Youth Olympic Games

I just finished watching the broadcasts of the Youth Olympic Games and wanted to give my impressions. First, I was a little underwhelmed. Given that I did not have the anticipation that I would for the Olympics proper, but I think the coverage in the US on Universal Sports cut the drama out. Just some quick highlights for an hour each day, with very little focus on any individual athletes or events. That being said, I did like the idea of keeping the games on a much smaller scale and not trying to become overblown. The qualifying criteria isn't clear, but the smaller fields are appropriate for the youth games.

It doesn't seem as though the YOG became a destination for the top athletes in the age group. In women's gymnastics and swimming there are plenty of teenage world class athletes, but the only familiar face I could find was British world diving champion Tom Daley. If athletes want to compete in the YOG as much as they do in the Olympics, then the qualifying procedures must become clearer.

I also liked the idea of the mixed nation teams in some of the sports. There should continue to be a focus on sportsmanship and camaraderie amongst the athletes from throughout the world and not an attempt to make it a younger version of the Olympics.

Dara Torres to shoot for London 2012

Dara Torres, the 12-time Olympic swimming medalist, announced that she plans to train toward the goal of qualifying for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swim Team at which point she will be 45 years of age. Torres has already been on five Olympic teams, beginning in 1984 where she captured a gold medal as part of the 4x100 meter freestyle relay team. Torres became a hero to the over-the-hill-gang by qualifying for the 2008 Olympics at age 41, winning three silver medals. The four gold medals she has collected have all been on relays, Torres still chases the elusive individual gold that she nearly captured in Beijing, losing the 50 meter freestyle by 1/100th of a second to Britta Steffen of Germany. Torres has been rehabilitating from shoulder surgery which she had after a lingering injury hampered her performance in 2009 where she finished 8th in the 50 freestyle at the World Championships. By missing the 2010 season, Torres will have difficulty securing a spot on the 2011 World Championship team as the 2010 Nationals and 2010 Pan Pacs will be counted toward the qualifying process. We will keep you updated on Dara's progress.