Real Test Of Dutch Courage

Aug 24 2008 Gordon Waddell

HANDS up. I'm a convert. I had become an Olympic cynic, sick of the bloated, drugaddled, credit-card-sponsored bunfight it had become. Sports that should never be in it, sports that aren't even sports in it.

But some faith is back. Who could watch Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Chris Hoy and not feel humble at their talent or dedication? Or Phelps' diet?

I salute you from the bottom of my stomach, sir.

Not even the parochial Scot in me could put Hoy at the top of my Olympic podium though.

That place goes to Dutchman Maarten van der Weijden who overcame lymphatic leukemia to win the awesome 10km swim.

When you can still see the scars from the brain surgery on his shaven head you know it's time to doff your hat.