Portal
Home
Calendar
Gallery
FAQ
Search
Register
Log inHigh-stakes Games
Page 1 of 1•
High-stakes Games
by Outspoken on Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:11 am
High-stakes Games
From the hopes of seven Maine natives to China's world image, there's a lot riding on the Beijing Olympics
By MIKE LOWE
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
It is no coincidence that the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Summer Olympics will begin at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2008.
According to Chinese numerology, the number 8 represents prosperity or good fortune. Hence, the Games will begin on 08/08/08, with the opening ceremonies beginning probably at 8:08 p.m.
The Chinese hope to put on a good show, opening their borders to the outside world for the first time on such a global scale.
Mainers should hope that good fortune extends not only to the Beijing Games, but to their native sons and daughters.
Seven Maine natives will be heading halfway around the world to represent the United States in Beijing. It is believed to be the largest contingent of Mainers to compete in a single Olympiad.
Not bad for one of the nation's least-populated states. Maine's seven athletes tie Connecticut for second-most in New England, which is sending a total of 33 athletes. Massachusetts is sending 11.
"I think this is a great feat for our state," said Joan Benoit Samuelson, who won the gold medal in the women's marathon in the 1984 Olympics. "And they're all outstanding athletes who have a chance at medaling."
Swimmer Ian Crocker of Portland will be participating in his third Olympics. He is already Maine's most decorated Olympian, with two gold medals, a silver and a bronze in his previous competitions in Melbourne and Athens.
Rower Wyatt Allen of Portland -- who won gold in 2004 with the men's eight crew -- and racewalker Kevin Eastler of Farmington are back for their second Olympic competitions.
Rowers Anna Goodale of Camden and Elle Logan of Boothbay Harbor, steeplechaser Anna Willard of Greenwood and mountain biker Adam Craig of Exeter are making their first Olympic appearances.
Regardless of what Maine's contingent does -- and they should bring home some medals -- all the world will be closely watching these Games -- and not just because NBC is providing 24/7 coverage on its various networks (more on that later).
The Chinese desperately want to pull together a memorable event. They want to show the rest of the world that, despite the outcries of human rights violations, they have a vibrant culture and economy to display. They are even handing out booklets to residents of Beijing, telling them how to act, both in the competition arenas (when to cheer and what to cheer) and in the public circle (no spitting on sidewalks, no wearing white socks with black shoes).
The selection of Beijing to host the Olympics was met with much criticism, given China's poor human rights record, its sometimes violent relationship with Tibet and its continued economic ties with the violent civil war in the African nation of Darfur.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=202778&ac=PHnws
Associated Press File Photo
From the hopes of seven Maine natives to China's world image, there's a lot riding on the Beijing Olympics
By MIKE LOWE
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
It is no coincidence that the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Summer Olympics will begin at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2008.
According to Chinese numerology, the number 8 represents prosperity or good fortune. Hence, the Games will begin on 08/08/08, with the opening ceremonies beginning probably at 8:08 p.m.
The Chinese hope to put on a good show, opening their borders to the outside world for the first time on such a global scale.
Mainers should hope that good fortune extends not only to the Beijing Games, but to their native sons and daughters.
Seven Maine natives will be heading halfway around the world to represent the United States in Beijing. It is believed to be the largest contingent of Mainers to compete in a single Olympiad.
Not bad for one of the nation's least-populated states. Maine's seven athletes tie Connecticut for second-most in New England, which is sending a total of 33 athletes. Massachusetts is sending 11.
"I think this is a great feat for our state," said Joan Benoit Samuelson, who won the gold medal in the women's marathon in the 1984 Olympics. "And they're all outstanding athletes who have a chance at medaling."
Swimmer Ian Crocker of Portland will be participating in his third Olympics. He is already Maine's most decorated Olympian, with two gold medals, a silver and a bronze in his previous competitions in Melbourne and Athens.
Rower Wyatt Allen of Portland -- who won gold in 2004 with the men's eight crew -- and racewalker Kevin Eastler of Farmington are back for their second Olympic competitions.
Rowers Anna Goodale of Camden and Elle Logan of Boothbay Harbor, steeplechaser Anna Willard of Greenwood and mountain biker Adam Craig of Exeter are making their first Olympic appearances.
Regardless of what Maine's contingent does -- and they should bring home some medals -- all the world will be closely watching these Games -- and not just because NBC is providing 24/7 coverage on its various networks (more on that later).
The Chinese desperately want to pull together a memorable event. They want to show the rest of the world that, despite the outcries of human rights violations, they have a vibrant culture and economy to display. They are even handing out booklets to residents of Beijing, telling them how to act, both in the competition arenas (when to cheer and what to cheer) and in the public circle (no spitting on sidewalks, no wearing white socks with black shoes).
The selection of Beijing to host the Olympics was met with much criticism, given China's poor human rights record, its sometimes violent relationship with Tibet and its continued economic ties with the violent civil war in the African nation of Darfur.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=202778&ac=PHnws
Associated Press File Photo
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
