The Philippines’ got no medal officially. Our 15 athletes could not make it beyond round 1 at their respective events. Our best hopes could not simply overcome their foes, whether it’s the opponent or theirselves.

Some consolation though, as if we won in a raffle portion of an event. Our Wushu team won four medals: Willy Wang - Gold; Mary Jane Estimar - Silver; and Bronze Medals for Benjie Rivera and Marianne Mariano. Wushu is just an exhibition event just like bowling in Seoul, many moons ago where we also won gold. Imagine, we can beat the Chinese at their own sports.

So, what now for 2012? I think we should now train the 12-15 yr olds who have the potential to excel. The Olympic gold is within our reach.

Popularity: 19% [?]

The overall champion of the 2008 Beijing Olympics is….. (drum roll please)

Wait. China is currently in the lead with 45 Golds, 15 silvers and 21 bronzes. USA is in far second with 27 Golds, 28 silvers and 28 bronzes. But it is still mathematically possible to catch up. There are still games to be played till the 24th. Miracles can happen anytime. The overall championship is still up for grabs.

USA has dominated every Olympics since the break up of the USSR in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. I remember when I was still in high school, my bet was always the USSR. China was a close third in 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney, but came out strong to finish as runner-up in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

This year is different. Being the host, China has all the advantages. They can field players in all fields. Imagine China’s billion population. Compound that with a sports program that mixes the traditional (think of the kungfu movies) and the modern techniques of science.

I think it won’t be long when China will dominate the sports currently dominated by the West like basketball and football. Coincidentally, football is said to be originating from China 3000 years ago.

So, should we all concede and declare China as the overall champion of the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

Popularity: 26% [?]

Argentina inched closer to retaining the gold in Men’s football by beating Brazil 3-0 in the semifinals of the Olympic Men’s Football Competition.

It was a close game at the half with each side failing to convert opportunities. But Argentina took the second half by scoring two from Sergio Aguero and a penalty shot by Juan Riquelme.

Two players from Brazil were red-carded and the team was reduced to nine players. Ronaldinho did not make much impact and was not able to lift the team against their latin American rivals.  He’ll return to Italy without his dream gold.

Argentina will face Nigeria in the finals on Saturday, while Brazil will fight for bronze against Belgium on Friday.

(photo credit:  from the Beijing Olympics official website)

Popularity: 30% [?]

The Philippines will count on its Taekwondo jins Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero as they fight for gold and glory in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Tshomlee Go will face Ryan Carneli of Australia in the 57kg round of 16 in the men’s division on August 20, 2008. Mary Antoinette Rivero will fight in the women’s 67kg on August 22, 2008 against Sandra Saric of Croatia.

Let’s hope they’ll win and at least put the Philippines in the medal standings.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Here are the latest and final badminton medal results in the 2008 Beijing Olympics:

Men’s Singles
Gold - Lin Dan (China)
Silver - Lee Chong-Wei (Malaysia)
Bronze - Chen Jin (China) 

Lin Dan won the Gold in the Men's Single.

Mixed Doubles
Gold - Lee Hyojung / Lee Yongdae (South Korea)
Silver - Liliyana / Widianto Nova (Indonesia)
Bronze - He Hanbin / Yu Yan (China)

Mens’ Doubles
Gold - Kido Markis/Setiawan Hendra (Indonesia)
Silver - Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng (China)
Bronze - Lee Jaijen/Hwang Jiman (South Korea)

Women’s Singles
Gold - Zhang Ning (China)
Silver - Xie XingFang (China)
Bronze - Kristin Yulianti (Indonesia)

Women’s Doubles
Gold - Du Jing/Yu Yang (China)
Silver - LEE Hyojung/LEE Kyungwon (South Korea)
Bronze - WEI Yili/ZHANG Yawen (China)

The gold medal winners in the 2004 Athens Olympics are:

MS - Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia)
WS - Zhang Ning (China)
MD - Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon (South Korea)
WD - Zhang Jiewen and Yang Wei (China)
XD - Zhang Jun and Gao Ling (China)

Zhang Ning had established herself in history for being the only singles player to defend her olympic title. She’s 33 and is considered at the twilight of her career.

Meanwhile, Lin Dan proved that there is no jinx at Men’s Singles when at World No. 1, he captured the Olympic Gold that eluded every top seed prior to him. He showed his mastery of the game over Lee Chong Wei, beating him badly 21-12, 21-8.

(photo credit: Official website of the 2008 Beijing Olympics)

Popularity: 30% [?]

Google plays badminton too with this logo.

Google plays Badminton

Here’s some badminton news from the Olympics:

No. 3 Seed Bao Chunlai bows out of the Olympics after being beaten by Lee Hyun-Il of South Korea. On the other hand, top seed Lin Dan prevailed over Denmark’s Peter Gade, in another quarterfinals match.

In mixed doubles, Athens silver medalists Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson, were shown the exit door by LEE Hyojung and LEE Yongdae of South Korea. It dashed the hopes of the British pair who hoped of a better finish this time around.

There’s only one pair from Europe that remained standing: RASMUSSEN Jonas and PAASKE Lars. They’ll play against the top seed from Indonesia in the semis tomorrow.

China is still on track for a sweep in badminton gold medals.

Popularity: 20% [?]