BAD KARMA
BAD KARMA
In a series of bizarre twists and turns, the gymnastics competition seemed cursed with controversy.
An American shutout: For the first time since 1972, American gymnasts went home with no medals. U.S. gymnast Blaine Wilson (above) finished a disappointing sixth in the all-around competition.
The champ falls: Romanian gymnast Andreea Raducan, 16, was stripped of her all-around gold medal after testing positive for a banned stimulant found in cold pills. The medicine was prescribed by her team doctor. Her story has a silver lining: She agreed to have a film made of her life and will get $10,000 for it.
The vault blunder: Russian Svetlana Khorkina, favored to win in the all-around competition, was one of several gymnasts who took a dive on her vault. Later it was discovered the vault was set 5 centimeters too low. Khorkina was given the chance to do the vault again, but by then, her confidence was shattered and her all-around medal hopes finished.
STUNNING UPSETS
Sudden death: The U.S. women’s soccer team had to settle for silver after the Norwegians scored in overtime and won 3–2.
Golden underdogs: The U.S. baseball team pulled off the unexpected when it defeated two–time gold medalist Cuba 4–0 in the Olympic final.
Giant slayer: When U.S. Greco–Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner was a 120–pound 4th grader, he kept quiet when teasing classmates called him “Fatso.” But at the Olympics, it was Gardner’s heavyweight status that helped the 286–pounder defeat Russian Alexander Karelin, who had never lost a match in international competition in his 15–year career.
GOLDEN MOMENTS
Comeback kid: After the semifinals, diver Laura Wilkinson was in fifth place. But she nailed her final dives and became the first American in 36 years to win the women’s platform event.
National hero: Aussie swimmer Ian Thorpe, 17, thrilled his nation by winning three golds in
his Olympic debut.
History maker: U.S. runner Michael Johnson became the first man to repeat as Olympic champion in the 400 meters.
Chosen one: Three billion people worldwide watched Australian runner Cathy Freeman light the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies. Days later, she won gold in the 400 meters, becoming the first Aboriginal to medal.
High–flying first: U.S. pole–vaulter Stacy Dragilia became the first woman ever to win Olympic gold in the event, clearing 15 feet, 1 inch.
TEAM TRIUMPHS
Dynamic duo: Sisters Venus and Serena Williams celebrated a doubles gold in tennis. Venus also captured the gold in women’s singles play.
Home run: The U.S. softball team was victorious once again in Sydney, but not until they lost an unprecedented three consecutive games and reached the brink of elimination.
THE DRUG DEAL
U.S. shot–put world champion C.J. Hunter didn’t compete in the Olympics, but he still made headlines. News that Hunter, Marion Jones’ husband, tested positive for steroids opened questions as to whether USA Track & Field covered up his and other athletes’ test results. Meanwhile, other athletes were booted from the Olympics for testing positive for banned drugs. In fact, Romanian hammer thrower Mihaela Melinte was escorted off the track as she was about to compete.
OLYMPIC SCORECARD
Wonder how other Olympians featured in KidNews before the Games did? Read on:
Rower Steve Redgrave: Earned his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
Archer Karen Scavotto: Finished 22nd in preliminaries.
Fencers Felicia and Iris Zimmerman: Were foiled in their attempt at a medal.
