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This is an archive article published on August 8, 2004

The key contests

WATER WARSThorpe vs PhelpsSwimming Michael Phelps aims to better Mark Spitz8217;s record of seven gold medals in a single Games while Ian T...

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WATER WARS
Thorpe vs Phelps
Swimming

Michael Phelps aims to better Mark Spitz8217;s record of seven gold medals in a single Games while Ian Thorpe is chasing the legendary American8217;s career tally of nine. They go head-to-head in the 200m freestyle and the three relays. Athens will see if the two young swimmers have it in them to join Spitz on the legends podium
DATES: Aug 15, 16, 17, 21

FLOOR SHOWS
US vs China
Men8217;s gymnastics

No American male has won an all-around gold medal at a 8216;full8217; Olympics. But overall world champion Paul Hamm can change that. At the World Championship Hamm defeated China8217;s Yang Wei, who leads his country8217;s defence of a first-ever Olympic team sport gold
DATE: Aug 18

KING OF THE COURT
Roddick vs Federer
Tennis

The dream duel every Grand Slam organiser hopes for. A budding rivalry which has the potential to bring back the focus on the men8217;s game from the glam world of ladies. Federer with his Sampras-like streak is the hot favourite but when national flags come into the picture equations change. Ask Leander
DATE: Men8217;s final Aug 22

LURE OF THE LATINOS
Portugal vs Argentina
Football

Man U fans in particular will be drooling at the prospect of watching Cristiano Ronaldo, who shone for Portugal at Euro 2004, take on the club8217;s new signing defender Gabriel Heinze. It8217;s a contest of the beaten finalists 8212; Argentina Copa, Portugal Euro 8212; with a lot of promise. Other famous names on this dream duel include Roberto Ayala, Kily Gonzalez, Luis Boa Morte, Tiago.
DATE: Final on Aug 28

HOT HOOPSTERS
USA vs Serbia and Montenegro
Basketball

On one side, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson. On the other, their fellow NBA stars Marko Jaric, Darko Milicic and Vlade Divac. Even without Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Shaquille O8217;Neal the US may get the gold but the Serbs are the World Champs 8212; defeating the US in their backyard 8212; and will push the yanks all the way
DATE: Final on Aug 28

FASTEST MAN
US vs Asafa Powell
100m athletics

ONLY one man can stop an American from becoming the fastest man. Jamaica8217;s Powell lines up alongside Maurice Greene, Shawn Crawford and Justin Gatlin for the Blue Riband of Athens 2004. Greene, who has returned to form after he was written off as 8216;Slo Mo8217;, is the defending champion and hot favourite. He beat Crawford and Gatlin at the US trials but then lost to Powell
DATE: Final on Aug 22

PRETENDER8217;S CHALLENGE
Bekele vs Gebreselassie
10,000m athletics

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The King vs The Prince. Haile Gebreselassie has won two Olympic gold medals in the 10,000 and four world titles besides his 18 world records. But Kenesisa Bekele broke Gebrselassie8217;s 5,000m and 10,000m world records this June. Gebreselassie will be running his last 10,000m race at Athens before he concentrates on the marathons
DATE: Final on Aug 20

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

 

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