Russians sweep Olympics

Elena Dementieva, who won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, is the winner of gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Winning silver was her countrywoman, Dinara Safina, and the bronze medal went to yet another Russian--Vera Zvonareva.

Safina is the tour's hottest player right now, but a rash of inconsistencies even greater than those displayed by Dementieva cost her the gold. This is Dementieva's second title, so to speak, of the year--she also won in Dubai.

Zvonareva began the season very strongly, then lapsed a bit, but has now placed herself back in high contention. Both she and Safina were substitutes on the Russian team: Safina was appointed to the team when Anna Chakvetadze decline to accept her spot, and Zvonareva was added when Maria Sharapova was forced to withdraw because of injury. Zonvonareva defeated Li Na to win the bronze medal match.

Sharapova out of Olympics

Maria Sharapova's doctors have found two small tears in the tendons of her shoulders. She sounds somewhat relieved to learn that it isn't a nerve problem, and she is on her way to New York for a second opinion. However, she has definitely ruled out playing in the Olympics.

Here's hoping Maria gets better soon, and that she finds a way to avoid all this shoulder damage.

Mauresmo confirms she will not play in Olympics

With Mary Pierce withdrawing from the French Olympic team, Amelie Mauresmo was expected to take the open slot, but she has refused, so Pauline Parmentier will be the new team member. Parmentier just won the Gastein Ladies in Bad Gastein.

Pierce withdraws from Olympics

Mary Pierce, who was named to the French Olympic team toward the end of last month, has withdrawn because of continuing troubles with her knee. It is unknown whether Amelie Mauresmo will take her place.

Molik gets wild card for Olympics

From On the Baseline comes news that bronze medal holder Alicia Molik has been awarded a wild card into the 2008 Olympics.

Other players receiving wild cards are Maria Koryttseva, Chan Yung-Jan, Ayumi Morita, Nuria Llagostera Vives, and Selima Sfar.

Pierce chosen to play singles at Olympics

Mary Pierce, who has not played on the tour for a long time because of injuries, has been given the singles berth on the French Olympic team that many assumed would go to Amelie Mauresmo. Mauresmo, who has been plagued with everything from surgery to injury to low confidence for over a year, will still play doubles at the Olympics.

The French singles team will consist of Pierce, Alize Cornet, Virginie Razzano, and Tatiana Golovin. Or at least that is the official story. But given Golovin's fragile condition following surgery for a cyst, I think there is a good chance that Mauresmo will wind up with a singles position on the team.

Chakvetadze out, Safina in

Anna Chakvetadze has not been able to get her game together since experiencing a trauma

Dinara Safina has been added to the 2008 Russian Olympic team, it was announced today. She will replace Anna Chakvetadze, who asked to be taken off the roster. Chakvetadze has not had an easy time of it since armed robbers broke into her family's house in December. They beat her father severely, and the ropes were bound so tightly around Chakvetadze's wrists that she had to receive special treatment for the pain. It goes without saying that there has also been some post-traumatic response to the event.

The other team members are Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva.

Harkleroad turns down chance to be on U.S. Olympic team

Ashley Harkleroad has turned down an opportunity to play in the 2008 Olympics because, she says, she wants to concentrate on improving her ranking during the hard court season.

Harkleroad was recently off the tour for a while because of emergency surgery.

Russian Olympic team now complete

Last month, we learned that Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova had been named to the Russian Olympic team. Joining them are Elena Dementieva, Anna Chakvetadze, Vera Zvonareva, and Dinara Safina. The latter two have been named as a doubles team. Kuznetsova has been selected to play doubles with either Dementieva or Chakvetadze.

Dementieva is an Olympic silver medal holder in singles.

Zina Garrison named Olympics coach

U.S. Fed Cup captian Zina Garrison has been named the coach of the U.S. Olympic women's tennis team.

Henin unsure about Olympics...if only others were

Justine Henin, who has chronic respiratory problems, is giving some thought as to whether her lungs can handle the air pollution in Beijing. Organizers say the pollution problem will be under control by the time the Olympics begin.

Now, will some tennis players (and other athletes) please give some thought as to whether their sense of decency and morals can tolerate the thousands of dogs slaughtered in order to "clear the streets" and "present a good image" for the Olympics? Many, in fact, were pets (not that there is an excuse for any of the slaughter), and were bludgeoned in front of their families. Not one nation has formally protested, nor--to my knowledge--has one athlete said a word. Coca-Cola, the IOC, the nations involved, and the athletes involved (including the "pet lovers") are totally silent.

WTA Tour prepares for Olympics

The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour recently announced an agreement with the ITF and the IOC that will grant ranking points to women who participate successfully in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. WTA Tour rankings will be used to determine the top 56 acceptances in the 64-player draw. Ranking points were also given in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Under a new agreement, countries will be able to send up to six players to the Olympics, as opposed to the usual four. Four singles players can be entered, and--if there is a doubles player ranked in the top ten--a separate doubles team can also be entered.

Justine Henin won the Olympic Gold Medal in 2004. Amelie Mauresmo won the silver, and Alicia Molik won the bronze when she recovered from being down 1-5 in the third set of her match against Anastasia Myskina.