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All About Olympic Softball - Kitten Ball or Mush Ball

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:45:41 -0700

There are three major classifications for softball: fast-pitch, slow-pitch and modified pitch. But only fast-pitch is played at the Olympics, and only women compete in that event. Softball is similar to baseball. The primary equipment consists of balls, gloves, bats and bases. Rules of play are similar in both sports. But there are differences in pitching, equipment and field size. And a really big difference in scoring. You score runs the same way in baseball, but not nearly as often. At elite levels, virtually every softball game is a pitchers' duel.

All About Olympic Cycling - New This Year BMX

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:56:32 -0700

18 sets of medals will be awarded in four disciplines: Track Cycling, Road Cycling, Mountain Bike, and, new for 2008, BMX. Cycling competitions at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics will be held from August 9 to August 23 at the Laoshan Velodrome (track events), Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, Laoshan BMX Field and the Beijing Cycling Road Course

All About Olympic Baseball - Last Time as an Event?

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:53:11 -0700

"When I think of baseball in Asia, I'm always seeing a very disciplined, team-oriented aspect to the game," says CBC baseball analyst Warren Sawkiw. "There is no one better than the Asian countries at getting the sacrifice bunt down and making sure the runner gets to second base so that he has an opportunity to score."

All About Olympic Trampoline - Flying high

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 03:22:41 -0700

The keys to a good trampoline routine are to show consistency of height, staying in the centre of the trampoline bed when landing, and having fluid lines during the different elements. Athletes require strength in order to propel themselves up to six metres above the trampoline, which is why they train 15-20 hours a week on the apparatus. They must possess flexibility to perform the array of aerial maneuvers. Co-ordination and agility are other key components for these high-flying gymnasts. Strength in the legs and back are essential for elite trampolinists.

All About Olympic Handball - Have you ever watched?

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:17:00 -0700

Handball is a team sport contested at international level. The aim of the game is to pass and bounce a ball into the opponent goal. The modern handball sport event started in the later half of the nineteenth century. However, the origin of the game can be traced back to the ancient period, when Greeks played a similar game. Handball has been regularly contested at the international level since the early twentieth century.

All About Olympic Diving - Very Young Divers

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:10:28 -0700

If the dive looks spectacularly difficult, the diver is probably not at the top of his or her game. The best make the toughest dives look easy. As a rule of thumb, the simpler a dive looks when executed, the higher the score. From a technical standpoint, divers need to finish high above water so they have a lot of drop time. On a springboard, a dive must finish at the height equal to the board.

Winter Olympics Vancouver 2010

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:58:32 -0700

Olympic Winter Games - February 12 to 28, 2010 Paralympic Winter Games - March 12 to 21, 2010 For the first time, the Winter Olympics will be held by the sea and some venues, such as the Richmond Olympic Oval, are at sea level. Also, for the first time ever the Opening Ceremony for a Winter Olympics will be held indoors. Vancouver is also the warmest city ever to host a Winter Olympics.[15] In February, when the Games will be held, Vancouver has an average temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius (40.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

All About Olympic Athletics - Track and Field

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:12:55 -0700

Athletics is divided into four categories: track, field, road and combined events. Track events consist of sprints, middle and long distance races, relays, steeplechase and hurdles. Field events include long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw. Road events are marathons and race walks, while heptathlon and decathlon combine elements of track and field. Athletics accounts for some of the most high-profile events at the Games, including the 100-metre sprint, the glamour event of the Games. The men's champion will approach speeds of 43 kilometres per hour at some point during the race before finishing in a time under ten seconds. The men's world record is held by Asafa Powell, with a time of 9.74 seconds. The women's world record has been held since 1988 by Florence Griffith-Joyner at 10.49 seconds. The 200-metre race is also one of the most exciting events on the Olympic program for it pits classic sprinters against the long limbed specialists who can run tight turns with speed. In Beijing, athletics events will take place at the National Stadium, which seats 91,000 people.

Olympic Fencing - Fancy Footwork

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:04:33 -0700

Fencing confuses most North American's, who are unfamiliar with the popular European sport. But the rules of this fast-paced, tactical pursuit are straightforward and easy to understand. Olympic fencing bouts are held on a playing area also known as a strip or piste. It's 14 metres (46 feet) long and two metres (6 feet, 7 inches) wide. A centre line divides the piste into two equal halves; two end lines indicate the rear limits of the piste; two on-guard lines run parallel to the centre line and are on either side of it, about two metres away.

All About Olympic Shooting - Ready, aim, fire

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:49:50 -0700

While most sports rely heavily on an athlete's fitness, size and speed, shooting is primarily a contest of precision and control. Although physical conditioning helps on the shooting range, mental preparation is the most important factor for shooters, who must remain calm and focused on their targets, often for an hour or two at a time. This year's program in Beijing will feature up to 390 athletes competing in 15 shooting events, consisting of rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions. Although the rules and scoring systems vary depending on the discipline and type of gun, the objective remains the same for all: Aim for the bullseye.

All About Olympic Synchro Swimming - No boys allowed

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:24:16 -0700

You see the gelled hair, theatrical face makeup and high-beam smiles and you ask yourself, "Is synchronized swimming really a sport?" It's a silly question, really. Synchronized swimming is as physically demanding and competitive as anything else at the Olympic Games. If anything, synchro's problem isn't about legitimacy, it's about perception. Few people understand what is involved and how it is judged because the sport has so little visibility outside the Olympic setting.

All About Olympic Modern Pentathlon- Jacks of all trades

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:50:38 -0700

Being an Olympic-calibre sailor is a far cry from the adventures of the weekend yachtsman: it requires strength, stamina - and brains. Races can take up to two hours, so athletes also need to be able to focus, often under terrible weather conditions. In some types of boat races, sailors are even strapped into trapezes which keep their bodies from flying off the craft, but allow them to jump acrobatically around the deck to jib a sail or make a quick tack. Often, the only part of them actually in the boat is their feet. Such athleticism requires tremendous physical strength and agility, as well as sailing know-how.

All About Olympic Table Tennis - Larger Balls - Better Rubbers

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:00:53 -0800

More than most sports, there's more to table tennis than meets the eye - that is, if you can actually follow the ball. Table tennis is one of the fastest sports on earth, with balls travelling up to 100 km/h across a table less than three metres long, requiring its players to have lightning-quick reflexes and be able to assess situations and incoming shots instantly. The game is so fast that the International Table Tennis Federation opted to use a larger (40 versus 38-millimetre diameter) ball following the Sydney Games. The hope was not only that the ball would be more visible to spectators, but also that the game would be slowed and be easier to follow. The ball size is in many ways a natural reaction to improvements in racket materials and glues that have increased ball speed by as much as 30 km/h. Another change since Sydney is the score needed for victory in a game. The quicker games today play until 11 as opposed to the traditional 21 points.

All About Olympic Swimming

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:26:46 -0700

Swimming features four basic disciplines - freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly - for all events in the Olympics. The freestyle races are the most popular swimming events because they showcase raw, explosive power and speed more than any other discipline. Freestyle swimming is also a fan favourite because of its simplicity and familiarity - nearly everyone who swims learns to swim freestyle first. The backstroke is relatively slow and a little clumsy, and the swimmers themselves don't like the limitations on their peripheral vision. But despite its drawbacks, the backstroke has been an Olympic event since 1900. Of all the swimming disciplines, breaststrokers expend the most energy as their arm and leg movements require perfect synchronization. If the swimmer is out of sync, the swim is considered freestyle and the competitor is disqualified. The butterfly is the most unorthodox and youngest event of the four swimming disciplines. Where the breaststroke requires the whip-like frog kick, butterfly specialists use the dolphin kick.

All About Olympic Soccer - Football - "the beautiful game,"

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:11:46 -0700

There's a lot more to soccer than which team scores the most goals. There would have to be, since few soccer games see more than two or three goals scored in 90 minutes. Soccer is mostly about possession, passing, control and defence. A team can keep possession by reading the game, assessing the opposition's defensive strategy and maneuvering the ball in systems of play. But possession is meaningless unless you know what to do with it. Players not in possession of the ball create and move into an open space, ready to receive a ball passed by a teammate. In the best games, players use space effectively so that teammates can strategically kick or head a pass to them. A game can be won when a player, who makes it into an open space, receives the ball and moves in for a breakaway.

All About Olympic Tennis - Atmosphere can become electric

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:03:58 -0700

Very little separates tennis on the professional tour from the game played at the Olympics. The rules and tournament format for singles and doubles are all the same. The strategy involved is no different and playing surfaces are similar. The one distinct difference is that in Olympic tennis, players compete for their countries for the opportunity to win a medal. You could say the Olympic Games are another tour stop in the busy schedule of a top star like Roger Federer. It's rare that you would find overwhelming crowd support for one player in a regular tennis tournament, but in the Olympics, fans can often play a key role in the outcome of a match. Since the crowds are very partisan, the atmosphere can become electric - similar to Davis Cup or Federation Cup matches.

All About Olympic Archery - Modern Robin Hoods

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:07:39 -0700

There are 4 events in the Archery competition in the Olympic Games: Ø Men's and Women's Individual events with the Recurve Bow Ø Men's and Women's Team event with the Recurve Bow There are separate team and individual competitions. The archery competition is organised in the following rounds: FITA 70m Round and the Olympic Round consisting of the Team Elimination Round, Team Finals Round, the Individual Elimination Round and Individual Finals Round for Women and for Men.

All About Olympic Judo - Extreme Combat Sport

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:28:23 -0700

Judo is a traditional Japanese wrestling sport, much of which looks like wrestling, with judoka (competitors) struggling to throw or force their opponent to the mat. Points are scored in judo by executing a good throw, or by forcing an opponent to submit to a hold, such as a chokehold or armlock. Judoka will often first try to grab the lapels of their opponent's jacket in order to gain physical control of them before moving on to a throw or a holding technique.

All About Olympic Gymnastics - "to exercise naked."

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:20:22 -0800

The word gymnastics comes from the Greek word that means "to exercise naked." In Ancient Greece, men stripped down to do tumbling exercises, vaulting and other activities in the gymnasium. In modern gymnastics, athletes perform exercises demanding strength, agility and coordination - all while fully clothed. Men and women compete in floor exercises, vault, the individual all-around competition and the team event. Men also compete in the horizontal bar (also known as the high bar), parallel bars, pommel horse and rings. Women strut their stuff on the balance beam and uneven bars.

Olympic Beach Volleyball - Sport or Peep Show?

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:03:35 -0700

Volleyball is a team sport in which teams hit an inflated ball back and forth over a high net. In the indoor game each team has six players, while in beach volleyball teams consist of two players each. Points are scored by successfully landing the ball in the court of the opponents without it being returned successfully.

All About Olympic Equestrian - Men and Women can Compete Together

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:28:00 -0700

Equestrian is the "expertise to drive or ride a horse". Horses have been trained and used for transport and other practical works since the historical days. They have also been used for sports for a long time. Various types of horse riding are included in the program of equestrian events

All About Olympic Basketball - What is the Golden Box?

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:12:53 -0700

The easiest way to score in the NBA is give the ball to big tall players and let them take a shot (or dunk) from up close. But not every team boasts a seven-foot-five centre like Yao Ming from China. And rare is the women's team with a six-foot-eight player like American Lisa Leslie. That's why many teams prefer to score away from the basket, and why most European nations have exceptional outside shooters, even among the tallest players. Those teams stacked with precision shooters will be rewarded with big points- the three-point line is about a metre closer to the hoop in international basketball than the NBA

All About Olympic Water Polo - Water warriors

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:55:33 -0700

Water polo is one of the most demanding team sports and requires tremendous all-around athleticism. Players can swim up to five kilometres during a game, all without touching the sides or bottom of the pool. Athletes must also be able to handle the rigours of contact sport as constant battles for the ball mean frequent fouls and stoppages of play. The object in water polo is simple: put the ball into the opponent's net. Each team has seven players in the pool at one time, including one goalie, plus six reserves on the sidelines. The game is divided into four eight-minute periods, with a two-minute break between periods. At Athens in 2004, each quarter was seven minutes. This was changed after the 2005 world championships. There is also a five-minute break at half-time. Players advance the ball by dribbling (swimming with the ball) or passing it, and can score goals using any part of their body except a clenched fist.

All About Olympic Weightlifting

Wed, 27 May 2009 04:13:44 -0700

It's not bodybuilding, it's not power lifting, and it's not a strongman competition. Olympic weightlifting is two lifts: a one-motion lift called the snatch and a two-motion lift called the clean-and-jerk. They test more than just muscle.

All About Olympic Rowing - Stroke, Stroke, Stroke

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:30:01 -0700

Few sports call for the combination of power and endurance like rowing. Teams and individuals alike must travel 2,000 metres - whether piloting sculls (where each rower has two hinged oars) or racing shells (one oar). The first 500m is a sprint, with rowers paddling at a top rate of around 47 strokes a minute. Then comes the grueling 1,000m middle, when the pace steadies to between 36 and 40 strokes a minute, all to prepare for the finish, when the sprinting speed is resumed. But power and endurance will only get you so far. Few sports require the kind of timing and teamwork of rowing, where one stroke out of step can finish a team's medal hopes. That unspoken teamwork is essential since - like the backstroke - a rower can't see the finish line. Only the sight of the coloured buoys on either side of the lane let the team know how close they are to the goal.

All About Olympic Volleyball

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:17:35 -0700

Beijing China 2008 Summer Olympics News - 08-08-08-08 - China Games

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:58:03 -0800

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games August 8, 2008 to August 24, 2008. Nine new sports will be introduced to the 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Beijing Olympic slogan is One World, One Dream.

All About Olympic Field Hockey

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:34:50 -0700

While field hockey is related to its counterpart on ice, the strategies and flow of the game are very similar to soccer. Defence and positioning are the most important elements of field hockey, and the game is played on a pitch nearly the size of a soccer field. Those factors conspire to make field hockey a low-scoring affair, and it doesn't help that goals can be scored only from within the goal circle.

All About Olympic Boxing - The Sweet Science

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:17:43 -0700

Boxing is a sport in which two participants of same weight fight each other with their fists. There are several rounds in a boxing match. The fighter, who scores the maximum after the completion of the rounds, is declared the winner. Victory may also be achieved through the knock out of the opponent in the fight. Boxing is also known as Western Boxing, prizefighting or the sweet science.

All About Olympic Badminton - 200 Miles an hour Shuttlecocks

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:29:42 -0700

With the high number of sudden stops and starts in badminton, players must be quick and agile, with very fast reflexes and tremendous stamina. Training typically focuses on "explosive energy," and on endurance in a player's thigh and calf muscles. Badminton players' combination of quickness and power (both of which are needed in abundance when the shuttlecock comes off racquets at about 240 kilometres an hour) make for rapid changes in the complexion and tempo of a rally, from when the players are close to the net to playing deep in their courts.

All About Olympic Taekwondo - Head Shots Allowed!

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:02:09 -0800

Punches have to land between the waist and neck, but when it comes to kicking, the whole body - including the head - is fair game in taekwondo. Taekwondo requires all kinds of toughness. The sport demands power, precision, balance and discipline while two combatants kick and punch each other. On top of the physical aspect, mental toughness is a key component. Athletes need tremendous mental focus. They are out on the mats by themselves without a coach or trainer. While they can prepare for a fight beforehand, strategies change on the fly and the only person who can help the athlete in the "ring" is him or herself. This is where the power of concentration developed by martial arts training comes into play.

All About Olympic Triathlon - Triathletes tackle 3 disciplines

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:14:24 -0700

A triathlete has to be a strong swimmer, cyclist and runner, though not every Olympic triathlete can compete at a world-class level in all three disciplines. That means the complexion of a race can change from the first splash to the final sprint, with various lead changes along the way. A decisive lead in the 1.5-kilometre swimming stage can evaporate minutes into the 40-kilometre cycling leg if a strong swimmer struggles on a bike. Some competitors slog through the swimming and cycling portions, staying just close enough to allow them to take the lead in the 10-kilometre run. Typically, an elite male will finish the event in about an hour and 50 minutes (16-20 minutes for the swim; 54-60 minutes on the bike and about 30 minutes running). The top women will take about 12 minutes longer. But the combination of endurance and versatility required makes the triathlon an unpredictable event.

All About Olympic Wrestling

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:39:41 -0700

Whether the event is freestyle or Greco-Roman, Olympic wrestlers go into their matches with the same goal: to get their opponents on their backs and pin their shoulders to the mat. Simple as that. But most wrestlers at an elite level are too good, strong and quick to let themselves get pinned, so points are awarded for take-downs.

All About Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics - Clubs Ribbon Stick Ball Hoop = Playground?

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:27:24 -0800

In rhythmic gymnastics, the perfect blend of entertainment and athleticism, competitors perform to music using rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. Rhythmic gymnasts compete on a floor area that is 13 metres wide and 13 metres long. The central area is surrounded on all sides by a strip that is 50 centimetres wide. That allows extra space for group performances. The hoop is made of wood or plastic with a diameter between 80 and 90 centimeters. It weighs at least 300 grams. An athlete must include three leaps with the hoop. The ball is made of rubber or a rubber-like synthetic material. It is between 18 and 20 centimeters in diameter and weighs 400 grams. The satin ribbon is at least six metres long and four to six centimeters wide. The ribbon is attached to a stick and kept in perpetual, fluid motion through the entire routine. Two clubs, each between 40 and 50 centimetres, are shaped like bowling pins and are made of wood or a synthetic substance. Each weighs 150 grams.

All About Olympic Modern Pentathlon- Jacks of all trades

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:27:42 -0700

The modern pentathlon includes pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, an equestrian event and cross-country running. Participants compete in all five disciplines on the same day, and scoring follows the same basic format as the decathlon and heptathlon of track and field. Points are awarded for an individual's performance in each of the disciplines, and the pentathlete with the highest point total after all disciplines is declared the winner.

All About Olympic Canoe Kayak - Go Canada - Ok I am Bias :)

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:15:54 -0700

In the canoe-kayak flatwater races paddlers race against each other in straight, marked lanes. Men compete in nine races, while women compete in three. Men's races include both the canoe and kayak, and paddlers compete in distances of either 500 metres or 1000 metres. All three women's events are 500 metres. Women compete in the kayak only.