Good Reads: Olympics and more

Medalists

GOLD: In the midst of the Olympic drug controversy, The New York Times produced a fine piece on Tammy Thomas, a former US Cyclist banned for steroids.

SILVER: Bill Plaschke spins a winner about father and son Ross and David Newhan. Ross is a baseball writer for the LA Times. David plays for the Orioles. Here is a link to Ross' column about his son.

BRONZE: Mike Wise on Maritza Correia, the first black U.S. swimmer.

ATHENS

Ian O'Connor is rooting for these games to be successful.

Jerry Izenberg is far more cynical.

More Iraq Olympics stuff from Jeff Jacobs, that might have made medalist, but he's late on this story.

John Powers on Rulon Gardner. WP's Liz Clarke too.

William Rhoden examines the feelings surrounding the games.

Cathy Haratsa said the games haven't been anti-American yet.

EVERYWHERE ELSE

Rambling Ray Ratto's column would have been better had he stayed on topic.
Mike Lupica fairly wonders about all the Giambi secrecy.

Not even remotely sports related, but interesting.

See you tomorrow.