Iris Mack's Blog - Olympics 2012

Olympics 2012: Usain Bolt Attacks Carl Lewis Over Doping Slur

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 22:44:00 --0100

Usain Bolt has attacked former Olympic champion Carl Lewis after the former American sprinter questioned the legitimacy of Jamaica's drug testing policy.

American Runner Manteo Mitchell Finished Olympic Relay After Breaking Leg

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 03:28:00 --0100

American runner Manteo Mitchell, who attended Crest High School near Shelby before competing at Western Carolina University, ran the last 200 meters of the opening lap of the Olympic 4x400-meter relay preliminaries Thursday with a broken leg.

Mitchell told The Associated Press he had about half a lap to go when he heard and felt a pop in his left leg.

He finished the lap in 46.1 seconds, a relatively slow time that angered some U.S. fans who weren't aware that he was hurt, and helped the Americans to a tie for first with the Bahamas in 2 minutes, 58.87 seconds. A few hours later, doctors told him he had a broken left fibula.

The relay final is set for Friday. The Americans have won the last eight long relays they've entered at the Olympics.

Mitchell says "I figured it's what almost any person would've done in that situation."

According to USA Today, here's the account Mitchell gave to USATF spokeswoman Jill Geer:

"Three days ago I was going up the stairs, and I kind of missed one and landed awkwardly. I got treatment, and I was fine. I did workouts, and when I warmed up today I felt really well. I felt I could go 44 (seconds)-low. I got out pretty slow, but I picked it up and when I got to the 100-meter mark it felt weird. I was thinking I just didn't feel right. As soon as I took the first step past the 200-meter mark, I felt it break. I heard it. I even put out a little war cry, but the crowd was so loud you couldn't hear it. I wanted to just lie down. It felt like somebody literally just snapped my leg in half.

"I knew if I finished strong we could still get it (the baton) around. I saw (teammate) Josh Mance motioning me in for me to hand it off to him, which lifted me. I didn't want to let those three guys down, or the team down, so I just ran on it. It hurt so bad. I'm pretty amazed that I still split 45 seconds on a broken leg."

As a prep senior at Crest in 2005, Mitchell finished fifth in the 200 meters at the 3-A state meet and was on a first-place 4x200 team.

Olympic Champion Jesse Owens

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:40:00 --0100

More on Mr. Owens may be found in my archives on www.wilmott.com:

Olympic Champion Jesse Owens: Documentary (May 1st)

Posted At : May 1, 2012 11:31 PM | Posted By : Iris Mack
Related Categories: Life Lessons Learned

If all you know about Jesse Owens is Hitler, four gold medals and, oh yeah, didn?t he run against a horse?, then the American Experience: Jesse Owens documentary (tonight on PBS stations) is supposed to fill some gaps in brisk and entertaining fashion.

Kenyan Steeplechaser Ezekiel Kemboi Celebrates His Olympic Gold Medal with a Mick Jagger Dance

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 01:38:00 --0100

Ezekiel Kemboi won the gold medal in the 3,000 meter steeplechase on Sunday. Kemboi, who?s known to break into a little dance after victories, didn?t disappoint as he broke into a routine filled with hip gyrations.

Usain Bolt Defends Olympic Gold in 100 Meters

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:38:00 --0100

Four years later, still no one can catch Usain Bolt!

Sister Act: Venus & Serena Williams Claim Olympic Gold

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 15:24:00 --0100

I suggest we should just rename the game of tennis to "the game where Venus & Serena kick butt". LOL!

Oscar Pistorius, First Amputee to Compete in Track at the Olympics

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 01:48:00 --0100

Amazing! Check out Oscar on the track!

London Olympics: "Get Tricky" Elite Jump Ropers

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:18:00 --0100

Check out these really cool jump ropers at the 2012 Olympics...

Raising an Olympian

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 05:01:00 --0100

The amazing families and coaches who helped Gabby Douglas become an Olympic Gold medalist!

American Gymnast Gabby Douglas Takes Gold in Women's All-around

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:10:00 --0100

LONDON ? U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas made history Thursday, winning the most coveted color of all, Olympic gold. Douglas, 16, became the first African-American, the first woman of color, to win the women's all-around title.

... In the past, Douglas has been undone by her nerves. Last year at the Visa Championships, Douglas imploded finishing seventh in the all-round. She said that experience helped steeled her for high-stake competitions ahead. "I think I've improved so much with the mental situation," Douglas said before London "I learned about being a competitor," Douglas said. "No one is going to feel sorry for you. No one is going to be like, 'Ooh, you fell.' This is going to be my chance to shine. You have to go out there and be fierce." Known as "The Flying Squirrel," because of her aerodynamics on the uneven bars, she wouldn't mind a new nickname: Olympic champion. Please read more here.

"Everybody Ona Move" by Michael Franti & Spearhead

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 15:20:00 --0100

Dedicated to all the Olympic athletes!

No Limitations!

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:53:00 --0100