Can Wilkinson win gold again?
Laura Wilkinson wasn’t paying attention to the scores as she climbed the 33-foot tower, but she heard her brother’s voice. Clearly. As if there wasn’t anyone else in the Sydney International Aquatic Center.
“That’s my sister!” Rob Wilkinson screamed.
She knew something was up.
Laura wasn’t given much of a chance to win an Olympic medal four years ago. The top spots on the podium were reserved for the powerful Chinese divers. Just making the Olympics was supposed to be Wilkinson’s reward, a testament to her perseverance after she broke her right foot in three places during a training mishap.
Then, one of the favorites flopped. Then another. And another. And another. Suddenly, the steady Texan realized she must be somewhere close to the lead.
“It was really, really loud in there, but I heard my brother,” she recalled. “I knew some other people must have missed, but I was so far behind. I couldn’t believe it. Four divers missing at the Olympics? That’s unheard of.”
Wilkinson never missed, hobbling away with an improbable gold medal – the first for an American woman in 10-meter platform since 1964. In the process, she snapped China’s 16-year stranglehold on the high board.
“It was a very special moment for me,” she said. “No matter what people want to think – it was a fluke or something – no one can take that away from me.”
One thing’s for sure: Wilkinson won’t be sneaking up on anyone in Athens. The Chinese are favored again. But now, this waifish American knows she can beat them.
In February, Wilkinson beat a world-class field during a test event in Athens, diving from the same platform where she’ll try to win another gold medal in August.
Now 26, she’s the leading hope for the Americans, who are trying to bounce back from an otherwise disappointing performance in 2000. Wilkinson’s gold was the only medal, the fewest produced by a U.S. team (other than the boycotted Moscow Games) since 1912.
“Laura Wilkinson is the defending Olympic champion,” said former American great Greg Louganis, who swept gold in 1984 and ‘88. “That’s something to get behind.”
Olympic torch hits London
The Olympic torch traveled through London on a rainy Saturday, with Roger Banister hoisting the flame at Wimbledon to mark the start of a relay that ended with a concert near Buckingham Palace.
British tennis stars Tim Henman and Virginia Wade were among those to participate in the 8-hour run past such landmarks as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe theater and Piccadilly Circus.
Other torchbearers for Britain were track and field Olympic champions Sebastian Coe and Jonathan Edwards and ex-boxing champion Frank Bruno.
Tens of thousands packed The Mall near Buckingham Palace at the finish. Five-time Olympic rowing gold medalist Steve Redgrave used the flame to light a ceremonial cauldron on a stage where James Brown, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne and other stars performed.
Blue-light special
A $12 weekly pass that can be used on all of Athens’ public transport system is likely to become the bargain of the Summer Games.
It’s a deal in a city where a cup of coffee could cost more than $5.50 — provoking Bank of Greece officials to call for a 10 percent price reduction on goods and services during the games.
Looks like the Ministry of Transportation listened.
The weekly pass will be valid on buses, trolleys, electric rail and brand new transport links from the suburban rail to the subway, which can be taken all the way to the airport. It can also be used on the new tram that travels to Olympic venues and beaches south of the city center.
Just have to make do
The crucial extension of the Athens subway system, which will link the trains with the airport, will begin operating at the end of July – just two weeks before the start of the Olympics.
But once the games end, the subway link to the airport will be interrupted for up to six months to add another station to the northern suburb of Aghia Paraskevi.
Apparently, in the government’s haste to link the subway to the airport, the suburban station wasn’t constructed.