Colin bows out of Olympic kayaking
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Kailua's Kathy Colin ended her competitive career yesterday after she and partner Lauren Spalding of Maui failed to advance to the finals of the women's K-2 500-meter flatwater kayak race at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Associated Press
The U.S. team of Colin and Spalding finished seventh in their semifinals heat in 1 minute, 46.78 seconds.
USA's Kathy Colin, left, and Lauren Spalding finished seventh in the women's K2 500-meter semifinal and did not advance to the final.
While the race marked an ending for Colin, a two-time Olympian, it also symbolized the beginning for Spalding's next Olympic journey as the 24-year-old now begins training for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
"This is definitely it for me," Colin, 30, said. "But I see amazing things for Lauren. She struggles with being away from her family (in Hawai'i), but that may be her only downfall. If she really works hard, she will do great things in kayaking."
Colin said the problem most American paddlers face is the lack of opportunity to race the teams from other, more powerful, countries on a regular basis.
"These other teams race each other every other weekend, but we only race them once or twice a year," she said.
Colin's first Olympics were the 2000 Sydney Games, but said she always had her sights set on Athens.
"My first Olympics was all about the excitement. Here, I had much higher goals. Obviously, I wasn't able to achieve them, but I still had a lot of fun," Colin said. "I know that I gave everything I could, so I can't be upset. There are no regrets."
BASKETBALL
Tupu's heroics can't rescue New Zealand
Evanthia Maltsi scored a game-high 29 points as host Greece defeated New Zealand, 87-83, today for seventh place.
New Zealand's Tania (Brunton) Tupu, a former University of Hawai'i standout, was involved in two critical plays in the closing seconds of the game.
In the final 14 seconds with Greece leading 85-80, Tupu grabbed an offensive rebound and teammate Angela Marino hit a 3-pointer to make it 85-83.
Tupu stole the ball on the ensuing possession with seven seconds left, but Marino missed her go-ahead 3-point attempt.
Greece's Dimitra Kalentzou made two free throws with one second left to seal the game.
Tupu finished with five points, three rebounds and one assist.
WATER POLO
Brooks makes 12 saves as U.S. beats Australia
Punahou graduate Brandon Brooks made 12 saves as the U.S. men's team beat Australia, 6-5, today in a semifinal classification 7th- to 10th-place match.
Tony Azevedo scored three goals, Jesse Smith two and Wolf Wigo one for Team USA.
Pietro Figlioli scored three goals for Australia.
Gannett News Service, the NBC Olympics Web site and the Athens 2004 Web site contributed to this report.
