I suppose it does suck not to see Michael Phelps swim for any medals today. Kosuke Kitajima got his second gold in the 200-meter breaststroke, while China made it 1-2 in the women's 200-meter butterfly. The Americans were not a factor in either of these races, with 6th and 7th/8th finishes, respectively.
If China tears it up in the track & field events, we are in trouble when it comes to the gold medal haul. The USA-Soviet Union rivalry will be replaced with the USA-China rivalry in a hurry.
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As I watch the USA stand tall against a game German side (who would eventually come out on top), I have to say that even though we are not through with round-robin action, this team has improved in leaps and bounds. If Lee Bodimeade is given the ol' heave-ho after this is over, I will not be surprised.
I do hate Germany's coach here, though. He celebrated like Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski and the crew won the FIFA World Cup. Typical Deutsch schwagger. The schiesskopf.`
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In the battle between Eamon Sullivan of Australia and Alain Bernard of France in the men's 100-meter freestyle, the Frenchman edges the Aussie by .11 of a second, while Jason Lezak gets a bronze in the background. Pieter van den Hoogenband, the Dutchman who upstaged us in Athens, was not a factor in this race; "Hoagie Bun" finished fifth. Interesting to note that Cesar Cielo Filho of Brazil finished tied with Lezak. Brazil DO have some competent swimmers, after all.
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This was a crappy day for our swimmers. All that work...and only two bronzes to show for it. AUstralia set a new world record, winning the women's 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay.
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Outside of baseball, basketball and beach volleyball, there really hasn't been much to cheer about for the USA today. Actually, it has been rather lousy. Adding insult to defeat, the USA's men's water polo team were dealt their first defeat of these games...to Serbia. And the women's fencing team is consigned to fight for the bronze after the Ukraine stunned them in the team sabre semis.
It's mystifying to see the USA show up individually, but not as a team. Really mystifying.
Further, early on in softball, the USA is trailing Canada 1-0. This game would be postponed to tomorrow.
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China has to be the new Soviet Union in terms of athleticism. They will be facing the Ukraine in the women's team sabre final. While they ended up losing by one point to them, they already have surpassed us-for-today-in total medals, along with golds. They are off to a flying start.
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In anticipation of my interview, I decide to go ahead and take a long power nap.
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As expected, the Greeks were doused in men's hoops, 92-69. The baseball team bounced back with a 7-0 shutout of the Netherlands. And the men's volleyball team, after dropping the first set 29-27, roared back to win the next three, 25-21, 25-14 and 26-24, and win the match.
Aside from that, the day for the Americans was still lousy.
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