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?

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…

I honestly don’t know how his mother manages to sit in the stands and watch without getting sick, especially through races like last night when he won the 7th medal by .01 seconds. I assume you all saw when she put up two fingers after the end, assuming he had finished second, only to sink down in shock after seeing the places go up on the board with Phelps in first. She’s probably so glad it’s over!

It’s really an honor to even get to see this piece of sports history. I keep thinking it will never be broken, but I’m sure people thought that about Mark Spitz when he set the original record. It’s just hard to imagine that someone could ever win NINE gold medals. And the overall medal count— 16— is pretty impressive, as well. And I would imagine Phelps will add more medals to that in London in 2012.

So, once again, Michael Phelps set yet another Olympic record tonight. 8 for 8 in ‘08!

I do find it interesting that even though the media is obssessed with Michael Phelps getting eight gold medals, this is NOT Michael Phelps’ goal. It is very difficult, though, to not want him to set that record.

Next up, the women swam the 100m backstroke. Again, the Americans brought home multiple medals. Natalie Coughlin became the first woman to successfully defend the gold in the 100m backstroke. Fellow American Margaret Hoelzer brought home the bronze.

Aaron Peirsol also successfully defended his gold medal in the 100m backstroke, setting a new world record. Matt Grevers won the silver. If Aaron Peirsol was as tall as Matt Grevers he could probably swim that race about 5 seconds faster. Matt Grevers just towers over him. They were very happy to come in first and second.

The last final of the night (morning in Beijing) was the women’s 100m breaststroke. Olympic newcomer Rebecca Soni had a strong showing and won the silver medal.

So, as usual, the United States swim team is representing their country marvelously. Tomorrow there will be more opportunities for American gold medals in the women’s 200m freestyle, men’s 200m butterfly (a chance for Michael Phelps to get that 10th gold medal), women’s 200m individual medley and men’s 4×200m freestyle relay.

And in case you still haven’t seen the race, you can see it here.

MSNBC is broadcasting a full day tomorrow, as well, including women’s tennis, women’s handball, women’s basketball, women’s water polo and women’s volleyball. (Incidentally, U.S. women’s water polo is pursuing their third straight Olympic gold medal.) Men’s badminton (where U.S. competitor Raju Rai may actually have a chance), weightlifting and men’s archery are also available for viewing.

CNBC will be showing men’s beach volleyball, boxing, and women’s softball.

USA is broadcasting women’s beach volleyball, rowing, men’s tennis (featuring Wimbledon champion Rafael Nedal), women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball.

Oxygen will be covering gymnastics and equestrian.

Online, you can see archery, badminton, basketball, fencing, handball, field hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, softball, tennis, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.

And on top of all of that, it was the last major hurdle standing between Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz’s record. He is now predicted to win the rest of his races, so, hopefully, by the end of this Olympics there will be a new record for most gold medals in any one Olympics. And, almost certainly, Michael Phelps will own the most gold medals ever won by one individual.

• There are two different kinds: sweeping (one oar) and sculling (two oars)
• It’s a double-elimination sport. Repechage is not the mouse character from Prince Caspian. It’s the “second chance” heat for those who rowed poorly in the first heat.
• Sometimes there are semifinals. Sometimes there aren’t. More than 12 boats, yes. Less, no.
• There are men’s and women’s teams in sweeping. Teams consist of two, four or eight members.


• There are men’s and women’s teams and individual events in sculling. Teams consist of two or four members.

Your local NBC affiliate will be showing men’s volleyball overnight. Then, from 1-5 a.m., you can see a replay of tonight’s primetime. Tomorrow morning, you can see the U.S. basketball team against China. Also in the morning, rowing preliminaries, women’s cycling and men’s water polo. In the afternoon, check out men’s beach volleyball and more cycling. In the evening, cycling finishes up and there are swimming prelims. Primetime brings Michael Phelps going for a second gold in the men’s 4×100m free relay. There’s more swimming, with the women’s 400m free, men’s 100m breast, and the semifinal of the women’s 100m back stroke. The U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team starts their quest for gold, and the first diving gold medals of the Games will be awarded. Late night, you can check out women’s volleyball.

On MSNBC, you can watch men’s soccer: Italy vs. South Korea, women’s field hockey: USA vs. Argentina, and men’s handball: South Korea vs. Germany. In tennis, Roger Federer of Switzerland plays Dmitry Tursunov of Russia. Also, men’s volleyball, men’s water polo, badminton, men’s handball, and the men’s trap shooting gold-medal final.

CNBC will feature tennis and boxing.

USA is showing men’s basketball, women’s badminton, equestrian team eventing dressage, women’s tennis, men’s soccer, women’s archery team final, women’s weightlifting 53kg final, and the gold-medal final in men’s 56kg weightlifting.

Online, you can watch archery, badminton, basketball, cycling, equestrian, fencing, handball, field hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, soccer, tennis, water polo, and weightlifting.

If he can win 7 more golds during the Beijing Olympics, he’ll beat Mark Spitz’s record of 7 gold medals in one Olympics, which was set in 1972. He only needs three more gold medals to hold the record for most gold medals by an Olympian.

Here’s the video of his gold medal swim, in case you missed it.