Summer Olympics News » China Olympics

Brian Clay Wins Decathlon – Becomes World’s Greatest Athlete

George Manty — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:52:46 +0000

Brian Clay of the US won the gold medal in the 2008 Decathlon earning him the title of “the world’s greatest athlete”. Here is an interview with him on NBC’s Today show:

Olympic Medals 8/24

Jill Manty — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:49:12 +0000

USA 36 gold, 38 silver, 36 bronze, 110 total

China 51 gold, 21 silver, 28 bronze, 100 total

Russia 23 gold, 21 silver, 28 bronze, 72 total

Great Britain 19 gold, 13 silver, 15 bronze, 47 total

Australia 14 gold, 15 silver, 17 bronze, 46 total

Germany 16 gold, 10 silver, 15 bronze, 41 total

France 7 gold, 16 silver, 17 bronze, 40 total

South Korea 13 gold, 10 silver, 8 bronze, 31 total

Italy 8 gold, 10 silver, 10 bronze, 28 total

Ukraine 7 gold, 5 silver, 15 bronze, 27 total

Japan 9 gold, 6 silver, 10 bronze, 25 total

Cuba 2 gold, 11 silver, 11 bronze, 24 total

Belarus 4 gold, 5 silver, 10 bronze, 19 total

Spain 5 gold, 10 silver, 3 bronze, 18 total

Canada 3 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze, 18 total

Netherlands 7 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze, 16 total

Brazil 3 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze, 15 total

Kenya 5 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze, 14 total

Kazakhstan 2 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze, 13 total

Jamaica 6 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze, 11 total

Poland 3 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze, 10 total

Hungary 3 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze, 10 total

Norway 3 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze, 10 total

New Zealand 3 gold, 1 silver, 5 bronze, 9 total

Romania 4 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze, 8 total

Turkey 1 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze, 8 total

Ethiopia 4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze, 7 total

Denmark 2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze, 7 total

Azerbaijan 1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze, 7 total

Czech Republic 3 gold, 3 silver, 6 total

Slovakia 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze, 6 total

Georgia 3 gold, 3 bronze, 6 total

North Korea 2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze, 6 total

Argentina 2 gold, 4 bronze, 6 total

Switzerland 2 gold, 4 bronze, 6 total

Uzbekistan 1 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze, 6 total

Armenia 6 bronze, 6 total

Slovenia 1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze, 5 total

Indonesia 1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze, 5 total

Bulgaria 1 gold, 1silver, 3 bronze, 5 total

Sweden 4 silver, 1 bronze, 5 total

Lithuania 2 silver, 3 bronze, 5 total

Croatia 2 silver, 3 bronze, 5 total

Mongolia 2 gold, 2 silver, 4 total

Thailand 2 gold, 2 silver, 4 total

Zimbabwe 1 gold, 3 silver, 4 total

Finland 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze, 4 total

Greece 2 silver, 2 bronze, 4 total

Nigeria 1 silver, 3 bronze, 4 total

Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 4 bronze, 4 total

Mexico 2 gold, 1 bronze, 3 total

Latvia 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze, 3 total

India 1 gold, 2 bronze, 3 total

Austria 1 silver, 2 bronze, 3 total

Serbia 1 silver, 2 bronze, 3 total

Ireland 1 silver, 2 bronze, 3 total

Estonia 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 total

Portugal 1 gold, 1silver, 2 total

Belgium 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 total

Dominican Republic 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 total

Iran 1 gold, 1 bronze, 2 total

Trinidad and Tobago 2 silver, 2 total

Morocco 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Bahamas 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Algeria 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Colombia 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Kyrgyzstan 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Tajikistan 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Bahrain 1 gold, 1 total

Cameroon 1 gold, 1 total

Panama 1 gold, 1 total

Tunisia 1 gold, 1 total

Chile 1 silver, 1 total

Ecuador 1 silver, 1 total

Iceland 1 silver, 1 total

Malysia 1 silver, 1 total

Singapore 1 silver, 1 total

South Africa 1 silver, 1 total

Sudan 1 silver, 1 total

Vietnam 1 silver, 1 total

Egypt 1 bronze, 1 total

Afghanastan 1 bronze, 1 total

Israel 1 bronze, 1 total

Venezuela 1 bronze, 1 total

Mauritius 1 bronze, 1 total

Moldova 1 bronze, 1 total

Togo 1 bronze, 1 total

US Women’s Basketball Team Wins Gold In Beijing

George Manty — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:59:48 +0000

The United States women’s basketball team won their fourth straight gold medal in the Olympics. The US beat Australia 92-65 in a very lopsided game (guess the next sport the IOC will want to remove is basketball). The Russian women’s basketball team won the bronze medal by beating China 94-81.

An interesting note on the game is that Lisa Leslie and Teresa Edwards have both been on all four gold medal teams for the US. Which also makes them the only basketball players to ever win four gold medals.

Closing Ceremony Preview

George Manty — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:24:03 +0000

First of all, I can’t imagine the closing ceremony being better than the amazing opening ceremony in Beijing. However, it does sound fairly impressive…

Here are some of the stars that will be entertaining at the closing ceremony:

Famous tenor Placido Domingo, Chinese soprano Song Zuying, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin guitarist of old), Leona Lewis, Dave Beckham, and more.

There will be fireworks, and kung fu fighters. There will even be an 8 minute segment put on by London, host of the 2012 Olympics.

All in all, it sounds like it will be an extraordinary show. Are you going to watch it or are you burned out on the Olympics yet?

First Ever Kenyan To Win Gold In The Marathon

George Manty — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:12:21 +0000

21 year old marathon runner, Samuel Wansiru, took the gold medal in the marathon today. He also was the first Kenyan to win an Olympic marathon. He also broke the world record! His record time was 2 hours, 6 minutes, 32 seconds.

I started to watch the beginning of the race, but quite frankly watching a marathon from start to finish is like watching paint dry (even if the marathon takes you through places like Tiananmen Square). So I fast forwarded through the race and started watching again when the runners were heading into the main stadium at Beijing. Anyway, congratulations to Samuel Wansiru for his gold medal, and to all of those who ran the race.

Brazil Wins Gold Medal In Women’s Volleyball

George Manty — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:53:55 +0000

Brazil beat the US 3-1 to take the gold medal in Women’s volleyball. The US team takes home the silver and China beat Cuba 3-1 for the women’s bronze medal.

For the US team it was a very hard earned silver medal, considering the stabbing incident that they went through when they first arrived in Beijing. For those who don’t remember, on August 9th the father of US player Elisabeth Bachman McCutcheon was killed in Beijing by someone who then killed himself. Her mother was also injured in the stabbing attack.

Anyway, the whole tournament was very emotional for the US Women’s volleybal team, and they should proud of how well they performed under the circumstances.

South Korea Takes Gold In Baseball

George Manty — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:42:14 +0000

South Korea beat Cuba 3-2 to take the Gold medal in baseball. That is an amazing victory for South Korea, since Cuba was the overwhelming favorite. Congrats to the South Korean baseball team for one of the biggest upsets in these 2008 Beijing Olympic games.

Usain Bolt Wins Third Gold Medal In Beijing

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:28:08 +0000

Usain Bolt won his third gold medal today in the 400-meter relay. Not only that but he and his fellow Jamaican teammates broke the world record by running the 400m relay in 37.10 seconds. Having already won gold medals in world record time in the 100m and 200m means that in his 3 races he has 3 Gold medals and 3 World records. That is almost as impressive as Michael Phelps performance, almost…

Misty May-Treanor to dance on Dancing With the Stars

Jill Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:36:25 +0000

There is a leaked list of next season’s competitors that came out this morning. Misty May-Treanor is listed as one of them. So, if you just can’t get enough of Misty May on the volleyball court, look for her in sequins and heels this fall.

Olympic Moms

Jill Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:31:01 +0000

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh may be toting around babies in 2012, but there were plenty of Moms competing in the Beijing Olympics, as well. Of course, I’m sure there were plenty of Dads, as well, but for some reason that doesn’t seem to be “Today Show” worthy.

Tiki Barber Meet Tiki Barber?

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:36:02 +0000

I found this kind of funny. Tiki Barber, captain of the Women’s US Olympics Field Hockey team got to meet former three-time NFL Pro Bowl running back and current NBC correspondent Tiki Barber. Check it out:

China’s Divers Are Freaking Amazing

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:21:54 +0000

Jill and I haven’t talked it about much, but China’s divers have been freaking amazing in the Beijing Olympic games. Much like the amazing Chinese men’s gymnastics team, the Chinese divers seem like they are from another planet.

Congrats to all of the Chinese divers for having a phenomenal showing at the Olympics. What have you thought about their diving? Has it been amazing or is this just a down year for diving in other countries?

US Men’s Basketball Team Reaches Gold Medal Final

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:21:52 +0000

The United States men’s basketball team defeated Argentina (gold medalists in the 2004 Athens Olympics) 101-81. The US team will battle with Spain for the gold medal on Sunday. The US is looking really good, but Spain does have a good team lead by NBA superstar Pau Gasol.

If the US team let’s it guard down it will be looking at the silver medal. However, it sure looks like they will be taking home Gold medals.

German Olympic canoer Thomasz Wylenzek Fainted From Dehydration

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:25:49 +0000

In the finals of the 1,000-meter canoe double race, German Olympic canoer Thomasz Wylenzek, fainted after winning the silver medal. He is being treated at a Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

The race had a very bizzare ending. At the end of the race, the German team’s canoe hit a lane marker which caused Wylenzek’s partner, Christian Gille, to fall into the water. Then Wylenzek, fainted and was taken out of the water in a rescue boat! And I thought the BMX races had crazy finishes…

Olympic Medal Count 8/22

Jill Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:11:08 +0000

USA 31 gold, 36 silver, 35 bronze, 102 total

China 47 gold, 17 silver, 25 bronze, 89 total

Russia 17 gold, 17 silver, 22 bronze, 56 total

Great Britain 18 gold, 13 silver, 13 bronze, 44 total

Australia 11 gold, 14 silver, 16 bronze, 41 total

Germany 14 gold, 9 silver, 13 bronze, 36 total

France 5 gold, 13 silver, 16 bronze, 34 total

South Korea 11 gold, 10 silver, 7 bronze, 28 total

Japan 9 gold, 6 silver, 10 bronze, 25 total

Italy 7 gold, 8 silver, 10 bronze, 25 total

Ukraine 5 gold, 4 silver, 11 bronze, 20 total

Cuba 2 gold, 6 silver, 11 bronze, 19 total

Canada 3 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze, 17 total

Netherlands 7 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze, 16 total

Belarus 4 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze, 16 total

Spain 4 gold, 6 silver, 2 bronze, 12 total

Brazil 2 gold, 3 silver, 7 bronze, 12 total

Kazakhstan 1 gold, 4 silver, 6 bronze, 11 total

Jamaica 6 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze, 10 total

New Zealand 3 gold, 1 silver, 5 bronze, 9 total

Romania 4 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze, 8 total

Poland 3 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze, 8 total

Kenya 2 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze, 8 total

Hungary 1 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze, 8 total

Turkey 1 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze, 8 total

Denmark 2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze, 7 total

Norway 1 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze, 7 total

Azerbaijan 1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze, 7 total

Czech Republic 3 gold, 3 silver, 6 total

Slovakia 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze, 6 total

Georgia 3 gold, 3 bronze, 6 total

North Korea 2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze, 6 total

Uzbekistan 1 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze, 6 total

Armenia 6 bronze, 6 total

Ethiopia 3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze, 5 total

Switzerland 2 gold, 3 bronze, 5 total

Slovenia 1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze, 5 total

Indonesia 1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze, 5 total

Bulgaria 1 gold, 1silver, 3 bronze, 5 total

Sweden 4 silver, 1 bronze, 5 total

Lithuania 2 silver, 3 bronze, 5 total

Zimbabwe 1 gold, 3 silver, 4 total

Argentina 1 gold, 3 bronze, 4 total

Croatia 1 silver, 3 bronze, 4 total

Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 4 bronze, 4 total

Finland 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze, 3 total

India 1 gold, 2 bronze, 3 total

Austria 1 silver, 2 bronze, 3 total

Greece 1 silver, 2 bronze, 3 total

Estonia 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 total

Mongolia 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 total

Thailand 1 gold, 1silver, 2 total

Portugal 1 gold, 1silver, 2 total

Mexico 1 gold, 1 bronze, 2 total

Iran 1 gold, 1 bronze, 2 total

Latvia 1 gold, 1 bronze, 2 total

Trinidad and Tobago 2 silver, 2 total

Algeria 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Colombia 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Kyrgyzstan 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Serbia 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Tajikistan 1 silver, 1 bronze, 2 total

Ireland 2 bronze, 2 total

Nigeria 2 bronze, 2 total

Bahrain 1 gold, 1 total

Cameroon 1 gold, 1 total

Panama 1 gold, 1 total

Tunisia 1 gold, 1 total

Belgium 1 silver, 1 total

Chile 1 silver, 1 total

Dominican Republic 1 silver, 1 total

Ecuador 1 silver, 1 total

Malysia 1 silver, 1 total

Singapore 1 silver, 1 total

South Africa 1 silver, 1 total

Vietnam 1 silver, 1 total

Egypt 1 bronze, 1 total

Afghanastan 1 bronze, 1 total

Israel 1 bronze, 1 total

Morocco 1 bronze, 1 total

Venezuela 1 bronze, 1 total

Mauritius 1 bronze, 1 total

Moldova 1 bronze, 1 total

Bahamas 1 bronze, 1 total

Togo 1 bronze, 1 total

Dalhausser And Rogers Win Men’s Beach Volleyball Gold Medal

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:45:24 +0000

Philip Dalhausser and Todd Rogers of the United States won the men’s beach volleyball gold medal in a great 3 set match with Brazil. Marcio Araujo and Fabio Magalhaes of Brazil won the silver medal and Brazil also came away with the Bronze medal, when the Brazillian team of Ricardo Santos and Emanuel Rego defeated Renato Gomes and Jorge Terceiro of Georiga.

The finals was fun to watch. It is pretty amazing that Dalhausser and Rogers have only been playing together for three years. They look like they have been playing together a lot longer.

Maris Strombergs of Latvia Wins Gold In Men’s BMX

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:07:13 +0000

World champion Maris Strombergs of Latvia won the men’s gold in BMX today. Just like in the women’s race, there were quite a few crashes (one big one). Mike Day of the US won the silver medal and Donny Robinson of the US won bronze in the men’s final.

All in all it was a fun race to watch. Now I am off to finish watching the Men’s beach volleyball finals….

Chausson Win’s Gold In Crazy Women’s BMX Race

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:59:58 +0000

I just finished watching the first ever Olympic gold medal race in BMX racing. It was for the women’s gold medal. Anne-Caroline Chausson of France won the gold medal, Laetitia Le Corguille won the the silver medal and Jill Kintner of the United States won the bronze medal.

It was quite fun to watch, it sure seems like a dangerous sport. A lot of crashes. In fact, right until the last minute world champion Shanaze Reade of Britain was in position to win the gold, but she crashed on the final turn. What a crazy race that was! I sure hope they keep BMX in the Olympics, because it is definitely fun to watch.

Shortly thereafter I watched the men’s race, which was just as crazy… more on that after I take a break…

US Softball Team Can’t Make It 4 In Row

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:16:36 +0000

The US Softball Team lost today… I know it’s SHOCKING news! Especially considering that one of the reasons cited for removing softball from all future Olympics (starting with the 2012 Olympics in London) was that the US Softball team is unbeatable…

GUESS NOT, EH?

Anyway, the US Softball took the silver medal in Olympic softball, after being beat by the Japanese 3-1. So the Japanese team took the gold medal in what likely will be the last time will see softball played in the Olympic games. Oh well, maybe they will bring it back… probably about the same chance for them to bring back softball as there is for the IOC to actually do anything about the ages of the Chinese Olympic gymnasts.

Nastia Liukin’s Olympic Gymnastics Gold Medal Creates Golden Opportunities

George Manty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:56:35 +0000

Nastia Liukin’s gold medal in the all around competition in Women’s gymnastics is marketing gold for her. It has opened up all kinds of doors for her. I still expect her teammate Shawn Johnson to make a lot of money in endorsements, but this gold medal may actually provide more opportunities for Nastia. Time will tell.

Here is a good video from NBC about how Nastia’s life was instantly changed by winning the all around competition: