Extraordinary Phelps proves well-equipped for return to normality
Making his exploits seem commonplace is the latest achievement of the world’s most successful Olympian. By Donald McRae.
AP
“I was pretty terrible,” Michael Phelps says with a low laugh as he relives the moment when he slipped back into the pool for the first time since winning his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics almost four months ago. “I went out quietly, on my own, and I swam a couple of miles. I didn’t quite know what to expect because this is the longest time I’ve ever been out in the pool — but I was not very good.”
Phelps, typically, manages to sound less like the greatest Olympian of all time than just a normal human being lamenting the state of his body after a long and indulgent break. He may have produced the most extraordinary sporting feat of this year, or any other, by winning 17 consecutive Olympic races in nine days but Phelps remains so refreshingly low-key that it becomes easy to understand why he is well-equipped to deal with the surreal aftermath of his epic achievement.
This is what you notice most when talking to Phelps: his apparent ordinariness is more compelling than all the gold medals or even the fact that his arms, when he spreads them wide, span a staggering six feet seven inches. He may be currently consumed by a whirlwind of American stardom and nationwide appearances, but Phelps is more interesting when he looks ahead to his strangely chaotic return to training at home in Baltimore.
“I spent most of my time training for Beijing at the University of Michigan because that’s where (his coach) Bob Bowman was based. At Michigan I trained alongside swimmers on the university team. But I’m more excited about me and Bob returning for good to our old pool at Meadowbrook in Baltimore. You get a whole range of people there. It’s quite likely that, once I’m back training, in one lane next to me you might have a baby in swimmer-diapers and in the adjoining lane you’ll have a little old lady taking her daily exercise.”
The very idea of the “superhuman” Phelps churning through the water while a nappy-wearing baby and a pensioner bob about in his mighty wake, gives a new slant to the concept of elite training. Phelps earned a $1m (about £674,000) Beijing bonus from Speedo for breaking Mark Spitz’s record of winning seven gold medals — and he and Bowman will use the money to transform Meadowbrook into a “world-class” facility. But, for the moment, he seems happy to be training alongside such unlikely swimming partners.
“It’s a special environment and people in Baltimore are very down to earth. These last months have been nuts and that’s why I’m looking forward to things calming down so, back home, I might reflect on the Olympics.”
Phelps reveals a grittier edge when considering how he might continue to motivate himself after the glittering fulfilment of Beijing. When he began swimming with Bowman at the age of 11, he was driven by anger, as he thrashed through the water seething over the break-up of his parents’ marriage. He also used swimming to transform himself from a geeky kid who was bullied and on Ritalin to control his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. By the time he was an Olympic champion he had found new ways to inspire himself. “In my locker for a while before Beijing I had a photo of Ian Crocker (the last swimmer to defeat Phelps when he beat him in the 100m butterfly in July 2005). And then I stuck up an article where (the great Australian swimmer) Ian Thorpe said eight golds were impossible. I saw that every morning before training and that made me work harder.”
What can he do now to rekindle that brutal competitiveness? “I can go online and see what my competitors have been saying about me. When someone doubts me that really fires me up.”
It seems curious that Phelps should still care what his rivals might say about him. “I’ve always done it. I go online with the specific intention of finding motivation for myself. I’m sure I’ll find some comments which will intensify my desire to compete.”
Will his disdain for losing remain just as searing? “Definitely. That’s not going to change over the next four years.”
When they started working together, Phelps used to scrawl his aims for a new year on a scruffy sheet of paper he handed to Bowman. Does he now feel ready to email his latest new year goals to his old coach? “I have some ideas but it’s only when I get properly back in the water that I’ll really be sure of these new goals. But it’s likely I will swim some different events that I haven’t done much of at international level. That diversity will keep it interesting.”
The four-yearly peak of the Olympics, however, remains paramount. When I last interviewed Phelps, before the 2004 Games, where he won six gold and two bronze medals, he told me how he had stitched the letters A-T-H-E-N-S into his swimming cap, which he left on his bedside table at night so it was the first thing he saw when the alarm went off at 5.30 a.m. for training.
Did he stitch “Beijing” into his cap? “We didn’t do that in Michigan but now that we’re back in Baltimore we already have ‘London’ stitched into the cap. It reminds me how excited I am about 2012.”
Will he again try to win eight gold medals? “I definitely won’t go for eight,” Phelps stresses. “I won’t repeat that kind of schedule. It will be a little calmer and more relaxed in London.” But, presumably, he will chase six or even seven golds in 2012? “We have no idea at this stage. But I won’t rule that out.”
Phelps sounds as sincere as he is diplomatic when praising British swimmers like Rebecca Adlington, who won two gold medals in Beijing and ruined the Olympic dream of his Baltimore colleague Katie Hoff. “(Adlington) did amazingly well. I definitely noticed that the British team were getting faster and faster. They’re one of the teams we’re going to be watching these next few years.”
Phelps visited London for the first time immediately after Beijing. “It was great. We walked around and did some shopping. And we also got to play tennis at Wimbledon — which was very cool.”
In the Olympic village in Beijing Phelps insists that “I was thrilled to see guys like Nadal and Federer in close-up. I loved seeing those great athletes. It also meant the world to me, as an NBA fan, when great (basketball) players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James told me they were pulling for me. That was exciting because I’m the sort of guy who switches on (ESPN’s) Sports Center as soon as I wake up so I can see what Kobe and LeBron, or Nadal and Federer, did the night before.”
Phelps presumably also revelled in dining out with Rio and Anton Ferdinand. “I met the Ferdinand brothers through a friend of mine, a real soccer guy, and we hung out together one night in London. Since then, so I’ve read, Anton got traded. How’s that going?”
I wish I had the time to explain the younger Ferdinand’s “trade” to Sunderland, and the mysteries of Roy Keane’s mind. But even discussing Keane’s beard would probably set Phelps off again on the wonders of facial hair — for he has extolled the “excellent Fu Manchu moustache” he likes to grow when out of the public eye.
But we’re soon caught up in a different anecdote which symbolises his strange new life outside the pool. “Oh man,” he exclaims, “the Lindsay Lohan thing summed up the craziness. There were all these stories she was bombarding me with texts but I never talked to her. I never even got a text from her. It’s weird how these stories get invented and then blown up.”
Other more tangible celebrity encounters have meant much to Phelps. As a large chunk of our past interview had been spent with him telling me how he was consumed by hip-hop, and how he spent his daily five hours in the pool humming various gangsta rap ditties to himself, it’s inevitable that Phelps should be most proud of the fact that ‘Lil’ Wayne now numbers among his millions of fans. The rapper hunted down Phelps at the MTV awards and, amid the bedlam, "Lil’ Wayne presented me with this iPod which contained 40 unreleased songs he had recorded — and one was called ‘Michael Phelps’.
In that song he just keeps rapping ‘Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, swimming through the water ...’ I like all the songs he gave me but obviously that means the most.”
Phelps seems to have transfixed the world, from George Bush to Lil’ Wayne to the Ferdinand brothers, with his Olympic exploits.
But, personally, I most like the image of him returning to work in Baltimore early next year. I can see the greatest of all swimmers tearing up and down a crowded pool as, alongside a little old lady and a bemused baby watching him in adjacent lanes, he hums Lil’ Wayne’s rap to himself — “Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, swimming through the water ...”
© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2008
Showing posts with label beijing 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beijing 2008. Show all posts
Looking back on 2008: Michael Phelps
From The Hindu:
Labor Day Quick Hits
Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Hanna have been assigned to send hell in a storm basket to Louisiana and Georgia, respectively. Gustave made landfall about a few hours ago, while Hanna is warming up for the beatdown by upgrading to a Category 1 hurricane.
Get in on, both of you.
===
36 people in China lose their lives in a 5.7 earthquake in Sichuan Province. And Mother Nature's wrath wreak havoc as Hi Jintao heart hardens like the Pharaoh of Egypt in the Biblical days.
===
I am quietly compiling some results for a video on the International Saimoe League 2008, subject to approval to the commisioner of the league (the webmaster of the site, in layman terms). It will just be a simple slideshow, complete with results.
Nothing too special.
===
It's Labor Day today. No work means some R&r, but for me, it's on the eve of a return to class.
I gotta get some stuff ready. That means a backpack full of books and binders, and plenty of writing apparati.
===
I am elated after getting those DVDs out of the way. I needed to back up all those Olympic Games footage. All that's remaining is a few Closing Ceremony clips, an iso of the Opening Ceremony, and a few soccer games.
Get in on, both of you.
===
36 people in China lose their lives in a 5.7 earthquake in Sichuan Province. And Mother Nature's wrath wreak havoc as Hi Jintao heart hardens like the Pharaoh of Egypt in the Biblical days.
===
I am quietly compiling some results for a video on the International Saimoe League 2008, subject to approval to the commisioner of the league (the webmaster of the site, in layman terms). It will just be a simple slideshow, complete with results.
Nothing too special.
===
It's Labor Day today. No work means some R&r, but for me, it's on the eve of a return to class.
I gotta get some stuff ready. That means a backpack full of books and binders, and plenty of writing apparati.
===
I am elated after getting those DVDs out of the way. I needed to back up all those Olympic Games footage. All that's remaining is a few Closing Ceremony clips, an iso of the Opening Ceremony, and a few soccer games.
Final Olympic thoughts, Day 16: 36, 38, 36.
The USA men open up Day 16 with some hard-earned payback for what Brazil's women did to them in volleyball. Meanwhile down at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium, the only low point of the first quarter for their counterparts is KObe Bryant missing a slam dunk with a few seconds remaining.
Aghast. Please let this not be a sign of things to come. And please, fates, let this be the ONLY low point for the Redeem Team this game. Ugh.
===
Curse you Fates. They didn't listen. At the end of the first half, it's a high-scoring affair, but the USA is ONLY leading Spain by 8, 69-61.
Time for some adjustments.
===
Um, hello? Where the bloody hell are the adjustments I've been asking for? Why is it that we can't capitalize on our last two buzzer-beating shots, and Juan Carlos Navarro does it on his last shot?
Bastards. USA 91, Spain 82 through three.
===
I'll give Spain this: they should be the #2-ranked team in the country. They have the best team in Europe, and they have players that will be helping our clubs in the NBA>
Final score: USA 118, Spain 107.
===
Obviously, we can't win them all, but USA Men's Water Polo and USA Women's Volleyball escaped an article of praise from me on Bleacher Report. It's a 14-10 goal festival for the Hungarians who get the gold medal. The women's water polo team should be in the same league with the softball team in terms of futility. They come undefeated...only to lose their last game. There will be goats. On the men's side, it's the soccer and baseball teams. On the women's side, water polo and softball have been the biggest letdown in the team sports.
===
In spite of it all, the USA's stock in men's volleyball, men's water polo, and women's volleyball will see a strong resurgence. Lloy Ball has waited four Olympiads for a medal. It was worth the wait, and it was a gold. The men's water polo team wasn't even supposed to contend for a medal, let alone the gold. But even the Hungarians have to admit that they have been impressed by the likes of Tony Azevedo and then-unheralded company. And what about the women. Even though they equal their best finish from Los Angeles, their resurgence will do wonders for them in London.
===
All in all, this was a great Olympics. USA will finish with the most medals, with China grabbing the most golds. This was a Games that will be remembered for generations to come. See you in Vancouver in 2010.
As well as Singapore.
We finish with 36 golds, 38 silvers, and 36 bronzes for a total of 110 medals.
Aghast. Please let this not be a sign of things to come. And please, fates, let this be the ONLY low point for the Redeem Team this game. Ugh.
===
Curse you Fates. They didn't listen. At the end of the first half, it's a high-scoring affair, but the USA is ONLY leading Spain by 8, 69-61.
Time for some adjustments.
===
Um, hello? Where the bloody hell are the adjustments I've been asking for? Why is it that we can't capitalize on our last two buzzer-beating shots, and Juan Carlos Navarro does it on his last shot?
Bastards. USA 91, Spain 82 through three.
===
I'll give Spain this: they should be the #2-ranked team in the country. They have the best team in Europe, and they have players that will be helping our clubs in the NBA>
Final score: USA 118, Spain 107.
===
Obviously, we can't win them all, but USA Men's Water Polo and USA Women's Volleyball escaped an article of praise from me on Bleacher Report. It's a 14-10 goal festival for the Hungarians who get the gold medal. The women's water polo team should be in the same league with the softball team in terms of futility. They come undefeated...only to lose their last game. There will be goats. On the men's side, it's the soccer and baseball teams. On the women's side, water polo and softball have been the biggest letdown in the team sports.
===
In spite of it all, the USA's stock in men's volleyball, men's water polo, and women's volleyball will see a strong resurgence. Lloy Ball has waited four Olympiads for a medal. It was worth the wait, and it was a gold. The men's water polo team wasn't even supposed to contend for a medal, let alone the gold. But even the Hungarians have to admit that they have been impressed by the likes of Tony Azevedo and then-unheralded company. And what about the women. Even though they equal their best finish from Los Angeles, their resurgence will do wonders for them in London.
===
All in all, this was a great Olympics. USA will finish with the most medals, with China grabbing the most golds. This was a Games that will be remembered for generations to come. See you in Vancouver in 2010.
As well as Singapore.
We finish with 36 golds, 38 silvers, and 36 bronzes for a total of 110 medals.
More Olympics thoughts on Day 15
The USA gets the gold medal in women's basketball, taking down Australia, 92-65. Meanwhile, Brazil took out the USA, three games to one. for the gold medal in women's volleyball. Both USA sides won their respective golds in the 4 by 400-meter relays.
Hopefully the men can get their revenge against Brazil. It's only fair. Next time, Konata might think twice about upping those sliders.
Meanwhile, the Chinese table tennis power trio of Ma Lin, Wang Hao and and Wang Liqin made it a 1-2-3 finish in the men's single department. We can see China hit 50 golds by Day 16...
...pending the facts behind their women gymnasts. Nonetheless, the likes of Zou Shiming, Zhang Xiaoping and Zhang Zhilei are poised to crack the 50-gold barrier. Of course, they will come nowhere close to the 83 golds we won down in my home town, Los Angeles...Hohohohohoooooh.
One more day to go. We are at 35 golds, 37 silvers and 36 bronzes. If we add the other medals we won, we are now at 1,007 golds, 810 silvers and 696 bronzes.
Hopefully the men can get their revenge against Brazil. It's only fair. Next time, Konata might think twice about upping those sliders.
Meanwhile, the Chinese table tennis power trio of Ma Lin, Wang Hao and and Wang Liqin made it a 1-2-3 finish in the men's single department. We can see China hit 50 golds by Day 16...
...pending the facts behind their women gymnasts. Nonetheless, the likes of Zou Shiming, Zhang Xiaoping and Zhang Zhilei are poised to crack the 50-gold barrier. Of course, they will come nowhere close to the 83 golds we won down in my home town, Los Angeles...Hohohohohoooooh.
One more day to go. We are at 35 golds, 37 silvers and 36 bronzes. If we add the other medals we won, we are now at 1,007 golds, 810 silvers and 696 bronzes.
Olympic Quick Hits, Day 15
OMan, I just don't get these Russians. There is a player on their men's volleyball team by the name of Semen. I don't about you, but the next thing you know, some fresh new set of parents in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, or insert [country of kinky names here] who lack even the slightest of decency is gonna name their daughter Cum.
God save that family. Domine salvum farc!
===
God save Ato Boldon, too. He is an ass. He just had to correlate the missing bibs with the USA 4x100m relay team's failure to hold on to the baton.
Douchebag.
===
At least the USA got their revenge on Japan. In baseball, they took home a bronze in an 8-4 rout. Meanwhile, China makes Cuba pay for their victory over them in pool play, winning 3 games to 1.
===
Some news.
FIG requests evidence from China
BEIJING - THE International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) told China on Saturday to provide more evidence to support its claims that five of its Olympic gymnasts are old enough to be competing.
Allegations have been rife that China broke the rules by fielding gymnasts who will not turn 16 this year as required under the sport's rules introduced in 1997 to protect the wellbeing of young athletes.
'The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is seeking to clarify the claims made in the media regarding the age of Chinese female gymnasts He Kexin, Jiang Yuyuan, Li Shanshan, Deng Linlin and Yang Yilin,' it said in a statement.
'The FIG provided documentary evidence, including copies of the athletes' passports, when questions were raised in online media earlier this year.'
But more evidence focusing on the age of gold medal winner He Kexin has surfaced in recent days prompting the International Olympic Committee to demand the FIG check again.
The FIG said that 'in the interests of laying the matter to rest ... the FIG has now asked the Chinese Gymnastic Association to submit further documents testifying to the birthdates of the gymnasts'.
'On receipt of these documents, the FIG will forward its conclusions to the International Olympic Committee. It is in the interests of all concerned, not least the athletes themselves, to resolve this issue once and for all.'
BOCOG executive vice president Wang Wei insisted on Friday that the gymnasts would not have competed if they were under-age, while He told reporters during the competition that she was 16.
USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny on Friday said he had long believed the issue needed addressing by the FIG and IOC.
'An investigation would help bring closure to the issue and remove any cloud of speculation from this competition,' he said. -- AFP
===
China, we can get through this faster if you cooperate. Failure to do so will result in your medals being taken away. Xie Xie.
===
Argentina took out Nigeria in the gold medal game in soccer, 1-0, as Wang Hao and Ma Lin clashed it out later in the day for the gold in men's table tennis.
===
We have four legit chances at getting some gold back (aside from China's cooperation regarding the real age of those young brats). The ladies have to outhit the Brazilians and outshoot the Aussies, while they along with their guy counterparts have to outrun everyone else-BUT NOT DROP THE F***ING BATON-in the 4 x 400 meter relay. Four chances.
Let's get it done.
God save that family. Domine salvum farc!
===
God save Ato Boldon, too. He is an ass. He just had to correlate the missing bibs with the USA 4x100m relay team's failure to hold on to the baton.
Douchebag.
===
At least the USA got their revenge on Japan. In baseball, they took home a bronze in an 8-4 rout. Meanwhile, China makes Cuba pay for their victory over them in pool play, winning 3 games to 1.
===
Some news.
FIG requests evidence from China
BEIJING - THE International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) told China on Saturday to provide more evidence to support its claims that five of its Olympic gymnasts are old enough to be competing.
Allegations have been rife that China broke the rules by fielding gymnasts who will not turn 16 this year as required under the sport's rules introduced in 1997 to protect the wellbeing of young athletes.
'The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is seeking to clarify the claims made in the media regarding the age of Chinese female gymnasts He Kexin, Jiang Yuyuan, Li Shanshan, Deng Linlin and Yang Yilin,' it said in a statement.
'The FIG provided documentary evidence, including copies of the athletes' passports, when questions were raised in online media earlier this year.'
But more evidence focusing on the age of gold medal winner He Kexin has surfaced in recent days prompting the International Olympic Committee to demand the FIG check again.
The FIG said that 'in the interests of laying the matter to rest ... the FIG has now asked the Chinese Gymnastic Association to submit further documents testifying to the birthdates of the gymnasts'.
'On receipt of these documents, the FIG will forward its conclusions to the International Olympic Committee. It is in the interests of all concerned, not least the athletes themselves, to resolve this issue once and for all.'
BOCOG executive vice president Wang Wei insisted on Friday that the gymnasts would not have competed if they were under-age, while He told reporters during the competition that she was 16.
USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny on Friday said he had long believed the issue needed addressing by the FIG and IOC.
'An investigation would help bring closure to the issue and remove any cloud of speculation from this competition,' he said. -- AFP
===
China, we can get through this faster if you cooperate. Failure to do so will result in your medals being taken away. Xie Xie.
===
Argentina took out Nigeria in the gold medal game in soccer, 1-0, as Wang Hao and Ma Lin clashed it out later in the day for the gold in men's table tennis.
===
We have four legit chances at getting some gold back (aside from China's cooperation regarding the real age of those young brats). The ladies have to outhit the Brazilians and outshoot the Aussies, while they along with their guy counterparts have to outrun everyone else-BUT NOT DROP THE F***ING BATON-in the 4 x 400 meter relay. Four chances.
Let's get it done.
More Olympics thoughts on Day 14
The Serbs were roughhoused by the USA, doubled up in a 10-5 win. The gusy wrap up their games against the always-intimidating Hungarian team, led by the likes of Gergely Kiss and Norbert Madaras.
===
Man, this has been nothing but a crap Olympics for USA Baseball, as well as USA Softball. I'm putting my money on both sports returning in 2016. The USA gets a shot at payback against Japan in the bronze medal game.
===
JUst like the women, it will be Brazil vs. the USA in the gold-medal game, A 3-1 victory over Italy makes it a Clash of thr Americas at Beijing.
===
This time, the men did NOT drop the baton in the 4 x 400 m relay, finishing first in their heat. Meanwhile, Bryan Clay gives the USA another gold in the decathlon.
===
The modern pentathlon, a.k.a. The Search for Eastern Europe's Greatest All-Around Athlete to Come Home Later In Life In A Box, concluded. Lena Schoenborn led the way for Germany's women (Heather Fell got silver for the Brits and Victoria Tereshuk won the Bronze for the Ukraine), while Andrey Moiseev took homne another gold for the Russians. A couple of Lithuanians in Edvinas Krungolcas and Andrejus Zadneprovskis took home silver and bronze.
I really think they should scrap this event. It's just plain antiquated. The IOC, in their next meeting, should do this:
* Scap the Modern Pentathlon.
* Bring back baseball and softball.
* Bring in rugby sevens and karate.
If it sounds hard to do, it's because the countries who vote against it suck.
===
Bring on Spain and the Gasol brothers. A 101-81 victory lands the USA in the gold medal match, while Pau and Marc busted the Lithuanians 91-86.
===
Man, this has been nothing but a crap Olympics for USA Baseball, as well as USA Softball. I'm putting my money on both sports returning in 2016. The USA gets a shot at payback against Japan in the bronze medal game.
===
JUst like the women, it will be Brazil vs. the USA in the gold-medal game, A 3-1 victory over Italy makes it a Clash of thr Americas at Beijing.
===
This time, the men did NOT drop the baton in the 4 x 400 m relay, finishing first in their heat. Meanwhile, Bryan Clay gives the USA another gold in the decathlon.
===
The modern pentathlon, a.k.a. The Search for Eastern Europe's Greatest All-Around Athlete to Come Home Later In Life In A Box, concluded. Lena Schoenborn led the way for Germany's women (Heather Fell got silver for the Brits and Victoria Tereshuk won the Bronze for the Ukraine), while Andrey Moiseev took homne another gold for the Russians. A couple of Lithuanians in Edvinas Krungolcas and Andrejus Zadneprovskis took home silver and bronze.
I really think they should scrap this event. It's just plain antiquated. The IOC, in their next meeting, should do this:
* Scap the Modern Pentathlon.
* Bring back baseball and softball.
* Bring in rugby sevens and karate.
If it sounds hard to do, it's because the countries who vote against it suck.
===
Bring on Spain and the Gasol brothers. A 101-81 victory lands the USA in the gold medal match, while Pau and Marc busted the Lithuanians 91-86.
Riders, Angels and Galaxy fail miserable...again on Day 14
A quick Q and A.
Question: Who is Maris Strombergs?
Answer: He is a Latvian who upstaged the likes of Mike Day and DOnny Robinson to take the first-ever Men's BMX gold at the Beijing Games. HE was also heading into this run as the world champion, so, it was fair enough.
Question: Who is Jill KIntner?
Answer: She represented the only medal hope for the USA in women's BMX, delivering bronze behind a 1-2 combination for France.
===
And the Philippines in not going to medal at these Games. Mary Antoinette Rivero lost to Sandra Saric in taekwondo, 4-1. Nice going, mother country.
===
As Steven Lopez does his own taekwondo business, I am surprised that this match went south in a hurry for Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhaes in the third set against Phil and Todd. Mr. Dalhausser and Mr. Rogers take the Brazilians out of their neighborhood to win, 2 sets to 1.
===
While Phil and Todd's Beijing Beachvolley Adventure culminated in a gold sweep for the USA, their indoor counterparts were frustrated at the grittiness of the Russians, namely Maxim Mikhaylov, Alexander Volkov and Sergey Tetyukhin in Set 3 after they were up 2 games to none. You gotta give to credit to these three guys for keeping them in the game with a 27-25 victory in the set. In volleyball, there are times where getting that final set can be difficult, especially if you are up two games to none. A lack of focus, combined with an uncanny penchant for complacency, will do you in when a match goes the distance.
The best teams in volleyball will shut down their opponents early when they are up by two sets. But those same teams also inherit the ability to rally back when they are down to their last set. This Russian side's performance was a clear example of what great teams in volleyball do when everything is on the line. Actually, the guys nearly gave the match away altogether to the Russians. THank god for David Lee. See, this is why I am proud to be from Long Beach State. It's these types of alums that are clutch when it come to these types of situations. It took them 220 rally points, but David finally got it done, blocking Maxim Mikhaylov, and taking it, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, and 15-13.
===
Time-out to vent some steam.
What the hell is going on with my Roughriders and Galaxy? Saskatchewan is now on a 2-game losing streak. We probably need to get some calcium pills stat over to Regina because our guys are getting their bones broken faster than old hags with osteoporosis. And even with Bruce Arena at the helm we can't figure out how to win games. 1-0 defeat to Chicago. I'm more keen to follow the likes of the Chelsea, the Melbourne Victory and AFC wimbledon now. I don't think my G's will stand a chance against even the Wombles.
===
And as if things haven't been bad enough for my local team today, they do. Angels fall to the Twins, 2-1. Suddenly, the phrase "consistency" comes into play. Should they have enough to win the division, the last thing Scioscia needs to come into October on a losing note. Wake the bats up boys, the regular season isn't over yet. Only good thing locally is that the Armada won. The bad things about it is that...the Armada won on a day that the Angels lost.
Question: Who is Maris Strombergs?
Answer: He is a Latvian who upstaged the likes of Mike Day and DOnny Robinson to take the first-ever Men's BMX gold at the Beijing Games. HE was also heading into this run as the world champion, so, it was fair enough.
Question: Who is Jill KIntner?
Answer: She represented the only medal hope for the USA in women's BMX, delivering bronze behind a 1-2 combination for France.
===
And the Philippines in not going to medal at these Games. Mary Antoinette Rivero lost to Sandra Saric in taekwondo, 4-1. Nice going, mother country.
===
As Steven Lopez does his own taekwondo business, I am surprised that this match went south in a hurry for Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhaes in the third set against Phil and Todd. Mr. Dalhausser and Mr. Rogers take the Brazilians out of their neighborhood to win, 2 sets to 1.
===
While Phil and Todd's Beijing Beachvolley Adventure culminated in a gold sweep for the USA, their indoor counterparts were frustrated at the grittiness of the Russians, namely Maxim Mikhaylov, Alexander Volkov and Sergey Tetyukhin in Set 3 after they were up 2 games to none. You gotta give to credit to these three guys for keeping them in the game with a 27-25 victory in the set. In volleyball, there are times where getting that final set can be difficult, especially if you are up two games to none. A lack of focus, combined with an uncanny penchant for complacency, will do you in when a match goes the distance.
The best teams in volleyball will shut down their opponents early when they are up by two sets. But those same teams also inherit the ability to rally back when they are down to their last set. This Russian side's performance was a clear example of what great teams in volleyball do when everything is on the line. Actually, the guys nearly gave the match away altogether to the Russians. THank god for David Lee. See, this is why I am proud to be from Long Beach State. It's these types of alums that are clutch when it come to these types of situations. It took them 220 rally points, but David finally got it done, blocking Maxim Mikhaylov, and taking it, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, and 15-13.
===
Time-out to vent some steam.
What the hell is going on with my Roughriders and Galaxy? Saskatchewan is now on a 2-game losing streak. We probably need to get some calcium pills stat over to Regina because our guys are getting their bones broken faster than old hags with osteoporosis. And even with Bruce Arena at the helm we can't figure out how to win games. 1-0 defeat to Chicago. I'm more keen to follow the likes of the Chelsea, the Melbourne Victory and AFC wimbledon now. I don't think my G's will stand a chance against even the Wombles.
===
And as if things haven't been bad enough for my local team today, they do. Angels fall to the Twins, 2-1. Suddenly, the phrase "consistency" comes into play. Should they have enough to win the division, the last thing Scioscia needs to come into October on a losing note. Wake the bats up boys, the regular season isn't over yet. Only good thing locally is that the Armada won. The bad things about it is that...the Armada won on a day that the Angels lost.
More Olympics thoughts on Day 13
In team competition, the USA had had its share of ups and downs. The USA Women had their sloppiest game yet at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium. Against Becky Hammon and the Russians, they eked out a 67-52 victory. In extra time, the USA women defeated Brazil thanks to Carli Lloyd's goal in the 96th minute.
There were a few letdowns, all of them big. Down at the Yingdong Natatorium, the USA lose a heartbreaker to the Netherlands, 9-8. And what the bloody hell just happened in Fengtai!? In what will go down as one of the biggest chokes in softball history as well as a day of infamy for softball in this country, the USA loses to Japan, 3-1. This USA side was undefeated before this game. For these ladies to lose the very last game in their Olympic campaign-THE VERY LAST GAME-is something that will never be erased from this proud American psyche for years, even after the sport is reinstated.
This softball picked the WRONG time to drop one. Let us have a moment of silence for their campaign gone south. See the obituary below.
===
More chokes. In taekwondo, Mark Lopez lost to Son Tae-Jin for the gold medal, while Diana Lopez salvaged a campaign gone south, defeating Veronica Calabrese for the bronze. Allyson Felix was outrun by Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica for the gold in the women's 200 meters. Just in case you had any doubt about the Havana Affair being put to rest, David Payne and David Oliver were not match for Dayron Robles of Cuba in the men's 100-meter hurdles.
===
There were some other good things that also happened. Lashawn Merritt, Jeremy Wariner and David Neville made it a 1-2-3 finish for the USA in the men's 400 meters.
===
More diving medals for the Chinese. Ruolin Chen and Wang Xin finish 1-3 in the women's 10-meter platform.
===
Konata's gonna need to crank up those sliders, because it IS Brazil that the USA will face in the women's volleyball gold medal game. They swept China 3-0. And it WILL be Australia in the gold medal game in women's hoops, with the Opals thumping China, 90-56.
======
Rest in peace, Gene Upshaw.
===
And just when you thought it couldn't get any more worse for the USA, it does. Both 4 x 100 meter relay teams dropped the baton. And suddenly, Chicago's prospects for 2016 have taken a serious about-face.
Mercy.
There were a few letdowns, all of them big. Down at the Yingdong Natatorium, the USA lose a heartbreaker to the Netherlands, 9-8. And what the bloody hell just happened in Fengtai!? In what will go down as one of the biggest chokes in softball history as well as a day of infamy for softball in this country, the USA loses to Japan, 3-1. This USA side was undefeated before this game. For these ladies to lose the very last game in their Olympic campaign-THE VERY LAST GAME-is something that will never be erased from this proud American psyche for years, even after the sport is reinstated.
This softball picked the WRONG time to drop one. Let us have a moment of silence for their campaign gone south. See the obituary below.
===
More chokes. In taekwondo, Mark Lopez lost to Son Tae-Jin for the gold medal, while Diana Lopez salvaged a campaign gone south, defeating Veronica Calabrese for the bronze. Allyson Felix was outrun by Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica for the gold in the women's 200 meters. Just in case you had any doubt about the Havana Affair being put to rest, David Payne and David Oliver were not match for Dayron Robles of Cuba in the men's 100-meter hurdles.
===
There were some other good things that also happened. Lashawn Merritt, Jeremy Wariner and David Neville made it a 1-2-3 finish for the USA in the men's 400 meters.
===
More diving medals for the Chinese. Ruolin Chen and Wang Xin finish 1-3 in the women's 10-meter platform.
===
Konata's gonna need to crank up those sliders, because it IS Brazil that the USA will face in the women's volleyball gold medal game. They swept China 3-0. And it WILL be Australia in the gold medal game in women's hoops, with the Opals thumping China, 90-56.
======
Rest in peace, Gene Upshaw.
===
And just when you thought it couldn't get any more worse for the USA, it does. Both 4 x 100 meter relay teams dropped the baton. And suddenly, Chicago's prospects for 2016 have taken a serious about-face.
Mercy.
Obituary of the day
In Affectionate (or is it Disaffectionate?) Remembrance
of
USA SOFTBALL,
WHICH DIED AT THE FENGTAI FIELD
on
21st AUGUST, 2008
Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and family, despondent acquaintances, and despairing fans of the sport who also mourn the removal of it from the Olympic Program in 2012. (As well as deeply celebrated by weeaboos around the world.)
------
R.I.P.
------
N.B. - The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Japan.
In Affectionate (or is it Disaffectionate?) Remembrance
of
USA SOFTBALL,
WHICH DIED AT THE FENGTAI FIELD
on
21st AUGUST, 2008
Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and family, despondent acquaintances, and despairing fans of the sport who also mourn the removal of it from the Olympic Program in 2012. (As well as deeply celebrated by weeaboos around the world.)
------
R.I.P.
------
N.B. - The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Japan.
of
USA SOFTBALL,
WHICH DIED AT THE FENGTAI FIELD
on
21st AUGUST, 2008
Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and family, despondent acquaintances, and despairing fans of the sport who also mourn the removal of it from the Olympic Program in 2012. (As well as deeply celebrated by weeaboos around the world.)
------
R.I.P.
------
N.B. - The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Japan.
Havana Affair on Day 13
The day started off rather nicely for us. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh got their payback over Tian Jia and Wang Jie, winning the gold medal in successive 21-18 set victories. Naturally, my senile parents made it known that they were living in a different, louder era.
Meanwhile, as the USA took out Guatemala 1-0 for their first-ever win in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Guatemala City, Wang Chen won her fourth-round match against Kim Kyung-Ah of South Korea, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 10-12, 6-11, 11-9 and 11-9. Four games to three.
That Usain Bolt...does this guy have a future as an actor? He made it look as if it was something from a comedy worthy of a Razzie. Dat Jamaica mon...
===
Meanwhile, Wu Xue of the Dominican Republic (seriously, what the hell is it with these countries hiring these Chinese mercenaries to play for them? Do us all a favor and develop your OWN players, you lazy island merengue maniacs!), takes out our very own Gao Jun by the same score as Chen's win over Kim.
===
I am compelled to play the Ramones' "Havana Affair" over and over. We can't lift a middle finger to them in wrestling, and one of our grapplers quit. And you call yourself an Olympian, Daniel Cormier. By the blood of Rulon Gardner of Wyoming, you are a disgrace to your singlet.
===
Cuba's women's volleyball team should have known that karma is a female hound from hell that bites. They swept the USA 3-0 in their round robin match before they headed into the knockout stages. They must have thought, "Oh, we beat the USA, we can take care of them again."
If these ladies thought they were going to reprise their effort, they were in for a rude awakening. Jenny Lang Ping and her crew were playing the type of game Cuba had been doing to them. They reviewed the game tape, and figured out these ladies, routing them in a sweep of their own: 25-20, 25-16 and 25-17.
Performances can turn into flukes just like that. This USA women's team will get a medal. It's just a matter of which color it will be.
Olympic Quick Hits, Day 12
We could be facing the Australians in softball, as well as men's and women's basketball. Hey, we got their number in women's water polo, so I feel a clean sweep coming on.
===
As it turns out, I read it wrong. They do a double-elimination format for the semifinals. Japan has one more crack at us after beating Australia, 4-3.
Curses.
===
The baseball counterparts could not figure out Japan's Yu Darvish but in the top of the 11th innings, reliever Hitoki Iwase gave up four runs on three big hits by Brian Barden, Nate Schierholtz and Matt Brown to take it, 4-2.
Some payback is in order when we face Cuba in the semifinals.
===
The basketball team did its usual business, defeating Australia 116-85. It was a regular day at the office for Kobe Bryant, delivering with 25 points to lead the way. A chance for redemption is in order as either Argentina or Greece is next.
===
Meanwhile, in Taekwondo, it took them 12 days but Mexico got their first gold medal of these games, with Guillermo Perez delivering in the Under-58 kilogram category over Yulis Gabriel Mercedes of the Dominican Republic, winning by superiority after a 1-1 draw.
===
Usain Bolt strikes again. The Jaamaican sensation takes the gold in the men's too meters, with Sahwn Crawford getting the bronze. Churandy Martina gives the Netherlands Antilles their first medal of these Games, taking the silver.
Bolt also took down Michael Johnson's world and olympics record set in Atlanta 1996, running a 19.30.
===
It's going to be Argentina. The USA has a shot at revenge as Luis Scola and company defeated Greece, 80-78.
===
This has been a really lousy day for USA Track & Field at these Games. Sheena Tosta finished with a silver as Melanie Walker gave Jamaica yet another gold medal. Poor Tiffany Ross-Williams. She ended up finishing last as she stumbled on a hurdle.
===
It's interesting: it could be a gold for China...or a golden medal for a Chinese posing as someone playing for a different country. Table tennis is one of those types of sports where it will be certain it will be someone from China or someone from China posing as someone playing for a country other than China.
===
It took them five games, but the USA defeated Serbia in men's volleyball, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25 and 15-12.
Bring on the Russians.
===
As it turns out, I read it wrong. They do a double-elimination format for the semifinals. Japan has one more crack at us after beating Australia, 4-3.
Curses.
===
The baseball counterparts could not figure out Japan's Yu Darvish but in the top of the 11th innings, reliever Hitoki Iwase gave up four runs on three big hits by Brian Barden, Nate Schierholtz and Matt Brown to take it, 4-2.
Some payback is in order when we face Cuba in the semifinals.
===
The basketball team did its usual business, defeating Australia 116-85. It was a regular day at the office for Kobe Bryant, delivering with 25 points to lead the way. A chance for redemption is in order as either Argentina or Greece is next.
===
Meanwhile, in Taekwondo, it took them 12 days but Mexico got their first gold medal of these games, with Guillermo Perez delivering in the Under-58 kilogram category over Yulis Gabriel Mercedes of the Dominican Republic, winning by superiority after a 1-1 draw.
===
Usain Bolt strikes again. The Jaamaican sensation takes the gold in the men's too meters, with Sahwn Crawford getting the bronze. Churandy Martina gives the Netherlands Antilles their first medal of these Games, taking the silver.
Bolt also took down Michael Johnson's world and olympics record set in Atlanta 1996, running a 19.30.
===
It's going to be Argentina. The USA has a shot at revenge as Luis Scola and company defeated Greece, 80-78.
===
This has been a really lousy day for USA Track & Field at these Games. Sheena Tosta finished with a silver as Melanie Walker gave Jamaica yet another gold medal. Poor Tiffany Ross-Williams. She ended up finishing last as she stumbled on a hurdle.
===
It's interesting: it could be a gold for China...or a golden medal for a Chinese posing as someone playing for a different country. Table tennis is one of those types of sports where it will be certain it will be someone from China or someone from China posing as someone playing for a country other than China.
===
It took them five games, but the USA defeated Serbia in men's volleyball, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25 and 15-12.
Bring on the Russians.
Bitter and sweet first thoughts on Day 12.
Damn you Ryan Carneli! You lucky Aussie fuck! 1-0 win over the Philippines's Tshomlee Go. AAAARGH! The possibility of no medal for the Philippines at the Beijing Games looks golden. I can't believe I'm calling for it. But now I am.
===
Mention the name "Crystl Bustos" in Japan and everyone who follows softball down there raises their hands in despair. At the top of the ninth inning, her 3-run bomb over the fence was the key factor in what was, up until that point, a nailbiter.
===
The adventures of Phil and Todd conclude with a match against Fabio Luiz Magalhaes and Marcio Araujo of Brazil for the gold.
Have fun, guys.
===
USA Field Hockey,
Lee Bodimeade must be sacked. NOW.
To fail in their last game, a classification match, against Spain, 3-2 on a golden goal, is clearly unacceptable, and you know as well as I do that he should be gone. Keep him on board, and our prospects to qualify for Longdon 2012 are tanked well before the next Pan-Am Games starts.
Bodimeade must go. Get. It. Done.
===
Mention the name "Crystl Bustos" in Japan and everyone who follows softball down there raises their hands in despair. At the top of the ninth inning, her 3-run bomb over the fence was the key factor in what was, up until that point, a nailbiter.
===
The adventures of Phil and Todd conclude with a match against Fabio Luiz Magalhaes and Marcio Araujo of Brazil for the gold.
Have fun, guys.
===
USA Field Hockey,
Lee Bodimeade must be sacked. NOW.
To fail in their last game, a classification match, against Spain, 3-2 on a golden goal, is clearly unacceptable, and you know as well as I do that he should be gone. Keep him on board, and our prospects to qualify for Longdon 2012 are tanked well before the next Pan-Am Games starts.
Bodimeade must go. Get. It. Done.
Olympic Quick Hits, Day 11
No need to be a sourpuss, Hagen Stamm. Your guys scored that last goal on an illegal restart. That's like scoring an easy goal in soccer, onl y to find you're off-sides. You can't be blaming the ref in this case. You denied yourself an opportunity. Go back to your pub in Deutschland and cry in your bier, you cheat.
===
MIsty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will face Tian Jia and Wang Jie in the gold-medal match in beach volleyball after sweeping the Brazilians.
===
Actually, I found out that we were NOT facing Russia in our women's volleyball quarterfinal...instead, it's Italy. This will be fun.
===
I just learned a new thing: table tennis is a sport where Nigirians can best us in. It's not restricted to soccer. David Zhuang wouldn't stand a chance at beer pong. The failure.
===
Henry Cejudo, don't let us down against Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga. If we can bounce them in volleyball, soccer and softball, you can do the same against this guy.
===
Bloody hell. The Angels are now on a 2-game losing streak. Wake up, gentlemen.
===
Flickering lights go on as I halt Dad's downloading to do mine's. I only have four or five hours to go on a downloading feast and get my games downloaded. I like my speeds to go as fast as they can go, preferable 100 kB/sec at the minimum. Currently I am taking care of a soccer match between the USA and Canada on the women's side. One of the parts is being taken care of by Megaupload, the other on ADrive, which has a 50 kB/sec limit. After the part by Megaupload is done, I am reactivating uTorrent, beause I have to make sure that the lights don't stop blinking.
I mean, I have so many games that I couldn't download due to the bottleneck, and I am lucky enough to be able to halt the Dad's download to get some of my files done. When his is stopped, mine's flies like the wind.
===
Hallelujah, we got another medal coming our way! Whether it's gold or silver reamins to be seen in women's water polo, but we withstand a monumental comeback by the Aussies in a 9-8 win. Bring on the Netherlands. This should be our chance to get back at them for what their 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team did to us. Make the most of it. Can't stress it more than that.
===
I decided, "Ah, screw the ADrive files. If I go one file each on MegaUpload, I will be clocking at 188 kB/sec."
===
Dammit. Another gold for China, with Li Xiaopeng taking it in the parallel bars. And the USA finsihes out of the medals in synchronized swimming. Russia gets the gold, Spain the silver, and China and Japan tie for the bronze. The USA finished fifth.
===
Looks like Cejudo didn't let us down, defeating Matsunaga by points, 5-2. And the duo of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin made it a 1-2 combo for the States. This time, Johnson takes the gold in the balance beam, with Liukin grabbing the silver. Cheng Fei took home the bronze for China.
===
In sailing, Anna Tunnicliffe brought home the silver in the women's laser radial. And yet another gold for China, as the young, brash, but always amazing Zou Kai caps off their artistic gymnastics campaign with a gold in the high bar, with Jonathan Horton taking home a silver. Fabian Hambuechen gave Germany a bronze.
===
The Koreans were the next to fall to the women's basketball team, 104-60. Russia and Becky Hammon is next for them. Shouldn't be a problem.
Italy was unable to hold off the Americans in women's volleyball, as they dropped a 5-game heartbreaker to Jenny Lang Ping's crew, 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 28-18 and 15-6. Next up: Cuba. Ramones send help.
The USA baseball team is on a little bit of a tear, taking out Chinese Taipei 4-2. That should give them a spot in the medal round.
===
This has been a really good year for the Chinese men in gymnastics. Lu Chunling and Dong Dong (yes, that IS his real name) make it a 1-3 finish for the hosts in the men's trampoline event. LIkewise for the divers, He Chong and Qin Kai make it a 1-3 finish in the men's 3-meter springboard final.
===
Meanwhile, Sanya Richards taken the bronze for the USA in the women's 400 meters, with Great Britain's Christine Ohuruogu crashing the Jamaica sprint party a bit to take the gold (Shericka Williams gave the island a silver). Of course, though, Dawn Harper gave the States something to cheer about, with a gold in the 100-meter hurdles.
===
THe next big small country hero to deliver was Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain. His win in the men's 1,500 meters should give him some nice financial endowments and such from his majesty the King.
=-=
Poor Steffen Peters. He could have been on the podium...but finished fourth in the dressage individual grand prix freestyle event at Sha Tin (in Hong Kong). Another of those would-be feel-good stories for the Americans at these games. Sigh.
===
Argentina upstages the Brazilians, 3-0 in men's soccer and will face the Nigerian s for the gold. A mer formality? Stay tuned.
===
26 golds, 26 silvers, and 27 bronzes, with 5 days to go. Hmmm.
===
MIsty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will face Tian Jia and Wang Jie in the gold-medal match in beach volleyball after sweeping the Brazilians.
===
Actually, I found out that we were NOT facing Russia in our women's volleyball quarterfinal...instead, it's Italy. This will be fun.
===
I just learned a new thing: table tennis is a sport where Nigirians can best us in. It's not restricted to soccer. David Zhuang wouldn't stand a chance at beer pong. The failure.
===
Henry Cejudo, don't let us down against Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga. If we can bounce them in volleyball, soccer and softball, you can do the same against this guy.
===
Bloody hell. The Angels are now on a 2-game losing streak. Wake up, gentlemen.
===
Flickering lights go on as I halt Dad's downloading to do mine's. I only have four or five hours to go on a downloading feast and get my games downloaded. I like my speeds to go as fast as they can go, preferable 100 kB/sec at the minimum. Currently I am taking care of a soccer match between the USA and Canada on the women's side. One of the parts is being taken care of by Megaupload, the other on ADrive, which has a 50 kB/sec limit. After the part by Megaupload is done, I am reactivating uTorrent, beause I have to make sure that the lights don't stop blinking.
I mean, I have so many games that I couldn't download due to the bottleneck, and I am lucky enough to be able to halt the Dad's download to get some of my files done. When his is stopped, mine's flies like the wind.
===
Hallelujah, we got another medal coming our way! Whether it's gold or silver reamins to be seen in women's water polo, but we withstand a monumental comeback by the Aussies in a 9-8 win. Bring on the Netherlands. This should be our chance to get back at them for what their 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team did to us. Make the most of it. Can't stress it more than that.
===
I decided, "Ah, screw the ADrive files. If I go one file each on MegaUpload, I will be clocking at 188 kB/sec."
===
Dammit. Another gold for China, with Li Xiaopeng taking it in the parallel bars. And the USA finsihes out of the medals in synchronized swimming. Russia gets the gold, Spain the silver, and China and Japan tie for the bronze. The USA finished fifth.
===
Looks like Cejudo didn't let us down, defeating Matsunaga by points, 5-2. And the duo of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin made it a 1-2 combo for the States. This time, Johnson takes the gold in the balance beam, with Liukin grabbing the silver. Cheng Fei took home the bronze for China.
===
In sailing, Anna Tunnicliffe brought home the silver in the women's laser radial. And yet another gold for China, as the young, brash, but always amazing Zou Kai caps off their artistic gymnastics campaign with a gold in the high bar, with Jonathan Horton taking home a silver. Fabian Hambuechen gave Germany a bronze.
===
The Koreans were the next to fall to the women's basketball team, 104-60. Russia and Becky Hammon is next for them. Shouldn't be a problem.
Italy was unable to hold off the Americans in women's volleyball, as they dropped a 5-game heartbreaker to Jenny Lang Ping's crew, 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 28-18 and 15-6. Next up: Cuba. Ramones send help.
The USA baseball team is on a little bit of a tear, taking out Chinese Taipei 4-2. That should give them a spot in the medal round.
===
This has been a really good year for the Chinese men in gymnastics. Lu Chunling and Dong Dong (yes, that IS his real name) make it a 1-3 finish for the hosts in the men's trampoline event. LIkewise for the divers, He Chong and Qin Kai make it a 1-3 finish in the men's 3-meter springboard final.
===
Meanwhile, Sanya Richards taken the bronze for the USA in the women's 400 meters, with Great Britain's Christine Ohuruogu crashing the Jamaica sprint party a bit to take the gold (Shericka Williams gave the island a silver). Of course, though, Dawn Harper gave the States something to cheer about, with a gold in the 100-meter hurdles.
===
THe next big small country hero to deliver was Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain. His win in the men's 1,500 meters should give him some nice financial endowments and such from his majesty the King.
=-=
Poor Steffen Peters. He could have been on the podium...but finished fourth in the dressage individual grand prix freestyle event at Sha Tin (in Hong Kong). Another of those would-be feel-good stories for the Americans at these games. Sigh.
===
Argentina upstages the Brazilians, 3-0 in men's soccer and will face the Nigerian s for the gold. A mer formality? Stay tuned.
===
26 golds, 26 silvers, and 27 bronzes, with 5 days to go. Hmmm.
More Olympics thoughts on Day 10
Men's volleyball vs. Japan
This will be a sweep. We are flying high. We should get the job done.
Outcome: No surprises; as expected, it is a sweep. The USA lays a tsunami on Japan, 25-18, 25-12, and 25-21.
And I did call for us to face the Serbs in the quarterfinals. I got my wish.
Women's soccer vs. Japan
A tough proposition, but we beat them before, so this should be a chance to get it done again.
Outcome: And that's exactly what they did in a 4-2 win. And we get a crack at Brazil for the gold medal. Some payback for what they did to us in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup semifinal is in order. And this time, Hope Solo should start. I pity the ignorant fool who mention's Greg Ryan's name in a positive Kim Jong-Il-like light.
Baseball vs. China
Our manager should be fired if we don't roughhouse them, let alone go through by the mercy rule.
Outcome: No mercy rule, but we did take them down, 9-1.
Softball vs. China
See above. But this team is always worrisome. This should not be an issue.
Outcome: A win. And we did lay out the mercy rule on them, 9-0.
Basketball vs. Germany
Are you kidding me? This will be another thumping.
Outcome: 106-57. Remember that I called it, guys. Dwight David Howard leads the way with 22 points and 10 boards.
Water Polo vs Germany
Tough contest, but we should be able to get the job done.
Outcome: *sings* Same old Germans, always cheating...
Those bloody Deutsch almost got away with a cheap backhand. Not so fast, Deutschland.
8-7 win for the States.
Women's field hockey vs. Great Britain
Of all the team matches, this one worries me the most because we will coming into that match as underdogs. But hey, we took New Zealand to school, so we should have the mindset that anything is possible.
Outcome: Here comes the matches for classification: Scoreless draw. What USA Field Hockey decides to do next with Lee Bodimeade after this tournament is anyone's guess.
===
Looks like Phil and Todd got the Jorge and Renato next. The Georgina-Brazilians take out Nummerdor and Schuil in identical 21-19 wins.
===
The question right now for the USA in women's basketball isn't if they will beat Korea, but by how many.
===
The judges in synchronized swimming are biased towards the Chinese. Their performance had some flaws, yet they overlook it, giving them scores that are WAAAAAY too generous.
Hello Salt Lake 2002 Pairs Revisited.
===
Meanwhile, China's gold rush marches on. Chen Yibing and Yang Wei make it a 1-2 deal in the rings. On the uneven bars, He Kexin, the subject of a great deal of controversy regarding her real age, takes the gold in spite of being ties with Nastia Liukin, who now has the entire collection: 1 gold, 2 silvers and a bronze. The men's table tennis team outhustled Germany in a 3-0 sweep, while He Wenna delivered in the women's trampoline final.
===
In the women's discuss, Stephanie Brown Trafton takes home the gold for the USA with a 64-74. Jennifer Stuczynski conceded the gold to the favorite, Russia's Elena Isinbaeva. Isinbaeva set a new world record with 5.05 in this event. Panama's Irving Saladino took home the gold in the long jump with an 8.34, cementing his place as the next Small Country Hero there. And the USA made it a 1-2-3 finish in the 400-meter hurdles, responding to Jamaica doing the same in the women's 100-meter dash. Angelo Taylor got the gold, Kerron Clement got the silver, and Bershawn Jackson got the bronze.
===
While Misty and Kerri will be facing the Chinese in their last match, Phil and Todd will be facing the Brazilians to cap off their campaign. The only question is, which team?
===
Some payback by the Canadians was the order of the day in the equestrian department. They were able to outjump us for the gold. Unfortunate for those guys. Even more unfortunate was Queen Quedith Harrison finishing sixth in her semifinal heat in the women's 400-meter hurdles.
EDIT: Actually, it turned out that we outjumped THEM in a jump-off. So we had only a couple letdowns in track and table tennis today.
Talk about alliteration.
===
As of this post, we have 22 golds, 24 silvers, and 26 bronze. The Chinese are ahead of us in the gold department, with 39. So we're down by two touchdowns and field goal.
This will be a sweep. We are flying high. We should get the job done.
Outcome: No surprises; as expected, it is a sweep. The USA lays a tsunami on Japan, 25-18, 25-12, and 25-21.
And I did call for us to face the Serbs in the quarterfinals. I got my wish.
Women's soccer vs. Japan
A tough proposition, but we beat them before, so this should be a chance to get it done again.
Outcome: And that's exactly what they did in a 4-2 win. And we get a crack at Brazil for the gold medal. Some payback for what they did to us in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup semifinal is in order. And this time, Hope Solo should start. I pity the ignorant fool who mention's Greg Ryan's name in a positive Kim Jong-Il-like light.
Baseball vs. China
Our manager should be fired if we don't roughhouse them, let alone go through by the mercy rule.
Outcome: No mercy rule, but we did take them down, 9-1.
Softball vs. China
See above. But this team is always worrisome. This should not be an issue.
Outcome: A win. And we did lay out the mercy rule on them, 9-0.
Basketball vs. Germany
Are you kidding me? This will be another thumping.
Outcome: 106-57. Remember that I called it, guys. Dwight David Howard leads the way with 22 points and 10 boards.
Water Polo vs Germany
Tough contest, but we should be able to get the job done.
Outcome: *sings* Same old Germans, always cheating...
Those bloody Deutsch almost got away with a cheap backhand. Not so fast, Deutschland.
8-7 win for the States.
Women's field hockey vs. Great Britain
Of all the team matches, this one worries me the most because we will coming into that match as underdogs. But hey, we took New Zealand to school, so we should have the mindset that anything is possible.
Outcome: Here comes the matches for classification: Scoreless draw. What USA Field Hockey decides to do next with Lee Bodimeade after this tournament is anyone's guess.
===
Looks like Phil and Todd got the Jorge and Renato next. The Georgina-Brazilians take out Nummerdor and Schuil in identical 21-19 wins.
===
The question right now for the USA in women's basketball isn't if they will beat Korea, but by how many.
===
The judges in synchronized swimming are biased towards the Chinese. Their performance had some flaws, yet they overlook it, giving them scores that are WAAAAAY too generous.
Hello Salt Lake 2002 Pairs Revisited.
===
Meanwhile, China's gold rush marches on. Chen Yibing and Yang Wei make it a 1-2 deal in the rings. On the uneven bars, He Kexin, the subject of a great deal of controversy regarding her real age, takes the gold in spite of being ties with Nastia Liukin, who now has the entire collection: 1 gold, 2 silvers and a bronze. The men's table tennis team outhustled Germany in a 3-0 sweep, while He Wenna delivered in the women's trampoline final.
===
In the women's discuss, Stephanie Brown Trafton takes home the gold for the USA with a 64-74. Jennifer Stuczynski conceded the gold to the favorite, Russia's Elena Isinbaeva. Isinbaeva set a new world record with 5.05 in this event. Panama's Irving Saladino took home the gold in the long jump with an 8.34, cementing his place as the next Small Country Hero there. And the USA made it a 1-2-3 finish in the 400-meter hurdles, responding to Jamaica doing the same in the women's 100-meter dash. Angelo Taylor got the gold, Kerron Clement got the silver, and Bershawn Jackson got the bronze.
===
While Misty and Kerri will be facing the Chinese in their last match, Phil and Todd will be facing the Brazilians to cap off their campaign. The only question is, which team?
===
Some payback by the Canadians was the order of the day in the equestrian department. They were able to outjump us for the gold. Unfortunate for those guys. Even more unfortunate was Queen Quedith Harrison finishing sixth in her semifinal heat in the women's 400-meter hurdles.
EDIT: Actually, it turned out that we outjumped THEM in a jump-off. So we had only a couple letdowns in track and table tennis today.
Talk about alliteration.
===
As of this post, we have 22 golds, 24 silvers, and 26 bronze. The Chinese are ahead of us in the gold department, with 39. So we're down by two touchdowns and field goal.
Random Olympic thoughts, Day 10
The prognosis for our teams in action...
Men's volleyball vs. Japan
This will be a sweep. We are flying high. We should get the job done.
Women's soccer vs. Japan
A tough proposition, but we beat them before, so this should be a chance to get it done again.
Baseball vs. China
Our manager should be fired if we don't roughhouse them, let alone go through by the mercy rule.
Softball vs. China
See above. But this team is always worrisome. This should not be an issue.
Basketball vs. Germany
Are you kidding me? This will be another thumping.
Water Polo vs Germany
Tough contest, but we should be able to get the job done.
Women's field hockey vs. Great Britain
Of all the team matches, this one worries me the most because we will coming into that match as underdogs. But hey, we took New Zealand to school, so we should have the mindset that anything is possible.
===
ohhhhh the futility!!!
Alicia Sacramone's Olympic run got even worse. She ended up finishing fourth in the women's vault. Bless her heart she must be feeling like wrist-slashing might be ritual for her.
===
The student, Phil "The Dome" Dalhausser and the master, Todd Rogers, make easy fixins of David Klemperer and Eric Koreng, 21-13 and 25-23. Could a meeting with the Georgian-Brazilians of Jorge "Geor" Terceiro and Renato "Gia" Gomes? Or is it a meeting with the Dutch power duo of Richard Schuil and Reinder Nummerdor?
Stay tuned.
===
It's hilarious to see some of the Russian and Chinese would-be female competitors stumble on the unforgiving floor. Looks like I now know why Russia didn't medal in the team competition.
As for the tears from the Chinese, I feel vindicated. That's for one-upping us in the team competition. You gotta save some of the golds for the others, i.e. us.
Hmph.
===
Many detractors (some of them who are clearly biased in degree or another) say that Romanian gymnastics is dead.
Poppycock. We know better. Or at least, Sandra Izbasa knows better. Her gold-medal winning performance in the floor exercise validates the fact that Romania is not dead when it comes to their relevance in the gymnastics world. Girls like Sandra won't let that happen, at least not on her watch.
===
Unbelievable. Terrence Trammell could not finish his heat in the men's 110m hurdles. He must have injured himself, popped a ligament or something. Bad luck.
Here's hoping this type of incident doesn't send his life in the wrong direction (though it probably will).
===
So Liu Xiang of China fails to finish his heat in the 110-meter hurdles.
I'm like, "Who fucking cares!?" Apparently the 1.3 billion people in China do, but not me. I mean, come on, China is still ahead of us by 16 gold medals, even though we barely lead them in the total medals.
Not a big deal to me, but for me, it would be a big deal if one of the USA hopefuls fails in forgettable fashion. Besides, at least they still have Ji Wei.
Riiiiiight?
===
Here's something that is a big deal, in my view. In women's table tennis: Yang Fen, representing the Congo-THE CONGO, of all countries-defeats Crysti Huang in the preliminaries, 4 games to 2.
At first I thought, "Is this a joke!?" But after a while, I Determined that the world must have exploded, as the Ouran Host Club ending theme implied. This is the Congo we're talking about here. It's not very often that someone from this country bests one of our players. In fact, it's rare.
I am sick to my stomach after seeing this. For Stephanie Huang, this has to be one of the crappiest days of her career, if not her life. To lose to someone from a country like the Congo (not the country formerly knows as Zaire, the OTHER Congo) is like a number-16 seed beating the number one seed in one bracket of a basketball tournament.
Could this Yang Fen be to the COngo as Oussama Mellouli is to Tunisia and KIrsty Coventry to Zimbabwe-the next Africa Small Country Hero? Stay tuned. This result validates our suckitude in ping-pong. I'm going to have to wait for the day that beer pong is an Olympic sport.
===
I've seen upsets left and right, but I didn't think that Australia would pull a blowout or two in men's basketball. Lituania was 4-0 heading into this match, and Australia, who also qualified for the knockout stages...is 2-2. And the Boomers are thumping this team.
Forget March Madness, how about August Anarchy?
The thing that worries me is a similar letdown by the USA against Germany. While convention wisdown is calling for that NOT to happen, one would think that for the Germans (who are elimanted from the knockout round), anything is possible. And rightfully so.
===
Poor Laura Bennett. Ugh. She finished fourth in the women's triathlon behind Emma Snowsill, Vanessa Fernandes, and Emma Moffatt. Both Emmas are from Australia, Vanessa is from Portugal.
She might as well finished last. Laura wouldn't have stood a chance in the women's 10,000 meters.
Men's volleyball vs. Japan
This will be a sweep. We are flying high. We should get the job done.
Women's soccer vs. Japan
A tough proposition, but we beat them before, so this should be a chance to get it done again.
Baseball vs. China
Our manager should be fired if we don't roughhouse them, let alone go through by the mercy rule.
Softball vs. China
See above. But this team is always worrisome. This should not be an issue.
Basketball vs. Germany
Are you kidding me? This will be another thumping.
Water Polo vs Germany
Tough contest, but we should be able to get the job done.
Women's field hockey vs. Great Britain
Of all the team matches, this one worries me the most because we will coming into that match as underdogs. But hey, we took New Zealand to school, so we should have the mindset that anything is possible.
===
ohhhhh the futility!!!
Alicia Sacramone's Olympic run got even worse. She ended up finishing fourth in the women's vault. Bless her heart she must be feeling like wrist-slashing might be ritual for her.
===
The student, Phil "The Dome" Dalhausser and the master, Todd Rogers, make easy fixins of David Klemperer and Eric Koreng, 21-13 and 25-23. Could a meeting with the Georgian-Brazilians of Jorge "Geor" Terceiro and Renato "Gia" Gomes? Or is it a meeting with the Dutch power duo of Richard Schuil and Reinder Nummerdor?
Stay tuned.
===
It's hilarious to see some of the Russian and Chinese would-be female competitors stumble on the unforgiving floor. Looks like I now know why Russia didn't medal in the team competition.
As for the tears from the Chinese, I feel vindicated. That's for one-upping us in the team competition. You gotta save some of the golds for the others, i.e. us.
Hmph.
===
Many detractors (some of them who are clearly biased in degree or another) say that Romanian gymnastics is dead.
Poppycock. We know better. Or at least, Sandra Izbasa knows better. Her gold-medal winning performance in the floor exercise validates the fact that Romania is not dead when it comes to their relevance in the gymnastics world. Girls like Sandra won't let that happen, at least not on her watch.
===
Unbelievable. Terrence Trammell could not finish his heat in the men's 110m hurdles. He must have injured himself, popped a ligament or something. Bad luck.
Here's hoping this type of incident doesn't send his life in the wrong direction (though it probably will).
===
So Liu Xiang of China fails to finish his heat in the 110-meter hurdles.
I'm like, "Who fucking cares!?" Apparently the 1.3 billion people in China do, but not me. I mean, come on, China is still ahead of us by 16 gold medals, even though we barely lead them in the total medals.
Not a big deal to me, but for me, it would be a big deal if one of the USA hopefuls fails in forgettable fashion. Besides, at least they still have Ji Wei.
Riiiiiight?
===
Here's something that is a big deal, in my view. In women's table tennis: Yang Fen, representing the Congo-THE CONGO, of all countries-defeats Crysti Huang in the preliminaries, 4 games to 2.
At first I thought, "Is this a joke!?" But after a while, I Determined that the world must have exploded, as the Ouran Host Club ending theme implied. This is the Congo we're talking about here. It's not very often that someone from this country bests one of our players. In fact, it's rare.
I am sick to my stomach after seeing this. For Stephanie Huang, this has to be one of the crappiest days of her career, if not her life. To lose to someone from a country like the Congo (not the country formerly knows as Zaire, the OTHER Congo) is like a number-16 seed beating the number one seed in one bracket of a basketball tournament.
Could this Yang Fen be to the COngo as Oussama Mellouli is to Tunisia and KIrsty Coventry to Zimbabwe-the next Africa Small Country Hero? Stay tuned. This result validates our suckitude in ping-pong. I'm going to have to wait for the day that beer pong is an Olympic sport.
===
I've seen upsets left and right, but I didn't think that Australia would pull a blowout or two in men's basketball. Lituania was 4-0 heading into this match, and Australia, who also qualified for the knockout stages...is 2-2. And the Boomers are thumping this team.
Forget March Madness, how about August Anarchy?
The thing that worries me is a similar letdown by the USA against Germany. While convention wisdown is calling for that NOT to happen, one would think that for the Germans (who are elimanted from the knockout round), anything is possible. And rightfully so.
===
Poor Laura Bennett. Ugh. She finished fourth in the women's triathlon behind Emma Snowsill, Vanessa Fernandes, and Emma Moffatt. Both Emmas are from Australia, Vanessa is from Portugal.
She might as well finished last. Laura wouldn't have stood a chance in the women's 10,000 meters.
The golds rush in China continues
The Williams sisters put Spain's Anabel Medina And Virginia Pascual to the grindstone in a scintillating gold-medalperformace.
---
And the Finns get their first medal of these games with Sanna Sten and MInna Nieminen getting silver in the Women's Double Sculls.
===
I can't bloody believe it. China brought home yet another gold...this time in the women's quadruple sculls. And the USA finished fifth. We're just gonna be keeping pace with the Chinese unless something happens against France in fencing and hell breaks loose in the remaining medal events, especially diving and gymnastics.
===
The Russian 1-2-3 finish in the women's singles tournament has been confirmed: Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina, Vera Zvoraneva. And the Williams sisters-Venus and Serena-took out Medina and Ruano, 6-2, 6-0.
===
It's a 3:29:34 for the states in that race of legend. Uh-huh.
===
What the hell is up with our quadruple sculls crew? The men finish in the same position and the women: fifth. These guys have a knack for consistency, the wrong type of consistency, and an uncanny ability to maintain that type of consistency.
It's just uncanny. My Beach Crew side could have some fun against them.
===
At last, we finally get a gold in women's rowing. The USA outlasts the Netherlands to win the gold medal in the women's eights. About time we did something right for once.
Meanwhile, the guys finish behind Canada and Great Britain for the bronze, and thus the entire team got the collection.
===
IT seems that there is one country that has an uncanny ability to sweep one single event at the Games. For us, it's the women's individual sabre. For Russia, it's the women's individual tennis singles. For Jamaica...it's the women's 100 meters, with Shelly-Ann Fraser getting gold. Sherrone Simpson gets the silver and Kerron Stewart the bronze.
Mind you, this is at the expense of the USA, who fail to give their country it's 20th gold, let along 66th medal.
===
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are going to be facing a Chinese team in the final. Who that team will be, I won't know until their semifinal match against Brazil.
===
Guo Jingjing's diving career finishes with a bang. She takes the women's 3-meter springboard final, with Wu Minxia taking the bronze.
Now she can go back to her modeling career.
===
France defeated the USA in the men's team sabre with a 45-37 victory. Bloody hell.
===
Some more business as usuals: in softball, the Netherlands is downed by submission, 8-0 in 5 iniings. In women's basketball, New Zealand didn't stand a chance against Lisa Leslie and company, as they were thumped 96-60. And Rafale Nadal proved that he'd lost none of his poise from Wimbledown, downing Chile's Fernando Gonzalez for the gold.
===
I don't know if we're gonna be able to catch the Chinese in the gold medal department with a few days left to go. Lin Dan defeats Lin Chong Wei of Malaysia to take the men's singles gold in badminton, while the women's table tennis team defeated Singapore 3-0 to take that gold. And the duo of Zou Kai and Xiao Qin gave China even more gold in the floor and pommel horse, respectively
They are now at 35 golds. We are only at 19.
===
Deontay Wilder is the USA"s only hope to medal at these games. He takes out Morocco's Mohammed Arjaoui by decision. Demitrius Andrade was unable to catch Korea's Kim JUng-Joo, 11 to 9 on points.
We're counting on you, Deontay.
===
I have a suspicion that North Korea's Hong Un Jong doped in the Women's vault, just like Kim Jong-Su in his shooting events. It will be a surprise if she didn't.
===
Looks like Greece's Fani Halkia is the fourth sheep gone astray. The 400-meter hurdles champion dope in Japan. I say the IOC goes one step further and strips her of her medal.
---
And the Finns get their first medal of these games with Sanna Sten and MInna Nieminen getting silver in the Women's Double Sculls.
===
I can't bloody believe it. China brought home yet another gold...this time in the women's quadruple sculls. And the USA finished fifth. We're just gonna be keeping pace with the Chinese unless something happens against France in fencing and hell breaks loose in the remaining medal events, especially diving and gymnastics.
===
The Russian 1-2-3 finish in the women's singles tournament has been confirmed: Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina, Vera Zvoraneva. And the Williams sisters-Venus and Serena-took out Medina and Ruano, 6-2, 6-0.
===
It's a 3:29:34 for the states in that race of legend. Uh-huh.
===
What the hell is up with our quadruple sculls crew? The men finish in the same position and the women: fifth. These guys have a knack for consistency, the wrong type of consistency, and an uncanny ability to maintain that type of consistency.
It's just uncanny. My Beach Crew side could have some fun against them.
===
At last, we finally get a gold in women's rowing. The USA outlasts the Netherlands to win the gold medal in the women's eights. About time we did something right for once.
Meanwhile, the guys finish behind Canada and Great Britain for the bronze, and thus the entire team got the collection.
===
IT seems that there is one country that has an uncanny ability to sweep one single event at the Games. For us, it's the women's individual sabre. For Russia, it's the women's individual tennis singles. For Jamaica...it's the women's 100 meters, with Shelly-Ann Fraser getting gold. Sherrone Simpson gets the silver and Kerron Stewart the bronze.
Mind you, this is at the expense of the USA, who fail to give their country it's 20th gold, let along 66th medal.
===
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are going to be facing a Chinese team in the final. Who that team will be, I won't know until their semifinal match against Brazil.
===
Guo Jingjing's diving career finishes with a bang. She takes the women's 3-meter springboard final, with Wu Minxia taking the bronze.
Now she can go back to her modeling career.
===
France defeated the USA in the men's team sabre with a 45-37 victory. Bloody hell.
===
Some more business as usuals: in softball, the Netherlands is downed by submission, 8-0 in 5 iniings. In women's basketball, New Zealand didn't stand a chance against Lisa Leslie and company, as they were thumped 96-60. And Rafale Nadal proved that he'd lost none of his poise from Wimbledown, downing Chile's Fernando Gonzalez for the gold.
===
I don't know if we're gonna be able to catch the Chinese in the gold medal department with a few days left to go. Lin Dan defeats Lin Chong Wei of Malaysia to take the men's singles gold in badminton, while the women's table tennis team defeated Singapore 3-0 to take that gold. And the duo of Zou Kai and Xiao Qin gave China even more gold in the floor and pommel horse, respectively
They are now at 35 golds. We are only at 19.
===
Deontay Wilder is the USA"s only hope to medal at these games. He takes out Morocco's Mohammed Arjaoui by decision. Demitrius Andrade was unable to catch Korea's Kim JUng-Joo, 11 to 9 on points.
We're counting on you, Deontay.
===
I have a suspicion that North Korea's Hong Un Jong doped in the Women's vault, just like Kim Jong-Su in his shooting events. It will be a surprise if she didn't.
===
Looks like Greece's Fani Halkia is the fourth sheep gone astray. The 400-meter hurdles champion dope in Japan. I say the IOC goes one step further and strips her of her medal.
More thoughts from Day 9 of the Games
Long Beach's very own Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh continued their golden defense with a sweep of Brazil's Ana Paula and Larissa.
===
Can this day get any better? The men in the team sabre were able to do something that the women were unable to do in the team foil: defeat Russia. Keeth Smart sent Stanislaw Pozdnyakov to school in a 45-44 rally. They did this also against Hungary.
If I am one of the members on the French team, i.e. JUlien Pillet, I should be thinking, "Sacre bleu!"
===
I am busy looking for some work, freshly motivated. I really have no clue; I am suddenly quite, and before you know it, I am spending a few hours in the real world.
===
In spite of qualifying for the finals of the men's 50m 3 positions event, Qiu Jian of China took home another gold for the home country, while Emmons finished fourth.
Smooth move, Ex-Lax. >_>
===
Apparently China wasn't the only team pushing us to the bring. As the old Bush cliche goes, "You forgot Poland." Of course, though, we got job done nonetheless, 18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, and 15-13.
The Polish team was playing like there was no tomorrow if they lost. So it was no surprise that they were tested. They will have to look at the film, and get ready for a date with either Italy, Russia, or Serbia.
If you ask me: I want them to face Russia. Getting a little payback for what their fencing team did to us in the team foil final...heheheh. CHA~~~~~NCE.
===
I hope Misty and Kerri get Natalie Cook and Tamsin Barnett. I wouldn't mind a chance for a Brazilian sweep against Talia Rocha and Renata Ribeiro. Meanwhile, Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs would need to complete a Chinese sweep to get a date with May-Treanor and Walsh.
It's doable...if all four of them are up for it.
===
China didn't leave the tennis courts empty-handed; Yan Zi and Zheng Jie rub more salt in the Bondarenko sisters' wounds. It would, however, be a Russian sweep in the women's singles tournament, with Li Na losing to Vera Zvonareva.
===
Can this day get any better? The men in the team sabre were able to do something that the women were unable to do in the team foil: defeat Russia. Keeth Smart sent Stanislaw Pozdnyakov to school in a 45-44 rally. They did this also against Hungary.
If I am one of the members on the French team, i.e. JUlien Pillet, I should be thinking, "Sacre bleu!"
===
I am busy looking for some work, freshly motivated. I really have no clue; I am suddenly quite, and before you know it, I am spending a few hours in the real world.
===
In spite of qualifying for the finals of the men's 50m 3 positions event, Qiu Jian of China took home another gold for the home country, while Emmons finished fourth.
Smooth move, Ex-Lax. >_>
===
Apparently China wasn't the only team pushing us to the bring. As the old Bush cliche goes, "You forgot Poland." Of course, though, we got job done nonetheless, 18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, and 15-13.
The Polish team was playing like there was no tomorrow if they lost. So it was no surprise that they were tested. They will have to look at the film, and get ready for a date with either Italy, Russia, or Serbia.
If you ask me: I want them to face Russia. Getting a little payback for what their fencing team did to us in the team foil final...heheheh. CHA~~~~~NCE.
===
I hope Misty and Kerri get Natalie Cook and Tamsin Barnett. I wouldn't mind a chance for a Brazilian sweep against Talia Rocha and Renata Ribeiro. Meanwhile, Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs would need to complete a Chinese sweep to get a date with May-Treanor and Walsh.
It's doable...if all four of them are up for it.
===
China didn't leave the tennis courts empty-handed; Yan Zi and Zheng Jie rub more salt in the Bondarenko sisters' wounds. It would, however, be a Russian sweep in the women's singles tournament, with Li Na losing to Vera Zvonareva.
Coffee. It makes us fans of the Second Amendment.
And Constantina Tomescu Dita of Romania is the oldest, at age 39, to win the women's marathon in Beijing. Here's hoping she didn't boost her blood to do it.
===
Damn you, Brita Steffan! The upstart Deutsch bitch one-ups Dara Torres (and everyone else) in the women's 50m freestyle. I started to have a gut feeling, "Awww, fuck. This isn't good. We gotta figure things out, or the Aussies are gonna upstage us too in the 4 x 100m medley relay."
===
NBC called the men's 1500m freestyle "The Super Bowl of Sport" in Australia. Are sure it's that and not the AFL Grand Final? Apparently he hasn't been following the footy.
===
Grant Hackett hacked his effort to win the 1500m. He procrastined in the pool and ruined it for himself. Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli, who also trains and lives in the States, gived the country their first swimming gold. He is the next small country hero of note. In Tunis, it is a party down there, for Mellouli is now a hero.
But Hackett got only silver, with Ryan Cochrane of Canada getting the bronze. Mellouli is to Tunisia and Kirsty COventry is to Zimbabwe. Babies will be named in his honor down there. Should Oussama return to Tunisia, he will get a hero's welcome.
===
Ugh. Dara Torres again finishes with a silver. I just had a bad feeling that it was going to happen. And Phelps is swimming only the butterfly leg. I may have to do a Top 5 Reason You Can't Blame very soon. To add to insult, the Chinese get another medal, and another bronze.
---
Meanwhile at the shooting gallery, Matthew Emmons is busy in the Men's 50-meter Rifle 3 Positions Qualification.
---
Michael Phelps got gold number 8, passing Mark Spitz.
I yelled at the heavens, "He did it! HE did it! Oh my fucking God, he did it!" Unfortunately, BongaMom was not very pleased that I screamed in the streets in celebration. She even so far as to wish that she could stab me with a knife to shut me up.
Well, well, well. People have vivid imaginations about killing people. We have our choice of weapons, too. For her it's a knife; for me it's a gun. And it runs in our family because we're coffee drinkers. She could have done better by not making it such a deal of it. But that's not her, and I knew that the Bedlam Cycle restarted.
It's not secret, really, BongaDad told me, "You're crazy." "Crazy in a celebratory way," I replied. "That makes millions of us around this country supporting the team. Like Mom, you shouldn't be making a big deal of it."
Obviously, both of them don't understand, let alone embrace the historical impact of this win for the 4 x 100m medley team. Or rather, they CHOOSE not to. Their loss.
===
Damn you, Brita Steffan! The upstart Deutsch bitch one-ups Dara Torres (and everyone else) in the women's 50m freestyle. I started to have a gut feeling, "Awww, fuck. This isn't good. We gotta figure things out, or the Aussies are gonna upstage us too in the 4 x 100m medley relay."
===
NBC called the men's 1500m freestyle "The Super Bowl of Sport" in Australia. Are sure it's that and not the AFL Grand Final? Apparently he hasn't been following the footy.
===
Grant Hackett hacked his effort to win the 1500m. He procrastined in the pool and ruined it for himself. Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli, who also trains and lives in the States, gived the country their first swimming gold. He is the next small country hero of note. In Tunis, it is a party down there, for Mellouli is now a hero.
But Hackett got only silver, with Ryan Cochrane of Canada getting the bronze. Mellouli is to Tunisia and Kirsty COventry is to Zimbabwe. Babies will be named in his honor down there. Should Oussama return to Tunisia, he will get a hero's welcome.
===
Ugh. Dara Torres again finishes with a silver. I just had a bad feeling that it was going to happen. And Phelps is swimming only the butterfly leg. I may have to do a Top 5 Reason You Can't Blame very soon. To add to insult, the Chinese get another medal, and another bronze.
---
Meanwhile at the shooting gallery, Matthew Emmons is busy in the Men's 50-meter Rifle 3 Positions Qualification.
---
Michael Phelps got gold number 8, passing Mark Spitz.
I yelled at the heavens, "He did it! HE did it! Oh my fucking God, he did it!" Unfortunately, BongaMom was not very pleased that I screamed in the streets in celebration. She even so far as to wish that she could stab me with a knife to shut me up.
Well, well, well. People have vivid imaginations about killing people. We have our choice of weapons, too. For her it's a knife; for me it's a gun. And it runs in our family because we're coffee drinkers. She could have done better by not making it such a deal of it. But that's not her, and I knew that the Bedlam Cycle restarted.
It's not secret, really, BongaDad told me, "You're crazy." "Crazy in a celebratory way," I replied. "That makes millions of us around this country supporting the team. Like Mom, you shouldn't be making a big deal of it."
Obviously, both of them don't understand, let alone embrace the historical impact of this win for the 4 x 100m medley team. Or rather, they CHOOSE not to. Their loss.
Who is the World's Fastest Man? and other thoughts
James Blake and the Bryan brothers have to come into their respective matches with this question in mind.
-
Okay. You still have a chance to medal. You can still get bronze. It's better than coming away with nothing. You can go one of two ways, and ONLY one: come out ready to deliver and fly home with a medal, or leave Beijing with a bruised ego and little momentum heading into the big show at Flushing Meadows.
So, what will it be, guys?
-
===
Meanwhile, the Williams sisters have a great opportunity to give the USA a gold medal in tennis in Beijing. They disposed of the Bondarenko sisters, 4-6, 6-4, and 6-1.
===
I was very disappointed in James's choice to come home empty-handed. His loss to Novak Djokovic will no doubt put him as a longshot to win a single round, let alone win, the US Open in my book. Absolutely horrible.
===
I asked the question to the Bryan brothers, and they chose the other path. They ended up taking down Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra, 3-2, 6-3 and 6-4, clinching the bronze.
===
Meanwhile, it's the Russians who stymie the Americans in women's fencing, taking gold in the team foil. They came into the match as the favorites, but it is a bit of a downer knowing that the team won't be the once to keep pace with the Chinese in the gold medal count.
===
Tyson Gay has to be feeling very down right now. He finished fifth in semifinal, and has to watch Walter Dix and Darvis Patton represent the USA's hopes in the 100m. Could the Netherlands Antilles' Churandy Martina crash the three-nation sprint party of Jamaica, the USA, and Trinidand & Tobago?
===
Martina didn't crash the party, but Usain Bolt won the title of the World's Fastest Man, winning the men's 100 meter dash. Dix took home the bronze.
===
The men's basketball team kept its march intact, defeating Spaim 119-82. Lebron James led the way with18 points with eight people scoring in double figures.
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Okay. You still have a chance to medal. You can still get bronze. It's better than coming away with nothing. You can go one of two ways, and ONLY one: come out ready to deliver and fly home with a medal, or leave Beijing with a bruised ego and little momentum heading into the big show at Flushing Meadows.
So, what will it be, guys?
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Meanwhile, the Williams sisters have a great opportunity to give the USA a gold medal in tennis in Beijing. They disposed of the Bondarenko sisters, 4-6, 6-4, and 6-1.
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I was very disappointed in James's choice to come home empty-handed. His loss to Novak Djokovic will no doubt put him as a longshot to win a single round, let alone win, the US Open in my book. Absolutely horrible.
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I asked the question to the Bryan brothers, and they chose the other path. They ended up taking down Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra, 3-2, 6-3 and 6-4, clinching the bronze.
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Meanwhile, it's the Russians who stymie the Americans in women's fencing, taking gold in the team foil. They came into the match as the favorites, but it is a bit of a downer knowing that the team won't be the once to keep pace with the Chinese in the gold medal count.
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Tyson Gay has to be feeling very down right now. He finished fifth in semifinal, and has to watch Walter Dix and Darvis Patton represent the USA's hopes in the 100m. Could the Netherlands Antilles' Churandy Martina crash the three-nation sprint party of Jamaica, the USA, and Trinidand & Tobago?
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Martina didn't crash the party, but Usain Bolt won the title of the World's Fastest Man, winning the men's 100 meter dash. Dix took home the bronze.
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The men's basketball team kept its march intact, defeating Spaim 119-82. Lebron James led the way with18 points with eight people scoring in double figures.
More Olympic Quick Hits, Day 8
Great Britain's Rebecca Adlington strikes again, going the distance to win gold in the 800-meter freestyle in world record time. It's an 8:14:10 for Adlington, who shares the same first name as my mom.
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The men's volleyball match against China isn't supposed to be as tough for them as it was for the women. As I type this, they win the first game, 25-22.
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Remember when you were five, six or seven years old, and there was a small trampoline outside on the front yard, and you bounced on it until it broke? Well, wouldn't you know it, we have an event on the trampoline. Erin Blanchard and Chris Estrada both represent the States in their respective events. For China on the women's side, He Wenna and Huang Shanshan look to medal for the People's Republic. On the men side, the home fans should look out for Lu Chunlong and Dong Dong (that rhymes, and those ARE their names).
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BOb Costas was joking about the Greek headline for their basketball game against the USA: "We invented the Games for THIS!?"
Seems the Hellenics got more than they bargained for.
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Cavic's coach, being the sore loser he is, files a protest. He's just made that he lost. Gotta let it go, guy. That's all you can do. He's not going to win this one. And if he decides to do things a la Munich 1972 basketball, he should reviled even more.
If his protests succeeds, which I believe, should not, he will be reviled. Fortunately, that didn't happen, and I would suppose either he could use Viagra or PRozac, or lay off the coffe for a while.
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Who is the world's fastest swimmer? The questions was answered in 21.3 seconds It was Brazil's very own Cesar Cielo Filho, in an new Olympic record time, besting his previous one by .04 seconds. And you call yourself a man, Amaury Leveaux.
I don't get these Frenchmen. By the way, his fellow comrade Alain Bernard finished second.
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Moving right along, the USA men's volleyball continued to pour it on the Chinese. They take Game 2, 25-12. Meanwhile, Jefferson Perez brings home Ecuador's second medal in the 20 km walk-a silver. Han Wang of China finished fourth.
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Man! I can't believe it. In volleyball, China's women gave us more of a match than the guys. 25-22, 25-12, and 25-18 for the USA men. Sweep.
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I think the doujin artists are at work in paying tribute to the yuri pairs of Sonya V. Litvyak and Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen, Gertrud Bankhorn and Erica Hartmann, & Lynette Bishop and Yoshika MIyafuji. My categories respectively: Meant For Each Other, Comedy Pair, Shy Couple.
Brilliant. Watch for those things to surface in the coming weeks on Rapidshare, Fakku and the like.
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Meanwhile, some more badminton golds are on the way for China. Martk Spitz described Michael Phelps's effort as "EPIC." I wholeheartedly agree.
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Our performance in table tennis is just as forgettable as the likes of badminton and archery. FACT, deviants.
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First victory for the USA in women's field hockey. After a heartbreaker to the Germans and their football-delusional coach, they rebound against New Zealand, 4-1.
We face the bloody Brits next. Heheheh...CHA~~~~~NCE.
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In fencing, the women nearly gave it up in the team foil semifinal to Hungary. Aida MOhamed's rally against Erinn Smart ended up falling short by two points.
Bring on the Russians.
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The baseball team rebounded yet again, dealing yet another defeat to Canada, rallying in the seventh to win, 5-4. And the USA men's water polo team defeated Croatia, 7-5. Softball had no problem laying the mercy rule on Chinese Taipei, 7-0.
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Could it be that Serbians are going to stay away from purchasing, let alone boycott, watches made by Omega? After all, they timed Phelps to be .01 faster than Milorad Cavic.
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Meanwhile, some of the rowing events are werapping up. We have three opportunties to get some medals, along with a gold in fencing (gotta out hit the Russians first).
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Well, Bulgaria's Rumyana Neykova set the world's best time in women's single sculls with a 7:07.71 down in Seville in 2002, so it was no surprise that she went into the final as the odds-on favorite. As expected, she brought home a gold medal for Bulgaria. That said, I was quite pleased with the USA's Michelle Guerette getting the silver, with Zhang Xiuyun of China finishing fourth.
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I am geting a gut feeling that this trampoline event will be another place where China will get some more medals. Believe it or not, this is another event where we suck at. I think the sales of trampolines will go down after our efforts; none of our entries qualified for the finals.
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And where there is success in one area, there is futility in another. The Winklevoss brothers finished dead last in the Men's Pair in rowing. And another. Megan Kalmoe and Ellen Tomek finishing fifth in the women's double sculls, behind even China's Li Qin and Tian Liang. Suddenly, the Antipodes are guaranteeing the world that they won't go empty-handed these Games.
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As if things hadn't been bad enough for our boxers, it just got worse. Shawn Estrada, from my part of town, lost to London's James Degale, 11-5. I thought that this guy was going to make a big impact. But when you don't have any punch, or hand speed a Manny Pacquiao, there is no way you will connect, and I had the unfortunate honor of witnessing just that.
If Luis Yanez doesn't get through in the light flyweight division, USA Boxing should have some administrative changes in order, as well as provide a report on why we didn't medal at these Games. Horrible.
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We got ourselves our first gold in shooting. VIncent Hancock delivers in the men's skeet, outlasting Tore Brovold of Norway in a shoot-off. Jason Parker and Matthew Emmons-already with bronze and silver, respectively-each have an opportunity to add one more to their collection in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.
This will be fun.
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