Games of the IV Olympiad—roleplay thread

[Commerce Heights]

This is the roleplay thread for the Games of the IV Olympiad. If you have not already entered, you can do so in the signup thread.

Schedule
The opening ceremony took place on 2009-09-07; events will be held between 2009-09-08 and 2009-09-30. Scorination will take place at 06:00 and 18:00 UTC on each day. A complete schedule of which events will be held at what time is available.

Errors
If you think you have spotted an error in scorination, please raise the issue in the Olympic Games discussion thread, so that it may be remedied. Note that while every effort will be made to correct errors, some may be ignored if a correction would be highly impractical.

Participants (73)
Links to signups and rosters will be added whenever I feel like it, which, based on my previous track record, may be never…

• Ad’ihan (ADN)
• Akbarabad (AKB)
• Albundania (ALB)
• The Allied Islands (TAI)
• Alversia (ALV)
• An Blascaod Mór (ABM)
• Andrewboy (ADB)
• Antarctistan (ATI)
• Association francophone (ACF)
• Asteran (AST)
• The Babbage Islands (TBI)
• Barnetsville (BRN)
• Bears Armed (BRS)
• Bluth Corporation (BLU)
• Bulgislavia (PRB)
• Burchadinger (BUR)
• Cachette de Lions (CDL)
• Cafundéu (CAF)
• Candelaria And Marquez (CAM)
• Capitalizt SLANI (COM)
• Carpathia and Ruthenia (CAR)
• Cassadaigua (CDG)
• Community Athletics (CAA)
• Courezzia (COU)
• Delaclava (DEL)
• Docky (DOC)
• Domnonia (DOM)
• Edward City (EDC)
• Ell-Oh-Ell (LOL)
• Fujisawan Territories (FJT)
• Gynocracy (GYN)
• Iglesian Archipelago (IGL)
• Jalanat (JAL)
• Jasĭyun (JSY)
• Jatriqya and Hoya (JAH)
• Jeffgordonville (JGV)
• Jesselton (JES)
• Kelssek (KSK)
• Köseli Cumhuriyetler (KCU)
• Kosovoe (KOS)
• Krytenia (KRY)
• Kura-Pelland (KPL)
• Landau Institute (LID)
• Liventia (LEN)
• Lontorika (LTK)
• Lovisa (LOV)
• Lurikastan (LUR)
• Mantwenic (MAN)
• Newmanistan (NEW)
• New Rockport (NRO)
• Oreington Canada (ORC)
• Osarius (OSR)
• Palmouth (PLM)
• Qazox (QZX)
• Quintessence of Dust (QOD)
• Ruccola (RUC)
• Sargossa (SRG)
• Secristan (SEC)
• Septentrionia (SPT)
• Seven Castles (SCS)
• Shivat (SHV)
• Sibirsky (SIB)
• Somewhereistonia (SOM)
• Sorthern Northland (SNO)
• Taeshan (TAE)
• Tatuape (TAT)
• Tirkana (TRK)
• Tocrowkia (TOC)
• Tyrrin (TYR)
• Unified Beretania (UBT)
• Valanora (VAL)
• Yafor 2 (YAF)
• Zwangzug (ZWZ)

Links
Signup thread
Roster thread
Results thread

[Quintessence of Dust]

Quintessential Olympic Team - Qualification

1. AQUATICS

Qualification for the aquatics team was, as with most other other disciplines, decided at the National Toasty-Warm Games, the smaller, less popular summer version of the National Freezing-to-Cold Games. This year, the Toasty-Warm Swim Gala was held at the (non-)Olympic facilities in the State University of Pulona. The relay teams were chosen beforehand, and mostly consisted of athletes qualifying in other events anyway.

Swimming is hugely popular in Quintessence of Dust, and this has had an odd knock-on effect in making diving considered obselete. There are so many municipal pools that rarely are any built with diving facilities, and it's considered rather antisocial. Nonetheless, three members of the Severe Spinal Shock Survivors Support System of Quintessence of Dust (SSSSSS-QOD) have decided to enter the Olympic diving competitions. They did not record official scores at the Games as the nation has no qualified judges, but did perform as part of the closing gala, hurtling into the pool to screams of horror from the appalled spectators.

There were also no water polo events, as the team had already been selected. It is the first all-Quintessential-Chinese team chosen to represent the nation since the Winter Olympic speed skating. The squad did not play their planned exhibition match, instead travelling to Qazox for their Summer Sports Festival, where they earned a silver medal after being beaten on three occasions by the Bears Armed team. Still, the medal was met with delight at home, and it makes the team - in the most unofficial capacity imaginable - the #2 ranked side in the world. For about a week.

Synchronised swimming is illegal in Quintessence of Dust, and recent "flashmob" sychronisations at municipal sports facilities have been met with a federal law empowering lifeguards to wee on anyone suspected of "intra-pool rhythmic coordination", which caused chaos at the New Cleethorpes Over-70s Aquarobics Class after volunteer attendant Tina Jonsson had asparagus for lunch.

But of course, all attention was really on the swimming. In each event, the fastest two times earned qualification - even if other athletes had recorded faster times during the season. For a few, this obviously meant heartbreak, but it was judged the fairest way of determining the best competition swimmers, much as feeding Christians to the lions proved the fairest way of determining the sincerity of their faith. That said, most of the results were judged pretty fair, and in almost every event the swimmer with the season's best time qualified anyway.

Gary Huang was one surprise qualifier in a very slow freestyle sprint completely dominated by Hinrik Vilhjálmsson, who also qualified in the 50 behind his brother, Aðalsteinn, who hopes for a slightly improbable double in the...shot put. (Improbable? Our best springboard diver survived a 70 foot fall from a burning oil rig! With only the complete loss of limb function.) Josh Søndergaard also posted two personal bests to qualify in events in which he was not highly fancied to even avoid drowning.

Notable in the pool was Joost "Super" Friis, who qualified for five individual events and was named to all three relay teams; though par for the course by international standards, in Quintessence of Dust for one athlete to be so dominant was quite unprecedented, even if his stupendous arm span was probably more decisive than his distinctive "dying whale" butterfly kick action. Controversy soon flared up, though, when he was photographed at a party after the closing gala, smoking from a crystal meth pipe. He brushed the incident off: "It's only recreational, harmless fun. Don't worry, I'm not poor or a minority: I can handle it." He also confirmed that he wears a full body suit not to aid aquadynamics but to cover his myriad intravenous methedrine trackmarks.

Particularly in the men's, though, a number of events were way off international pace, giving rise to concern that the swim team might meet with disappointment, even embarrassment, when pitted against the best of the world's crop. In the 1500m freestyle, the best time was almost half a minute behind the Olympic Record - enought time for Super Friis to do a line cut into the shape of the national borders, before having a redemptive fight with his arms dealing brother, Stijn - who qualified in the open water event (presumably preferring the reds than the blues). "Iiiiii mmmmmm vrrrrry prrrrrd offfff mmmmmmyyyy brrrrrthhheeerrr," he said to assembled press afterwards.

Super Friis was the most successful male athlete of the Gala, claiming four golds and one silver - narrowly pipped by Luke Jespersen in the medley sprint, though he got his revenge, complete with flashing lightning and overly long cackles, in the 400 m event - but it remains to be seen how we will fare against the likes of the Newmanistani or Cafundelese teams that proved so dominant at the Third Summer Olympics.

Ben Nilsson was another surprise qualifier, taking silver in the 100m backstroke after entering the final ranked only 8th, and was forced to swim in the outside line (which is all full of guck and stuff). He then powered to victory in the 200m well ahead of favourite Luke Jespersen. And there was moderate excitement as Jóhannes Bjartursson set a new national record - in the least interesting event (men's 100 m breaststroke - I mean, you can't even make any stupid jokes; it's just a bunch of boys swimming quite slowly).

In the women's, there were also a lot of slow races, but more national records tumbled - 5, 3 of them to the undisputed queen of the pool, Jess Everhart, who won six gold medals, and will compete in nine events in the Summer Games. The team generally looked much stronger in the shorter events, and in the longer events the huge gaps between first, second, and the non-qualifiers were much more evident (unsurprisingly, but still).

Emma Bates led a fast 50 m final for a new national record, and Samantha Benson qualified to become the first Quodite to compete at two Olympics (having placed 8th in moguls skiing in Alavaria). She broke the national record in the 200 m backstroke, qualified in the 400 m individual medley with a silver to Everhart's record-smashing first, and was a surprise inclusion to the 4 x 100 squad.

Perhaps least impressive was Zanna Håkansson in the open water event; she finished 12 minutes behind first place Phoebe Perkins, but still qualified after the entire rest of the field got sucked into an underwater vent (thankfully, without injury). It later emerged the 14 year old hadn't even meant to be in the event, but had fallen into the pool at the start and been too embarrassed to get out.

With Friis and Everhart set to lead the swim team, the QAFFA (Quintessential Association For Felching & Aquatics) has released a target of 3 medals (including one in the relay events), ambitious if the strength of the field last time is any indication, with no loss of life to gerbils or hamsters. QAFFA President Allen "I Have Been Court-Ordered To Specify My Non-Relation To Carlos" Fuentes said, "I think this is a good team, perhaps not the strongest in the world but ready to compete at the highest level, and I am confident that they can come back having done themselves proud and suffocated relatively few small mammals in their anuses. Thank you."

RESULTS:

Men’s 50 m Freestyle
Aðalsteinn Vilhjálmsson 21.93
Hinrik Vilhjálmsson 22.17

Men’s 100 m Freestyle
Hinrik Vilhjálmsson 48.79
Gary Huang 50.95

Men’s 200 m Freestyle
Joost Friis 1:46.47
Josh Søndergaard 1:46.60

Men’s 400 m Freestyle
Reijo Uusipaikka 3:47.69
Josh Søndergaard 3:49.19

Men’s 1500 m Freestyle
Josh Søndergaard 14:59.70
Reijo Uusipaikka 15:00.45

Men’s 10000 m Freestyle
Meng Kao 1:52.44
Stijn Friis 1:53.56

Men’s 100 m Backstroke
Mathias Hedlund 54.65
Ben Nilsson 55.08

Men’s 200 m Backstroke
Ben Nilsson 1:57.75
Luke Jespersen 1:59.41

Men’s 100 m Breaststroke
Jóhannes Bjartursson 1:01.07 - National Record
Mike Crabtree 1:02.38

Men’s 200 m Breaststroke
Mike Crabtree 2:11.41
Owen Fowler 2:12.33

Men’s 100 m Butterfly
Joost Friis 52.03
Charlie Henriksson 52.90

Men’s 200 m Butterfly
Joost Friis 1:55.79
Luke Jespersen 1:57.36

Men’s 200 m Individual Medley
Joost Friis 2:00.60
Luke Jespersen 2:00.16

Men’s 400 m Individual Medley
Luke Jespersen 4:19.20
Joost Friis 4:14.60

Women’s 50 m Freestyle
Emma Bates 24.53 - National Record
Guðrún Pétursdóttir 24.72

Women’s 100 m Freestyle
Lucy Browne 54.16
Marijke Frederiksen 55.56

Women’s 200 m Freestyle
Jess Everhart 1:58.37
Sigrún Hildursdóttir 1:59.02

Women’s 400 m Freestyle
Jess Everhart 4:05.65 - National Record
Katelijn Lund 4:08.17

Women’s 800 m Freestyle
Jess Everhart 8:23.09
Katelijn Lund 8:23.63

Women’s 10000 m Freestyle
Phoebe Perkins 1:56:48.0
Zanna Håkansson 2:08.38.5

Women’s 100 m Backstroke
Lucy Browne 1.00.89
Hanna Hildur Lárusdóttir 1.01.07

Women’s 200 m Backstroke
Samantha Benson 2:08.55 - National Record
Hanna Hildur Lárusdóttir 2:11.51

Women’s 100 m Breaststroke
Brynja Hákonsdóttir 1:06.94
Tammy Finch 1:07.55

Women’s 200 m Breaststroke
Alma Nyman 2:24.89
Tammy Finch 2:25.64

Women’s 100 m Butterfly
Tia Reid 58.38
Maggie Danielsen 1:01.92

Women’s 200 m Butterfly
Jess Everhart 2:08.29
Maggie Danielsen 2:11.62

Women’s 200 m Individual Medley
Jess Everhart 2:12.54 - National Record
Lucy Browne 2:12.67

Women’s 400 m Individual Medley
Jess Everhart 4:37.72 - National Record
Samantha Benson 4:42.15

2. CYCLING

Rugby may be the nation's official national sport, but everyone really knows that skiing and cycling are the real favourites among Quodites. So, after leading the world in alpine skiing at the Fourth Winter Olympics, expectations are now high for the cycle team at the Fourth Summer Olympics.

That said, early indications are not good. Team QCS failed in its aspiration of getting a rider to finish in the top 10 of the Tour de Qazox, Raine Kauniainen placing 13th, and in general the riders struggled to adapt to international conditions, being more used to peleton finishes on the flat and mountain stages that don't see the entire field divide two minutes. Oh well. Nonetheless, two Quodite riders won individual stages, which was promising, and Team QCS announced its intention to compete in the future Tour de Adihan.

The National Toasty Warm Games featured a track competition at the newly built Nowy Orpington Velodrome/Ham Factory, producing some fast times and some munchable salted pork products. Predictably, the Rahlia Racing Club dominated at their new facility, with Julius Sundberg (who won a stage and finished in the sprint top 10 at the TdQ) winning two events (sprint and keirin). Nonetheless, Greschmeier MSC performed creditably: Sophie Poulsen matched Sundberg in the women's events, and there was a surprise as Tom Gruenwald, former Young Ice Hockey Player of the Year for the Forks, qualified in the Madison.

Sundberg, Poulsen and Maya Stanley look to the be the strongest hopes on the track, though Hans Hansen, who was unsurprisingly named Directeur Sportif and is also in charge of securing mustard and pickles for the team, played down any expectations of outstanding performances. "Plateaus in technology mean some of those world records look like standing for a long time yet," he said, speaking of the times that have stood etched in stone since the First Games in Casari.

Nonetheless, the team has expended significant money and effort in wind tunnels and physics labs, testing out their bikes, uniforms and helmets, and coming up with the most aerodynamic kit. They also nicked the keys to the supercomputer when no one was looking and used the nation's largest processing system to spell "BOOBIES" backwards.

But Quodites don't really want to see their cyclists cooped up in slanted velodromes: they want to see them on the road, grinding up mountains and sweeping through scenic rural settings, piling into a crowded main street for a sprint finish. As such, even more excitement was generated by the selection of the team for the road events (despite their generally being considered less prestigious).

Zhein Wei is the first Quintessential-Chinese athlete to win the Quintessential Giro, causing a minor rift among cycling fans who'd hoped this would be the first year a female athlete would win, as both Kauniainen and Sabine Becker had strong seasons. But his gritty ascent of Alpo de Queso clawed back valuable seconds over the Quin-Finn, and he blew the field away in the final time trial. All three qualified for both mass start and time trial.

Despite the mountainous north, the popularity of road cycling has historically limited the development of mountain biking. A motley selection managed to achieve qualification on a suspiciously dry course round the shore of Lake Alfie, perhaps most notably including Luke Hale, husband of women's field hockey hopeful Izzy Hale. And while the QOA was happy to "target" a medal each in road and track, it has limited its public hopes for mountain biking. "Just please try not to die," said Hansen.

Finally, the nation decided to submit BMX entries despite the discipline being basically unknown to the Quodite sporting establishment. Hansen's recruiting tactic - which considered of going to the graffiti-stained underpass of Highmark City's Civic Centre, and offering free solvents and lighter fluid to anyone willing to sign up - attracted a little controversy, but six black-clad teenagers did indeed stop carving the name of their ex-girlfriend into their upper arms long enough to register. They then continued, silently wishing they'd dated "Sam" or "Alex" instead of "Shradhdha".

3. ATHLETICS

After the swimming and cycling, the athletics was perhaps the least anticipated part of the National Toasty-Warm Games, and dwindling attendance figures weren't helped by, in general, the comically inept performances on the track; some rather better showings were produced in the field, though favourable wind conditions meant a couple of throws that might otherwise have ranked among the season's best were discounted. Additionally, the favourite track events of most Quodites - marathon and 50 km walk, predictably enough for a people who annoy not only knitting, but darning, sewing, crossstitch, watercolour painting, and live action role playing during parliamentary sesssions - were not contested.

Before the Games, it had been thought the middle distance team looked a stronger outfit than the sprinters. In fact, all were equally incompetent, with a few exceptions. Footballer Arsi Sandell smashed the national record in the steeplechase, and then won a second gold in the 800 m.

The 20 km walk ended in thrilling fashion, just four hundredths of a second separating Schroder and Pfaff, the latter no doubt coming to deeply regret his having stopped for several minutes to buy a hasty anniversary present for his wife. He pronounced himself "disappointed" with his silver medal behind Schroder, considered more of a 50 km threat (those responding to his dating ads professing his love of "long walks on the beach", take note - and, possibly, a change of footwear), much as his wife pronounced herself "disappointed" with her Best of the Crooners: Forgotten Classics from the Static Era compilation CD.

Professional hockey player Kaarlo Hautaniemi was pronounced Athlete of the Games, a surprise pick ahead of Friis, after his decathlon victory; he also won gold in the individual shot put and discus events. So basically, any burglars trying to break into his house are pretty much fucked. Säde Varvio's national record javelin throw gave her the unusual distinction of qualifying in three disciplines: volleyball, table tennis, and athletics. She must be a fox in bed.

To her obvious irritation, Lupo Korainnen became the second returning Winter Olympian to qualify for the Summer Games despite a slightly disappointing javelin contest. The javelin and high jump are considered the two favourite athletic contests of Quintessence of Dust and in general, the National Toasty-Warm Games produced some below-par showings in the four events. Roope Järvi-Laturi broke the national record in an exciting hammer contest. Enthusiasm about his Olympic prospects died down a little, though, as it emerged he'd used an entirely different kind of hammer to kill his wife.

In the women's events, Kaari Kuivanen completely shattered the national pole vault record. Admittedly, that had previously been mistakenly set up someone falling off a stepladder, but still, it was an impressive showing from someone who'd only taken up the sport 17 seconds earlier. Odette Desforges also went over 15 metres in the triple jump and Aida Åkesson over 70 metres in the discus, both national firsts.

The big disappointment was Sophia Hellström. She picked up two golds and two silvers but had hoped for better, being overshadowed in the long and triple jumps and failing to clear 2 metres to share first place in a low-key high jump event; she atoned with a storming heptathlon performance but looks unlikely to significantly challenge in the individual events. The same could be said of Kirsi Paananen, who picked up a not-very-impressive-record four bronze medals.

Overall, the health of Quodite athletics was looking a little dicky until the last morning when a 19 year old immigrant confusingly named Esmé Love-and-Squalor dashed ahead of the field, and the national record, in the 400 m. She might even have been the first Quodite woman to go under 50 seconds had she not slowed down to celebrate in the closing straight, first waving to the crowd, then breaking it on down for a few minutes.

It remains to be seen how well the athletes can do at the international level, but the Quintessential Athletics Body reacted with extreme conservatism to the results, setting a target of 4 medals, 3 in the field, including 1 in the high jump. Still, it was difficult to escape the impression that the country's high-stodge, high-grey-inedible meat, high-fat diet is unconducive to producing the kind of lithe stars likely to capture glory under the Aeropag lights, a sentiment ventured by the QAB press officer as he ate four cheeseburgers and lay on the track gasping for air.

RESULTS:

Men’s 100 m
Robert Broadway 10.37
Heintje Kristoffersen 10.38
Tao Lü 10.43

Men’s 200 m
Väinö Vehviläinen 20.93
Tao Lü 21.15
Robert Broadway 21.28

Men’s 400 m
Truls Berglund 45.81
Ritsuki Sakurai 45.83
Xavier Fuller 46.40

Men’s 800 m
Arsi Sandell 1:46.21
Kalevi Gardemeister 1:47.76
John Harvey 1:47.97

Men’s 1500 m
Alex Lord 3:38.24
Jin Hsieh 3:39.46
Keke Tervo 3:39.64

Men’s 5000 m
Kristian Drechsler 13:52.80
Keke Tervo 13:52.83
Vernon Martel 13:59.92

Men’s 10000 m
Harry Gustavsson 27:53.28
Lucjusz Jabłoński 27:55.08
Keleman Balogh 27:56.69

Men’s 110 m Hurdles
Kristian Jönsson 13.57
Ron Moore 13.68
Hsin Chen 13.68

Men’s 400 m Hurdles
Harley Griffiths 49.63
Mies Villadsen 49.68
Magnus Hirvi 49.89

Men’s 3000 m Steeplechase
Arsi Sandell 8:15.77 - NR
Juho Jansson 8:16.85

Men’s 20 km Walk
Torsten Schröder 1:21.39
Tobias Pfaff 1:21.35
Folkus Kántor 1:23.53

Men’s High Jump
Joseph Martinsson 2.39
Rickard Göransson 2.29
Harry Berry 2.25

Men’s Pole Vault
Mattiesko Aho 5.75
Ante Forsberg 5.75
Wille Bengtsson 5.65

Men’s Long Jump
Harry Kuusisto 8.54 NM 8.01 NM 7.92 7.78
Matthias Himmel NM 8.27 8.17 8.08 NM 7.87
Gustaw Jabłoński 7.13 7.90 8.01 8.03 NM 7.69

Men’s Triple Jump
Henning Björk NM 17.56 17.88 NM 16.70 16.37
Kalevi Gardemeister 17.31 NM 16.72 17.71 NM 16.73
Henrik Arvidsson 16.73 16.90 16.03 16.67 16.60 16.31

Men’s Shot Put
Kaarlo Hautaniemi 20.53 21.72 19.49 20.51 20.72 19.39
Dieter Karlsen 20.02 19.68 20.16 NM 20.19 19.73
Aðalsteinn Vilhjálmsson NM 19.65 20.12 NM 19.64 19.55

Men’s Discus Throw
Kaarlo Hautaniemi 60.60 63.58 66.05 65.65 68.50 70.62
Mathias Hedlund 63.86 60.60 59.60 68.09 65.54 NM
Jukka-Pekk Mäkilä 64.27 63.05 62.51 NM 61.22 60.11

Men’s Hammer Throw
Roope Järvi-Laturi 78.49 86.52 - NR 72.28 77.66 79.50 72.54
Eysteinn Lárusson 78.17 75.23 NM NM 79.07 74.03
Albin Persson 77.07 77.05 78.74 78.78 77.05 77.07

Men’s Javelin Throw
Jukka-Pekk Mäkilä 87.85 83.19 79.97 77.71 81.36 79.24
Miika Kangas 83.66 83.20 76.58 85.78 79.29 87.16
Lupo Korainnen 83.49 85.90 84.56 NM NM 71.52

Men’s Decathlon
Kaarlo Hautaniemi 913 917 822 747 866 921 891 910 848 748 = 8583
Tyler Henningsson 977 978 716 851 854 917 798 789 740 798 = 8418

Women’s 100 m
Georgia Hughes 11.42
Brigitte Freeh 11.46
Lei Sun 11.53

Women’s 200 m
Loes Holm 23.13
Brigitte Freeh 23.17
Cristen Ward 23.25

Women’s 400 m
Esmé Love-and-Squalor 50.06 - NR
Marjo Holappa 51.09
Lea Hughes 52.44

Women’s 800 m
Lila Hickman 2:00.51
Daniela Hermansson 2:01.71
Li Wei Chiu 2:02.05

Women’s 1500 m
Millie Reynolds 4:07.29
Maryse Vestergaard 4:07.62
Marjo Herlevi 4:09.51

Women’s 5000 m
Marcelina Jabłoński 14:41.06
Andrea Kortig 14:50.13
Alacoque Thibault 15:05.01

Women’s 10000 m
Annemarie Linhard 31:26.50
Andrea Kortig 31:38.72
Nor Gustafsson 31:47.16

Women’s 100 m Hurdles
Sara Eggers 12.54
Fanny Petersson 12.67
Jennifer Lamont 12.81

Women’s 400 m Hurdles
Ting Yu 54.39
Hannah Lewis 55.10
Olivia Doherty 55.91

Women’s 3000 m Steeplechase
Christin Tommler 9:44.83
Fleurette Viens 9:50.40
Lempi Kunnas 9:50.91

Women’s 20 km Walk
Lisa Hamlin 1:30.25
Tanja Ziegler 1:30.48
Sophia Cole 1:31.38

Women’s High Jump
Alwa Bergström 1.99
Sophia Hellström 1.99
Jessica Petersson 1.96

Women’s Pole Vault
Kaari Kuivanen 4.75 - NR
Ásdís Hákonsdóttir 4.65
Magdalena Møller 4.50

Women’s Long Jump
Emma Rasa 6.57 NM 6.47 6.81 6.87 6.72
Sophia Hellström 6.65 6.38 6.61 6.75 6.86 6.57
Demi Jordan 6.47 6.58 6.33 6.04 6.72 6.56

Women’s Triple Jump
Odette Desforges 14.90 13.22 14.96 15.25 - NR 14.69 NM
Sophia Hellström 14.75 14.47 14.95 NM 14.99 14.10
Ines Bosch 14.75 NM 13.23 14.48 14.94 13.64

Women’s Shot Put
Sayu Shibata 17.44 18.63 17.48
Jen "Motherfucker" Kuan-Yin 16.96 16.89 18.58
Kirsi Paananen 18.51 18.50 18.32

Women’s Discus Throw
Aida Åkesson 51.52 70.72 - NR 61.59 62.07 69.13 NM
Judyta Jasiński 65.10 61.44 55.60 65.91 64.02 62.10
Kirsi Paananen 61.04 53.64 60.15 64.71 65.37 63.00

Women’s Hammer Throw
Svana Pétursdóttir 63.71 68.29 61.62 NM 73.66 70.27
Angelina Olofsson 69.12 68.55 63.84 72.22 66.32 68.53
Rita Hull 63.53 63.18 63.58 69.02 68.29 67.92

Women’s Javelin Throw
Säde Varvio 59.99 54.34 68.52 - NR NM 63.55 62.63
Marijke Kjær 61.79 62.87 67.30 61.75 62.54 63.87
Kirsi Paananen 54.11 59.97 58.43 62.50 63.66 57.89

Women’s Heptathlon
Sophia Hellström 1156 1028 745 921 1078 706 951 = 6585
Ulrike Klein 1161 956 767 981 907 738 896 = 6406
Kirsi Paananen 1087 968 875 912 907 748 800 = 6297

[Newmanistan]

EMPRESS PROPOSES BASEBALL BOYCOTT

Pocono City- Since the Third Summer Games and now, baseball has been taken off the list of medal events. Events such as the 20km Walk, anything in rhythmic gymnastics and too many wrestling weight classes remain, but it was baseball (as well as softball) which was omitted because it was apparently too much softball. This did cause a bit of a stir when host bidding took place, but was not enough for Aeropag to not be voted in. We know that Aeropag will put on a great show, but why not baseball?

The organizers have said it would be included as a demonstration sport if enough people support it. Therefore, it's not a matter of a lack of venues, they feel they have enough to support the sport as a demonstration sport. No, this was simply a decision to slap baseball in the face. Because of this Empress Jessica, and other prominent Newmanistanian baseball players are encouraging fellow baseball playing nations to NOT propose it as a demonstration sport, because the great game deserves better and in doing so, the organizers are "allowed to win and set a dangerous precedent." Here was the statement by Her Highness.

"It makes no sense to me that one of the world's greatest team games, and a true summertime event, would be taken off the list of medal events. We've tolerated gridiron not being there, but baseball? We just had 36 nations participate in the last World Baseball Classic, so there is a ton of interest out there in the sport, a lot more interest then there is in racewalking. The organizers have told us that the sport can be proposed as a demonstration sport. While fans of the sport may see that as a compromise, what it actually is, is further disgracing the sport. Instead of telling them they can no longer play for medals, we're telling them that they can play, but there will be no medals. Due to this, we urge all Olympic nations that have proposed baseball as a demonstration sport to rescind that proposal. Instead, this decision needs to be boycotted completely and this Capitalizt nation not be allowed to profit on having any baseball in their stadiums. Perhaps we can direct this pressure in a better way, and put it on the organizers to reconsider their decision and have it be a medal event."

Carrie Nicolette, the outspoken member of the Rockets in every World Baseball Classic added:
"This really is an outrage. Newmanistan won't be going. We've won two of the last three World Baseball Classics and have been to the last five WBC title games. We are ranked #1 in the world. So, to all you nations who might be going to play it as a demonstration sport, you will prove nothing if we are not there because you would not have beaten the best."

Stacey Keisler, another outspoken player also added:
"You have all of these other sports and they take baseball away from us. If it's allowed to be a demonstration sport, you are sending the message that yeah, we were ok with that decision. Well, that's not the case. Don't let them win. The true baseball playing countries need to demand that it is a medal sport, or they don't show up at all."

[Bulgislavia]

On August 10th President of Bulgislavia toured the Bulgislavian National Academy of Sports. Shook hands with a few gold medalists and greeted children as young as 3 that were to be appointed a sport and enter the harsh communist sporting system.

To promote the "Superior" Socialist System Bulgislavia implemented a Soviet style sports regime in 1946 and its produced fantastic athletes in the past.
For a nation of only 5.8 Million people Bulgislavia picked up 8 medals in the 2008 Olympics in Capitalizt Slani. Children as young as 3 are taken to this Sports academny in Terevesti and depending on flexability, size, wieght and age they are ASIGNED a sport, send to an academy somewhere in the country and train almost everyday of the year 6 hours a day only being able to see thier family twice a year.

Former Bulgislavian coaches who have defected from the Stalinist nation have called the sports system "Excessive" "Cruel" and "Evil" and the Bulgislavian authorities did not permit us to film inside the Gym to the east of the country training the nations top Gymnasts however it did permit us to interview Dan Patrescanu an 8 yearold who has been in the system for 4 years.

"I can not wait for the day I can represent my homeland in the Olympics" Said Dan
When asked about the methods the coaches use he said
"Its hard and sometimes it can make me cry but we have to have it to show the world we are the best and to make our people proud"

We tracked down Dan Patrescanu's parents, Irena and Bogdan Patrescanu, factory workers who live in a flat in the central city of Plethece
"Life is quite hard for ordinary Bulgislavian's, we took our son to the Academny when he was 4 and we are fortunate the coaches accepted him where he is sure of a better life. We still visit him twice a year and he makes us very proud"

Its true the Bulgislavian regime spares no expenses for thier athletes. Free education even allowing free university education, special perks, no taxes, national fame and prominence and a guarenteed meal with no rationing while the rest of the nation must deal with food coupons, long lines for little goods and malnutrition. The medalists and champions are even given town houses in the piviledged sectors of Terevesti the capital city although even the champions admit its a guilded cage

"We use to have a lot of defections in the 60's. Athletes performing abroad would sometimes refuse to return to Bulgislavia and dissapear into the night, since then we have had to be housed in different accomodations to the capitalist nations and we had minders who were party members that kept watch over us and now that I have retired from sports altogether I am not permitted to travel abroad ever" said retired Diving champion Elena Lecretau

Look out for Bulgislavia in the Olympics cause when you see those young adults performing before the world most of them have been in that sport assigned to them since the ages of 3 to 5 and perhaps one day you will see young Dan Patrescanu performing for the world in a future Olympics

[Domnonia]

Carbonneau aims to put DOM on Sprint map at Aeropag_{August 21st, 2009}

CADORN – Domini 100m record holder Marc Carbonneau says he is very determined to put his country’s sprint on the map.

Since Cartier Sieppe, the 2000 Keeslandic Games 100m champion, at 9.84, and Geom Lee, who also had a personal best of 9.84, Domnonia has not produced any world class sprinters.

[float=right][/float]However, Carbonneau, who like Sieppe and Lee, has roots in Marysas and Gygaul, is determined to change things.

During Fridays afternoon sessions at the annual DOM interSport(DOMIS) Summer Athletics Championships Carbonneau, whose mother is from Ariaius and father from Jedoor, ran 9.76 for a new Domini record in the 100m second round.

“It means a lot to me,” he said while adding “it also means a lot for the country as my aim is to get the sprints on the map for Domnonia in Aeropag.”

“I am very determined to do it for my country,” he continued.

He said to win the gold medal on Saturdays second day would be the start of that process.

“It would mean a lot for me to make my country proud, so I am very determined to get the gold,” added Carbonneau.

In the first round, Carbonneau led the qualifiers with 9.96secs, then returned 9.76 in the second round, again the fastest time going into today’s semi-finals.

“I know I can run faster,” he said of the two rounds.

Now, looking onto the final, Carbonneau said: “I feel I can PB(personal best) again by running 9.7”.

“I am feeling good after my personal best,” he added.

Carbonneau, who said that the IV Summer Olympiad in Aeropag will be his first competition outside the International Democratic Union, expects the times to get slower for the DOMIS final.

“As each round goes by, it gets harder and harder, so I see 10.4 low winning the final.”

He said he was nervous at the start, but “now I am feeling good with myself.... It’s the biggest thing of my life, until Aeropag”.

Reported by The Globe & Post

PASSPORT AGENCY HAS LEARNED LESSON FROM AEROPAG PAST^{August 20th, 2009}

Passport Agence-dom, Domnonia's federal travel document issuer, appears to have learned the lesson of the I Winter Olympics in Aeropag as it deals with a renewed surge of passport applications in advance of the IV Summer Olympiad.

[float=left][/float]The agency has faced a deluge of applications from Domini over the last two days, averaging nearly 21,000 a day.

The sudden influx is largely a result of DOM interSports announcement that the National Athletic Federation will be participating in these games en masse.

Federal legislation requires that anyone wanting to travel outside the International Democratic Union must carry a valid passport, specialized diplomatic license or other approved documentation.

In 2006, when similar rules were imposed on air travelers to the I Winter Olympics, Passport Agence-dom was caught off guard. The result was a backlog of applications that reached 170,000 by the time the Games had begun and average processing times for mailed-in applications that reached six weeks or longer.
[float=right][/float]
Since then, the agency's staffing levels have nearly doubled, and dozens of new processing centres were opened.

Now there is no backlog, and passports are being delivered to applicants within two weeks if they apply directly, or four weeks through the mail, says a Passport Agence-dom spokesman.

"The processing times (now) are very fast," said Jean-Sebastien Roy.

"If you go to a Passport office, it takes up to 10 business days to process your application. And mailed-in applications are processed within 20 business days. If you apply now, you'll make it to Aeropag"

In 2003, Passport Agence-dom had 30 service points across the country, when application numbers averaged 13,000 daily.

By 2006, around the time the restrictions on traveling outside the IDU were put in place and the Aeropag Winter Olympics were announced, applications soared beyond 21,000 per day, and the agency was overwhelmed.

Now, there are 230 government service points, along with mobile passport units to reach remote areas.

"The unit has visited more than 50 cities throughout rural Domnonia and it's Diaspora throughout the IDU over the last year," said Roy.

The agency also launched three separate advertising campaigns, including one that is Olympiad specific, urging Domini spectators to apply for a passport now if they want to attend the games.

Reported by The Globe & Post

FLAG BEARER ANNOUNCED ^{August 19th, 2009}

DOM interSport (DOMIS) announced today that women’s national BMX champion and two-time (2007, 2008) Keeslandic Games medalist Himani Bannerji, of Isca, Algar, has been named Domnonia’s flag bearer for the IV Olympiad in Aeropag.

[float=left][/float]

Domnonia’s IV Olympiad Team announcement was held simultaneously at the IDU Consulate in Aeropag and at the National Aquatic Centre in Powys.

The Powys event featured Prime Minister Taylor Eden Carlson, Diadem Georges Vanier-Dar and members of Domnonia’s men’s aquatic, women’s canoe and football teams while Minister for Sport and Recreation Sylvie Bernier along with members of the Domini track and field squads attended the announcement in Aeropag.

"I am extremely honoured to have been selected as the flag bearer representing my sport, youth across the country, and all the Domini athletes at the fouth Olympiad in Aeropag,” said Bannerji. “I am humbled to have been chosen and feel it is a tribute to our entire team. My teammates and I are all looking forward to making Domnonia proud in the Vereinigte Kapitaliztische Staaten.”

A Keeslandic Games gold medallist in 2008 and a silver medallist in 2007, Bannerji, 29, has been a member of the Domini Women’s BMX Team since the 2001-02 season. The second highest achieving competitor in the history of the team, Bannerji is set to mark her milestone 30th birthday on September 4th – the same day the squad arrives in Aeropag to begin final preparations for the Games, which kick off on September 7th.

Throughout her outstanding career, Bannerji has represented Domnonia at more International and Interregional competitions than any other male or female player in the history of Domini BMX'ing. Over that time, she has won 21 international medals, including 17 gold. Apart from her success on wheels, Bannerji has also received national praise for her unwavering charitable commitments.

A quintessential role model throughout her career, Bannerji has spent numerous hours working with less privileged groups throughout the nation. Among her charitable endeavors, Bannerji has painted the Ungava Safe Haven for troubled teens, cooked and served meals at the Donald McRonald House in Aligarh, helped build playgrounds for kids and served dinner to less fortunate families.

Bannerji will be leading Domnonia’s team into the opening ceremonies at Aeropag September 7th. Competing in many disciplines for the first time since the I Winter Olympics in early 2006, Domnonia’s Olympiad team is expected to include an estimated 75 athletes. The complete team list will be finalized on August 25th.

“The Games represent an exciting time for high-performance sport in Domnonia,” said Bannerji. “During the 2007-08 season, our athletes and coaches experienced an unprecedented wave of podium success and our entire team remains focused on achieving a top ten finish in Aeropag.”

“We are very proud to have Bannerji carry Domnonia’s flag into the opening ceremony of the Olympiad,” said Prime Minister Taylor Eden Carlson. “Over the course of her career, Bannerji has distinguished herself as an outstanding Domini through her accomplishments both on and off the bike and we look forward to her continuing to represent the Asymmetrical Confederation with class and pride in Aeropag.”

Bannerji was chosen to be the flag bearer by a selection committee comprising Carlson, Bernier, two winter athletes chosen by DOM interSport and a coach appointed by the coaches’ representatives on the interSport Executive Committee.

Reported by The Globe & Post

[Krytenia]

Seven hundred and seven.

Yup...that's a damn big number. A lot of runners, swimmers, cyclists, rowers, scullers, and hell, even a weightlifter or two. In fact, the only things missing are wrestlers and people on horses, due to these being the only medal sports to which Krytenia haven't sent any competitors.

So, how do you keep track of the "Magnificent 707"? Simple. You use...

THE HANDY KRYTIE OLYMPIAN GUIDE!

Part One: Swimming and Diving

Ah, the swimming pool. Great nemesis of the Krytenian team in Columbia, where they netted just one medal - though it was, at least, a gold, which came in the 4x100 freestyle relay.

Forty-six men and women make up the Krytenian aquatics team, with a few familiar faces returning from the IIIrd Games.

Vernon Obikwelu flattered to disappoint in the pool four years ago; now 28, he's older, wiser, and gunning for medals. He'll be one of the favourites in no less than NINE events, adding the 200-metre breaststroke and the hundred-metre fly to his arsenal. Greg Van Outen, another member of the golden relay team, goes in a mere seven. Watch out also for Katherine Rychel; the 24-year old guns for glory in the two women's backstroke events.

On the diving board, the Krytenians are hoping to improve on the results of four years ago, and seriously challenge for medals. Hopes will fall mainly at the feet of Vanessa Balenta, the nation's top woman diver, in the three metre event, whilst on the high board...say it quietly, but many are tipping Yvette Rominger for gold.

[Delaclava]

DELACLAVA OLYMPIC COMMITTEE HEADQUARTERS
CATHERINA, DELACLAVA

The members of the Delaclava Olympic Committee were all sitting at the rectangular table in the conference room. With no official qualification standards to choose who to send to the Olympics, it was all on the DOC to make the right decisions.

Currently, the committee, led by DOC president Len Rogerre, was deliberating on one of Delaclava's best sports: athletics, or track and field as some nations know it. The current topic was Dominic Vargas. Called by many "the future of Delaclava sports", the 19-year old Vargas was already a multiple national and regional champion, with several regional records in the books. There was no doubt Vargas would be going to Aeropag: the question was, for what?

"We can't send him to all those events," committee member Moiro Kackey said. "100, 200, 400, 4 by 1, 4 by 4, 100 hurdles, AND 400 hurdles. Seven preliminary races is already a lot! What if he moves on in these? He'll be dead tired? I say we find an alternative on the relays."

"Relays?" Rogerre shouted. "Are you out of your MIND? You didn't watch the Regional Championships in Gavelry, Cardova, did you? We were winning both relays before the anchor leg in both, but the outcome was always in doubt until he got that baton! He can make up deficits at the higher levels! He's a Santos Sandoval of track! (NOTE: The "Santos Sandoval" remark references star swimmers and siblings Cesaro Santos Sandoval and Gabriel Santos Sandoval, both whom are fantastic sprint swimmers and consistently come up clutch in swimming relays.) Without Dominic, we're toast in those events! We might as well send Chihuahuas for our equestrian competitors to ride!"

"What about the hurdles?" Kackey said quietly, fearing the rage of Rogerre.

"We need to keep him there too," Christian Caling replied. "He might be a little worn out, but he did ALL seven of the events in Gavelry. Prelims, second round, semis, and finals. No matter tired, he's our best chance at medaling in Aeropag. Not just the hurdles. NOT just track and field. The ENTIRE Delaclava delegation. He's got an even better chance than the association football team! Even better than our tennis players! Giles, Davis, Goggin, Tavich, the rest of them, Vargas has the best shot! We need to give him the biggest chance possible!"

"Okay, fine," Kackey replied. Although his ideas had been turned down, he seemed doubly relieved that Rogerre hasn't burst out and that his friend Caling had stayed calm and reasonable. "What do we have next?"

And the topic shifted to the gymnastics team.

[Taeshan]

X Island Inquirer

A Team and a Dream: The Taeshani Olympic Story

Only 2 years ago the nation of Taeshan embarqued on a journey to find their first ever medal in what was known as the III Summer Olympiad, hosted by the city of Columbia, Unified Captializt States. Since then Taeshan has made great strides in the world of sport. Through their first Olympiad the team gained expiricience and are looking to be a bigger threat overall in their second journey through the worlds elitest place. Together they hope to prove Taeshani prowress. United they will stand a chance to win many medals, by the end of this year maybe, we will have more Gold, Silver and Bronze in our nation. Either way we look to prove that we can stand up to the greatest athletes in the world.

Over a period of 24 days, athletes fromaround the world will be tested in the strictest of disciplines. Thousands will converge and tcreate what is known as the olympic games. This Olympic season the nations will converge on the Nation of Paripana, in the city of Aeropag former host of an olympic games to play the worlds biggest sports in front of their fans. Of the thousands only hundreds can come from the game with a medal around their necks. Many hope the Knights can do, it and we all have our favorites. Today i will outline the people most likely to attain the nations next medals. Be it Gold, silver or Bronze every one is a great sign of appreciation to your country.

Aquatics

As a cold nation you might expect many Taeshanis to go indoor for a swim, nad they do quite frequently. The most likely to gain a mdeal in Aquatics is the Mens Water Polo Team who had a decent III Olympiad and are now looking to achieve even higher achievements. Other Aquatics events that you may here the Taeshani anthem after include the Mens and Womens Freestyle events, and most notable the Relays. They will most likely be some of the most hotly contested events in which the Purple and Gold will partake in the pool.

Athletics

With the cool breezes created by the frigid conditions in Taeshan, only the best compete in the Olympic Trakc and Feild events. The most likely to suceed at this years games are the Mens and Womens Javelin, Pole Vault, Marathon, Decathlon, and Short distnace runs, such as the 100 Meter and 200 meter. Hopefully after a middle of the pack first olympics many of the teams can make and impact on this one.

[Qazox]

4 years ago Qazox sent 126 athletes in 18 events in hopes of outperforming the team from 8 years ago. They left with just 2 medals, (A silver in Women's Triathalon and a bronze in Men's handball) a very disappointing trip.

This time Qazox is sending just 70 athletes to compete in 14 events. But can they get at least 2 medals this time? YES they will.

QAZOX BEST MEDAL HOPES:

ATHLETICS

Men’s 100 m-Donovan Serra (Ran Qazox record time of 9.81 in qualifers, WR/OR is 9.77)
Men’s 200 m-John Zaun (Ran 19.48 in qualifers, just off his QR of 19.46, WR/OR is 19.32)
Men’s Marathon- Frank Kelso (Ran 2:19:41 4 years ago as a 17-yr old, qualifed with time of 2:07:14 WR/OR is 2:05:28.)
Women’s 100m- Ne'hra D'Chali (ran WR time of 10.42 in qualifers, OR is 10.48)
Women's 200m- Ne'hra D'Chali (ran QR time of 21.52 in qualifers, WR/OR is 21.36)
Women's Marathon- Kylie Wasnikski (ran then-QR time of 2:33:37 4 years ago as a 19-yr old, qualified with QRtime of 2:17.53. WR/OR is 2:15:28)

BASKETBALL

Men's team- Finished 13 at most recent IBC, with upset of World #1 Newmanistan in group stage (most likely qualify for medal round, but eliminatedin quarters)
Women's team- UNLIKELY to MEDAL

HANDBALL

Men's team (Bronze 4 years ago, finished with record of 12-1 on most recent tour, losing only at Newmanistan, FAVORED to win MEDAL)
Women's team- finished with record of 7-4 on most recent tour, losing to Newmanistan twice, and Commerce Heights twice, Possible medal round contender.

TRIATHLON

Men’s
Erik Beyers- (dissapointing 39th, due mainly to fall on cycling portion) Qualified with time of 1:53:12 Medal Contender.
Women’s
Kathrine Turlington- Won silver 4 years ago. Qualifed with time of 2:05:52 FAVORED TO WIN MEDAL

Ms. Turlington will be the Flag Bearer during the opening ceremonies.

As usual QSPN , QSPN2 and QSPNINternational will carry live coverage of the Olympics, as will QSPN365.com.

[Krytenia]

And now, the next instalment of...

THE HANDY KRYTIE OLYMPIAN GUIDE!

Part Two: Archery and Athletics

After aquatics, alphabetically in terms of individual sports at least, come these two strange bedfellows. Both sports saw Krytenian medallists four years ago...both wish to see more this year in Aeropag.

The men's archery team surprised many people in Columbia when they picked up a silver medal - not least their own countrymen. Archery was very much a minority sport in Krytenia, but there has been a sea change in the sport's perception on these shores. Archery ranges have opened in several cities, and team captain Shaun Martuscelli believes that can only be good for Krytenia's hopes in future years.

"When I see kids who would normally be playing football, or rugby - hell, even hockey - pick up a bow and try out this sport, it makes me proud. It shows that the future of Krytenian archery is in safe hands...and maybe in twenty years time we'll look back on the days when a single silver medal was a pleasant surprise."

In the women's event, meanwhile, Lisa Cordone returns, older and wiser, and hoping to be in the hunt for, in her own words, "at least a bronze."

And so, to the track. And you can't mention Krytenian track athletics without mentioning one name in particular. The Red Rocket. Ginger Lightning. Yes, it's Krytenia's fastest man, and reigning Olympic 100-metre champion, Scott Moreaux. He may be thirty now, but the body is certainly willing; he qualified for the Olympic team with a personal best 9.82 in the national trials, a full 0.1s ahead of Mark Osella, who'll be hoping to reach the final after a disappointing Columbia Games. Moreaux will also be looking at doing well in the 200m, where he was surprisingly run out of the semi-final four years ago, and as one quarter of the sprint relay team.
The men's team, though, has other medal hopes. James Flatley, the man the press have christened "Mr. Middle Distance", runs in both the 800m and 1500m, with the two-lap event thought to be his best chance of a gold. Chris Falco, meanwhile, will be going for a more unusual double; he'll be running both single-lap events, and will be gunning for gold over the jumps. He'll also be part of the 4x400m relay squad, who'll want to do one better that their predecessors' surprise silver. And then there's glutton for punishment, and nephew of a Krytenian football legend, in the form of Krytenia's number one marathon runner Jermaine Scotland.
The field events, as a rule, are usually barren ground for our men. Try telling that to Brian Morelli, who'll be hoping to hop, step, and leap his way to a chunk of precious metal in the triple jump event. There's also outside chances of medals for Julian Di Marco and Ross Kubrick in the high jump, and for those who like a bit of everything, keep an eye out for decathlete Harry Kendall.

And the women? A weaker team, to be fair, but try telling that to Janice Jordache. Not only is she tipped for gold in her main event, the heptathlon, she's also in with a shot of a medal at the best of her seven events, the long jump. On the track, meanwhile, look out for a rejuvenated Antonia Angloma. She didn't have the best of preparations for Columbia, and was pretty poor throughout; but fully fit, and four years wiser, she'll be a force to be reckoned with in both the two and four hundred. And finally, keep an eye out for discus-throwing legend Linda Sparwasser. Disappointed to not be in the medal hunt in the previous Olympics, expect her to set that one straight this time around.

[Sorthern Northland]

Beningrad Morning Star

Olympic athletes to be gender tested

The Olympic Committee of Sorthern Northland has announced that all Sorthern athletes competing at the Third Olympiad in Aeropag, Paripana will be required to undergo gender tests. The announcement comes after the national women's long jump champion Kim Webb was discovered to in fact be a male. Officials from the national athletics association who “accidentally” walked in on Webb whilst he/she was having a shower after the recent national athletics championship and are reported to have quite clearly seen “a disco-stick upon Webb's person”. Kim Webb's gold medal from the national championships is expected to be passed on to Sheri Mitchell who's best and only legal jump in the competition was a mere ten centremetres due to her tripping herself up during her run up. She was Webb's only opponent in the competition.

The OCSN are hailing the move as a a sign of “fair play” with a spokesman commenting “It is part of our commitment to fair play at the games. It really is only fair that other nations realise that we are committed to only signing up male athletes for the male events and females for the female events. Plus if any of our athletes aren't the gender they say they are it gives us time to prepare an excuse for if the organisers realise it during the Games. It's a win win for everyone.”

Athletes however are said to be opposed to the tests, with some even considering a boycott if the tests go ahead. Cyclist Hayley Gilbert, who won a gold medal at the third Games, told reporters “it's completely ridiculous, are they seriously saying that they doubt I'm a woman? If they do, how do they explain that I've given birth to two children?”. Valeriya Polyakov, silver medal winner in the modern pentathlon at the last Games, meanwhile claimed, “sometimes you get people competing in the wrong gender events, but it's rare and tests should be used as and when there's a serious doubt about someone's gender. It really should be used only on a case by case basis, but at a blanket over everybody”, triathlon star Marcel Belmont meanwhile branded the moves “an invasion of privacy” going on to say “I'll seriously be considering a boycott. Already we have our privacy compromised by having to tell drug testers where we'll be all the time, and now they want us to prove what sex we are”.

[Tatuape]

OLYMPIC DEBUT TO TATUAPE

An official press-release of TATUOA.

The People's Republic of Tatuape, a nation who already has 1 international title in its brief sports history, will made its debut in Olympic Games in the IV Olympiad. All athletes are embodied with the underdog spirit and a single bronze medal will be a huge victory. "GO! GO GREEN STAR GO!

[Shivat]

Sports > IV Olympiad

Park Eun Ae

Shivat will play their very first olympic games

Aeropag, Paripana - This year, 2009 the national team of Shivat will play on the 4th Olympiad in Aeropag, the results of it are unknown although our Olympic Committee assumes already that as a new nation participating in the games and without any kind of experience we won't win too many medals, probably one or two bronzes in total. Anyway, the Olympic Committee assures that we will be better in the martial arts, specially taekwondo; fencing and basketball while we won't be very good in athletics or water sports in general, the roster team of yet to be announced and only we known who's the flag bearer, Lee Tae-Hyun, our greatest favorite in the category of masculine taekwondo.
In basketball the team is formed from people of the greatest teams of the country like the Setsu Danzae Tigers and the Shan Lu Bears.
In the fencing category we will play in masculine fencing with epée and saber .
In judo our greatest favourites are for the female category, Rhie Yung and for the masculine Kim Kyung-Sam.


Our flag bearer, Lee Tae-Hyun during a competition

[Docky]

Docky is entering one athlete for their first Olympics,the nations hopes are with Jackariah Dingle

[Osarius]

Doping controversy surrounds Osarian sprinters
After running a national record equalling time of 9.77 in the Olympic qualifiers last month, national star Jerome Young was subjected to urine tests. According to the Osarian Olympic Sports Committee, both his A and B samples returned positive. It has since emerged that the banned substance Nandrolone was present in his body, as well as the manufactured performance enhancer Kryograde - used by the military in nearby Kryosis. Young was not available for comment, however his agent, Larry Freeman, spoke to the media outside the sprinter's home. "Jerome plans to appeal the decision on the grounds that he was not aware of the presence of the banned substances in his supplements. If necessary, he plans to take civil action against his now former trainer."

We also spoke to Young's trainer, Angad Singh Gill of the Phoenix Personal Trainers Guild, who vehemently denied any claim that he gave the sprinter illegal supplements. "I cannot believe that he would accuse me of such things. It is a great blow to me, I feel betrayed by my best athlete. I believed Jerome had a natural talent, and now I do not know what to think." He continued, "I will also be pressing charges against him for these lies. It is a shame but my former protege is no my enemy. I can only hope that God has mercy on him."

As a result of Young's disqualification and subsequent removal from the Osarian Olympic team, fourth placed Winston O'Neill - who clocked in at 9.91 - will be entered in his stead. However, in the absence of a fourth true sprinter, this has forced the OOSC to enter a 400m runner in the 4x100m relay. Young's results will undoubtedly cause a media spotlight to be on Osarian athletes at the Olympics, and likely will result in more testing. However, since the other entrants tests all came back clean, the nation can still hope.




Di Corradi Turns Down Chance To Lead Youngsters At Olympics
With the Olympics around the corner, Osarius is yet to name a coach - or even a squad - for the men's association football competition. Senior national team coach Benedict di Corradi was asked, but he has declined, saying that he feels the OFA should "promote internally, rather than give me even more responsibilty". The outspoken manager went on to declare that "Osarians need to step up to the plate. They cannot rely on old heads like Sir George [Pennant], or a few ambitious younger men such as Roberto [Cassetti] and myself." His comments will not go down well with some sections of the fans, but our opinion poll shows that 64% agree with him. It is thought that now di Corradi's name is emphaatically out of the frame, the burden will fall on Donovan MacLean. He expressed a vague interest in national team management, and it is thought that taking the under-23s to the Olympics could set him in good stead to succeed di Corradi when his contract runs out.

MacLean's record in the Royal League is enviable. In four seasons with Junipa and Callisto, he has led his teams - notable for their faith in younger players, and attacking flair - to an impressive 74% wins. However, in four years, he has not once secured promotion. This is unlikely to be held against him though, as rumours are circulating that he has already researched the players and picked a squad for the Olympics - a rumour fuelled by his presence at the Queen's Shield match this week between the Giants and the Fire. Many bookies have now slashed his odds from 20-1 down to 5-2 favourite in betting on who will lead the team at the Olympics.

[Kelssek]

The Kirkenes Courier > Online > Attempting to seem all hip and with it section > Olympics blog

There were a couple of sports columns in the EFP and the Saint-Rémy Tribune today about how much Kelssek seems to rely on sports which involve swimming in, swimming in while engaged in mortal combat over a floaty ball, diving into, rowing on, kayaking on, and canoeing on water (what's the difference between the last three, anyway?)

Both opinions floated the idea that we must diversify and "stop with the temptation to involve water" in our summer Olympic sports.

Sorry. Bad pun.

Anyway, this is a mistake. Attempting to remove water from sport will inevitably result in the deaths of our most talented and dedicated athletes from dehydration, and this really isn't going to lead to Olympic success.

But there is a valid point there. Every time the men's water polo or men's diving comes on, my wife looks at the flabby, middle-aged, sports blogger next to her and sighs audibly. This is very upsetting. And now that they don't have those body suits in swimming any more, she's going to be seeing a row of eight sets of pecs and abs and I fear that will be the end of our sex life and the beginning of an adulterous affair with my son's hockey teammate.

This would be really horrible if I couldn't also masturbate to the female gymnasts in spandex, or stare at the female divers' legs and ass, but she's coming now and i have to go real quick

[Palmouth]

The Palmouth Olympic Committe (POC) was created today, and has already chosen the squad for the 4th Olympiad. The rosers for team events will be annouced on the 1st of September.

The games will be broadcast mostly on Pamouth Channel 1 and ATN Palmouth Regional, with the opening cermony beginning 8pm PLM Time on Palmouth Channel 1. Highlights of each day will be shown in Olympic Round Up on Palmouth Channel 2, and events with minor populaity will be shown live on Mayfield Television, a new service being launched in September.

Palmouth predict to win 11 golds, 13 siver and 6 bronze during the games, but the target set by the POC was 13 golds, 11 siver and 15 bronze.

[Docky]

Last night an attempt on Jackariah Dingle's life was made. A passing car fired shots into the window of his house, with around 12 bullets being fired. Luckily, Jackariah Dingle had stayed late at training and was therefore not in the house. Jackariah, who is very shaken up, has this to say: "I couldn't believe until today that sports and the Olympics was so important for people to die. I'm really disappointed and am considering whether sport will be good or bad for the Autonomous Republic of Docky.
The police have taped off the house and declared it a crime scene, while the Docky National Sports Association have provided a hotel for Jackariah Dingle. The police have said their investigations is ongoing, but are no closer to finding out motives, or even nationality of the gunmen.

Jackariah has confirmed he will still compete at the Olympic Games, and he will get our support all the way

[Krytenia]

And now, the next instalment of...

THE HANDY KRYTIE OLYMPIAN GUIDE!

Part Three: Badminton and Boxing

Yes, that's an odd combination. It's also a combination of sports that combined to provide Krytenia with only two medals last time out - a silver and a bronze, both in boxing. Andy Abbelgen was the man who won that silver, and the Bulham-born bantamweight is one of just three men returning to the ring from four years ago. Anthony Puch, the man punched into oblivion in Columbia's featherweight competition, returns for more punishment, whilst Matthew Sindelar is older, wiser, and a real medal hope in the middleweight events. Look out, too, for heavyweight Kenny Earle, looking to come into form at just the right time.

After a ban on the sport in Krytenia was lifted in January, women's boxing will be represented in the nation for the first time. None of them are expected to do well, but the experience could help others - light-welterweight Simone Librera, 31, runs her own gym.

And so to the shuttling of cock that is badminton. It's reputation in Krytenia is as something of a recreational game, but there are plenty of people - women especially - who do take it seriously. Jennifer Bonita is the team captain, and she'll be going in the women's singles, as well as the mixed doubles "SuperTeam" with men's captain Ben Flecha. One for the future? That would be Emma Gayle. After making her debut in Columbia as a precocious sixteen-year-old, the Krytenian number two is looking for gold as an early birthday present - she turns 21 on September 26th.

[Jeffgordonville]

The Labonteville Times

Jeffgordonville to compete in IV Olympiad!

A few weeks ago, as you may remember, we reported the Jeffgordonville International Sports Committee (JISC), as signing up for the IV Olympiad. We then promptly heard nothing from them, no qualifying events or anything. Until now. The JISC has published the roster for their Olympic attempt, including some of the most famous names in Jeffgordonvillian sports. The talented Lanley brothers, Kyle and Lyle, will compete in 100, 200 and 400 metre sprint events, alongside fan favourites Dustil Odai and Jack Adams. Kasey Mayfield III and his sister Jenny Mayfield will be entered in various shooting events, the Mayfield's owing their sharpshooting skills to their family's rich military heritage.

Perhaps the most famous of all these will be in the motrsports category, as JIM will oversee the entries in both open-wheel and stock car categories. Many key Jeffgordonvillian front-runners will not be running in the Olympics due to prior team commitments, including JSCC A-Series legend Calvin Emberton, WGPC driver Lee Rogers, and JOWS champion Derek Geinhart. However, JSCC A-Series champion Denny Cummings, and runner-up Kyle Onasi Jr. will both compete in the stock cars, along with Carl Carlon and Lewis Onasi. Ricky Emberton will drive in the open-wheel category, hoping to redeem himself after a disappointing WGPC8 capmaign, alongside Kimi Kubica, who finished second in the JOWS series after winning the last four races on the trot.

Baseball, cruically, however, has been given the status of demonstration sport, after being a medal sport prior to that. Labonteville Tigers' pitcher Joey Pigza said of the decision,

"It's arbitrary. How can they demote baseball to being a mere demonstration sport, when it's more of a sport than walking or waving ribbons around will ever be? I'm really ticked off at this, I was hoping to captain the Tigers in our first international appearance against the best in the world, but it looks like we'll have to wait. Oh well, it's them who are missing out."

The JISC orignally informed the Tigers that they would be representing Jeffgordonville in baseball, before learning of the situation thanks to our friends in Newmanistan, and have since joined the boycott. JISC President Giovanni Sato gave a twenty-minute speech, though some would call it more of a rant, of the follies of the decision, which can be viewed in its entirety on the JISC website at http://www.jisc.jgv/olympics/satobaseball.html.

[Krytenia]

And now, the next instalment of...

THE HANDY KRYTIE OLYMPIAN GUIDE!

Part Four: We're On A Motherf*****g Boat!

Canoeing, kayaking, rowing. Krytenians + boats + oars = more medals than God. Rowing especially. In Columbia, Krytenians entered all sixteen events, and collected twelve medals; seven golds and five silvers. The biggest surprise, however, was the one that got away. The men's eights finished fourth, narrowly behind Kanji Starter - Kanji Starter, for Christ's sake - after being the biggest of the big gold medal hopes. They've kept the team together, and the octet of Terry Woodman, Simon Thompson, Paul Vickery, Mark Johnson, Brian Kay, Ryan Hill, Neville Back, and Leonard Dallaglio will be back to set the record straight. They're the only non-medallists returning from four years ago, but they'll be joined by every single medallist from the team. That means Michael Tegan hoping to improve on his second in the single sculls, Andrew Isaacs and Michael Rickardsson wanting to do the same in the double sculls, and then there's gold medal defences in the men's lightweight double sculls, quadruple sculls, coxless pairs, and coxless fours teams.

And the women? The eights, coxless pairs, and double sculls were all won by returning Krytenians, whilst silvers awaited Karen Etuhu and Lindsay Shaleum in the lightweight double sculls, as well as the heavyweight and lightweight coxless fours quartets. Look out too for eighteen-year-old sculling sensation Marianne Blanc; the Monthuez lass is favourite for the single sculls in spite of her youth.

Boats of a different kind for the canoeing and kayaking; and medals of a different kind, too. On the flatwater the nation failed to pick up a gold in Columbia, but managed two silvers (in the two men's K4 events), and no less than six bronze medals. Best hope of medals in Aeropag lie with the women's K4 kilometre team; Laura Tuqiri, Stephanie Larakh, Glenda Gregory, and Denise Loew will be hoping to improve on third place last time out.

On the slalom, hopes lie solely on the only medallist from the last Games, with Lizzie Guaita hoping to "at least match" her second place from four years ago.

And finally, boating without oars. The Jativan Islands, being islands and all that, have plenty of maritime-type water around them, and said water will hold the sailing events. Krytenians aren't quite as good at sailing, with the only medal being a bronze from Harry Bartolo. He's back again, still plugging away in the heavyweight dinghy class.

[Quintessence of Dust]

Posted on the In Brief section of the QBS sports wobsite.

Minimal League Baseball refuses to release players

Fans had mixed reactions to today's announcement from Quintessential Baseball Commissioner Strontium Smurve that an agreement has been reached to permit teams to withhold their players from Olympic participation as the second season of Minimal League Baseball draws to its conclusion. "This is a crucial stage of the season and it's reasonable that teams don't want to lose their best players just to play in a demonstration event." He was however quick to deny association with a budding movement to boycott Olympic baseball and softball, which were downgraded from medal events by COLOCOG: "This is not pique, but simple concern with domestic priorities."

Among Quintessence of Dust's blossoming population of baseball supporters, there was a variety of opinions. "I think it's only fair: imagine if we tanked the final few games just to go and play a couple of exhibition matches!" said Grey Sox fan Frank Mason. Raptors supporter Nachi Noda was more ambivalent: "The only way our players will get better is by competing at the international level." She did, however, then express the wish that the entire Raptors bullpen be given an exemption clause, without going into details of the logistics of flying home a reliever from Aeropag just to pitch the seventh innings in New Cleethorpes.

Related articles: Benson, Korainnen join Olympic team

[Osarius]

MacLean Takes the Reins - Osarius Olympic Squads Announced
As predicted, Donovan MacLean - currently contracted to Callisto City FC - has taken charge of the men's Olympic football squad. The talented young manager was given the task of selecting a squad of under 23s with three senior players, to take to the games, and managed to put together his squad in just 24 hours. The 37 year old had this to say; "Well, I had a feeling they would call for some time now, so I went and watched a few games... get a feel of the players. I tried not to call up too many who might be involved in the senior squad, but there will be some. I have already spoken to Benedict [di Corradi] and he is happy to let the players come with me."

Many Osarian football fans have expressed a discontentment at the allowance of such an inexperienced manager to lead the national side in their first international tournament. However, OFA chief Lord William Kenterbury has asked for patience. "Many people will doubt Donovan's ability, since he has yet to lead a team to promotion from the Royal League. But what they are overlooking is that he has consistently challenged for it, with limited resources, and young squads. His ability to work with young players is exactly what we at the OFA felt was needed for the Olympic coach's job." The provisional 23-man squad contains four players from each of Firewood City, Burningham City and Greeningham City, with veteran Trothwands Evolution midfielder Malachi Lubret taking the captain's armband as one of the designated senior players. The other two are Roberto del Piero of Highport Athletic, and Rafael Higuain of Utica United. MacLean opted to leave out the obvious choices from the top four sides, such as Forrester, Lewis and Watson, favouring the less heralded players. When questioned about his decision, he avoided giving a direct answer, replying; "Wait and see. They will vindicate my decision."

Meanwhile, Elissa Barca-Carthy, the women's head coach, has named her provisional 23 player squad for the Olympics also. As usual, the team is dominated by Grasshoppers Turic Ladies, with seven of the team coming from their ranks. Evelyn van der Vaan of Hollybrent Ladies retains the captain's armband, and she is joined by Petra Janukova and Jana Knezivic of Turic as the designated senior players.

Aside from the football news, we can also confirm that OHNO, the Osarian Hockey National Organization, have announced that the representatives for the men's and women's hockey competitions have also been selected. The OHL season does not start until winter, and so all the players are free to take part. An official announcement of rosters is still pending.

[Zwangzug]

...urthermore, there is a file cabinet in the northeast corner of the room. Perhaps you keep it there because you subconsciously wish to please a past parent or guardian; one who was a stickler for order, possibly? Perhaps you believe it represents security for you, or maybe a sense of connection with a past you nostalgically glorify despite its irrelevance to your life. Whatever your motivation is for its presence in the office, I do not care.

What I do care about, however, is the combined effect of the file cabinet and the computer stand in the southwest corner of the room. Instead of complementing each other, or even symbolizing the complicated nuances of the state of the world and inequities in technological development, as could easily have been achieved with a slight repositioning of either object, they instead utterly cancel each other out, leaving the office a meaningless emptiness devoid of any significance whatsoever. Sort of like your face.

Kristin Petzar sighed and put the essay down. It hardly mattered, at that point. Everyone was saying similar things--there is no meaning. There is no significance. There is no such thing as a "nation", no point in glorifying your own, no reason we should care about this stupid Olympic thing.

But she would show them. She knew the truth, maybe obscured a little but nevertheless there, as patterned and inescapable as a persistent knock...knock...knock... noise.

Kristin got up and answered the door.

"Oh, hey, Lefty," she said. It was her standard nickname for any given Quagga--one performance-inhibiting-substance belly looked much the same as another. The fact that this particular lefty happened to be of the dextromanual persuasion was irrelevant.

"Hey, coach," he nodded. "Not lookin' good, is it?"

"It's looking great!" she smiled. And it was. The Olympic roster was set, and Kristin felt hopeful for plenty of Zwangzug's athletes. Everything was going according to plan.

"I mean for us," he said. "Are you even going to try?"

"No. There's no chance. I'm sorry, Lefty, I've been watching the suggestions from abroad...there's no way."

He seemed disappointed, but had had little hope to shake off. "So now what?"

"We keep practicing. Maybe the Olympics isn't your place, but that's okay. Somewhere else is."

"We're supposed to be practicing right now. And last Thursday--"

"Last Thursday I was watching Jim try without the life jacket, okay? That was a milestone, I needed to be there."

"If we're ever going to go anywhere, coach, you need to be here."

"Get Pepper to start the infield drills, okay? I'll be down in a minute." Shortstop Brian "Pepper" Fulancelak, had been named team captain after winning the preceding season's "batta"s-per-minute title.

He was left-handed.

****

Crime was totally unknown in Zwangzug, they said, and even if it wasn't, whose retirement was more well-earned than Gregory Sherbert's? All right, leading the Zwischen police force hadn't been an entirely taxing job in the last few years. But when that penguin disappeared (frustratingly enough, for fans of alliteration, it had not come from the capital's own zoo but rather a first-ring suburb), who did they look to for help? Gregory Sherbert, of course.

He was the type of person who never turned down a request for help, but he was also the type of person from whom it could be dangerous to ask for help. If he solved the crime, yes, all was well and good. But if he didn't--even if it wasn't his problem to begin with--it was too late, for it had already become his problem. The Sestview people had gone to him, hadn't they? He was supposed to be the best, but he wasn't good enough, and that was what he would dwell on.

So they thought the stress was what had aged him. There were rumors, of course--the penguin had been spotted overseas or some such nonsense--but it was never returned to Anaro, and they said that that was what turned Gregory's hair gray. The truth was, it was already changing. But ever since the penguin episode, it had seemed to change...faster.

He got up and ate his breakfast just like normal. There were still twenty-four hours in every day, and he was convinced he lived just as many days, made just as many memories, as everyone else. And yet, he was growing older faster than them.

It was scary, and hard to understand. People were a little worried about being around him, and that suited him fine. He stayed holed up most of the time, reading the paper, and thinking. He was safe in his apartment. Or at least, he would be safe until...

They'd slowed down, hadn't they?

Gregory rose and wandered over to the folder he'd been storing the clippings in. Perhaps his time was not the same as the others', but the dates on the articles didn't lie--the breaking-and-entering had stopped. There hadn't been a report for weeks.

Of course, nothing was really criminal about the whole enterprise. Nobody had gotten hurt. Not once had anything been reported stolen. No damage to property, not even a window breaking. His onetime colleagues had nothing to do. And Zwischen's homeowners took care of their own.

Still, whoever was behind it--unless it was some sort of copycat attack?--was clearly undeterred, because they'd gone on to try another house the next night. And the one after that. Until it had so abruptly stopped.

The victims were men and women, just out of college and passing through middle age, Peridune and...well, more Peridune, but there had been a Lilliputian or two, hadn't there? There was nothing resembling a pattern.

But it was--or, hopefully, had been--all so very strange.

And if anyone could find an order in the chaos, Gregory Sherbert could.

[Commerce Heights]

In the days leading up to the Games of the IV Olympiad, we here at the Aeropag Tribune decided we’d like to have a go at writing a few blog entries to help the spectators (and if we’re lucky, maybe even a few athletes!) get an idea of what to expect after they arrive in the Olympic city. So, with a few cattle prods selectively applied to the marketing department, we got ourselves a nice little title, Countdown to Aeropag, and even managed to call in a favor to get a shiny logo made for it.

The basics, please
The city of Aeropag lies at the center of the Jativan Islands, which itself is the western extreme of a larger island group known as Paripana, which, in turn, is on the eastern edge of Atlantian Oceania. The islands of Paripana are not under the control of any “government,” nor considered to comprise a “nation”—people ’round these parts say they “live in Paripana” in the same way others might say they “live in Atlantian Oceania”; they generally don’t identify as “Paripanan” any more than people in Starblaydia would normally call themselves “AOians,” or any less awkward variation on that theme.

Wait, what did you say?
We said there’s no government. It’s an anarchy, if you prefer that hopelessly overloaded term.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah! We’re all going to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
The number of competitors that survived the Games of the III Olympiad in Columbia, and are coming back for this edition, would certainly suggest otherwise.
…
Are you okay now?

I’m not sure…
Well, maybe you’ll feel better after we tell you that AEROC (the Aeropag Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) has arranged for one of the top security firms in Paripana to render its services at all of the competition venues. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you the name of that company in this public article, as they failed to secure a contract for official sponsorship with AEROC, so you’ll just have to trust us about that for now. In any case, violence and fraud are quite rare here, because most people would rather ensure their own safety than ensure their “right” to go around pillaging, and those that don’t are generally either ostracized, rehabilitated, or given eyepatches and parrots and a nice cushy job in the theatre industry.

So what if someone with an eyepatch and a parrot sneaks up behind me and tries to grab my gold medal?
Stay calm: they’re more scared of you than you are of them.
Or use any of the provided methods of requesting emergency assistance from the aforementioned security company, that works too.

Okay, I think the panic is subsiding. Go on…
The city of Aeropag is composed of three main islands. Only one of these, Aeropag Island, was naturally formed—the city was founded there. The city’s port is located on the southern coast of the island, and the city’s densest commercial area—indeed, the densest commercial area in the region—is on that island. When Aeropag hosted the I Olympic Winter Games, a second, larger island—now known as Heracles Island—was constructed, and in addition to yet more commercial and residential towers, most of the city’s limited supply of “touristy stuff” is located there. The third main island, Coubertin Island, has been built for these Games; it is larger still than Heracles Island, but largely undeveloped with the exception of the area surrounding the Olympic Tower, and the temporary venues for certain events.

Athletes and team officials will be able to fly directly into the city using Aeropag World Airport, which is located on another small artificial island. As AWA has limited capacity, spectators are advised to fly into Noka or Port Lusambo, two other large cities in the Jativan Islands, and make the hop to Aeropag via seaplane.

So what do I do when I get there?
Watch the Olympics. Or compete in them, if that’s your thing.

No, what else can I do when I get there?
One of the more popular tourist activities is to take a helicopter ride to see the city from a distance—the city’s thousands of colossal skyscrapers change their lighting schemes almost weekly in an attempt to get their sponsor’s logo noticed, making every night photograph of the city a unique souvenir. You can also see the temporary exhibit at the AZAK Dome (on Heracles Island) about the I Olympic Winter Games held in Aeropag, showing a glimpse of what the future museum in the Olympic Tower will provide. You could almost certainly catch a club football match at the Orange–Green Bowl (on Aeropag Island), though there might not be much point, as plenty of world-class football will be on display in the Olympics. And if you decide to venture outside the thick urban forest of Aeropag and explore the rest of Paripana, the possiblities are endless…

Come back tomorrow, when we’ll have…whatever we can come up with by tomorrow!