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Track and Field got underway at the National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest and there were a number of shocking developments. For the Chinese people, perhaps no bigger shock could be possible than Liu Xiang's withdrawal from the 100m Hurdles event. Xiang was the defending Gold Medalist and carried the hopes of 1.5 billion Chinese in his quest to repeat as Champion. Liu Xiang withdrew due to an achilles injury. Xiang's former coach says the Chinese government put too many demands on Xiang.
"I am saddened by Liu Xiang's exit," Mr Gu said at his office in Shanghai. "I think it is because of the intense training. If he had been more relaxed the injury might not have been so bad.
"I have experienced in the past the great pressure that government officials exert on the athletes as well as the coach, and that they demand a gold medal, otherwise it is meaningless. Liu Xiang is still a young boy and he has been put under a bit too much expectation."
Xiang's injury clears the way for American Terrence Trammell who suffered a minor strain in his hamstring on Sunday.
In the Men's 100m race, it was all Usain Bolt as the Jamacian blew away his own world record and even slowed with about 15 meters remaining. His countrywomen went 1-2-3 in the Women's 100m and survived a challenge by the American's of a false start.
America's best medal chance in the 1500m since Steve Prefontaine failed to make the finals. Bernard Lagat struggled in both the quarter and semi-finals and just missed qualifying for the final. Lagat will still compete in the 5000m where hopefully he will fare better.
In the good news department we find Florida State's Walter Dix who won a Bronze medal in the Men's 100m. Dix ran a personal best 9.91 seconds, passing former record holder Asafa Powell down the stretch.
In news you're unlikely to hear on NBC, the Chinese Communist Government has confiscated 300 Bibles and torturing Tibetans to death during these Olympics.
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It appears the Braves' John Smoltz's season might be over.
ATLANTA -- John Smoltz has said that he'll be content if he never throws another pitch. Now, just two days after he attempted to alleviate stress on his shoulder with a move to the bullpen, the Braves veteran pitcher finds this to be a more defined possibility.
The Braves have scheduled an 11:30 a.m. ET news conference at Turner Field and at that time, they are expected to discuss Smoltz's future. There has been talk that he will need to undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.
I wonder if Smoltz will retire. He has said before if his shoulder required surgery again he would retire.
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I was on hand as officials from the Braves and Gwinnett County shoveled a little dirt at the site of the Gwinnett Braves stadium. The County has less than a year to complete the project, but officials say it will be done on time.
I have video and photos of Atlanta Braves star Jeff Francoeur and other Braves and Gwinnett officials at Exurban Adventures.
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Force now 8-5 after defeating Tampa Bay.
Georgia faced a 13-point deficit at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but battled back to outscore the Storm 28-14 and come away with a 56-55 win. As time expired, QB Chris Greisen rushed off right end for the touchdown and K Carlos Martinez came in to split the uprights on the game-winning PAT. Greisen completed 31 of 39 passes for 286 yards with four touchdowns and added two carries for two yards and one score in the victory. Greisen’s top target on the night was WR Carl Morris who hauled in 15 catches for 157 yards with three touchdowns and was named Offensive Player of the Game for his efforts.
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Monday's game at the Gwinnett Arena will be on ESPN2 at 8:00 PM
If the Soul beat the Force and the Tampa Bay Storm lose to the New Orleans Voodoo on Friday, May 9, Philadelphia can clinch a spot in the playoffs, marking its third consecutive playoff appearance.
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Not much of a surprise, but Atlanta Hawks GM Billy Knight resigned today. WGST reported today Knight wanted to fire Head Coach Mike Woodson during the season but the Owners disagreed.
"The time has come for me to take a break and fully evaluate my future plans," said Knight in the release.
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Those waiting for the silver lining in the fall of Michael Vick need look no more. Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law today tough new restrictions on dog fighting.
Five months after Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick was sentenced to prison for his involvement in dog fighting, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed legislation Tuesday stiffening Georgia's dog-fighting laws.
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President Jimmy Carter made the decision to boycott the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. The boycott had no impact on Soviet policy; it merely punished the athletes who had worked hard to make the U.S. Olympic team. Boycotts usually punish the wrong people. Some are calling for America to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics because of China’s terrible human rights record. It was the wrong decision to boycott in 1980 and it would be the wrong decision in 2008.
The worldwide protests of the Olympic Torch run have bewildered the Chinese government. They have no understanding of expressions of opinion, and as such protests have little or no impact on their behavior. The protests have however brought increased scrutiny on Chinese policy and prior abuses. The most prominent of these abuses has been the forcible takeover of Tibet in 1950. Clearly the high profile of the Dalai Lama has helped raise this issue, but Tibet is by no means the only issue being raised. For example the report yesterday of the viral outbreak that infected 10,000 children and killed at least 95, points to the ineffectiveness of centrally planned health care. Scrutiny of this kind will increase pressure on the Chinese government…. which is a good thing
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The blowout loss on Sunday to the Boston Celtics should not over shadow just how successful this post season was for the Atlanta Hawks. The fans in Atlanta are excited about the Hawks for the first time in a long time. Three sellout crowds were there to cheer on the hometown team, not the opposing team. Season tickets sales for 2009 are reportedly going well and why not?
In the three games in Atlanta, the Hawks showed what they are capable of. When they run, play unselfishly and smart, these Hawks can play toe to toe with the NBA’s best. What they need to learn is how to transfer the high level of play they exhibited at home in this series to the road and learn how to play consistently well over the 82 game season. Things are certainly looking up for the Atlanta Hawks but danger lurks
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