Speedo denied coverage for $1 Million bonus to Michael Phelps

August 25, 2008 issue of Business Insurance reports on page 23 in an article titled Speedo covers Phelps, but not with insurance for the 2008 Games.

Unlike the 2004 Olympics, when Speedo paid a premium of about $300,000 to cover its $1 million bonus. There were no takers for the 2008 Games.

The article reported it was "the happiest check that Speedo will ever write." It was clearly a wonderful 2008 Olympics fueled by the accomplishments of Michael Phelps in winning eight gold medals.

peace

The Olympic Games are in the books for Beijing 2008: USA #1

China wanted to finish higher than the USA, and certainly did winning more gold medals than any other country, but the USA finished on top with total wins:

Olympic medal count:
Total - Gold Silver Bronze
1. United States 110 - 36 38 36

2. China 100 - 51 21 28
3. Russian Fed 72 - 23 21 28
results.beijing2008.cn

I always look back to 1972 and the accomplishments of Mark Spitz. It was certainly memorable to watch Michael Phelps blast the field and surpass Spitz's accomplishments in Beijing. By the way, it's nice to hear that the women and men are both on top in basketball and the USA wins gold in men's volleyball for the first time in 20 years.

peace

Sportsmanship vs. Olympic Judging

Greco-Roman Olympic wrestling in the middleweight class ends with protest, after Sweden’s Ara Abrahamian threw his bronze medal on the ground during the medal ceremonies.

"Disgusted with losing on points in the semi-finals against the later gold
medalist Andrea Minguzzi, Abrahamian tossed his bronze medal onto the wrestling
mat after receiving it and left."

I have really enjoyed watching Michael Phelps race in the swimming competition, but certain sports seem to allow the politics of competition spoil the Olympic experience.

The 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China certainly is showing the good, the bad and the ugly in the world of Olympic sports this August.

By the way, how popular will Olympic female wrestling be? I hear reported four American women hope to garner a medal in Beiijing.

peace

Chinese fake portions of Opening Cermonies

The sixteen year old gymnasts may look too young, but there are some fakes unfolding on the China front during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
It appears that portions of the Opening Ceremonies were faked.

Smog contributed to one of the fake productions.

The other was the beauty of the young person performing. You can't have an ugly duckling singing to the rest of the world, representing the face of China's youth. So, the Chinese officials pulled the seven year old out and put in an older replacement. The older nine year old lipped sync to the seven year's voice.

peace

So, do you have a favorite Olympic sport to watch?

Much to the disagreement or surprise to my family, swimming is my favorite Olympic sport to watch.

It certainly has been an outstanding sport to follow so far during the 29th Olympic Games being held in Beijing, China this August 2008.

Most of my family selected women's gymnastics, which based on the ages of the youngsters from China and the USA, should be classed as girl's gymnastics. With many sixteen year old gymnasts going on twelve leading the team from China, the term "women" doesn't seem appropriate for the sport, as compared to, women's sand volleyball or many other Olympic sports, for that matter.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of swimming is the fact that both Olympic and world records are on the line each heat or event. We are certainly seeing many records fall, as I type tonight.

peace