TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Shooter, Gymnast Caught Doping

ADVERTISEMENT

A Tribune wire report

Published: August 16, 2008

BEIJING - A North Korean shooter was stripped of his two medals and was expelled from the Beijing Olympics along with a Vietnamese gymnast Friday after they failed doping tests.

They are the second and third athletes caught doping in Beijing, where the International Olympic Committee is conducting a record 4,500 drug tests.

The IOC said shooter Kim Jong Su tested positive for propanolol after winning the silver medal in the 50-meter pistol and bronze in the 10-meter air pistol.

Propanolol is a banned beta blocker, which can be used to prevent trembling in events such as shooting and archery.

The bronze medal in the 10-meter event goes to American shooter Jason Turner. In the 50-meter event, China's Tan Zongliang moves up to silver and Russia's Vladimir Isakov is upgraded to bronze.

Gymnast Thi Ngan Thuong Do, who finished last in the women's floor exercise, tested positive for the diuretic furosemide.

Liukin's Father Wants Age Limit Eliminated

It's not sour grapes now.

Nastia Liukin's father and coach, Valeri Liukin, said the international gymnastics federation would be wise to eliminate the age rule that requires gymnastics athletes to be at least 16 or turn 16 during the year they compete in the Olympics and world championships.

The issue has been in the forefront of gymnastics discussion because of some evidence that three of the girls on the gold-medalist Chinese team might be too young to compete.

Liukin, who turns 19 in October, just missed that cut-off for the 2004 Olympics. Athens all-around gold medalist Carly Patterson trained at the gym run by Valeri Liukin in Parker, Texas, and Rebecca Bross, a 14-year-old who also trains at the gym, was just shy of being old enough for these Games.

"It's a shame Rebecca couldn't compete this year," said Valeri Liukin.

While he wouldn't criticize China directly, he said gymnastics would be better off without an age limit. "Let everybody compete and be fair," he said. "That's the best way."

Closer Than You Think

Damu Cherry Diary

As I am getting ready for bed, it just hit me that Sunday (the opening round of the women's 100-meter hurdles) is closer than I think.

One thing that waits for no one is time. When it's time to go, that's it. As I sit back and reflect, I realize that this time has come so fast and I am enjoying every minute of it. I feel great, and training is great. ... it's great to be great ... LOL!

The only thing left for me to do is go out and execute and use the talent that God has blessed me with! I am also excited because my parents are on their way here to support me! I pray for their safe arrival.

Thanks again to everyone supporting me! I feel the love!

Blessed and Highly Favored,

Damu

Phelps Trading Card Skyrockets In Value

DALLAS - Chalk up another remarkable feat for Michael Phelps: somehow making swimming trading cards popular.

An autographed 2004 trading card of the record-shattering Olympian was trading for as much as $500, just two weeks after industry experts say the collectible could be easily had for $25.

The market value could rise to $750 to $1,000 if Phelps breaks Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals at a single Olympics this weekend, said Tracy Hackler, an associate publisher with Beckett Media LLP, a Dallas-based memorabilia company.

"It's unlike anything we've seen in the trading card category," said Hackler, whose company is an industry leader in collectibles pricing.

Go to keyword: Olympic Journey to keep up with Leto High and University of South Florida graduate Damu Cherry as she prepares for Sunday's start of the 100-meter hurdles competition.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT