Changing China
Giant on the move
Basketball gold would cap Spain’s superb sporting year
Spanish sport is living a golden age, a magical year or a unique two months, depending on how long a view you’re taking. But will it continue on into Beijing?
Rafael Nadal’s victory over Nicolas Lapentti in Cincinnati means the 22-year-old is now certain to depose Roger Federer as world number one in tennis by August 18 at the latest.
Nadal’s twin victories in the French Open and at Wimbledon were just two of the highlights in a remarkable sporting summer for his country.
Carlos Sastre won the Tour de France last month, giving Spain their third victory in three years. Alberto Contador, last year’s winner, followed up his triumph with success in the Giro d’Italia.
The biggest success of all was Spain’s victory at Euro 2008, their first major tournament title in 44 years.
Now, there’s no way Spain are going to finish top of the medals table in Beijing. Sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky recently said the target was six golds at best.
Those medal hopes include Nadal, of course, as well as athletes like double champion Gervasio Deferr in gymnastics, synchronised swimmers Andrea Fuentes and Gemma Mengual and the walker Paquillo Fernandez.
One world, one dream…
Dirk Nowitzki says he’s been dreaming about going to the Olympics since he saw the 1988 Games on TV as a 10-year-old boy.
He’s spent the last 10 summers in the NBA off-season working hard to help Germany qualify for the Olympics again for the first time since 1992 — and the Dallas Mavericks’ all-star from Germany looked completely shattered when his team came up heartbreakingly short in the 2003 European Championships, the qualifier for the 2004 Olympics.
Nowitzki and Germany again failed to qualify directly for the Olympics at last year’s European Championships as well — but they still could get tickets to Beijing if they finish in the top three at a 12-team tournament set for mid-July.
It’s not like I really know how Nowitzki feels because I don’t. I’ve never been in the NBA nor have I played for Germany or any other country.
But in a way, I think I do understand.
Ever since I first saw the 1968 Olympics on TV as an eight-year-old in Connecticut, I too started dreaming about going.
As Nowitzki said: ”The whole thing just fascinates me”.
I’m Spanish. Ricky Rubio es overrated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYV5Lykiz 8I