August 19th, 2008 — Olympics
The track cycling is nearly over, but Victoria Pendleton managed to claim another Gold for the British Team, beating Australia’s Anna Meares in the final. China’s Guo Shuang beat Willy Kanis for bronze.
Bradley Wiggins missed out on a third gold in the madison. But, Chris Hoy has reached the final against fellow British rider Kenny.
August 19th, 2008 — Olympics
GB pursuit team won Gold in 4km Pursuit in a time of 3 minutes 53 seconds, beating Denmark by over 6 seconds. It beat their old world record by 2 seconds. A very impressive ride.
August 18th, 2008 — Olympics
Bos and Hoy in Track Sprint
This morning was the start of the 500 metre track sprint for men and women. After the qualifying time trial, riders go through to the quarters, semi and then final. The sprint takes place over 3 days.
Victoria Pendleton, is a strong favourite for the women’s title. I hope she stands up well to the pressure of the Olympics. The women have only 1 sprint event, unlike the men who have 3. Victoria looked very impressive qualifying from her quarter final. She set a new Olympic record in qualifying time trial
Chris Hoy currently looks unbeatable on the track (he also set Olympic record in qualifying time trial) and will be going for a third gold medal. That would make 4 Golds in 4 separate events, (he won 1km time trial in 2004)
Jason Kenney is another young British athlete with tremendous potential. He could make a medal
In the knockout stages, it’s simply a case of beating your own opponent. There is a lot of cat and mouse. Sometimes the riders may come to a complete stop to try and force the rival to the front. A rule has been added to limit this to 30seconds. (In one race, there was a 1 hour standoff with riders stopping on the bend of the track) - not ideal for tv schedules. Riders don’t sprint from the start because their opponent would be able to ride in the wheels for a while before sprinting around.
An example of the speed in last 200 metres
Photo by John the Scone flickr
Rebecca Romero won Gold in 4km pursuit. Wendy Houvenghal took silver.
British 4km Time trial team set a new world record of three minutes 44.205 seconds. British Pursuit Team:
August 17th, 2008 — Olympics
A reader left a comment asking me what I thought about Chris Boardman’s choice of greatest Olympians of all time at the Independent
Boardman’s Choice was
Choosing the best Olympian or best Cyclist of all time, is the surest way to have an on going debate. There are so many different criteria to choose not least:
If the question was “Who is most successful Olympian?”, I would give less weight to personal aspects counting number of medals would suffice. But, since it is ‘Greatest Olympian’ I think it means you can go less on statistics and more on personal favourites.
These are my 10 greatest Olympians of all time, and I’m sure most people will disagree with them.
1. Carl Lewis
9 Gold medals over 4 Olympics, in a diversity of events rarely matched.
Mixing both track and field the most prestigous events, Lewis also embodied, grace, speed and technique.
Continue reading →
August 14th, 2008 — Olympics
A review of the opening days of the Olympics:
Athletes village perimeter
August 14th, 2008 — Olympics
As much as I have loved watching the Olympics, I’ve come to dread the post race interviews.
I guess when you’ve just finished a race, the last thing you want to do is to have to give a coherent, well thought out interview. At the end of a race, all the emotions come to the fore, especially when the stakes are as high as the Olympics. For most athletes, it is either agony or ecstasy. The fulfilment of 4-8 years work, or the bitter disappointment of narrowly missing out. In an ideal world, maybe athletes would be full of yogic detachment concentrating on the the old clichés like. “Well it’s not the winning which is important, it’s the taking part. ”
Anyway, you don’t expect much from athletes after a race, which is why the interviewer usually asks a question and then answers it themselves.
“You’ve won the Olympic gold. How do you feel? You must be very happy and proud.”
“Yes!”
“So what was going through your mind, as you crossed the finishing line? You must have been thinking - I’ve just won the Olympic Gold”
“Yes!..”
But, because the question has already been answered anyway, the athlete is obliged to think of something else to say. Usually some old cliché like thanking his mother, trainer, friends, cat, postman and all the support back home. - ‘Never thought dream would come true’. “I’ll never forget this moment” “Proudest moment of life…”
I’ve heard some pretty torturous post race intereviews in my time, but, yesterday was a new low.
A British swimmer had just finished 7th (or second to last) in the qualifying heats (she had won a silver medal at last world championships)
This is not an exact transcript, but, it conveys the general tone of the interview, I will keep the names anonymous:
August 13th, 2008 — Olympics
A recent reader to this blog, shared a great comment:
‘Riding a time trial is a bit like banging your head against a brick wall - you’re really happy when it ends’
The Olympics is a far cry from the domestic time trial scene I compete in. But, it’s still a thrill to see your sport in the Olympics. I know timetrialling is not exactly the most exciting spectator sport, but, it’s still a great test - ‘the race of truth’
The women’s Olympic Time trial was won by Kristin Armstrong of US.
Emma Pooley of Great Britain came second. It is a very well deserved medal after working hard for Nicole Cooke in the road race.
Evergreen, 50 year old, Jeannie Longo just missed out on a medal by 2 seconds. (she has competed in every Olympics since 1984 - an achievement in itself)
The Men’s Olympic time trial is today, with Stefan Schumacher starting as one of the favourite’s
Photo by JimmyHarris
