It was a travel day today with a trek to, and then wait at Heathrow before the 8hr flight to New York. Found out we are staying on Sesame Street – haven’t seen any of the famous residents yet though. The hostel is just across from Central Park so had a short walk there. There was some slow-pitch softball there (at much lower standard than the Brits we had dinner with last week).

Some key facts about USA

– Population – 340 million

– Capital City – Washington DC

– National Sport – Baseball

– Summer Olympic Gold Medals – 1101

– Winter Olympic Gold Medals – 114

– Highest Ever FIFA World Ranking – 4th

– Most Famous Sportsperson – Michael Jordan – Basketball

This day in sporting history (27 August)

1952 Having already won 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals, Czech star Emil Zátopek claims rare Olympic treble taking out Helsinki Games marathon in OR 2:23:03.2

2004 In a huge upset in the men’s basketball semi final at the Athens Olympics, Argentina beats a star-studded but unsettled US team 89-81; they go on to take gold and US bronze