world record

Are their records humanly possible?

Emmanuel F24 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:05:57 +0200

Jamaica sprinter Usain Bolt has shattered the previous 100m and 200m records in a way never seen before. His female Jamaican counterparts Shelly-Ann Fraser, Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson have hoisted their national flags on all three steps of the 100m podium.
Michael Phelps now boasts twelve gold medals.

Their feats are extraordinary. But are they humanly possible?

Usain Bolt, how far can he go?

Ségolène F24 — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:03:45 +0200

Usain Bolt crossed the finish line easily and turned to the crowd, savouring his victory. Formerly a 200-metre specialist, Jamaica's Bolt won the Olympic Games men's 100-metre gold medal, crushing everything in his way.

First, he broke his own record, set in May in New York, by 0.03 seconds. He also smashed his opponents Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, who won the silver with a time of 9.89 seconds, and American Walter Dix, who won the bronze at 9.91 seconds.

Jamaican Asafa Powell finished fifth in the final at 9.95 seconds.

World champion Tyson Gay of the United States did not even make the final, finishing fifth in his semi in 10.15 seconds.

Bolt's win gave Jamaica its first medal of the games. He is also running in the 200 metres and hopes to be the first man to win the 100-metre and 200-metre Olympic double since Carl Lewis in 1984.

A phenomenon called Phelps

Karine F24 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:22:56 +0200

If the number 8 is a sign of prosperity and luck in the Chinese culture, it is also a synonym for happiness for Michael Phelps. The American swimmer, 23, could this year enter into legend by breaking the all-time record of 7 gold medals amassed by his compatriot, Mark Spitz, at the Munich games in 1972.

Phelps has already begun the count, with 3 gold medals: in the 400m individual medley on Sunday; the 4x400m freestyle relay on Monday; and the 200m freestyle on Tuesday.

He even offered himself the luxury of a world record in each of the three finals.

"I started out with the hardest one. It’s out of the way now and I’m just swimming to have fun."

Phelps seems on track to enter into legend. But, he specified: "I prefer to become the first Phelps than the second Spitz."