My Favorite Olympic Moments

The recently completed Olympic Games of London 2012 offered some amazing moments and stories.  Some were tales of victory, some of triumph over the odds and some of loss.  Here (in no particular order) are some of my favorite story lines...

• The Opening Ceremonies. It was a night that brought us James Bond & the Queen,  Rowan Atkinson doing Chariots of Fire and Sir Paul McCartney singing Hey Jude. It featured a battle between Lord Voldemort and Mary Poppins, and reminded all of us in the USA just how proud the Brits are of their government-run free health care (Imagine that!).  It also gave us one of my favorite opening ceremony moments ever- the forging of the Olympic ring in the stadium, then joining it with 4 more in the sky. Powerful stuff. 
• Michael Phelps!  He wasn't content with just smashing the record for all-time medals won. He wanted more!  People doubted Phelps after his day one loss in the 400 IM.  You should never doubt the best swimmer in history. Ever.  He came back to win 4 more gold medals and once again claim the title King of the Pool.  For a related story, see also Shutting Up Ryan Lochte.
• Great moments for Great Britain!  The Brits were powerful in lesser-known venues like rowing and cycling, but the world felt the full force of their love for their athletes as stadiums ROCKED when Jessica Ennis won the heptathlon; Moe Farah claimed gold in both the 10,000 and 5000 meter races;  and Andy Murray won tennis gold at Wimbledon.  Congratulations, UK, on hosting a great Olympics, and for providing moments of majesty for us all!
• The Queens of the Beach!  For a third straight time Misty May-Trainor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings won beach volleyball gold.  Considered to be a bit past their prime, the Golden Girls were awesome again, losing only one set.  Love me some beach volleyball, men's and women's- so it is NOT just the bikinis!  :)
• A True Winner.  I blogged earlier about how much I was inspired by South African Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who ran the 400 meters.  But my favorite Oscar moment was provide by Karani James of Grenada, who after winning the 400 semi in which Oscar finished last immediately went to Pistorius and asked to exchange name bibs with him- a very unusual act showing the world champion's respect for what Oscar had accomplished.  THAT is the Olympic spirit!  James went on to win Grenada's first ever gold medal in the event.  Great story...
• USA Team Glory!  You all know how I feel about soccer (I don't!) but there were great moments for the USA team, including Alex Morgan's amazing game winning goal in the semi-finals and Hope Solo's amazing performance in the gold medal game.  The USA women's water polo team was also amazing winning their first ever gold, and of course the Fierce Five gymnasts also provided a team thrill.  USA!  USA!  USA!
• No Belly Flops Here!  American David Boudia stunned the world by winning the gold medal in the men's 10 meter platform diving event over prohibitive favorite Bo Qiu of China and local hero Tom Daley of GB.  His last dive had to be nearly perfect- and it was!  Amazing performance under pressure...
• Never Give Up.  Chinese 110 meter hurdler Liu Yiang (a former world champion) fell over the first hurdle and was out of the qualifying race.  He was also injured.  But he picked himself up, hopped down the track on one leg, kissed the final hurdle and crossed the finish line.  Another great moment was the performance of silver medal winning USA 4 x 400 meter relay team led by Bryshon Nellum, the young man who has shot in the leg several years ago and told he would never run competitively again.  Not only did he compete, he was also chosen to carry the USAmerican flag in the closing ceremonies.  Again...the true Olympic spirit in action.
• Mad Scientist Comeback!  In the gold medal match in men's indoor volleyball, Brazil crushed Russia the first two sets (they play best 3 out of 5).  The Russian coach rearranged his line-up, putting players in positions they had never played before with the national team.  The announcers declared it a panic button move and declared the match over.  Russia won 3 sets in a row to upset Brazil and win the gold.  Best coaching move EVER!!!
• Women or Fish?  The women from the USA simply dominated the swimming pool, led by the 4 gold medals of 17 year old (same as my son, and he is single, Missy!) Missy Franklin.  Among the other ladies providing thrills and world records in the pool were Rebecca Soni, Allison Schmitt, Katie Ledecki and Dana Vollmer.  And most, if not all, will be back for Rio 2016.  Sorry, world!  :)
• The Faster Ever!  The women of the USA's 4 x 100 meter relay team not only won gold, they broke a world record set back in the 1980s by a steroid fueled East German team.  Actually they didn't break the record...they SMASHED it!  I love relay races, and this one was amazing.  Way to go Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter!!!
• Lightning Bolt!  Jamaican Usain Bolt is simply amazing to watch.  He has now competed in two Olympics, won 6 gold medals and set 4 world records.  Sorry Carl Lewis and company, but the battle for Greatest Sprinter Ever is a battle for 2nd place.  Everyone is now chasing the legend...
• The Closing Ceremonies.  Eric Idle singing Always Look On the Bright Side Of Life was the night's clear winner.  Anytime you get a little Monty Python, things are just better!

So there you have it.  That's my list, although it could have been much longer!  And now that the games are over, I am in serious need of a new hobby.  Any suggestions?