"The Athens Olympics now has its own official song.

The three albums were launched in Athens this week, and include an official Greek music album, an official pop music album, with 'Harmony', the games' official classical music album.
"

Read more at NDTV.com - Croatian pianist composes Olympic song.

"Kazakhstan are pinning their hopes of Olympic boxing gold on traditional nomadic fare and will ship horse meat and mare's milk to Athens to boost their fighters' stamina.

Kazakh boxing team coach Yermakhan Ibraimov, who won gold as a light-middleweight in Sydney in 2000, confessed plain yet energizing nomadic food had been the key to his own success."

Read more at Trust in Mare's Milk.

Czech decathlete Tomas Dvorak could be forced to withdraw from the Olympics due to an Achilles tendon problem.

"It's hurting. I need time to treat it and that's something I don't have a lot of," Dvorak told Czech newspaper Sport.

Read more at Dvorak doubt for Athens.

"For the first time, the International Olympic Committee takes out a multimillion-dollar policy to hedge against cancellation at the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens. The move ushers in a new era for the IOC, which intends to insure Games until 2010.

Threat of terrorist attack has boosted the security budget to almost $1.2 billion, more than three times the amount allocated for the 2000 Games in Sydney. The Athens Games represent "a spectacular concentration of global terror risk," in the words of the London-based political risk analysts and forecasters Exclusive Analysis Ltd."

Read more at Risk and Insurance : Vaulting Olympic Risk:

"The world is closing the gap on the U.S., making this year's Olympic team vulnerable.

As the American team concludes its first week of practice today with a 1 p.m. exhibition game against Puerto Rico at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, head coach Larry Brown and his staff keep reminding their players that the USA's days of invincibility are over."

Read more at America the beatable?

"Blaine Wilson, a gymnast who's about to turn 30 and is only months past a serious injury, is headed to his last chance for an Olympic medal.

While performing his still rings routine at the American Cup on Feb. 28, Wilson tore his left biceps muscle off the bone. The injury normally requires six to seven months of recovery time."

Read more at Gymnast heads to third Olympics for last shot at medal.

"With the Olympics just two weeks away, Japan has decided to send its baseball team to Athens without its manager, media reported Saturday.

But now Nagashima won't go because the long flight and the sweltering heat in Athens might wear him out, Kyodo News agency said, citing anonymous sources close to Nagashima."

Read more at Nagashima won't coach Japan's Olympic baseball squad.

"Viewers in the U.S. and the U.K. will be able to watch video highlights of the Athens Olympics on the Internet. Canadians will not. NBC will feature online video coverage of the Summer Olympic Games. The BBC will broadcast live coverage of the games by Internet on the BBC Sport Olympics website to U.K. viewers.

In prior Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prohibited websites from displaying video of actual Olympic events in order to protect multimillion-dollar television broadcasting deals."

Read more Athens Olympics achieves balance between Internet and TV viewing.

"The Athens Olympics begin on 13 August, but thousands are gathering this weekend in an ancient Greek stadium for what they say are the true games.

It was excavated in the 1970s by a team of American archaeologists, who were disillusioned with the elitist nature of modern Olympics."

Read more at 'True Olympics' begin in Greece

"The chemist who unmasked the steroid THG last year says similar drugs might be in circulation, and the Athens Games could spur athletes to use such performance-enhancing substances.

Terry Madden, head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, said on the conference call "there are designer steroids out there.""

Read more at Sports: Chemist: New drugs may emerge in Athens.

If you see some US and British Athletes at the the Athens walking around with gloves on its not because they are cold - quite the opposite in fact - they are hot!

"A Michigan company has developed a handheld gizmo that could help soldiers, firefighters and athletes beat the heat. The so-called CoreControl device looks a bit like a large mitten.

Researchers at AVAcore Technologies say blood passing through the hand is cooled, which then cools the whole body in just three to five minutes. It's much like the way a panting, furry animal is cooled by air passing over its tongue."

British and US Olympians will be trial the CoreControl Cooling device in Athens.

Read more at Gizmo could cool soldiers' bodies in minutes.

Also read about it at ABC News

"To most, Canada is the Great White North, home of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, comedians Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, John Candy, and of course hockey.

While its major league franchises in Montreal and Toronto have been in decline, Canada has made strides in recent years in the sport. In 1995, 55 Canadians played in the minors. In 2003, that number had swelled to 114 in the minors and 92 in independent leagues. The year before, lefthanders Adam Loewen (fourth overall) and Jeff Francis (ninth) became the highest-picked Canadians in draft history."

Read more at Canada Hopes Olympic Success Spurs Grassroots.

"Four years after Ben Sheets raised his arms in triumph following a shutout of Cuba that brought gold to the United States, the Olympic baseball landscape has changed dramatically.

Yet it’s harder to have a successful tournament when two of the best teams in the world—two that care deeply about baseball—aren’t included."

Read more at Cuba, Japan Stand Out In Euro-Centric Athens Field.

"Drug scandals have dominated the Athens build-up, but in the background a great US team has formed. Now the new generation are tipped for a 30-medal haul

So it must have been with trepidation that US track and field athletes opened the latest issue and discovered they are about to embark on an enormously successful trip to Athens, winning a total of 30 medals, including 11 golds. "This is a strong team, with 28 members who have won world or Olympic individual titles," the magazine declared by way of explanation."

Read more at Olympic success sneaks up on America.

Hi there kids - are you doing a school project on the Athens Olympics? Do you just want to know more about the Athens Olympics that you are watching on the TV? We know a lot of kids are coming to this site looking for information so we thought we'd put some resources together that might help you find the sort of information you are after. If you find a helpful website we don't have in our list below please leave us a comment at the bottom of this page and tell us what you've found.

Have fun!

Athens Olympics Kids Resources

• Kids Domain - they have heaps of fun Olympic Activities for Children
• Kids Turn Central - this site for kids has lots of good links to useful sites to help you with your school projects
• Time Magazine for Kids - a good article on the Athens Olympics especially for Kids
• Brain Pop - Olympic Page - Another Kids Olympics Page
• Fact Monster - Fun Olympics Facts
• Fact Monster Olympic Crossword Puzzle - A Summer Olympics Crossword Puzzle
• Make your own Olympics - This is fun - make your own Olympic Torch, Medals, Pins and Tags
• Athens Olympic Screensavers - Some cool Olympic pictures for you computer
• Olympic Torch Concentration Puzzle - an Olympic puzzle to tests kids concentration.
• Athens Olympic Mascots Wallpaper - pictures of the Olympic Mascots.
• The Olympic Flag - Information about the Olympic Flag
• Olympics Primer - a good site with Olympic History and other useful information for your projects
• Greek Recipes - Make some Greek Food with these Recipes
• BBC Ancient Greece - a cartoon type page with information on Ancient Greece
• Amarandi Barrett's Greece 4 Kids - a page made by a kid for other kids about Greece
• History for Kids - Greece - A history page about Ancient Greece
• Gold Medal Olympic Activities - lesson plans for your teachers - but there is some good stuff for kids too
• Journey through the Olympic Games
• ABC Teach - Olympics - A page of resources for Teachers

"A young United States team routed New Zealand 94-68 in a pre-Olympic men's basketball scrimmage but US coach Larry Brown was concerned about lapses that could mean losses in Athens.

New Zealand, led by 17 points from Phil Jones, went on an 11-2 run late in the fourth quarter, which the Kiwis won 31-25, and settled for a 16-16 draw in the second only because US forward Lamar Odom made a tip-in at the buzzer."

Read mLapses haunt US Olympic squad despite rout of Kiwis.

"Britain's athletes offered a packed south London stadium a genuinely encouraging farewell at the Norwich Union Grand Prix here last night in the kind of sultry heat they will soon be encountering in Athens.

The most notable performers were Chris Rawlinson, Kelly Holmes, Phillips Idowu, Chris Lambert, Jade Johnson and Lee McConnell, respective winners in the 400m hurdles, 1500m, triple jump, 200m, long jump and 400m."

Read more at Rawlinson and Holmes raise medal hopes.

"JOHN Howard yesterday moved to ease diplomatic tensions with Greece over the adequacy of protection for Australia's Olympic athletes.

The spokesman also suggested that if Australia had any further concerns about Greece's security arrangements it should raise them now."

Read more at The Australian: Howard didn't mean to offend

"Australia’s Men’s Olympic Football preparations encountered a small speed bump with a 3-1 loss against Athens-bound Korean Republic in hot and humid conditions in South Korea tonight.

Australia trialled 1-0 at half time after conceding a goal in the 16th minute to Korean Republic striker Cho Jaejin and found themselves down 3-0 before Ahmad Elrich scored a late consolation goal for the visitors."

Read more at .

"Landlocked Austria's Olympic sailing team has set its sails for gold in Athens.

"The situation in Greece is not comparable to that in Sydney, because due to the new regulations, the boats are different," Hagara told The Associated Press. "But that has not changed our aim in any way. We want to win gold again.""

Read more at SI.com - Austrian sailing team aims for gold in Athens - Friday July 30, 2004 1:42PM.

"Specially treated energy patches used by swimmers at the Olympic trials earlier this month will be sent to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for testing amid concerns the patches contain testosterone.

The patches are designed to electronically stimulate acupuncture points, inserting current into the body to help an athlete improve stamina, according to Schmidt. No substances enter the body, he said."

Read more at Treated patches on U.S. swimmers raise questions.

"For a sport that draws on the imagery of fantasy, few events match archery for its cut-throat intensity.

All competitors shoot a first round of 72 arrows to earn a ranking of one to 64. From there, a knock-out competition begins where No 1 is matched against No 64, No 2 against No 63, and so on."

Read more at Arrows aimed at Athens bullseye.

"The ugly duckling of Athens venues is about to become the beautiful swan.

The crowning glory of the stadium is already in place, in spite of IOC fears and rebukes. Stretching over the ground which will host the athletics, soccer, opening and closing ceremonies before a crowd of 72,000 spectators, is a grand roof that will not only be an architectural masterpiece but a shade from the scorching Athenian sun."

Read more at Ambitious glass roof to be crowning glory.

"It was on July 28, 1980, that Merlene Ottey settled into her starting blocks in the Lenin Stadium for her first Olympic race. It was two days after Steve Ovett had beaten Sebastian Coe in the 800m final, four days before their epic rematch in the 1500m final in Moscow.

"People always say that after a certain age you cannot do certain things, so I set my own goals," Ottey said. "I want to see how fast I can run at 44. For me the most important motive is that I can still run and that I can still run fast."

Read more at Ottey defies ageists to make it seven in a row.

"Straddling the Equator and hugged by the blue of the Pacific Ocean, the newest member of the Olympic family had a celebration last week.

"We don't have the synthetic tracks that most countries do, so we get by with what we have," said the national secretary of the Kiribati Olympic Committee, Willy Uan."

Read more at First-time Olympians beat odds.

Guardian columnist Harry Pearson doesn't really like the idea of the impending Athens Olympics Opening Ceremonies.....

"However dreadful opening ceremonies may be, no matter what the material and human cost, they are inevitable. You can no more stop them from occurring than you can prevent the swallow from flying south in winter, or the dog from licking his nuts the moment a stranger tells him what a sweet fellow he is....

Even more gut-wrenching were the words "the spectacular curtain-raiser will last over three hours". The psychological damage it will cause can only be guessed. So, as we watch on our TV screens at home we should spare a thought for our men and women who are copping it on the front line. We, after all, will at least have the BBC's Barry Davies explaining what it all means; the reporters, by contrast, will be totally in the dark, though sadly for them not literally. "

Read more at Let the games open but without the ceremony, says Harry Pearson

"Olympic 10,000 meters champion Haile Gebrselassie will run his last track race at next month's Athens Games before stepping up to the marathon permanently.

"(He) will run his last 10,000 meters championship race at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games," Gebrselassie's manager Jos Hermens said."

Read more at CNN.com - Gebrselassie switching to marathon - Jul 29, 2004.

Heading to the Athens Olympics? This article suggests that to truely experience it you need to head out into the neighborhoods at night!

"To fully appreciate and discover Athens' many charms, do as the Greeks do: Venture out into the neighborhoods, find the packed nightclubs, eat at one of the innumerable restaurants tucked in the most unlikely places, or see Hollywood stars under real stars in a romantic outdoor cinema.

'Athens by day is unlivable, but it's magical at night'
The Greek capital is named for the ancient goddess Athena, whose favourite animal was the owl. It's a fitting symbol for the city's nocturnal nature, which often culminates in summer with a bleary-eyed rush hour just before dawn.

As native Athenian Panos Demestiha observed: "Athens by day is unlivable, but it's magical at night.""

Read more at  Hidden pleasures of ancient Athens.

here is an interesting article examining the question of whether its better to run nude or not at the Olympics! Some people have too much time on their hands.

"If you ask me, the ancient Olympians were a lot smarter than we are. They had the good sense to run, jump, and throw in the nude. When you put anything between your skin and the environment--like shorts and a singlet, for example--you only decrease your body's cooling efficiency (even if you're more...comfortable in certain areas). The so-called "modern" Olympians of 1896 were smarter than us, too. They did their running, jumping, and throwing in April. Some athletes complained about the chilly, damp weather, but Spiridon Louis gave thanks to Zeus all the way to his (clothed) marathon victory in 2:58:50.

"It's a terrible disservice that the marathoners will be forced to compete in conditions where they can't perform their best, and could actually hurt themselves," says Dr. William Roberts, medical director of the Twin Cities Marathon and president of the American College of Sports Medicine. To help athletes deal with the Athens weather, the U.S. Olympic Committee has been holding educational meetings since last September, when it organized a conference called "Heat, Humidity and Air Pollution: What to Expect in Athens 2004." In May, the top U.S. marathoners gathered in Colorado Springs for the latest update. "We believe the heat actually opens the window of possibilities for our marathoners," says U.S. men's Olympic distance coach Bob Larsen. "We'll leave no stone unturned in our search for scientific approaches to running in the heat.""

Enduring Questions -- Should You Run Naked

"The big corporate sponsors at the 2004 Olympic Games pay between $40 million and $50 million for the privilege. Then they often spend two to three times that much to augment their sponsorship through marketing and advertising, said Rana Kardestuncer of Carlson Marketing Group (CMG).

Plymouth-based CMG, The GEM Group in Minnetonka and Minneapolis-based Fast Horse Inc. public relations have all been tapped by large Olympic sponsors to leverage their sponsorships through marketing, promotion or logistics -- either before or during the event."

Read more at MSNBC - Marketers seize Olympic opportunity.

'In a scrimmage called "Hoops for Troops," with the stands packed with military personnel, the USA Olympic men's basketball team routed Puerto Rico, 102-76, at the University of North Florida on Thursday afternoon.

The Cavaliers' LeBron James scored 10 points in 22 minutes on 4-of-6 from the field. James had the two most crowd-pleasing baskets, both on dunks, both on breakaways.'

Read more at USA mighty vs. Puerto Rico

"Four years ago, Inge de Bruijn set three world records and won three gold medals at the Sydney Olympics. Going into the Athens games, she is a more experienced but somewhat less dominant swimmer. 'I'm not worried about setting world records. I just want to win' she says after a training session at the Tualatin Hills Swim Center.'The field is so much stronger that winning is enough. If a record happens, it happens.'

"She hasn't had the same consistent training as she did in the four years prior to the Sydney Olympics" Bergen says. "But she's been pretty focused since October. And her times are still No. 1 in the world. If we get her best in the games, I think she can repeat. It's just going to be tougher because there are so many better swimmers these days""

Read more at Medal mettle.

"Jana Pittman, who returns to the 400 metres hurdles at a meeting in the Belgian town of Heusden-Zolder on Saturday night, is poised to step up to Olympic Games shape.

Pittman has already returned to her Paris form in one aspect. After weighing as much as 75 kilograms when she ballooned out with weight work and inappropriate diet earlier this year, she is at her world championships racing weight of 68.5kg."

Read more at Pittman's campaign taking shape: coach - Athletics - .

"The road to Athens has been a hard one for modern pentathlete Aleksandr Parygin, Paul Daffey writes.

In Athens, Parygin again will aim for gold in the modern pentathlon, but in a different uniform and after a tortuous journey to get there. At Atlanta, he competed for his native Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic. In Athens, he will compete for Australia. The intervening years have produced more hardship and uncertainty than sporting achievement."

Athlete aims to honour adopted nation - Modern Pentathlon

"South Korea is aiming at finishing within top 10 at the medals tally at the Aug. 13-29 Athens Olympic Games, said a South Korea senior sports official Thursday.

South Korea announced a 376-member squad for the Athens Games at the Olympic Hall in a ceremony which was attended by South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hai-chan, Greek Ambassador to South Korea Constantin Drakakis and Rep. Lee Mi-Kyung, chairwoman of the parliamentary culture and tourism committee."

Read more at S.Korea aims at top 10 finish in Athens.

"With her bewitching smile and alluring personality, Svetlana Khorkina has made a seamless transition from Olympic champion to Playboy centrefold.

While such a statement sounds arrogant, 13 golds in Olympic, world and European competitions prove Khorkina's superiority in her signature event."

Read more at Playboy centerfold Khorkina targets third gold.

"Thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers are being transplanted to the showpiece venues of the Olympics and along surrounding roads.

Indeed, some saplings on a terraced slope just outside the Olympic complex already are brown and withered. Others are surrounded by garbage - an empty cigarette pack, a used milk carton - or have toppled."

Read more at Late Planting May Doom Olympic Trees.

"Olympic runner Ryan Tolbert-Jackson is familiar with the effects of smog. She has asthma, which was triggered after she competed at the 1997 World Championships in Athens.

Environmental experts have cautioned that the air pollution in Athens may be a problem for some athletes at this year's games, which begin August 13. A recent report by the World Wildlife Fund paints a bleak picture of the overall environment in the ancient city -- and the U.S. Olympic Committee isn't taking any chances with its athletes."

Read more at CNN.com - Athens' smog may be hurdle for Olympic athletes.

"Seven athletes from Northern Ireland are heading off on an Olympic mission next month.

He will be joined by Coleraine-born Emma Robinson, who was the first swimmer to achieve the A time standard in the 100m breaststroke in breaking the Irish record."

Read more at Belfast Telegraph.

"Any decision to use Patriot missiles to shoot down planes or other possible airborne threats during the Olympics rests with Greece's premier and will be made within two minutes of detecting a problem, a commander of one of the air defense batteries said Friday.

Greek officials have refused to discuss specific aspects of the air defense strategy, but pre-Olympic drills have included preparations for Sept. 11-style attacks. "

Read more at Greek premier will direct missile defense during Olympics.

Serena Williams has pulled out of the 'Acura Classic' due to soreness in her knee.

This must shed a little doubt on her ability to play in the Olympic Tournament in Athens. She remains optimistic however that she will be right for the Olympics.

""I really want to go ahead and go to the Olympics," said Serena Williams, scheduled to leave for Athens with the U.S. team Aug. 10. "I don't want to take that chance and miss out on the Olympics and the U.S. Open.""

Ardmoreite.com

"Andre Dirrell has heard the talk, and knows the expectations are low.

The U.S. boxing team is too young, too inexperienced and not hungry enough. American boxers will be lucky to win a medal or two in Athens against the talented Cubans and tough Russians.

"I just sit back and laugh at that," Dirrell said. "I know we have a strong team. I see six or seven medals for us."

Dirrell could be excused for his optimism. He might be the most naturally talented member of the U.S. team, a 165-pounder with speed and power and a legitimate shot at a medal."

Read more at Sports - theworldlink.com - Serving the Great South Coast of Oregon.

"The Athens Games are essentially the last hurrah for several players who have defined virtually the entire history of the U.S. women's soccer program. Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Foudy and probably Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain five players who debuted in the late 1980s for a team that didn't even exist before 1985 are ending a journey that turned an obscure women's sport into a major social phenomenon.

"They've paved the road for everybody to follow them," coach April Heinrichs said. "Without Foudy, Hamm, Lilly, Fawcett, Chastain, it just wouldn't have happened this way."

The final mission for these veterans comes with a twist hardly befitting a farewell tour: In Greece, they'll have to avoid being beaten by the very monster they created."

Read more of this article at End for a generation of U.S. women's soccer stars .

"Malaysia’s top sailor Kevin Lim cycled 50km to and from the Athens Olympic Games sailing venue at Agios Kosmas for three weeks; trained all alone without a coach in his last six weeks during his European stint; and was left shivering in poor quality clothing.  

Kevin, who is back in Malaysia for his final preparation for the Games, has set himself a target of a top-10 finish. "

Read more at Kevin’s labour of love – despite lack of funds.

"Hurdler Noraseela Khalid, who is now training in Germany, still has a chance of making the cut for the Athens Olympic Games from Aug 13-29. 

“Noraseela will compete in two meets in Germany and we hope she will be able to surpass the mark to win a place in the Olympic Games,” said National Sports Council (NSC) athletics liaison officer Ibni Busu yesterday. “The pressure will be on her to make it as time is running out for her.” "

Read more at Only two meets left for Noraseela to earn Olympic spot.

"Jamaican Asafa Powell handed Olympic 100 metres champion Maurice Greene his second defeat in eight days on Friday with an emphatic victory at the London grand prix.

Greene, who won the US title this month, was also beaten into second place at the Paris Golden League meeting last Friday at the start of his pre-Olympic European campaign."

Read more at  Olympic champion Greene beaten again

The Daily Star has an interesting article about Sana Abu Bkheet, a Palestinian teenager who has been selected for the Athens Olympics who is currently in training in Gaza. It would be a training regime that is in stark contrast to that of many teams like the US, Australia, Britain who are currently in training camps with amazing facilities, support staff and resources.

"When we spoke, Sana had just finished several "laps" around her "track:" a small sandy lot just outside of the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah that winds its way around greenhouses and partially built tin-roof houses. It is littered with stray copper wires, refuse and thorny wild bushes.

Sana is the very picture of determination, and it is clear where she gets her tenacity from. Her mother, Amina, is by her side at every training session, and for almost every event she competes in. With her husband sick and out of a job, Amina holds the house together. She actively encouraged her daughter to continue despite the quizzical looks she received running through the winding roads of her refugee camp." Read more at The Daily Star .

"Americans, Australians and Finns were among the first to check into the Olympic Village on Friday as the venue opened its doors to athletes.

Athens organizers gave no details on the arrivals."

Read more at Athletes begin moving in to Olympic Village

Asafa Powell ran the hundred metres in 9.91 seconds (the fastest time ever run in Great Britain) beating Maurice Greene who ran 9.97 in second while world champion Kim Collins could only manage fifth at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix.

"My start was shaky and although I collected myself, Asafa just ran a great race," Greene told BBC Sport.

British Olympic hopefuls Mark Lewis-Francis, Darren Campbell and Jason Gardener did not qualify for the final

Source/Full Grand Prix Results BBC Powell shocks Greene

With thousands of athletes now arriving in Athens, the Olympic Village has fully opened. According to Greek newspaper Kathimerini, 16,000 athletes will stay there and they'll be able to take advantage of "places of worship, shops, a bank, a post office, a hairdresser, cafeterias, 24-hour restaurants, a cinema, bars and a disco, a library, and a billiards hall." Bars and a disco? A DISCO?! A place where people get drunk, stay up late and cop off? And how exactly is that going to help these athletes when they've got to get up early the next morning and run faster, throw further or judo, er, judo-ier than anyone in the whole world?

Having said that, I do like what the piece says about them having a little welcoming celebration for every nation as they arrive. Well, as long as that celebration doesn't involve everyone going down to the disco and getting hammered...

eKathimerini.com: Olympic Village opens

"ATHENS (Reuters) - Athens was finally declared ready for the Olympics Friday with all venues and transport projects operational two weeks before the opening ceremony.

Greek organizers were committed to handing over finished venues by the end of July and Capralos admitted that not all the stadiums had been completed ahead of the 16-day Games."

Read more at Athens Declares Victory in Games Preparations.

"Craig Mottram and Benita Johnson will test their Olympic ambitions in London tonight.

Johnson's main Athens objective is the 10,000 metres. She will race over 5000 tonight, measuring the speed with which she is returning to form after a leg injury."

Read more at Mottram to take mark against Ethiopian duo

"Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, the undisputed king of middle distance running, is worried that Olympic gold might elude him again in Athens. 

But the Olympics have been a nightmare for the 29-year-old. "

Read more at El Guerrouj chasing elusive Olympic gold

Britain's Olympic riders are looking to technology to gain an edge in Athens.

"We are all fortunate that we have got really good horses in the right year, so our confidence is good," said champion rider Leslie Law.

Read more at Technology helps Olympic riders

The first batch of British Olympic athletes has now departed for Athens and - goodness - what impressive leisurewear they sported.

Perhaps mindful of the hot Athens climate, the team have turned their back on traditional stuffy formal wear (like that worn by the British team in 'Chariots Of Fire') in favour of what could best be described as 'smart-casual'.

The cheery-looking team climbed the steps to their plane dressed in comfortable beige 'slacks' and stylish white T-shirts, bearing the words 'Great Britain' in a rather fancy font. Some members of the team chose to wear red, white and blue GB tracksuits which could best be described as 'natty'.

The British team may not top the medal table, but they've made an early bid to top the fashion one. In a smart-casual sort of way.

See pictures of the dapper athletes at the following link Getty Images: First British Olympic Team Members Depart For Athens

"The Australian women's basketball team has had a nine-point win over Belgium in Spain.

Worryingly, the Opals' shooting was poor, recording only 29 per cent from the field. They compensated for this with an intensive effort in defence that put the Belgians under pressure."

Read more at Veterans shine as Opals down Belgians .

The Athens Olympics Officially run between 13- 29 August. Following is the Schedule of Events organized on a daily basis.

Wednesday, 11 August
Soccer (Preliminaries)

Thursday, 12 August
Soccer (Preliminaries)

Friday, 13 August
Opening Ceremony

Saturday, 14 August
Badminton (round matches), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (prelim), Boxing (prelim), Cycling Road (medals), Diving (finals),
Fencing (medals), Football (prelim), Gymnastics Artistic (qual), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelim), Judo (medals), Sailing (races), Shooting (finals), Softball (prelim), Swimming (finals), Table tennis (round), Volleyball (prelim), Weightlifting (finals).

Sunday, 15 August
Archery (round), Badminton (round), Baseball (prelim), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (prelim), Boxing (prelim),
Cycling Road (medals), Equestrian (dressage),
Fencing (medals), Football (prelim),
Gymnastics Artistic (qual), Handball (prelim),
Hockey (prelim), Judo (medals), Rowing (heats), Sailing (races), Shooting (finals), Softball (prelim),
Swimming (finals), Table tennis (round),
Tennis (round), Volleyball (prelim),
Water Polo (prelim), Weightlifting (finals).

Monday, 16 August
Archery (round), Badminton (round), Baseball (prelim),
Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (prelim),
Boxing (prelim), Diving (finals), Equestrian (dressage), Fencing (medals), Gymnastics Artistic (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelim), Judo (medals), Rowing (heats), Sailing (races), Shooting (finals), Softball (prelim), Swimming (finals), Table tennis (round), Tennis (round), Volleyball (prelim),
Water Polo (prelim), Weightlifting (finals).

Tuesday, 17 August
Archery (round), Badminton (round), Baseball (prelim), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (prelim), Boxing (prelim), Canoe/Kayak Slalom Racing (heats), Equestrian (cross-country), Fencing (medals), Football (prelim), Gymnastics Artistic (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelim), Judo (medals), Rowing (repechages), Sailing (races), Shooting (finals), Softball (prelim), Swimming (finals), Table tennis (round), Tennis (round), Volleyball (prelim), Water Polo (prelim).

Wednesday, 18 August
Archery (medals), Badminton (round), Baseball (prelim), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (prelim), Boxing (prelim), Canoe/Kayak Slalom Racing (medals), Cycling (medals), Equestrian (finals), Fencing (medal matches), Football (prelim), Gymnastics Artistic (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelims), Judo (medals matches), Rowing (repechages), Sailing (races), Shooting (medals), Softball (prelim), Swimming (finals), Table tennis (round matches), Tennis (round), Volleyball (prelim), Water Polo (prelim), Weightlifting (finals).

Thursday, 19 August
Archery (medals), Badminton (medals), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (prelims), Boxing (prelim), Canoe/Kayak Slalom Racing (heats), Fencing (medals), Gymnastics Artistic (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelim), Judo (medals), Rowing (rounds), Sailing (races), Shooting (finals), Softball (prelim), Swimming (finals), Table tennis (round), Tennis (round), Volleyball (prelim), Water Polo (prelim), Weightlifting (finals).

Friday, 20 August
Archery (medals), Athletics (rounds/finals), Badminton (medals), Baseball (prelim), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (round), Boxing (prelim), Canoe/Kayak Slalom Racing (medals), Cycling Track (finals), Diving (prelim), Equestrian (dressage), Fencing (medal matches), Football (prelim), Gymnastics Trampoline (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelims), Judo (medals matches), Rowing (finals), Sailing (races), Shooting (finals), Softball (prelim), Swimming (finals), Table tennis (round), Tennis (finals), Volleyball (prelim), Water Polo (prelim), Weightlifting (finals).

Saturday, 21 August
Archery (medals), Athletics (rounds/finals), Badminton (medals), Baseball (prelim), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (round), Boxing (prelim), Cycling Track (finals), Diving (semi-finals), Equestrian (Grand Prix), Fencing (medals), Football (round), Gymnastics Trampoline (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelim), Rowing (finals), Sailing (finals), Shooting (finals), Swimming (finals), Table tennis (medals), Tennis (medals), Volleyball (prelim), Water Polo (prelim), Weightlifting (finals).

Sunday, 22 August
Athletics (rounds/finals), Baseball (prelim), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (round), Boxing (round), Cycling Track (round), Diving (finals), Equestrian (qual), Fencing (medals), Gymnastics Artistic (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelim), Rowing (finals), Sailing (finals), Shooting (finals), Softball (medals), Table tennis (finals), Tennis (medals), Volleyball (prelim), Water Polo (round), Wrestling (Eliminations).

Monday, 23 August
Athletics (rounds/finals), Basketball (prelim), Beach Volleyball (round), Boxing (round), Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Racing (heats), Cycling Track (rounds/finals), Diving (prelim), Equestrian (Grand Prix), Football (prelim), Gymnastics Artistic (finals), Handball (prelim), Hockey (prelim), Sailing (races), Softball (final), Synchronised Swimming (prelim), Table tennis (finals), Volleyball (prelim), Water Polo (prelim), Weightlifting (medals), Wrestling (medals).

Tuesday, 24 August
Athletics (rounds/finals), Baseball (round), Basketball (classification), Beach Volleyball (round), Boxing (round), Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Racing (heats), Cycling Track (rounds/finals), Diving (medals), Equestrian (rounds/finals), Football (rounds), Gymnastics Artistic (Gala), Handball (rounds), Hockey (rounds), Sailing (races), Synchronised Swimming (prelim), Volleyball (round), Water Polo (round), Weightlifting (medals), Wrestling (elimination/qualification).

Wednesday, 25 August
Athletics (rounds/finals), Baseball (medals), Basketball (round), Beach Volleyball (medals), Boxing (round), Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Racing (round), Cycling Track (rounds/finals), Diving (prelim), Equestrian (Grand Prix), Hockey (classification), Sailing (races/finals), Synchronised Swimming (finals), Triathlon (finals), Volleyball (round), Water Polo (classification), Weightlifting (medals), Wrestling (rounds/medals).

Thursday, 26 August
Athletics (rounds/finals), Basketball (round), Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Racing (round), Diving (finals), Football (round), Gymnastics Rhythmic (qual), Handball (round), Hockey (medals), Modern Pentathlon (medals), Sailing (medals), Synchronised Swimming (finals), Taekwondo (prelim/medals), Triathlon (finals), Volleyball (round), Water Polo (medals) , Wrestling (rounds/medals).

Friday, 27 August
Athletics (rounds/finals), Basketball (round), Boxing (round), Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Racing (finals), Cycling Mountain Bike (medals), Diving (prelim), Equestrian (finals), Football (medals), Gymnastics Rhythmic (qual), Handball (round), Hockey (medals), Modern Pentathlon (medals), Synchronised Swimming (finals), Taekwondo (medals), Volleyball (round), Water Polo (round), Wrestling (elimination/qualification).

Saturday, 28 August
Athletics (finals), Basketball (medals), Boxing (round), Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Racing (finals), Cycling Mountain Bike (medals), Diving (finals), Football (finals), Gymnastics Rhythmic (finals), Handball (round/medals), Sailing (finals), Taekwondo (medals), Volleyball (medals), Wrestling (eliminations/medals).

Sunday, 29 August
Athletics (medals), Boxing (finals), Football (medals), Gymnastics Rhythmic (finals), Handball (medals), Taekwondo (medals), Volleyball (medals), Water Polo (medals), Wrestling (medals), Closing Ceremony.

"The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) yesterday formally announced its 78-member contingent for the August 13-29 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

World Junior record holder, Usain Bolt, who has been included in the Olympic squad, will undergo a physical examination today by Dr Warren Blake at the National Stadium to determine his level of fitness."

Jamaica's delegation
Don Anderson - chef de mission
Marie Tavares - assistant delegation manager
Lloyd Gooden - assistant delegation manager
Compton Rodney - assistant delegation manager

Athletics, women

Veronica Campbell - 100m, 200m, 4x100m
Sherone Simpson - 100m, 4x100m
Aleen Bailey - 100m, 200m, 4x100m
Beverly McDonald - 200m, 4x100m
Tayna Lawrence - alternate for 100m
Peta-Gaye Dowdie - 4x100m
Kerron Stewart - 4x100m
Nadia Davy 400m - 4x400m
Novlene Williams - 400m 4x400m
Ronetta Smith - 400m, 4x400m
Allison Beckford - 4x400m
Sandie Richards - 4x400m
Michelle Burgher - 4x400m
Michelle Ballentine - 800m
Delloreen Ennis-London - 100m hurdles
Brigitte Foster - 100m hurdles
Lacena Golding-Clarke - 100m hurdles
Debbie-Ann Parris - 400m hurdles
Patrina Allen - 400m hurdles
Shevon Stoddart - 400m hurdles
Elva Goulbourne - long jump
Trecia Smith - triple jump
Kimberli Barrett - shot put

Athletics, men

Asafa Powell - 100m, 4x100m, alternate for 200m
Steve Mullings - 100m, 200m, 4x100m
Dwight Thomas - 100m, 4x100m
Michael Frater - 4x100m
Patrick Jarrett - 4x100m
Winston Smith - 4x100m
Christopher Williams - 200m
Usain Bolt - 200m
Brandon Simpson - 400m, 4x400m
Michael Blackwood - 400m, 4x400m
Davian Clarke - 400m, 4x400m
Jermaine Gonzales - 4x400m, alternate for 400m
Richard James - 4x400m
Michael Campbell - 4x40m
Maurice Wignall - 110m hurdles
Christopher Pinnock - 110m hurdles
Richard Phillips - 110m hurdles
Danny McFarlane - 400m hurdles
Dean Griffiths - 400m hurdles
Kemel Thompson - 400m hurdles
James Beckford - long jump
Claston Bernard - decathlon
Maurice Smith - decathlon

Athletics officials

Lincoln Eatmon - team manager
Ian Forbes - assistant team manager
Dennis Johnson - head coach
Glen Mills - coach
Fitz Coleman - coach
Stephen Francis - coach
Maurice Wilson - coach
Maurice Westney - coach
Raymond Graham - coach

Badminton

Nigella Saunders - women's singles
Kingsley Ford - manager/coach

Shooting

Dawn Kobayashi - 10m air rifle
Keith Hammond - manager/coach

Swimming

Janelle Atkinson - 200m free, 400m free
Angella Chuck - 100m free
Alia Atkinson - 50m free, 100m breast
Jevon Atkinson - 50m free
John Eyre - manager
Jacqueline Walter - coach
Youth Camp
Gillian Millwodd
Vishwanauth Tolan

JOA announces team for Olympic Games

Australian cyclist Jobie Dajka has just been told that he will not be going to the Athens Olympics after it is alleged that he lied to an Australian doping enquiry.

update - The ABC picks up the story and writes:

' Cyclist Jobie Dajka has been omitted from the Australian Olympic team after admitting he lied to a doping inquiry.

The inquiry was established to investigate doping allegations by former world junior champion Mark French who had been suspended from all competition for using a banned drug.'

"Analysis of a backup sample has confirmed the positive drug test for U.S. sprinter Mickey Grimes, who faces a possible lifetime ban for two doping offenses.

Davies said the case is now in the hands of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which must decide on any sanction."

Read more at IAAF confirms positive B sample test for US sprinter

"The Olympic village, home to about 16,000 athletes and officials during next month's Olympic Games, officially opened on Thursday.

    The 397-million-US-dollar complex has a hospital, drug test center, places of worship, a restaurant, a swimming pool, a track and two gyms."

Read more at Olympic village opens door to athletes

"Nearly 50,000 telephones at Olympic sites and parts of Athens went dead for more than 10 hours today, officials said.

"Some 48,000 fixed-line phones stopped working during work to improve a telephone switching centre," Christos Malapanis, an official at the Greek Telecommunications Organization, or OTE, told state-run NET television"

Read more at Phones down in Athens for 10 hours.

"The Mexican Olympic team is heading to Athens loaded with amulets, charms, religious items and stuffed toys to bring good luck and the power of faith to their performance, press reports said on Tuesday. 

Runner Ana Guevara, for example, may not wear a charm or crucifix, but she will make sure that her running shoes are either red, green or white – the colours of the Mexican flag. "

Mexicans loaded with good-luck charms

"More than 1,000 additional tickets for the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies will go on sale Monday.

So far, more than 2.2 million of the 5.3 million tickets have been sold. Organizers said sales have increased rapidly in the last few days with 12,000 to 13,000 tickets sold per day."

Read more at More tickets available for opening, closing ceremonies.

"Ask anyone which is the greatest international football nation down through the years and the chances are they'll say Brazil.

So you can imagine the excitement mounting as 20 lucky Irish lads head off to Germany this weekend to help India prepare for the Athens Olympics at a special training camp in Bayer Leverkausen."

Hockey: Irish can takeaway indian bonus

"U.S. spy planes have increased flights over North Africa and the Middle East to provide Greek and NATO authorities information about any potential threats to next month's Olympics, officials at this U.S. base on the island of Crete said Thursday.

Greek and foreign security officials have indicated there is no specific threat against the Aug. 13-29 Games, which is protected by the most expensive surveillance and protection network in Olympic history."

Read more at OFFICIALS TRACK POSSIBLE OLYMPIC THREATS.

"The 2004 Olympic Games are scheduled to begin in Athens on August 13th. While there has been a lot of concern about whether the facilities and venues will be ready, there is also concern about whether the program to test the participating athletes for drugs will also be up and running.

What Drugs: What are the drugs that the Doping Control Program is worried about? In addition to the above-mentioned EPO, another “no-no” is the anabolic steroid THG (tetrahydrogestrinone). A big uncertainty at this point is whether the test for HGH (human growth hormone) will be ready or not. In any case, athletes are being warned that drug testing could still be done retrospectively -- long after the 2004 Olympics are over -- meaning that winners who test positive for certain drugs could end up losing both records and their medals (and reputations)."

Read more at Athens Drug Tests On the Mark? .

"Olympic visitors to Athens will be given leaflets indicating prices for commonly purchased items as part of measures to combat profiteering during the Aug. 13-29 Games, government officials said Thursday.

“They will be ready next week,” he said. “The leaflets will list price guidelines.”"

Read more at MSNBC - Athens visitors to get price guides to beat Olympic profiteers.

"By almost any measure, the Olympics flunk basic economics. The bidders spend lavishly and make costly promises. The winning city opens the vault to build stadiums, venues and villages that may have questionable value after the games. Local commerce is disrupted for years. Then there’s skyrocketing costs for payroll and security.

Perhaps it’s the seduction of being in the world spotlight for more than two weeks to promote local attractions, culture and talents."

Read more at Olympic Games flunk basic economics.

"Australian cyclist Robbie McEwen will compete in the Athens Olympics despite suffering from two broken vertebra.

McEwen won the green jersey for best sprinter, despite suffering from a sore back since a fall on July 9."

Source - McEwan will ride on

'This summer's Olympic Games are providing Athens residents with improved communications, better roads and a brand new subway. The Greek capital is attempting to lost its reputation as one of the most polluted cities in Europe, with appalling traffic problems and a decaying infrastructure.'

Listen to the rest of this audio report at NPR : Athens Uses Olympics to Fuel Civic Rebirth

"New Everton signing Tim Cahill said the English Premier League club has supported his call-up to play football for Australia in the Athens Olympics next month.

"Whatever Premier League club, they've got to deal with it and be happy for you."

Read more at Yahoo! Sports - Olympics - Everton support Olympic call-up, says Cahill.

"Athens' hotel workers, demanding their wages be doubled, will stage a one-day strike next week and threatened to continue their protest during the Aug. 13-29 Games.

Union leader Christos Katsiotis promised union support if any protesting workers are fired. "

Read more at Workers Threaten Strike During Olympics:
.

"Security tightened fast around Athens two weeks before the Olympics, with the arrival of a NATO battalion trained to defend against weapons of mass destruction and the securing of venues including the city's vast port.

Security officials said Europe's biggest passenger port Piraeus would be sealed in days, ready for seven luxury cruise ships, including the Queen Mary 2, the world's largest, that will act as floating five-star Olympic hotels."

Read more at Greece Ups Security, Starts Venues' Lockdown

"Security tightened fast around Athens two weeks before the Olympics, with the arrival of a NATO battalion trained to defend against weapons of mass destruction and the securing of venues including the city's vast port.

Security officials said Europe's biggest passenger port Piraeus would be sealed in days, ready for seven luxury cruise ships, including the Queen Mary 2, the world's largest, that will act as floating five-star Olympic hotels."

Read more at Greece Ups Security, Starts Venues' Lockdown

Mali have named an inexperienced 23-man squad for the country's first participation in the Olympics next month.

However, the Malian Football Federation (FMF) proved unable to persuade any of its star names to play in the Olympics, which clashes with the start of the European club season.

Read more at Mali name Olympic squad

Mali's Football team is:

Goalkeepers:
Fousseyni Tangara (FC Mantois, France), Cheick Oumar Bathily (Djoliba AC), Soumaïla Diakite (Stade Malien)

Defenders:
Moussa Coulibaly, Boubacar Sidiki Kone (both AS Bamako), Abdou Traore, Drissa Diakite, Adama Tamboura (all Djoliba AC), Boucader Djidani Diallo (Stade Malien)

Midfielders:
Jimmy Boubou Kebe (Lens, France), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Valencia, Spain), Mamadou Diallo (USMA, Algeria), Abdoulaye Diawara (St-Truiden, Belgium), Mamadi Berthe (Sedan, France), Alain Claude Traore (Stade Malien), Oumar Andre Traore (Nianan Koulikoro), Mohamoud Fall (AS Bamako)

Forwards:
Dramane Traore (Ismaili, Egypt), Tenema N'Diaye (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Janvier Sedonoude Abouta (Djoliba AC), Rafan Sidibe (Stade Malien), Mintou Doucoure (Centre Salif Keïta)

Mali have named an inexperienced 23-man squad for the country's first participation in the Olympics next month.

However, the Malian Football Federation (FMF) proved unable to persuade any of its star names to play in the Olympics, which clashes with the start of the European club season.

Read more at Mali name Olympic squad

Mali's Football team is:

Goalkeepers:
Fousseyni Tangara (FC Mantois, France), Cheick Oumar Bathily (Djoliba AC), Soumaïla Diakite (Stade Malien)

Defenders:
Moussa Coulibaly, Boubacar Sidiki Kone (both AS Bamako), Abdou Traore, Drissa Diakite, Adama Tamboura (all Djoliba AC), Boucader Djidani Diallo (Stade Malien)

Midfielders:
Jimmy Boubou Kebe (Lens, France), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Valencia, Spain), Mamadou Diallo (USMA, Algeria), Abdoulaye Diawara (St-Truiden, Belgium), Mamadi Berthe (Sedan, France), Alain Claude Traore (Stade Malien), Oumar Andre Traore (Nianan Koulikoro), Mohamoud Fall (AS Bamako)

Forwards:
Dramane Traore (Ismaili, Egypt), Tenema N'Diaye (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Janvier Sedonoude Abouta (Djoliba AC), Rafan Sidibe (Stade Malien), Mintou Doucoure (Centre Salif Keïta)

" Russia aims to finish top of the medals table at the Athens Olympics despite having a smaller budget than their major rivals China and the United States, the country's Olympic chief said Thursday.

But, he said, lack of money was a hindrance as Russia's team had a little over $100 million available for the four-year period, far less than American and Chinese competitors."

Read more at Olympics-Russia Aims to Top Medals Table in Athens

"The Malaysian athletes to the Olympics will carry a heavy burden on their shoulders in Athens. The fate of their national associations could rest on how well they fare. 

“If you want your association to secure strong support and funding, you have to do what you are supposed to do as an athlete. "

Read more at A heavy burden for athletes in Athens.

"Melissa Morrison, the Olympic hurdler from Kannapolis, has it all figured out.

Such is the power of an Olympic medal. Morrison, a graduate of A.L. Brown High and Appalachian State, knows this well. She already has one."

Read more at Morrison pursuing wedding accessory.

"Athens Olympics organisers ATHOC said yesterday they see a last-minute surge in ticket sales for the Aug 13-29 Games. 

ATHOC runs a massive advertising campaign in the Greek media to convince locals to attend the Games as fears mount that many events could take place in empty venues. "

Source - Organisers see last-minute pick-up in ticket sales

"The German National Olympic Committee has nominated 79 athletes for the Olympic Games’ athletics events. Neither of the German Olympic Champions from Sydney 2000, Nils Schumann and Heike Drechsler, have made the team.

While 800 m runner Nils Schumann did not even make his comeback after two operations on his Achilles tendon last year, Heike Drechsler was clearly not in the form to qualify. The long jumper, who has announced the end of her career after this season, has produced a season’s best of just 6.39 m in 2004. Drechsler may still compete in a couple of meetings at a later stage of the season, but will miss the Olympics."

Get the full list of German Athletes competing at German Olympic Committee nominates Team for Athens

"The Sports Ministry has dropped long-jumper Amritpal Singh from the contingent for the Athens Olympics.

However, Secretary, Athletic Federation of India, Lalit Bhanot said: "He has recuperated fully from his injury and his inclusion will be decided during the selection committee meeting on Aug 9. As of now, he has qualified.""

Read more at Amritpal ‘dropped’ from Athens squad.

An unnamed Jamaican athlete has tested positive for a banned substance and could miss the Athens Olympics.

If found in violation, the athlete could be dropped from Jamaica's Olympic squad and face a minimum two-year suspension.

Read more at Jamaican fails drugs test.

An unnamed Jamaican athlete has tested positive for a banned substance and could miss the Athens Olympics.

If found in violation, the athlete could be dropped from Jamaica's Olympic squad and face a minimum two-year suspension.

Read more at Jamaican fails drugs test.

Olympics reflect our world; Athens will be no different is an interesting article that argues that the Olympics (from the very beginning) have always been a reflection of the world they are held in. These games are no different.

"From the ancient games that began in 776 B.C. in Olympia to the modern games of 1896 in Athens and to the XXVIII International Olympiad Aug. 13-29 again in Athens, the Olympics have served as survey courses of their era's living conditions, world affairs, cultural attitudes and innovations.

The Greek government has spent a reported $1.4 billion - five times that of the 2000 Sydney Games - to secure the world's biggest, most-watched sporting event at a time of terrorism and war."

Read more at Olympics reflect our world; Athens will be no different.

"With 15 days remaining until the 2004 Olympics opening ceremony, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief Terry Madden said his agency and the U.S. Olympic Committee have "done everything possible to send a clean team to Athens."

The U.S. team's biggest star, Marion Jones, has been investigated by USADA but has not been charged. She made the team in the long jump and could race in relays and possibly the 100 meters depending on the Edwards outcome."

Read more at USADA confident in sending clean team to Athens.

Another ethics scandal for IOC?

The move, centred on accusations in an upcoming British Broadcasting Corp. program, comes six years after the IOC was rocked by the Salt Lake City bid scandal.

The IOC said Thursday it has asked its ethics commission to look into the points raised by the respected BBC investigative television news show ``Panorama.''

""The Games have been a magnet for hackers and malicious people trying to prove to their peers they are clever," says Robert Cottam, chief integrator at SchlumbergerSema, the lead IT architect for the Olympics through the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

When a hacker actually opened a firewall port, the action triggered alarms in the network's firewall logs and IDS probes. Then it was up to IRT members to trace the intruding IP address. If a particular firewall scan or other intrusion attempt during the Games looked threatening, the team cut off the compromised network segment, but that was rare, Robertson says. Usually, it was a matter of singling out the intruder's IP address and shutting it down."

Read the rest of this article at Security the Main event for Olympic IT Specialists.

"American gymnasts have a habit of winning major events on home soil but being unable to replicate that success in other lands.

US men won team gold in 1984 without Soviet rivals but went without a global team medal until taking second at the 2001 and 2003 worlds."

Read more at American gymnasts still searching for success away from home.

"British javelin thrower Steve Backley, a three-time Olympic medalist and former world-record holder, said Thursday he will retire after next month's Athens Games.

Backley is a four-time European champion and three-time Commonwealth Games winner."

Read more at British javelin thrower Backley to retire.

"Based on past broadcasts of the Summer Olympics, female athletes on the U.S. Olympic Team, and their sports, should receive more coverage on than U.S. television than ever before when the 2004 Summer Olympics begin in Athens Aug. 13.

Dr. Karen Weiller, UNT associate professor of kinesiology, health promotion and recreation; Dr. Christy Greenleaf, UNT assistant professor of kinesiology, health promotion and recreation; and Dr. Catriona Higgs, professor of physical education at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Penn., also say profiles of female athletes that appeal to the emotional nature of a female audience may be present in this year's Summer Olympics coverage as well."

Read more at Gender bias still evident in Olympics coverage, study says.

'The Australian Olympic Committee is to interview cyclist Jobie Dajka after DNA evidence linked him with the doping affair involving team-mate Mark French.

A report from retired judge Robert Anderson said Dajka's DNA profile had been found on nine articles discovered in a needle waste bin in French's room.'

Read more at Dajka faces Athens ban.

'Belgian mountain biking world champion Filip Meirhaeghe has pulled out of the Olympics after admitting testing positive for a banned substance.

The 33-year-old said he was quitting the sport after results showed he had taken the blood-boosting substance EPO.'

Read more at Meirhaeghe admits EPO use.

Thanks to Cool Running is an independent website for runners by runners.

They've been kind enough to link up to us and send a few running enthusiasts our way in the past week or so so we thought it was time we said thanks and sent a few of you back.

If running is your thing then Cool Running is the site for you! They have a great range of links and resources on a wide range of topics that will help the beginner right through to running enthusiast.

ATHENS: Greece unveiled its biggest Olympic team on Wednesday, 16 days before the homecoming Games begin in Athens.

The host country will field 441 athletes led by 200 metre Olympic champion Konstantinos Kenteris and weightlifter Pyrros Dimas. Dimas will be Greece’s flagbearer before he attempts to win his fourth consecutive Olympic title.

Next month Greece will make its Olympic debut in a number of team sports with little or no domestic following, including baseball and softball. The host country is on a sporting high after the national soccer team’s shock win at the European Championship in Portugal earlier this month. reuters

Source: Greece unveils biggest Olympic team

UK Athletics president Lynn Davies is sure of a good performance from Great Britain at next month's Olympic Games.
Davies, who took long-jump gold in Tokyo in 1964, has dismissed fears that the track and field team will leave Athens empty handed.

"I think we've got five medal chances with Paula Radcliffe, Hayley Tullet, Kelly Holmes, and the two (4x400 and 4x100 metres) relays," Davies said.

Source: Davies backs Team GB

Sprinter Maurice Greene insists the doping scandal that has rocked the US team will not wreck his Athens dream.

"Does it shake me? No. Does it bother me? Yes, because it puts a black mark over something I love - track and field," said the Olympic 100m champion.

"I don't like any bad talk being talked about the sport that I work very hard in, but it doesn't shake me up because I have nothing to worry about.

"I'll be stronger when I walk out in Athens than I have ever been before."

Source: Green shrugs of drug talk

Shouldn't an athlete who has been ranked in the world's top five 400m hurdlers for the past six years realise that you have to peak at the major championships - not arrive jaded and droopy-eyed?

Relax. Rawlinson will be ready.

"When I'm standing on the start-line, I usually get in such a frenzy I don't know whether I want to fight someone or start crying," he tells BBC Sport.

Source: Rawlinson eyes golden summer

Great Britain men's hockey team came from behind to beat Spain 2-1 and level their two-match series in Barcelona.
Beaten 5-1 in the first game, the Brits went 1-0 down on 13 minutes when Juan Escarre scored from an acute angle.

Spain continued to dominate but the visitors drew level when Rob Moore found the net on 27 minutes.

Ben Hawes then scored the winner from a penalty corner on 46 minutes to give Britain a timely boost ahead of next month's Athens Olympics.

"It's nice to finish our trip to Spain with a win, but in the context of the Olympics this result matters not a jot," said GB team manager David Whittle.

Source: Britain bounce back

Paula Radcliffe insists the Athens Olympics represent the chance to complete some "unfinished business".
Britain's brightest Olympic hope goes for gold in the marathon, aiming to make up for the agony of missing out on an Olympic medal four years ago.

"As an athlete, I feel there is unfinished business," she told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I'm a stronger person now and have more confidence - and that is the big factor the marathon has brought me."

Radcliffe is also entered in the 10,000m, offering the chance to make up for an agonising fourth-place finish in that event four years ago.

Source: Radcliffe remains focused

THE world's oldest world's oldest individual track and field Olympic gold medalist has passed away on the Sunshine Coast.

Bob Tisdall, who won the 400m hurdles for Ireland at the 1932 Los Angeles Games, died peacefully in his sleep at his Nambour home this week, aged 97.

Mr Tisdall, at 25, became only the second Irishman in history to win gold for his country when he completed the event in 51.7 seconds.

It was a world record time but was not recognised because he knocked the last hurdle before crossing the line the first.

Mr Tisdall, a student at Cambridge University, prepared for the Games by hurdling grazing sheep on England's South Downs.

Source : Oldest Olympic champion dies

Dozens of Greek Navy vessels have started patrolling the country's coastal waters as part of a two-layer security zone to protect the Olympic Games, with NATO warships due to keep watch further out to sea, a naval official said Wednesday.
At least 35 Greek ships are monitoring the Ionian Sea along Greece's west coast, the Aegean Sea and areas off the coasts of Crete and the resort Cyclades islands.

The ships are checking "any ships with suspicious behavior,' a Navy source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

About 70 vessels have been inspected by Greek

Source: Olympic security watch begins

"Pakistan are pinning their Athens Olympic medal hopes on hockey and boxing, officials said yesterday as they announced the final squad of 26 athletes and 19 officials. 

Pakistan has won only 10 Olympic medals, eight of them in hockey, since their debut appearance in the 1948 London Olympics. "

Read more at Pakistan pin hopes on hockey, boxing.

"Organizers of the Summer Olympics in Athens say there are still plenty of tickets for events at the games which begin in two weeks.

Travel experts say you will pay a premium for flights and hotels. John White of Mid-Atlantic Triple A says plane tickets will hit you at over $1,000, and hotels in Athens range from $600 to $2800 a night."

Source - Olympic Tickets Still Available, Getting There Costly

"The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency partnered with the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy on six public service spots breaking today that present the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs to young athletes.

The spots feature athletes who will participate in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, including weightlifter Tara Nott Cunningham and track and field's John Godina."

Read more at USADA, ONDCP Partner on Anti-Doping Ads
.

" Lorraine Fenton, the 2000 Olympic silver medallist in the women's 400 metres, has withdrawn from Jamaica's Olympic team because of a hamstring injury, officials said Wednesday.

The injury has kept her out of competition much of the year, and she was unable to compete in Jamaica's national trials in June."

Source - Jamaica's Fenton to miss Olympics

"Olympic organisers have laid down the law to Athens' unruly cabbies ahead of August's Olympic Games, demanding they clean up their act or stay away from venues.

A total of 8,500 of the capital's 14,300 registered cabs will be licensed to operate in the designated areas, with a further 1,500 allowed to service Olympic venues in towns outside Athens."

Read more at SI.com: Organizers lay down law to Athens cabbies

"Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva cleared 4.89 metres to retake the world record in women's pole vault on Saturday at an athletics meet in Birmingham, England.

"At the beginning it was difficult," Isinbayeva told the IAAF. "It was cold and the wind was blowing the pole away. I don't know how I managed to keep my concentration.""

Read more at CBC: Russia's Isinbayeva reclaims women's pole vault record

An architectural design competition for the Beijing Olympic Stadium (ok we're getting ahead of ourselves now) is being held.

See some of those contesting for the prize at Presentation of Competation for the Architecture Design of National Stadium. There is some pretty amazing looking stadiums on offer there!

"Serena Williams has been denied the chance to avenge her Wimbledon humiliation at the hands of Russian teen sensation Maria Sharapova after tennis bureaucrats astonishingly drew up the closing date for Olympic entries before the All England Championships got underway.

And 47-year-old Martina Navratilova links up with Lisa Raymond as challengers to the sisters in the doubles. Just how fit Justine Henin-Hardenne will be is unknown as the world No 1 has yet to recover fully from a mystery virus."

Read more at Olympic sister act to brighten up Sharapova gloom.

"The triathlon, all things considered, is among the most difficult of Olympic sports. Athletes will swim 1.5 kilometers (.9 miles) off the coast of Vouliagmeni, south of Athens, cycle a hilly 40-kilometer course (24.8 miles) along the Mediterranean, then finish with a 10-kilometer sprint (6.2 miles). Oh, and it will be hot and humid and the pressure will be enormous.

"It's definitely a full-time job when you add it all up," she said. "I swim, bike and run about 35 hours a week, and then there's another six hours of strength training and stretching. Then, on top of that, there's massages, planning meals and so on.""

Read more of this article at ESPN: Road to Athens: Triathlon

"Prime Minister John Howard admitted today he was worried about the safety of Australia's Olympic team in Athens and wasn't convinced they would be fully protected.

"At the moment, we are satisfied but I have to say I can't guarantee that there won't be an incident. It is very awkward situation.""

Read more at Howard: Aussie Olympic team may be in danger .

"THE US fight against drugs in sport has come under question with revelations the nation's leading athletes including Maurice Greene, Marion Jones and Jana Pittman's main rival Sheena Johnson were not tested by their own drug agency in the first quarter of this year.

Figures on the US Anti-Doping Agency website reveal a startling number of top-level American athletes who were not tested by the agency in the critical pre-season training period of an Olympic year.

While the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Association of Athletics Federations may have conducted their own tests in and out of competition on Americans, the USADA does most of the testing on Americans."

Read more of this article at - FOX SPORTS: No US test for Jana's rival (July 27, 2004).

"AUSTRALIA's Athens-bound swimmers are capable of matching Sydney's record medal haul in the pool at next month's Olympic Games.

"I think so," Nugent said when asked if the team was capable of matching Sydney's result in Athens." Read more at FOX SPORTS: Women's swim team best ever

"Olympic security officials took delivery of two U.S. bomb scanners on Tuesday as key elements began operating across a defense and surveillance grid ahead of next month's Games

And nearly 300 surveillance cameras started operating on Tuesday with less than three weeks to go before the August 13 opening ceremony."

Read more at CNN.com - Bomb scanners boost Games security - Jul 27, 2004

"OLYMPIC swimming sensation Ian Thorpe has a golden future before he even gets wet in Athens.

Thorpe was top, followed by tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Webber, Adam Gilchrist, Hackett, Pat Rafter, Cathy Freeman, Greg Norman, Ricky Ponting and another Olympian Jana Pittman, now worth $230,000 per sponsor." Read more at Sponsors bank on Ian.

"Two Romanian Olympians have tested positive for banned drugs but will not be named until results of second samples are known, a Romanian official said on Wednesday. "What I can say is that a Romanian Anti-doping Commission official put the case before the COR Technical Comission," said COR general secretary Dan Popper....

Unnamed sources close to the COR said a rower and a track and field athlete were waiting for the results of second samples after an anti-doping investigation held on July 21 at the Olympic training Center of Snagov, 40 kilometres north of Bucharest."

Source - Two Romanian athletes test positive for drugs.

"Triple Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe's claim that some of the swimmers he will come up against in Athens next month will have taken drugs has landed him in hot water with the sport's governing body, FINA.

Thorpe's remarks provoked a stinging response from FINA which said in a statement that it "regretted" the Australian swimming champion's remarks." Read more at Thorpe scolded over Olympic drugs claims.

'The main feature of the medals is the Greek character shown on both sides, since their basic side has been changed for the first time since the Amsterdam Olympic Games in 1928. This is of particular importance, as from now on all Olympic medals will reflect the Greek character of the Games as regards both their origin and their revival.

The design of the Medal was created by Elena Votsi.
The total number of medals to be produced is 1,130 gold, 1,130 silver, and 1,150 bronze.'

Source - IOC

"Lin Dan, All England champion who rocketed to the world top ranking from No. 15 in five months, has set his target on the gold medal in the Athens Olympic Games.

    How could the Chinese youngster emerge from nowhere into the leading role in two years?"

Read more of this article at Olympic Preview: Super Dan locks target on Olympic gold.

At the Official Website of the Chinaese Olympic Committee there is an interesting article about the final standings of the Athens Olympic Medaly Table. Who will win? All the smart money is on the US of course, but the next placings could be interesting this year? Russia and China could well feature according to this article:

"Russia, second overall after the United States in Olympic Games for a long time, will challenge the Uncle Sam strongly in Athens since Russians performed better last year and many U.S. sprinters sank into doping trouble.

    The eclipse of the sports giant came from the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which split the country into 15 new ones, including Ukraine, whose 50 million people had contributed many of former Soviet ace athletes...."

What do you think the final top 5 teams will be in Athens in the Medal Table?

"China swept the board in women's weightlifting on a glittering Olympic campaign for Asia highlighted by the emergence of China as a medal table heavyweight in the Sydney Olympic Games.

    After Chinese strong women got the full four berths for the Athens Olympics, they chose to give up the 53kg class avoiding facing Ri Song-hui, who delivered the first world record to the Busan Asiad to win the gold for DPR Korea in 2002."

Read more at Asia rises with top nations eyeing better

"Twenty-year-old soldier, Manjula Kumara Wijesekera set a new Sri Lanka record and qualified to compete at Athens Olympic Games at the 82nd Sri Lanka National Championships concluded at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo here last evening.

A soldier who is attached to the Electrical and Mechanical division of the Sri Lanka Army, Wijesekera would now become the fifth Sri Lankan athlete to qualify for the Olympics after Susanthika Jayasinghe (women's 100m), Damayanthi Darsha (women's 400m), Rohan Pradeep Kumara Fernando (men's 400m) and Anuruddha Indrajith Cooray (men's marathon)"

Source - IAAF: Wijesekera sets national record to earn Olympic berth

"World 800m champion Djabir Said Guerni has been selected by the Algerian Olympic Committee to be the country’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens.

Bronze medallist at the Sydney's olympic Games, the 27-year-old who has been training for the past two weeks in Algiers has flown to Great Britain today in order to take part in London’s IAAF Super Grand Prix next Friday. "

Read more at IAAF: Djabir Said Guerni to be Algeria’s flag bearer in Athens
.

Andrew Bree and Steven Manley are reported to be considering not swimming for Ireland again after failing to be selected for the Olympic Games.

Manley said it was a kick in the teeth to be rejected for the Olympics and that he might not compete for Ireland at October's World Championships.

Source - Swim duo may quit Ireland

"They're young. They're inexperienced. They're not the names, at least most of them, anyone expected the United States to send to Athens.

But the pool of talent for the United States is as deep as the Marianas Trench."

Read more at Grand Forks Herald | 07/28/2004 | Brown turns to KISS formula.

"It's D-Day for Olympic hopeful Ben Kersten, but his manager Phill Bates fears another rejection by Cycling Australia (CA) could see the young cyclist quit representing his country.

"But Ben's pretty committed, I think he's committed to go on, but hopefully it will start with his selection tomorrow."" Source - Kersten could go Dutch

"Peja Stojakovic said Wednesday he will not play for Serbia and Montenegro at the Athens Olympics, depriving the defending world champions of their best perimeter scorer.

The three-time NBA All-Star said he was tired and that his decision is irreversible — even though people in his homeland are urging him to change his mind.

"No way. I already spoke with the team officials. We talked about it, and it's done," Stojakovic told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "I'm not going to go."

Stojakovic will be in Greece during the Olympics, fulfilling the end of a three-month stint in the Greek army. He holds duel citizenship in Greece and Serbia and Montenegro."

Source - Stojakovic Won't Play in Athens Olympics

"The environment is the "first big loser" of the Athens Olympics because it had been ignored by the organising committee ATHOC, Greenpeace said.

The international environment group, which gave the Sydney 2000 organising committee a 5 out of 10, said it "could only give 1 out of 10 to Athens"."

Read more at Environment the "first big loser" of the Athens Olympics: Greenpeace.

"For many NBA players, the summer months provide time to recover from a grueling schedule and get ready for the upcoming season. Not Manu Ginobili.

With the Olympics set to begin Aug. 13, the 6-foot-6 guard said he looks forward to getting a chance to play, and beat, Spurs teammate Tim Duncan and the rest of the U.S. team."

Read more at Ginobili hopes for an Olympic medal with Argentina

"Australian 1,500 metres world record holder Grant Hackett believes Australia is set to challenge the supremacy of the United States in the pool at the Athens Olympics.

"We've still got two weeks to go so we can't get ahead of ourselves and think about what it's going to be like at the village, or the atmosphere at the Olympic Games."

Read more at Hackett confident of good showing against US.

"ATHENS Olympics organisers ATHOC backed down today after announcing they had banned a British journalist from the Games in retaliation for having revealed secret details of the Games' opening ceremony.

"There has been a mistake," a source from the organisers said.

Earlier, the same source had said, on condition of anonymity, that "in a communal decision with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), ATHOC decided to withdraw the journalist's accreditation"."

Read more at Athens backdown on journo ban.

"Olympic teams from New Zealand and Australia are set for a high noon clash in Athens days before the Games open next month.

"I think we'll be fine," he said."

Read more at Trans-Tasman rivalry at Olympics to start before games open

"India will field a 78-member contingent (excluding officials) for the Athens Olympics, to be held from August 13 to 29. The contingent includes the women’s relay squad, but the men’s relay team has not made the grade. US-based discus thrower Vikas Gowda also figures in the athletics squad though the Athletics Association of India had earlier expressed its reservations regarding his citizenship status."

Source - 78-member squad named for Olympics

British swimming boss, Bill Sweetenham has put a ban on his swimmers speaking to the media in the lead up to the Athens Olympics.

"A phone call to the Amateur Swimming Association’s Press Office in Loughborough confirmed Edmond’s position. "Yes, Bill’s called for a media blackout," explained the communications assistant, Martin Perry.

"It’s been a nightmare for us because we keep getting requests for interviews, but Bill has insisted that there are to be no such distractions. There was a final get together with swimmers and journalists at the British Long-course Championships in Manchester last week and that was it. Now Bill has said that the swimmers have to concentrate fully on the job in hand. I’m just hoping I’ll have plenty of requests later on for interviews in celebration of some great British success."" Read more at Scotsman.com Sport - Top Stories - Swimmers hope silence is golden.

"Tim Skolnik got the word a week ago. And, he said, it still hasn't sunk in.
     
The 23-year-old Traverse City boxer is headed to the Olympic Games. Skolnik will be an alternate on the U.S. Olympic boxing team, backing up super heavyweight Jason Estrada.
     
"It's exciting," said Skolnik, who met with the media at the Trigger Boxing Gym in Traverse City on Tuesday. "But, to be honest, it still hasn't sunk in. It will probably hit me when I get there."" Read more at TC boxer heads to olympics as alternate.

"A preliminary test for human growth hormone (HGH) is ready for the Athens Olympics, British researcher Claire Hartley said on Wednesday.

Hartley, from the University of Southampton, told Reuters a laboratory in Munich had devised a blood test that could verify the presence of HGH up to 36 hours after it was administered."

Read more at Human Growth Hormone Test Ready for Athens

"For more than a year, U.S. and overseas intelligence officials say they have picked up not a whisper that al Qaeda-linked terrorists have any interest in attacking the upcoming Olympic Games in Greece.

Greece's top police official echoed that assessment recently. "No service, secret or otherwise, has any information about a terrorist attack," Police chief Fotis Nasiakos told reporters." Read more at Despite absence of threats, unprecedented security.

"Just weeks before the start of the Athens Olympics, defending 100-meter champion Maurice Greene is still tinkering with his start.

Recovered from a broken left leg in 2002 and a host of injuries during his comeback, Greene said he is ready to reclaim his place as the world's top sprinter, including regaining his world record."

Source - Greene Confident Ahead of Olympic Tuneup

BBC Sport | Pound backs new drug tests.

A research team from Southampton University are close to creating a test for the previously undetectable drug.

Brent McMahon
Jill Savege
Simon Whitfield
Carol Montgomery
Samantha McGlone

Runner's Web Triathlon News

Malaysian women swimmer Siow Yi Ting will be out to make a breakthrough in her second Olympics appearance in Athens next month. 

“I feel I have the best chance of achieving this in the 200m breaststroke. Read more at Swimmer Yi Ting to focus on making semi-finals in Olympics 

'Dozens of Greek Navy vessels have started Olympic security patrols as part of a two-zone buffer that includes Greek ships in coastal waters and NATO warships farther out at sea, a naval official said Wednesday.

The ships are checking "any ships with suspicious behaviour," a Navy source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.' Source - Greek navy patrols for 'suspicious' ships

'A high-tech mobile laboratory designed to help protect the Athens Olympics from biological weapons left for Athens on Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said.

The lab is due to arrive Friday at a Greek army training base 40 miles north of Athens, where it will be deployed during the games as part of a NATO protection force, said Antal Taligas, a spokesman for the ministry.' Hungary Provides High-Tech Mobile Lab

"Dale Parker won't have to waste much time bonding with some of the other shooters on the U.S. Olympic rifle team.

"Some of the best shooters America has ever produced have come through the Marksmanship Unit," said John Robbins, spokesman for the National Rifle Association, which sponsors shooting competitions across the country."

Source - Army shooters set sights on Olympic gold

"China, who have their sights set on a clean sweep of the badminton titles at the Olympics Games, are so confident of victory that they can afford to leave world champion Xia Xuanze sitting at home. 

The Sydney Olympic bronze medal winner and 2003 world champion has suffered such a drastic slump in form that he wasn't considered good enough for the team and has been replaced by Chen Hong. 

China won four of the five golds in the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Ji Xinpeng taking the men's title, Gong Zhichao the women's, Ge Fei and Gu Jun winning the womens' doubles and Zhang Jun and Gao Ling, the mixed. " Read more at No world champion, no problem for confident China.

"Reigning Olympic champion Grant Hackett has called on sports governing bodies as well as governments to increase their efforts to eliminate drug cheats from sport.

"I think it's great that they've made the decision to be able to hold onto the test results and test them at a later date for HGH," he said." Read more at Increased effort needed to stamp out drugs, says Hackett .

Sports Illustrated has a good article on Jane Saville who was disqualified in the 20km walk in Sydney just moments before entering into the Olympic Stadium to claim her Gold medal.

'Descending the tunnel leading on to the track, the 25-year-old was given her third and final warning for failing to make continuous contact with the ground, leading to immediate disqualification.

In the Olympic team for next month's Athens Games, Saville will compete alongside her sister Natalie in the 20 km walk and says she has drawn positives from her Sydney setback.'

"Sue Haywood, a Wilmington native, filed a formal challenge Tuesday to an arbiter's ruling that gave Mary McConneloug the lone position on the U.S. women's Olympic mountain bike team for the Athens Games.

The arbiter said the award of the additional points wasn't justified." - Source - Padua grad hopes to regain Olympic spot

Japanese Swimmers in Athens will wear swimsuits that are made of material unable to be seen through with infrared cameras.

"OSAKA (Kyodo) Descente Ltd. said Friday it has developed swimwear material that remains opaque when filmed by an infrared camera.

Seven swimmers including Junko Onishi, a bronze medalist at the Sydney Olympics, will use swimwear that incorporates the material, company officials said."

Source - Swimmers' modesty to be preserved

Found via Engadget

Three dozen Athens restaurants fined for price-gouging:

"Some three dozen cafe and restaurant owners in Athens have been fined for price-gouging, after overcharging their customers by up to 500%, the Greek news agency ANA reported Wednesday.

More than a quarter of all restaurants checked violated the prices law — seven of the 37 establishments alone were at Athens airport."

Found via Cronaca

From Athens to Impose No-Fly Zone at Olympics:

"ATHENS, Greece - Athens will impose a no-fly zone over the city a week before the Aug. 13-29 Olympics and has drawn up contingency plans to shoot down hijacked planes that could be used in a Sept. 11-style attack, a senior Greek air defense official said Tuesday.

He said an exhaustive range of potential threats would be looked within a 90-mile radius of Athens' main Olympic stadium."

Found via the Command Post

There has been a lot of confusion and mixed messages surrounding the question of whether armed guards would be allow to accompany athletes to Athens. Today the PM of Greece said it will not be allowed and that only foreign political leaders would be accepted. If I were an athlete I'd be making friends with a few dignitaries and staying close!

"Olympic athletes will not be allowed the same armed protection enjoyed by political leaders attending next month's Games in Athens, Greece's Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Last week, Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis said Greece would be "exclusively responsible for the protection and guarding of the athletes"."

Read more at Greek PM bars foreign armed escorts for Olympic athletes.

The first IBAF World Cup of Women’s Baseball will be held July 30 thru August 8, 2004 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This event will give a prevue of some of the competition we will see in Athens.

Mohini Bhardwaj is a hot favorite to bring home Gold from Athens. Post Gazette has a great profile of her - here is a taste.

'Olympic experience: None. She is quite old for an Olympic gymnast, and she had all but given up on participating in the Games in the late 1990s. But she had a strong year for the national team and impressed coach Bela Karolyi enough that he made her a surprise choice.

International achievement: She was the bronze medalist at the 2001 World Championships but otherwise lacks an impressive resume on the world stage. She finished second at the 2004 U.S. championships two months ago in Nashville. She also is an 11-time All-American at UCLA.' Read More at - America's Athletes: Mohini Bhardwaj, Women's gymnastics:

"The Hockeyroos leave for Spain to round off their Olympic preparations with a four-nations tournament ahead of their gold medal defence at the Athens Games.

Bell said the main reason for the pre-Athens tournament was to acclimatise to Mediterranean conditions." Read more of this article at Source - Hockeyroos expecting a veiled tournament.

"Olympic 100 and 200 metres champion Marion Jones has withdrawn from this weekend’s Norwich Union London Grand Prix.

Meeting organisers Fast Track understand that Jones, who has been under tremendous pressure off the track with the investigation into the BALCO drugs scandal, wishes to prepare for Athens in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives." Source - Jones Withdraws from Crystal Palace Date.

"Evidence of poor safety standards at construction sites for next month's Olympic Games in Athens has been found by a BBC radio programme.

The BBC team observed workers - many from Eastern Europe and South Asia - operating without protective equipment and with minimal supervision." Source - Workers in peril at Athens sites

"With just three weeks remaining before the start of the Athens Olympics, anti-doping authorities are under enormous pressure to announce a test for human growth hormone.

And today the chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Dick Pound, claimed that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is pushing to meet the deadline.

But even if a test is announced, scientists and sports physicians are sceptical it will catch anyone and some are now blaming the IOC for failing to act sooner." Read more at Drug test will be ready, says Pound.

"Before you block out your television viewing calendar for the Athens Olympics in hopes of watching Mike Candrea's USA softball team, this (unhappy) news just arrived:

Because there are no lights at the new Olympic softball venue, all games must be played during the daylight hours. Therefore, given the time difference between Tucson, Ariz., and Athens, there will be no prime time TV coverage.

Instead, Candrea's Olympic softball team will play on NBC's lesser-known affiliates _ CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo and the USA Network _ at decidedly off hours.

Five of Team USA's games will begin at 2 a.m. in Tucson. The other two pre-medal round games will begin at 7 a.m. The semifinals are to be played at 11:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Aug. 22, Tucson time. The gold medal game, Aug. 23, will be broadcast on the USA Network at 7 a.m. in Tucson." Read more at Scripps Howard News Service.

"At next month's Olympics, Anju George could become the first Indian to win an Olympic track and field medal. Leading Indian sports writer Rohit Brijnath finds out what makes Anju so focused on her dream.

The fourth-ranked women's long jumper on planet Earth is a well-grounded young woman who has spent a lifetime attempting to defy gravity. In a month's time, this Kerala girl with an award-winning giggle will stand on top of a runway in Athens and prepare to fly in front of a watching world." Source - India's queen of the runway
.

"With or without baseball icon Shigeo Nagashima in the dugout, Japan will have to outshine its Cuban rivals in order to win its first-ever gold medal in Olympic baseball.

This time, Japan fields its first all-professional roster for an Olympics, and the stage has been neatly set for its hunt for gold after the United States and South Korea made unexpected exits in the qualifying stages." Source - FEATURE: Olympics: Japan pros poised for baseball showdown with Cuba.

The reconstruction of the Olympic marathon route has been completed less than three weeks before the start of the Athens Games.

"We have won," said Greek public works minister George Souflias.

Read more at Athens marathon route ready.

There have been a few references in the media recently regarding the potential of biological/chemical attacks at the Olympic games. Many Australian officials and media have been given gas masks as part of their Olympic kit in preparation for Athens.

"AUSTRALIA'S Olympic team doctor has given a blunt assessment of how quickly victims might have to act in the unlikely event of a biological terrorist attack in Athens.

"It seems extreme, but this stuff happens," Prof Fricker said."

Source - The Australian: Olympic doctor alert for terror

"Athens activated its security umbrella on Tuesday for next month's Olympic Games, deploying dozens of armed Patriot defense missiles and switching on hundreds of surveillance cameras.

"This is the start of the operations. The system will gradually be operated in full," a police source told Reuters. "The helicopters and the Zeppelin will be flying almost around the clock from now until the end of the Games."" Read more at Athens Sets Up Secure Web, Missile System

The Greeks are getting very prepared for any attacks at this years olympics with US missiles.

Greece has placed six anti-aircraft Patriot missile ranges in a military airport here to enforce a shoot-down policy against rogue planes entering the Greek capital's airspace during the August 13-29 Olympics.

Source Channel news Asia Greece deploys Patriot missiles to safeguard Athens Olympics

The Marathon route that was run at the first modern games in 1896 is ready to run early after panic it would not be done in time for the 2004 Olympics.

The reconstruction of the Olympic marathon route has been completed less than three weeks before the start of the Athens Games.
"We have won," said Greek public works minister George Souflias.

"We are winners because the marathon route is the symbol of the Olympic Games in Athens. With delivery of this project we have won the first big bet."

Source BBC Athens marathon route ready

New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants Tiago in London not Athens this Summer.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes he can convince the Portuguese Football Federation (PFP) not to take £8m midfielder Tiago to the Olympics.
"I don't think the Olympic Games and the sub-23 national team is good for his career," said Mourinho.

Souce BBC Mourinho to make Tiago plea

An Iraqi judoka who will represent his country in the Athens Olympics next month began two weeks of training in Tokyo on Monday.

"This is an opportunity I have dreamed of," Hadir Lazame, 29, told a news conference through an interpreter. "I hope to be in my best condition for the Athens Games."

Source Japan Times

Want to know who the USA is sending to play basketball this year and a bit more about them read on.

The USA's basketball team is made up of some of the biggest names in the sport - or so the theory goes.
After the last Olympics there was talk that the "Dream Team" concept was going to be consigned to the past.

However, following a poor showing at the 2002 World Championships, where the USA finished a disappointing sixth, the National Basketball Association decided to send its "top possible" team.

Full Profiles Souce BBC

Buoyant about Athens

They took on water at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and sank like a torpedoed ship, finishing fifth in a six-nation tournament that was expected to end with a trip to the medals podium.

Four years, two coaching changes, several bitter retirements, a few key comebacks and a chemistry transplant later, the Canadian women's water polo team has been lifted from the ocean floor and returns buoyant to Athens - faster, stronger, happier and more confident.

Just copy the the following code into your webpages:

<iframe name="medaltable" src="http://www.livingroom.org.au/olympics/minitable.html" width="160" marginwidth="0" height="236" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>

We'll automatically update the countries that win medals so all that you have to do is sit back and watch the table for the latest results collated by Gold, Silver and Bronze. Links will be provided for more information (fully medal tally) and each country listed.

Afgha.com - Afghanistan's Olympics team to train on Lesbos:
"The Olympic team from Afghanistan will spend two months on the Greek resort island of Lesbos to prepare for their return to the games this year after an eight-year absence.

The 22-member delegation has accepted an offer by a Greek aid group to train in May and June on the eastern Aegean Sea island near the Turkish coast. "We have some of the best training facilities in Greece on the island and we will provide them with the best of Greek hospitality," a government official said."

Do you love Sport? Do you barely leave the couch during those two and a half weeks every four years that the Olympics is on? Do you love to find and report the latest News? Do you enjoy getting a truly global perspective on the latest news? Would you like your writing to be read by thousands of people around the world every day? Ever dreamed of being a sports journalist?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions becoming an Athens Olympics Blog contributor could be right where you're at!

We're looking for a small group of people to write daily (or more if you're keen) stories for this site on the Athens Olympics. Particularly we're looking for people from around the world to add the latest Olympics news from their own country's perspective.

If you've already got a blog or website we can offer you a link back to your site for every post you make. It might not sound like much but we have thousands of people reading this site every day and you might just find a few of them becoming loyal readers of your work.

If you'd like to become a contributor simply Contact Darren with your name, country and any interest you might have in particular sporting events and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with login details to this page so you can start writing.

If you're not interested in an ongoing contribution but have a one off story, tip or piece of Olympic Gossip you can also Contact Darren with your one off contribution.

"To help in his athletes' training, Arkansas track and field coach John McDonnell makes long-distance telephone calls. Very long distance.

McDonnell, who has coached 23 athletes-turned-Olympians since he arrived at Arkansas in 1972, has four more Razorbacks competing in this year's summer games."

ESPN: McDonnell uses telephone to help athletes train

Scientific American has a fascinating look at the new frontier of Cheating in Sport - Gene Doping.

"Gene therapy for restoring muscle lost to age or disease is poised to enter the clinic, but elite athletes are eyeing it to enhance performance Can it be long before gene doping changes the nature of sport?

Sports authorities fear that a new form of doping will be undetectable and thus much less preventable. Treatments that regenerate muscle, increase its strength, and protect it from degradation will soon be entering human clinical trials for muscle-wasting disorders. Among these are therapies that give patients a synthetic gene, which can last for years, producing high amounts of naturally occurring muscle-building chemicals."

Read more at Scientific American: Gene Doping

"Dutch sports' fans will have the chance to be immediately informed about any medal won by Dutch athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games. ANP, DataWireSport and Mobillion have introduced an "sms-medal-alert" which will deliver a message with the news directly to subscribed mobile users." Source - Adverblog: Olympics' medal alert

Sports Network has a good profile of Michael Phelps and Gary Hall Jr.
"Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz are separated in age by 35 years, but soon they may share a place in swimming history.

Nobody's saying it will be easy, but Phelps is almost expected to challenge the record Spitz set during the 1972 Munich Games after missing expectations four years earlier in Mexico City."

Games Bid has a really interesting discussion going on in its forums on theOpening Ceremony of the Athens Olympics. Some of those writing in the session are purely speculating, others claim to have the inside word on opening ceremony plans. Here is a snippet of the first post in the thread:

"1. I don´t believe anymore that the cauldron will pick up the flame from the inside of the stadium. Take a close look: the score board right in front of the cauldron would obstruct its passage. Then again: there´s obviously an articulated joint which will allow the cauldron to move, maybe 45 degrees.

6. Obviously they build up several LAYERS. "

What do you think the opening ceremony will be like? How will they light the cauldron? Who will light the cauldron? Leave your comments, rumors, speculations below in comments.

"Pyrros Dimas and Kakhi Kakiasvilis may be virtually unknown to all but the most devout of Olympic watchers, but in their adopted homeland of Greece they are as-real-as-it-gets reality TV.

Just how big are the two in Greek culture - even if, for the moment, they're not as big as Greece's surprise European soccer champions? Greeks simply refer to Dimas with the one-word identifier Pyrros. When he and Kakiasvilis lift during an Olympics, it's not just sports fans who watch but virtually the entire country." Read more at Heavyweights face burden of expectations - The Times of India.

"The New Zealand women's hockey team were hammered 7-0 by the Netherlands in an Olympics warm-up match this morning with coach Ian Rutledge describing his team's performance as "very embarrassing".

Following on the Black Sticks' 2-5 loss to Germany in Mannheim on Saturday, Rutledge told NZPA this morning it was very disappointing that the team had failed to lift from that match.

"It was very embarrassing, very disappointing," Rutledge said.

The Dutch, ranked No 3 in the world, scored the opening goal in the first minute and proceeded to mercilessly expose New Zealand's lack of intensity to take a 4-0 lead at halftime, adding two more in the second half."

Read more at Hockey: Black Sticks hammered 7-0

"The Olympic athletics team manager Eustace Njeru yesterday said he is impressed by the discipline and commitment displayed by the runners at the camp.

He said every runner seems to know which race is good for him or her and they seem quite aware of the fact that too many races are counter-productive." Source - allAfrica.com: Kenya: Olympic Games: Manager Happy With Runners at the Camp

"Drawing inspiration from a second-place finish in the world junior archery championships, the Indian contingent for the Athens Olympics is hoping to win a medal in the team event. The non-playing captain of the Indian team, Pareshnath Mukherjee, said that they have a 50-50 chance of winning a medal in the mega show.

Mukherjee maintained that it is a great achievement that India have booked berths in both the men’s and women’s sections by virtue of superb show in the world championships in the United States in July, 2003." Source - India pin hopes on team events - Olympic archery l There’s no reason why I won’t produce my best in Athens: Dola

"Although the Summer Olympics are still a few weeks away, one event has already started and threatens to dominate all the others - the rush to judgment.

Athens has been slammed in the news media in a way that other Olympics hosts never were, even though many failed to complete projects (Barcelona) and had security problems (Atlanta). Athens has been judged and found wanting before the Games have started." Source - IHT: Athens is not being given a fair shake.

"The trial of five members of Greece's oldest urban guerrilla group, which Greek authorities had hoped would be over by next month's Olympics Games, could continue during the games, a court official said on Monday....

Greek authorities had hoped the trial would be over before the August 13-29 games to avoid the possibility of even a symbolic attack by supporters who might protest the verdict." Source - Greece guerrilla trial may extend until Athens Games.

It something of a warning to Athens, Independent.co.uk reports today that after four years, Sydney is still paying for hosting the games in 2000.

"In the euphoric aftermath of the Sydney Olympics, the New South Wales state government boasted that the books were balanced and the venues would not be a financial burden to future generations.

The extent of the losses being made by facilities at Homebush, the main Olympic site, and elsewhere in Sydney were revealed by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. It named the former Olympic stadium and the SuperDome as being in dire financial straits, with neither having paid state tax levies since 2001." Source - Four years on, and Sydney is still paying for its Olympics