Passing the torch

Well, the 2004 Summer Games drew to a close today. This was the first Olympics since '88 that I read about rather than saw any tv coverage. Because I don't get NBC reception, and refuse to get cable, I had to go to the Yahoo and IAAF (international track & field's governing body) websites for news. I knew that by 2:30pm Pacific Time, each day's track events would be finished. Before looking at the results and photos online, I'd guess who the gold medalist was. Good thing I'm not a betting man - I was wrong most of the time. I did guess that Shawn Crawford would win the 200m dash, and that the US 4x400relay teams would win, but that's pretty much it.

Like other track fans, I'm excited about the emergence of a new generation of track stars onto the international scene -- look out for Lauryn Williams, Justin Gatlin, Allyson Felix, Jeremy Wariner, Sanya Richards, Dee Dee Trotter, and Bryan Clay among others next year at the World Championships in Helsinki.

I wonder what it's like to be from a nation with only a few medalists - imagine being from Cameroon and celebrating the victory of Francoise Mbango Etone (Triple Jump) or being from the Dominican Republic and cheering for the adopted son Felix Sanchez (400 hurdles). Or being a Greek fan in the stands when Fani Halkia won the women's 400 hurdles after setting an Olympic record. I remember the absolute electric thrill of seeing Michael Johnson set an untouchable world record in the men's 200 at the Atlanta Games. I can only imagine the excitement for those in Athens' Olympic Stadium over the past 10 days.

Before we know it, the flame will be re-lit over Beijing in four years. In the meantime, if you know anyone who taped all of the track and field coverage, please let me know!