August 25, Week in Sports
August 25, Week in Sports
:: USAIN BOLT SPRINTS FOR THREE GOLD MEDALS, WORLD RECORDS (Olympics)
:: U.S. MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM WINS GOLD (Olympics)
:: MISTY MAY-TREANOR AND KERRI WALSH BRING HOME GOLD (Olympics)
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USAIN “LIGHTNING” BOLT STRIKES THREE TIMES
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt burst onto the Olympic scene with a world record-setting first place finish in the 100 meter race. After two more golds and two more world records (in the 200 meter and 400 meter relay race), Bolt became one of the biggest stars of the Beijing games–second only to Michael Phelps.
Bolt set the 100 meter record with a time of 9.69 seconds, beating his opponents by such a significant margin that he slowed up and celebrated before even crossing the finish line–all while still managing to set a world record. Bolt then went on to win the 200 meter race just as easily, becoming the first man since Carl Lewis to win both the 100 and 200 meter races. He added a third gold medal and world record with his easy victory in the 400 meter relay.
While Bolt gave Olympic viewers the most exciting performances since Michael Phelps’ record shattering swims, some objected to the sprinter’s excessive showboating. Jacques Rogge, the head of the International Olympic Committee even went so far as to publicly criticize Bolt’s celebrations, while still acknowledging his extraordinary performance.
Quote of the Week: “I didn’t even know I’d won the world record until I did my victory lap.” — Usain Bolt
Further Reading: ”Bolt credits ‘hard work,’ fast track for 3 records ” –Howard Fendrich, Associated Press
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“REDEEM TEAM” TAKES GOLD IN BEIJING
The U.S. men’s basketball team defeated Spain 118-107 on Sunday to win a gold medal. The U.S. team, once dominant in international basketball, had not won gold in the Olympics since 2000.
For the U.S. team, who had looked strong throughout the Olympics, the finals of the Olympic games provided the biggest challenge of all. Although they had beaten Spain by nearly 40 points earlier in the Olympics, Spain produced a much bigger challenge this time around. With just less than 3 minutes to go, the U.S. was only winning by 4 points. In the end, they gutted it out for the win, giving U.S. stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and their NBA teammates their first taste of Olympic gold.
The women’s basketball team also won gold this summer. Led by U.S. star Lisa Leslie, the women’s team has now won the gold four consecutive years in a row.
Quote of the Week: “Much respect to Spain, but the U.S. is back on top again.” — LeBron James
Further Reading: “Redemption!” — Associated Press, via ESPN
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GOLDEN GIRLS
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh extended their consecutive winning streak in beach volleyball to 108 matches with a gold medal win over China in the pouring rain.
Were it not for the sheer dominance of Michael Phelps earlier in the Beijing Olympics, May-Treanor and Walsh almost certainly would have gotten more attention for their performance in this year’s Olympic games. Long the face of American volleyball, this might be the last Olympic competition for both May-Treanor and Walsh, who both have plans to slow down on their training schedule to spend time with their families.
This year’s Olympics have seen a great deal of success for U.S. volleyball, including a gold medal for the men’s volleyball team. That victory was especially emotional because of the tragic murder of the team coach’s father-in-law earlier in the month at the beginning of the games.
Quote of the Week: “The rain made it better. I don’t know why, but it made it better. We felt like warriors out there.” — Kerri Walsh
Further Reading: ”Even the unlikeliest of opponents doesn’t stop May-Treanor, Walsh” — Jim Caple, ESPN
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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
:: COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The College football season begins this Thursday. The way NCAA football is set up, every game is significant–just one or two losses are enough to ruin a team’s chances of making the most prestigious bowl games.
:: TENNIS: The U.S. Open begins this Monday and runs through September 7th.
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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE
ACTIVE SEASON
:: BASEBALL
MLB (Pro. Baseball): As the second half of the season moves forward, teams will be jockeying for spots in the post-season–either by winning their division, or by taking the Wild Card spot. [Official MLB Website]
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:: FOOTBALL
NFL (Pro. Football): The pre-season runs through August, and the regular season begins in September. [Official NFL Website]
NCAA FOOTBALL (College): The college football season begins this Thursday. USA Today and the Associated Press have both ranked Georgia as the number one team. [NCAA Football, ESPN]
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:: GOLF
MEN’S GOLF: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments are the four Major Championships: The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open (The British Open), and the PGA Championship. Now that the PGA Championship is over, mainstream golf news will most likely revolve around Tiger Woods’ return from injury and preparation for next year’s Majors. [Official PGA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson
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:: TENNIS
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments are the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. The U.S. Open begins this week and runs through September 7. [USTA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic
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OFFSEASON
:: BASKETBALL
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL (College): Now that the tournament is over, college basketball news will focus on which players leave their schools for the NBA, and which college teams land the premier high-school players for next season. [CBS Sports]
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:: HOCKEY
NHL (Pro. Hockey): The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals, completing the 2007-08 season. [Official NHL Website]
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:: BASKETBALL
NBA (Pro. Basketball): The Celtics defeated the Lakers to win the NBA Finals, ending the 2008 season. [Official NBA Website]