Before Saturday night, Jamaica had never won Olympic gold in the 100 meter sprint. They finally won. Twice. Shelly-Ann Fraser stormed past countrywomen Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart to pull off a rare gold-medal double in the men's and women's 100-meter dashes, the first time the feat has occured since 1988. Simpson and Stewart finished in a dead heat to claim silver. Americans Lauryn Williams, Muna Lee and Torri Edwards failed to medal, and a protest filed by the American team was rejected after Williams thought she had false started.
Jay Mariotti's column in the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday centered on the amazing performance displayed by Michael Phelps in the first week of the Games. He wrote that it is "perfectly fair and resonable" to put him in a class with Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth and anyone else in sports history. It made me wonder whether or not he can be placed in such a category when his sport is sadly only recognized every four years. As much as I pay attention to the world championships, let's be honest: most Olympic sports are only celebrated for two weeks every four years. When you think about the training necessary to accomplish such a feat as eight golds in one Games in multiple disciplines, there is something Tiger-like about Phelps. And we are so eager to dismiss the incredible Athens Games he had four years ago. That was just below his performance in Beijing. But Jordan-esque? Bab-licious? Now that's another story.
Team USA's dominant 119-82 performance over defending world champion Spain was quite impressive. The athleticism of the Americans was so evident that Pau Gasol looked like a scrub on the court. The intense dedication to defense has led to countless easy buckets in transition, making this tournament look more and more like a cakewalk for Team USA.
I've heard members of the media complain about the supposed cockiness and showboating by Usain Bolt in running a world record time of 9.69 seconds in thrashing the field on Saturday in the men's 100-meter dash. I say enjoy his bravado and his energy. Athletes like Bolt only come around so often. By the way, you better be clean Bolt.
I know it's been discussed and raved about ad nauseam, but Dara Torres picking up a silver in the 50 free is pretty amazing...if she's clean, of course. The 41-year-old has medals in five Olympic games, which is just staggering...if she's clean.
Rafael Nadal beat Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to win the gold medal in men's tennis, while the Williams sisters won doubles gold to help ease the pain of a medal-less performance in women's singles.
Shawn Johnson was given the unenviable first starting position in the women's floor exercise final, yet her high score held up...until Romanian Sandra Izbasa claimed gold as the very last performer. Nastia Liukin won the bronze.
It was really nice to see Roger Federer actually win a major tennis event this year. And I really mean it. Too many people have already written off the Swiss star as done. I guess being only the second-best player this year is not good enough.
Is China really 5-for-5 in diving competition at these Games thus far?
Two quick baseball notes: Mets closer Billy Wagner felt discomfort in his left elbow before the game on Sunday and appears to have no chance of returning this year. Meanwhile, Tom Glavine has a torn tendon in his pitching elbow and his career is likely over. And what a career it was. It's possible that we can see Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz all retire in the same offseason. It's only fitting actually.
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