Monday, August 20, 2012

London Olympics 2012: Day 15

Apologies for the lateness of this post; I've been stressed and under the weather this past week. Day 15 was the last full day of competition at the London Games.

These were the results in some of the team sports finals:

In women's basketball, the U.S. women defeated France to win their fifth consecutive gold.

Women's Basketball

1. U.S.A.
2. France
3. Australia

In men's soccer, the Mexican men proved too tough for Brazil, beating them in the gold medal final.

The U.S. women came close but lost to Brazil in the volleyball gold medal final.

Women's Volleyball

1. Brazil
2. U.S.A.
3. Japan

Diving

David Boudia wasn't expected to medal in these Olympics, let alone win a gold. Boudia became the first U.S male diver to medal in an individual event since Mark Lenzi's bronze in the '96 Games.  The last American male to earn 10m platform gold was Greg Louganis in 1988. “Ending this drought is the epitome of what hard work and planning does,” Boudia said. “Just taking the focus off wanting all these medals and putting the focus on how we compete. That’s just been the main goal.”

Men's 10m Platform

1. David Boudia U.S.A. 568.65
2. Qui Bo China 566.85
3. Tom Daley Great Britain 556.95

Track & Field

Following a fight three years ago about her gender Caster Semenya battled back to win silver in the 800m. World Champion Mariya Savinova from Russia won the gold.

Women's 800m

1. Mariya Savinova Russia 1:56.19 SB
2. Caster Semenya South Africa 1:57.23 SB
3. Ekaterina Poistogova Russia 1:57.53 PB

She took a couple of years off to have children and Anna Chicherova came back to the high jump without missing a beat. In a surprise finish, Brigetta Barrett of the U.S. who competes for the University of Arizona won the silver.

Women's High Jump

1. Anna Chicherova Russia 2.05m
2. Brigetta Barrett U.S.A. 2.03 PB
3. Svetlana Shkolina Russia 2.03 PB
      


Perhaps one of the most proud moments from the host nation was when Somali born Mo Farah won the gold medal in the men's 5000m.  He surged ahead late in the race to capture his second gold in this Games. Farah won the 10000m the previous week.

Men's 5000m

1. Mo Farah Great Britain 13:41.66
2. Dejen Gebromeskel Ethiopia 13:41.98
3. Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa Kenya 13:42.36
4. Bernard Lagat U.S.A. 13:42.99
7. Galen Rupp U.S.A. 13:45.04
10. Lopez Lomong U.S.A. 13:48.19

Capping off an amazing night at the track, a final men's relay and a final women's relay were run. They were an exclamation point for track & field in London. The Jamaican men proved that although from a small island country, they are a force to be reckoned with on the track. The U.S. men have come used to only being second best on the track, a habit they have tried hard to break. The U.S. women have come out like warriors in these Games displaying not only talent, but poise, beauty, and intelligence.

Usain Bolt left London three for three, and kept us believing that he will be back in four years in Rio. Will he be as electric? Only time will tell, but it will be entertaining to watch without question. And now, I leave you with a great Usain Bolt story from his time in London:

After crossing the finish line, Bolt pleaded with an official to let him keep the yellow baton he held during the race. The official said "No," and Bolt handed it over to the official while spectators booed. About 40 minutes later, that same official approached Bolt and returned the baton. Bolt bowed with thanks and kissed the baton.

Men's 4x100m Relay

1. Jamaica (Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Johan Blake, Usain Bolt) 36.84 WR
2. U.S.A. (Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Ryan Bailey) 37.04 NR
3. Trinidad & Tobago 38.12
4. France 38.16
5. Japan 38.35
6. Netherlands 38.39
7. Australia 38.43
8. Canada DQ




Someone else besides Usain Bolt went three for three; Allyson Felix won her third gold in the Women's 4x400 meter. Sanya Richards Ross picked up her second gold.

Women's 4x400m Relay

1. U.S.A. (Dee Dee Trotter, Allyson Felix, Francesca McCorory, Sanya Richards Ross) 3:16.87 SB
2. Russia 3:20.23 SB
3. Jamaica 3:20.95 SB
4. Ukraine 3:23.57 SB
5. Great Britain 3:24.76 SB
6. France 3:25.92
7. Czech Republic 3:27.77
8. Nigeria DQ




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