? Kevin Pelton has done tremendous work over at Basketball Prospectus this week, offering up advanced metrics as the tournament rolls on. One dumbfounding note: Australia, the 4th seed in Group A, has been the third best team in the proceedings based on points margin. Australia's efficiency differential (14.2) is behind only the U.S. (a whopping 39.6) and Argentina (18.4). Now, Spain and Greece narrowly trail the Aussies in this measure, and Australia had the pleasure of avoiding the Americans in pool play ... so it might not be so easy to assert. But consider the margin, that Australia has one of the better point guards in the tournament, is young, and has some measure of confidence against Team USA. This might be the toughest test the U.S. will see the rest of the tournament.

How long is Kidd's leash? In the elimination round, Team USA can't really afford not to be at its best. Starting Kidd over Paul and Deron Williams means the team is not at its best. Williams has been spectacularly solid, Paul has been spectacular. Kidd has been OK. Given a choice between spectacular and OK, there should be no debate. Paul needs to play twice as much as Kidd, and Williams should be #2 on the depth chart.

Will Bogut matter? Andrew Bogut missed the U.S.-Australia exhibition. We'll find out Wednesday how much that hurt the Boomers. My early guess: not as much as you'd think. Australia hung tough because Mills was a beast; if Bogut is instead touching the ball every time down, maybe Mills doesn't go off. In total, Australia's obviously much, much better with Bogut. But on a game-to-game basis, there could be mitigating factors which would lead to evidence otherwise. If nothing else, the re-addition of Bogut gives the U.S. something else to figure out -- Bogey's the best shot-blocker the team will face this tournament. (Herr Kaman would figure there, but his spirit had been broken by the time he entered the game against Team USA.)

The game will be broadcast on NBC at 8 a.m. Wednesday, live on the East Coast and in the Central time zone (where it would be 7 a.m.). It has been protocol for the weekday games to be shown live to Mountain and Pacific fans on USA (that'd be 5 a.m. on the West Coast, 6 a.m. in the Rockies), but it's not clear whether that will continue into the medal round.

Olympic 5 Things: United States vs Australia originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympic Soccer: U.S. Women Beat Japan, Advance to Gold Medal Match vs. Brazil

Michael David Smith — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:46:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, USA

The U.S. women's soccer team is back in the gold medal game after playing its best match of these Olympics in beating Japan today.

Japan scored in the 15th minute and led 1-0 for most of the first half, and the American women at times looked like they were dragging, perhaps even resigned to the idea that they simply weren't good enough without their injured star Abby Wambach to repeat as gold medalists.

But two goals in quick succession in the 41st and 44th minutes made it a very different game at halftime, and in the second half the Americans poured it on with goals in the 70th and 80th minutes. Japan put in a goal with just seconds to play to make the final score 4-2.

In today's other semifinal, Brazil beat Germany 4-1, and the Brazilians are considered the favorites to win the gold. But at this point, no one should count out the American women.

The U.S. vs. Brazil gold medal game will be broadcast live at 9 a.m. Eastern Thursday on USA Network.

Olympic Soccer: U.S. Women Beat Japan, Advance to Gold Medal Match vs. Brazil originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China's Legendary Liu Xiang Withdraws From Olympics After False Start

Sportz Assassin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:53:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Beijing

This video is from the 2004 Athens Games (click link). In the 110-meter hurdles, China's Liu Xiang won the country's first ever Olympic track-and-field gold medal.

Liu is a legend in China of Yao Ming-like proportions. The entire country was buzzing about Liu defending his medal in the Beijing Games. However, he's been dealing with an Achilles injury that forced him to withdraw from a race in New York City this past spring.

The injury reared its ugly head again, as Liu dramatically withdrew from the 110-meter hurdles event in Beijing.

Smarting from the injury, Liu decided to give it a try ... but when a false start saw Liu come up completely lame, Liu took off his number and walked off the track. He went into the stadium tunnel and received treatment.

Needless to say, this is a sad day for the Chinese:

Instead, he sat against a wall alone, that smiling face that adorns so many advertising billboards now sullen. At that moment, some members of the Chinese media watching the scene unfold on a TV under the stands began to cry while thousands of his disappointed countrymen were heading for the exits.

"I feel very sad for Liu Xiang," said 67-year-old retiree Liu Guixiang. "After Liu Xiang's injury, I won't bother coming back to the Bird's Nest for more."

China's Legendary Liu Xiang Withdraws From Olympics After False Start originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What You Missed While You Were Watching Michael Phelps

Nathan Fowler — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:14:00 EST

Filed under: Americas, Asia, China, Europe

In the first week of the Olympics, Michael Phelps won a ridiculous 8 gold medals, Usain Bolt made the best sprinters in the world look like also-rans, Misty May-Traynor and Kerri Walsh have continued to roll in beach volleyball and the Chinese gymnasts have won what seems like every single available medal. Everyone in the US has seen those events, but there's been a whole lot of other stuff going as well. Here's a quick recap of some of the bigger story lines that didn't get a lot of airtime in the US.

Wrecked and overturned boats, wild storms and days worth of protests ... Sailing has been crazy

First there wasn't enough wind in the Qingdao area to have a sailing competition. Then there was a storm that snapped the sail off a Danish boat and overturned an American one. The Danes ended up winning the 49er class race while borrowing a boat from Croatia, but that kicked off a flurry of protests that 6 hours of deliberation by the judges hasn't cleared up (they are scheduled to reconvene again on Monday to attempt to sort out the mess).

Olympic boxing judging is still broken at best, and corrupt at worst

It's becoming repetitive to complain about judging in boxing at the Olympics, but this year might even be worse than normal. There's already been so many individual complaints that it's impossible to list them all, but the fight involving Ecuador's Luis Porozo might have been the worst. There's been accusations of a pro-Chinese bias in scoring fights, there's been a continuation of the brutal inability of amateur judges to properly score body shots and there's little understanding by any of the boxers on how the scoring system is working. In other words, business as usual in Olympic boxing.

Huge upsets in Archery shocked South Korea

South Korea entered the Olympics as overwhelming favorites in all the archery events, but shocking upsets in both the men's and women's competitions left them without an individual gold medal. The women's tournament was possibly the biggest upset of the entire Olympics as South Korea brought the top 3 archers in the world and had won every women's gold since 1984, but they watched #27 seeded Zhang Juan Juan of China beat all 3 of the Koreans head to head on her way to the gold.

British Cycling had a phenomenal week

First, Nicole Cooke won the women's road race, then Emma Pooley got silver in the time trial. For most cycling teams, that would have been one heck of a week. For Great Britain it was just a start, as they have utterly dominated the track events in the Laoshan Velodrome with wins in the men's team sprint, men's keirin, men's and women's sprints and women's individual pursuit. Of the 7 gold medals given out in track cycling so far, Great Britain has won 5 of them. What is happening in the velodrome is possibly the most dominant show by one team in any sport so far in the Olympics. (ed - corrections made on number of medals)

Brazil and Argentina are facing each other in soccer ... in the semi-finals

The absurdity of the soccer draw has come to a head, as Brazil and Argentina have dominated the field but are still facing each other before the gold medal match. Argentina's Lionel Messi is one of the 2 or 3 best players in the world, and has been the unquestioned star of the tournament with his spectacular play, but Brazil's loaded squad has been equally as good. Both countries sent their best teams possible, the semi-final matchup on Tuesday should be epic. It's just too bad it's not for the gold.

What You Missed While You Were Watching Michael Phelps originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aussies Beat Russia, Knocking Europe's Champion Out of Medal Contention

Tom Ziller — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:10:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe

Russia's had a bit of a rough effort this effort, losing to both Lithuania and Croatia in tight contests. At 1-2 in group play, the Russians needed to beat Australia to guarantee the Group A fourth seed, with its lovely berth into the the medal round to likely face the winner of U.S.-Spain. Australia, who like Russia had only beat Iran this tournament, seems an inferior opponent, based on the fact Russia is the reigning champion of Europe.

No matter. The Aussies walloped Russia, winning 95-80. Andrew Bogut was a beast (for the first time this summer), Andrei Kirilenko's offense was manure on ice. As such, Russia's done ... and Australia will move into the medal round. The team seems assured the fourth seed -- getting #3 would involve a) beating Lithuania, and b) Croatia losing to Iran. I'm not sure which is more unlikely, because they both have no chance of happening (unless Lithuania rests half the roster).

For Russia, the impact isn't much deeper than it is for coach David Blatt, an American in Europe who receives bountiful bundles of praise and gets mentioned for NBA jobs now and then. His reputation -- as it was built in both Euroleague club play and FIBA Europe last summer -- has been that he can get ye old "more than the sum of the parts" from his teams. That may be right (I imagine it is, he beat Spain in Madrid), but this result -- finishing as one of the four worst teams in Olympic competition -- has to undercut the unorthodox career he has built to date.

Blatt's biggest question has to be about whatever's wrong with Kirilenko. AK-47 simply dominated the European tournament last summer, dropping 29/8 with 3 steals and 3 blocks against Lithuania, and played well in the Finals. His mild Olympic performance makes no sense.

Aussies Beat Russia, Knocking Europe's Champion Out of Medal Contention originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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North Korean Shooter Has Medals Stripped After He Was Caught Doping

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Beijing, USA

With a few days before the track and field events get underway, we have another doping scandal. No, not in cycling, swimming or volleyball.

Shooting.

A North Korean shooter, Kim Jong Su, has had his two medals stripped from him after he tested positive for propanolol.

The International Olympic Committee said shooter Kim Jong Su tested positive for propanolol after winning the silver medal in the 50-meter pistol and bronze in the 10-meter air pistol.

Propanolol is a banned betablocker which can be used to prevent trembling in events like shooting and archery.

Very interesting ... and we learn something new everyday.

This is good news for America, as we pick up another bronze medal. Jason Turner wins the bronze in the 10-meter event, while China's Tan Zongliang (who won the bronze in the 50-meter) now gets the silver and Russia's Vladimir Isakov moves up to a bronze.

It's great they get rewarded with their medals, but it sucks that neither Turner nor Isakov will get the memory of being on the medal stand.

North Korean Shooter Has Medals Stripped After He Was Caught Doping originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympic Moment: Tuvshinbayar Naidan Wins Mongolia's First Gold Medal

Michael David Smith — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:12:00 EST

Filed under: Asia

Although as Americans we mostly enjoy watching our own athletes dominate at the Olympics, the best moments during the Games are really the times when gold medals go to athletes from nations that aren't accustomed to winning.

One such moment came when Tuvshinbayar Naidan won the 220-pound judo competition for Mongolia's first gold medal. Excited responses like these are what the Olympic Games, at their best, are supposed to be about:

"I can't believe Mongolia just won a gold medal," said Baljinnyam Dashdorj, 17, celebrating with relatives spanning three generations. "I can't believe he did it. This is amazing. I'm so happy, I can only jump up and down!" ...

"It is so exciting that our Mongolian flag was raised in Beijing and Tuvshee won in the Judo competition," said Gerelt-Od, 26, a construction worker. "Me and several of my friends have bought Mongolian vodka to celebrate this wonderful news. It is going to be a very exciting night."

I'm sure that Mongolian vodka tasted sweet.

Olympic Moment: Tuvshinbayar Naidan Wins Mongolia's First Gold Medal originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yu Darvish Struggles Against Cuba

Pat Lackey — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Americas, Asia

Some time between when I went to bed last night and early this afternoon, Olympic baseball started happening. Even as a huge baseball fan, Olympic Baseball doesn't really do much for me because the level of competition is stunted by Major League Baseball not allowing their stars to participate. Still, the Cuban national team and players from the Japanese leagues are playing, so there is some intrigue, even if it's almost impossible to find on your TV.

Last night Yu Darvish, possibly the next huge name to come to America from Japan, started against the Cubans. The result? Not a terribly pretty introduction to an international stage for Darvish, who gave up four runs on seven hits with four walks in his four innings of work in Japan's 4-2 loss. He did strike out six batters in his short start, which means that those that saw the game likely saw a flash of the tantalizing potential that's had major league teams salivating.

In other Olympic action, the US lost their opener to South Korea, Canada thumped China 10-0 behind a home run from Scott Thorman (he's alive!) and Chinese Taipei shut-out the Netherlands 5-0. And I swear I'll find a way to spite my sleep and watch at least one of these games before the Olympics ends. Seriously.

Yu Darvish Struggles Against Cuba originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Georgia Wins Pair Of Golds; Now Has As Many As Russia

JJ Cooper — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe

It's not been a good week for the country of Georgia.

They've seen Russia tanks roll through their streets, while Russian bombers have laid waste to swaths of the country.

A gold medal's not going to change that. Twenty gold medals won't rebuild the houses or bring back the dead. But for a country that had won only two golds in its history, Wednesday morning was a pretty special time.

Manuchar Kvirkelia provided a moment of excitement in what has otherwise been an awful week for the tiny Eastern European country. Wrestling in the 74kg class of the Greco-Roman wrestling tournament, Kvirkelia dominated China's Yong Xiang Chang 9-0 in the gold medal match. After the victory, Kvirkelia did a victory lap around the mat while draped in a Georgia flag. His coaches were standing on the sidelines in tears.

Just an hour later, Irakli Tsirekidze won a judo gold for Georgia as well. That doubles the total number of golds Georgia has won in its Olympic history. It also means that Georgia now has as many golds at this Olympics as Russia.

Georgia Wins Pair Of Golds; Now Has As Many As Russia originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Golden Ticket, Day 2: Wheat or Chaff?

Tom Ziller — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Americas, Asia, Europe

Throughout the Olympic men's basketball tournament, FanHouse will prioritize the games of the day for you in Golden Ticket.

Tuesday might have the weakest slate in pool play, but we still have a few interest-piquing matchups.

GOLD: Greece vs Germany, 2:30 a.m. EST The Germans busted out like a disrespected band of unsavory characters on Opening Night, simply destroying the Angolans. But how good are they? The Greeks, who suffered humiliating defeat at the hands of Spain, should be a better litmus test. A loss would murder Greece's slimming medal hopes, considering the U.S. team awaits on Thursday. The Clips own the NBA rights to Greek mammoth Sofo Schortsianitis, so the Sofo-Kaman battle could be fun for LAC fans to absorb.

SILVER: Croatia vs Russia, 11:15 p.m. EST (Note that this game actually kicks off today in the States.) The Russians faced a virtual bye against Iran on Day 1; the Croats made quick work of a decent Australia (who, you know, gave Team USA a scare last week). Russia probably has better talent, starting with Andrei Kirilenko (15/5/3 blocks against Iran) at the top. But Croatia has been strong this summer, beating Germany in Athens without Damir Markota. Markota remains unavailable, but Croatia boasts a credible deep threat (they went 12-for-16 from three against the Aussies) and solid depth. Should be a tight contest.

BRONZE: Spain vs China, 4:45 a.m. EST China's frisky. The Chinese stayed near Team USA for a full half on Sunday (no small feat), and Yao often barked out directions to his young teammates, most notably Yi Jianlian. Mix in what had better be a hostile crowd, and we could have the ingredients for a dazzling upset. Spain is far superior in the backcourt -- Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez and Ricky Rubio should run figure-8s around the Chinese guards -- but I think we have settled that Pau Gasol's post defense is a smidge less than glorious. Spain should win, and likely will. But there's a chance for something epic from the Chinese, and I for one will be rooting them on.

In other action: United States vs Angola, Iran vs Lithuania, Argentina vs Australia.

Golden Ticket, Day 2: Wheat or Chaff? originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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South Korean TV Leaks Video of Opening Ceremony Rehearsal

Tom Ziller — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Beijing, China

South Korea must want to test its missile defense system, or something. The TV station there apparently broadcast video taken from a rehearsal of the opening ceremony today. Chinese officials, according to The Guardian, have closely guarded all information regarding the ceremony. This doesn't seem like an official release, and I can't imagine Beijing organizers are very happy right now.

Thankfully, we're not beholden to Beijing organizers. The YouTube of the Korean news report follows.

Watch out for those whales! Aah!

(Via Steady Burn.)

South Korean TV Leaks Video of Opening Ceremony Rehearsal originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cape Verde No Match For Herr Kaman

Tom Ziller — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe

Far from a baptism of fire, New German Chris Kaman easily swept through his first international contest, against Cape Verde today in the Olympic qualifiers in Athens. Caveman had 10 and 10 in 20 minutes, and the Germans won by 36.

Sadly, with that, Cape Verde has been eliminated from both this tournament and Olympic contention. Joining them among the ranks of the cast aside are Lebanon and Cameroon. The loser of Canada vs. Republic of Korea on Wednesday will also meet its Olympic doom.

Yep, that's right, a team I called a 'wild card' -- based solely on Samuel Dalembert and an affinity for Shareef Abdur-Rahim Grizzlies throwbacks -- could be gone by this time tomorrow. Slovenia destroyed the Canucks this morning. Dalembert was woeful -- 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting, 2 rebounds in 22 minutes of work. Korea might actually be the favorite.

Brazil and Greece match up Wednesday as well, in the best game on paper of the opening round. The winner avoids Herr Kaman and his friend Dirk in Friday's quarterfinals. Croatia and Puerto Rico will also be battling to avoid Slovenia (and, by extension, draw the winner of Canada-Korea).

Cape Verde No Match For Herr Kaman originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hiroshi Hoketsu, Japanese Rider From 1964 Olympics, Will Compete in Beijing

Michael David Smith — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:54:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Olympics

The above photo comes from the opening ceremonies of the 1964 Summer Olympics at Tokyo's national stadium. Among the athletes marching that day were Bob Hayes, who would win the gold medal in the 100 meters, and Joe Frazier, who would win the gold in heavyweight boxing.

Also marching that day: Japanese equestrian rider Hiroshi Hoketsu, who at the time was 23 years old. Next month, at the age of 67, he'll be back in the Summer Olympics, riding equestrian again in Beijing, for his second Olympics in 44 years. But he doesn't think it's a big deal:

"I don't feel comfortable being fussed about just because of my age," said Hoketsu. ... I think it is a sport which you can do at a fairly advanced age if you have a chance and an agreeable horse."

Obviously, no one is going to compete in the 100-meter dash or boxing into their 60s. But what Hoketsu is doing is still awfully impressive. And Hoketsu says he's not going to retire from his sport after the Olympics: "It's up to fate and fortune. But for now I will keep on riding as long as me and my horse remain fit and fine."

Hiroshi Hoketsu, Japanese Rider From 1964 Olympics, Will Compete in Beijing originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here Comes the Olympic Hoops Qualifier

Tom Ziller — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe

Most of the Olympic men's basketball field has been set, with Argentina, Australia, Iran, Lithuania, Russia, Angola, China, Spain and the United States preparing for the August Games. The top three teams in the Olympic qualifying tournament -- which begins today in Athens -- will also compete in Beijing. Here's a quick look at the tourney.

The Favorite: Greece. The Greek team famously beat Team USA in the 2006 World Championships, setting off the maelstrom of righteous indignation which promised to (but didn't) revolutionize the way USA Basketball chose its teams. Greece boasts no current NBA players, but could beat a half-dozen NBA teams. Guard play makes the Greeks the favorites. Theo Papaloukas should be well-known in America, and Dimitris Diamantidis is one of the best perimeter defenders in Europe. Add good size up front and home court advantage, and it'd be a surprise if the Greeks didn't win this outright.

The Contenders: Germany, Brazil, Puerto Rico. At least one of these teams won't make it (unless Greece crumbles). Germany famously boasts both Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman now, though little else. Brazil will be without Leandro Barbosa, but has Tiago Splitter and some good guards. Also, Brazilian two-guard Alex Garcia shattered a backboard in the pre-game lay-up line in an exhibition last week. Awesome. But never count out Puerto Rico, with an assortment of former and current NBA players like Carlos Arroyo, J.J. Barea, and Peter John Ramos, as well SACRAMENTO STATE! product Joel (pronounced "Joe .... El") Jones.

The Wild Cards: Croatia, Canada, Slovenia. Croatia has a nice roster, with former Net Zoran Planinic and future Raptor Roko Ukic and one-time Tulsa 66er Damir Markota. But the team's had a tough spell in the exhibition season. Canada has Samuel Dalembert, who can control a game from his role as defensive anchor against the right opponent. Slovenia competes without Beno Udrih, but still have FC Barcelona point guard Jaka Lakovic and youngster Goran Dragic to man the position, along with Rasho Nesterovic up front.

The Happy-To-Be-Heres: Cameroon, New Zealand, Cape Verde, Korea, Lebanon. When Ruben Boumtje Boumtje is your star, you're in trouble; sorry, Cameroon. New Zealand lacks star power (even of the Boumtje Boumtje variety!), but isn't terrible, and is probably the best of this set. Cape Verde is ranked below even Bulgaria and Uzbekistan. Korea and Lebanon figure to matter seriously in international competition by the year 202Never.

Here Comes the Olympic Hoops Qualifier originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mehbooba Ahadyar, Afghanistan's Only Female Olympian, Disappears in Italy

Michael David Smith — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:48:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Olympics

In March we introduced you to Mehbooba Ahadyar, a 19-year-old runner who was expected to be the only female on Afghanistan's Olympic team. She has qualified in the 1500 meters and the 3000 meters, and she was a source of great pride to many Afghan women, who were not permitted to participate in sports under the Taliban.

But now Ahadyar is missing. Time Magazine reports that Ahadyar was training in Italy with other Olympic athletes when she disappeared, apparently voluntarily, taking her bags and her passport with her.

"It was quite a surprise to us," a spokesman for the worldwide governing body of track and field told Time. "We don't know where she is. All we know is that she and her bags are gone."

Eurasianet.org reports that Ahadyar is likely seeking asylum in a European country, terrified of death threats she had received from extremists in Afghanistan who oppose women competing in sports. Sadly, those extremists may get their wish of keeping Afghanistan from sending female athletes to Beijing.

Latest Olympics Photos

Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, back left, coach of Brazil's artistic gymnastics team, watches Brazilian gymnast Jade Barbosa while she trains at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Barbosa, along with athletes Daiane dos Santos, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito, are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, coach of Brazil's artistic gymnastics team, helps a Brazilian gymnast at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

USA Team manager Davey Johnson, right, tips his cap to the crowd before the start of the All Star Futures baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, July 13, 2008. Johnson will manage the US Olympic baseball team in Beijing. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

** ALTERNATIVE CROP OF XSI102 ** Athletes of the Brazilian artistic gymnastic team, train at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. After the arrival of Ukrainian coach Oleg Ostapenko in 2001, Brazil decided to keep the team in permanent training. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favourites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Marilyn Okoro celebrates winning the women's 800m final at the British Olympic trials in Birmingham, central England, July 13, 2008. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN)

Reuters

Marilyn Okoro celebrates winning the women's 800m final at the British Olympic trials in Birmingham, central England, July 13, 2008. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN)

Reuters

Brazil's world champion gymnast Daiane dos Santos, member of Brazil's artistic gymnastic team, trains at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Dos Santos, along with athletes Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito, are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Brazil's coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

An unidentified gymnast from Brazil's artistic gymnastic team, trains at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Brazil's coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Athletes of Brazil's artistic gymnastic team, train at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. After the arrival of coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine in 2001, Brazil decided to keep the team in permanent training. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July.(AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Brazil's world champion gymnast Daiane dos Santos prepares to train at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Dos Santos, along with athletes Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito, are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Brazil's coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July.(AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Mehbooba Ahadyar, Afghanistan's Only Female Olympian, Disappears in Italy originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian Track and Field Team Skipping Opening Ceremonies

Josh Alper — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:55:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, Beijing, Asia

There's been talk of boycotting the opening ceremonies almost since the moment Beijing got the Olympic Games but we've got our first athletes opting out. It has nothing to do with Tibet, Darfur or lead in toys, however. The Australian track and field team won't be marching because they fear the effect smog and pollution will have on their health and pollution.

Max Binnington, Athletics Australia's national performance manager, tried to paint it as a logistical issue but his comments gave light to the real reasons behind the decision.

"We have had athletes come back from a recent test event and one athlete has got 10 days off training because of a respiratory problem," he told ABC radio. "We don't want our athletes to be undertaking that sort of risk."

Officials in Beijing are, naturally, preturbed by the attention being drawn to the pollution issue. They say it's been blown out of proportion, especially in light of the locations of former Olympics.

"For example, in Los Angeles in 1984, when conditions were considerably worse," spokesman Jeff Ruffolo said. "The smog was impenetrable, but the Games turned out sparklingly - because people left the city."

The environmental issues could be more damaging to China than any political fallout. People watch the Games to watch great athletic performance. If that doesn't come and TVs are showing a smog-ridden skyline, it won't be hard to put two and two together, cheapening the Games and embarrassing the hosts.

Australian Track and Field Team Skipping Opening Ceremonies originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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