Beijing Games: Make a Post, Win a Prize!

Now that the Games have ended, we'd like to hear your comments and reflections on the performances, records, and athletes in Beijing. Please submit your thoughts on the questions below, using the "Comments" feature, by Friday, Sept. 5; one ACSM student member, one ACSM Alliance member and one ACSM professional member will receive a FREE registration to the 2009 ACSM meeting of their choice, as determined by a random drawing.

1. What was the most significant sports performance by an individual and why?

2. What was the most significant sports performance by a team and why?

3. What country was most successful and why?

4. What was the most relevant sports medicine/exercise science issue at the Games and why? Was it the environment, injuries, older athletes, extraordinary new Olympic record...or something else?

5. What is the top challenge for the athletes, organizers, or officials that needs to be improved or resolved before the 2012 Olympic Games in London?

6. What did you enjoy most and least about the Beijing Games, and why?

Please reference which question you're responding to in your comment. And don't forget to leave your full name so we can contact you!

Comments

[Marci Goolsby]

1. Michael Phelps winning 8 golds, truly an amazing athletic feat especially in today's competitions.

2. I am tied for this one:
a. Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor. What great duo to watch. They play so well together and have a great positive attitude for our youth to admire.
b. the swimming relay team during which Jason Lezac came back to beat France at the wall. I've rarely been more "pumped" after an athletic event. Not only was it an amazing classic come-from-behind win, it also allowed Phelps to continue pursuing his dream of 8 golds. It was truly a team effort.

3. Gosh, you always want to say the U.S. here as an American, of course, but China had some amazing athletes especially in diving and gymnastics. The Jamaican runners were wonderful as well.

4. If you were Chinese, it would no doubt be the hurdler who hurt his achilles (?) I believe and tried to run in the trials but was unable. I am blanking on his name...

5. China did an amazing job. I heard the food stands were very odd so perhaps London could come up with something better...bangers and mash, anyone? I didn't care for the new gymnastics scoring, nor for the judging itself, for that matter.

6. I have never been into the Olympics as much as this year. I felt alive and excited about sports medicine like never before. I am most amazed at how these athletes can perform at such high levels. The falls, misses, and losses are heart-breaking to watch when you know how much they have put into this one single event. That is the worst part to watch.