USA Downs Japan 1-0 in Men's Olympic Soccer

(photo courtesy of the U.S. Olympic Committee)

By Robert H. Kelly

Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

BEIJING, CHINA (August 7, 2008) Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden scored the USA's only goal to lead the Americans to a 1-0 win over Japan to open group play at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Holden's goal came after a scoreless first half when he found the goal in the 47th minute.

The victory puts the United States at the top of the Group B table pending the outcome of the match between Nigeria and the Netherlands, which is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Team USA will return to action on Sunday, August 10, when it faces the Netherlands at 7:45 p.m. in Tianjin.

Around the Rings: Dress Rehearsal for Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony

BEIJING, CHINA (August 5, 2008) Below is a clip from CCTV about the dress rehersal for the Opening Ceremonies of the Games of the 29th Olympiad in Bejing.

CharlieInBeijing: August 5, 2008

BEIJING, CHINA (August 5, 2008) Below is a video clip from CharlieInBeijing. He is posting video from Beijing and showing the happenings at the Games of the 29th Olympiad.

Around the Rings: Olympic Village Opens

BEIJING, CHINA (July 31, 2008) The Olympic Village opened in Beijing with much ceremony and celebration. The Associated Press had this video clip on the event.

U.S. MEN'S OLYMPIC SOCCER TEAM TIES IVORY COAST

HONG KONG, CHINA (July 30, 2008) – The U.S. Men’s Olympic Team earned a scoreless draw with Ivory Coast in the opening match of the ING Cup in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The United States will face Cameroon in their second match of the tournament and their final Olympic tune-up on Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. local / 5 a.m. ET at Hong Kong Stadium. Fans can follow the action against Cameroon live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

Head coach Peter Nowak used all 16 field players during the game, including a complete switch of his midfielders and forwards at halftime, getting a good look at nearly his entire Olympic roster. The two groups of attackers each created dangerous chances throughout the game, despite getting only one shot on goal.

“These matches are tune-ups for the Olympics so we want to make sure the stuff we've been working on will translate into the games,” Nowak said. “We wanted to give time to the whole group to make sure that they're ready for the game on Saturday, and more importantly learn from today's mistakes before our game against Japan. Our preparations, mentally and physically, will show through these two games both offensively and defensively. We want to make sure to get the full package together by next week.”

Ivory Coast used their speed and athleticism to create counterattack opportunities throughout the game, but the U.S. defense was up to the task. Brad Guzan, who earned Man of the Match honors, made four saves throughout the night, including a kick save from point-blank range late in the second half.

Mamadou Bagayoko took the game’s first shot in just the second minute, pouncing on an errant pass and moving upfield before quickly taking a shot that went wide of Guzan’s goal. The Americans, defending in numbers when necessary, escaped two corner kicks in the first seven minutes before settling into their game.

In the 10th minute, midfielder Michael Bradley took the first shot of the game for the U.S. after an impressive buildup out of the back. Sacha Kljestan and Freddy Adu combined in the midfield to get the ball out wide to Jozy Altidore, who knocked it over to Bradley. His one-time shot with the outside of his right foot went wide.

Adu looked to have gotten in behind the Ivory Coast defense in the 29th minute, running onto an Altidore pass in the box. He was taken down, but the referee let play continue. Minutes later, defender Marvell Wynne won a tackle and played the ball forward quickly for Altidore. He and striking partner Brian McBride combined at the top of the box, and McBride touched it ahead for a streaking Kljestan. He took a touch into the box, but defender Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba did well to recover and was able to cleanly tackle the ball away from Kljestan.

The final two chances of the first half belonged to the U.S. as the ball got out wide to midfielder Stuart Holden, who made a cheeky move around his defender and whipped a ball into the box looking for a pair of targets in McBride and Altidore, but neither could get to it. Seconds later, after Adu took a hard foul, Holden chipped in the ensuing free kick, again looking for his strikers at the far post. Altidore got tangled up with his defender, and got his head to it, but only enough to make the ball bounce up and into the hands of Ivory Coast ‘keeper Vincent de Paul Angban.

With Nowak changing his entire attack with five halftime substitutions, the U.S. moved into a 4-5-1 with Charlie Davies as the lone striker. But it was Ivory Coast who came out firing, earning the first truly dangerous chance of the game for either side in the 52nd minute. Kouamatien Kone flew down his right wing and got by defender Michael Orozco before sending a cross to the far post. Teammate Sekou Cisse was at the far post, and snapped his header down and on frame, but Guzan was there to make the diving save.

Guzan’s best save of the night came in the 71st minute, after a quick counter attack from the Ivory Coast. Serge Pascal Wawa, who was one of the best players for the Ivory Coast on the night, broke up a U.S. attack and got the ball forward with speed. Cisse received the ball and powered through Maurice Edu to get into the box alone and hit a low shot to the near post. Guzan was up to the task though, making a kick save to keep the game scoreless.

The U.S. heads into the 2008 Olympic Games having been drawn into a difficult Group B and will open against Japan on August 7 before facing the Netherlands on August 10, with both games taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin. The team will then travel to Workers’ Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on August 13.

Former and Current UH Divers Prepare for 2008 Olympics

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 30, 2008) Former University of Houston divers Yulia Pakhalina and Tania Cagnotto and current Cougar Anastasia Pozdniakova are preparing to represent their home countries at the 2008 Olympics when they begin on Aug. 8 in Beijing.

Pozdniakova and Pakhalina, both natives of Russia, will compete together in the 3-meter synchronized springboard Aug. 10 and Cagnotto will compete for Italy in the 10-meter platform Aug. 20-21. All three divers will also participate in the 3-meter springboard Aug. 15-17.

All three events will take place at the National Aquatics Center on the Olympic Green, and the Olympics are scheduled to air on the NBC family of networks. Pozdniakova was named the Conference USA Diver of the Meet after winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter championship during the 2007 C-USA Swimming and Diving Championships. She was a redshirt this past season and did not compete for the Cougars as she trained for the Olympics. In 2006-07, she was also named the C-USA Diver of the Week four times during the regular season.

Pozdniakova continued the success of her sophomore campaign, winning the 1-meter and 3-meter championships at the NCAA Zone D Meet. She finished second on the 3-meter springboard and fifth in the 1-meter competition at the NCAA meet, earning All-America status.

Pakhalina, an Olympic medal winner, took home bronze in the 3-meter springboard and silver in synchronized diving at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. She also was a gold medalist in synchronized diving in Sydney in 2000.As a Cougar, Pakhalina was a five-time NCAA individual national champion in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. She also recorded 36 consecutive wins in collegiate competition and was an 11-time C-USA Diver of the Week.


While Cagnotto only competed at Houston for one season, she set a UH and C-USA record by being named C-USA Diver of the Week nine times and swept all three diving events at the 2006 C-USA Championship. She was just the second diver in C-USA history to win all three diving events at one championship meet, joining Pakhalina who accomplished the feat in 2002.

Cougar diving coach Jane Figueiredo will be an assistant coach for the Russian team for the third time, including in 2000 and 2004. She also was an assistant coach for Great Britain in 1996 and competed as a diver in the 1984 Olympics in Portugal.

IOC Brokers Agreement with Iraqi Government Concerning Olympic Competition

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (July 29, 2008) An agreement between the Iraqi government and the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday clears the way for Iraqi participation in the Olympic Games in Beijing.

In a productive meeting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, the IOC and the Government of Iraq agreed on a series of steps that will lead to a fully functioning, independent National Olympic Committee in Iraq. The agreement re-establishes the independent NOC of Iraq which will be allowed to take part in the Beijing Games.

Iraqi athletes will compete in Beijing under the Iraqi flag, led by coaches and team leaders selected by the independent Iraqi National Olympic Committee. Five government representatives will be invited by the IOC as observers to the Games in Beijing. The agreement also calls for the transparent and fair election of a new, independent Iraqi National Olympic Committee, no later than the end of November 2008. This process will be overseen by the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia and will be held in cooperation with the Government of Iraq, and in accordance with the Olympic Charter.

“I commend the government of Iraq for reaching an agreement that serves the long-term interest of Iraqi athletes,” IOC President Jacques Rogge said. “We have said all along that we want to see Iraqi athletes in Beijing.”

The IOC helped establish an independent Iraqi National Olympic Committee in February 2004, and has provided substantial financial support and other assistance to Iraqi athletes. In May this year, the Iraqi government sought to disband the independent NOC and replace it with one headed by a government official — a clear violation of the Olympic Charter regarding government interference.

The IOC responded on 4 June by suspending the government-imposed committee. The IOC urged Iraqi officials to resolve the matter and issued an open invitation for a meeting in Lausanne.

The deadline for competitors entering the Beijing Olympic Games for all events except athletics passed on 23 July. As a result, the slots for five Iraqi athletes have been redistributed, but two Iraqi athletics competitors will have the opportunity to compete in Beijing.

“We look forward to seeing the Iraqi flag in Beijing,” Rogge said.

The Politics Behind Olympics Games

By Jonathon Hardcastle

(About the Author: Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including fitness and relationships.)

Among the Greeks, fitness competitions and games were nationalistic in spirit; states were said to have been prouder of Olympic victories than of battles won. Women, foreigners, slaves, and dishonored persons were forbidden to compete. Contestants were required to train faithfully for 10 months before the games and had to take an oath that they had fulfilled the training requirements before participating. At first, the Olympic Games were confined to running, but over time new events were added. The winners of the Olympics were crowned with chaplets of wild olive, and in their home city-states male champions were also awarded valuable gifts and privileges.

As a visible focus of world energies, the Olympic Games have been prey to many factors that have thwarted their ideals of world co-operation and athletic excellence. Like in ancient Greece, nationalistic fervour has fostered intense rivalries that have at times threatened the survival of the games. Although officially only individuals are able to win Olympic medals, nations routinely assign political significance to the feats of their citizens and teams. For example, between 1952 and 1988 rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, rooted in mutual political antagonism, resulted in each boycotting games hosted by the other (Moscow, 1980; Los Angeles, 1984).

Politics has influenced the Olympic Games in other ways, from the propaganda of the Nazis in Berlin (1936) to pressures leading to the exclusion of white-ruled Rhodesia from the Munich games (1972). At Munich, nine Israeli athletes were kidnapped and murdered by Palestinian terrorists.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which sets and enforces Olympic policy, has struggled with the licensing and commercialisation of the games, the need to schedule events to accommodate television networks, and the monitoring of athletes who seek illegal competitive advantage, often through the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In 1998 a scandal erupted with revelations that bribery and favouritism had played a role in the awarding of the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City, Utah, and in the selection of some earlier venues.

But, regardless of the Olympic Games tensions, it is historically proven that sports have acted as a liaison between nations and have greatly contributed to their evolution. Beginning with the sociological, psychological and physiological aspects of the human nature, sports have gained the praise of people worldwide, as they have contributed to their well being. Group-oriented, since in order to be a winner one has to compete, sport brings people closer together and generates team-spirit along with mind and physical awareness. But, whether or not the contemporary Olympic Games act as an opportunity for nations to learn from one another and cooperate or are just another opportunity for people to engage in competitive and hostile rivalries, only historians of the future will be able to judge with some certainty.

About the Author: Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Fitness, Relationships, and Fitness

Source: http://www.isnare.com/

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=90683&ca=Sports

Gymnastics Finalizes 2008 U.S. Olympic Team

HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS (July 20, 2008) USA Gymnastics yesterday announced the six women and three replacement athletes it will nominate to the U.S. Olympic Committee to comprise the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for women’s gymnastics. Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, were named to the team at the conclusion of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials on June 19-22 in Philadelphia, and the balance of the team was named tonight following the final selection camp at the Women’s National Team Training Center in Huntsville, Texas.

Joining Johnson and Liukin on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for women’s gymnastics (pending USOC approval) are:

Chellsie Memmel, West Allis, Wis./M&M Gymnastics
Samantha Peszek, Indianapolis, Ind./DeVeau’s
Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s
Bridget Sloan, Pittsboro, Ind./Sharp’s

The three replacement athletes are:

Jana Bieger, Coconut Creek, Fla./Bieger International Gymnastics
Ivana Hong, Blue Springs, Mo./GAGE
Corrie Lothrop, Gaithersburg, Md./Hill’s

“The U.S. Team has been assembled to give us our best chance for success in Beijing,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “This group of athletes has worked hard to position USA Gymnastics as a strong contender for medals.”

Dynamo’s Holden, Ianni Named to U.S. Olympic Team

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 18, 2008) Houston Dynamo standouts Stuart Holden and Patrick Ianni were named to the United States Olympic soccer team, U.S. Soccer announced Thursday.

The duo was named to the 18-man roster that will represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The squad consists of U-23 players and three over-age players selected by head coach Peter Nowak. The United States will face Japan, the Netherlands, and Nigeria in Group B action August 7-13.

Holden, who will turn 23 on August 1, is in his third year with the Dynamo and has been a regular each of the last two years. The midfielder has scored nine goals in all competitions with Houston, including six last year, and was a regular for the U-23 team that qualified for the Olympics in March.

“It is a huge honor to be going to the Olympics and representing the United States,” Holden said. “I don’t want to be happy with just getting to the Olympics; I want to get there and compete and win a medal.”

Ianni, 23, is also in his third year with Houston and has made regular contributions to the Dynamo back line in each of the last two seasons. The defender also competed for the United States qualifying squad in March.

“I’m very excited, and it’s an honor to be a part of this great group of guys,” Ianni said. “Playing at the Olympics will be a very high level of competition. It’s an honor to be able to represent your country and, of course, the Dynamo.”

Both players will be available to the media after the Dynamo’s Friday practice, which concludes at 11:00 a.m. at Carl Lewis Track & Field Complex.

The United States will begin its training camp in Stanford, Calif., on July 20. Holden and Ianni will remain with the Dynamo for their July 22 game against D.C. United, then join the U.S. squad in preparation for the Olympics.

US SAILING's 2009 Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship

LA PORTE, TEXAS (July 16, 2008) To advance growth in women's sailing, Rolex Watch U.S.A. has announced that it will expand its sponsorship of "Road to Rolex" clinics in 2008 and 2009, and is working with US SAILING to increase the number of clinics offered. The clinics are known as "Road to Rolex" as they prepare women for keelboat racing with an eye toward competing in US SAILING's Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship (Rolex IWKC). The biennial regatta returns to Houston Yacht Club in La Porte, Texas from October 14-17, 2009.

Organizers are seeking yacht clubs and sailing centers to host the Road to Rolex clinics. The clinic program is designed for one- or two-day formats and features an instruction manual developed by five-time US SAILING's Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.). Alison, an internationally recognized sailing educator and coach, has won the Rolex IWKC
five times.

"The Road to Rolex clinics are designed to be adaptable to a group's ability level, knowledge of the equipment and skills requiring attention," said Taran Teague, US SAILING's International Women's Keelboat Committee, which oversees the Rolex IWKC. "Our goal is to pair up expert sailors as coaches, such as past Rolex IWKC competitors, with women sailors to prepare them for competition in The Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship."

At clinics with more than five boats participating, the host organizer will run a series of short races at the conclusion of the clinic. The winner will receive a $200 credit toward her entry fee for the Rolex IWKC. Organizations interested in hosting a Road to Rolex clinic should contact Jessica Willis at US SAILING for more information, Tel: (401) 683-0800 or email: jessicawillis@ussailing.org.

The first scheduled Road to Rolex clinic will be held October 31 - November 2 at the Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club (Oak Point, Texas) with Elizabeth Kratzig, a noted international competitor and coach. Online registration is now open. For additional details and to register. Contact Gayle Finster at Tel: (940) 686-5667or gayle@fortc.com.

The Road to Rolex clinics were initiated in 1997 to provide women sailors with additional opportunities to hone their sailing skills. Locations where past clinics have been held include Annapolis, Md., Rochester, N.Y., Monterey, Calif., Oklahoma City, Okla., Chicago, Ill., and Houston, Texas, as well as Cape Town, South Africa.

About the Rolex IWKC: Inaugurated in 1985 at the instigation of the US SAILING's Women's Championship Committee, the Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship quickly became the premier women's sailing event in the U.S. and worldwide. Held biennially, the event provides women keelboat and offshore sailors high-quality racing and an opportunity to compete with top national and international sailors. The Houston Yacht Club in La Porte, Texas hosted the event in 2007; the Annapolis Yacht Club, in Annapolis, Md., hosted the event from 2001 through 2005; and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, R.I. hosted the event between 1985 and 1999. Rolex Watch U.S.A. has sponsored the regatta since its inception. The event is part of US SAILING's Championships calendar. The Notice of Race for the 2009 Rolex IWKC will be available in early 2009 at www.ussailing.org/riwkc. Sailors also may subscribe to receive email news announcements about the Rolex IWKC by visiting www.usssailing.org/riwkc.

U.S. Flag Flown in Iraq in Honor of USA Softball Women’s National Team

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA (July 10, 2008) The USA Softball Women’s National Team, which is seeking a fourth-consecutive gold medal next month in the Beijing Olympic Games, has fans worldwide.

One of them, Lt. Col. Clark D. Easter, HHC, 39 IBCT, recently had the U.S. flag flown over the Headquarters, Multi-National Corps-Iraq in honor of the team. The headquarters is located at Al Faw Palace, just west of Baghdad, Iraq.

The flag was then sent to the ASA National Office in Oklahoma City and arrived on June 30.

“I am pleased to have had this flag flown in your honor (U.S. National Team) for I know that my three daughters will be watching with a high degree of interest when you play,” wrote Colonel Easter in the letter accompanying the flag. “We have been to all of the games of the last two years of the World Cup of Softball and have enjoyed it immensely. My daughters are 13, 14 and 19.”

Although Christine, 19, no longer plays softball, 14-year-old Roxanne assists and is a scorekeeper for a fast pitch league, and 13-year-old Tiffany plays competitive fast pitch on a traveling team and plans to play college softball. Colonel Easter, who lives in Arkadelphia, Ark., also umpires and is president of a fast pitch league when not deployed.
In closing, the Colonel said,”Good luck from my family and other personnel in the Middle East who support you and I look forward to watching you play.”

Colonel Easter and the rest of the Easter family won’t be the only ones watching with enthusiasm and anticipation as Team USA tries for a four-peat in Olympic softball.

One World and Three American Records Fall at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (July 6, 2008) One world and three American records were broken Saturday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming. In addition, Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) and Katie Hoff (Townson, Md.) picked up their fifth wins of the week in front of a crowd of 13,717 at the Qwest Center Omaha.

Margaret Hoelzer (Huntsville, Ala.) of King Aquatic Club set the world record in the 200m back with a time of 2:06.09, three-tenths ahead of the former mark held by Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry.

“This is my first world record,” Hoelzer said. “It’s a wonderful surprise. I’m in awe and amazed. I’m happy to be where I am right now.

“I wanted to be close at the 100 and wanted to go out with Hayley, and be in front of Elizabeth at the end. I don’t know how you can’t be excited with an event like this.”

Elizabeth Beisel (Saunderstown, R.I.) touched second in 2:06.92, which was under the former American record of 2:07.16 held by Hoelzer. Beisel also qualified for the Olympic Team earlier in the week in the women’s 400m IM.

“It’s pretty cool being the rookie,” said Beisel, who, at 15, is the youngest member of this year’s Olympic Team. “There are so many veterans (on the team) that will hopefully help me out with nerves and stuff.”

Later in the meet, Garrett Weber-Gale (Milwaukee, Wis.) broke the American record in the 50m free in 21.47. The win was Weber-Gale’s second victory of the meet after winning the men’s 100m free Thursday, also in American record time.

Weber-Gale faced the top three Americans of all time – Cullen Jones (New Brunswick, N.J.), Ben Wildman-Tobriner (San Francisco, Calif.) and Gary Hall (Miami Beach, Fla.) – in Saturday night’s finals of the 50. His swim not only made him the fastest American ever, but also the fourth-fastest of all time in this event and the fourth-fastest time in the world this year. Wildman-Tobriner finished second in 21.65.

“I knew if I came in here and swam my best times, I’d be in the ballgame to finish in the top two spots,” Weber-Gale said. “It’s great to come in here and win both (the 50 and 100 free) and keep my confidence high going into Beijing.”





In the semifinals of the women’s 50m free, the American record fell twice. Jessica Hardy (Long Beach, Calif.) broke the record first with a time of 24.48. Then Dara Torres (Los Angeles, Calif.) lowered the record to 24.38 just one heat later.

In between those swims, a familiar scene played out in the men’s 100m butterfly, with Ian Crocker (Portland, Maine) jumping out to a half-second lead over Phelps in the first 50, and Phelps using his skills off the turn to propel himself to the front of the pack with Crocker for the race down the homestretch.

Phelps pulled away with about 35 meters to go and cruised to the win in 50.89. Crocker was second in 51.62. The two have been the world’s fastest swimmers in this event since the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, where Crocker first set the world record.

“My goal was just to make my third Olympic Team,” Crocker said. “I’m relieved to take that deep breath now and go on to Beijing.”

Phelps also won the men’s 400m IM, 200m free, 200m fly and 200m IM earlier in the week.

“I’m only halfway done,” Phelps said. “It’s a week of competition that’s come to a close, and now we have a month to prepare for the Olympics. Hopefully we can come back in another month and prove the U.S. is the best team in the world.”

In the women’s 800m free, Hoff and defending world champion Kate Ziegler (Great Falls, Va.) were stroke-for-stroke for the first half of the race, when Hoff took a slight lead. Hoff steadily built her margin on Ziegler each length after that and touched about four and a half seconds ahead at the finish. Ziegler was second in 8:25.38.

Hoff’s meet record bested the 20-year-old mark of 8:23.59 set in 1988 by Olympic legend Janet Evans. In addition to her win in the 800 Saturday, Hoff also won the 400m IM, 400m free, 200m free and 200m IM earlier in the week.

“I’ve learned that I can handle it,” Hoff said of her event schedule. “It’s definitely challenging, both mentally and physically, but having done it once now gives me the confidence to do it again.”

Tonight’s second-place finishers Crocker, Ziegler, and Wildman-Tobriner, were named to the U.S. Olympic Team in their respective events.

A number of other swimmers were added to the Olympic Team based on their efforts earlier in the week. Those swimmers included David Walters (Yorktown, Va.), Erik Vendt (North Easton, Mass.), Kim Vandenberg (Morage, Calif.), Christine Marshall (Newport News, Va.) Emily Silver and Wildman-Tobriner.

Today's events will be the finals of the women’s 50m free and the men’s 1500m free. Finals will begin live on NBC at 7 p.m. CT.

Carter completes father-daughter Olympic legacy

EUGENE, OREGON (July 6, 2008) Michelle Carter became a second-generation Olympian and Jessica Cosby made some history as the women's throws took center stage Saturday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field. Men's competition, including victories by Anthony Famiglietti, Jesse Williams and Kevin Eastler, was overshadowed by the injury of Tyson Gay.

U.S. high school record holder Michelle Carter made her first Olympic Team as an elite athlete, winning the women's shot put with a personal-best and U.S.-leading mark of 18.85m/61-10.25. In becoming an Olympian, she follows in the footsteps of her father, 1984 Olympic shot put silver medalist and boys' high school record holder Michael Carter. The 22-year-old Michelle Carter is the 2004 World Junior champion and 20003 Pan Am Junior gold medalist. At the 2003 Texas state meet, she set the national prep record with her throw of 16.73m/54-10.75. Michael Carter's national HS record of 81 feet, 3.5 inches is considered by many to be the greatest high school record in any event in history.

Three-time national outdoor champion and 2004 Olympian Kristin Heaston finished second in Saturday's competition with 18.34m/60-2.0, and three-time USA indoor champion Jillian Camarena was third with 18.12m/59-05.5 as seven women exceeded 58 feet.

41-Year-Old Dara Torres Makes USA Olympic Swimming Team

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (July 5, 2008) One world record was broken and another tied Friday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming. Aaron Peirsol (Irvine, Calif.) tied the world record and qualified in the men’s 200m back, turning in a time of 1:54.32, and Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) broke his own world record and added the 200m IM to his Olympic program with a time of 1:54.80. For Phelps, the 200m IM was his fourth win of the week, after taking the 400m IM, the 200m free and the 200m fly. He has qualified for the Olympics in five events, including the 4x200m free relay.

Forty-one year-old Dara Torres (Los Angeles, Calif.) became the oldest U.S. swimmer to ever qualify for an Olympic Games, and the first swimmer to make five Olympics, after winning the 100m freestyle in a time of 53.78. Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Calif.) of California Aquatics, snapped up the second spot, finishing .05 seconds behind in 53.83. Coughlin has also qualified in the 100m back, 200m IM and 4x100m free relay.

Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.), who now shares the world record in the 200m back with Peirsol, finished second in the 200m back (1:54.34) and the 200m IM (1:55.22), qualifying for both events at the Olympics. He was also officially recognized as a qualifier in the 400m IM.

Rebecca Soni (Plainsboro, N.J.) qualified for her first Olympic team, winning the women’s 200m breaststroke in 2:22.60. The second spot went to three-time Olympian Amanda Beard (Irvine, Calif.), the defending Olympic gold medalist, in 2:25.13. Beard has now qualified for four Olympic teams in this event.

Lacey Nymeyer (Tucson, Ariz.) was third in the 100m free in 54.02, followed by Trojan Swim Club’s Jessica Hardy (Long Beach, Calif.) in 54.62. Both qualified for the Olympic Team in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

The first- and second-place finishers in each of tonight’s finals – along with the top four finishers in the women’s 100m free -- qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team. A number of swimmers who finished second in their events earlier in the week were also officially added to the Olympic Team Friday.

Those swimmers included Lochte (400m IM); Peter Vanderkaay (Rochester, Mich.) of Club Wolverine in the 400m free; Mark Gangloff (Stow, Ohio) in the 100m breast; Matt Grevers (Lake Forest, Ill.) in the 100m back; Gil Stovall (Memphis, Tenn.) of Athens Bulldog Swim Club in the 200m fly; and Eric Shanteau (Lilburn, Ga.) of Longhorn Aquatic Club in the 200m breast.

In the men’s 200m backstroke, Peirsol and Lochte were stroke-for-stroke the whole way, with neither swimmer enjoying more than a two-tenths-of-a second lead over the other throughout the entire race. The two touched the wall almost simultaneously, with Peirsol claiming the first spot in world record time.

It was Peirsol’s second win of the meet after taking the men’s 100m back in world record time on Tuesday.

“I was just trying to make the team,” Peirsol said. “I knew going in what kind of race it would be. I didn’t know if we were going 1:55 or 1:53, but I was happy to get my hand on the wall first.”

Lochte had just about 25 minutes between races before he was up on the blocks again, facing Phelps in the 200m IM. Though Phelps led for much of the race, Lochte took a slight half-second lead at the end of the breaststroke leg, setting up the battle down the homestretch.

Phelps edged Lochte at the finish by 42-hundredths of a second, as the crowd of 13,247 got to its feet. Lochte’s time was the third-fastest of all time in this event.

“I think both of us hate to lose,” said Phelps, referring to his and Lochte’s competitive drive. “When getting in the water with him in the last three or four races, it’s taken a world record to win”

Soni turned in the second-fastest time of the year in the women’s 200m breast and missed the American record held by Amanda Beard by 16-hundredths of a second.

She led the race from start to finish and was a hundredth of a second ahead of world-record pace at 100 meters. She finished about two body-lengths ahead of the rest of the field, leaving the rest to fight for second place.

“You never get used to this,” Beard said. “I’m pumped. Not a lot of people expected me to make this team. I knew I could make it, but I knew it was a long shot. I haven’t had a lot of training under my belt, and I’m not feeling 100 percent, but fortunately, it worked out fine. I think my experience really helped me out here.

SEMIFINALS

Stanford Swimming’s Ben Wildman-Tobriner (San Francisco, Calif.) will be the top seed in tomorrow night’s finals of the 50m free after clocking a 21.65 in tonight’s semifinals. In prelims, SwimMAC’s Cullen Jones (Irvington, N.J.) set the American record in 21.59, breaking the 8-year-old mark of 21.76 held by the Race Club’s Gary Hall Jr. (Miami Beach, Fla.) Jones qualified as the second seed Friday in 21.71, while Hall, the defending Olympic gold medalist, qualified fourth in 21.94.

Elizabeth Beisel (Saunderstown, R.I.) of Bluefish Swim Club is the top qualifier from the semifinals of the women’s 200m back with a time of 2:07.78. Earlier in the day, Hayley McGregory (Houston, Texas) of Longhorn Aquatics broke the 16-year-old meet record in prelims in 2:08.76, only to have Beisel break that record in the very next heat in 2:07.44. McGregory is the second seed in tomorrow night’s finals (2:08.28), while Margaret Hoelzer (Huntsville, Ala.) of King Aquatic Club, the 2004 Olympic qualifier and American record-holder in this event, is the third seed in 2:09.04.

The top two swimmers of all time in the 100m butterfly – Ian Crocker (Portland, Maine)and Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) – will face off in tomorrow night’s finals as the top two seeds. Phelps, the defending Olympic and world champ, is the top seed in 51.10. Crocker, the world record-holder, is the second seed in 51.52.

Tomorrow’s events include prelims and semifinals of the women’s 50m free. Prelims of the men’s 1500m free will also be conducted, as will the finals of the women’s 200m back, men’s 100m fly, women’s 800m free and men’s 50m free.

Finals and semifinals will be broadcast live on NBC, beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

Scott Spann Wins Men’s 200m Breast at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (July 4, 2008) Scott Spann (Austin, Tex.) won the men’s 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:09.97 Thursday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming, defeating American record-holder and Longhorn Aquatics teammate Brendan Hansen (Havertown, Pa.) in the process.

Along with Spann, nine other people were named to the U.S. Olympic Team in front of 13,011 fans at Qwest Center Omaha on Day five, including a number of women who finished second in their events earlier in the week.

Swimmers named to the Olympic Team Thursday include: Elizabeth Beisel (Saunderstown, R.I.), in the 400m I.M. Kate Ziegler (Great Falls, Va.) in the 400m free, Margaret Hoelzer (Huntsville, Ala.) in the 100m back, Megan Jendrick (Puyallup, Wash.) in the 100m breast, Elaine Breeden (Louisville, Ky.) in the 200m fly, Kathleen Hersey (Atlanta, Ga.) in the 200m fly, Garrett Weber-Gale (Milwaukee, Wis.), Jason Lezak (Irvine, Calif.), Cullen Jones (Irvington, N.J.) and Nathan Adrian (Bremerton, Wash.) in the 100m free.

In the men’s 200m breast, Hansen was out in front for the first 100 meters of the race, with Longhorn Aquatics teammate Spann and Eric Shanteau (Lilburn, Ga.) shadowing him closely in the lanes on either side. Shanteau drew within seven-hundredths of a second to Hansen on the third turn, and as the three swimmers raced home, Spann pulled ahead in the final 25 meters or so.

Spann finished first, followed by Shanteau in 2:10.36. Hansen faded to fourth in 2:11.37, behind fellow 2004 Olympian Scott Usher (Grand Island, Neb.) in 2:11.00.

“In the last 15 meters, I got so tired,” Spann said. “All I could think in my head was, ‘This is coming on four years, and this is my last stroke.’

In the men’s 100m free, Weber-Gale came out on top, turning in a time of 47.92 and edging out American record-holder Lezak by 13-hundredths of a second.

Lezak was the first swimmer to the turn in Thursday’s finals, but the whole field was neck-and-neck down the homestretch. Weber-Gale was first, followed by Lezak in 48.05, Jones in 48.35, Adrian in 48.46. Because of the 4x100m free relay, the top four finishers automatically make the Olympic team. Matt Grevers (Lake Forest, Ill.) finished fifth in 48.67, and Ben Wildman-Tobriner (San Francisco, Calif.) was sixth in 48.80. They may be named to the Olympic team later in the week, pending swimmers competing in multiple events.

“It really hurts that last 15 meters,” Weber-Gale said. “I just tried to relax my legs and not really think of anyone else. I just tried to get my head in line and get to the wall.”

Elaine Breeden won the women’s 200m butterfly in 2:06.75, breaking the meet record of 2:07.33 that she set in last night’s semifinals.

The race for second was between Kathleen Hersey, Mary DeScenza (Naperville, Ill.) and Kim Vandenberg (Moraga, Calif.). It was Hersey who pulled ahead down the stretch, touching second in 2:07.33. Hersey was named to the team in the medal ceremony later in the evening.

The winners in each of tonight’s finals – along with the top four swimmers in the men’s 100m free – automatically qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team. Unless otherwise stated, the second-place finishers in tonight’s finals – along with the fifth- and sixth-place finishers in the men’s 100m free – will likely be named to the team later in the week, pending swimmers qualifying in multiple events.

In semifinal action, Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Calif.) turned in the top time of the women’s 100m free with a time of 53.66. Dara Torres (Los Angeles, Calif.) finished just behind Coughlin and will be the second seed tomorrow in 53.76.

Coughlin set the meet record in this event in prelims Thursday in 53.64. Both she and Lacey Nymeyer (Tucson, Ariz.) finished prelims under the previous meet record of 54.07. Nymeyer is the third seed after tonight’s semifinals, clocking a 54.07.

The matchup in the finals of tomorrow night’s men’s 200m backstroke will feature the top two swimmers of all time in that event, Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and Aaron Peirsol (Irvine, Calif.), as the top two seeds. Peirsol turned in the fastest time in the semifinals in 1:55.78, with Lochte qualifying second in 1:56.52.

Rebecca Soni (Plainsboro, N.J.) clocked the second-fastest time of the year in the semifinals of the 200m breast in 2:23.05. Amanda Beard (Irvine, Calif.) qualified as the second seed for tomorrow night’s final behind Soni in 2:25.43.

Lochte will also go head-to-head Friday against Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) in the finals of the 200m I.M. Phelps and Lochte are the top two swimmers of all time in this event and are seeded 1-2 heading into tomorrow night’s finals. Lochte qualified first in 1:57.57, while Phelps qualified second in 1:58.05.

Tomorrow’s events include prelims and semifinals of the men’s 50m free, men’s 100m fly and women’s 200m back. Prelims and finals of the women’s 800m free will also be conducted, as will the finals in the women’s 200m breast, men’s 200m back, men’s 200m IM and women’s 100m free.

Friday night’s finals and semifinals will air live on NBC, beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

Beijing Olympics to Set New Standard for Anti-Doping Efforts

LAUSANNE SWITZERLAND (July 2, 2008) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) emphasised today that the anti-doping effort at the Beijing Summer Games will be more extensive than ever. More than 4,500 tests will be administered — 25 percent more than were conducted in the 2004 Games in Athens and 90 percent more than the number of tests in Sydney in 2000.

“At the International Olympic Committee, we are at the forefront of the effort to eradicate doping,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “Most athletes compete honestly and fairly,” said Rogge. “They treasure the Olympic experience. We owe it to these athletes — who train so hard — to ensure the Games are as free of prohibited drugs as possible.”

During the period of 27 July through 24 August, the IOC, in cooperation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG), will test the competitors at any time and at any place. In a change of policy, athletes will be tested whether they are at an Olympic venue, the Olympic Village or a far-away training facility. All controls will be coordinated under the IOC, while WADA will conduct pre-competition controls during the Olympic period on Olympic athletes not in Olympic venues and BOCOG will conduct controls at the Olympic venues.

In a briefing with journalists, the Chairman of the IOC Medical Commission, Arne Ljungqvist, said the ability to detect doping is improving. “While it is to our advantage to not release all the details, enhanced testing will be administered in Beijing,” said Professor Ljungqvist. “You can expect continued efforts to detect human growth hormone (HGH) and EPO.”

The IOC has been engaged in the fight against doping for almost 50 years. The IOC began a list of banned substances following the 1960 Olympics in Rome, established the IOC Medical Commission and in 1999, founded WADA.


This year, those caught using a prohibited substance will face increased penalties. An athlete who tests positive will be denied the right to participate in the next Olympic Games. This ban will extend to those caught breaking the doping rules from 1 July 2008 and forward.

USA Softball Blanks Texas All-Stars

MIDLAND, TEXAS (June 30, 2008) The USA Softball team scored 13 runs in route to a 13-0 victory over the ASA Texas All-Stars in front of 6,371 at Citi Bank Ball Park in Midland, Texas to extend their KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour record to 51-1. The team battled the West Texas wind but still connected on 17 hits, with Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.) explosive at the plate going a perfect 5-for-5 with three runs scored and three runs.

Lead off batter Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.) wasted no time putting runners on taking a 1-0 pitch to left field for a triple. Lowe brought her home with a single to left field. A double play of a pop up by Crystl Bustos (Canyon Country, Calif.) and a putout at first when Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.) didn’t return to first, left the team with a 1-0 lead into the second.

Cat Osterman (Houston, Texas) made her 13th start of the KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour allowing a runner to reach in the first off a walk but allowing no runs to score.

The ASA Texas All-Stars did what very few opponents this year have done loading up the bases in the third but Osterman did what she does best retiring the last batter swinging. Colleen Kimbro started it off in the third for the All-Stars reaching on a throwing error by Osterman. A single to shortstop and a base on balls loaded it up but a strikeout to Jordan Daniels kept runs off the board.

Watley again led the team in the third with a single to third base. Lowe and Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.) hit singles of their own to load up the bases for Bustos, with the crowd cheering for a homerun. Bustos did not disappoint the Midland crowd with a roped homerun to right field giving the team a 5-0 lead. Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.) ripped a double to left field and was followed by Stacey Nuveman (La Verne, Calif.) with a walk. A single to centerfield by Lovie Jung (Fountain Valley, Calif.) plated Duran. Watley, with her second hit of the inning, hit a double over the left fielder’s head to clear the base paths and edge the lead to 8-0.

“It felt good to get some good hits at the plate and I saw the ball well today so that was nice,” said Watley of her at bats. “It’s one of those nights where you walk away feeling good about the game but still know that you have a lot to keep on preparing for. It’s a positive way to head into a week break but I know we will all come back ready to keep on improving Olympic Games.”

The team tacked on two runs in the fourth taking advantage of two errors by the left fielder. Bustos singled advancing to second on an error by the left fielder Katy Gutierrez. Vicky Galindo (Union City, Calif.), entering to pinch run for Bustos, scored from second on another error by Gutierrez after she over threw on a single by Duran. A groundout RBI by Jung gave the Red, White and Blue a 10-0 lead after four.

In the fifth inning, the team started playing by exhibition rules placing a runner at first to start off the inning. Nina Cabrales started out on first advancing to second on a fielder’s choice by Maritza Martinez who was also safe. A single to second base by Kimbro loaded the bases with no out but three strikeouts by the south paw Osterman left the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the fifth, back-to-back singles by leadoff hitter Watley and Laura Berg (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.) set up the two-RBI double by Mendoza. A single by Kelly Kretschman (Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.) pushed Watley across the plate to give the USA Softball team a 13-0 win.

Osterman was again tested in the seventh when a runner was put on second, eventually loading the bases off a single and a walk. A pop up to shortstop left the runners stranded to close out of the game.

Osterman, with her 12th win of the season, struck out 13 while walking five and allowing three hits.

The team is now on a much deserved week break after spending the month of June on the road. The team will meet back together in Portland, Ore., on July 8th for a game against the Portland ASA All-Stars at 7:00 p.m. at Erv Lind Stadium.

Six Texas Gymnasts Qualify for Olympic Trials

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 9, 2008) Six Texas gymnasts were recently selected to compete at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials scheduled for June 19-22 in Philadelphia.

In the women's division, Alaina Johnson of Tyler (Texas East), Nastia Liukin of Parker, (WOGA), Chelsea Davis of Lakeway (Texas Dreams) will join men's selections Raj Bhavsar, Jonathan Horton, and Sean Townsend, all from Houston representing Team Chevron at the trials.

Johnson, who is the 2007 all-around world champion, earned a combined score of 127.500 to win the VISA all-around championship. Liukin, the 2005-06 U.S. all-around champion, finished second with a 126.500.

“I was most happy about floor today,” Johnson said. “It’s a new routine and I didn’t feel like it was mine yet, but after today, I feel like I own it, and it fits me.”

Johnson won floor exercise with a combined score of 32.250. Liukin claimed two individual event titles: uneven bars with a score of 34.150 and balance beam with a 32.450. Sacramone, who has three world vault medals to her credit, won vault with a score of 30.700 for her fourth straight U.S. vault crown.

Groome Places at Beijing Open Water Test Event

By Chris Price
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

BEIJING, CHINA (June 1, 20087) Kirsten Groome of the First Colony Swim Team in Houston finished in 17th place at 10K Olympic Open Water Test Event in Beijing, China with the time of 2:05:05.5

Two-time National Champion Chloe Sutton won the 10K Olympic Open Water Test Event, qualifying for the Olympic 10K race later this summer and ensuring her spot on the U.S. Olympic Team roster. Her final time was 2:00:48.5.

“Because I did not know I would be coming here until 2 weeks ago, I have been training for the pool since earlier this year,” Sutton said. “I will try to do my best to qualify there [at US Olympic Trials], but open water is my priority right now.”

Sutton will join U.S. teammate Mark Warkentin at the Olympic Games. Warkentin qualified for the Olympic 10K race via a seventh-place finish earlier this month at the FINA 10K Open Water World Championships in Seville, Spain.