First take: Thank God They’re Over!

I don’t know about the rest of you. But between the Olympics, the Democratic Convention and then the Republican Convention, sleep has not been my friend. I for one am just thrilled the late-night television marathon is over.

Usain Bolt, Super Human?

The “lighting bolt” took another world record in beijing this week. Something swirling around living rooms and blogs today…is the bolt juicing? Fair or not when a single sprinter bursts through two world records, the world’s ears will perk up. Of course he and his trainers deny any wrong doing. There isn’t reason to believe there has been wrong doing, except for the exceptional nature of his accomplishments. 

I hope he’s clean, but thanks to all the cheaters before him, there will always be those that wonder.

Olympic History with BMX racing

Be a part of Olympic history by watching the BMX racing tonight!  It is the BMX debut at the Olympic games, and it is a whirling exciting sport to watch.  You won’t regret it.

Olympic Halfway Point: I’m still feeling very Olympic Today

Six days before the Olympics started I posted some things to watch as the Olympics approached. It’s now my unofficial Olympic midway point, so I thought why not check in on the list…With another week to go, I can’t wait for even more moments from these Beijing games. 

Could Michael Phelps Do It?

UM…YES!!!

Phelps did the improbable, some thought impossible and won eight gold medals at a single games. He’s become the most decorated athlete in Olympic history and has changed sports forever with his accomplishment. In the moment, it’s easy to consider a Phelps win automatic, but history will look back on this as week of dominance unsurpassed in sport. 

Will air pollution remain a story?

Well, kind of. 

The weather has been so rainy in Beijing this week that particulate matter and smog have been less of an issue than at one point was feared. But there’s still another week to go and track and field is set to take center stage. 

What will US Olympic ratings be?

Looking at these numbers, the Olympic games have thrilled NBC thus far. With the Phelps drive for 8, the women’s gymnastics, and Dara Torres amazing efforts at age 41, this week had east coasters staying up late. 

Yao Ming is a national hero. 

It’s now clear (at least to me) that China will love Yao Ming no matter where the Chinese Basketball team finishes up. Ming was the flag bearer at the opening ceremonies, and with good reason. He is a national hero and his pride for his nation and his people was palpable both then and during the US/China basketball game earlier in the week. 

Will we be able to look at the Olympics the same way again?

I asked if in the age of steroids, would we watch amazing athletic achievements and not wonder if chemical enhancement was the cause. The accomplishments of Dara Torres of Michael Phelps might have been questionable, but for two things. World records fell with ease this Olympics. The new swimsuits and the fast pool are being credited with the increased speed. Second, Torres and Phelps voluntarily participate in an increased drug testing program in an effort to prove they’re clean. So far we’ve watched and I have believed….

Michael Phelps, American Story

One of the interesting aspects of the Beijing Games is the continuing drama of east meeting west. While I was one of the many that marveled at the collective effort of the Chinese opening ceremonies. I have watched genius Chinese diver Guo Jing-Jing and the Chinese gymnastics teams win gold.

There is a remarkable contrast in American sports. Michael Phelps is the quintessential American sports star. Joining the recent ranks of Tiger, Lance, and Jordan, Phelps is another example of what Americans hold dear in their heroes. Our heroes are driven, focused, and determined, much like the the Chinese. The big difference-our heroes are an all volunteer army. While the Chinese are compelled at a young age to their given trades. Our sports heroes choose their path, and long for dominance. We admire their dedication to simply being the best at what they do. Our sports heroes may have been pushed by their parents, but our government doesn’t falsify their passports to make them fit age requirements or pull children out of their homes to train for greatness.

Our heroes are made, not born. Made in America.

Quick Link: Another Olympic Perspective

I have to actually start working in a moment. But I wanted to share this with all of you. Claudine’s Beijing Diary is a young lady’s blog from Beijing as she follows the Philippines Olympic team. I came across it this morning, and while our Olympic coverage is very USA-centric (and proud of it!), I thought this was a really interesting perspective on the games. Give it a read!

Liukin and Johnson win Gold and Silver!

US gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson have won the Gold andSilver Medals respectively in the woman’s all-around competition today in Beijing. It’s 1:00am New York time. I’m a little bleary eyed. But I had to congratulate the girls overcoming some nerves, and some uh…interesting judging. Congratulations ladies!

If there are any gymnastic fans out there, drop a comment, I’d love to know what you thought of the competition, the judging, and the our gymnasts.

The Ballad of Alicia Sacramone

The US women’s gymnastics team won a silver medal yesterday in Beijing, led primarily by Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, and Alicia Sacramone.

Expectations are a funny thing in sports, as in the rest of life. When the Hamm brothers were both stricken with injuries and forced to pull out of the games, medal expectations for the US men’s gymnastics squad fell. Observers gave them a slim chance for getting a medal at all. Their subsequent bronze was considered a triumph.

Last night (on the east coast of the US anyway) the US women were in a battle for gold and holding their own. However, in the end they were 2.3 points short of their chinese rivals. There will be some that point to Alicia Sacramone, who’s fall on balance beam, and sit down on floor exercise were dramatic low points for the team. I think it is worth pointing out that each of those infractions carries an 8 tenth deduction, taken together that’s 1.6 points. Even if they hadn’t happened the women’s team would still have fallen short of gold. My point here is the ladies go in as a team and they come out as a team. Our women have nothing to be ashamed of, and I for one am immensely proud of their team effort. Congratulations Team USA on bringing home a much deserved silver medal.

What a Race!

If you missed the Men’s 4×100 relay last night you missed one hell of a race. The French squad was favoree to win the event. The french were so bold as to engage in a little trash talk ahead of the games. (I’m paraphrasing here) “the Americans? We will crush them, that’s what we’re here to do.”

Well maybe it was that last bit of locker room fodder that gave the US Men’s team the will to come from behind to won the relay. It was the kind of moment that makes the olympics so special and yet another reason I’m an Olympic addict.

McCain’s Olympic Ad=Too Ugly

Among political wonks, it made some news that Senators Obama and McCain were going to advertise during the Olympics at all. It’s an expensive ad buy. $6 million for McCain, $5 million for Obama. I thought I’d do a quick break down of the two ads and give my final take. In case if the title didn’t already give it away, McCain’s ad is far too negative, inappropriate for the Olympics. Obama’s ad on the other hand strikes just the right note for Olympic Advertising. 

First, the McCain ad:

Two observations:

1. It’s about Obama. When 15 seconds of your ad is about your opponent, its not about you, it’s about him. It’s been a running theme for McCain. He is increasingly defining himself as the guy against Obama. If he is too win, he needs to give us a positive reason to vote for him. 

2. It’s negative. At what point was it a good idea in Camp McCain to use a negative ad in the middle of one of the most patriotic feel-good events TV can offer? McCain’s brand is all about patriotism (when at it’s best) why not play that up at a time our athletes will be draping themselves in the flag?

Now, Obama’s ad:

Notice that Obama’s ad never mentions his opponent. At first it doesn’t even mention politics. It’s a positive, affirmative message about what Americans are capable of. It strikes just the right note for advertising during the Olympics. There is still alot of Olympic time to go. Time for McCain to pull out this ad, and enter something more positive. He’s ruining his brand taking every second of precious and expensive air time beating up Obama.