Category: Other

R.I.P To Olympic Pioneer Dick Fosbury

3/13/2023

Mexico City 1968's Gold Medalist High Jump 'Flop' Passes Away

Did you know that the 'Fosbury Flop' nickname came from Dick Fosbury himself? Mexico City 1968's champion in the men's high jump coined the phrase in a later interview after originally referring it to the less fun "back-layout".

Dick Fosbury (AFP/Getty Images)

Fosbury's landmark technique - clearing the bar head and back-first rather than with a side straddle or scissor jump - was revolutionary for the event...and legal. And it worked. Fosbury set an Olympic record to win gold at the '68 Summer Games, and the majority of jumpers at the next Games emulated his style. And the community didn't look back.

Fosbury passed away this weekend at age 1976. And the sports world offered its remembrances. R.I.P.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Olympic Games (@olympics)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by World Athletics (@worldathletics)

0 Comments

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Mascot Is Here

11/14/2022

Thoughts on the Latest Summer Olympics Mascot, The Olympic Phryge?

Well, the official Paris 2024 mascot has been unveiled. And, it sure is a different take, as it is a 'living' embodiment of a traditional 'liberty' symbol from throughout French history...the Phrygian cap.

It certainly is French! And, the Phyrges are a "nod to the revolutionary spirit" Paris 2024 wants to install in the Games, according to the organizing committee's Tony Estanguet.

Of course, there is a colorful characterization story as well. From Paris 2024 regarding the Olympic Phryge: "Always thoughtful and an astute strategist, she embarks on adventures only after carefully weighing up all of the pros and cons. Just like the Olympic athletes, she knows the importance of measuring all the various parameters to achieve her goals."

Earlier thoughts that Paris 2024 might go in such a unique direction proved well-founded. The Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phyrge join London 2012's Wenlock and Mandeville and Atlanta 1996's Izzy as departures from typical animal-based mascots.

What do you think?

The Olympic Phyrge (l) and Paralympic Phyrge (r) are the Paris 2024 mascots (Paris 2024)

Previous Summer Olympic Games Mascots

All the previous 13 Summer Olympics since Munich 1972 have had at least one official mascot, helping to market the Games through personality and fun, while bringing in additional revenue opportunities through licensed paraphernalia.

Thank You, Roger Federer, Tennis Olympian

9/15/2022

Roger Federer Won Olympic Gold, Too...

On the heels of tennis great Roger Federer's not-so-surprising impending retirement announcement, let's not forget his respectful Olympic career as well, amongst his many highlight career stats.

Federer is a four-time Olympian, having competed first at Sydney 2000 and then at the following three Games: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012. Except for those 2000 Olympics, where he only played singles, Federer also took part in doubles.

It was in doubles where he secured his only Olympic gold, as he and partner Stan Wawrinka defeated Swedes Simon Aspelin and Tomas Johansson in four sets in the final match. Ecstatic with the win, Federer shared, "It is like a fantastic dream come true, I feel really happy to win the gold medal....I really feel different, as it is for my country. It is different from the Grand Slam, where I did it for just myself".

Roger Federer (r) won doubles tennis gold with Stan Wawrinka at Beijing 2008. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Federer's weighty presence at the Games was evident through his selection as Team Switzerland's flagbearer at both Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, but he demurred from doing so at London 2012 in deference to giving "someone else a chance".

Federer would finally win a singles medal in his fourth try, at London 2012, a silver medal. His straight sets-loss to Andy Murray in the final came after an 'epic' four-hour match in the semifinals against Juan del Potro, which he admitted drained him. In Sydney, he had come close to the podium, finishing a disappointing fourth in a bronze medal match defeat to Arnaud di Pasquale (who?).

A knee injury knocked Federer from Rio 2016, as well as from Tokyo 2020. Who knows how he might have burnished his Olympic legacy at either of those two Games?

Congrats on a great career and for the Olympic memories, Roger...you'll be missed.

Roger Federer was Team Switzerland's flagbearer at Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008 (shown) (Getty Images)

Roger Federer (l) won Olympic singles medal at London 2012 (SI)

p.s. It sure is the end of a tennis era, as Federer quickly follows another popular legend into retirement...

Ten Top Summer Sports Not In The Olympics

8/17/2022

Which Sports Events Should Be in the Summer Olympic Games?

There's been lots of talk recently in Olympic circles regarding the sports program for Los Angeles 2028 and beyond. Between existing Olympic sports boxing, weightlifting, and modern pentathlon facing potential expulsion, if you will, and the invitation from LA28 to other select sports for consideration, there's been plenty to ponder.

That LA28 invitation went to nine governing bodies: breaking (which is set for Paris 2024 inclusion), baseball & softball and karate (both of which were unfortunately dropped after Tokyo 2020), squash, flag football, lacrosse, cricket, kickboxing, and motorsports.

Will multiple PSA squash champions Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini ever see an Olympics? (PSAWorldTour)

The latter of that list - motorsports is a possible watershed moment on the Olympic program, as it was only in 2012 that the IOC removed from its charter reference to not including any sports where motorization was a key element.

Flag football would seem a stretch to this rather traditionalist, but there has been world championship events since 2002, and a way for 'American football' to receive a foothold into the Games. But I never thought I'd see breaking in the Games, either. We'll see what develops after these nine sports make their cases later this month. Current guidelines call for an overall athlete cap of 10,500 plus a global youth appeal, limited operation complexity, and sustainable environmental impact.

I know, not every sport can (or should) be in the Games. But in the meantime, though, below are my thoughts on the top ten sports or sport disciplines that I'd like to see make it into a Summer Olympic program. Or at least brought back as a demonstration sport!

What do you think should be in the Games? Let me know in the comments.

And check out my thoughts on recommended new Winter Olympic sports, too.

Serena Williams: An Olympic Retrospective

8/9/2022

Taking Stock of the Olympic Career of Serena Williams

We're inevitably, unfortunately, and finally at the cusp of the end of a tennis era, with the announcement from Serena Williams in Vogue of her impending retirement, or 'evolution', from the professional circuit.

Following her older sister Venus into pro tennis, Williams debuted on the WTA Tour in October 1995 and by 1999 was ranked in the top ten. She first reached the number one ranking in July of 2002, and will end her career as number three all-time in weeks at number one with 317, behind only fellow legends Steffi Graf (377) and Martina Navratilova (332). And probably the go-to highlight statistic of her career will be her 23 career Grand Slam singles titles, a mark frustratingly stuck at second all-time. (Note: she also has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles.)

Her impact as a sports figure certainly has gone beyond the wins - Williams has been an inspiration and role model for tennis diversity and inclusion, of athleticism, of fashion, of business side hustles, and much more. Her presence has consistently cast a powerful impression in the tennis circuit, both in media and on the court.

Williams will also leave behind a remarkable legacy as a Team USA Olympian.

Serena Williams won London 2012 Women's Singles gold (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters)

<<Previous

R.I.P To Olympic Pioneer Dick Fosbury

Mexico City 1968's Gold Medalist High Jump 'Flop' Passes Away

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Mascot Is Here

Thoughts on the Latest Summer Olympics Mascot, The Olympic Phryge?

Thank You, Roger Federer, Tennis Olympian

Roger Federer Won Olympic Gold, Too...

Ten Top Summer Sports Not In The Olympics

Which Sports Events Should Be in the Summer Olympic Games?

Serena Williams: An Olympic Retrospective

Taking Stock of the Olympic Career of Serena Williams

About This Blog

An Olympics fan blog celebrating all things Olympic sport athletes

Navigate It

Follow Me

Favorite Sites

Categories

Archives