Post by Taxigirl on Aug 16, 2004 12:04:02 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/3567568.stm
By Phil Gordos and Andrew Fraser
BBC Sport in Athens
There will be a feeding frenzy in the Olympic pool on Monday evening when Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe go head to head in the men's 200m freestyle final.
Medals are also up for grabs in gymnastics, judo, diving, fencing and shooting.
Here we mark your card with some alternative highlights for day three.
ONE TO WATCH
The team event in the men's gymnastics competition was always going to be a keenly contested affair, with defending champions China facing stiff competition from the United States, Japan and Romania.
But Monday's final has been given an added edge with American Blaine Wilson's outburst on the eve of the big confrontation.
He accused officials of "cheating" after the US were informed at the last-minute that one of their favoured release moves - the Stadler Hop Full - would be scored lower than in recent years.
Ron Gallimore, the US men's team director, tried to play down Wilson's claims but expect a few fireworks at the Olympic Indoor Hall.
OLYMPIC ODDITY
Britain's Richard Kruse will look to an unlikely source when he competes in the men's foil at the Helliniko Fencing Hall.
Handed a bye to the last 32, the 21-year-old Londoner is a massive snooker fan and lists seven-time world champion Ray Reardon as his biggest sporting influence.
Just what the Welsh legend knows about the balestra or the moulinet is open to speculation, but Kruse faces a tough task ending Britain's 40-year wait for an Olympic fencing medal.
While Kruse does battle, British team-mate Louise Bond-Williams, who goes in the women's sabre on Tuesday, could be getting in mental shape for her event by playing the didgeridoo, one of her listed hobbies.
GOLDEN FUTURE
After their clean sweep of the diving gold medals on the opening day of the Games, China look set to celebrate more success on day three.
Lishi Lao and Ting Li have been unbeatable for the last three years in the women's 10m platform synchronised event and are heavy favourites for gold in Athens.
Bo Peng and Kenan Wang boast the same impressive record in the men's 3m synchronised springboard, though they missed last year's world championships.
Russians Dmitri Sautin and Alexander Dobroskok profited from the absence of the Chinese in Barcelona and were also silver medallists in Sydney.
But Peng and Wang look the duo to beat in an event that also features Britain's Tony Ally and Mark Shipman.
By Phil Gordos and Andrew Fraser
BBC Sport in Athens
There will be a feeding frenzy in the Olympic pool on Monday evening when Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe go head to head in the men's 200m freestyle final.
Medals are also up for grabs in gymnastics, judo, diving, fencing and shooting.
Here we mark your card with some alternative highlights for day three.
ONE TO WATCH
The team event in the men's gymnastics competition was always going to be a keenly contested affair, with defending champions China facing stiff competition from the United States, Japan and Romania.
But Monday's final has been given an added edge with American Blaine Wilson's outburst on the eve of the big confrontation.
He accused officials of "cheating" after the US were informed at the last-minute that one of their favoured release moves - the Stadler Hop Full - would be scored lower than in recent years.
Ron Gallimore, the US men's team director, tried to play down Wilson's claims but expect a few fireworks at the Olympic Indoor Hall.
OLYMPIC ODDITY
Britain's Richard Kruse will look to an unlikely source when he competes in the men's foil at the Helliniko Fencing Hall.
Handed a bye to the last 32, the 21-year-old Londoner is a massive snooker fan and lists seven-time world champion Ray Reardon as his biggest sporting influence.
Just what the Welsh legend knows about the balestra or the moulinet is open to speculation, but Kruse faces a tough task ending Britain's 40-year wait for an Olympic fencing medal.
While Kruse does battle, British team-mate Louise Bond-Williams, who goes in the women's sabre on Tuesday, could be getting in mental shape for her event by playing the didgeridoo, one of her listed hobbies.
GOLDEN FUTURE
After their clean sweep of the diving gold medals on the opening day of the Games, China look set to celebrate more success on day three.
Lishi Lao and Ting Li have been unbeatable for the last three years in the women's 10m platform synchronised event and are heavy favourites for gold in Athens.
Bo Peng and Kenan Wang boast the same impressive record in the men's 3m synchronised springboard, though they missed last year's world championships.
Russians Dmitri Sautin and Alexander Dobroskok profited from the absence of the Chinese in Barcelona and were also silver medallists in Sydney.
But Peng and Wang look the duo to beat in an event that also features Britain's Tony Ally and Mark Shipman.