NOW LET THE REAL GAMES BEGINFOR MANY OLYMPIANS, THE STRUGGLE BEGINSWHEN THE FLAME GOES OUT
BARCELONA, Spain — Once every four years, they build a Disneyland out of swimming pools and stadiums. They hand out E tickets and give athletes the ride of their lives.But once every four years the clock also strikes midnight, and they have to close Disneyland....
WRESTLEMANIATHUD! THUD! THAT WAS THE OLYMPIC SOLE
BARCELONA, Spain — I knew these Olympics were open to the pros. I didn’t know that meant pro wrestling.But after what I just saw, anything is possible. After what I just saw, I half-expect Hulk Hogan to battle the Iron Sheik for the gold medal.What I just...
DEVERS FALLS, AND THEN THE OTHER GLASS SLIPPER DROPS
BARCELONA, Spain — So here came Gail Devers, flying over the final hurdle of her Olympic race, cheeks puffing, nothing but open track and a finish line ahead of her. This should have been the end of a Cinderella story. She clears that hurdle and runs straight...
Carl Lewis: He’S Earned Our Awe, But Not Our Love
BARCELONA, Spain — I got Carl Lewis out of bed once. He was a college kid, spending the summer at his parents’ house in Willingboro, N.J. I arrived for an interview — you could do that with Carl back then — but he had overslept. I rang the bell. I rang again. Finally, he came wobbling down the steps, wearing his underwear, rubbing his eyes.
CARL LEWIS; HE’S EARNED OUR AWE, BUT NOT OUR LOVE
BARCELONA, Spain — I got Carl Lewis out of bed once. He was a college kid, spending the summer at his parents’ house in New Jersey. I arrived for an interview — you could do that with Carl back then — and he had overslept. I rang the bell. I...
Looking For Good Men
BARCELONA, Spain — I am looking for a few good men. I am looking for men with guts. Men with honor. Mostly I am looking for men who can hold their breath for long periods of time.
I am starting my own synchronized swim team.
I am starting my own synchronized swim team.
Sorry. Just getting in the mood.
Synchronized swimmers do everything together. Everything together. They are like the Doublemint Twins. Doublemint Twins. I am starting a team. I think we can win. At the very least, we will meet a lot of women — because this is an all- female sport.
LEAN ON ME, A FATHER TELLS HIS INJURED SON
BARCELONA, Spain — The son went down as if he had been shot, grabbing his leg, falling to the track. The father, watching from the stands, felt something sink in his stomach. He lowered his head. The memories flashed back: the park, near the old house, the boy,...
Bo Finally Squished By Monaghan
So this is how far it has sunk. Tom Monaghan, who used to worship the turf Bo Schembechler walked on, now fires him in the middle of a Monday afternoon. Sends out a press release. Cites irreconcilable differences. Like some kind of marriage that went south.
Which, I guess, in a way, it was. Monaghan is the same guy who once came to Bo’s house on a snowy winter night and begged him not to leave the University of Michigan for Texas A&M. He was near tears. He offered Bo a pizza franchise to stay.
MONAGHAN SWINGS, AND 2 ARE OUTBO IS SQUISHED, JUST LIKE THE OTHERS
So this is how far it has sunk. Tom Monaghan, who used to worship the turf Bo Schembechler walked on, now fires him in the middle of a Monday afternoon. Sends out a press release. Cites irreconcilable differences. Like some kind of marriage that went south.Which, I...Stay Connected
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