london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/.../
“We never go to opening ceremonies,” Phelps said, “because you are standing for so many hours. Being on your feet for five to six hours takes a lot out of you, and it does take days to recover.”
Between them, Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin have appeared in seven Olympics and not a single opening ceremony. Blame the schedule; the first swimming events take place the morning after the long night’s march.
In Beijing in 2008, participating athletes were required to line up hours before the 8 p.m. start, and Phelps and Coughlin, like most swimmers, are conditioned to stay off their feet the day before they race.
But he is right, Kirk. Would you have really known anything about Malawi if Madonna hadn't made news about it?
To be honest I didn't know Madonna had adopted a Malawian child until Costas mentioned it! But I will admit Malawi is not a country you hear a whole lot about.
How else will you know the difference between a mangonel, onager, ballista and trebuchet?
I remember actually checking out books from the library on medieval armor and weaponry when I was in probably fifth or sixth grade. Being a nerd is hard-wired, I guess!
But he is right, Kirk. Would you have really known anything about Malawi if Madonna hadn't made news about it?
To be honest I didn't know Madonna had adopted a Malawian child until Costas mentioned it! But I will admit Malawi is not a country you hear a whole lot about.
How else will you know the difference between a mangonel, onager, ballista and trebuchet?
I remember actually checking out books from the library on medieval armor and weaponry when I was in probably fifth or sixth grade. Being a nerd is hard-wired, I guess!
