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carm13

Listed below are comments made by carm13 between Tuesday, 19th August 2008 and Friday, 22nd August 2008.

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Marathon swim delivers another sensational finish - and inspirational champion 00:30am on 22 Aug 2008 Fantastic viewing. It was exciting and frustrating, and I found myself waving my hand at the tele trying to push him on.

The medal was well deserved and the truth of the matter is that it should have been gold. His behaviour afterwards probably stems from his disappointment - disappointment which I thought was evident in the interview. That's not an excuse for the way that he acted, however. If a footballer had done the same thing then I doubt that anyone would be making excuses for them.

A note about the officials - I can't be the only person who has been a little shocked at the way that they've acted at times. I've seen them interrupt interviews and stand over the shoulder of the athlete as they've been talking. It's something that I haven't really noticed happening before.
A tactical masterpiece 11:00pm on 19 Aug 2008 She wasn't shunned. If she was, then so was Dawn Harper who won the hurdles because I didn't see anyone running up and congratulating her - and she had two other Americans in her race. In fact I DO remember seeing Sanya Richards walking over and patting Christine on the back when she was kneeling on the floor. We only see what the camera picks up. We don't see what happens afterwards or even in those moments when they go away and show replays.

I had my doubts about the tests like everyone, and it be completely honest there is still a small percentage of me that does have doubts. At the same time however why she missed them was explained - and she isn't the only person to have missed tests or to have appealed against a ban. As long as she is clean after her tests for this then I'm happy. I'm pleased for her, actually. She was given a second chance and she's worked hard to do what she undoubtedly had the potential to do in the first place. I suspect there would always have been doubts about her World Championship win because she didn't compete against Richards. Well, she's done that now and she's won. It's a great achievement.

I do find the idea that she will be singled out as a poster girl for the 2012 games a little perturbing - if only for the fact that as far as the media (in other countries as well) is concerned her achievements will always be tainted by doubts. As the only successful track athlete from these games I think it's inevitable that she will be a poster girl, though. That is unless someone comes along either over the next few days or in the next couple of years.

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carm13