Winter Olympic Games

PyeongChang is rapidly rising as the likely candidate for the 2014 bid. Partly it’s because Pyeong Chang is well financed with no doping scandal(Salzburg) and with no risk of terrorism or bad infrastructure(Sochi). Korea ( http://korea. ixs. net ) proved it’s mettle in the winter games and is the favorite to win. PyeongChang is already prequalified, given it’s strong performance in 2010 Winter Olympics selection process, where it lost by the narrowest of margins. The trainers, staff and athletes from 31 countries were impressed by the facilities during the 2007 PyeongChang InterSki Congress. Another factor that helps Pyeong Chang’s case is that this would be the first ever Winter Olympics in continental Asia, and would promote diversity and opportunity in the Winter Olympics. In a continent housing half the world’s population, Asia has lagged behind in Winter Olympic participation. Korea’s nomination should raise the interest in winter sports in this under represented continent. The factor that stacks the cards in PyeongChang’s favor is the possibility of North and South Korea competing jointly if PyeongChang gets the nomination. This “Peace and Harmony” games would be great emotional importance to the Koreans, and may very well bring about regional peace.

Salzburg:

Salzburg was the favorite, given it’s past status as a venue for winter Olympics as well as due to the dynamic personality of Radmann who headed the bid committee. It was thought that Salzburg’s “Olympic Tradition” alone will allow it to win nomination. However, a few factors have since changed the dynamics. First of all, Salzburg just doesn’t have the financial muscle to compete with its well financed rivals. This is a very important consideration, given the facilities that are expected by the athletes as well as guests in 2014. The doping scandal surrounding Austria’s team also had a very negative effect on it’s bid. Mr. Dick Pound, who is the chairman of World Anti-Doping Agency(and just as importantly a senior member of IOC) seems to have a dim view of Austrian bid after the scandal was made public. Ironically, the very fact that Salzburg has hosted Olympics twice goes against it. The competitors are in geographical zones that have not hosted them before perhaps can argue for diversity and opportunity for others. Finally, Mr. Radmann who was very connected with the IOC has recently resigned. This is considered a set back for the Olympic bid of Salzburg.

Sochi:

Sochi, an underdog in the beginning of the race made it to the short list, thanks to the public relationing of President Putin. To Sochi’s credit, it is very well financed, given Russia’s wish to display it’s newly found oil wealth. However, there are reasons why it was an underdog to begin with, and no amount of spin will make these reasons go away. Sochi is wracked by power failures. There were 2 black outs two weeks before IOC’s review of the city. These were dismissed by their officials as “happens every year”. As if this improves matters! There is a lack of modern infrastructure in the Krasnador region. It may have been a fancy resort in Soviet times(by Soviet standards), but it just doesn’t compare to the standards expected in the 21 st century. Sochi just does not have the track record PyeongChang has, of hosting international meets year after year since 1997. The Sochi region is an ecological basket case already due to over exploitation. Making Sochi ready for Winter Olympics will entail tearing down national forest and exacerbating the situation. Sochi’s bid is being actively slammed by environmental groups?a fact not lost on the IOC. Furthermore, Sochi is uncomfortably close to Georgia, Abkhazia and Chechnya. The last thing the IOC will want is proximity to terrorist trouble. The IOC will have to assess risks of an area 7 years in the future, when today the security situation is dicey. While it’s true that things can become better, but it can be argued that the situation can very well become worse.

For more information visit http://korea. ixs. net/2014-winter-olympics. aspx

With the increasing commercialism of the Olympics, sporting scandals, and political overtones, it is often hard to remember what the Olympic Games stand for. In reality, this iconic sporting event has a rich history of symbolisms to represent its ideals.
One of the most famous symbols in the world is the Olympic emblem: five interlocking rings in the colors of blue, yellow, black, green, red with a white background. As described by the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, the rings represent the five inhabited continents of the world, united by Olympism.
The emblem of the Games is also seen on its flag. This flag holds special significance as it is raised at the beginning of the opening ceremony and lowered when the Games close. As well, the flag is used by one athlete and one judge from the host nation to take the Olympic Oath. To remain true to the Games, the Oath is taken on behalf of others. It is an act to remind all athletes and judges to honor the spirit of the Games, without drugs and doping, and to abide by impartiality when judging.
Another iconic symbol of the Olympics is the Flame. The Olympic torch is ignited months in advance in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. The torch is then relayed throughout the world in celebration for the upcoming Olympiad. Finally, the torch reaches the main stadium of the host city in order to ignite the cauldron centerpiece at the opening ceremony. This act officially starts the Olympic Games and is usually done with much fanfare and mystery as how the cauldron will ignite and who will be the last torch bearer. The flame burns bright for the remainder of the Games until it is extinguished at the closing ceremonies.
Finally, perhaps what distinguishes each Olympic Games from others is their chosen mascot. For most host countries, they pick a native animal to represent their country with a story or background describing the animal. And for some countries, they have even more than one mascot to support the theme of their particular Olympiad. A great example of weaving culture into the Games are the mascots for the Beijing Olympics.
Collectively, the Beijing mascots are known as FUWA or “friendlies”. In keeping with tradition, these mascots represent animals important in the Chinese culture such as the fish, the giant panda, the Tibetan antelope, the swallow, and last but not least, to honor the Olympics, the flame. What makes the mascots memorable is that they each have a specific color as per the Olympic rings – truly tying the culture of the Chinese into the symbolism of the Olympics.
So next time you come across an Olympic symbol, remember that there’s a meaning behind it all.

I’m writing an article and i’m just wondering what your favorite sport to watch is during the winter olympics.

I live here in Vancouver the site of the 2010 winter Olympics. I am totally excited about this fabulous sporting event. Providing the world stage for this amateur event is a huge accomplishment for the organizing committee. I just wish more people felt the same way. The local media is of course all over this event and all the preparations that are going on to make it all come together. What I can’t seem to get my head around is all the negativity that seems to be surrounding the coverage. Granted lots of money have to be spent to ramp up the facilities required to put the Olympics on. But the naysayers seem to be forgetting that not only is all this money being spent in the local economy stimulating many local businesses but we will also have all these venues left for future generations to enjoy. They won’t go away after the two-week event. These facilities will be enjoyed by many generations to come. I know that some of the previous Olympics have not been a smashing financial success. But I bet that very few of those host nations in the end regret having done all that they had to do to put on the show. The boost to the local economy and the dollars that follow no doubt made up for any front-end investment in the event. And let’s not forget the Olympics are about the athletes not the opportunity to profit from the event. Of course there are financial risks. Especially in these tough economic times. Isn’t stimulus spending the order of the day though? It seems to me that the Olympics are the perfect place to stimulate our local economy. The Olympic village being built to house the athletes is an example of this. Due to the global credit crunch the city is being forced to underwrite the cost of construction. The media seems to think this a complete outrage. What they miss reporting on is these condo units are going to be for sale on the open market once the Olympics are done. In that neighborhood condos sell for an outrageously high amount of money. The city can’t help but not only just make their money back but make a tidy profit as well. I am confident that when the opening ceremonies start the detractors will be largely silenced. Pride in our hosting the Olympics will be overwhelming. I suspect even the media will be jumping on the bandwagon and be reporting on the amazing job that Vancouver and Whistler is doing putting on the games. Olympic fever will trump even cost concerns at least until the events are over. No doubt on the day following the closing ceremonies the headlines will return to cost overruns and financial mismanagement. Even without any real possibility so soon of an accounting of all that happened. The true cost and revenue generated can’t possibly be known for at least a few years following the event. Tourist numbers and dollars will likely grow for several years after. Security is obviously a huge issue around these types of events and the cost is very high. I admit this might be turn out to be an outrageously high expense. It is a sad testament to the times we live in. But even with these added costs I am confident the games will be a success both financial and as an event that will put Vancouver on the map. Having said all this I would still like to see the Olympic games brought back down to reality. Do we really need those opening and closing ceremonies that have become larger events then the athletic events themselves? The money and efforts they consume has risen to the point of being absurd. The Olympics is supposed to be an amateur sporting event not the commercial spectacle that it has become. I am certain the athletes would welcome the focus returning to the games and away from the circus it has become.

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? Olympics Special. . . The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, from August 8 (except football, which started on August 6) to August 24, 2008. A total of 10,500 athletes competed in 302 events in 28 sports, one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games. The 2008 Beijing Olympics also marked the third time that Olympic events have been held in the territories of two different National Olympic Committees (NOC), as the equestrian events were being held in Hong Kong. The Olympic games were awarded to Beijing after an exhaustive ballot of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 13, 2001. The official logo of the games, titled “Dancing Beijing,” features a stylised calligraphic character j?ng (?, meaning capital), referring to the host city. The mascots of Beijing 2008 were the five Fuwa, each representing both a colour of the Olympic rings and a symbol of Chinese culture. The Olympic slogan, One World, One Dream, called upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit. Several new NOCs have also been recognised by the IOC. The 2008 Olympics was the third time the Olympics had taken place on the Asian continent, and the fifth time for an Olympics outside of Europe and North America. The Chinese government promoted the games and invested heavily in new facilities and transportation systems. A total of 37 venues were used to host the events including 12 newly constructed venues. At the closing ceremony IOC president Jacques Rogge declared the event a “truly exceptional Games” after earlier asserting that the IOC had “absolutely no regrets” in choosing Beijing to host the 2008 games. The choice of China as a host country was the subject of criticism by some politicians and NGOs concerned about China’s human rights record. China and others, meanwhile, warned against politicizing the Olympics. The Games saw 43 new world records and 132 new Olympic records set. A record 87 countries won a medal during the Games. Chinese athletes won 51 gold medals altogether, the second largest haul by a national team in a modern, non-boycotted Summer Games. Michael Phelps broke the records for most golds in one Olympics and for most career gold medals for an Olympian. Usain Bolt secured the traditional title “World’s Fastest Man” by setting new world records in the 100m and 200m dashes. Thanks, ==================== Cash Surveys Delaware Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Golf Clubs Tournament Results | WGC Bridgestone InvitationalThe WGC Bridgestone Invitational was held at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Vijay Singh won with a score of 10-under 280. Singh used the following golf clubs: Cleveland HiBore XL driver, Launcher Steel fairway wood and an Adams a3 Boxer 19-degree hybrid wood in addition to Cleveland CG1 irons (4-PW) and CG12 golf wedges. Finally, Singh was using a Never Compromise GM2 Exchange #7 belly putter to win the invitational. Golf Tournament Results | Legends Reno-Tahoe OpenThe Legends Reno-Tahoe Open was held at the Montreux Golf and Country Club in Reno, Nevada. Parker McLachlin shot an excellent game to win on 18-under 270, using the following golf clubs: Titleist 909D2 driver, 909F2 fairway wood and Titleist 585. H utility metal clubs in addition to Titleist AP2 irons (4-PW) and Vokey Design wedges. McLachlin finished each round using an Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball putter. Golf Clubs Tournament Results | U. S. Senior OpenThe U. S. Senior Open was staged at Broadmoor, East Course in Colorado Springs, U. S. Eduardo Romero secured the title on 6-under 274 using the following golf clubs to secure his U. S. Seniors Title: 1) Callaway FT-5 driver 2) Sonartec TD 17-degree hybrid and Callaway X 18-degree hybrid (2H). Callaway X-20 irons (3-PW) and Cleveland CG14 wedges in addition to a Odyssey White Hot XG#1 putter completed his line-up of golf equipment. Golf Tournament Results | Cox ClassicRyan Hietala secured another win at this year’s Cox Classic – staged at Champions Run, Omaha, Neb. – scoring 19-under 265 using the following golf clubs: Cleveland HiBore XL driver with HiBore XLS fairway wood and Cleveland LDI 2 hybrid. Hietala was also using Cleveland G Red irons (3-PW) and Cleveland G14 wedges with a Rife 2 Bar Hybrid Blade putter completing his set of golf clubs used at the Cox Classics.
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My topic for my term paper is the Special Olympics;
Any Special Olympians that are well known?
Any thing to write about relating to the Special Olympics?

It?s a very special time?it?s time for the Summer Olympics! This year the Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, China from Aug 8th to Aug 24th 2008.
The very best athletes from around the world will meet to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in a wide variety of sports ranging from track and field to gymnastics to swimming and diving. The Olympics are also time for people from many different cultures and backgrounds to make friends and learn acceptance. Bring the Olympics into your home by planning some Olympic crafts and activities to inspire your children to be active and experience the Olympic spirit.
The Olympic Flag
Explain to your child that the Olympic Flag is a very special flag. It has five interlocking colored rings on a white background. The rings represent the five major land areas, or continents, of the world. Show children these land areas on a map or globe. Explain that the rings are interlocked to show friendship among the different nations. Then, have your child paint or color interlocking rings on a sheet of white printing paper to resemble the Olympic Flag. Attach to a drinking straw for the handle.
The Olympic Torch
During opening ceremonies of the Olympics, a specially chosen person lights the Olympic cauldron to signal the official start of the games. ? The flame is kept burning during the entire length of the games. ?Have your child make his/her own Olympic torch and let the games begin! To make a simple torch, have your child cover the outside of a paper roll with aluminum foil. Then, have him/her glue red, yellow, and orange tissue paper inside the paper roll. Let your run around the cauldron pretending to light the big torch with his/her torch. )
Olympic Mascots
The Olympic Games Mascot for 2008 is the Fuwa. The Fuwa consist of five doll-like creations named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. Each of the Fuwa represents a different animal (fish, giant panda, fire, Tibetan antelope, and swallow) and Chinese element of philosophy (water, metal, fire, wood, and earth), and each has as its primary color one of the colors of the five Olympic Rings (red, blue, green, yellow, and black). Encourage your child to create a mascot similar to the Fuwa that represents your city or state. Visit our site for free Olympic coloring pagesfor each mascot.
Olympic Medals
Create some easy to make medals for your children. Draw a circle on a piece of cardboard and have children color it with yellow crayons. Spread a thin layer of glue over painted circles and while glue is still wet, lightly sprinkle on glitter. Shake off excess glitter and let dry. To add the neck ribbon, cut a length of ribbon approximately 32 inches.
Olympic Sports Day
Children of all ages will enjoy these fun?Olympic activities. For the opening celebration, play some marching music and have children follow a torch-bearer with their own creation of flags to start your games.
Water Sports
Have your children jump over a sprinkler, move water balloons from one clothes basket to another, throw water balloons or resealable plastic baggies filled with water from one bucket to another,, and toss sponges from a bucket filled with, water trying to hit a target.
Gymnastics Event
Put on music and spread out a large sheet to use as a gymnastic floor. Let children make their own gymnastic floor exercise. Let children dance with crepe paper streamers to music or hop in and out of hula hoops.
At the end of the event make a podium out of cardboard boxes, etc. and hand out the medals to all participants of the Olympic Games.
Olympian Snacks
The Olympics is a multicultural event?a perfect time to introduce foods from other countries to your child, such as tortillas, pizza, egg rolls, pita bread and hummus, etc.

They are played between the national teams of the continents which consist of Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, and serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIBA World Championship for Women’s and the Olympic Games. This is why these basketball championships are called Pre-Olympics and both men and women championships are held under FIBA Americas. The South American Championship for women is scheduled to take place on 1 March 2009 this year. 2009 FIBA Americas Tournament for Women will be hosted by Brazil, in the city of Cuiaba, in the state Mato Grosso. This championship basketball tournament results will act as the qualifying round for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games to be held in 2010 at Vancouver, Canada. The 2007 FIBA Americas Championship for women was the qualifying tournament for the FIBA Americas at the women’s basketball tournament and served as the pre-Olympic round for the 2008 Summer Olympics which were held at Beijing, China. The championship was the 9th FIBA American Women’s Basketball Championship, which makes this year to be the 10th edition of this biennial event. 8 teams participated in the 2007 Americas Championship event, which was held in Valdivia, Chile from September 26 to September 30, with USA being the winners of the championship. The tournament started with 2 groups, Group A and Group B with 4 teams each. These consisted of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico in Group A and USA, Cuba, Canada and Jamaica in Group B. The final was held on 30 September between USA and Cuba, at the Antonio Azurmendi Coliseum, Valdivia, with USA beating Cuba by 101-71, winning the 2007 basketball championship for FIBA Americas Championship for Women. The final standings for the event in order were USA at Rank 1, followed by Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico and Jamaica at Rank 8. The runners up and winners of the bronze gold medal get a chance through the FIBA Wildcard Tournament to compete in the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Some of the earlier teams to win the title for FIBA Americas Championship for Women include Cuba in 1989, USA in 1993, Canada in 1995, Brazil in 1997, Cuba again in 1999, Brazil in 2001, Brazil again in 2003, Cuba again for a 3rd time in 2005, and USA for a 2nd time in 2007. 2009 will bring another exciting round of this exciting event where some of the top teams will be seen competing for this title to participate in the upcoming Olympics next year. 2008 Olympic basketball results for Women’s basketball were Unites States as gold medalists, Australia as Silver medalists, Russia as Bronze medallists and China at the fourth place. View all basketball livescores with the click of your mouse.