Free suits get torn easily

BEIJING — The free swim suits issued by the Beijing organizers are like the free raincoats given out to media on rainy days. They get torn easily at the seams, so journalists just throw them away after each use.

Talking of handicaps, Michael Phelps swam the 200m butterfly in another Olympic record and he did it swimming blind.

When he dove in, his goggles were filled with water and it got worse as the race went on, he said. Phelps said he kept track of where he was by counting strokes. He topped the event in a world record time, his fourth gold and fourth world record at Beijing. Phelps now has six golds

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James Walsh and his family leave today for the US. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Ramon Solis left yesterday. The earliest to depart was shooter Eric Ang. Boxer Harry Tañamor and archer Mark Javier are staying behind for the closing ceremonies.

The Simms and Coakley families are close friends in Hawaii and are staying at the same hotel here. “Very Filipino sila. They came here with their baon and are having a great time,” said Mark Joseph.

For the record, the swimsuits used by Christel Simms and Ryan Arabejo are not Arena suits, which use the same technology as the hi-tech Speedo swimsuits used by Michael Phelps and the Olympic record breakers. – Gerry Carpio