Category — Cycling

Okay, this is another “better late than never” blog entry. Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland kisses his gold medal after he topped the men’s individual time trial in cycling. Let’s include Fabian in our list of medal kissers which, so far, contains shooting champ Satu Makela-Nummela of Finland. I’m hoping that Fabian’s countryman and Swiss flagbearer Roger Federer will join their ranks. Go Raja.

Photo credit: stu forster via beijing2oo8

Do you think cyclist Nicole Cooke will mind if we call her “The Shrieker”? Hopefully not, after all she seems to be a, to use the words of a popular song, jolly good fellow. Nicole won Great Britain’s first gold medal in the Beijing Olympics. Here’s a report about her victory and the loud noise she made afterwards [from the telegraph]:

As she crossed the line Cooke let out a shriek – mostly of joy but also a venting of past frustrations. “We did it, it was perfect. It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I came over the line and there were so many emotions that were coming out all at once.

“I made so much noise because I guess that’s just the person I am. I want to thank all the people who’ve been there from the start. I’ve worked so hard, I’m so happy. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I still feel like the normal Nicole from before the race. But it’s just so exciting.”

Congratulations to you Nicole! For those of you looking for more info about Nicole, she has a website here.

Photo source: telegraph

Hey, Rebecca. Whoever told you to bike like that?

For those of you who don’t know, Rebecca Romero is a British rower turned cyclist; she won a rowing silver medal [quadruple sculls] in Athens 2004 and is a favorite to win a cycling gold in Beijing. She has a website here.

Photo credit: dailymail.co.uk

Good for you Samuel Sanchez for winning a gold medal for Spain. Now bring those hands down because they remind me of them irritating televangelists who I force myself to watch if there’s nothing interesting on TV.

Congratulations. Felicidades! [Note: The guys over here are debating whether felicidades or felicitaciones is the right translation for congratulations.]

Photo credit: telegraph.uk

Cyclist Azilul Hasni Awang will be Malaysia’s flag bearer in Beijing. Azilul is currently the Asian cycling champ and is one of Malaysia’s legitimate Olympic medal contender. How much of a medal threat is he? Last month, he beat 2004 Athens Olympic double gold medalist Ryan Bayley and two-time Olympic medalist Shane Kelly during a cycling meet in Australia.

Malaysia related posts:
Yatching: Kevin Lim’s Road to Beijing
The Money Report: Malaysia’s Incentives for Olympic Medalists
Malaysian Athletes Bound for Beijing