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August 10th, 2008 — China, Judo
Judoka Xian Dongmei wins the fifth gold for China. It seems like Chinese athletes are not buckling under the tremendous hometown pressure. Good for them. I hope my favorite, Liu Xiang, will pass the test as well.
Meanwhile, it’s still all quiet on the western front. They have two gold medals so far after two days of Olympic competition. Should the Americans start worrying now? Well, it’s too early to tell.
July 29th, 2008 — Triathlon
Here’s the list of triathletes expected to compete in Beijing. Note that they’re listed here according to their start number as determined in a random draw by the International Triathlon Union.
The Olympian to watch in this event would be Austria’s Kate Allen [above] who will try to defend her Olympic title at the ripe old age of 38. Some of you, of course, know that this blog has a soft spot for older athletes [that's why we have the Dara Mama Club], so we will be cheering for Kate. Go, Kate!
July 19th, 2008 — Athletics, Jamaica, Slovenia
Merlene Ottey is 48 years old — 4 years older than Dara Torres — but she just might make it to her 8th Olympic Games if she manages to qualify before the qualification deadline on Wednesday. Merlene has been participating in the Olympics since 1980 representing Jamaica and Slovenia [in 2004]. She boasts of three gold medals from the World Championships but is less successful in the Olympics where she bagged three silvers and five bronzes.
Merlene will be joining our Dara Mama Club if she makes it to Beijing. Go Merlene.
July 15th, 2008 — Australia, Basketball
Meet the newest member of our Dara Mama Club: Australian basketball player, Rohanee Cox. Here’s some info about Rohanee from olympics.com.au:
During the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season in 2000, Rohanee Cox suffered severe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage to her left knee.
July 10th, 2008 — Athletics, Australia, Hurdles
Argh! This is bad news to the fans of Australian hurdler Jana Rawlinson and to those of us who are certified members of the Dara Mama Fans Club.
Jana, according to reports, will not be participating in the Beijing Olympics because of a toe injury. Bad, bad, bad toe. Why did it “decide” to get injured at this time. Jana is currently the world record holder in the 400 meter hurdles so she really has a good chance of bagging the gold medal in Beijing.
May 2nd, 2008 — United States, Weight Lifting
Let’s include Melanie Roach in our Dara Mama Club. But what’s the Dara Mama Club? Uhm, its a special category we are creating here at The Olympian Blog referring to moms who have qualified or are trying to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. We are naming the club after the first Olympic mom we blogged about, U.S. swimmer Dara Torres.
Above photo shows Melanie Roach with her son Drew who was diagnosed with autism. You can read Melanie’s very touching story and her upcoming attempt to qualify for the Olympics here. We hope she makes it to Beijing. Go Melanie! Go Dara Mamas!
May 1st, 2008 — Swimming, United States
Added Note: Who will win the gold medal race? China or the United States?
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Who says Olympic swimming is only for the young ones? Not Dara Torres. Yeah, the 41 year-old four-time Olympic gold medalist is hoping to earn an Olympic slot during the U.S. qualifying trials this coming July.
