Editor�s Note

I�m not a sports fan. With the rare exception of catching an occasional boxing match or baseball game, sports ranks just below watching paint dry on my list of things to do. I really, really don�t like to play sports, either � but we�ll save that topic for another day.

Despite my feelings, there is one sporting event so overwhelming and unavoidable that even I take notice. The Olympic Games are the only occasion when I�m actually willing to pry myself away from the drying paint to plop down in front of the TV to watch sports. And considering the games don�t happen that often, I don�t feel guilty about the wasted hours.

I don�t have one season�s games that I prefer over the other. I like to watch skiing as much as swimming; luge as much as lacrosse; figure skating as much as fencing. What I do really like are the more offbeat sports � the ones that not many people have heard of.

One of my favourites in that category is curling, a winter sport so mind-bogglingly odd that it always brings a smile to my face. I don�t know for sure where curling began, but I can tell you that it involves an ice rink, big rocks and brooms. I�m a fan of any sport that involves housekeeping tools.

Another wacky Olympic event is rhythmic gymnastics, which seems to my untrained eye to involve a lot of dancing around and rolling on the floor while spinning streamers, jumping through hoops and throwing balls � all to some really kicky music. And don�t even get me started on synchronised swimming.

With the 2008 Summer Olympics coming up, SW has set aside a few pages to let you know about some Thai athletes who are competing in sports that aren�t very well known in the kingdom. As well as telling the stories of markswoman Thanyalak Chotphibusin and the Thai fencing team, we wish them good luck in Beijing.

In addition, we got a Bangkok Post sports writer to give us her picks for Thailand�s best hopes for a medal.

Even if, like me, you�re not a sports fan, take some time out in the next couple of weeks to find a TV and cheer on Thailand�s Olympians. The paint will dry whether you�re there to watch it or not.

Sean Vale
Editor
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