Going for Gold!

Thing are always changing here at Ground Cover - As you can see I’ve added an Olympic medal count to the blog. I have to saw it is going to be hard for future host Countries to live up to the job that China has done in putting on the games (now if they would only afford their citizens a few more rights – but that’s another storey). The facilities – as I’ve a described are incredible! The opening ceremonies were a sight to been seen. It sparked my interest in getting tickets to the opening ceremonies in Vancouver for the 2010 winter games. I’m sure it’s next to impossible but I did sign up for web notification from the Vancouver organizing committee when tickets become available in October 2008.

Since the last Olympics’ Kent and I upgraded to a larger HD television – what a difference! The games are even more fun to watch than before!

Michael Phelps is an incredible athlete! He won the gold medal for the U.S. Team in the 400 individual medley swimming event. He clocked in at 4:03.84 managing to break his previous best time of 4:05.25 by almost 2 seconds, and setting a new world record in the event. His gold medal is the first gold medal won in the 2008 games. He followed it up the next day with another gold and is still on course for eight gold medals.

He can thank teammate Jason Lezak for getting him No. 2. The oldest man on the U.S. swimming team pulled off one of the great comebacks in Olympic history Monday morning, lunging to the wall just ahead of France's Alain Bernard. It was so exciting - it was one of those moments you will never forget! The announcers had all but given up on a US gold. Lezak was nearly a body length behind as they made the final turn and them he excitedly over the French on the very last stroke! My friend Jennifer laughed at me – but I actually teared up! Michael Phelps is still on task to break Mark Spitz's record of seven gold.

The U.S. men's gymnastics team came to the Olympics looking for a way to replace their injured star, reigning gold medalist Paul Hamm. The best bet to step up was his twin brother, Morgan Hamm,. He was the only member of the team with Olympic experience. As I noted on an update to the blog on 08/08/08 Morgan bowed out due to his own injuries. The Olympics will not be the same without them! A medal for the American team would've been tough even with both Hamms perfectly healthy. Alexander Artemev and Raj Bhavsar joined the squad as the replacements, and both performed well - if not quite at the level of the Hamms. Kent and I have actually seen the two of them compete along with Jonathon Horton at Stanford in an Olympic qualifying final several months ago. It was a lot of fun!
I’m looking forward to the rest of the games! Can’t wait for the diving and marathon to start!

Later - Jim