London Olympics 2012: Day 1

Following the Beijing Games, the already legendary Michael Phelps told reporters that he wouldn't compete in the 400m individual medley again. He didn't offer an explanation as to why, he just said he wouldn't do it. Sometime between then and now, Phelps changed his mind, even qualifying with teammate Ryan Lochte. You know what they say though, your first instinct is usually the right one, and that's probably what Phelps was thinking today after his fourth place finish in the final. Phelps teammate, friend, and rival Ryan Lochte confidently took the gold proving that maybe the spotlight will not just be on Phelps anymore. The last time Phelps finished out of the medals was in the 2000 Games in Sydney; he has six more opportunities to earn hardware before he retires at the end of these games. Lochte vows he will be a force to be reckoned with at the 2016 Games in Rio.

Men's 400m IM

rank lane
1      3     Ryan Lochte USA 4:05.18
2      6     Thiago Pereira Brazil 4:08.86
3      4     Kasuke Hagino Japan 4:08.94
4      8     Michael Phelps USA 4:09.28
5      5     Chad le Clos Russia 4:12.42
6      1     Yuya Horihata Japan 4:13.30
7      2     Thomas Fraser Holmes Australia 4:13.49
8      7     Luca Marin Italy 4:14.89

Misty May Treanor and Kerry Walsh Jennings continued their domination in beach volleyball proving that although they contemplated retirement they are still the team to beat. They are now 15-0 in Olympic matches and 30-0 in sets played.

Did anyone notice our amazing Men's Gymnastics team? Not only are these guys ridiculously awesome athletes but they are also not too hard on the eyes. They qualified for the team finals and various members of the team qualified for all around and events finals.

Rhode Island native Elizabeth Beisel won a silver in the 400m individual medley sandwiched between two young Chinese swimmers. Beisel had been the favorite to win gold.

Women's 400m  IM

rank lane
1      5      Ye Shiwen China 4:28.43 World Record
2      4      Elizabeth Beisel USA 4:31.27
3      6      Li Xuanxu China 4:32.91
4      3      Katinka Hosszu Hungary 4:33.49
5      7      Hannah Miley Great Britain 4:34.17
6      1      Stephanie Rice Australia 4:35.49
7      8      Caitlin Leverenz USA 4:35.49
8      2      Mireia Belmonte Garcia Spain 4:35.62

In the Women's 4x100m Relay, Australia set a new Olympic record taking the gold and forcing the Netherlands to settle for silver and the U.S. for bronze respectively.

In more U.S. medal news, Peter Vanderkaay picked up a bronze medal in the Men's 400m free, with Sun Yang from China setting a new Olympic record and winning the gold, and Taehwan Park from Korea taking the silver.