The algae in the waters off the city of Qingdao, China, has mobilized thousands of volunteers (at least, officials say they’re volunteers) to help clean up where the Olympic sailing competition will be held.
The algae crisis actually points out the relative lack of issues the Chinese have had so far — at least publicly — with their venues. That stands in contrast with Athens, which was plagued by construction delays and doubts virtually right up to the Opening Ceremonies.
You’re the inspiration
In our weekly look at some of the “heartwarming” stories NBC likely will show you, here’s runner Sanya Richards, who won the 400 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials. Last year, she was diagnosed with something called Behcet’s Syndrome. An immune-system disorder, it causes painful mouth ulcers and skin lesions.
That limited her training in 2007, but a specialist has helped her find the right medication to put the disease in check.
Richards, a Texas graduate, is good enough to have competed for an Olympic spot in both the 200 and 400. But the schedule of events in Beijing had those events overlapping each other, and Richards opted for the more “sure” thing with the 400. She should go in with an excellent chance at the gold.
How the U.S. stacks up in … weightlifting
The medal count is an obsession with the host country. And relatively new women’s sports — such as weightlifting — were obvious targets for boosting the medal count. On the women’s side, weightlifting has been an Olympic sport since 2000.
The Chinese are likely to dominate there. But Cheryl Hayworth — who is just 25 but in her third Olympics — looks to win her second medal in the Summer Games. She took a bronze in 2000 in Sydney. She was sixth in 2004 in Athens. She also won a bronze in the 2005 World Championships.
The other big story for the American women is Melanie Roach, a 33-year-old mother of three. Roach is a former gymnast who appeared certain to compete for 2000 Olympic team, but she was injured and didn’t go to the Sydney Games. Despite numerous health problems — not to mention delivering three children — she returned to the sport and made the 2008 team.
Carissa Gump and Natalie Woolfolk are the other U.S. women who qualified for the Beijing Games. On the men’s side, Americans Kendrick Farris, Chad Vaughn and Casey Burgener will compete in China. It would be a surprise for the U.S. men to pick up an Olympic medal.
The United States is second (43) behind the former Soviet Union (71) in all-time medal count in weightlifting at the Olympic Games. Bulgaria, which is third with 36 medals, has pulled its weightlifting team from the 2008 Games because of doping violations. Eleven of its lifters tested positive for steroids at a competition in June.
What’s coming up?
The “real” Olympic trials for women’s gymnastics take place at the Karolyi Ranch outside of Houston. That’s where the final four athletes are picked to join Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin for the team. They were named at the formal trials in Philadelphia two weeks ago.
The selection camp will be July 16-20, and Ivana Hong of Blue Springs is one of the contenders.
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