We're hot in the Ukraine

The Middle and Long distance finals have come and gone, with the usual suspects taking the gold medals away. A surprise was that Finland managed to take 2 gold medals in the Long Distance women's race after Minna Kaupi and Helli Jukola dead-heated to the second after 80 minutes of running.

The last few days have been sweltering. The Long final was held in temperatures of 35' centigrade. Today (a rest day) was even hotter, with temperatures purportedly climbing to 38'C. The S.A. team wouldn't know... we've been sheltering in various locations... anywhere with an airconditioner. These are quite hard to find however... our rooms definately don't have, but the gym, internet room and a nearby western-style shopping centre do. Today was the National Independence Day celebrations. I'm sure the Hydropark on the island in the middle of the river was packed.

Relay

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the relay event. South Africa will be team number 33 (our position last year) and will be led off by Team Member Nicholas Mulder. He will then hand over to Team Member Richard who will in turn hand over to anchor leg runner, Team Member Jeremy Green.

There is a massive turnout of teams in the Men's competition, although Serbia and Romania won't be on the start line. Some of the teams S.A. will be out to beat include Hong Kong, Taipei, China, Kazakstan and Turkey. Other possible targets are Moldova, Israel and possibly Ireland and Slovenia. The teams main target however is to improve it's rankings from last year's 33rd. This would put at least 7 countries behind them.