Beyond the medals

The world's eye turns toward Beijing in two days, but we know the actual competition will take up only so much of the spotlight. Here are some of the other headlines that will be written during the Olympics.

Last update: August 5, 2008 - 3:50 PM

[1] DRUGS, DRUGS, DRUGS

Looking for cheaters in all the usual places:

Item: Seven female Russian track and field athletes suspended and bounced out of the Olympics because of suspicious Russian testing practices (i.e. substituting urine samples).

Item: Multiple U.S. track athletes have been either suspended or forced to give back Olympic medals from previous Games.

What will happen in Beijing? It's anyone's guess, but it'll be a big and developing story.

[2] AIR CONDITIONING

The problem: If the weather offers up a combination of heat, high humidity and little wind, the noxious air of Beijing could become a hazard for Olympic athletes.

The solution? The USOC is providing its 600-plus athletes with special air masks. New Zealand and Japanese athletes are also getting face masks of some sort. The masks are not intended for training or competition, but some athletes have said they are considering wearing them.

[3] HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE?

Chinese athletes will be under tremendous pressure to win. China has poured tons of cash into its sports program. The effect: The Chinese finished fourth in the gold medal count (16) at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. They moved up to third in 2000 with 28 golds, and at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, finished second with 32 golds. Only the U.S. team (34) did better. This might be the year China rises to the top.

[4] CHINA'S BUILDING BOOM

The National Stadium will undoubtedly be an icon of the 2008 Games. The "Bird's Nest" (at right and below) will host Opening and Closing Ceremonies, along with soccer and track and field competitions. It was intended to give Beijing its own "Eiffel Tower," a building that will be recognized worldwide after these Games. The original design called for a retractable roof, which was eliminated because it was deemed too expensive.

[5] THE SWIMSUIT WARS

Since the release of Speedo's LZR Racer, 44 swimming world records have been shattered. It has become the suit of choice. So, in a rare nod to a competitor, Nike announced it would allow its swimmers to wear the Speedo product at the Beijing Olympics. But the suits have caused at least a little backlash. One Italian coach accused Speedo of technological doping.

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