Thread for the London Olympics 2012: Fri.27th July to Sun.12th August!

[STMB]

OC withdraws gold medal from shot put athlete Nadzeya Ostapchuk

- Valerie Adams, New Zealand, first
- Evgeniia Kolodko, Russian Federation, second
- Lijiao Gong, People’s Republic of China, third

V. The NOC of Belarus and LOCOG shall ensure full implementation of the Executive Board decision.

VI. This decision shall enter into force immediately.

Happy for the Chinese athlete... talk about a roller coaster of emotions.  The Russian chick was disqualified or she had a foul throw or something so, but then they reverse theyself and reinstated her attempt, right after medals were decided.  The poor Chinese girl was half way around the track celebrating with fans in the stands when they come and tap she on she shoulder telling she "oops, we reinstate the third place finisher so you ent getting a medal after all".  She was very gracious in accepting it, after initial sadness and bewilderment, and went up and congratulate the three medalists.  Happy that she got her bronze medal after all.

Actually the event you were referring to was the women's hammer throw final won by Tatyana Lysenko of Russia. The athlete who was reinstated to bronze was Betty Heidler of Germany and the displaced Chinese athlete was Wenxiu Zhang

[Ray Agostini]

Nice tribute.

However our umbilical cords bury in T&T so please big up T&T athletes!!

Mine does too. However, my adult body resides in Australia. I have been following T&T athletes through the Olympics, but specifically Track & Field. I still have a lot of catching up to do on the results as I haven't had the time (because of work) to watch everything. I ask the same question I do of Australia in regard to T&F - What happened? The '50s, '60s and '70s seemed to be a better and more productive era, generally speaking. Jamaica has always excelled. I watched Ed Roberts run a virtually effortless 20.5 200M on the grass track at Point-a-Pierre at the Southern Games in the mid-'60s, and as a teenager attended a half-day clinic coached by Wendell Mottley, two who sort of epitomise that era, though it was still not as great as the Jamaican dominance, eventually with sprinters like Don Quarrie. Most of the "up and coming" T&T sprinters always seem to fade away, while we see occasional flashes of brilliance in-between (even that can't be said for Australian male T&F athletes, and the women still "carry the flag").

Is it something they eat (or smoke) in Jamaica?   

[D.H.W]

Nice tribute.

However our umbilical cords bury in T&T so please big up T&T athletes!!

Mine does too. However, my adult body resides in Australia. I have been following T&T athletes through the Olympics, but specifically Track & Field. I still have a lot of catching up to do on the results as I haven't had the time (because of work) to watch everything. I ask the same question I do of Australia in regard to T&F - What happened? The '50s, '60s and '70s seemed to be a better and more productive era, generally speaking. Jamaica has always excelled. I watched Ed Roberts run a virtually effortless 20.5 200M on the grass track at Point-a-Pierre at the Southern Games in the mid-'60s, and as a teenager attended a half-day clinic coached by Wendell Mottley, two who sort of epitomise that era, though it was still not as great as the Jamaican dominance, eventually with sprinters like Don Quarrie. Most of the "up and coming" T&T sprinters always seem to fade away, while we see occasional flashes of brilliance in-between (even that can't be said for Australian male T&F athletes, and the women still "carry the flag").

Is it something they eat (or smoke) in Jamaica?   

They have a proper structure and plan. Therefore they will always produce athletes. And alot of hard work 

[Ray Agostini]

They have a proper structure and plan. Therefore they will always produce athletes. And alot of hard work 

I think we have that too - AIS - but there's a lot of "introspection" going on even in regard to swimming. One controversial theory was aired in the media:

Australian swimming boss Leigh Nugent blames 'easy life' blamed for medal dive

"We live in a society where people look for the easy way," Nugent said.

"We do have people prepared to work, but the coaches have to sell the whole package to them.

"We don't have 1.3 billion people like China. We have a small population and most sports are looking for the same thing we are looking for in terms of athletes. Those taller, leaner men, especially the 200m freestyler's physique ... AFL and rugby union love that mould. It's very competitive for body types."

Wood, Leisel Jones's first coach in Brisbane, works with top Chinese swimmers at his academy in Queensland.

His volatile comments - that Chinese swimmers work far harder than their Australian counterparts - is a broadside: "Fat cats don't fight; they sleep in front of the fire. And there are no fat cats in China.

[Socapro]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/London_s_top_ten-165941256.html

London's top ten
Story Created: Aug 13, 2012 at 12:42 AM ECT

l LONDON

The top 10 memorable moments from the London Olympics:

1. CROWNING THE GREATEST OLYMPIC ATHLETE OF ALL TIME

Michael Phelps ended his remarkable swimming career by winning four gold and two silver medals in London. He is now the most decorated Olympian ever, with a career total of 22 medals, 18 of them gold. In his final swim, he helped the US reclaim the lead in the 4x100-metre relay, and afterward he got a special trophy from swimming officials that said: "To Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympic athlete of all time."
 
2. BOLT ADDS TO THE LEGEND

The speed. The medals. The poses. It could only be Usain Bolt, who electrified the London Games by becoming the first man to win the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay golds in back-to-back Olympics. Even IOC President Jacques Rogge, who initially balked at giving him "living legend" status, conceded that the six-time gold medallist "is the best sprinter of all time."
 
3. GABBY LEADS THE FIERCE FIVE

Gabby Douglas rocked the O2 Arena with her electric floor routine, her vaults, her leaps high above the balance beam. The 16-year-old won two gold medals, including the all-around, and the rest of the Fierce Five — Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross and Aly Raisman — gave the United States its first Olympic team title in women's gymnastics since 1996.
 
4. BRITAIN'S GOLDEN NIGHT

Three British athletes won gold medals in Olympic Stadium in 44 minutes on Saturday, Aug. 4, to produce the signature night of the London Games: Jessica Ennis won the heptathlon, Greg Rutherford won the long jump, and Mo Farah won the 10,000 metres. (The Somali-born Farah also won the 5,000 metres on the final Saturday.) Counting two golds from the rowers and another from women's track cycling, Britain's total for the day was six.
 
5. PUTTING THE BAD IN BADMINTON

They played to lose. The top-seeded women's badminton pair from China, two pairs from South Korea and one from Indonesia were disqualified from the Olympics after they intentionally lost their matches in order to secure a more favorable draw in the quarterfinals. Olympic officials wanted team coaches, trainers or officials of the four doubles pairs to be punished if they encouraged or ordered the eight players to lose intentionally.
 
6. THE "BLADE RUNNER" MADE THEM ROAR

Oscar Pistorius described his journey from South Africa to the London Olympics as "amazing," and it was. The double-amputee known as the "Blade Runner" because he runs on carbon-fibre blades had the 80,000-strong crowd roaring as he anchored the South African team in the 4x400-metre relay final. It didn't matter that he finished eighth. He can add "Olympic finalist" to his long list of unprecedented achievements.
 
7. WOMEN'S BOXING A HIT

Women's boxing was a big hit in its first Olympics, and it produced three memorable champions: Claressa Shields, the 17-year-old middleweight with the vicious right hand who established herself as the future of the sport; lightweight Katie Taylor of Ireland, the Bray Brawler whose bouts had thousands cheering with Irish pride; and Nicola Adams, the British flyweight who won the first gold medal.
 
8. RUNNING ON A BROKEN LEG

American Manteo Mitchell heard a pop in his left leg with 200 metres to go in his segment of the 4x400 relay preliminaries, and the sprinter knew it was not good. If he stopped, he would lose the race, so he finished the lap, then limped to the side to watch his teammates complete the relay. The United States eventually made it into the finals and won the silver behind the Bahamas.
 
9. HISTORIC OLYMPICS FOR WOMEN

It lasted only 82 seconds, but it will be long remembered: Young judo fighter Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani became the first Saudi woman to compete at an Olympics. Wearing a modified hijab, Shahrkhani drew roars from the crowd as she stepped on the mat against Puerto Rico's Melissa Mojica, who quickly defeated her. Saudi resident Alaa Al-Mizyen said afterward: "Wojdan remains a winner to me and millions of men AND women around the world." Qatar and Brunei also sent female Olympians for the first time.
 
10. HER MAJESTY'S A PRETTY NICE ACTRESS

The Olympics kicked off with a royal command performance. At the opening ceremony, a short film on the stadium's big screen showed actor Daniel Craig as James Bond driving to Buckingham Palace and meeting Queen Elizabeth II, who played herself. "Good evening, Mr. Bond," she said. Next they were shown flying in a helicopter over Olympic Stadium, where stunt doubles parachuted in.

WORLD RECORDS BROKEN

ARCHERY
Men 72 Arrows Ranking Round - Individiual — Im Dong Hyun, South Korea, 699, July 27 (Previous Record: Im Dong Hyun, South Korea, 696, May 2, 2012).
216 Arrows Ranking Round - Team — South Korea (Im Dong Hyun, Kim Bub-min, Oh Jin-hyek), 2,087, July 27 (Previous record: South Korea - Im Dong Hyun, Kim Woojin, Oh Jin-hyek, 2,069, May 2, 2012).

ATHLETICS
Men 800m — David Lekuta Rudisha, Kenya, 1:40.91, Aug. 9 (Previous Record: David Lekuta Rudisha, Kenya, 1:41.01, Aug. 29, 2010).
4x100m Relay — Jamaica (Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt), 36.84, Aug. 11 (Previous Record: Jamaica (Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt), 37.04, Sept. 4, 2011).
Women 4x100 Relay — United States (Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, Carmelita Jeter), 40.82, Aug. 10 (Previous Record: East Germany Silke Gladisch, Sabine Rieger, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Gohr, Oct. 6, 1985, 41.37).
20km Race Walk — Elena Lashmanova, Russia, 1:25:02, Aug. 11 (Previous Record: Vera Sokolova, Russia, 1:25:08, Feb. 26, 2011).

CYCLING TRACK
Men Team Pursuit (qualifying) — Britain (Edward Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke, Peter Kennaugh), 3:52.499, Aug. 2 (Previous Record: Britain (Edward Clancy, Steven Burke, Peter Kennaugh, Geraint Thomas), 3:53.295, April 4, 2012).
Team Sprint (qualifying) — Britain (Philip Hindes, Chris Hoy, Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny), 42.747, Aug. 2 (Previous Record: Germany (Rene Enders, Maximilian Levy, Stefan Nimke), 42.914, Dec. 1, 2011).
Team Sprint (Final) — Britain (Philip Hindes, Chris Hoy, Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny), 42.600, Aug. 2 (Previous Record: Britain (Philip Hindes, Chris Hoy, Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny), 42.747, Aug. 2, 2012).
Team Pursuit (Final) — Britain (Edward Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke, Peter Kennaugh), 3:51.659, Aug. 3 (Previous Record: Britain (Edward Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke, Peter Kennaugh), 3:52.499, Aug. 2, 2012).
Women Team Sprint (qualifying) — Britain (Victoria Pendleton, Jessica Varnish), 32.526, Aug. 2, (Miriam Welte, Kristina Vogel), 32.549, April 4, 2012).
Team Sprint (qualifying) — China (Gong Jinjie, Guo Shuang), 32.447, Aug. 2 (Previous Record: Britain (Victoria Pendleton, Jessica Varnish), 32.526, Aug. 2, 2012).
Team Sprint (First Round) — China (Gong Jinjie, Guo Shuang), 32.422, Aug. 2 (Previous Record: Britain (Victoria Pendleton, Jessica Varnish), 32.526, Aug. 2, 2012). Team Pursuit — Britain (Dani King, Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell), 3:15.669, Aug. 3 (Previous Record: Britain (Dani King, Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell), 3:15.720, April 5, 2012).

SHOOTING
Men 25m Rapid Fire Pistol — Alexei Klimov, Russia, 592, Aug. 2 (Previous Record: Alexei Klimov, Russia, 591, Oct. 6, 2006).

SWIMMING
Men 100m Breaststroke (Final) — Cameron van der Burgh, South Africa, 58.46, July 29 (Previous Record: Brenton Rickard, Australia, 58.58, July 27, 2009).
200m Breaststroke (Final) — Daniel Gyurta, Hungary, 2:07.28, Aug. 1 (Previous Record: Christian Sprenger, Australia, 2:07.31, July 30, 2009).
1500m Freestyle — Sun Yang, China, 14:31.02, Aug. 4 (Previous Record: Sun Yang, China, 14:34.14, July 31, 2011).
Women 400m Individual Medley (Final) — Ye Shiwen, China, 4:28.43, July 28 (Previous Record: Stephanie Rice, Australia, 4:29.45, Aug. 10, 2008).
100m Butterfly (Final) — Dana Vollmer, United States, 55.98, July 29 (Previous Record: Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden, 56.06, July 27, 2009).
200m Breaststroke (Semi) — Rebecca Soni, United States, 2:20.00, Aug. 1 (Previous Record: Annamay Pierse, Canada, 2:20.12, July 30, 2009).
200m Breaststroke (Final) — Rebecca Soni, United States, 2:19.59, Aug. 2 (Previous Record: Rebecca Soni, United States, 2:20.00, Aug. 1, 2012).
200m Backstroke (Final) — Missy Franklin, United States, 2:04.06, Aug. 3 (Previous Record: Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe, 2:04.81, Aug. 1, 2009).
4 x 100m Medley Relay (Final) — United States (Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt), 3:52.05, Aug. 4 (Previous Record: China (Zhao Jing, Chen Huijia, Jiao Liuyang, Li Zhesi), 3:52.19, Aug. 1, 2009).

WEIGHTLIFTING
Men 62kg (Total) — Un Guk Kim, North Korea, 327, July 30 (Previous Record: Zhang Jie, China, 326, April 27, 2008).
77kg Lu Xiaojun, China, 175, Aug. 1 (Previous Record: Lu Xiaojun, China, 174, Nov. 24, 2009).
77kg (Total) — Lu Xiaojun, China, 379, Aug. 1 (Previous Record: Lu Xiaojun, China, 378, Nov. 24, 2009).
94kg (Clean & Jerk) — Ilya Ilyin, Kazakhstan, 233, Aug. 4 (Previous Record: Szymon Kolecki, Poland, 232, April 29, 2000).
94kg (Total) — Ilya Ilyin, Kazakhstan, 418, Aug. 4 (Previous Record: Akakios Kakhiashvili, Greece, 412, Nov. 27, 1999).
Women 53kg (Clean & Jerk) — Zulfiya Chinshanlo, Kazakhstan, 131, July 29 (Previous Record: Zulfiya Chinshanlo, Kazakhstan, 130, Nov. 6, 2011).
+75kg (Snatch) — Tatiana Kashirina, Russia, 151, Aug. 5 (Previous Record: Tatiana Kashirina, Russia, 149, Aug. 5, 2012).
+75kg (Total) — Tatiana Kashirina, Russia, 332, Aug. 5 (Previous Record: Zhou Lulu, China, 328, Nov. 12, 2011).
+75kg (Total) — Zhou Lulu, China, 333, Aug. 5 (Previous Record: Tatiana Kashirina, Russia, 332, Aug. 5, 2012).

[Socapro]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Curtain_comes_down_on_London_2012-165939346.html

Curtain comes down on London 2012
Story Created: Aug 12, 2012 at 11:51 PM ECT

lLONDON

With a little British pomp and a lot of British pop, London brought the curtain down on a glorious Olympic Games yesterday in a spectacular, technicolour pageant of landmarks, lightshows and lots of fun.
 
The closing ceremony offered a sensory blast including rock 'n' roll rickshaws, dustbin percussionists, an exploding yellow car and a marching band in red tunics and bearskin hats.
 
The Spice Girls staged a show-stopping reunion, and Monty Python's Eric Idle sauntered through "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"—accompanied by Roman centurions, Scottish bagpipers and a human cannonball.
 
It all made for a psychedelic mash-up that had 80,000 fans at Olympic Stadium stomping, cheering and singing along. Organisers estimated 300 million or more were watching around the world.
 
What a way to end a Games far more successful than many Londoners expected. Security woes were overcome, and traffic nightmares never materialised.
 
It all came with a price tag of $14 billion—three times the original estimate. But nobody wanted to spoil the fun with such mundane concerns, at least not on this night.
 
"We lit the flame, and we lit up the world," said London organising committee chief Sebastian Coe. "When our time came, Britain, we did it right."
 
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declared the Olympics over with praise for the athletes.
 
"Through your commitment to fair play, your respect for opponents, and your grace in defeat as well as in victory, you have earned the right to be called Olympians," he said, adding: "These were happy and glorious games."
 
But the night was about splash more than speeches.

Festive and fast-moving, the ceremony opened with pop bands Madness, Pet Shop Boys and One Direction, a shout-out to Winston Churchill and a tribute to the Union Jack—the floor of Olympic Stadium floor arranged to resemble the British flag.
 
The night ended with the extinguishing of the multi-petaled Olympic cauldron and a supercharged rendition of "My Generation" and other classics by The Who that had the crowd dancing in the aisles. Confetti rained down, and fireworks lit up the sky.
 
Prince William's wife, Kate, and Prince Harry took seats next to Rogge. They sang along to "God Save the Queen." There was no sign of the queen herself, who made a memorable mock parachute entrance at the July 27 opening ceremony.
 
Following Olympic tradition, the 10,800 athletes of the London Games marched in as one rather than with their nations, symbolising the harmony and friendship inspired by the games.
 
As the crowd cheered their heroes and flashbulbs rippled through the stadium, the Olympians cheered back, some carrying national flags, others snapping photographs with smartphones and cameras. They held hands, embraced and carried each other on their shoulders, finally forming a human mosh pit on the field.
 
Eight minutes were turned over to Brazil, host of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, which delivered an explosion of samba, sequins and Latin cool. Following tradition, the mayor of London handed the Olympic flag off to his Rio counterpart.
 
Britons seemed exhausted and exhilarated after two glorious weeks in the world's spotlight, and just months after the country celebrated the queen's 60th year on the throne with a magnificent pageant and street parties.

[D.H.W]

Had some nice songs in the closing ceremony

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Kenyans to investigate poor track showing

Reuters
Posted at 08/14/2012 9:08 AM | Updated as of 08/14/2012 9:08 AM

 
LONDON - Kenyan authorities are frustrated that foreign athletes who train in the country turned the tables on the east African nation, whose disappointing track and field performance at the London Olympics has kicked off a storm of protest back home.

Kenya finished 28th in the overall medal table with two gold, four silver and five bronze medals, compared with 13th in Beijing four years ago when they won six gold, four silver and four bronze.

Their only two golds this time came from Ezekiel Kemboi in the 3,000 metres steeplechase and David Rudisha with his world record run in the 800m.

Mo Farah, the British double Olympic distance champion and Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich, who won the men's marathon, train at the Iten High Altitude Training Centre near Eldoret, known as the world's capital of distance running.

Kiprotich is managed by Dutch company Global Sports Management, which also looks after Kenyan Asbel Kirui who came second in the marathon.

"You could see they were talking during the race. They were behaving as if you are helping their Ugandan rival in an Olympic race," said Kenya's Minister for Sport, Dr Paul Otuoma, who has been in London since the Games started on July 27.

He said an independent committee would be set up when the team returned home on Wednesday to give a report on why the performance was poorer than expected.

"It was a fiasco. The performance was terrible," Otuoma told Reuters at his London hotel a day after the Games ended.

The Minister said once the report is out, the recommendations would be implemented.

"I want a thorough audit of all sections so that we implement the recommendations and begin work for Rio 2016 now," said the minister.

Kip Keino, head of the country's National Olympic Committee, cited technical flaws in the team that might have affected their performance.

He said they were not properly prepared for the fast-finishes of the longer races, in which they often lost out during the Games.

"The coaches did not take them through the required intervals, which could have sharpened their sprint power," he said.

He also blamed the performance on late arrivals in Britain, saying due to weather differences athletes needed to come earlier to adjust to the local conditions. (Editing by Ed Osmond)

[Deeks]

So keshorn GOLD was not good enough to be one of the most memorable in London. An unknown 19 yr old beating seasoned pros in javelin? But don't worry. We got the GOLDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!

[Socapro]

http://www.guardian.co.tt/olympics/2012-08-13/happy-glorious-games-says-rogge

Happy, Glorious Games says Rogge

LONDON—The London 2012 Olympics closed on Sunday night with IOC president Jacques Rogge proclaiming: “These were happy and glorious Games.”  At the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, Rogge paid tribute to the London 2012 organisers and volunteers, and to the spectators, for their contribution. He also said the Games would leave a lasting legacy in terms of infrastructure and by inspiring young people across the world to take up sport. Rogge said: “These were happy and glorious Games. The legacy of the Games of the XXX Olympiad will become clear in many ways. “Concrete improvements in infrastructure will benefit the host nation for years to come. “The human legacy will reach every region of the world. “Many young people will be inspired to take up a sport or to pursue their dreams.” Rogge said the 17 days of the Olympics had been “unforgettable” and he paid tribute to London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe. “The organising committee, well supported by the public authorities, did a superb job,” he said.

“We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games. “You, the spectators and the public, provided the soundtrack for these Games. “Your enthusiastic cheers energised the competitors and brought a festive spirit to every Olympic venue. “You have shown the world the best of British hospitality.” Lord Coe spoke of his pride in pulling off an event that has won plaudits around the world. Coe said: “On the first day of these Games I said we were determined to do it right. I said that these Games would see the best of us. “On this last day I can finish with these words: “When our time came—Britain we did it right. Thank you.” The London 2012 chairman, himself a two-time Olympic 1,500m champion, recognised the athletes for their world-beating performances, but spoke of how Britain had backed the Games. He added: “Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city. "We lit the flame and lit up the world.” The success can be traced back to the people who built the stadiums and the Olympic Park from where was speaking that was once a disused and deprived district through to the organisers and the sports stars.
 
He told the packed stadium: “And thank you to the people of this country. The British people got behind London’s bid and they got behind London's Games. Our opening ceremony proclaimed that these would be a Games for everyone. At our closing ceremony, we can say that these were a Games by everyone. “London 2012 has played host to some incredible sport. To awe inspiring feats, that are the result of incredible dedication and skill by the world's great sports men and women. “To all the Olympians who came to London to compete—thank you. Those of us who came to watch witnessed moments of heroism and heartbreak that will live long in the memory. “You have our admiration and our congratulations.”   The closing ceremony itself was another night of thrilling British eccentricity. And a final theatrical flourish saw a flaming phoenix rise above the Olympic cauldron as the flame was extinguished  while ballerina Darcey Bussell flew from the roof and Take That played at the other end of the Stadium. The packed stands joined in with a rousing rendition of The Who’s My Generation before streaming out into the London night with the Games over after a wonderful 17 days.

In a guide to the ceremony, Prince Harry, who attended with the Duchess of Cambridge, said London 2012 had been an “extraordinary” event which had touched people's hearts and captured their imaginations. US President Barack Obama echoed that view, calling David Cameron to “congratulate him and the people of the United Kingdom and London on an extremely successful Olympic Games,” the White House said. As the world bade farewell to London, the host city gave the concert of a lifetime as stars such as Annie Lennox, The Spice Girls, Madness, Queen and Take That took to the stage. The party marked the end of British sport’s most successful Olympic Games in more than a century which saw a final medal tally of 64—an incredible 29 golds, 16 silvers and 19 bronze. Athletes from all nations paraded through the Stadium taking with them their own memories of a Games which has been universally acclaimed. After the Games showed off the best of British sport, the closing ceremony was designed to show off the best of Britain’s past and present music scene, culminating with a glimpse of the carnival that awaits in Rio in 2016.

[Socapro]

http://www.guardian.co.tt/olympics/2012-08-12/london-wraps-dazzling-olympics

London wraps up dazzling Olympics
Published: Tuesday, August 14, 2012
 
LONDON—Usain Bolt made himself a living legend—just ask him. Michael Phelps swam a last lap into history. A man ran on carbon blades. Two track stars and a long jumper produced perhaps the greatest night in British sports history. Take a victory lap, London.
 
The nightmare that was supposed to be the 2012 Olympics—gridlock and chaos Underground and overground, a city locked down by terrorist threats, day after day of gray and drizzle—simply never materialised. Instead, London threw a five-ring party. “Nobody wanted to sit this dance out,” said Sebastian Coe, the two-time Olympic 1,500-metre champion and chief of the London organising committee. “Everybody has wanted to be involved.” Or, as the stately Economist said: “Britain looked at itself and liked what it saw.” The games were not without controversy. Eight badminton players were sent home in disgrace for trying to lose—doing it to gain a better draw in their tournament, but violating the Olympic spirit of competition.

Organisers scrambled to sell last-minute tickets, and ended up giving some to the military, after unsightly photos of empty seats were splashed across the famously cantankerous British press. Some moments were downright ugly. A Greek triple jumper made a racist joke on Twitter. A Swiss football player used a slur to describe the South Koreans who had just won, and said that they “can go burn.”
 
At what were called the first social media Olympics, both remarks made it around the world in seconds. The punishment came almost as quickly: Go home. The athletes who misbehaved were drowned out anyway. Tens of thousands of people flocked daily into Olympic Park. They filled Olympic stadium for morning heats. They gave the handball arena a new name: The Box That Rocks. They camped out on the grass to watch the action on big screens. Flags—the Union Jack most prominently—became shirts and shorts, caps and capes, earrings and nail polish. Fans wore their national colours proudly, and literally. And what a show they saw. Bolt, the Jamaican track sensation, blew away the field in the 100 metres in 9.63 seconds and the 200 in 19.32, becoming the first athlete to win both sprints at consecutive Olympics.

He was so dominant that sometimes the question was not just whether he would win but whether he would run at full speed to the finish line—and what theatrics he would produce to celebrate. He did pushups on the track. He struck the pose of an ancient, triumphant Olympian, or perhaps a superhero. “I am now a living legend,” he said. “Bask in my glory.” Bolt struck a third time on the next-to-last night of the games, running a blistering anchor leg to set a world record in the 4x100 relay for his third gold. He was so good that track officials let him keep the baton. Elsewhere on the track, Kenya’s David Rudisha led for the entire race in the 800 metres and broke his own world record by a tenth of a second. The standout performance of the games, proclaimed no less a track star than Coe himself. Carmelita Jeter anchored the American 4x100-metre relay team to a winning time of 40.82 seconds, more than half a second better than a mark that had stood for more than a quarter-century. The United States used a dominant showing in track and field to blow past China and lock up the races for total medals and for golds. In the pool alone, they won 31 medals. And Michael Phelps, in a dazzling farewell, became the most decorated Olympian of all time. He came away with four golds and six overall to eclipse not just his contemporary rival, Ryan Lochte, but Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who held the previous record for most Olympic medals, with 18.

Phelps has 18 golds alone to show for his career, and 22 overall medals. He left just as another American swimmer, 17-year-old Missy Franklin, was stepping into the spotlight. She captured four golds, equaling the US mark for a female swimmer. She was only one star at a breakout Olympics for women. Gabby Douglas, the 16-year-old American gymnast, won two gold medals, including the all-around—and got to meet Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, to boot. Six women’s world records were set in the pool. Alex Morgan scored a late header that sent the US women’s football team to a semifinal victory against Canada and propelled them to an eventual gold. Serena Williams won golds in women’s singles and in women’s doubles with sister Venus. Women’s boxing made its debut, and was a huge hit. Britain’s Nicola Adams, Ireland’s Katie Taylor and US teen Claressa Shields became stars in their gold-medal bouts. Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor did what they always do—own the sand. They won their third straight gold in beach volleyball and did it at perhaps the best setting of the games—within a long serve of 10 Downing St.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei sent female Olympians for the first time. Saudi judo fighter Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani lost, in a headscarf and in less than 90 seconds. But she drew an ovation and made a statement just by being here. So did Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee from South Africa with carbon-fiber blades who ran both the 400 and the 4x400 relay. He reached the semifinals in the 400 and ran anchor on the relay team that finished last in the final. Nobody minded. “When I left the stadium last night I just turned around and looked at the crowd, and it’s something I will definitely remember for the rest of my life,” Pistorius said. By the tens of thousands, Londoners shared the sentiment. For the host nation, a cast of athletes cemented their place in British lore. Bradley Wiggins followed up his victory in the Tour de France with gold in the time trial and became the most decorated British Olympian. Track cyclist Chris Hoy won his sixth career gold. Ben Ainslie sailed to his fourth. Andy Murray finally won a title at Wimbledon, thrashing Roger Federer in straight sets on Centre Court—just a month after losing to him in the Wimbledon final. Britain piled up 28 gold medals and will finish third in the table. Not since another London Games, in 1908, has Britain performed so well. It peaked on a Saturday night, when Britain won three gold medals in track and field in less than an hour—Jessica Ennis in heptathlon, Mo Farah in the 10,000 metres and Greg Rutherford in long jump—to a deafening roar inside Olympic Stadium.

The reserved president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, made no secret of his delight at it all. “For two weeks,” he said, “the Olympic Park has been the beating heart of the world.” Normally reserved Britons embraced, put down their newspapers and spoke to each other on the Tube, and reveled in sports like never before. “The doom mongers said it couldn’t be done,” said London Mayor Boris Johnson, who was responsible for one of the few mishaps of the games—getting himself stuck on a zip line. “Well, they were wrong,” he said. “It was done, it was stunning, and it will live long in the memory.” After three-time host London, the Olympics will move to new territory—Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Winter Games; Rio in 2016; and Pyeongchang, South Korea, for the 2018 Winter Games. London spent about $14.5 billion in public money on its Olympics. The project has regenerated East London, and organisers have pledged a long-term legacy with no white elephants. For now, though, no one in London is worried about that. It’s been a jolly good show.

[Socapro]

http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2012-08-13/world-sport-not-waiting-tt

Things That Matter
World of sport not waiting on T&T
Published: Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Brian Lewis

So London 2012 is over and Trinidad and Tobago has come away from the Games of the 30th Olympiad with a four-medal haul. In total there were 12 top eight performances. Unprecedented, certainly. Many persons will claim credit and seek to bask in the glory of it all. Whatever rewards Keshorn receives for his gold medal are well deserved. The real challenge for the 19-year old will be keeping everything in perspective. At such a young age and having won an Olympic medal, his future is very bright. London 2012 was a great Games for T&T in many ways—some obvious and others not so obvious. Listening and reading all the comments can be worrying as some may be wide of the mark. Our track record as a country celebrating sporting success is always wonderful to see, hear and watch. However caution is necessary. Having waited 36 years for a second Olympic gold medal, the euphoria is understandable. Celebrate and acknowledge the world-level achievements but remember the harsh light of reality will soon shine. Delivering on the new expectations requires meticulous planning and an intense focus on delivery and implementation.

Many calls have been made for government to pump more money into sports. Simply doing that will be a huge mistake.  First there must be candid assessment and discussion about where T&T is really at, and what is needed. If the right approach and conversations aren’t undertaken, the wait for another gold may be even longer. The world of sport is not standing still nor will it wait on T&T to get it right. The performances of our supremely talented young men and women who made up the London 2012 Olympic team was a fantastic advertisement for T&T. Should T&T not build on the London 2012 advances and achievements it certainly will not be the fault of the athletes. Now is as good a time as any to say that the leaders of local sport have before them a golden opportunity but it can all come to nothing if the conversations aren’t focused on what must be done. A top down attitude to sport development will not provide the athletes with the foundation and platform they require. In the absence of physical education in primary schools, vibrant sport and community clubs and initiatives that inspire adults and children to go out and participate in various sporting activities, there will not be sustainability and consistency. Finger pointing, score settling, ego and personality battles, imposing hobby horses will be a certain pathway to unmet expectations.

When a country can continue to produce and develop athletes who qualify not only for the Olympic Games and World Championships, but make it to the finals, rest assured, medals will be won. T&T, following London 2012, is on the cusp of a golden era at the Olympics. It was way back in 1997 that the TTOC executive first sat down and did a strategic planning session and discussed future Olympics. Getting to the podium is never the work of any one individual or group. It takes a lot of unsung heroes—beginning with parents, family and volunteers—to create podium success. On the topic of unsung heroes, members of the T&T Olympic team returned home yesterday. The fact that Caribbean Airline flight 903 was a pleasant experience came about because of the great work of Aileen Reid, the Gatwick station manager and Keith Horsford training officer.  The flight crew, in particular the flight attendants were wonderful. Why are they being singled out as unsung heroes? Their efforts made the world of difference between an unpleasant and pleasant experience.

Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the T&T Olympic Committee  www.ttoc.org  The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.

[Socapro]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Rio_takes_Olympic_baton_-166066866.html

Rio takes Olympic baton
...as sceptics fear it will fumble
Story Created: Aug 13, 2012 at 10:59 PM ECT

l RIO DE JANEIRO

As the calm settled over London's Olympic Stadium after closing ceremonies on Sunday, the pressure was mounting in Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 games.
 
When Rio was awarded the games three years ago, it was hailed as a rite of passage for Brazil, Latin America's biggest country and an economy that is now the world's sixth largest.
 
Along with the football World Cup, to be held in Rio and 11 other Brazilian cities in 2014, the Olympics would show that Brazil was finally reaching long-elusive, first-world goals.
 
But the exuberant celebrations which greeted the decision to award Rio the games are giving way to trepidation in this seaside metropolis of 6.5 million people.
 
Construction delays, cost overruns and overburdened airports, roads and subway lines give locals a sense that Rio, the first South American city to be awarded the Olympics, has a long way to go if is to stage the event as seamlessly as London.
 
Part of the unease has to do with the sense that Rio, despite its long history as a global attraction, is still playing catch-up with the developed world.
 
Even after a recent economic boom in Brazil, soaring investment because of the sporting events and an ongoing rush to develop massive new offshore oil fields due south of the city's beaches, Rio remains pock-marked by poor development.
 
"Brazil and Rio have four years to do all those things that have not been done in 400," said Alberto Murray Neto, a Sao Paulo attorney and past member of Brazil's Olympic committee.
 
The task is huge. Brazil's tourism ministry expects almost 400,000 foreign tourists for the games, in addition to hundreds of thousands of Brazilians who themselves will add to the crush on airports, hotels, roads and other infrastructure.
 
Meanwhile, costs for Olympic projects are soaring, as the investment boom and Brazil's high taxes and labour costs, known locally as the "Brazil Cost", inflate the price of everything from construction cranes to beachside coconuts.
 
The cost of the games, critics fear, could far exceed initial estimates of 29 billion reais (US$14.4 billion).
 
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, who landed from London with the official Olympic flag yesterday, said in a recent briefing that an updated budget isn't possible yet.
 
Luis Fernandes, executive secretary of the Brazilian sports ministry, also sidestepped the issue, telling reporters in London yesterday: "We can only disclose the cost of the Olympics when everything is ready.
 
"In this budget, there are certain aspects we have to take note, when it comes to sporting venues that will be prepared and constructed," he said through a translator.
 
"Our horizon is to base ourselves in the main, original programme we proposed."

So far, very little is ready. During their last visit in June, members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said "the timelines for delivery are already very tight and the amount of work to be completed is considerable".
 
Most troubling, said the IOC, is that Rio has yet to begin building the Olympic Park and complex of buildings that will host most competitions and media facilities.
 
Paes and other city officials remain upbeat. Leonardo Gryner, chief of the Rio organising committee, in London last week said all sports facilities would be ready by 2015 with ample leeway for testing.
 
Rio is no newcomer to big events.

The city's famed carnival celebrations attract more than 800,000 revellers each year. Big concerts and New Year's festivities on Copacabana beach have attracted over one million.
 
Rio hosted the 2007 Pan American Games, though critics recall that event was also marred by cost overruns and a lack of lasting improvements.
 
Today, O Globo, Rio's biggest daily newspaper, featured a photograph of a dirty and tattered flag over a Pan American memorial, calling it "a portrait of abandon".
 
Maracana, Rio's main football stadium, was rebuilt for the occasion, only to be razed again to be re-constructed for the 2014 World Cup.
 
Rio officials tout ongoing efforts to spruce up the city after decades of disrepair.
 
Until Brazil's recent boom helped begin reviving its fortunes, Rio suffered from a lack of investment, soaring crime rates, and the encroachment of favelas, the city's well-known shantytowns, into its verdant hillsides.
 
And despite recent progress, development hurdles remain.

Rio's airports, like those elsewhere in Brazil, are notoriously crammed and have strained with air traffic growth.
 
Plans for a high-speed rail link between Rio and Sao Paulo, Brazil's biggest city, are so far behind schedule that officials concede it won't be running in time for the games.
 
The line would be a major step forward for a country with few long-distance passenger rail links and where long bus and car journeys, often over rickety roads, are the only alternative to flying.
 
And Rio's streets, already constrained by its hills and a wraparound waterfront, are clogged daily by traffic.
 
"Moving around the city is nearly impossible under normal circumstances," said Christopher Gaffney, an urbanism professor at Fluminense Federal University. "I don't see how they expect to add users."
 
So scarce are the city's hotel rooms, even after an additional 10,000 are built for the games, that officials plan to use cruise liners for extra accommodation. Hotel operators, like other industries hurt by Brazil's poor school system, are scrambling to find skilled workers.
 
Consumers, meanwhile, worry about price gouging.

Brazil's government this year had to step in and force Rio hotels to cut prices ahead of a major United Nations environment summit. Before the June summit, hotels were charging as much as five times the normal room rates.
 
Social problems also complicate planning.

New roads and rail lines being built to reach Olympic venues, in the city's far-flung southern suburbs, will run right through some of Rio's poorest neighbourhoods.
 
Residents of Vila Autodromo, a favela of 500 families, are among tens of thousands who could be evicted by construction of Olympic projects.
 
While a security crackdown has reduced violence in many neighbourhoods, the improvements are mostly along the coastal corridor where most of the Olympic-related activity will take place, displacing the problems to formerly quiet corners.
 
Gryner, the Rio committee chief, said that Rio had learned "a lot" from the London Games. "We are taking that back to our teams," he said, "we are improving our planning processes."
 
But critics fear only so much can be carried over from a first-world city to one where basic public services are often lacking.
 
"We are comparing a developed country with an under-developed country, which still has a lot to do," said Murray Neto, the former Brazilian Olympic official.

[Socapro]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Caribbean_leaves_unique_mark-166066856.html

Caribbean leaves unique mark
...as 30th Olympiad makes glamorous end
Story Created: Aug 13, 2012 at 10:59 PM ECT

l LONDON

London said an emphatic farewell to the 30th Olympiad with a spectacular farewell ceremony here Sunday, capping two weeks of intense competition across the historic city with the Caribbean yet again scaling new heights and leaving an indelible mark on the showpiece.
 
The Olympic Stadium, constructed at a cost of 500 million pounds sterling, was transformed into a sea of British culture highlighted largely by pop acts such as George Michael, Spice Girls and Take That, in a glitzy three-hour gala.
 
New generation group One Direction and the enduring Pet Shop Boys added to the star-studded cast as Britain put its vast musical treasure trove on show for a global viewership estimated to be more than 300 million.
 
British super model Naomi Campbell made an appearance along with another model, Kate Moss, as the country's extravagant fashion was also given centre stage.
 
"Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city. We lit the flame and lit up the world," said Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee. "When our time came, Britain, we did it right."
 
International Olympic Committee chief, Jacques Rogge labelled the London Olympics as "happy and glorious".
 
"The legacy of the Games of the 30th Olympiad will become clear in many ways," he said.
 
"Concrete improvements in infrastructure will benefit the host nation for years to come. The human legacy will reach every region of the world.
 
"Many young people will be inspired to take up a sport or to pursue their dreams."
 
In a formal procedure marking the end of the Games, the Olympic flag was passed on to Eduardo Paes, the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, the magical Brazilian city which will host the Olympics in four years time.
 
Rogge declared the Games closed, the Olympic flame was extinguished and a stunning fireworks display began over the east London venue.
 
The stadium in recent days was the scene of several magical moments as the Caribbean ignited fireworks of its own. Led by sprint powerhouses Jamaica, CARICOM nations broke several barriers and recorded their highest-ever medal haul.
 
In the end, the region won seven gold, four silver and seven bronze medals with Jamaica leading the way with four gold, four silver and four bronze.
 
Trinidad and Tobago, through teenager Keshorn Walcott, picked up one gold and added three bronze while Grenada and the Bahamas each won a gold medal.
 
The Games were again headlined by the peerless Usain Bolt who became the first man to win back-to-back 200 metres titles and also defend a sprint double title.
 
He also created another first by anchoring Jamaica to a world record 36.84 seconds, as they became the first sprint relay team in history to run under 37 seconds.
 
Countrywoman Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also defended her 100m title, winning in 10.75 seconds, while Veronica Campbell-Brown finished third in 10.81.
 
The women's 4x100m team, Fraser-Pryce in the 200m and Yohan Blake, who was second in both sprints, accounted for Jamaica's silver medals.
 
Warren Weir, the little known Jamaican, ensured an historic clean sweep in the men's 200m for Jamaica while Hansle Parchment landed bronze in the 110m hurdles.
 
Jamaica's women's 4x400m relay team won the other bronze medal.

Grenada, thanks to world champion Kirani James, won their first-ever Olympic medal when he raced to gold in the men's 400m, becoming the first ever non-American to run beneath 44 seconds with a clocking of 43.94.
 
Grenada, who made their debut at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, sent a record ten athletes to London 2012.
 
Trinidad and Tobago were also part of history with a record four medals, beating the previous best of three, achieved in Tokyo 1964.
 
Walcott became the first athlete from the English-speaking Caribbean to win gold in a javelin event and the first in 60 years from the Western Hemisphere.
 
The medal was T&T's second-ever Olympic gold medal behind the legendary Hasely Crawford, who won the 100m at the 1976 Montreal Games.
 
Walcott, at age 19, took with him his own national record with his winning throw of 84.58m.
 
Lalonde Gordon was another unlikely hero, adding to Trinidad and Tobago's historic moment when he became the first to win a medal, bronze, in 44.52 behind James in the 400 metres.
 
He later helped the 4x400m team to another bronze medal, with the other bronze coming in the men's sprint relay.
 
In the 4x400m relay, the Bahamas upset the United States to claim the country's first-ever men's gold medal as the quartet of Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Ramon Miller ran a national record two minutes, 56.72 seconds for gold.
 
–CMC

[Socapro]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Memories_are_made_of_this-166210996.html

Memories are made of this
By Garth Wattley
Story Created: Aug 14, 2012 at 10:56 PM ECT

So what are your Olympic memories made of?

I'm sure they include Keshorn Walcott and his javelin. Mine too.

But like every Olympics that I have viewed, this one in London produced some striking scenes of human beings at their physical and mental best, leaving us in awe.
 
Usain Bolt was one of the big men of the London Games, not just because of his six-foot five-inch frame and long, sinewy legs that hustled him to two more 100 and 200 metres Olympic titles and a second straight gold in the 4x100m.
 
Bolt was even more brilliant for the way he was able to deal with the enormous weight of expectation that his own talent–and words--had placed on him.
 
To become a "living legend" as was his stated aim in going to London, Bolt had to do what had never been done before in the history of Olympic sprinting, against the fastest crop of sprinters in the history of the sport.
 
And having been in Jamaica that Independence week when the 100 was run off, Bolt, more than Yohan Blake, carried the hopes of the people of that island. He was the one that could make them "legend" in 2012. But Bolt handled that pressure as easily as he did the zillions of cameras and fans who wanted a piece of him. There were less obvious heroes that registered with me, too.
 
The United States would not have got on the rostrum in the 4x400 relay had it not been for Manteo Mitchell. In the semi-finals, he broke a fibula in his foot and still ran out his first leg to ensure that his teammates got a chance at a medal.
 
That man had belly!

Some might want to call him foolish for continuing on what turned out to be a bad injury. But, at the time, he couldn't know for certain what had gone wrong, except that something had snapped. But his team spirit gave him the courage to run on. I guess they would call that part of the Olympic spirit. For the same reason, I have new appreciation for Keston Bledman.
 
Watching him hobble back onto the track after Trinidad and Tobago had been awarded bronze in the 4x100, it was clear that he had been running hurt–with a hip injury, as it turned out. I heard Emmanuel Callendar say on TV that Bledman had been prepared to "blow out" the hip to give the team a medal shot. And his pain was not in vain!
 
Success often does not come without some suffering. But success definitely won't come without perseverance.
 
Thanks Keston.

Kirani James, blasting the 400m field at only age 19, was also a sight to behold. The powers of youth! But the race of the Games for me was–apart from the Michael Phelps/Chad Le Clos duel in the 200 metres butterfly–the women's 100 metres hurdles.
 
Australia's Sally Pearson just held on for the gold despite a desperate lunge from Dawn Harper of the United States just before the line. It was a finish that made a great picture. It was one of those sights that captured in microcosm the tremendous mind and body effort that athletes in all disciplines make as they strive to get the top prize.
 
Happily, there were hundreds who left London with something/things to show for their four years of sacrifice. But I also remember the others, whose sacrifice and dedication was just as great but who, for one reason or another, did not get onto the medal rostrum.
 
The Canadian 4x100 men were crushed to have the bronze stripped from them because of a lane violation on the final leg. The offending runner was inconsolable when the bad news came.
 
Those four would have found companions with the T&T 4x100 women's quartet after Michelle Lee Ahye and Kelly-Ann Baptiste ended up in baton confusion and Kai Selvon and Semoy Hackett could only watch in hopeless despair while the race went without them.
 
Relays can be cruel boy!

At moments like that, four years must feel like a long time to wait for redemption.
 
In contrast, Keshorn Walcott had to do no waiting at all. His had to be one of the stories of these games.
 
To conquer the world so young was eye-catching. But to do it as a rank outsider in a discipline in which the Caribbean region, not to mention Trinidad and Tobago, has no history of success at Olympic level was the stuff of "Nancy" stories.
 
Except this was no folk tale. Keshorn Walcott is very much for real. Despite my disbelieving eyes Saturday afternoon, I could recognise that.
 
The image of images from London was his almost disbelieving smile, arms spread out after the last competitor fell short of his 84.58 metres throw. That was the throw to change a life.
 
Before Saturday, I had been wondering how long it would be again before T&T would ever get Olympic gold and along comes that throw.
 
The coming days and weeks will be something else for the young man. The riches he has already been granted will take a while to wrap his mind around. But this is the time in which he must do his clearest thinking.
 
We are very good in this place at getting carried away; of forgetting that there is life after the party.
 
At 19, things have happened so quickly that adjusting to his new status, and the not always helpful attention he will receive, could be a challenge for the Toco lad.
 
After he broke Sir Garry Sobers' world record of 365 back in 1994, Brian Lara took some time to get his focus back completely. He complained about not being prepared for success. A similar challenge could face young Walcott now.
 
Just by way of perspective, the javelin world record is set at 98.48 metres by triple Olympic champion Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic. And Antti Ruuskanen of Finland, who was third on Saturday, has a personal best of 87.33 metres. Walcott's throw also would not have been a season's best in any of the last 25 years.
 
Point is, Olympic champion or not, the T&T boy has much growing still to do in the sport. His Olympic throw and CAC and Junior World titles prove he has the game to get much better.
 
Just hope he is given the time, and the right kind of support, that will allow him to keep on the straight path. And create even better memories.

garth.wattley@trinidadexpress.com

[Aviator]

Full length replays of all athletic events can be found on the Olympics Youtube page. They have full session replays for athletics and other sports. You can also find individual videos for whatever races or throws , you would like to see.

http://www.youtube.com/user/olympic?feature=watch

[Socapro]

Full length replays of all athletic events can be found on the Olympics Youtube page. They have full session replays for athletics and other sports. You can also find individual videos for whatever races or throws , you would like to see.

http://www.youtube.com/user/olympic?feature=watch

Yeah, nice one! 

[Socapro]

http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2012-08-16/most-satisfying-flight-london

A most satisfying flight from London
Published: Thursday, August 16, 2012
Alvin Corneal

By now I should have become accustomed to being in the midst of great athletes from different parts of the world and in various sporting disciplines. But my Caribbean Airlines flight home on Monday was filled with an extraordinary type of satisfaction which was brought upon the other passengers and myself by the presence of some of the officials and T&T Olympians, including the gold medallist Keshorn Walcott. Like a little child, my anxiety to meet and speak with anyone of these performers and coaches who were guiding them through to their events, was not different to the times when I intermingled with the likes of people like the legendary Pele, Diego Maradona, Sir Bobby Charlton, Michel Platini and Carlos Alberto Parreira. It started at the Gatwick Airport when we were informed that the Caribbean Airlines scheduled flight would have been late on arriving in London and passengers were asked to check in to the Hilton Hotel at the airport for a night’s rest until 5.30 am the following morning.

Disappointment, because I had already begun to miss my family, but my distressed stroll to rearrange my luggage had promptly disappeared when this young solidly built athlete wearing the shirt used by members of the National Olympic team drew near me. Gold medallist, Keshorn Walcott, was just casually strolling past me, seemingly going nowhere in particular. I could not help but introduce myself to the now-popular athlete, whose mildmannered acceptance of my outstretched hand for a congratulatory salutation was well received. His shyness was accompanied by a soft voice, which one would hardly associate with tall, strong athletes. He responded humbly to his short, but successful career and quietly admitted, that its only after being a lover of cricket, that he decided to take up javelin throwing. He accepted a request from my wife and I to take a picture, one which will take a strategic place in my album of pictures with other successful sportsmen. The morning arrived far too early and the hustle to get onto the aircraft was uncomfortable even to the special guests from our team.

However, all boarded the flight, where the flight attendants welcomed the team, describing them correctly as special guests.
 
There was speculation as to the location of the gold medallist, simply because many were planning to meet and personally greet the young man. The flight was no more than two hours in the air when the announcement came from the cockpit that Keshorn will be allowed to walk through the aircraft so that the admirers will take pictures and the numbers were enormous. By then, the tinkling glasses began, the voices became louder and the creation of a most-pleasant atmosphere unfolded. Peace and quiet had suddenly changed into regular chatter among the lucky ones who had the satisfaction of meeting the athletes, mainly Keshorn and Njisane Phillips. The latter happened to be, in my opinion, the man who showed the world the direction from which our country’s next Olympic gold medal will come. Phillips had done all that any youngster could do in a sport which is often filled with more experienced cyclists, all with regular races in different parts of the world and opponents who are as cunning as they can be.

Do not forget the name Njisane Phillips. The guy is a class act and has the temperament which makes great athletes successful. The presence of the country’s Soca Monarch champion for the past few years, Machel Montano, also gained the attention of the travelers, who also stood in line to meet and greet him. No. He did not sing because he was having a problem with his throat. I have to admit that my little chat with him was inspirational and it clearly demonstrated some of his spiritual beliefs. No wonder he is such a winner. Another interesting personality sitting next to me on the flight was Edwin Skinner, the former Olympic 400-metre bronze medallist of 1964. His assessment of the athletes and their performances was literally a lesson in the development of athletes. His hobby, which is coaching, has brought him much satisfaction, especially when he groomed the youngsters for many years. The sport needs that type of guidance for our athletes to take that step further towards more medals, and Ed has maintained that he will continue to do his best to bring the desired results through the athletes under his care.

The arrival of the flight at Piarco indicated that the large crowd was at the end of a long wait to welcome the successful team and its officials.  Keshorn was the man of the moment. He deserved the kudos given by the politicians and the public.
 
His gifts have suddenly turned him into a millionaire and his family towards a better standard of living. This array of goodies should now serve as a precedent for the future, and the thirst for winning medals will increase in the future athletes.

[Socapro]

http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2012-08-19/d%C3%A9j%C3%A0-vu-olympics-gold-all-over-again

Like déjà vu Olympics gold all over again
Published: Sunday, August 19, 2012
Colin Croft

Credited with magnificently golden soliloquies including “I really did not say anything that I said” and “it ain’t over until it’s over”, Lawrence “Yogi” Berra, former New York Yankees baseball player and manager extraordinaire also suggested, germane to this situation, reference London 2012 Olympics, especially for T&T and Uganda; “It is déjà vu all over again!” Believe it! Like many, I feel completely depleted, debilitated, now that London Olympics is actually over. I am sure that I am experiencing, from legal and illegal drug circles, “Severe Withdrawal Syndrome!” London Olympics was the best sporting extravaganza I have had in my 59 years. “Yogi” is correct. As was the case after Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008, this feeling is déjà vu, all over again! Confirming that feeling, T&T’s first gold medal came in 1976 Montreal, Canada when Hasely Crawford, ranked as the greatest outsider of all, won the 100-metre dash in 10.06 seconds. Had he run at London 2012, he would not have qualified for the final, where seven of eight finalists ran sub-10’s.

Crawford’s compatriot Richard Thompson was the slowest qualifier for the final in 10.02. Great Britain’s Adam Gemili, 19, the World Junior 100m champion, whom we must see again in Rio 2016, clocked “Crawfie’s” Montreal time of 10.06 and was only third in his heat. Crawford was in lane one, probably the worst lane for sprinting - very little vision out to lane eight - if you have any time to look.  Jamaica’s Donald Quarrie, who was second, Russia’s Valeriy Borzov, placing third, and even USA’s Harvey Glance, who finished fourth, were all highly favoured on the books, ahead of Crawford. Noteworthy here too, the only time that Olympics javelin title had been won by anyone outside of Europe was by American Cyrus Young, 60 years ago, Helsinki 1952 -Games of the XV (15th) Olympiad. Ironically in Olympiad XXX (30th), 36 years after Crawford, between Mo Farah creating history by winning the 5,000m to go with his 10,000m gold and later that evening, Usain Bolt getting a third gold, confirming legendary status and the world record too in the 4x100m relay; 19-year-old Trinidadian Keshorn Walcott showed why, per “Yogi,” “anything that is impossible is possible! You have to believe!” “Yogi” would also say: “What is really for you, is for you!”

In the preliminaries, T&T’s Walcott qualified tenth of 12, 81.75m his best attempt. Czech Republic’s Vitezslav Vesely threw 2012’s leading distance of 88.34m, heading all qualifiers but could only get 83.34m when it mattered most in the finals. Even Ukraine’s rated Oleksandr Pyatnytsya and Finland’s Antti Ruuskanen could not beat Walcott’s best final effort, 84.58m. Walcott’s unlikely but believable triumph summed up how brilliant but utterly unpredictable athletic competitions in especially Olympics could be. No-one, except perhaps Crawford, gave the young man from Toco, 200-1 outsider, any chance.  London 2012 made more folklore than could not be scripted! USA’s “Fierce Five”—women’s gymnastics team—delivered gold, its first time since Atlanta 1996.  McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Jordyn Weiber and Kyla Ross were very good but pertinently, it was precocious, better-than-great 16-year-old Gabrielle Christina Victoria “Gabby” Douglas, first black young woman, who led the way with individual gold. Bela Karolyi, Rumanian coach that produced country-woman Nadia Comaneci’s magnificence at Crawford’s 1976 Olympics and USA’s Mary Lou Retton’s Los Angeles 1984 all-around gold, simply beamed: “I have always wanted to get African Americans into this sport-so much potential!” Too true!

True too was that Uganda’s John Akii-Bua, the ill-fated long-legged 400m hurdler, who was only 47 when he died in 1997, had won his countr’s only gold medal before London 2012, in Munich 1972. He won that one-lap sprint cum jump with then world record, 47.82, another great achievement. T&T and Uganda have so much in common when it comes to the London Olympics, for it was at the really spectacular XXX that both countries managed to get only their second gold medals overall. Strangely, had he been running at London 2012, with that same time, Akii-Bua would have won silver to Dominican Republic’s Felix Sanchez’s gold, whose 47.63 was the world-leading time for 2012, to edge out USA’s Michael Tinsley (47.91) and Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson’s 48.10. Like T&T, Uganda got its second Olympic gold from a source not altogether expected at all. Stephen Kiprotich, clocking 2:08.01 for 26 miles 385 yards, won London 2012 marathon by a mammoth 26 seconds, beating highly favoured Kenyans Abel Kirui (2:08.27) and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich (2:09.37), into second and third places. Not only named like Kenyans, Stephen Kiprotich also trained with them too! Yogi, 87, will smile if he hears it.  Yes, London 2012 was déjà vu all over again, for a second gold!  Enjoy!