As the Beijing Olympics enters its final days, the medal count for Tucson-connected athletes continues to rise.
Yes, it would have been great had Jennie Finch and Co. brought home gold in softball. But the silver that the team won is nice, too.
Were Tucson a nation, our medal haul so far – two gold, three silver – would place us ahead of more than 40 countries competing in the games.
Tucson’s medal count is sure to increase this weekend. Former University of Arizona player Kim Glass is guaranteed at least a bronze in women’s volleyball; Tucsonan Bernard Lagat is in the final of the 5,000 meters in track; and two Tucson-affiliated baseball players are in position to pick up some hardware.
So, who knows? With a little luck, the Old Pueblo’s medal count could surpass Indonesia’s (population 234.7 million).
We still, however, would trail the eight golds won by the United States of Phelps.