El Mundo Sports

“It will probably go down as one of the greatest Olympic games ever,” and exuberant LeBron James said after the USA’s hard-fought triumph over Spain in the gold medal match.

I think most fans would agree.

After being humiliated by over 35 points the first time the two teams met, Spain had redemption on their minds. And it showed early. Time and time again, the US would gain a lead in double digits, only for the Spanish to bring it back down to 4 or 5 points. Frustrating the Americans early and often, it became quite clear before halftime that the US had a fight on their hands. This was not going to be a 35 point blow out or an easy cruise to the gold.

It was quite the opposite.

Pau Gasol, and his brother Marc, spearheaded a Spanish attack (along with youngster Ricky Rubio) that would push the Americans to the limits. Spain’s Rudy Fernandez hit 3-pointer after 3-pointer to tally 22 points and keep them in the game.

With three minutes to play, and team USA in a dog fight (up by 5), one man stood up and not only put a dagger through the Spanish Coat of Arms but twisted it until the yellow stripe was stained red.

A much more mature Kobe Bryant flat refused to lose. The pain and embarrassment of receiving the bronze four years ago in Athens must have been resonating in his mind as he was fouled while draining a 3-pointer, sending Fernandez to the bench for the rest of the game. With the ever so slightest of gestures, Bryant put his finger to his mouth, quieting the Spanish fans and any hope of an historic comeback.

As the last few seconds ticked away, the USA players and coaches raised their arms in victory. With smiles on their faces and exhaustion evident in their strut, the Americans held their heads higher than anyone as they embraced each other as brothers.

After the win, a joyous LeBron James exclaimed, “If it wasn’t for the determination and willpower we had, we wouldn’t be back on top of the world, which is where we are.”

You’re right LeBron, you are on top of the world. And you deserve it more than ever.

You have redemption.

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Coming into the Beijing Olympics, much was made of the Chinese infatuation with the number 8. After all, the games began on 8/8/08 at 8:08. This love affair with the number 8 has been linked with many things such as prosperity or the idea of “getting rich.” The Chinese feel that if the number is turned on it’s side, it represents the idea of infinity. There have also even been comparisons to Buddhism and the idea that whether the number 8 is cut vertically or horizontally, both halves still mirror each other. License plates and telephone numbers infused with as many 8’s as possible are common among the Chinese.

No matter how you slice it, it’s all about luck.

The pantheon that is the Olympics is the perfect stage for an athlete to show the world that combination of physical and mental strength that describes a true Olympian. Many publications describe an Olympian as a God. In a time of incredible athletic achievement and unmatched physical skill, one athlete stands above the rest.

Michael Phelps completed the greatest Olympic showing for any athlete ever. Not only does he encompass the greatest of physical skills, but he has the focus and determination of a person on a mission to succeed beyond the wildest imagination.

“Nothing is impossible,” Phelps said. “With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination, and that’s something I learned and something that helped me.”

How much of it is really luck? You be the judge.

1st Event: 400m Individual Medley (World Record)

In his first race of the games, Phelps showed the rest of the field what was to come by breaking the world record.

2nd Event: 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay (World Record)

The trash-talking French swimmer, Alain Bernard, said the French were going to “smash” the Americans in the 400m freestyle relay. What happened? The Americans won gold in World Record time. Phelps was a bit lucky in this case to have Jason Lezak to complete the come from behind win.

3rd Event: 200m Freestyle (World Record)

Phelps blew away the competition and won over Korean Taehwan Park by setting a blistering time of 1:42.96 (1 minute, 42.96 seconds). He’s the only swimmer to ever go below the 1:43 mark. Oh, and he’s also the only the swimmer to ever go below the 1:44 mark.

4th Event: 200m Butterfly (World Record)

Broke his own world record by .06s. Still think it’s luck?

5th Event: 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay (World Record)

Absolutely blew away the field. The team set the world record by 4.68s. Only team to ever go under the 7 minute mark with a time of 6:58.56. This race was over after Phelps led off by giving the Americans an overwhelming lead that my grandma could have kept. And she’s no athlete.

6th Event: 200m Individual Medley (World Record)

Again, Phelps broke his own world record by a huge 0.57s. AAAHHH. Sorry, I had to yawn. This is getting a little repetitive.

7th Event: 100m Butterfly (Olympic Record)

Phelps swam against teammate and world record holder Ian Crocker and up and coming Serbian Milorad Cavic. He won by the slightest of touches, reaching the wall .01 seconds before Cavic. It took a slow motion replay to be sure Phepls won. Maybe that was a bit lucky?

8th Event: 4 x 100m Medley Relay (World Record)

The team of Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Jason Lezak and Phelps smashed the world record by 1.34s. “I couldn’t have done this without you guys,” Phelps proclaimed to his teammates as Lezak climbed out ofthe water and they engaged in a group hug.

Phelps swam his way into Olympic history with his record breaking 8 gold medals and 7 world records. He has been described as the “Eighth Wonder.” People say he’s part fish. He overcame almost every obstacleimaginable in the Water Cube to make it happen and left everyone in his wake. There were opposing athletes to deal with and his own teammates to depend on. Oh, and he has to deal with ADHD and how it makes it difficult for him to concentrate.

So, maybe there was a bit of luck in Phelps epic quest for 8 gold medals. I like to think Mark Spitz had it right when he said, “It goes to show you that not only is this guy (Phelps) the greatest swimmer of all time and the greatest Olympian of all time, he’s maybe the greatest athlete of all time.”

By the way, Phelps’ home state of Maryland was admitted to the union on April 28, 1788 or 4-8-88. Maybe the Chinese are on to something.

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