Final Olympic Update (by Thom)

Now that the Olympics have passed I can take a look back and see how Mali and Senegal did. I mentioned before that the Malian woman's basketball team went winless at the Beijing games, although that wasn't surprising. The swimmers also failed to advance from their opening rounds. Mali also sent one man and one woman to compete in Track and Field (400 meter hurdles and 200 meter race, respectively) but they both failed to advance. Mali's last hope was Daba Modibo Keita in Taekwondo. Keita was the 2007 world champion in his weight class and advanced past his first round opponant in the Olympics but in the quarterfinals to a Nigerian who went on to win the Bronze medal.
Senegal sent 11 different atheletes to compete in 5 different events. However, the only to advance beyond their first match was Mamadou Keita in Fencing. Like the Malian Keita, Mamadou's opponant went on to win a Bronze medal.
Small, less-affluant countries don't have the luxury of lavish training centers and 200-member athlete delegations like many Western countries. To the Malian and Senegalese Olympians - Congratulations, you've given your countries reason to be proud! Best of luck in the 2012 London Olympiad!