Americans (shot) put in their place

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-16 09:09

American shot putter Reese Hoffa - all 140 kg of him - has been dabbling in gymnastics.

But the world will have to wait to see what new antics the famously humorous athlete was planning.

Hoffa said he would unveil a routine for the world to see should he win gold on the shot put event yesterday. He did not come close.

The quirky and charismatic American shot-putting trio of Hoffa, Christian Cantwell and Adam Nelson had been favoured to win - or perhaps even sweep - the first track and field event of the Beijing Games yesterday.

The US squad is hoping to eclipse the 25 medals won four years ago in Athens. The team is also trying to shift headlines away from medals taken away by doping scandals to those won in memorable moments.

Veteran Nelson was more cautious.

"The reality is, it's hard to get a medal," said Nelson, who's won silver at the past two Olympic Games. "You don't always have the performances that live up to the billing."

The three Americans had accounted for eight of the top 10 throws in the world this season, with Nelson leading the pack. Americans haven't swept the event since 1960.

"I'd love to be the class of Olympic athletes to sweep," said Hoffa.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/16/2008 page8)