(pun intended)
NBC didn't cover any taekwondo on their main channel, so I had to go online to watch it. We won two bronzes, one for Terrence Jennings, who got into the sport by watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and one for Paige McPherson. Great Britain also won with a gold for Jade Jones! I'm glad the British have won lots of medals at these Olympics--it's always nice to see the host country do well, and they very often do since they have home-field/court/ring/track/etc. advantage.
I've really enjoyed Mary Carillo's coverage of these Olympics. Her interviews with athletes are always well-done, and her specials on London and the U.K. (about topics such as Welsh traditions and Shakespeare) were interesting and fun. I guess they have the best sports journalists go out into the field to interact with people and leave the odd ones (Bob Costas) in the studio.
A few words on Usain Bolt: He is certainly impressive, but I don't like him. He's unquestionably the greatest sprinter of all time, winning both the 100m and 200m in 2 consecutive Olympics (as well as some relays), but he's also very full of himself. He can't seem to stop talking about how great he is, and even after he won the 4x100m relay with the Jamaican team, he said, "I'm very happy with myself," as if his teammates didn't have much to do with it. (Contrast that with the winning US women's 4x100m relay team, who couldn't stop saying how much they loved each other.) I might also add that in a couple of his races, he actually slowed down on the last few steps when he knew he had it won. In a long distance run, that can make sense because you're exhausted to point of collapsing, but in sprinting, it's just pure arrogance. It shows that Usain doesn't care as much about doing his best as he does about winning. A true sportsman always tries his best and gives it his all, whether or not he's in the lead. Sports, especially the Olympics, are about showing people what you're made of, not simply winning every contest. The media's obsessive coverage of him also annoys me because it overshadows more inspiring athletes like Ashton Eaton, the decathlon gold medal winner.
Showing posts with label track and field. Show all posts
Showing posts with label track and field. Show all posts
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Some sports really know how to put on a show
Synchronized swimming is fun to watch. Similar to figure skating, it obviously takes tremendous athleticism and skill, but the athletes try to come up with choreography and artistry that goes well with their music and provides entertainment for the crowd. You get everything from Great Britain's Peter Pan theme to Australia's AC/DC routine. What really gets me is how much time they spend underwater. It seems like they're holding their breath for at least half of their performance (they probably are). It's too bad that the US isn't usually in contention for a medal.
Then there's rhythmic gymnastics, one of the strangest sports ever. It really seems like more of a dance competition to me. Ballet is not a sport (though it does require athleticism), so I'm kind of at a loss for why this would be considered differently... unless you look at it as the "sport form" of dance, emphasizing the athleticism and slightly reducing the artistry. The routines look like dance exercises with specifically required props--ribbons, rope, hoops, clubs, and bouncy balls. Maybe the props are the key--having to dance around while concentrating on a prop (that they have to keep in constant motion) requires expert hand-eye coordination, so it's kinda like table tennis in that sense... I dunno. It's definitely bizarre, but also fascinating. (The US doesn't have a full team competing.)
There was a devastating crash between South Africa and Kenya in the 4x400m relay prelim, preventing South African Oscar Pistorius from even getting a chance to run his leg. Needless to say, it dashed the hopes of Pistorius and his team... at first. Their country filed a formal protest because the Kenyan runner suddenly changed direction right in front of the South African, causing them both to fall. Well I'm definitely glad they did so, because the committee allowed them to compete in the final, making Pistorius the first double amputee to compete in an Olympic (non-Paralympic) final. So cool!
Quite a few crashes occurred in BMX racing, as well, but that's actually the norm. Because of all the falls, there's a point system with multiple races to determine who advances in the competition, so you're not automatically out of it if you crash once. The exciting, fast-paced races are so enthralling that once the bikers come out of the gate, it's impossible for me to pull my eyes from the screen. It's BMX-treme!
Then there's rhythmic gymnastics, one of the strangest sports ever. It really seems like more of a dance competition to me. Ballet is not a sport (though it does require athleticism), so I'm kind of at a loss for why this would be considered differently... unless you look at it as the "sport form" of dance, emphasizing the athleticism and slightly reducing the artistry. The routines look like dance exercises with specifically required props--ribbons, rope, hoops, clubs, and bouncy balls. Maybe the props are the key--having to dance around while concentrating on a prop (that they have to keep in constant motion) requires expert hand-eye coordination, so it's kinda like table tennis in that sense... I dunno. It's definitely bizarre, but also fascinating. (The US doesn't have a full team competing.)
There was a devastating crash between South Africa and Kenya in the 4x400m relay prelim, preventing South African Oscar Pistorius from even getting a chance to run his leg. Needless to say, it dashed the hopes of Pistorius and his team... at first. Their country filed a formal protest because the Kenyan runner suddenly changed direction right in front of the South African, causing them both to fall. Well I'm definitely glad they did so, because the committee allowed them to compete in the final, making Pistorius the first double amputee to compete in an Olympic (non-Paralympic) final. So cool!
Quite a few crashes occurred in BMX racing, as well, but that's actually the norm. Because of all the falls, there's a point system with multiple races to determine who advances in the competition, so you're not automatically out of it if you crash once. The exciting, fast-paced races are so enthralling that once the bikers come out of the gate, it's impossible for me to pull my eyes from the screen. It's BMX-treme!
Greatest athletes in the world
Americans Ashton Eaton and Trey Hardee won gold and silver in the decathlon, so we've got the world's top 2 greatest overall athletes. It was pretty obvious by the 7th event that those two would be at the top, but I was pulling for Hardee to win because he's the better thrower (shot put, discus, javelin). Eaton's discus throwing, in particular, was less than impressive. :P He more than made up for it, however, in the running and jumping events to come through with gold. Watching the two of them compete makes me miss going to track meets in high school to throw shot and disc. I actually know what it's like to be in the ring, so watching US athletes compete in that environment against the best in the world is a real treat.
Another great thing about the decathlon: the athletes are all very civil and friendly to each other. They go through the experience of competing in 10 events together over 2 days, growing accustomed to each other and even sometimes getting to know each other. After the last event, the 1500m run, many of them hugged and patted each others' backs, sharing the accomplishment of making it through to the end. The endurance required to complete that journey, along with the versatility required to do well in it, sets the decathlon apart from all other events in the Olympics. That's why I love it so much.
To top it all off, this year is the 100th anniversary of the decathlon, which was first won in 1912 by American (and Oklahoman) Jim Thorpe. How fitting, then, that Ashton Eaton set a world record this year at the US Olympics trials. Having an outstanding decathlon tradition is something the US can be extremely proud of. Here's a great article about Eaton's potential legacy to the sport.
Another great thing about the decathlon: the athletes are all very civil and friendly to each other. They go through the experience of competing in 10 events together over 2 days, growing accustomed to each other and even sometimes getting to know each other. After the last event, the 1500m run, many of them hugged and patted each others' backs, sharing the accomplishment of making it through to the end. The endurance required to complete that journey, along with the versatility required to do well in it, sets the decathlon apart from all other events in the Olympics. That's why I love it so much.
To top it all off, this year is the 100th anniversary of the decathlon, which was first won in 1912 by American (and Oklahoman) Jim Thorpe. How fitting, then, that Ashton Eaton set a world record this year at the US Olympics trials. Having an outstanding decathlon tradition is something the US can be extremely proud of. Here's a great article about Eaton's potential legacy to the sport.
Monday, August 6, 2012
The US swim team totally owned the 2012 Olympics
I really like Ryan Lochte. He such an easy-going guy, but he worked his butt off to win 5 medals at these Olympics. Though he didn't win as many golds as was expected, he did get one in the 400m IM, beating Phelps soundly, so he can add that to his list of accomplishments. Plus, he wore grills on his teeth during that gold medal ceremony--so silly, but hilarious!
Missy Franklin won gold in the 200m backstroke, smashing the world record by nearly a whole second. Then she went on to win her 5th medal with an all-star relay team for the 4x100m medley. Every leg of our team had the gold from their individual events, so it was no surprise that they easily won gold again together. Missy is only 17 years old, so we'll mostly likely see her, along with some of her teammates, at Rio in 4 years, and maybe even the Olympics after that, as well. I definitely look forward to watching them swim more in the future.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever, has set the bar at 22 medals, 18 of those gold. There's no doubt that this record is going to last quite some time. Our whole swim team was just so damn good this year! The US medaled in 26 out of 32 swimming events, and in 4 of those we had 2 medalists! IN-freaking-CREDIBLE! A-freaking-MAZING!
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British athlete Jessica Ennis won gold in the heptathlon, one of my favorite events of the games. The heptathlon and decathlon are so fun to watch because it's amazing that these athletes can do all of those events so well. Strength, stamina, speed, and flexibility are all required at the highest level, making them the best overall athletes in the world. To me, that is seven times (for the heptathlon) or ten times (for the decathlon) more impressive than being the best in just one event.
Funniest thing I've seen in a while:
The discus officials use a remote-control car to return the discs from the field back to the ring. When I saw that I could NOT stop laughing. Ha! :P (Perkovic of Croatia won gold with a distance of 226 ft.) Randomly, here's a video of the top 5 screams from women's discus.
Oscar Pistorius of South Africa ran in the 400m, making it to the semifinal race, but not the finals. That doesn't sound all that special... until you find out that he's a double amputee. Both of his legs were amputated below the knee, so to compete, he wears artificial limbs made especially for sprinting. It's the first time an amputee has ever qualified for the Summer Olympics, to compete against able-bodies athletes (that's not counting the Paralympics). It's a huge accomplishment and inspiration. Love it!
Missy Franklin won gold in the 200m backstroke, smashing the world record by nearly a whole second. Then she went on to win her 5th medal with an all-star relay team for the 4x100m medley. Every leg of our team had the gold from their individual events, so it was no surprise that they easily won gold again together. Missy is only 17 years old, so we'll mostly likely see her, along with some of her teammates, at Rio in 4 years, and maybe even the Olympics after that, as well. I definitely look forward to watching them swim more in the future.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever, has set the bar at 22 medals, 18 of those gold. There's no doubt that this record is going to last quite some time. Our whole swim team was just so damn good this year! The US medaled in 26 out of 32 swimming events, and in 4 of those we had 2 medalists! IN-freaking-CREDIBLE! A-freaking-MAZING!
_________________________________________________________
British athlete Jessica Ennis won gold in the heptathlon, one of my favorite events of the games. The heptathlon and decathlon are so fun to watch because it's amazing that these athletes can do all of those events so well. Strength, stamina, speed, and flexibility are all required at the highest level, making them the best overall athletes in the world. To me, that is seven times (for the heptathlon) or ten times (for the decathlon) more impressive than being the best in just one event.
Funniest thing I've seen in a while:
The discus officials use a remote-control car to return the discs from the field back to the ring. When I saw that I could NOT stop laughing. Ha! :P (Perkovic of Croatia won gold with a distance of 226 ft.) Randomly, here's a video of the top 5 screams from women's discus.
Oscar Pistorius of South Africa ran in the 400m, making it to the semifinal race, but not the finals. That doesn't sound all that special... until you find out that he's a double amputee. Both of his legs were amputated below the knee, so to compete, he wears artificial limbs made especially for sprinting. It's the first time an amputee has ever qualified for the Summer Olympics, to compete against able-bodies athletes (that's not counting the Paralympics). It's a huge accomplishment and inspiration. Love it!
Friday, August 22, 2008
World's Greatest Athlete
American Bryan Clay won the decathlon! Woo! He finished last in the the 1500m, the last of the 10 events, but he was so far ahead by that point that it really didn't matter. Man, I love that decathlon. It's so amazing that those guys can do all of those events, no matter whether they medal or not. It's probably my favorite event of the Summer Olympics. I definitely think "World's Greatest Athlete" is a much cooler title than "World's Fastest Man/Woman" or "World's Strongest Man/Woman". I especially love watching the field events that the athletes do, and it has so much history. You gotta be great at not one thing, but 10! Awesomes.
One thing that I've never understood is why there's not a women's decathlon. There's a heptathlon, but that's 3 less events. American Hyleas Fountain got bronze in that, which is awesome. I just wish they would add pole vault, a longer distance run, and most of all DISCUS! They don't get to throw discus. How dumb is that?
Anyway, we've done really well this year in the team events. Our men's water polo team will play for gold, the women's team got silver. Men's and women's indoor volleyball will both play for gold. We already swept beach volleyball in both. The men's and women's basketball teams will play for gold, too, and are both expected to win. Women's soccer got gold. Baseball should end up with bronze. And softball got silver (which was a bad shocker, as I already explained). Overall, our teams are ruling majorly.
Mary Carillo did a story on kung fu monks, which was really awesome. On that note, the Lopez family dominated in tae kwon do. Mark won silver, Diana won bronze, then Steven (a 2 time gold medalist and 4 time world champion) got silver after a controversial penalty deducting a point from Steven, leading into overtime. They're the first tae kwon do family, and they're even all coached by their oldest brother Jean. That's pretty cool.
I haven't been able to watch any Judo at all, but according to this article, a variety of countries are medaling this year (the sport is usually dominated by Japan), including a first medal ever for Tajikistan. Ronda Rousey won the bronze for the US, too. I love martial arts!
One thing that I've never understood is why there's not a women's decathlon. There's a heptathlon, but that's 3 less events. American Hyleas Fountain got bronze in that, which is awesome. I just wish they would add pole vault, a longer distance run, and most of all DISCUS! They don't get to throw discus. How dumb is that?
Anyway, we've done really well this year in the team events. Our men's water polo team will play for gold, the women's team got silver. Men's and women's indoor volleyball will both play for gold. We already swept beach volleyball in both. The men's and women's basketball teams will play for gold, too, and are both expected to win. Women's soccer got gold. Baseball should end up with bronze. And softball got silver (which was a bad shocker, as I already explained). Overall, our teams are ruling majorly.
Mary Carillo did a story on kung fu monks, which was really awesome. On that note, the Lopez family dominated in tae kwon do. Mark won silver, Diana won bronze, then Steven (a 2 time gold medalist and 4 time world champion) got silver after a controversial penalty deducting a point from Steven, leading into overtime. They're the first tae kwon do family, and they're even all coached by their oldest brother Jean. That's pretty cool.
I haven't been able to watch any Judo at all, but according to this article, a variety of countries are medaling this year (the sport is usually dominated by Japan), including a first medal ever for Tajikistan. Ronda Rousey won the bronze for the US, too. I love martial arts!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Professor and the Beast
That is... Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, who played for the gold in men's beach volleyball. 'Twas an exciting game, just about as down to the wire as it could be. The teams were almost evenly matched. We would tie it up, Brazil would break the tie. We won the first set, Brazil the second. And then in the last set our guys started getting fired up while the Brazilians ran out of gas. We got the gold!
No gold in softball, though! I didn't get to watch the game, but I read this article about Japan's major upset! This was going to be the last Olympics for softball, and the reason was that the US was unbeatable. Lame reason on its own, but now the IOC will have to come up with a better reason for chucking it. Our loss is shocking and a bit sad, but hey, if it ends up saving the sport's Olympic future, that might actually make up for it.
We swept the men's 400m, but the best part was bronze medalist David Neville diving across the finish line. You don't see that too often! But he really might not have medaled if he hadn't done it. Nice move!
Another interesting track moment: the Cuban who won the men's 110m hurdles wears glasses. They're strapped to his head, obviously, but still... not exactly common. I think it's cool. It certainly didn't impede him at all; he won by a landslide and didn't hit a single hurdle.
Both the men's and women's 4x100m relay teams dropped their batons! Terrible! The US in general has under performed in track, and Jamaica has taken up the slack. Just like China's domination in diving, Jamaica is dominating the running events this year.
Speaking of diving, the audience watching the 10m platform finals all stood up and cheered as Chinese 15-year-old Chen Ruolin entered the water after a nearly perfect dive to win the gold. That's how much China loves their divers. They're 7 for 7 on golds for all the diving events.
BMX racing reminds me of speed skating. They all going so fast so close together that if one person falters he can take out everyone else behind him. Short, sweet, and hard to beat.
No gold in softball, though! I didn't get to watch the game, but I read this article about Japan's major upset! This was going to be the last Olympics for softball, and the reason was that the US was unbeatable. Lame reason on its own, but now the IOC will have to come up with a better reason for chucking it. Our loss is shocking and a bit sad, but hey, if it ends up saving the sport's Olympic future, that might actually make up for it.
We swept the men's 400m, but the best part was bronze medalist David Neville diving across the finish line. You don't see that too often! But he really might not have medaled if he hadn't done it. Nice move!
Another interesting track moment: the Cuban who won the men's 110m hurdles wears glasses. They're strapped to his head, obviously, but still... not exactly common. I think it's cool. It certainly didn't impede him at all; he won by a landslide and didn't hit a single hurdle.
Both the men's and women's 4x100m relay teams dropped their batons! Terrible! The US in general has under performed in track, and Jamaica has taken up the slack. Just like China's domination in diving, Jamaica is dominating the running events this year.
Speaking of diving, the audience watching the 10m platform finals all stood up and cheered as Chinese 15-year-old Chen Ruolin entered the water after a nearly perfect dive to win the gold. That's how much China loves their divers. They're 7 for 7 on golds for all the diving events.
BMX racing reminds me of speed skating. They all going so fast so close together that if one person falters he can take out everyone else behind him. Short, sweet, and hard to beat.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Queens of the Sandbox
Well, Kerri Walsh and Misty May won the women's beach volleyball gold. No surprise, really. I knew they would. Misty is such an awesome digger and Kerri is a great blocker; they're basically unbeatable. They have, after all, been undefeated for over a year.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt really is a freak of nature. He won the 200m just as easily as the 100m, and broke Michael Johnson's 12-year-old world record like it was no prob.
Race walking is freaking awesome. Period. Even more so when it's raining. They're like wiggling noodles moving along down the road. The slow mo is fascinating. It seems odd that there's a racing event in which you get disqualified if you exert too much, breaking into a slight run instead of a walk, but it's also weirdly cool.
Not much else to say, really. But I'm going to mention that I really like Chris Collinsworth and Mary Carillo. Chris has done great athlete interviews as well as befriended the Phelps family. Mary has been doing a bunch of really neat cultural stories, including one on pandas and one on kites. I love their demeanors and their storytelling styles.
Speaking of neat stories, Chris did a story tonight on a South African woman who participated in the open water swimming race, and she's an amputee! Now that is amazing.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt really is a freak of nature. He won the 200m just as easily as the 100m, and broke Michael Johnson's 12-year-old world record like it was no prob.
Race walking is freaking awesome. Period. Even more so when it's raining. They're like wiggling noodles moving along down the road. The slow mo is fascinating. It seems odd that there's a racing event in which you get disqualified if you exert too much, breaking into a slight run instead of a walk, but it's also weirdly cool.
Not much else to say, really. But I'm going to mention that I really like Chris Collinsworth and Mary Carillo. Chris has done great athlete interviews as well as befriended the Phelps family. Mary has been doing a bunch of really neat cultural stories, including one on pandas and one on kites. I love their demeanors and their storytelling styles.
Speaking of neat stories, Chris did a story tonight on a South African woman who participated in the open water swimming race, and she's an amputee! Now that is amazing.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Shawn and Nastia rule!
Shawn got her gold on beam, and Nastia the silver. Both of their routines were basically perfect except for a small step on Shawn's landing and a small hop on Nastia's. I'm really glad they were both able to get golds.
I'm also glad that Jonathan Horton got silver on high bar. :)
Not so glad: I felt so sorry for the two Americans runners who lost their golds in today. In the women's 200m, Sanya Richards had an awesome first 100, but then her leg cramped up and was passed by British runner Christine Ohuruogu and a Jamaican runner. Later, in the 100m hurdles, Lolo Jones was way ahead until she hit the 9th hurdle and ended up 7th. Dawn Harper pulled ahead to win gold, but Lolo's loss was quite a blow. After crossing the finish line, she dropped to her knees and buried her face in her hands. It was so sad. Times like these are always a part of the Olympics, but they're never easy to watch.
I watched some Tae Kwon Do online. I love it when they do spinning kicks. I hope I'm able to catch most of the finals.
BMX racing is really exciting! Lots of crashes. I'm glad they added that sport to the Olympics.
I'm also glad that Jonathan Horton got silver on high bar. :)
Not so glad: I felt so sorry for the two Americans runners who lost their golds in today. In the women's 200m, Sanya Richards had an awesome first 100, but then her leg cramped up and was passed by British runner Christine Ohuruogu and a Jamaican runner. Later, in the 100m hurdles, Lolo Jones was way ahead until she hit the 9th hurdle and ended up 7th. Dawn Harper pulled ahead to win gold, but Lolo's loss was quite a blow. After crossing the finish line, she dropped to her knees and buried her face in her hands. It was so sad. Times like these are always a part of the Olympics, but they're never easy to watch.
I watched some Tae Kwon Do online. I love it when they do spinning kicks. I hope I'm able to catch most of the finals.
BMX racing is really exciting! Lots of crashes. I'm glad they added that sport to the Olympics.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Screwy gymnastics scoring, vol. 2
Well, Nastia Liukin had a tying score with a Chinese gymnast for the gold in the uneven bars, but she ended up getting second because of a stupid tie-breaking rule. Other sports just give 2 golds if there's a tie. Why not gymnastics? That just doesn't make sense! Nastia got cheated out of a gold because gymnasts can't tie? That's completely ridiculous! I think Nastia's looked better, anyway. The judges have been scoring weirdly throughout the competition, and the new scoring system is pretty dumb. A perfect 10 is impossible now. They should change it back.
On a brighter note, American Jenn Stuczynski won silver in pole vault. Gold went to Russian Yelena Isinbayeva, who broke her world record and is really fun to watch. Pole vaulters in general seem to be really cool people. The male winner in Athens was pretty hilarious, dancing on the landing mat.
We also won gold in discus. Woo! Stephanie Brown Trafton.
Synchronized swimming is pretty fascinating. I had never watched a competition of it before last night, and it was fun to watch. It's set up kinda like figure skating. The teams have to do a technical routine with requirements and and then they have a free routine. Their suits match the show music, and their moves are built around that music. It's like they're dancing in the water, but they have to hold their breath most of the time while their legs are kicking around in the air. They're even judged on presentation and overall impression as well as execution and difficulty. It's an athletic performance.
On a brighter note, American Jenn Stuczynski won silver in pole vault. Gold went to Russian Yelena Isinbayeva, who broke her world record and is really fun to watch. Pole vaulters in general seem to be really cool people. The male winner in Athens was pretty hilarious, dancing on the landing mat.
We also won gold in discus. Woo! Stephanie Brown Trafton.
Synchronized swimming is pretty fascinating. I had never watched a competition of it before last night, and it was fun to watch. It's set up kinda like figure skating. The teams have to do a technical routine with requirements and and then they have a free routine. Their suits match the show music, and their moves are built around that music. It's like they're dancing in the water, but they have to hold their breath most of the time while their legs are kicking around in the air. They're even judged on presentation and overall impression as well as execution and difficulty. It's an athletic performance.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Jamaican me crazy!
The Jamaican women swept the 100m dash! Woo! I like them. Sure, I was rooting for Lauren Williams, but the Jamaicans deserved their medals. Shelly-Ann Fraser, the winner, kept jumping around for joy after crossing the finish line. It was funny. That, along with Usain Bolt winning the men's event so easily, is one reason why Jamaica rocks.
33-year-old Oksana Chusovina won silver in the women's vault. She's amazing. Alicia Sacramone probably should have won bronze, but a Chinese girl barely beat her. Bela Caroli was getting really worked up about it. The Chinese girl had a huge step on her second vault and he thought Alicia got totally ripped off. :(
Shawn and Nastia looked like they were going to repeat 1, 2 in the floor exercise, but then Romanian Sandra Izbasa, the last to go, did an amazing routine to win it. That was kinda sad, but cool for Sandra. Note: I really don't get bored of watching Shawn's routine, and she is so cute!
On the men's side, we didn't get any medals. Artemev's pommel horse routine was really exciting and extra hard, so it stung more than usual when he fell off. :( The British guy, Louis Smith, however, got a medal, the first for the UK since 1928.
I got to watch some Badminton last night. It is really quite exciting! When Lin Dan won gold for China, he jumped up and fell down, he was so excited. He then threw his racket and both shoes into the crowd. Lol.
The US women's eights rowing team won gold for the first time in a couple decades! Woo!
33-year-old Oksana Chusovina won silver in the women's vault. She's amazing. Alicia Sacramone probably should have won bronze, but a Chinese girl barely beat her. Bela Caroli was getting really worked up about it. The Chinese girl had a huge step on her second vault and he thought Alicia got totally ripped off. :(
Shawn and Nastia looked like they were going to repeat 1, 2 in the floor exercise, but then Romanian Sandra Izbasa, the last to go, did an amazing routine to win it. That was kinda sad, but cool for Sandra. Note: I really don't get bored of watching Shawn's routine, and she is so cute!
On the men's side, we didn't get any medals. Artemev's pommel horse routine was really exciting and extra hard, so it stung more than usual when he fell off. :( The British guy, Louis Smith, however, got a medal, the first for the UK since 1928.
I got to watch some Badminton last night. It is really quite exciting! When Lin Dan won gold for China, he jumped up and fell down, he was so excited. He then threw his racket and both shoes into the crowd. Lol.
The US women's eights rowing team won gold for the first time in a couple decades! Woo!
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