Posted on 08/11/2008 6:39:43 AM PDT by KansasGirl
From where the other three members of this relay team stood, they watched along with everyone else inside the Water Cube as Lezak -- self-described "late-bloomer," a 32-year-old graybeard in a peachfuzz sport -- hauled off after Bernaird, the chatty Frenchmen, for what was surely a fruitless pursuit, what was sure to be a prophesy fulfilled.
After all, it was Bernard who'd proclaimed defiantly in the days leading up to this showdown: "The Americans? We're going to smash them. That's what we came here for."
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
The moment was ruined by Phelps' scandalously low swim suit, which for some reason he half removed before the race had ended. That was one of the most shameful things I've seen from these Olympics, and it was sad that it came from one of our greatest competitors.
How about:
Polish the Car(a timed event);
Launch The Mortar(a timed event also, but with human targets to avoid);
Pop The Cork(first person to open a case of wine wins).
I was singing it, so were the american fans! I loved the whole thing! I stayed up late to watch it and I wasn’t disappointed at all.
I woke up my husband also.
I liked afterwards when Phelps, paraphrased, said, we dont trash talk we settle things in the pool : )
I also liked how Phelps alone walked over to shake the Frenchies hands on the podium after they got their GOLDS...
Great moment in sports history.
M-16 disassemble/assemble/shoot timed relay.
Regards,
TS
I got home late last night after a busy weekend, turned on the Olympics, and this was the first event I saw. Absolutely incredible, kudos to team America and especially Lezak who came from behind to kick the Frenchman’s @$$.
I wouldn’t mind seeing “World’s strongest”-type events, like “atlas stones” or the Farmer’s walk.
So how many Gold metals does Phelps have now ?
I stayed up late to watch that race (and paying for it this morning).
It was, hands down, one of the most satisfying events I’ve ever watched.
Personally, I hope Lesak winds up with a huge endorsement deal. This guy has been out there without a coach, practicing day-in and day-out, getting himself ready for a chance to do what he did last night (Monday morning in China).
His performance to track down France’s best-sprinter-in-the-world in the last 50 meters was just amazing. For anyone who missed it, it’s well worth looking up and watching.
The commentators, rooting for the USA and going nuts at the finish, had basically said France could not be beaten. If you add up the numbers, nobody in this field could realistically beat them - not even the US team.
The world record came down by FOUR seconds. Even the fifth place team beat the old world record. Wow.
It was really close. The finish, even in slow motion, appears to be a tie to the naked eye (mine anyway).
But that’s not the best part.
The best part was the reactions and expressions of the Frence team.
Sweet.
OK that is in.
I think he has 8 total and 2 this Olympics. He has to win two more to have the most ever. 6 more to break the single Olympics record.
Well then, I guess you really hate the old fashioned Speedos! I saw nothing wrong with Phelps' suit. Don't be so negative!
GO USA!!
Anyone have a link so I can catch the event.
Missed it. . . .need to experience the joy of it all.
Thanks.
As the dad of three very accomplished swimmers, I can tell you that (a) those new Speedo body suits are REALLY uncomfortable out of the water, and you can’t wait to get them loosened; (b) you cannot loosen them yourself (or zip them up) a cohort unzips you; (c) Phelps has a very tall hip structure (and virtually no butt) and he still had a bit more to go before he be imitating a plumber; (d) Phelps is anything but an exhibitionist.
With all due respect, I think you find scandal where none really exists.
Just out of curiosity, do you find the gymnastics outfits (particularly form fitting for the women) equally scandalous?
Good thing they don’t hold true to the old Olympic tradition of nude competition ;-)
This was great for drama, no doubt about it.
But also not to be missed was the Women’s, I think it was 400m freestyle.
The French girl, Amaoudore, had won gold 4 years ago. Then she was the toast of the town. Then she got the hots for an Italian swimmer and tried to leave her country and swim for Italy. Then the Italian swimmer dumped her for an Italian woman swimmer. Then, somehow, nude pictures of Amaoudore surfaced in magazines and on the net and the rumor was that it was the the ex-boyfriend and the Italian woman who were behind it.
Last night the French girl got to swim against the girl that took her boyfriend and may have posted nude pictures of her on the net.
Can you say catfight?
Unfortunately neither girl won - the french girl came in dead last.
Did you see the event where the USA national anthem was all botched up? Measures repeated (i.e., you couldn’t sing along cuz you couldn’t tell what verse the music was actually on) and it was CUT SHORT!!! In that event, the athletes WERE trying to sing along at first, but then kinda looked at each other with “huh?” written on their faces. My kids noticed it too ansked how that could happen. I told them it was either a bad technician on the controls or a willful insult.
I’ve watched so much I forget the event, but it was an indoor event (probably swimming)
BUMP! Congrats to all of the hard-working Olympians at the games.
Of course, he keeps getting proven wrong.
He criticized Michael Phelps for swimming the 400IM preliminary too fast (he broke the Olympic Record he set in Athens). He stated repeatedly that "I've gone over this repeatedly and on paper, I don't see how the French can lose." This was after the USA team broke the world record in the prelims.
I appreciate the need to not overly hype anyone, but Gaines is so negative, I'm beginning to wonder what team he swam for years ago.
Of course, Michael Phelps is turning training laps faster than Gaines used to swim during races. Maybe it's just envy.
I believe you refer to Laure Manaudou.
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