NOTES

There are times it’s handy to have an English-to-English translation.

Australian basketball player Andrew Gaze, after falling during his team’s 89-64 loss to the U.S. Monday, complained that Vince Carter scolded him as Gaze lay on the floor.

“You can be physical and intense without having a blue with someone,” Gaze told The Australian. “There’s a certain Olympic spirit you have. That doesn’t include going out and hitting people.”

*

Will the bride carry the groom over the threshold?

Suzanne Leathers, an alternate on the U.S. women’s weightlifting team, will be married Thursday to Don McCauely--a former weightlifting coach--at the Bankstown Sports Club. Her wedding party will include teammates Cheryl Haworth, Cara Heads-Lane and Robin Goad; U.S. women’s Coach Michael Cohen will give the bride away.

Leathers, 28, is ranked fifth in the U.S. and second in the 165-pound weight class.

*

The Brazilian soccer team is taking no chances that a culinary miscue will hurt its Olympic chances.

The Brazilians brought their own cordon bleu chef with them to Australia, and he has been cooking at the team’s headquarters in Brisbane.

“It helps the boys feel at home, and a proper Brazilian diet is very important,” press officer Carlos Lemos said. “The Australian chefs and the Australian food are excellent, but it is important we have our food prepared the Brazilian way.”

*

Cameroon’s soccer team was so excited to be at the Olympics that everyone forgot a vital piece of equipment for Monday’s workout: balls.

The coach, four assistant coaches and players instead did a fitness training session while someone was sent to fetch balls.

The Liberian delegation, however, was blaming Air Afrique for losing its luggage, which contained its equipment, competition gear and the robes they planned to wear to the opening ceremony.

Apparently, their bags were stuck in the Ivory Coast, leaving athletes and team officials scrambling for clothes and replacement gear. According to The Australian, a Sydney merchant who specializes in African clothing and fabrics stepped in and offered to make purple caftans for the opening ceremony.

“They’d cost $38 each, or there’s a higher-quality design for $44,” John Oei told The Australian.