Newsy crap

Everyone seems to be trying to woo high-speed net-users at the moment.

Telecom has announced a new range of packages available from next month, including a 2Mbps plan  and Ihug launching its bliink system.

I suppose now would be a good time to feature Olympic Games sites, since we’re in the midst of Olympic fever. Well, maybe it’s more of a tepid spell than a fever.

• For all the latest news from the official Games site, try Athens2004. Interestingly, on the site it says that with such a high selling rate the tickets of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games are already hard to find. I can’t help wondering if all the spectators are camera shy because every time I’ve watched any of the events on TV hordes of empty seats seem to outnumber fans 10-to-1.
• One sport that doesn’t seem to lack spectators is beach volleyball. I suspect its popularity has a lot to do with well-built, scantily clad babes cavorting around in the sand but for those who want to know more about the sport itself, check out the history of volleyball.
• If you fancy yourself as a bit of an expert, take a crack at the Virtual Olympics.
• Stuff, your favourite news site (well, it better be) has a comprehensive Olympics section with info on the entire New Zealand team, the latest news from Athens and a full schedule of Kiwis in action.
• The official Olympic Movement website has all of the Athens news you’d expect along with the history of the various sports, a rundown on the venues and information on future summer and winter Olympics. It also has a section on the Olympic Museum that includes a 360-degree virtual tour (you’ll need QuickTime installed to view it).
• Members of the Perseus Project created a digital exhibit on the ancient Olympics during the 1996 Games in Atlanta. The exhibit allows you to compare ancient and modern Olympic sports, tour the site of Olympia,learn about Games and its famous athletes from ancient times.
• Fact Monster has, as expected, a monster-load of facts on the Games. There’s a timeline, some fun facts (read all about Stella the Fella), the history behind some of the Olympic symbols and more. Test your skills with one or two of the quizzes.
• One of the Games’ blue ribbon events is the marathon and you’ll find a site with the history of this gruelling event at Marathon Guide. Included is the fact that the current marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards was set forthe 1908 London Olympics so that the course could start at Windsor Castle and end in front of the Royal Box.

Ever wonder what the Olympics would be like run by rednecks? Wonder no more; its all explained at Unwind.com.