==========================
BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES (Beijing, China; hard (Decoturf II))
========================== http://www.itftennis.com/olympics/
Anna Chakvetadze's withdrawal
-----------------------------

I'm very disappointed that Anna is skipping the Olympics simply
because her form is "far from ideal".

Perhaps she wanted to give the Russian team a better chance by
letting that bruiser Dinara Safina replace her - "I really want to
thank her that she gives me a chance to go there," said Safina.

Or perhaps Anna just didn't want to make the long trip from America
to Beijing and back, just for a couple of matches, so close to the
US Open.

But I don't think she understands the honour that she is giving up,
and I think her decision is against the spirit of the Olympics:
"Taking part is more important than winning."

Maybe she'll understand these things when she's too old and low-
ranked to play the Olympics, which I hope she won't be by London 2012.


Article
-------

Dinara Safina to Replace Anna Chakvetadze on Russian Olympic Team
Posted by Aaress Lawless on 23rd June 2008
http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/06/23/dinara-safina-to-replace-anna-
chakvetadze-on-russian-olympic-team/
>>>
2008 French Open finalist Dinara Safina will have an opportunity to
represent Russia in Beijing after her countrywoman Anna Chakvetadze
decided to skip the Olympics.

Safina is expected to compete alongside Maria Sharapova, Svetlana
Kuznetsova, and Elena Dementieva.

Russia's team-captain Shamil Tarpischev announced his tentative squad
last month, but Chakvetadze recently asked to have her name removed
from the team-roster.

According to Chakvetadze's mother, the Russian No.4 has decided to
skip the Olympics because of her recent struggles.

"Anna has no plans to compete in Beijing, because her current form is
far from ideal," said her mother to the Allsport news-agency.

Chakvetadze played her first match at the Wimbledon Championships on
Monday, and was forced to save three match-points before beating
Stéphanie Dubois 2-6 6-1 8-6.
<<<

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/chakv/