If the Swiss have their way, countries would be limited to entering just 10 of 14 Olympic rowing classes. The proposal, which will be voted on by the 126-member FISA (the sports’ world governing body), is designed to give smaller nations an opportunity to qualify for the final heats.

Many oppose the measure, including John Coates, a member of the FISA Council as well and the International Olympic Committee. He told the Associated Press last week that in his view, the proposal would do limit to help international rowing.

Only one country–Australia–competed in all 14 rowing categories in Beijing last August. Germany and the US qualified for 13 events, Great Britain for 12, and China for 11.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

Post from: EveryJoe

Swiss Proposal Would Limit Olympic Rowing Participation

Lauren Bay Regula was really stingy as she only gave up one hit in five innings while her teammate, Megan Timpf, went 3-for-3 with three runs batted in, leading Canada to a 6-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in women’s softball.

In case you don’t know, Bay Regula could just be genetically engineered to pull off such a feat since her brother, Jason Bay, is an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox.  She finished the game with eight strikeouts before switching off with Robin Mackin to start the sixth.

Each country plays seven preliminary games.  Canada will next play the Netherlands on Wednesday and the United States on Thursday.  Both should be great games!

Post from: EveryJoe

Canada Trumps Chinese Taipei in Women’s Softball

American swimmer, Michael Phelps, continues to take the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by storm by breaking three world records as he earned three gold medals.  He is now tied with Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis for the most decorated Olympians in history. 

He won the 200m freestyle which, if you remember, was the race that he lost at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics when, at just 19 years of age, he went up against Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband.  This time, there was no doubt – Phelps dominated the race finishing nearly two seconds ahead of the rest with a time of 1 minute, 42.96 seconds (the old World Record was 1:43.86).

“I just wanted to be out at the 50-meter point, and that’s where I was,” said Phelps. “I was in open water, and it was difficult for the other guys to see me.”

I’m Canadian but I’m really rooting for him.  I hope he goes eight for eight!

Post from: EveryJoe

Phelps Ties For Most Olympic Golds Ever

Lopez Lomong of Sudan has come a long way to make it to the Olympics, and in more ways than one. His inspiring journey is one that has inspired all who have heard it. As a six year old boy, Lomong was separated from his parents, kidnapped by a government-backed militia, and was taken to a work camp.

Lomong remained there before being adopted by the family in upstate New York.

Among some of his favorite memories with the American family he calls his own are of weekends watching cartoons.

“I watched a lot of Tom and Jerry on the Cartoon Network,” he said recently. “I would watch it every Sunday. It was so much fun how they used to try to trick each other or maybe try to punish each other and chasing each other down.”

Sixteen years later, it is an all together different sort of pursuit that had brought Lomong to the 2008 Beijing Olympics games. Here, instead of the many burdens he bore as a child, he carried the US flag during the Parade of Nations in the opening ceremonies.

As a runner, Lomong has emerged as a college and professional track star. In the Olympics, he hopes to shine in the 1,500-meter run.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Journey of Lopez Lomong

Although most individuals tend to slow down at when they reach their forties, swimmer Dara Torres, age 41, is still highly competitive. Torres has been making waves long before setting the American record in her event (the 50m) at the 2008 U.S. trials.

In 1982 when she was just 14 years old, Torres broke her first of three world records. Torres is the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympics and has the distinction of being the oldest female swimmer in the history of the Olympic games.

Torres is one of only five women to swim the 50-meter freestyle in less than 24 seconds. As an athlete, Torres has experienced her far share of up times and down.

Torres has had a bone spur shaved out of her shoulder and also had an operation to correct a torn meniscus in her knee. Torres has retired from swimming and come back three times.

Torres’ competitive nature is well documented. It is even reported Torres once gave away her silver medal to an astounded teenager who asked to view the glimmering object. For Torres the only significant hardware worthy of taking home is the gold medal.

Saturday in Beijing, Torres anchored the Women’s 4×100 relay team to a silver medal, recording the second fastest 100 meter time in the entire field. If history is to repeat itself, there may be another inquisitive teenager taking home Torres’ silver medal.

Photo credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Ageless Wonder Dara Torres

In Sunday morning’s events swimming dominated the news. Michael Phelps earned his first Olympic Gold of the 2008 Beijing games, shattering his previous record in the Men’s 400-meter individual medley. With one event down, Phelps still has seven more gold medals to win in order to surpass Mark Spitz record for most gold medals won in a single olympics. Spitz won his seven gold medals during the 1972 Olympics.

Several countries made good showings today in Beijing. In the Women’s 400-meter individual medley, Stephanie Rice of Australia won the gold medal in record fashion with a mark of 4 minutes and 29 seconds.

Australia was not so fortunate in the men’s 400 freestyle. Grant Hackett, though he at one point led the race and was favored to win it, finished sixth. It was Park Tae-hwan of South Korea who won the gold medal.

In Women’s Gymnastics, China recieved an outstanding performance from Deng Linlin on the vault. Despite a poor exhibition by He Kexin on the uneven bars, China remains far ahead of its closet competitor Romania. As America prepares for Sunday’s qualification, the team will have to do so without Samantha Peszek, who sprained her left ankle during warmups.

Among the competitions continuing tomorrow are basketball, boxing, rowing, badminton and fencing.

Post from: EveryJoe

Olympic Updates

	Archery Women’s Team Archery – 1/8 Eliminations Women’s Team Archery – Quarterfinal matches
	Badminton Women’s Singles – Round of 64 matches Women’s Singles – Round of 32 matches Men’s Singles – Round of 64 matches Women’s Doubles – Round of 16 matches
	Basketball Women’s – Preliminary Group A game 3 (RUS vs LAT) Women’s – Preliminary Group A game 2 (BRA vs KOR) Women’s – Preliminary Group B game 2 (ESP vs CHN) Women’s – Preliminary Group B game 3 (USA vs CZE) Men’s – Preliminary Group A game 1 (RUS vs IRI) Men’s – Preliminary Group B game 1 (GER vs ANG)
	Beach Volleyball Women’s – Preliminary round Group B match 1 & 2 Women’s – Preliminary round Group C match 1 Women’s – Preliminary round Group D match 1 Women’s – Preliminary round Group E match 1 Women’s – Preliminary round Group F match 1 Men’s – Preliminary round Group B match 2 Men’s – Preliminary round Group C match 1 & 2 Men’s – Preliminary round Group D match 1 Men’s – Preliminary round Group E match 1 Men’s – Preliminary round Group F match 1
	Boxing Men’s Middle Weight (75kg) – Round of 32 bouts 1-12 Men’s Light Heavy Weight (81kg) – Round of 32 bouts 1-12
	Equestrian Individual Eventing – Dressage  Team Eventing – Dressage
	Fencing Women’s Individual Sabre – Round of 16 Women’s Individual Sabre – Quarterfinals Women’s Individual Sabre – Semifinals Women’s Individual Sabre – Bronze medal bout Women’s Individual Sabre – Gold medal bout Men’s Individual Epee – Round of 64 Men’s Individual Epee – Round of 32
	Field Hockey Women’s – Preliminary Group A match 1 (CHN vs ESP) Women’s – Preliminary Group B match 1 (JPN vs NZL)
	Handball Women’s – Preliminary Group A match 2 (ROU vs KAZ) Women’s – Preliminary Group A match 3 (NOR vs CHN) Women’s – Preliminary Group B match 2 (RUS vs KOR) Women’s – Preliminary Group B match 3 (GER vs BRA) Men’s – Preliminary Group A match 1 (CRO vs ESP) Men’s – Preliminary Group B match 1 (RUS vs ISL)
	Judo Women’s 48kg – Preliminaries/Repechages Women’s 48kg – Final of Table A & B Women’s 48kg – Round of 32 contests Women’s 48kg – Round of 16 contest 5 Women’s 48kg – Quarterfinals Women’s 48kg – Bronze Medal Contest Women’s 48kg – Gold Medal Contest Men’s 60kg – Preliminaries/Repechages Men’s 60kg – Round of 32 contests Men’s 60kg – Final of Table A & B Men’s 60kg – Bronze Medal Contest Men’s 60kg – Gold Medal Contest
	Rowing Women’s Single Sculls – Heats Women’s Pair – Heats Women’s Double Sculls – Heats Men’s Single Sculls – Heats Men’s Pair – Heats Men’s Double Sculls – Heats Men’s Four – Heats
	Sailing Women’s Keelboat Yngling – Race 1 & 2 Heavy Weight Dingy – Race 1 & 2
	Shooting Men’s 10m Air Pistol – Qualification round Men’s 10m Air Pistol – Final Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Qualification Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol – Final
	Soccer Women’s – Preliminary Group E match 4 (CAN vs CHN) Women’s – Preliminary Group E match 3 (SWE vs ARG) Women’s – Preliminary Group F match 3 (NGR vs GER) Women’s – Preliminary Group F match 4 (BRA vs PRK) Women’s – Preliminary Group G match 3 (USA vs JPN) Women’s – Preliminary Group G match 4 (NZL vs NOR)
	Swimming Women’s 400m Individual Medley – Heats Women’s 100m Butterfly – Heats Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay – Heats Men’s 400m Individual Medley – Heats Men’s 100m Breaststroke – Heats Men’s 400m Freestyle – Heats
	Tennis Women’s Singles Tennis – First Round Men’s Singles Tennis – First Round Men’s Doubles Tennis – First Round
	Volleyball Women’s – Preliminary Group A match 1 (POL vs CUB) Women’s – Preliminary Group A match 2 (VEN vs CHN) Women’s – Preliminary Group A match 3 (JPN vs USA) Women’s – Preliminary Group B match 2 (SRB vs KAZ) Women’s – Preliminary Group B match 3 (ALG vs BRA) Men’s – Preliminary Group B match 1 (SRB vs RUS)
	Water Polo Men’s – Preliminary Group A match 1 (ESP vs CAN) Men’s – Preliminary Group A match 2 (HUN vs MNE)
	Weightlifting Men’s 56kg – Group B

Post from: EveryJoe

Beijing Olympics Schedule – August 9, 2008

Image details: 2008 Australian Championships: Day 1 served by picapp.com

It has been revealed that Australian swimmer, Stephanie Rice, underwent a secret surgery last Wednesday to remove a nodule from her esophagus (it was causing chronic indigestion).  It’s a bit of a risk, with just weeks remaining before the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. 

Her coach, Michael Bohl, broke the news yesterday – the same day her world record was broken (by 0.34 seconds) by American rival, Katie Hoff.

Rice was back to training the next day (I think that’s a bit foolish but these athletes don’t become the best by mistake).  With Rice and Hoff clocking similar times, the women’s swimming competitions should be really exciting!

Post from: EveryJoe

Australia’s Rice Has Surgery Before Olympics

Image details: Germany v Spain – UEFA EURO 2008 Final served by picapp.com

Spain has won the 2008 Euro Cup!  They faced off against Germany today for the cup final and ultimately won 1-0.  There were so many close calls and truly heartbreaking moments for the German team.  For continuing soccer coverage, visit The Footie.

Post from: EveryJoe

Spain Wins Soccer’s Euro Cup 2008

Double-amputee sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, has won his appeal and will now be allowed to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games!  I am extremely happy for him. 

Yesterday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport unanimously ruled in favor of the 21-year-old South African athlete, making him eligible to race against able-bodied athletes.  Originally, the International Association of Athletics Federations had banned him from the sport claiming that the metal in his running blades gave him an unfair advantage.

“I am ecstatic,” Pistorius told reporters in Milan, Italy. “When I found out, I cried. It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It’s a great day for sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people.”

It’s not over for Pistorius – he must still reach a qualifying time to run in the individual 400 meters but can be selected for the South African relay squad without qualifying.  He currently holds the 400-meter Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds.  As impressive as that is, he will have to do even better since the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.55.  I hope he makes it!

image provided by Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Amputee Sprinter Allowed to Compete in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games