El Mundo Sports

2008 was a year in which many sports feats were reached, the unattainable seemed a daily event, and the unbelievable happened in front of our eyes.  In a year that saw a perennial doormat reach the World Series and a group of over achieving Spaniards win Euro 2008, one thing sticks out in my mind.

8 Gold Medals.

Every once in a while we see something happen in sports that seems so unhuman, so unimaginable, that when it occurs, the moment seems surreal. I remember watching most of the Olympics at a friends place in Austin, TX, thinking to myself that this is one of the best competitions in sports. The Olympics is probably the only competition where the general American public anxiously watches events such as swimming, gymnastics, and track & field. It’s an opportunity for baseball, football and ice hockey to take a back seat to the more worldly, yet less known sports in the USA.

It’s not often that a swimmer outshines a basketball player such as LeBron James or a soccer player like Ronaldinho, but that’s exactly what happened. Michael Phelps personified what is meant by the term ‘Olympian.’ His focus and determination, along with his seeming ability to breath underwater, allowed him to accomplish something never seen before in any sport. Ever.

Let’s take a deep breathe and let the words hang…8 Gold Medals.

We are talking 8 Gold Medals, 7 World Records, and 1 Olympic Record. Never before has an Olympian won that many gold’s in a single tournament. Never again will it happen. But I guess there’s room for improvement. Why not 8 World Records? What’s wrong with you Mr Phelps?

Let’s take a look back at a wonderful year in sports…

LSU became the first NCAA football team to win 2 BCS National Championships when they clobbered Ohio State University 38-24.  GEAUX Tigers!

The unbeatable New England Patriots brought their perfect 18-0 record into Superbowl XLII. They left with a respectful 18-1 record, as the New York  Giants were crowned champions. Not many saw that coming.

Egypt won 2008 African Cup of Nations. It was their 6th time to win, more than other country. But then again they are the Pharoes.

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 to win the French Open. Federer was #1 in the world. Nadal currently is. The end of an era or the start of one? I’ll leave that up to you.

The Spanish Mens Soccer team defeated Germany 1-0 to win the Euro 2008 tournament. Spain has always been considered the most talented team to never win any trophies. No mas.

The Tampa Bay Rays reached the baseball World Series after finishing last in their division for their first decade of existence. Nothing more than congrats will do.

The New Zealand Kiwis became World Rugby Champions for the first time after defeating the Australian Kangaroos. Anyone that takes pride in calling themself a kiwi is #1 in my book.

In thinking back on my impressions of 2008, I remember many times where sport was at the forefront of our minds, and our daily lives were affected by it’s existence. I mean what would this great year for sports have been like without the epic achievement of Mr. Phelps? What about the technically gifted, yet vertically challenged, Spaniards at the Euro’s against those burly bruts from Germany?

If 2009 is anything like it’s predecessor…how much fun it’s going to be!

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