Update:
1. Talk about underdogs, little Togo (West Africa) won its first medal ever taking a bronze medal in Kayaking. Way to go Togo!
2. French Surrender, Part Deux
Manaudou considering quitting - International Herald Tribune
Quote:
Manaudou considering quitting
The Associated Press
Published: August 12, 2008
BEIJING: Two devastating defeats in two days have left former champion Laure Manaudou wondering whether she should quit the swimming competition midway through.
"I'm asking myself if it's worth continuing. I don't even have the desire to swim anymore," Manaudou told France-2 television Tuesday after placing seventh in the 100-meter backstroke. "It's tough finishing seventh or eighth."
On Monday, Manaudou finished eighth — or last — in the 400 freestyle, more than eight seconds slower than the winner, Britain's Rebecca Adlington.
"It was very hard to rebound after what happened yesterday," the Frenchwoman added.
Manaudou was slated to race twice more: the 200 back Thursday and the 400 medley relay Friday.
"I think she'll start the 200 back. I'm going to push her by tapping on her champion's mind-set," said Manaudou's personal coach, Lionel Horter.
These games have been a sharp contrast from Manaudou's breakthrough four years ago in Athens, when aged just 17, she brought home France's first swimming gold since Jean Boiteux in 1952, in the 400 free. She also won a silver in the 800 free and a bronze in 100 back.
In 2005, Manaudou became the 400 free world champion, a title she defended in 2007. In between, she broke the 18-year-old world record of Janet Evans, and then improved on her own mark again just three months later.
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Talk about throwing in the towel. I hope she doesn't quit and keeps on going. Would be a shame to go out like that.
3. Team Redeem continues its dominance by steamrolling Angola. Give Angola for playing it 'close" and only losing by 20 or so points. Team Redeem faces first real competition against Greece next. Let's see if USA will overcome its woeful outside shooting.
4. Team China almost pulls off upset of Spain only to lose it in overtime. China meets Angola next in a match of the no-wins. Angola upset China earlier this year by going small and using overwhelming speed and swarming defense. We'll see if China has learned any lessons and made adjustments.