Belated Olympic

Not that Olympic is already over. Don't forget we still have the olympic for the handicaps. So before the olympic hype is over, let me list a few things to cheer and boo for. I don't make it a top 10 list because I wasn't sure how many I got for each side, and they are not in a particular order either......

Things to cheer for:

1. The drums at the opening ceremony:

It is hard to train so many people to perform something that require so much teamwork. The unity was executed to perfection in the close view and the technique and timing was amazing. They earned my praise.

2. Katerina Emmons

Not many people remember her. So how about this for an introduction: Katerina Emmons, the girl who won the first gold medal in 2008 olympics?

Consider the pressure and the situation, she did a fabulous job. She also successfully avenged the loss of her husband's big mistake 4 years ago (where he shot the wrong target and got 0 point for the last shot). Unluckily for her husband, he messed up again in the last shot and ended up getting 4th place.

3. Michael Phelps, USA

Yes, many people was either dying to see this name on the list. No need for explanation, he achieved something that I didn't think was possible. I am convinced that he is the swimmer who would stand at the summit of swimming history waiting for a new challenger.

4. Nino Salukvadze, Georgia

I wasn't even sure who she was until I saw this video. She has demostrated the true definition of sportsmanship and more importantly, love. Nino, who took bronze in the shooting competition, went over to embrace Natalia Paderina, Russia, the silver medalist after the award ceremony.

Your country is being attacked by Russia (well it was Georgia's fault in a way) and yet she showed no anger and not hatred. This world can use more of that.



5. The Chinese beach volleyball girls

Kelly Walsh and Misty May-Treanor had won 100+ games in a row together. So there was no doubt they would win gold. To my biggest surprise, the silver goes to Wang Jie/Tian Jia and bronze goes to Xue Chen/Zhang Xi. With many other volleyball powerhouses like Brazil and other US teams all chasing the medals. That's what I considered an major achievement.

6. Usain Bolt

This guy left the whole world wonder how fast he could run if he runs his heart out. His response to the showboating criticism by doing the same showboating earned my cheering for him.




Here are what we would throw tomatoes at:

1. The pretender (yes, the girl who pretended to sing a song)

Fake fake fake, why do they need to do that? I ran out of words to condemn them. Such a disgrace to the whole nation and race.

2. Ara Abrahamian, Sweden

Yes, you lost your match, you are pissed, but there are still no way to go crazy and act like a child. You came back and got a bronze medal that many other athletes are dying to get. If you don't even respect the olympic, don't even bother coming.

3. The protests in China

Or I should have put it better: "The LACK OF protests in China". The Chinese government was so kind to offer 3 protests areas and to the biggest surprise they were all empty. There were 77 applications and they were all turned down. Coincidence? I think not.

4. Roger Federer, Switzerland

You just lost 2 Grand Slam finals to the same guy who also took your #1 spot, something that belonged to you for 4 and a half years. You want to focus and choose to live in a hotel instead of the athletes housing. Despite all the preparation, you still lose and even worse, to a guy who has only gotten a set off you in 8 tries. Time to shape up man.

5. Ronaldinho, Brazil

You were the king of soccer in the mid 2000s, but now you are out of shape. You lost your leading role in Barcelona and had to move to Italy. The 3-0 loss to Argentina showed the world that the decision of keeping Lionel Messi and selling you is a correct one.

6. Liu Xiang, China

So you are injured, but why come out? It's not like you injured yourself in the false start. You made the people who spent a good chunk of money in hope of watching you disappointed. If you declared yourself injured earlier, perhaps these people would have bought their tickets to watch the sand volleyball game instead. At least seeing China take second is better than seeing a fake wimp limping off the stadium.