Athens Experiencing the Unexpected

On August 16, the third day of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, unexpected things have continued to occur.

The U.S. men’s basketball team, having enjoyed a 24-game consecutive win streak, was stunned by Puerto Rico, and the South African swim team won in the men`s 4x100 meters freestyle relay, setting the world record.

The U.S. swim team, the so-called dream team, which is hoping to win four consecutive gold medals in the Olympics, lost 92-73 to Puerto Rico in the first preliminary match of Group B in men’s basketball, which was held at the Indoor Hall of the Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens. It was the first defeat in the last 16 years since the U.S. basketball team was defeated by Russians in the semifinals in the 1988 Seoul Olympics

Michael Phelps of the United States, the swimming prodigy, also lost a gold medal when South Africa scored a runaway win which ruined Michael Phelps`s dream of winning a record eight gold medals.

The South African team swam a time 3:13.17, setting a world record ahead of the Netherlands (time: 3:14.36) and U.S.A. (time: 3:14.62).

Because of this defeat, Phelps also ended his chance of beating Mark Spitz`s (U.S.A.) record of seven gold medals, which he set in 1972, at a single Olympics.

In the men’s single round of badminton, Singapore’s Ronald Susilo, despite being the underdog, defeated the world top-ranked Lin Dan of China, 2-0.

In the men`s soccer competition, the Iraqi soccer team, which had suffered from war at home, outperformed Costa Rica 2-0 to reach the quarterfinals, winning two straight games.