Five Ringed Circus

Pirates Paradise smoked out: THE Chinese have always been self-sufficient and enterprising, although in Beijing, Olympic fans are complaining they cannot find any fake copies of the official merchandising.

The local government cracked down hard on vendors in the city once known as "Pirates Paradise" ahead of the Games and had nearly 3,000 people up in front of magistrates before June. One item confiscated, which would have appalled the IOC but may have had some novelty value, was the unofficial Olympic cigarette. No doubt made from a strong tobacco that could get you higher, faster.

OCI idea to build for the future

OLYMPIC Council of Ireland CEO Stephen Martin has been dropping strong hints that some of the capital money going into building superstructures around the country should instead go towards the athletes. His theory, aired in an interview on RTÉ radio on Monday morning, seems to be if just a small portion of the vast amount required for building were to be redirected towards the athletes, then Ireland may have a sporting chance against other countries winning medals.

The problem is the Irish Sports Council distributes the money, not the OCI. Given the relationship between these two august bodies, the likelihood of reasoned co-operation seems remote.

Women's boxing makes a case

LUDDITES, flat worlders and sexists can step up to the mark come December, while Ireland's Katie Taylor lives in a nervous froth. The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) appears confident about their plan to have women's boxing included in the London Olympic Games in four years' time.

The Irish, European and World champion from Bray, Co Wicklow would be a shoo-in as Ireland's brightest prospect as the IABA push for 11 weight divisions, just like the men. Boxing is the only sport at the Games where men can compete and women cannot, just as it is the only sport where professionals cannot compete.

Ireland trail other minnows

AS of yesterday, Ireland has secured two medals but appear to be punching below its Olympic medal weight compared to several other countries of approximately the same size or even smaller. New Zealand (4.1 million), with whom we are often compared, have won two gold medals, one silver and five bronze. Denmark (5.5 million), another country of similar population have won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, while Georgia (4.7 million), which is currently in the middle of an invasion by its neighbour Russia, has won two gold medals and a bronze medal in judo, shooting and wrestling.

For the record, Togo (5 million), has also won a bronze medal in the kayak slalom, while Jamaica (2.7 million) has secured two gold and three silver medals.

Kamikaze by name . . .

THE Games today turn to counter culture in order to draw in the X-Games audience when the BMX competition begins. Yes, it's grown up people tearing around on little bikes doing jumps and twirls. The newest event, synonymous with the Californian way of life, BMX, an acronym for bicycle motocross, has its roots in the 1960s and 1970s but is more popular in urban landscapes, where kids with hoodies jump off every thing from city benchs to railings and the odd car bonnet.

Australian rider Jamie Hildebrandt has changed his name because of the sport. "It's my nickname. It's my riding style. I give it all I've got and I used to crash a bit, so people started calling me Kamikaze," he said. Seems the perfect Olympic sport.