Lightning Strikes Twice in Record Form

He did it again. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke another world record, capturing gold in the 200-meter sprint on Wednesday night to give the Olympic Games a jolt after a little post-Phelps apathy. Bolt became the first man to break world records in the 100 and 200 sprints at the same Olympics. Lightning Bolt bested Michael Johnson's record at the 1996 Games, somewhat of a surprise considering he pulled up and coasted in the final meters of his record-setting 100. This time, Bolt, who had come under scrutiny for hot-dogging and show-boating, made sure he finished the race in a full sprint before celebrating. The guy is incredibly fun to watch, and his personality is unmatched in the world of track and field. If he wants to pull up before the finish line and gesture to the crowd as he leaves his competitors in the dust, so be it. As long as he goes out there and proves that he is the best, why not have a little fun along the way? The scary--and for him, most marketable--part of these Games is that he has room to absoultely shatter the 100 world record the next time he races.

The U.S. men's and women's water polo teams are putting on quite a show in the pool at these Olympic Games, as the respective squads are in medal contention in the final days of competition. It marks the first time the men and women are in the medal round in the same Olympics. The sport is in only its third Olympics on the women's side, and the U.S. has medaled in its first two showings. The men, meanwhile, have not won a medal since winning silver in Seoul in 1988.

Americans Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, meanwhile, took care of Georgian pair Renato Gomes and Jorge Terceiro in just 41 minutes to advance to the men's beach volleyball final. The duo has looked unbeatable after shockingly losing its Olympic debut match against Latvia.

The big story on the American side of the Olympic equation, however, is 400-meter darling Jeremy Wariner. The Texan looks to become only the second man--fellow American Michael Johnson was the first--to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the men's 400 meter. Wariner seeks to eclipse Johnson's world record in the event, but must stave off fellow American LaShawn Merritt in what should be one of the most exciting 400's in recent memory.