2004 Olympics: Other Sports

02:53 AM CDT on Monday, August 9, 2004

From Staff Reports

American boxing has nowhere to go but up off the mat. At the Sydney Games in 2000, the United States failed to win a gold for the first time in 52 years and collected only four medals. The team in Athens will lack international experience — nothing new — and qualified in only nine of the 11 weight classes. The Americans' best contenders appear to come from the middle weight classes on up. Middleweight Andre Dirrell surprised Cuba's Yordanis Despaigne to win in an Olympic test event in May. Light heavyweight Andre Ward hasn't lost since 1998, claiming two U.S. championships. Super heavyweight Jason Estrada was the only American to win gold at last year's Pan American Games. He became the first non-Cuban to win that Pan Am weight class.

— Jeff Miller

The American tandem of Misty May and Kerri Walsh is top-ranked in the world but will enter the Games ailing. May suffered an abdominal strain in late May and aggravated the injury in late June. But they aren't the only gold-medal contenders stuck in the trainer's room. The top teams for Brazil (Ana Paula Connelly and Sandra Pires) and Australia (Natalie Cook and Nicole Sanderson) will come to Athens dragging nagging injuries as well. On the men's side, the United States' Dain Blanton will try to become the first man to win consecutive golds on the beach. He teamed with Eric Fonoimoana in Sydney to win the second Olympic competition. His partner this time will be 6-8 Jeff Nygaard. But they'll face a stiff climb, coming in ranked seventh.

— Jeff Miller

Four years ago, the U.S. softball team dealt with tragedy en route to winning its second consecutive gold medal. This time, a devastating loss struck the team just before leaving home. The wife of national team coach Mike Candrea died July 18, the day after the team completed its exhibition tour. Sue Candrea, 48, had been hospitalized two days earlier with a brain aneurysm. During the 2000 Games, the grandfather of infielder Crystl Bustos died in California. She was talked out of returning home by her family. The United States' new one-two pitching punch appears to be Cat Osterman from the University of Texas and Jennie Finch. Osterman, who took a year's leave from the UT team after two seasons, didn't allow an earned run in 74 2⁄3 innings this year.

— Jeff Miller

It's one last chorus for the divas of American women's soccer. And it remains to be seen if Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett can hit the high note that has eluded them in recent years. The United States won the first Women's World Cup in 1991 and the first Olympic tournament in '96. Most recently, the Americans were beaten in the 2000 Olympic final and settled for bronze in last year's Women's World Cup. The American veterans won't be helped by an awkward round-robin structure in which the United States will play an extra game in a four-team group while the other two groups will feature three teams. The men's competition, limited primarily to under-23 players, figures to see Argentina threaten Africa's run of champions (Nigeria in 1996, Cameroon in 2000).

— Jeff Miller

Women's wrestling makes its Olympic debut in Athens, giving the sport a total of 18 medal events. Women's freestyle will have four weight classes. For the United States, much of the attention will be on defending champion Rulon Gardner, who shocked the world by ending the 13-year winning streak of Russian Aleksandr Karelin in the Greco-Roman 120 kilogram classification. Gardner won the world title in 2001 but missed the 2002 season after a snowmobile accident stranded him in frigid temperatures, leading to amputation of one of his toes. Other returning U.S. medalists are Dennis Hall in Greco-Roman 55 kilogram and Garrett Lowney in Greco-Roman 96 kilogram. Hall took silver in '96 and Lowney earned bronze in 2000.

— Brad Townsend

Diving

Brothers and former Texas divers Justin and Troy Dumais will be contenders in the 3-meter synchronized event. Troy, 24, is headed to his second Olympics and will also compete individually off the 3-meter board. He finished sixth in the 3-meter and fourth in the 3-meter synchronized in 2000. Justin, 25 and the oldest of five diving children, is going to his first Olympics. The brothers won this year's Speedo FINA Diving Grand Prix. Kimiko Hirai Soldati, 30, who lives in Magnolia, Texas, is in the women's 3-meter. She has battled injuries but placed sixth at the 2002 World Cup. Platform gold winner Laura Wilkinson of Spring, Texas, is the lone returning U.S. medalist from Sydney. Caesar Garcia, 22, of Baton Rouge, La., is the top American man on the platform. He was sixth at last year's Grand Prix.

— Rachel Cohen

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Rowing (Aug. 14-19, 21-22): A third of the 45-member U.S. team has Olympic experience. The United States won three medals at the 2000 Olympics. In Athens, the U.S. men's and women's eights could win medals. The United States has a medal shot in the lightweight double sculls. Nations to watch include Canada, Great Britain, France, Australia and Germany.

Rhythmic gymnastics (Aug. 26-29):Mary Sanders, winner of three consecutive national championships, is the only representative from the United States. Russia, Belarus and Greece won gold, silver and bronze in Sydney. Three-time world champion Simona Peycheva of Bulgaria will be trying to overcome injuries and a suspension for a banned diuretic.

Archery (Aug. 15-21): The venue, Panathinaiko Stadium, hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. The stadium, which has been renovated several times, dates to 329 B.C. South Korea's women's team, with Yun Mi-Jin returning, should dominate, having swept the medals in 2000. Vic Wunderle, who attended Texas A&M and won two medals in Sydney, returns for the United States.

Badminton (Aug. 14-21): China is so deep that it left off its roster the reigning world champion, Xia Xuanze. His countryman, southpaw Lin Dan, 20, and Malaysia's Wong Choong-Hann will be among the headliners. Denmark's men and women are strong, especially veteran Camilla Martin, 30, in her final competitive year.

Baseball (Aug. 15-18, Aug. 20-22, 24-25): The United States, the 2000 Olympic champion, failed to qualify for Athens. Greece's roster, however, contains mostly players from North America who have Greek ancestors. Cuban captain Michel Enriquez no doubt spoke for many when he said he wished his team could face the United States. The field also includes Japan, Canada and Mexico.

Canoe-Kayak (Slalom: Aug. 17-20; Flatwater: Aug. 23-28): Joe Jacobi, a 1992 Olympic canoe champion from the United States, returns to the Games. He has spent 19 of his almost 35 years as a paddler. Slalom racer Rebecca Giddens will try to improve on her seventh place at the Sydney Games. Hungary and Germany excel in flat water. France and Slovakia are white-water powerhouses.

Equestrian (Aug. 15-18, 20-25, 27): Germany and the Netherlands are traditional dressage powers. The United States will jockey for position with Spain and Denmark. The United States, New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia and France are strong in eventing. In show jumping, Germany, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden are medal contenders. Brazil could be the sleeper.

Cycling (Road: Aug. 14-15, Aug. 18; Track: Aug. 20-25; Mountain bike: Aug. 27-28): The absence of Lance Armstrong makes the road less electrifying for U.S. fans. Four-time Olympic medalist Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli of France will be in her sixth Olympics. For the United States on the track, Marty Nothstein, in the keirin, could win a medal. He won gold in the match sprint in 2000. Jennie Reed probably has the best shot for the U.S. women track cyclists.

Fencing (Aug. 14-22): Medal prospect Sada Jacobson, who has competed in saber for Yale, is the first woman from the United States to achieve the world's No. 1 ranking. Keeth Smart, who competed for St. John's University, began his training with Peter Westbrook, the last U.S. fencer to win an Olympic medal (1984). Jacobson's sister, Emily, also is on the U.S. roster, as is Smart's sister, Erinn. Crowd-pleaser Alfredo Rota of Italy, an epee standout, will be back.

Field hockey (Aug. 14-27): The United States didn't qualify. Top medal contenders are the Netherlands and Germany. India's struggles led the men's team to switch coaches recently. India, an eight-time Olympic champion, last won the gold medal in 1980. Australia returns six members of its Olympic champion women's team. Australia's women seek their third consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Judo (Aug. 14-20): Nicole Kubes of Fort Worth makes her Olympic debut. American Jimmy Pedro, 33, was upset in Sydney, retired soon after and came out of retirement last year. Contenders for gold include three-time world champion Kosei Inoue, 26, of Japan. His nation should dominate, with South Korea and France also strong. Cuba's women, particularly world champion Amarilis Savon, should star.

Modern pentathlon (Aug. 26-27): The United States has enjoyed success and looks for a medal from Vaho Iagorashvili, who will compete in his third Olympics for his third nation (USSR, Georgia and the United States). His wife, Mary Beth, finished fourth at the 2000 Sydney Games, where women's modern pentathlon made its Olympic debut. Lithuania and the Czech Republic have strong pentathletes.

Sailing (Aug. 14-26, 28): Rockwall skipper Paul Foerster, competing in the 470 class, will try to win his third Olympic medal. Eight U.S. sailors took home medals from Sydney. Greece has medal aspirations. Great Britain and Australia should reach the podium.

Shooting (Aug. 14-22): The U.S. roster features some riveting stories, including Collyn Loper, 17, of Indian Springs, Ala., who will represent the nation in women's trap. She was born blind in her right eye. China and Russia are medal favorites, though no one country dominates this sport. China, with three gold medals among its eight, topped the medal chart in Sydney.

Synchronized swimming (Aug. 23-27): Sara Lowe, who grew up in DeSoto, makes her Olympic debut in what should be a medal-winning endeavor. The United States finished fifth in the team event and fourth in the duet in Sydney. Russia won both golds. It should shine again, thanks to Anastasiya Davydova and Anastasiya Ermakova. Japan and Spain should contend for medals.

Table tennis (Aug. 14-23): The United States' medal chances might be slim, but the nation's roster features some intriguing individuals, including Jasna Reed and Ilija Lupulesku, who used to be married. Both won Olympic medals for Yugoslavia. They are said to have remained great friends since their divorce. China has won 13 of the 16 gold medals awarded since the sport joined the Olympic program in 1988.

Taekwondo (Aug. 26-29): Sydney Olympic gold medalist Steve Lopez of Sugar Land, Texas, could medal again. Nia Abdallah of Houston will represent the United States in the women's competition. Cuba could reach the podium on the men's side, as could Mexico and France. Greece, South Korea and Mexico are medal favorites in the women's tournament.

Team handball (Aug. 14-24, 26-29): The United States did not qualify. Denmark won the women's gold medal at the 2000 Olympics. Nations with medal hopes are Germany, Hungary, Norway, Sweden and Russia.

Tennis (Aug. 15-22): Superstars abound, including Andy Roddick and Serena and Venus Williams for the United States. Venus could become the first player to repeat as an Olympic singles champion. The United States' medal total of 14 since tennis was reinstated as an Olympic sport in 1988 is more than double all other medal-winning nations except Spain (eight). Russian players would love to spoil the U.S. party.

Trampoline (Aug. 20-21): Five-time national champion Jennifer Parilla will be the lone U.S. representative in a discipline that made its Olympic debut in 2000. Parilla finished ninth at the 2000 Olympics. Russia, China, Germany and Canada have the strongest chances for medals.

Triathlon (Aug. 25-26): Barb Lindquist was favored to represent the United States in the sport's Olympic debut in 2000, but she faltered from the heat at the trials in Las Colinas. This time, she should win gold. The U.S. women could win more than one medal. Hunter Kemper represents the United States for the second time. Denmark's Rasmus Henning could medal.

Volleyball (Aug. 14-29): The U.S. women, No. 2 in the world, have a tough draw. Stacy Sykora from Burleson and Tara Cross-Battle from Houston are on the U.S. roster. The United States, top-ranked China and third-ranked Brazil also must contend with three-time defending champion Cuba, which sends a retooled team. The U.S. men's roster includes Riley Salmon from League City, Texas. Russia will contend for a medal. Cuba failed to qualify for the first time since 1988.

Water polo (Aug. 15-27, 29): The U.S. women are favored to win the gold medal. The U.S. men's team is young and hungry and intent on making it hard for the favorites. Reigning Olympic champion Hungary lost, 11-9, to the U.S. men in a July match. Other strong teams are Serbia and Montenegro, Italy, Croatia, Russia and Greece.

Weightlifting (Aug. 14-16, 18-21, 23-25): The U.S. women won two medals in Sydney, with Tara Nott Cunningham capturing gold and Cheryl Haworth claiming silver. China's women should dominate. Greece's men, including Pyrros Dimas and Kakhi Kakiasvilis, expect to reach the podium. Each is chasing a fourth Olympic gold medal. Chad Vaughn, a former Rowlett resident, will compete for the U.S. men, whose last Olympic medal came in 1960.

— Cathy Harasta