Olympics

Beijing Ends: The Olympics wrapped up yesterday giving us one of the more compelling games in recent memory. Here are a few of the Beasts and Herbs from the 2008 Summer Olympics:

Beasts:

• Michael Phelps- Men’s Swimming- 8 gold medals and 7 world records.
• US Hoops- “Redeem” themselves after defeating Spain 118-107 to win the gold.
• Usain Bolt- Men’s Track- 3 Golds, 3 World Records, in 3 events.
• Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh- Women’s Volleyball- 108 match winning streak
• China- Led the way with 51 gold medals. The next closest were the Americans with 36.

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herb (hurb) n. slang.
Used by rapper esoteric, in the song herb. Insult synonymous with loser but can have multiple negative connotations. Pronounced “HURB” with no silent h. The term was popularized in upstate New York and spread from there.

Coming into the final baton exchange of the Men’s 4 x 100m relay yesterday, Darvis Patton appeared to have the US team in good position to cruise into the final. All he had to do now was hand off the baton to teammate, and US track team anchor, Tyson Gay. Doh! I will preface this next bit by saying that handing off a baton is not as easy a task as it may sound. I ran a little track in middle school and sticking the baton into the hands of your teammate, especially one with world class speed and who is not looking at you, can be quite difficult. But I also know that it is always the responsibility of the runner with the baton to complete the exchange. And these guys are Olympians not middle school students. Just make the freakin’ exchange please.
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Dr. Gonzo Reporting,

The USA finally exercised it’s Olympic demons with a hard fought 101-81 victory over Argentina in the semi-finals of Olympic play.  The Redeem team got one step close to redeeming themselves by playing as a unit, with seven different players scoring in double figures.

Team US jumped out to an early 30-11 lead, and just when it seemed like time for cruise control, the Argentinians reminded the world of 2004. 

It’s was almost deja-vu for team USA at the end of the second quarter, a quarter in which the US fell back into bad habits.  Argentina played a solid zone that began to baffle the US attack, instead of working through the zone with solid passes, the US settled for contested three pointers and unimaginative drives. 
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Rooster and Gonzo drop knowledge on The Redskins Preseason, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, USA Basketball, the Nationals, and yes even a little soccer.

Monday’s are lame. Whatever your occupation Monday usually signifies the start of you actually being productive again. To offset this lameness I have decided to add another weekly section to the DC Sports Pulse. Every Monday I plan on doing a week in review of all things sports focusing on top national stories while adding a little local flavor. This way you can check up on your sports news while you herb it up at work. So here it is, short and sweet:

Usain Bolt Breaks World Record in 100m.
Usain Bolt set a world record time of 9.69 in the 100 meter dash after skipping breakfast and scarfing down some chicken nuggets. Bolt was so far ahead in the final 20 meters that he threw his arms out in celebration. I used to find it absolutely hilarious when I would see athletes consuming a Big Mac on McDonald’s commercials, as if fastfood was going to turn young kids into world class athletes. No more. In fact, I plan on going to a strictly nugget diet for the next month. Who needs steroids when you’ve got chicken nuggets?!

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The Dazzling Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Today marks one week gone in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  So here are a few things we know about the Olympics to this point:

• The Chinese Mean Business:

In 2001, when the Chinese were awarded the Olympics for 2008, the Chinese government implemented project 119.  What sounds like a futuristic battle plan, is nothing more than a blueprint for the Chinese to medal in the sports they previously did poorly in.  The medal rich sports of athletics, swimming, and water sports have plagued the Chinese in the past.  The number of medals has since changed to 122, but the plan is still the same, a golden age for China.
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Brad Guzan emphasizing the agony of defeat

Dr. Gonzo Reporting,

What started out with so much promise, ended in utter failure this morning for the US Men’s National Soccer team.

2-1 Nigeria was the final score.  The Americans failed to recover from their heartbreaking draw with the Netherlands, and now find themselves on the next flight back to the states.  The US came in to Wednesday mornings game against Nigeria with all the cards in their hands, all they had to do was tie or win. 

Three minutes in to the game defender Micheal Orozco shot the US in the foot by picking up a straight red card for elbowing.  For the rest of the game the US played back on their heals, a man down, defending and praying for a counter attack.
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This is a pommel horse, last night Alexander Artemev destroyed it!!

Dr. Gonzo Reporting,

Since my cheap boss Rooster wasn’t willing to send me to Beijing, I must instead cover the Olympics from the comfort of my home.  Last night was one of those nights you hear about from the past, stories of against the odds winners and total aquatic dominance. 

For those who live under a rock or just suck at life, Micheal Phelps is F-ing amazing.  I turned on the TV just as Phelps was being awarded his 3rd gold medal of these young Olympic games in the 200m freestyle.  Less than an hour later he was back in the pool for a 200m butterfly semifinal race.  This is when my jaw dropped all the way to the floor. 
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Saturday night was a good night for sports. It started off with the Skins hosting the Buffalo Bills in their second exhibition game and was capped off with Michael Phelps swimming the 400 IM. I must say I will rarely change the channel during a Redskins game, even if it is the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, but would not be able to call myself much of a sports fan if I did not see the freakish and fish-like Michael Phelps make history.
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