Olympic Swimming - Michael Phelps Wins Seventh Gold!

The 100 m butterfly could have been a speed bump in Michael Phelps quest for his 7th gold medal since he wasn't the world record holder. If it can be said, it's one of his weakest events. But what do you know, Michael Phelps did his personal best and won it at 50:58. He won by 1/100 of a second. It wasn't a world record but it was an Olympic record and he tied the great Mark Spitz for seven gold medals in an Olympic Games. All that's left is the relay and Olympic imortality.

Nastia Liukin Wins Women's All Around Gymnastics Gold!

Wow, what a competition in the women's all around artistic gymnastics. So much better than figure skating where the women just fall all over the place. Everyone performed amazing and I was just covering my eyes because I couldn't bear to look. But Nastia Liukin eked out the gold ahead of her teammate Shawn Johnson and Yang Yilin took home the bronze. It was really nice to see how gracious the women were congratulating each other too.

Nastia Liukin is a 19 year old and she was just amazing with her beauty and grace. She had the classic Russian lines and no wonder as she was born in Moscow but grew up in the States. Hard to believe that some had counted her out as too old. 19 is too old? But the heir apparent who came in second place is Shawn Johnson. She's one of those American fireplugs who is reminiscent of Mary-Lou Retton. She's 16 now so maybe she's got another Olympics in her. I keep on mentioning the gymnasts age because of course there was the controversy of underaged Chinese gymnasts. Seriously, the Americans look like beautiful young women but the Chinese look like downright adolescents. Yang Yilin's passport says she's 16 but she looks more like 14. Still before everyone throws stones, I don't think this is the first instance of coverup. I'm Canadian and of course I remember the U.S. Olympic Committee coverup of Carl Lewis' three positive drug tests before Seoul... Just saying...

In any case, good competition from the ladies tonight. I look forward to the event finals if it is going to be as exciting!

Olympic Swimming - Michael Phelps Wins Sixth Gold!

Another gold medal goes to Michael Phelps in the 200 IM. He took command from the start with his butterfly and it was never in doubt. The only question was whether or not he would break the world record and once again, he didn't disappoint with a clocking of 1:53.23. He's AMAZING. He has 6 GOLD medals. Cripes, just one individual has won more medals than Canada. We haven't even gotten off the schneid yet. Think about that. This guy produces more medals alone than countries! Of course, I read that Michael Phelp's body is freakishly weird. His arm span is actually greater than his height. He wears size 14 feet and his body is actually longer in the torso than his legs. All this helps with his swimming I guess. Also add to the fact that his chest is double jointed?! I never even knew such a thing exists. But again, that contributes to his swimming ability. Now if you think about it, a guy that is that misproportioned would be mocked in normal life (not that you can really tell) but just saying... But Michael Phelps actually found a sport in which he could excel and was in the right country with the right program. He has just been blessed.

Yang Wei Wins Men's All Around Gymnastics

The Chinese gymnastic machine keeps on rolling. There really was no competition for Yang Wei since his main rival Paul Hamm wasn't there in Beijing to push him. He pretty much walked over everyone and hit all six of his events. The other names expected to do well all fell or had some mishaps so Kohei Uchimura snuck in for the silver and France's Benoit Caranobe took the bronze.

After winning the men's team, women's team and now men's all around gold, there's undoubtedly more to come for this ultra prepared Chinese team. Look for the big red machine to keep rolling.

Chinese Win Gold in Women's Team Gymnastic

Okay, time to give some love to the home country. The Chinese women won the team event in gymnastics in a head to head battle with the United States. It was an even battle through the first 2 rotations. The Chinese women did leave a crack in the door open on the third event, the beam. However, the Americans couldn't capitalize when one of their members, Alicia Sacramone, fell off the balance beam herself. To make matters worse, she fell again on the final floor exercise while her team mates Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson went out of bounds on their tumbling passages. There were too many mistakes and at the end, the Chinese women just needed to complete their routines with no major mistakes but they still executed them perfectly. so the gold goes to the Chinese, their first in the team event for women.

Olympic Swimming - Michael Phelps Wins Fifth Gold!

Just another quick update. Michael Phelps and company won the 4 x 200 m freestyle relay in another world record time of 6:58.56. He's bearing down on the Mark Spitz record... At this point, I don't know whether to root for him or against him. It seems almost too easy for him. But like it or not, he's the story of these Olympic Games.

Olympic Swimming - Michael Phelps Wins Fourth Gold!

Okay, Michael Phelps is half way there. Tonight he won his fourth gold medal in the 200 m butterfly in another world record time of 1:52.03. He clearly is in a class by himself. He isn't taking it easy either but he's leaving his mark by smashing all records in his way. I'm looking for some more excitement like the previous 4 x 100 m relay showdown with the French. If not, this can get sort of old. Ho hum, another day, another medal. Bring on the next challenger!