Olympic Updates

The Games are only a few days old and already there are quite a few interesting judo-related stories. First, there was Eleni Ioannou, 20, a three-time Greek judo champion. Last Saturday she got into an argument with her boyfriend, and fell three stories from a balcony. She is alive but in critical condition. Then, a few days later, Giorgos Chrisostomides, 24, jumps from the same balcony, possibly out of grief and remorse... Next we have Iran's Arash Miresmaeili, a two-time world champion, who pulled out of the judo competition when he found out his first round opponent would be an Israeli. His reason? Support of Palestine... For a good take on these stories, see this round-up from the Times (U.K.)... Finally, here's a piece on the best hope of the USA judo team, Jimmy Pedro. And another.