"Our showing has become an embarrassment to the whole country and the swimmers have to take the blame They don't seem to be performing with any pride. They have simply made feeble excuses: the pool's too deep, it's too hot and there's no air-conditioning It's the same for everyone. It could be 20 years before we are anywhere near the top again. Don't they understand what it means to swim for your country at the Olympics? "A lot of people have been badly let down. Commenting on five days that had brought only Paul Palmer's silver, he said he felt ashamed. "We are drowning out there and we have become a laughing stock," Wilkie, who won the 200m breaststroke in Montreal, said.

There is no one like an old sportsman to disparage the new and, 20 years and one day since he became an Olympic gold medallist, David Wilkie yesterday laid into the efforts of the British swimming team in Atlanta, writes Guy Hodgson. In September last year, Medina took the World Boxing Council crown from Alejandro Gonzalez, but lost his first defence to Luisito Espinosa.. During that time he has lost just seven times and held two world titles. In August 1991 he took the International Boxing Federation world title on a points decision against the American Troy Dorsey, and successfully defended it five times before losing to Tom Johnson in February 1983. Prince Naseem Hamed will make the third defence of his World Boxing Organisation featherweight title against Manuel Medina in Dublin next month. The Sheffield boxer has a 22-fight unbeaten record, including 20 stoppages, but his 29-year-old Mexican opponent is not short on experience, with 59 fights under his belt since turning professional 11 years ago. The contrast was not lost on Barkley and his team-mates, who appear increasingly frustrated with the lack of support from those among the media who feel the current "Dream Team" do not compare with the 1992 version. "College kids can't win the gold medal any more. The days when you could go out and beat teams by 40, 50 or 60 points are gone," said Barkley, who top-scored with 16 points "In 1992 we were kind of like a freak show.. everyone was out on the court with us.

I reckon we're still 30 points better than most of these teams, but the other countries have improved."Barkley even suggested it might be time to drop the "Dream Team" tag in favour of Team USA, but he remains convinced the crowds will continue to flock to see the NBA's top stars playing together.. In injury time, Real Madrid's Raul headed his second goal of the night. Australia had shocked Spain by scoring twice in the first 10 minutes through Aurelio Vidmar and Wolves' Steve Corica. Portugal drew 1-1 with the United States, as did Argentina against the lowly rated Tunisia..

Charles Barkley leapt to the defence of the "Dream Team" concept on Wednesday despite another uninspiring performance which raised more questions about its long-term appeal. The United States ran out comfortable 104-82 winners over Lithuania in front of a subdued crowd in the Georgia Dome - which had witnessed scenes of hysteria the previous night as the Americans clinched the women's gymnastics team gold. Okesola turned away in the third round and was stopped by the referee with seven seconds of the heavyweight fight remaining.. France beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 to join Spain as the qualifers from Group B while in Group A Portugal and Argentina both drew 1-1 to join them in the last eight. Spain were trailing 2-1 against Australia, a result which would have sent their opponents through, when Santiago Denia equalised. The Olympic champions, Spain, averted premature elimination by scoring twice in the final three minutes of their match against Australia on Wednesday.