Olympics Roundup: Beijing 2008

"ASTOUNDING!!!!"

That's the only way that I can describe the past 3 days of the Olympics for the US Team...and Day 3 proved to be the best thus far.

BIG EVENTS:

Women's Basketball

The Ladies of the USA will be thrilling to watch PERIOD! After the spanking they put on Czech Republic and China (*cough, cough* 23-0 first quarter, *cough, cough*), it could be argued that the Men's team have been and need to continue taking notes from the Ladies.  They have been consistent continuously in the Olympics and the start they got off to in Beijing seems to say that they have no thoughts of letting the gold out of their grasp. Catch all of their games and you won't be disappointed for following this bit of advice. You may also get the chance to see a legend (Lisa Leslie) or two (Tina Thompson) go out in style! Game  results USA: 97 Czech Republic:57, USA: 108 China: 63.

Sidebar...Did you catch Tina Thompson go off on China? Was she holding a grudge or something...GEEZ..I would NEVER get on her bad side if her playing that game was happy Tina!

USA vs. China: Men's Basketball

This game was hyped beyond belief!!! The country who invented the sport versus the country hosting the sport. With Yao Ming leading the team, China surely thought they would win...or at least make a huge impression that they were contenders for this event. Too bad the US told them NO! Not only did the US "Redeem Team" school China that basketball was an American sport, they provided an exclamation point with that statement by winning in style.

Although the US played a great game, it's now time to prove themselves. It's clear that China was a warm-up. Now let's hope that the US team realizes this and continue to play with FUNdamentals and *T.E.A.M.work at the helm of their ship. (Greece and Spain would be great preparation for Argentina and Russia, assuming how the brackets turn out). Results, USA: 101   China: 70

*T.E.A.M. (Together, everyone achieves more)*

Men's Swimming

Yes, we're talking all of men's swimming, not just Micheal Phelps (although he did break his own world record in an amazing display in the 200m). Because Phelps is a member of relay teams, it's important the the other participants shine also. Not to mention that Ryan Lochte, Garrett Weber-Gale, Peter Vanderkay (shoutout to the fellow Michigander), Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak are all forces to be dealt with also. So far, Phelps is 2 of 8, with #2 coming at the hands and feet of Lezak...someone who has often been taunted as being too old or the cause of Phelps not achieving 8 medals in Athens. Lochte has shown that he too can win medals at the Olympics as a top contender.

The best event thus far, and probably the best of the Olympics period, was the dramatic 4x100m relay where the USA out-touched France by 8/10ths of a second after coming back during the last 25m of the race.

Sidebar...Hey Alain Bernard (France Swim Team Member), what was that comment you made about this meet? Oh, that's right, you said "The Americans?  We're going to smash them.  That's what we came here for."  Well, I guess someone needs to update the English slang dictionary because it seems that the term "smash" now means "to lose embarrassingly: what one does when chocking during the final leg of a race that you have proclaimed to own." Thanks for making the USA look so good!

Men's Swimming 4x100m Relay

Keep up with the happenings of the Olympics at either ESPN or Sports Illustrated. You can also catch up on all the other Olympic events and highlights either over at CastTV or NBC. You can watch live, check out events you missed, or get the chance to watch events that aren't televised...that's how I''m watching the games!!!!