When is a world record not an Olympic record?

As is customary at most multi-sports events now, some of the early competition at the Olympics got underway before the opening ceremony. A p...

As is customary at most multi-sports events now, some of the early competition at the Olympics got underway before the opening ceremony. A piquant situation arose when, on Thursday, the South Koreans set a world record of 2030 points in the women8217;s archery team event.

This was only a qualifier for pairing-off purposes, not for medals. Even so, the world record had been broken 8212; but not the Olympic record. As per Games protocol, events conducted before the Olympic oath is taken at the opening ceremony do not count towards Olympic records.

Take, for instance, the Ghana-Italy football match, also played on August 12. It ended in a 2-2 draw. If, say, Ghana had won 55-0, it would have been a world record recognised by FIFA 8212; but not an Olympic record recognised by the IOC.

Odd? It8217;s called tradition.

Chinese challenge

If a hockey gold does come to Asia, it8217;s more likely to come courtesy China than India or Pakistan. The Chinese women8217;s hockey team 8212; who begin their campaign on Saturday against arch-rivals Japan 8212; have got traditional powers like Australia and Holland worried with their amazing progress. In 2003, they won the women8217;s Champions Trophy. Apparently their fitness levels are amazing. Now, if the Chinese men start getting ideas too 8212; something for the sub-continental twins to ponder.

Olympics of commerce

Behind the fun and games, the Olympics is pure commerce. A journalist here pointed out that the IOC8217;s annual 8216;8216;turnover8217;8217; is bigger than Pepsico and Coca-Cola Inc. Difficult to verify but still a great line. The official sponsors have, quite simply, taken over Athens, at least the Olympic facilities. Ambush marketing is being tackled on a war footing. 8216;8216;Organised attempts8217;8217; to wear and display non-sponsors8217; logos on T-shirts and shoes at the opening ceremony will be punished with expulsion from the spectators8217; stands.

You can get any burger you want here, as long as it8217;s McDonald8217;s. At the athlete8217;s village and the media villages 8212; and presumably on the cruise ship where a section of the US squad is meant to be staying 8212; Coca-Cola and its bottled water sibling is free. Pepsi and the rest of the stuff can8217;t be had for all of King Midas8217;s gold. Since Sports Illustrated is a 8216;8216;worldwide partner8217;8217; of the Games, you can have as many copies as you want at the Main Press Centre. Alas, there are no back issues of the swimsuit special. Anyhow, SI8217;s sister publications like Time are alternative freebies for those interested in news from outside.

From phone cards to official hotel rooms to memorabilia, you can buy anything here 8212; but only if you pay by Visa, the official credit card. Cash 8212; strictly euros 8212; is accepted as a grudging, distant second and actually involves the purchaser in all sorts of hassles. Visitors like this writer who only possess Mastercard were encouraged to buy a pre-paid Visa debit card. The pre-paid card is virtually the currency of the Games. Don8217;t worry if there8217;s money left over 8212; the card can be used worldwide till the end of the year.