Media coverage prior to Athens

[CMB50]

So far i've been impressed by the amount of attention Archery has had in the lead up to Athens.
The saga surrounding the spot on the womens side becoming available has fueled things along however article's like this are also good to see.

http://theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/20/1090089157429.html?oneclick=true

Simon, as an olympic gold medalist, naturally attracts more media attention than the others however it's great that something that isn't controversial is covered. This one's from yesterday's 'Age' in Melbourne.

I've included the story below also.

Archer hopes new spectacles give him eagle eyes
By Len Johnson
July 21, 2004



It is almost axiomatic that an Olympic champion archer would have perfect vision - 20-20 plus.

Not so Simon Fairweather, the Australian who took the gold medal at Sydney 2000. "I struggle with my vision," Fairweather admits.

The problem is astigmatism, the most common of eye afflictions. It causes some blurring and mild difficulty in distinguishing colours.

Normally, this is not a problem for Fairweather, the archer. The bullseye in an archery target is gold and he sights gold like William Tell does an apple. The difficulty occurs with the next two rings, the red and the blue, which tend to merge together so he is not absolutely sure where one finishes and the other starts.

In still conditions, Fairweather can just shoot at the bull, as most archers do. When it is windy, however, you have to adjust, aiming at the outer rings and letting the arrow drift slightly back into the centre.

That is where the Athens Olympic venue will present problems. Archery will be held in the historic Panathenaic stadium, site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. The stadium is white marble and the sun will shine all day. The glare will be horrendous.



Archers will emerge from holding areas out of the sun into the stadium, with little time to adjust before they shoot for Olympic medals.

In addition, the stadium is open at one end, the end to which the archers will shoot, which will bring the swirling wind into play.

Every archer will have to cope with the glare and adjusting quickly to the bright light. Fairweather will have the additional problem of having to sight the concentric rings of the target clearly to compensate for the wind conditions.

Fortunately, with the help of a Melbourne company, Fairweather believes he has the problem under control. Spotters, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs and the only manufacturer of sunglasses in the country, has supplied Fairweather with prescription spectacles that should put both his vision problems into perspective.

The lenses, which are made of glass, not the almost universal polycarbons, are also polarised, sharply reducing the glare and providing enhanced clarity. They are also polychromatic, adjusting quickly to changes of light.

Polarised lenses are not new, but they got something of a bad name in their first incarnation when, under certain conditions, they blocked out not only undesirable glare but also all light.

The new product has overcome those problems, says Spotters managing director Doug Philips. The bad reputation lingers, he says, only until people try his spectacles.

Fairweather, 34, will be competing in his fifth Olympics in Athens. He retired for 18 months after winning the gold medal in Sydney.

"I didn't think I would ever be interested in taking up a bow again," he said recently.

Within 18 months, Fairweather was planning a return. The encouragement came from his wife Jackie Gallagher, the former world champion triathlete.

Gallagher, who had come to triathlon from distance running, returned to her first sport to win a bronze medal in the marathon at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. She was fired enough to make a bid for a place in the Athens Olympic team and convinced Fairweather to make it a family project.

"I had been four times and Jackie missed out on selection for Sydney," Fairweather says. "The whole point was for us to share the experience."

Unfortunately, Gallagher again just missed out. The Olympic standard for the marathon was two hours 32 minutes. She ran 2:32:40 in Nagano, Japan, in March. By that time, the International Association of Athletics Federations had eased the standard, but the Australian selectors did not follow suit.

[CMB50]

and the picture....

http://theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/20/simon+_fairweather,0.jpg

[Aarleks]

SMH, and so I presume The Age, have this site:

http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/index.html

With this site for archery:

http://smh.com.au/olympics/archery/index.html

Two stories, and an 'About Archery' bit.

[robbo]

Good to see positive stories in the media about archery.

[Clare Barnes]

The current Qantas magazine has a bit on archery and David too.

[Flame]

The current Qantas magazine has a bit on archery and David too.

did you nick it so you can scan it :D

[Barracuda]

Great article on the Olympic Team in this mornings Sydney Morning Herald, page 33. "Fairweather and friends target golden opportunity"

[CMB50]

Thanks for pointing that out Barracuda.

Here's the article:

Simon Fairweather is heading for his fifth OIympics with two teenagers in tow. Together they can win gold, writes Travis Cranley.

Sydney Olympics archery champion Simon Fairweather found himself on top of a medal podium again in the southern Turkish city of Antalya on Saturday. This time, however, he had company.

On his right was 18-year-old David Barnes, a fishing hat failing to hold in his flop-topped hairdo; to his left was Tim Cuddihy, 17, in cap and shades, trying to get a laugh from the trio's coach, Ki Sik Lee, with a secret hand signal. Fairweather, smiling despite himself, looked like someone who had just crashed a scene of Dude, Where's My Target?

"At times there's a bit of a generation gap," deadpanned Fairweather, 34, preparing for his fifth Olympics. "I mean, until a couple of months ago, you could put Timmy's and Dave's ages together and get mine."

It may be an unlikely alliance, but the matching of the thoughtful, mature Fairweather with the tremendous talent and teen spirit of Barnes and Cuddihy has Australia in sight of archery success at the Athens Olympics next month.

In Antalya, the team won the Golden Arrow Grand Prix title, the premier annual event on the archery calendar, beating Turkey 244-229 in the 27-arrow final. This was their second major title of 2004 after winning the German Grand Prix in Whyl in June, where they shocked the mighty Koreans, the reigning Olympic and world champions, in the final. (The Koreans did not attend the Golden Arrow.)


"We get on really well as a team," Fairweather said. "There is a mutual respect there.

"I can enjoy some of their humour, while at the same time I can keep a bit of space when we are not competing. It's hard to really argue with the results we are getting."

Barnes, for good measure, also won the bronze medal in the individual event in Antalya, equalling the result he achieved in both the 2003 world championships and last year's Olympic test event in Athens. Cuddihy came fifth, one below where he finished in last year's worlds. Fairweather was upset early in the elimination rounds.

The Golden Arrow featured 40 of the 64 male archers who will compete in Athens, adding to the merit of the Australians' performances. They triumphed over not only the talent they will see in Athens, but also the boiling temperatures - Antalya's 40-degree days were ideal preparation for Greece's heat.

Coach Lee - who led the incomparable Koreans from 1984 to 1996 before taking up his post at the Australian Institute of Sport - is quietly confident of his men's chances in both the individual and team events. Given that athletes under his leadership have won nine of the 18 archery gold medals since 1984, that's a promising sign.

"There's not really much more we need to work on now," Lee said. "We just have to keep preparing well and be sure their shoulders stay OK."

Lee left Turkey on Sunday and is spending this week with Barnes and Cuddihy at the world junior championships at Lilleshall, England. At the last junior worlds in 2002, Cuddihy won the cadet title, beating Barnes in the final by a point. The pair then led Australia to the team title.

Repeat success for Barnes and Cuddihy would be a bonus boost of confidence for Lee's two proteges before Athens.

Not that the close-knit pair are short of self-belief. In archery's conservative ranks, Barnes and Cuddihy appear happy to be standout stars.

Barnes hand-paints his bow and changes his hairstyle almost monthly, opting mostly for the ludicrous. His current raggedy wash of unkempt curls is best described as Shaggy meets Thorpey.

Cuddihy also favours bed-headedness, seemingly taking his fashion cues from MTV's Jackass crew, whose logo he wears on a favourite shirt.

Fairweather - whose solo style statement is a pointy goatee - flew straight to the team's pre-Athens base in Aix les Bains, France. Here, he was reunited with his wife of four months, Jackie Gallagher, the former world triathlon and duathlon champion. Gallagher, now triathlon coach at the AIS, is in Aix les Bains to guide the preparation of Australia's triathlon team for Athens.

Barnes, Cuddihy and Lee will join Fairweather there next week. The women's trio of Deonne Bridger, 32, Jo-Ann Galbraith, 19, and Melissa Jennison, 22, whose selection was only confirmed last week after the late withdrawal of Jade Beatty, will also train in Aix les Bains until Athens.

While not regarded as medal prospects, the women ensure Australia is one of the few nations represented in all four archery events: men's and women's individual and team.

Fairweather believes he can peak at Panathinaiko Stadium, archery's venue in Athens and the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. He will enter the Games aiming to become the first archer to successfully defend an individual title. He will also be the only male competing who has won both the Olympic and world titles (he won his worlds in 1991).

He accepts he's now the Old Man Arrow of the Australian team - his famous sunglasses will feature prescription lenses this time. Since Sydney, he's fitted in retirement (2002), some coaching (2002-3), a return to competition (2003), and marriage (April). Yet the memories of that golden day in Sydney are still vivid for him. Repeating the feat - possibly with his two rookie mates next to him - comes next.

"It's good when you know you have what it takes to win major events," he said. "I've won the gold medal. I've won the world championships. Knowing that, I can always believe it's possible to do so again."

[CMB50]

and the picture:

http://smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/22/fairweather_wideweb__430x291.jpg

[Jules]

Top Work Cameron

[Aarleks]

Not really a story about archery, although is does very closely concern us.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/25/1090693836743.html

[clever_guy]

"although is does very closely concern us."

Happens to a lot of Olympic cities, look into how many venues closed in Atlanta a couple of years after the games. Most Olympic bid committees have pretty grand ideas about how the venues will act as a stimulus for sport and the local economy, but in a lot of cases they are unrealistic. Calgary is one of the few Olympic cities that has so far managed to leverage the sporting infrastructure it built for its games. In the case of Sydney I bet it will pay off in the long run as long as competing in the Olympics remains a priority with the government.

-CG

[DrRalph]

Not really a story about archery, although is does very closely concern us.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/25/1090693836743.html

So, given they used the archery shot as the heading, where in this whole process does the archery park fit in? Is it a separate one that isn't mentioned because it is breaking even, or is is part of one of the larger loss making ones?

[soapbox = on]

Also, where in the discussion is the question as to whether it is good or bad to subsidise sporting venues? Sounds like around a million people a year use these places, that must be a good thing in many ways. Subsidy doesn't automatically equal bad!

If we banned all subsidies to non-profimaking or low profile activities then our society would be a pretty depressing and unhealthy place IMNSHO

[soapbox = off]

[Aarleks]

If we banned all subsidies to non-profimaking or low profile activities then our society would be a pretty depressing and unhealthy place IMNSHO

Word!!! Well said Ralph!

[MerlinApexDylan]

Cool articles. Jeeze Simons technique is hella solid!

[katzgrin]

So, given they used the archery shot as the heading, where in this whole process does the archery park fit in? Is it a separate one that isn't mentioned because it is breaking even, or is is part of one of the larger loss making ones?

The rumour mill has it that there is a call for expressions of interest to make Archery Park a commercial venture. The verbal assurances given before the games, about having a central site to develop the sport, don't seem to be worth the paper they were written on.

The state government seems happy to bask in past glories rather than create a glorious future. Let us hope Homebush doesn't Carrk it.

[frommy]

The verbal assurances given before the games, about having a central site to develop the sport, don't seem to be worth the paper they were written on.

They rarely are! :wink:

[recurve boy]

and the picture:

http://smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/22/fairweather_wideweb__430x291.jpg

What's that other skinny rod?

That sounds so bad...

[Aarleks]

Bow stand.

Flips out, and allows the bow to sit on its lower limb, stab, and the rod (all hail the inanimate carbon rod). I think Tox has a picture of it somewhere on his site.

[recurve boy]

I heard a rumor that Simon got custom Easton stabs made up at one time. Is this it?

That's a good idea. I want one.

[2Dogs]

That's just those dumb Kesti Bow Stands that Clint made popular out here for a while.

[Malko]

so you're shooting with the bowstand on the bow? : :(
and when you put it on the ground doesn't it twist the lower limb and stab? :o :(

[Aarleks]

You're just jealous 'cause you sold yours Pauly. :D :D

Malko. No, surprisingly. :wink:

[unclepete]

so you're shooting with the bowstand on the bow? : :(
and when you put it on the ground doesn't it twist the lower limb and stab? :o :(

From the look of it, there'd be no difference to propping the bow up with an old arrow.

[Gilli]

Has any one 'looked at' The Age Olympic Site.
They have a box called "About Archery" in the Archery section.
There is a diagram of the bow labelled "compound bow" - sure looks like a recurve to me.
Do you think someone should tell them?

[Marcus]

Actually looks like a compound bow with one string

http://theage.com.au/olympics/images/sports/f_archery1.gif

[Flame]

never heard of the X being called the bullseye in archery :D

[clever_guy]

Max weight limit for an arrow is 28 grams (~430 grains)...learn something new every day...

;)

-CG

[Aarleks]

This story is on the AOC site. Good stuff.

http://www.olympics.com.au/default.asp?pg=home&spg=rta2004&articleid=3903

[Patchy]

Damn a compound would look good in Athens :D

[recurve boy]

Here we go again ...

[DrRalph]

Just saw the local Canberra ACT stateline, an interview with a local ABC radio sport broadcaster Tim Gavel. He is going to Athens to cover the rowing and archery on ABC radio. He put in a good plug for our chances in the archery and they showed a short segment from the men's selection shoot earlier in the year at the AIS.

Good to see and to hear the Archery will get radio coverage as well.

[frommy]

Channel 7 Sydney reported that the Oz archers are among the first to move into the villiage. They interviewed Melissa and Dionne.

Brief, but good.

[James Park]

There is an article about David Barnes on page 10 of the Australian for 7th August.
It includes a picture of Dave shhoting in front of the Athens stadium. Shirt untucked, and apparently in bare feet (as we would expect).

[toxic_rabbit]

he has no arrow in his bow too :lol:

[Clare Barnes]

he has no arrow in his bow too :lol:

A security measure? 8) :lol:

[toxic_rabbit]

here you are

http://www.toxicrabbit.com/images/dave1.jpg

http://www.toxicrabbit.com/images/dave2.jpg

[toxic_rabbit]

Don't want to go shooting those lovely media people :lol:

[James Park]

Pity about no arrow (I had not noticed). I think it would probably be a pretty nice photo in colour.

[Flame]

thanks Tox :D

[CMB50]

Same picture (in color) and a better story in today's herald sun.

[Flame]

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,367687,00.jpg

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,10365107^662,00.html

[Dave Barnes]

i wish i could have used an arrow, but was in is in the middle of downtown athens with people everywhere...........

[Miika]

i wish i could have used an arrow, but was in is in the middle of downtown athens with people everywhere...........

And?

[unclepete]

i wish i could have used an arrow, but was in is in the middle of downtown athens with people everywhere...........

A good pic anyway. Keep up the good work :)

[toxic_rabbit]

"dead-eye-dick with a bow and arrow"

Thats a new one :o :lol:

[Flame]

and boy do I have a photo for that caption :D

[unclepete]

and boy do I have a photo for that caption :D

You're a scary man, Flame :D

[James Park]

I am pretty sure someone could photoshop in an arrow.

[Flame]

http://www.users.on.net/wwwsys/Images/Forum/davea.jpg

[grantwomack]

Nice work, Flame. Send that to the rival news! Get 'em into trouble! :D

[clever_guy]

"dead-eye-dick with a bow and arrow"

Better than just a dead-dick with a bow and arrow...

;) :lol: :lol:

-CG

[2Dogs]

David Dead Dick....has a ring to it :D....kinda like Edward Sissorhands :wink:

[Dave Barnes]

you leave my dead dick out of this.........

[2Dogs]

Actually I noticed Jana Pitman's knee is ****ed .... you didn't do that to her did you? :lol: **** her knee that is :D

[Aarleks]

Another, this time with Archery at the top (gotta love the alphabet :D ). Good photo too.

http://smh.com.au/olympics/articles/2004/08/09/1092022401936.html

[Aarleks]

And an overview of the contenders.

http://smh.com.au/olympics/archery/samuelson.html

[Alan]

any body know how & where the term 'Dead eye dick 'originates?

[Flame]

any body know how & where the term 'Dead eye dick 'originates?

dead eye comes from "he can shoot the dot off an i" hense dead i

Deadeye Dick, the legendary cowboy immortalized by dime novels at the beginning of the 20th century, was born Nat Love, a Tennessee slave.
:D

[Clare Barnes]

http://media.smh.com.au/?category=&site=SMH&rid=14478&rate=737&sy=smh&source=int14315r&t=5FSP7G&player=wm7&ie=1&flash=1

[Flame]

Hey thats pretty good :D

[Eberbachl]

Hey - some cool videos there :D

[Aarleks]

Excellent! :D Nice to see a bit of humour.

[Marcus]

I have heard that Jo-Ann Gailbraith has been in a photoshoot for Vogue magazine. Proceeds go to the AOC and then hopefully archery.

[Aarleks]

Headline on the AOC site. Looks like it refers to target allocations for the ranking round.

http://www.olympics.com.au/default.asp?pg=home&spg=display&articleid=3965

[Clare Barnes]

Headline on the AOC site. Looks like it refers to target allocations for the ranking round.

http://www.olympics.com.au/default.asp?pg=home&spg=display&articleid=3965

Just love it - thought I better cut and paste it here before someone points out to them what a ranking round is and it gets corrected :D:D

Aussie archers have mixed draw
Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Australia's male archers should cruise through the ranking round on the eve of the Olympic opening ceremony, giving them a strong start when competition begins.

Defending Olympic champion Simon Fairweather will shoot off against Fujun Yong of China and Sifa Taumoepeau of Tonga.

Newly crowned junior champion Tim Cuddihy, 16, will face Haifeng Xue of China and Ken Uprichard of New Zealand.

Fellow teenager David Barnes will contest only one archer, Dmitry Nevmerzhitskiy (Nevmerzhitskiy) of Russia.

The ranking round on Thursday is crucial to who the Australians will come up against when competition gets under way.

The Australian women have a far tougher time with all three coming up against Koreans who have dominated the sport for years.

Melissa Jennison who joined the team just weeks ago after Jade Beatty withdrew because of a shoulder injury, shoots against Sung Hyun Park of Korea and May Mansour of Egypt.

Jo-Ann Galbraith shoots against Mi Jin Yun of Korea and Kristine Esebua of Georgia, while Deonne Bridger is up against Sung Jin Lee of Korea and Khatuna Narimanidze of Georgia.

The women's elimination rounds will be held Sunday while the men begin competition on Monday.

[James Park]

Yes, seems like the target allocations to me. I think the journalist has zero understanding of how it works.

[Aarleks]

On the Olympic site.

http://www.athens2004.com/en/resultsArchery/results?cid=84b4288cdd32df00VgnVCM10000029130d0aRC RD&lang=en&dcpnews=1&rsc=nullnullnullnullnull&oid=80f773d2eb94ef00VgnVCM4000002b130c0aRCRD

[Aarleks]

Just found this nice little video from Sydney on the Athens site. It's commentated in Greek but good footage nonetheless.

So many of the archers have terrible string-grips!! And Frangilli's draw process... I had forgotten how bizarre it is. :o Still, he seems to do it the same every time.

http://www.athens2004.com/en/Videos/multigallery?video=260a46f40a969f00VgnVCMServer281 30b0aRCRD

[Aarleks]

Report on Ranking results on the AOC site:

http://www.olympics.com.au/default.asp?pg=home&spg=rta2004&articleid=3990