What were your favorite events?
men's gymnastics and swimming.
What were the most memorable moments?
When Paul Hamm came from 12th, Klete Keller beating Ian Thorpe, Phelps giving up his spot, Rulon Gardner retiring, mens 4x400, beach volleyball.
Which athletes impressed you the most?
Paul Hamm. He was constantly under scrutiny after his gold medal, and he handled himself well.
Alexei Nemov. He handled his very very poor score very well and was very sportsmanslike. He is an excellent competitor and his attempts to hush the crowd were awesome.
What were the moments you enjoyed that you feel were under-rated and didn't get the attention they deserved?
The fencing. It was awesome!
What was the most intriguing controversy?
Poor Paul Hamm... and Alexei Nemov.
Feel free to answer any or all of the questions that interest you or add your own categories.
My picks:
Favorite Event: Gymnastics has always been my favorite. After that track and field, the marathons, and diving usually capture my interest the order depending on who is competing that year.
Memorable moments: Probably the three most memorable moments of what I saw were the men's highbar competion although it was much longer than a moment, the Marrocan winning the 5000 meter (I missed the 1500) and for some reason the women's 400 hurdles really touched me. (That was the one the Greek woman won) I didn't even know at the time that it was an unexpected win or the problems the Greek team had been through. She just won my heart in those brief minutes.
Impressive personalities: The Brazilian marathon runner was a class act. Aleksi Nevmov(?) the Russian that came in 4th in the high bar may not have won the gold but he won hearts all over the world. He would have a great future in politics. Or the movies. And last but not least, Michael Phelps was a class act from start to finish. When he gave up his place on the relay team so that his team mate could have a chance to actually feel like he had earned the medal...pure class.
Under-rated events: Rhythmic Gymnastics has always been on that list for me but I was shocked at how far the synchronized swimming had evolved since I last paid it any attention. Shocked. Thank heaven I wasn't a judge for that. I couldn't have picked a winner. Their training had to have been absolutely grueling and their creativity and beauty were unbelievable. That will be on my list of events to really watch in the next olympics.
Interesting Controversies: The men's all-around. I didn't see it and my first reaction when I heard about it was wondering why Hamm didn't just give up the gold. I wouldn't want something I hadn't earned. But then the plot thickened when someone pointed out that the judges missed the fourth rest in the Korean's routine that would have made his score worse than it was had it been caught even if he started out with the right score. What a mess.
Men's high-bar (Poor Paul Hamm...I can't help but think he got extra credit for preforming so well under so much pressure.) I poo-pahed the female Russian gymnast's charges of biased judging because I didn't think she was that good. But when that happened to Aleksi....that had to make me wonder.
So tell me, what were your picks and pans? What awards would you hand out?
I miss the Olympics already.
Benjamin Arthur Hesketh
10.5.88-7.26.08
amor vincit omnia
love&missyou
