BMX Competition Postponed After Successful Olympic Debut
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Inclement Weather Forces Postponement
Of Second Day Of BMX In Beijing |
The Olympics debut of BMX Tuesday "got off to a hot start," but those "first day fires were doused by a hard rain that forced Olympic officials" to postpone yesterday's race, according to Sal Ruibal of USA TODAY. Tonight, a "unique doubleheader will occur" at the Laoshan Cycling Center, as BMX will race tonight with the women's mountain bike cross country race following soon thereafter (USA TODAY, 8/21). In San Jose, Elliott Almond writes BMX "gave the Games a super-charged atmosphere during qualifying." Yet despite an "Olympian effort to create a spectacle, not many fans were on hand" for the competition (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/21).
DRESS TO IMPRESS: In N.Y., Katie Thomas notes the Int'l Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is considering altering the uniforms for its female athletes, "inspired by the increasingly stylish and -- yes -- sexy uniforms worn by female athletes" in other sports. Hong Kong table tennis player Lau Sui Fei: "That is a very good idea, actualyl a must. Look at those tennis players -- miniskirts, tight shirt. When I play for my European club, my boss required me to dress pretty. Otherwise, how can you attract more spectators?" ITTF Exec VP Claude Bergeret four years ago "began a campaign to revamp the sport's wardrobe," and Bergeret said that since then, several clothing companies, including Joola, Butterfly, Tibhar and Li Ning, have begun "tinkering with the typical uniform, adding miniskirts, fitted shirts and other elements." Thomas notes in table tennis, players "compete until they are in their late 40s and even 50s," which "creates problems when women of different ages must agree on a single uniform." The sport has a "long way to go if the players hope to catch up with the likes" of WTAers Venus and Serena Williams (N.Y. TIMES, 8/21). Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Marcus Hayes writes women's beach volleyball in the Olympics has "helped spike NBC's ratings," though the net "declined to provide volleyball-specific ratings." Hayes: "While the women on the sand are athletic and capable and substantial, let's call it what it is: Hot. ... You think NBC broadcasts [U.S. beach volleyball players Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh] in primetime if they're playing in long-sleeve T's and board shorts?" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/21).
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Writer Feels Swimming Still Premier
Sport At Summer Olympics |
TOP OF THE MEDAL STAND: In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel writes under the header, "Swimming Is The Premier Sport Of These Olympics." Gymnastics has "been entertaining but not spectacular," and it is "interesting to watch but shrouded by judging that most of the public doesn't understand and that is condemned by even the most ardent supporters of the sport." But there is "no such mystery in swimming. First one to the wall wins. There's a wonderful simplicity to the drama." Swimming has "won over these Olympics. Perhaps more Olympiads to come" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 8/21).
LET THEM PLAY: A Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE editorial, on softball's removal from the Olympics after the Beijing Games, states, "Grounding the sport makes no sense for many reasons." The IOC in '05 "voted to keep the modern pentathlon, in which athletes compete in pistol shooting, fencing, equestrian show jumping, swimming and cross-country running. So softball -- a game increasingly popular in Asia and the Americas -- doesn't pass global sport muster. But something that sounds like a test for a 19th-century cavalryman does? Politics, not sportsmanship, drove this vote." The IOC has "long been a strong advocate for women's sports and has worked to include more female athletes at the games. This decision undermines that commitment" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/21).
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