MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / July 29, 2000

Things to ponder while counting the minutes until Dennis Miller’s first rant Monday night…When was the last time an event failed to live up to its hype (well, other than any Super Bowl in the 1980s and early 90s) more than the Michael Johnson-Maurice Greene 200-meter race this weekend? Yes, the rivalry between the two brought much-needed attention to track and field but it’s a shame that it overshadowed the rest of the events at the U.S. Olympic Trials. And their injuries during the race took away fromthe achievements of John Capel, Floyd Heard and Coby Miller, the three who qualified for the Olympics in the 200.

Johnson and Greene each qualified for Sydney in other events. Hopefullythere, the only things that will be running will be their legs.

Greene and Johnson both could have taken lessons from Marion Jones. AllJones did was qualify for the 100, 200 and long jump and is a member of the 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams. She will try to become the firstwoman to win five gold medals at in Olympics in Sydney. Yet, there wasself-hype from Jones, just a constant smile. That’s what an Olympianshould be about.

Has there been a better sports story over the past two years than Lance Armstrong’s recovery from cancer to win consecutive Tour de Frances? This was a man who just a few years ago was given a 40 percent chance just to live, let alone have the chance to become the best in his sport. Tonot only come back but to complete and win two races of over 2,200 miles that includes mountainous terrain, is simply amazing.

Given Carl Everett’s recent outbursts and comments regarding them, you wonder if he has been headbutting other things in his spare time – like walls.

Why is it that the U.S.’s top tennis players, like Pete Sampras and AndreAgassi, often refuse to play in the Davis Cup while golfers fight tooth and nail to try to qualify for the Ryder Cup team? Arizona strengthen itself with the acquisition of Curt Schilling Wednesday but don’t give the NL West title to the Diamondbacks just yet.

Barry Bonds has already shown he can carry a team to a division title and Dusty Baker has taken teams with less talent than this year’s Giants into the playoffs.

A few years ago, most NBA players would have loved to have played for Chicago. Then Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson all left andnow the Bulls literally can’t buy a player. Of course, you also don’t see toomany people booking passage on the Titanic right now, either.

Both LSU and Florida football fans have gotten good news lately. Alabamahas been picked to win the Southeastern Conference. That’s been the kissof death lately. Just ask Gerry DiNardo and his 1998 Tigers. Finally, is it really possible that the Saints’ first preseason game is tonight?

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