By JOHNNY WATTERSON
Non-political, nonsense
WE HAVE always been told the IOC is not a political but a sports organisation and yesterday that point was again emphasised as China was accused of reneging on promises to allow protests.
Of course some of its members - including Princess Nora de Liechtenstein, Sovereign Prince Albert II, HRH Princess Royal, Count Jacques Rogge, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Saba, HRH The Grand Duke De Luxembourg, HRH The Prince of Orange, HRH Prince Nawaf Faisal Fahd Abdulaziz, Sheikh Al-Thani, HRH Prince Tunku Imran and HRH Princess Hay Bint Al Hussein - clearly bear out that non-political stance.
Scholz focused on hockey for now
THE GERMAN hockey player Katharina Scholz has scored big with Playboy. But she now fears news of her being a cover girl might overshadow her Olympic campaign. Scholz and three other German Olympic sportswomen will appear on the cover of the magazine's German edition.
"I think now I have to play hockey and later talk about things like that. I think it a good opportunity but it's not important for me for now," said Scholz after Germany beat the US 4-2 yesterday.Sailor Petra Niemann, canoeist Nicole Reinhardt and judoka Romy Tarangul are the other Germans who will feature.
Kenya spoiled for choice
PAUL KIPSIELE Koech, whose best time this year is seven seconds faster than anyone else's, has failed to win a place in Kenya's 3,000m steeplechase team for these Games. Koech took bronze in Athens four years ago but in last month's Kenyan trials he finished fourth behind the Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi, world champion Brimin Kipruto and African champion Richard Mateelong. Koech is in Beijing as a reserve but head coach Julius Kirwa says he will be sticking with the trio selected after the trials.
Venezuelan sees bright side
AFTER WAITING more than two decades to live her Olympic dream, the Venezuelan softball player Zuleyma Cirimele was not letting a sound thrashing spoil the moment.
The 41-year-old catcher said she tingled through every moment of an 11-0 loss as the US handed the Venezuelans the worst-ever beating in Olympic softball. But the sport is to bid au revoir to the Olympics.
It seems holes have to be made around the place to accommodate the likes of Tiger Woods and Richie McCaw as golf and rugby continue to press their case. IOC members will vote next October on whether they want those sports in or out.
Japan rider to beat age record
HIROSHI HOKETSU became Japan's oldest Olympic representative when he rode in yesterday's dressage qualifier at the age of 67. He first competed in an Olympics 44 years ago at the 1964 Tokyo Games. He is set to eclipse the record age for a Japanese Olympian set by another rider, Kikuko Inoue, who was 63 at the Seoul Games in 1988.
The oldest Olympian was the Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn, who bagged his sixth medal at the 1920 Antwerp Games at the age of 72 years and 280 days.
