Olympic Closing Thoughts

So now that the Olympics really are done, it's time to reflect, and think about what we witnessed the last two weeks. We saw medal records broken (Michael Phelps), event world records smashed (almost every swimming event), age controversies (China's gymnasts), and our fair share of gloating (Usain Bolt in the 100 m dash). Even through all of those things, I believe that what we will remember from these games, isn't any of the above. What I believe will be remembered for the longest is how much China grew as a nation. They used to be a communist nation, poor and in disrepair, but proved that when they all come together, they can do something special.
Of course, even 1.3 billion Chinese citizens who wanted this whole event to go flawlessly couldn't stop it's problems. From the attack on the US men's volleyball coach's family, to the pending IOC investigation of China's gymnasts, theses Games had their fair share of problems.
Now, all we have to look forward to Olympic-wise is Windy City in 2016!!!

Team USA's Golden Boy Strikes Again

As stated earlier, Michael Phelps is ridiculous. If what he had done before these Olympics wasn't ridiculous enough for you, then this should convince you. He won his eighth gold medal last night, and did so with a large lead. He and team USA swam the 4x100 medley relay in 3:29:34, a new world record. This gives him 7 world records in his eight events. The only event where he doesn't hold the world record is in the 100 meter butterfly, the event with the stunning finish on Friday night. All total, he has set 32 world records in his career, and broken 25 of them. Mark Spitz set 33 world records.
Going into last night's race (Sunday morning in Beijing), I would not have wanted to be one of the swimmers in that relay. If one of them were to mess up, they would have been remembered for years as the swimmer who cost Michael Phelps his eighth gold medal. Because they won, no one will remember any of the others by Monday morning. Bask in your glory for two days Aaron Piersol, Jason Lezak and Brendan Hansen, because it won't last.

Olympic Watch

So, I feel like I can't really keep blogging about sports right now without writing something about the Olympics. And I can't really write about the Olympics without writing about Michael Phelps. Seriously, this guy is (with all due respect to Devin Hester) ridiculous. He currently holds 6 world records (four solo, two relay). He has broken 2 of his own world records. At age 16 he broke his first world record.
Yesterday he won the 200 meter butterfly and the 4x200 freestyle relay. New world records were set in both of those, including career gold medals at the Olympics. Phelps has 11 career golds.

To say that Michael Phelps is the most dominant swimmer ever may be an understatement. The most dominant Olympian? You have to go farther than that. Try most dominant athlete. He is in the conversation with Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, John McEnroe, Babe Ruth, Jack Nicklaus and Magic Johnson. Of all of the Olympics to lay witness to, this is definitely the one that I would choose to see. 1936 in Berlin with Jesse Owens vs. the world is a close second, but 2008 in Beijing is number one for sure.
Ridiculous.