Journalist Reaches New Heights

Woody Paige of the Denver Post, on his experience of scaling the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the largest single-span structure in the world.

“When I was in Sydney a year ago with the Broncos, my companion suggested we do the ‘bridge climb.’ I’d have rather danced with a demented dingo.

“But jet-lagged and fortified by kangaroo filets--kangaroo does not taste like chicken--I did it today, which is yesterday in Denver.

“Why? Because it is there. My wretched life is fulfilled now.”

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Trivia time: Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia had an unprecedented triple gold medal performance in the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. What events did he win?

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Learning experience: Tom Cushman of the San Diego Union-Tribune from Sydney:

“Despite similarities between our peoples, there are cultural and language nuances. Yesterday morning, I watched an American reporter approach a stand with the words Australian Post on its sides, reaching for change as he approached. He obviously thought he’d spotted a newspaper rack.

“It was a mailbox.”

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L.A. without smog? Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times, describing Sydney: “Think San Francisco without fog, Toronto without wind chill and Chicago without Vienna Beef and you have Sydney, the town down under that mirrors so many cities up over, preparing to host the Olympics with a wine glass in hand and an unrelenting smile.”

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Yum, yum? Bill Conlin of the Philadelphia News, on Sydney’s cuisine:

“In an award-winning eatery called REDgum that serves nothing but authentic native cuisine, I started with the crocodile ravioli served in a pesto sauce containing several unpronounceable spices. It was a perfect prelude to the grilled barramundi stuffed with a filling of jumbo prawns, nesting on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes with veggies from the Outback.

“The barramundi was served head on and I inquired about the nasty little teeth. ‘Barramundi is our piranha, mate,’ my server said with pride.

“Glad I asked.”

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No happy face: Former NFL coach Marv Levy, now a Fox sports commentator, on Kansas City Chief Coach Gunther Cunningham and his team’s 17-14 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans:

“Gunther is very intense, and I’m sure the loss hurt a lot, but even when he wins, he looks about as happy as the CEO of Firestone looks right now.”

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Happy birthday: Elgin Baylor, Clipper executive and Laker Hall of Famer, turns 66 today.

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Looking back: On this day in 1973, O.J. Simpson rushed for 250 yards to lead the Buffalo Bills to a 31-13 victory over the New England Patriots.

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Trivia answer: He won the 5,000 and 10,000 meters and the marathon, competing in that event for the first time.

And finally: Veteran Chris Mullin was released by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, but he wasn’t bitter. Far from it. “If my next stop is as good as this, it will be great,” he said. “My legs are good. I’m 37, but they’re only 36.”