The Olympic drama

So far, the Olympic Games have been highly entertaining, notwithstanding NBC's urge to play the Star-Spangled Banner every five minutes at the medals stand. For me, the highlight of the Games thus far has been Paul Hamm's incredible comeback from the fall off the vault to win the gold even though the South Koreans who finished second and third have complained of being underrated. All the hype about Phelps seeking to outdo Spitz was not entirely in vain as he is on target to securing eight medals tying with a gymnast from the former Soviet Union who did so in the 1980 Olympics but of course in keeping with the cynical spin NBC puts on each such medal garnered, the '80 Olympics was boycotted principally by the US. Equally spectacular was the Japanese show in the men's team events in gymnastics. And who can forget the dramatic 4x200 metres relay victory that Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay and the amazing Klete Keller stole quite literally from under the breaths of Grant Hackett, Michael Klim, Nicholas Sprenger and Ian Thorpe? Unfortunately, and understandably, coverage of events where the US has not dominated is screened from NBC's schedule and BBC has five online video streams that can be viewed only from within the UK.

Hammers it in

Hamm's medal under threat

Japan's fantastic outing at the team gymnastics

The Americans redeem themselves

April 2004

January 2004 - March 2004

October 2003 - January 2004

July 2003 - October 2003

May 2003 - June 2003

April 2003

January 2003 - April 2003

2002

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.