The United States women's soccer club reclaimed its role as dominant world force, while the American softball squad exits its final Olympics after a shocking defeat. Carli Lloyd scored in the sixth minute of extra time to give the U.S. a 1-0 win over Brazil and the gold medal for the third time in four Olympic Games. Goalie Hope Solo, who was benched in last year's World Cup, made huge saves throughout to give coach Pia Sundhage her first major victory after taking over for Greg Ryan nine months ago. Meanwhile, the 3-time Olympic champion American softball team lost for the first time ever in Olympic competition, 3-1 to Japan. Sadly, it will be the last softball game played for a long while as the sport has been dropped from the Olympics for the 2012 London Games.
LaShawn Merritt--not Jeremy Wariner--led a U.S. sweep in the men's 400-meters on Thursday. Wariner settled for silver while David Neville claimed the bronze in a race that many thought would be won by Wariner--and perhaps in record time. After racing out to a sizable early lead as he did in the Olympic trials, Neville held on for bronze after being surpassed by Merritt and Wariner with about 150 meters remaining.
Perhaps the most disappointing results of the Games occurred in the sprints, where the Americans went 0-for-6 for the first time ever. Both the men's and women's relay teams dropped the baton, punctuating a brutally disappointing Olympics for Tyson Gay in particular. As disappointed was Lauryn Williams, who botched her exchange with Torri Edwards after running too early in the 2004 Games.
The Dalhausser-Rogers team of course completed the American sweep in beach volleyball, joining May-Treanor/Walsh as gold medalists, while the U.S. women's indoor team defeated Cuba to advance to the gold-medal match on Saturday against Brazil.
And finally, the IOC is investigated the Chinese women's gymnastics team. Hmm, and they're just doing this now?
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