A standing ‘O’ (for Olympics)

Here is a round of applause for Cullen Jones, Garrett Weber-Gale, Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens, Peter Vanderkaay, Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen and especially Jason Lezak for helping Michael Phelps become the most decorated Olympian ever. I can’t prove it, but I’m pretty sure Phelps is amphibious. I haven’t been this enthralled with the Olympics since 1996 when Michael Johnson was setting world records in the 200- and 400-meter races.

But while Phelps is the main reason I’ve been watching, there are plenty of other interesting stories in these Olympic Games. There’s the age controversy with the Chinese gymnastics team; competitors are supposed to be at least 16 years old to compete but not many people are convinced the Chinese participants are even teenagers, let alone 16-year-olds. (But just because one of them hasn’t yet grown in her permanent teeth doesn’t mean she’s not at least 16.) James Blake finally beating Roger Federer, only to lose to Fernando Gonzalez. The Williams sisters winning the gold medal in doubles after they were both eliminated in the singles competition. USA Basketball, also known as The Redeem Team, playing inspired defense in an effort to make us forget all about them winning bronze medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. They should win the gold easily – but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will. The USA women’s basketball team has been extremely dominant as well. Tyson Gay’s failure to qualify for the 100-meter final was a bit of a surprise, although in fairness to him he wouldn’t have beaten Jamaica’s Usain Bolt anyway. His lead was so comfortable he pulled up and still won the race by what seemed like a country mile. Had he not pulled up, he probably could have finished in less than nine seconds. Too bad we’ll never know.

And lastly, Brett Favre went 5-for-6 and threw a touchdown pass in his first preseason game as a New York Jet. Oh wait, Brett’s not part of the Olympics. It’s just that he’s been treated like a Greek God for so long, I got confused. 

C.C. can be reached at cfelicec@yahoo.com.