Sports Culture in China, the Gold Winning Italian Long-Jumper and Little League in Tom’s River
This week on Only A Game, a look at the sports culture of China, where public exercise has suffered as the country develops elite athletes. Also, a profile of Italian long-jumper Andrew Howe, and a little league season in the life of perennial Williamsport contender, Toms River New Jersey.Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816.mp3
Olympic Update Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816_1.mp3 
The Boston Globe’s John Powers talks to Bill from Beijing, giving him the latest Olympic news and action.
The Boston Globe’s John Powers talks to Bill from Beijing, giving him the latest Olympic news and action. China’s Sports Culture Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816_2.mp3 
China has had a reputation in the west for promoting healthy exercise habits for its people, but that hasn’t always been the case. And now, the Summer Games in Beijing may be changing all of that. Only A Game’s Anne Donohue has our story from Beijing.
China has had a reputation in the west for promoting healthy exercise habits for its people, but that hasn’t always been the case. And now, the Summer Games in Beijing may be changing all of that. Only A Game’s Anne Donohue has our story from Beijing. Italy’s American Jumper Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816_3.mp3 
One of Italy’s favorites in the Track and Field competition wasn’t originally Italian. His name is Andrew Howe and he was born in Los Angeles. Howe moved to Italy at a young age and hopes to bring back a medal back to his adopted homeland. Only A Game’s Nancy Greenleese reports.
One of Italy’s favorites in the Track and Field competition wasn’t originally Italian. His name is Andrew Howe and he was born in Los Angeles. Howe moved to Italy at a young age and hopes to bring back a medal back to his adopted homeland. Only A Game’s Nancy Greenleese reports. Olympic “Traitors”? Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816_4.mp3 
Money apparently talks louder than heritage in this year’s Olympic Games. No longer is it assumed that athletes will compete for the teams of the countries they are born in. Lawrence Donegan of the Guardian Newspaper talks to Bill about American-born Russians, Brazilian-born Georgians and the French-born Togolese.
Money apparently talks louder than heritage in this year’s Olympic Games. No longer is it assumed that athletes will compete for the teams of the countries they are born in. Lawrence Donegan of the Guardian Newspaper talks to Bill about American-born Russians, Brazilian-born Georgians and the French-born Togolese. Letters Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816_5.mp3 Bill answers some letters from Only A Game Listeners.
American Men’s Basketball and More with Charlie Pierce Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816_6.mp3 Bill and Only A Game analyst Charlie Pierce discuss: The Spanish Men’s Basketball team’s infamous picture, Hockey’s new inductees to the Hall of Fame and why Doris Probst is so happy.
Six Good Innings Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/08/onlyagame_0816_7.mp3 
56 straight days of practice? Comparing a 12 year old to Greg Maddux? These things come as no surprise to the residents of Tom’s River, New Jersey. This town is accustomed to wanting their little league team to be the best, to make it to the Little League World Series year after year. Does the pressure on the players to be the best ever become too much? Bill talks about that issue and more with Six Good Innings author Mark Kreidler.
56 straight days of practice? Comparing a 12 year old to Greg Maddux? These things come as no surprise to the residents of Tom’s River, New Jersey. This town is accustomed to wanting their little league team to be the best, to make it to the Little League World Series year after year. Does the pressure on the players to be the best ever become too much? Bill talks about that issue and more with Six Good Innings author Mark Kreidler.