6 Unusual Facts About The 2008 Olympics

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Tuesday Aug 19, 2008

A lot has been written about the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but today we bring you 6 unusual Beijing facts that you may not yet know.

Rocket Power

In order to fend off wet weather, 1,104 rain-dispersing rockets were fired into the skies before the opening ceremony in Beijing on 8th August. This is the first time this technology was used at such a high-profile event.

The Positive Greek

On the very first day of the Games, Greek sprinter Tassos Gousis was sent home after tests proved positive for a prohibited performance drug.

The First Winner

First gold of the Games was won by Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic (Women's 10m air rifle).

An Indian First

India won its first ever Olympic gold medal in individual events. (Abhinav Bindra, 10m air rifles).

The Kids

The lowest age for an Olympic participant is 16. Gymnastics is the area in which largest number of controversies related to lowest age crop up. More controversies surround female gymnasts than their male counterparts.

Horrible Start To a World Record Run

Usain Bolt of Jamaica, the fastest man ever on earth, amazingly had the second worst start among 8 finalists in terms of reaction time (0.165 sec), when he started off his final run on 16th August 2008.

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Posted at 09:25AM Aug 19, 2008 by dean2 in Olympics | Comments[2]

Comments:

yea! Who knows if the kids are really 16. They often left their home when they are just 4-5 years old. Sometimes, the backside of the goldmedal is really cruel!

Posted by Richard on August 19, 2008 at 05:21 PM CST #

actually Olympic participants in diving can be as young as 14. 16 is the lowest age for gymnastics

Posted by joseph on August 19, 2008 at 10:28 PM CST #