FanNation - The Republic of Sport

So I had every intention of keeping daily posts as the Olympics go on in Eugene. The problem with life is that oftentimes our greatest intentions can be derailed by any one of a myriad of factors. Sometimes our bodies do precisely what we don't want them to do, and in those moments there is not a single thing we can do to get back on track. Illness does not know what time of year it is or whether a quadrennial spectacle is underway. Illness cares not about one's spectating proclivities or loyalty, be it to a sport or an athlete or a team...

That's why I've failed to report on such highs as Michael Phelps' continued assault on swimming (and Olympic) records. Now at five gold medals in the 2008 Olympics and eleven on his career, Phelps -- at only 23 years of age -- is already the most decorated Olympian in over a century of history. He could easily break Mark Spitz's record of seven in a single Olympiad... but that's not even the most mindboggling thing about this young man's achievements. While NBC and media outlets worldwide continue to pounce upon this mythic record, it is the fact that Phelps shows no sign of slowing which could land him a legend greater than any Olympian which has come before.

By the time his Olympic career is done, Phelps could easily have twenty or more gold medals... he could have that mark by the London Olympics, when he will be only twenty-seven and could conceivably compete in at least two more Games. He is obliterating every known precedent set by past champions, and he is humble to boot. If he can maintain that youthful passion which is happy simply to be competing in the Olympics and continue to improve his physical capabilities, we might just be seeing a once in a lifetime athlete. Despite a slew of challengers, specialists in their events all, Phelps continues to be a sleek speedy cigarette boat against so many sloops and dinghies...

But not all rests well in Olympic land. When Tang Yongming, a Chinese citizen, brandished his blade at the Drum Tower in Beijing, the Olympics went somber. Todd and Barbara Bachman, in-laws of U.S. volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon, sustained severe stabbing wounds from Yongming before the assailant lept to his death from the tower. Todd died; Barbara remains in critical condition. Yet it would appear to many that the greater tragedy was the fact that seven-year-old Yang Peiyi was considered too unattractive physically and too attractive vocally to be simply turned away from performing at the opening ceremonies. While Peiyi sang behind the scenes, nine-year-old Lin Miaoke -- a veteran television-ad actor in China -- pulled a Milli Vanilli and lip-synched over Peiyi's voice. Everyone decries the fact that Peiyi was cast backstage, but don't forget... Miaoke was essentially told that she can't sing worth a damn as much as Peiyi was told she was an eyesore. Each girl got her exposure... all the Bachmans got were knife wounds...

What else rests new in Olympic land? Roger Federer continues his back-to-the-pack season, falling to James Blake 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the quarterfinals of the men's singles draw. If I've said it once, I've said it since the Australian Open back last winter -- Roger is quickly watching his chances of challenging Sampras' records wane as a younger generation catches up to him. And for Blake, a first-time Olympian and the lone American male left in the singles draw, this is sweet payback for all the late-round losses to Federer throughout his career. However, while they still have a shot in the doubles, neither Venus nor Serena Williams join Blake as American singles semifinalists. While Serena fell to Elena Dementieva, herself a tough challenger in the draw, Venus fell to home-nation hopeful Li Na. Na, much less regarded than the seven-time Grand Slam champion, nonetheless fought through the fact that she was unseeded to deal a straight-sets (7-5, 7-5) loss to Williams on center court in front of a home crowd...

Which completely takes me to another point. As I write this, China is up on the United States in the medal count, 35-34. But this belies the fact that, of the medals won by each country, nearly two-thirds of the Chinese haul has been in gold while less than one-third of the American take has been gilded. If we were to award points based on the medal (three for gold, two for silver, one for bronze), this is how the top of the standings would really shake out:

1. CHN - (22x3) + (8x2) + (5x1) = 87 points
2. USA - (10x3) + (9x2) +(15x1)=63 points

I need go no further... for there is a large drop after that. There is certainly a lot of competition left to be waged, but it indeed amazes how the Chinese have improved from past Olympiads. The United States could be in serious trouble of losing its exalted status as top Olympic nation held since the fall of the Soviet Union. Not since 1992, when the unified team of the former Soviet republics took the top honors in Barcelona, has another country besides the United States finished atop the medal count. A changing of the guard is taking place before our very eyes. Even as Americans such as Phelps dominate their respective sports, so too does a new generation of Chinese athletes rise to dominate their sports as well. History is unfolding around every corner...

Sure, their gymnasts might not be old enough... but China is doing its own gymnastics on the medal count in ways which reverberate far beyond the mats and rings and beams. With their synchronized divers impressing as much as their weightlifters and fencers and female judo masters, the Chinese would stand to do well regardless of their gymnasts. However, would it surprise one if these girls were to turn out to be mere prepubescents? If the Chinese are willing to pull a rope-a-dope and put a pretty face out in the opening ceremonies while letting the pretty voice sing in the wings, why would they not try to give themselves the best possible shot at gymnastic gold by getting the lightest and lithest girls possible regardless of age? IOC rules are in place to protect athletes from undue expectations, but this is the changing of the guard... and national pride is bigger than any one person -- or rule.

Stay tuned... I'm back, I'm healthy again, and I'm ready to get down to some heavy Olympic thoughts... so keep on watching and enjoying the pageantry and physical acumen that are the mainstay of the Olympics...