Swimming: U.S. Relay Team Upset
On Day 1, American Ryan Lochte beat compatriot Michael Phelps to win the 400m IM. On Day 2, the competitors had to put their differences aside and compete in the 4x100m freestyle relay together. The Americans, along with Australia, were seen to be heavy favorites, but it was the French team that stole the show. When Lochte, the American anchor, dove into the pool, his team had the lead, but the 400m champ lost in the final sprint when France’s Yannick Agnel made an astounding run, overtaking the US and leading France to the gold. The victory was revenge of sorts for the 2008 games in Beijing, where France was the heavy favorite but allowed the Americans to overtake them late. Australia was held off the podium, while Russia took a surprising bronze.
Recent Barca acquisition Jordi Alba was one of a number of stars expected to lead Spain to Olympic glory. (EuroSport)
Men’s Soccer: Spain Knocked Out
No team has ever held the World Cup, European, and Olympic titles at the same time. That streak is now set to continue, as Spain was knocked out of this competition early following a second-consecutive 1-0 defeat. This time it was against Honduras, who scored in the 7th minute and then defended to the death against a Spain team that featured Chelsea winger Juan Mata and Barcelona left back Jordi Alba, both of whom recently scored in the senior squad’s 4-0 Euro Finals victory over Italy. Spain should have been awarded a penalty in the closing minutes but were denied by the ref, leading to angry protest even after the final whistle. Despite the fact that the tournament is U-23, a group-stage knockout for the powerhouse Spanish can only be seen as a major disappointment, and it leaves Brazil as the most-likely champion.
Federer’s Consistency Puts Him Amongst All-Time Greats
It is hard for the average American viewer to comprehend exactly what 30 year-old Roger Federer has managed to accomplish – including his 2012 Wimbledon title, his 7th, on Sunday afternoon. Sure, we see 49-year old Jamie Moyer still hanging around Major League Baseball, Gordie Howe played hockey at a high level until the age of 51, and Jack Nicklaus won his final Masters at 46. Tennis, however, is a different beast. It’s a sport I’ve played since the age of eight, competitively since twelve. But it’s only recently that I really stopped to consider what makes it so different.
For starters, it’s a game in which you are frighteningly alone. There is no teammate (at least in singles) to pick you up when you’re having a bad day, you don’t have the luxury of coaching while on the court, and there’s nobody with whom to share the pain of defeat or celebrate the greatest of accomplishments. Even your opponent is what seems like miles away, across the net. Around the tour, he might be your friend, but on the court, he is what stands in your way of a place in the next round.
Continue reading →
Share this: