Olympics
Long before the first punch was thrown in London, Dawn Barry of Barry’s Boxing in Las Vegas knew the nine men representing the United States would not win a medal. “We didn’t give our kids a chance to succeed, she said, blaming a lack of leadership at USA Boxing that has not groomed athletes.
A runner named Kiprotich winning the Olympic marathon? Hardly a surprise.
That he was the one from Uganda and not Kenya? Major surprise.
LONDON – Most medals, most gold medals. The U.S. got what it wanted from these Olympics.
This was no Dream Team. This was reality.
Seventeen days ago, before Usain Bolt again proved himself the planet’s fastest human, before a man with fiber legs competed against able-bodied athletes, before Michael Phelps won more medals than anyone in Olympic history and American gymnast Gabby Douglas made her own for a person of color, before more questions about doping arose and female badminton players brought disgrace to the games, the goal was to inspire generations.
When they speak of those who display greatness, of a state of superiority and possessing qualities better than all others, they rarely include any mention of regret. People shouldn’t have to apologize for being so good.
The distance between Sudan and Egypt is just over 1,000 miles, a journey that when followed by the path of the sun takes you along the River Nile past pyramids covered with sands of another time. It is excruciatingly hot. There is little vegetation. Just mile after mile of dunes and desert rock.
Love them. Hate them. Care nothing about them. The Los Angeles Lakers are about winning championships, or at least offering a roster that will have an opportunity most seasons. They do again today.