THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE OLYMPICS

The newest folk hero at the Olympics emerged at the swimming competition during the Tuesday morning preliminaries of the men’s 400-meter freestyle.

Omar Dallal is the first swimmer to compete for Jordan at the Olympic Games. He charmed the 14,600 at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center with a spirited effort, finishing last in his three-swimmer heat and 34th overall in 4 minutes 41.12. But that was his personal best and he drew cheers.

“I felt scared in the beginning,” said the 15-year-old. “When I looked at the people in the heats and I saw their records and I saw my time, I was really scared. But I said this is only an excellent experience--going to the Olympics and facing all these people. I knew already that I was going to finish this way. I tried my best.”

He has been swimming competitively for only two years, and had to train in Canada because of a lack of facilities and coaches in his homeland.