It’s because of Cathy Freeman that I love the men’s 10,000 metres. Not that she competed in it. Wrong gender for a start. And her specialty was a good 9.6 kilometres short of the distance. But I was in the Sydney Olympics stadium for Freeman’s epic 400 metres win on 25 September 2000. And…
Tag: Michael Phelps
How green was my diving pool?
It may not be as bad as Guanabara Bay but something is clearly not right with the Olympic diving pool. Athletes and spectators looked on aghast yesterday as the pool water turned into something resembling a dodgy creme de menthe concoction. The people supposed to be in the know didn’t have the first clue what…
Up your bum, Ric Charlesworth
There’s one in every crowd. The killjoy hell bent on dampening everyone’s enthusiasm. So as Australia celebrated its gold medal win in the women’s rugby sevens, former hockey player and coach Ric Charlesworth was there with the bucket of cold water. “I think the women’s rugby sevens is a soft event,” he said. “I don’t…
He’s baa-aaa-aack
As Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett will tell you, comebacks are hard. So it’s a big deal Michael Phelps is at the Rio Olympics at all. No other bloke has swum at five Games. And no one of his vintage has a right to be doing this. The legendary turn tho https://t.co/UNt5zWt7DL by @ScottPorter via…
Australia’s answer to the Zika virus
A global emergency has been declared, women in certain countries are being told not to get pregnant and an Indian car company has had to rename a new vehicle originally dubbed the Zica. But Australian athletes can rest easy. As they prepare to enter the Zika hot zone of the Rio Olympics, the Australian Olympic…
When superheroes retire
In recent days, we’ve been shown a variety of ways to negotiate the twilight of a stellar sports career. I’m going to focus on three: the Fred Astaire for enduring grace and dignity, the Brian Meeker for reasons that shall become obvious and the Honey Boo Boo, for sheer search-and-destroy precociousness. The Fred Astaire: This…
Let’s hit the replay button
I’m revisiting some earlier blog posts today to catch up on a few recent developments. And because I couldn’t choose just one. A bit like the dilemma I face any time I’m offered a box of Cadbury Favourites. Total nutbag Our recent tale of Troy and his masochistic approach to endurance sport prompted a wave of…
Phelps comeback a bit of a wet idea
There’s are many good reasons not to get back with an ex. For a while everything goes swimmingly. The familiarity is a bonus, like emotional shorthand, saving you all the time it usually takes to get to know a new partner. But familiarity does breed contempt. And before long, alarm bells ring, those annoying habits…
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