Kool Thing of the Week # 3: Goodbye, Olympics Edition

This video is not from the Olympics, nor is it particularly new (it was posted in July), yet I can think of no better way to send the 2012 Games off into the sunset than a clip of a runner bulldozing his way through a set of hurdles. This event occurred at the Chinese University Games, which I am not particularly familiar with, but apparently seems to be a legitimate athletic competition. Taking no heed of the barriers in his path, the runner adopts a scorched earth policy, somehow managing to demolish hurdles in his competitor's lane, which is an impressive feat. After witnessing so many near-perfect acts of athletic prowess over the last two weeks, it's pleasant to see a different approach to one of track's oldest and most revered events. 

Oldies Corner
In honor of Blur's performance last night as part of the Closing Ceremonies in Hyde Park, here is footage of those '90s Britpop heroes performing one of their many excellent songs, "End of a Century," live. Blur have been all over the place lately, thanks largely to the recent release of a box set containing all their albums as well as a boatload of unreleased material (which you can pick up for a cool $210). The band never got the credit they deserved here in the United States (outside of the fact "Song Two" will be played at sporting events for all of eternity), so I will attempt to do my part to share a taste of a great band that you may not have considered could have been so great.