US Beach Volleyballers Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Defeat the Italians and Bring them to Tears … Ruthless Americans?

Some one forgot to tell the female Italian Olympic beach volley ball team that there is no crying in beach volleyball …

Two time Olympic gold medal champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the United States advanced to the semi-finals on the 2012 London Summer Olympic games after defeating the Italian two sets to none. However, the pursuit of a three-peat for Walsh and Trainer was not the story of the match, it was the fact that they brought one of their competitors to tears. Actually, that was not even the story, it was the anti-American reporting of the story calling Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh ruthless Americans. Hey Reuters, with all due respect, go pound beach sand. Ruthless? This is not socialism folks, its sports. You never give a lesser opponent life and the feeling like they can beat you. Guess what happens when you do, you lose!

Italy’s Greta Cicolari and Marta Menegatti had beaten May-Treanor and Walsh this year and were considered the strongest European team at the Olympics. But the ruthless Americans gave them such a pounding that Menegatti was in tears on court.

“I didn’t know that, but that’s what you want,” said May-Treanor when a reporter told her what had happened.

“Well, it’s not what you want to do, but that’s (because of) us being aggressive, she was probably like ‘I don’t know what to do’, and that’s how you get teams in trouble,” said May-Treanor.

Shameful, just shameful that the media were refer to Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh as ruthless Americans. Hey Reuters, they are not ruthless Americans, the are the greatest female beach volleyball team in history an competitors.

The Americans won two sets to none (21-13, 21-13) in 33 minutes. That caused you to cry, seriously? It’s a good thing you did not play tennis and playing Serena Williams who dismantled Maria Sharapova in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. You can really thank your lucky stars that you were not a part of the Nigerian basketball team that lost to the USA, 156 – 73.

Hey Italy, this is not elementary school whiffle ball. It’s time to put your big girl pants on and play. What exactly were you expecting from the two time Olympic gold medal champions and greatest female beach volleyball team in history, a free pass? The team of Walsh and Treanor have been trying to get back to the form that saw them win gold in the last two Olympics. Tonight’s performance was their best of the London Games and as close to perfect as they have played in a long time.

May-Treanor and Walsh are friendly and charming in conversation, but on court they have no mercy. After Sunday’s match they gave some insight into the steely mindset that has made them the most successful pair in their sport’s history.

“I don’t want to let our opponents breathe. I don’t want to give them an edge. I don’t want them to feel comfortable for one second out there,” said Walsh.

UPDATE I: Oh yea Reuters, Misty May-Treanor is such a ruthless American that after the Americans destroyed the Italians, Treanor went over to Marta Menegatti, the Italian player who had broken into tears during the match, and gave her words of encouragement. Because that is the sign of a ruthless American.

Oh and this comment is hardly one of a ruthless American from Kerri Walsh.

“I definitely knew she was emotional,” Walsh Jennings said. “I could feel it and I could see it. But to me that’s not a sign of weakness. She wants it that bad and she puts her whole heart into it… She had really high expectations, and that’s why she’s so good. She just had a bad game.”

Reuters, there is a big difference between ruthless and winning.

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius Makes History as First Double Amputee to Compete in Olympics

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, the ‘Blade Runner’ makes history …

Today was truly an Olympic moment as South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius made history as the first double amputee to compete in the Olympic Games. Pistorius, known as the ‘Blade Runner’, said that the moment almost overwhelmed him after battling for so long to compete on the grandest state. He said, “I was so nervous this morning. I didn’t know whether to cry. I had a mixture of emotions. It was the most amazing experience, the crowd was amazing. I saw the South African flag.” However, Oscar Pistorius did not just come to start a race, he came to compete and win. Pistorius finished second in his prelim race and qualified for tomorrows semi-finals.

 Oscar Pistorius, The Blade Runner, a true Olympic Hero

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius made history on Saturday when he became the first double amputee to compete in an athletics event at the Olympics.

The 25-year-old qualified for the semi-finals of the 400 metres by running a season’s best of 45.44 seconds in finishing second.

Pistorius, who had both legs amputated below the knee before he was aged one, because of a congenital condition, runs on carbon fibre blades.

He is also due to run in the 4x400m relay at the Games.

Pistorius said the occasion had almost overwhelmed him, as he at last realized his dream after battling to convince the authorities to let him make it happen for several years.

Many think that his blades give him an advantage in running. Really? This may be a first time ever that a double amputee is said to have an advantage over athletes with both of their normal legs. Really people, are you listening to yourself? After watching Pistorius all I could think is how on earth did anyone actually try to black this guy from competing in the Olympics and how ashamed they should be of themselves. It is stories like this that make the Olympics the Olympics. Some one overcoming all odds to compete, medals be damned.

London Olympics: Michael Phelps Ends Olympic Career With Gold … USA Wins 4 x 100 Meter Medley Relay (Phelps, Grevers, Hansen, Adrian)

Michael Phelps has the Midas Touch in his final race …

Michael Phelps wins the gold medal in that is supposed to be his last race as an Olympian. Phelps, along with his teammates, Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen and Nathan Adrian, won the 4×100 meter Medley relay and captured the gold. It was Phelps’ 22 Olympic medal, 18 old, 2 silver and 2 bronze. Simply amazing. If this is truly his last race, Phelps went out in style as the golden boy and an accomplishment that we will probably never see again in our lifetime.

Michael Phelps won gold Saturday night with his 4 x 100-meter medley relay teammates in the last race of the Olympic swim meet — and of his storied career.

The victory upped his medal count to an unsurpassed, and perhaps unsurpassable, 22 — 18 gold, two silver, two bronze.

The U.S. won with a time of 3:29.35. Japan was second and Australia third.ng.

London Summer Olympics: Badminton Scandal, Doubles Pairs Face Match-Throwing Probe, So Much for the Olympic Creed (Update: 8 Olympic Badminton Player Out … Booted from Games)

The Olympic creed …

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” (Pierre De Coubertin)

I guess some of the Badminton doubles teams at the London Summer Games did not get the Olympic creed memo.  Eight female badminton players, including the world champions from China, are under an investigation for allegedly throwing matches. Seriously? The possible match throwing scheme is a result of the new round-robin format in the initial round of play rather than a knock out one, where losing one game can lead to an easier matchup in the next round. Good grief, don’t hate the game … question the integrity and ethics of the player.

A disciplinary hearing began Wednesday for eight female badminton players, including the world champions from China, after they were accused of trying to throw matches at the Olympics a day earlier to secure a favorable draw.

The Badminton World Federation said in a statement it had charged the doubles players from China, South Korea and Indonesia under its players’ code of conduct with “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport.”

The South Korean players and coach already have been questioned at the hearing, which is being held at a hotel near the Wembley Arena venue. Still awaiting questioning are the Chinese and Indonesian teams.

Federation spokeswoman Gayle Alleyne declined comment on possible sanctions from the hearing.

While the IOC is at it and investigating Chinese athletes, they might want to take a long hard look at Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen and alleged blood doping.

UPDATE I: 8 Badminton Olympians Out … How is it that of all the sports that are contested in the Olympics that it is Badminton that becomes the most controversial? Shuttlecocks? Imagine that most athletes train a lifetime for one shot at winning a medal or at the very least compete in an Olympics. So what did these fools do, intentionally lose to draw a weaker opponent in the second round. Rather unbelievable if you think about it. As much as I have questioned and disagree with many decisions by the IOC to throw them out of the Games. Next time you want to throw a match, you may not want to make it look so obvious.

Four badminton teams were kicked out of the women’s doubles at the London Games on Wednesday for trying to lose on purpose, conduct that a top IOC executive said strikes at the heart of Olympic competition.

The eight doubles players from China, South Korea and Indonesia were cited by the Badminton World Federation for “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport.”

Move Over Magnificant 7, Make Room for the FAB FIVE … US Woman Gymnasts Win Team Gold at London Olympics

The 16 year drought is over … The United States FAB FIVE wins gold in the Woman’s gymnastic team final.

It has been since 1996 and the Atlanta Olympic Games since the US Woman’s gymnastic team took home the gold in the tam competition. That was then, this is now. These girls were barely born the last time the US women won the team gold. Tonight, the Fab 5 became the real dream team, realizing their Olympic dreams.  The FAB FIVE, Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, Kyla Ross, and McKayla Maroney dominated and crushed the competition today. They left no doubt who the best team in the world was and in the end it was not even close. The US decisively beat Russia by an astound 5 points, 183.596 to 178.530.

“I am saying that this team is the best,” U.S. team director Martha Karolyi said. “Only because that [1996] team competed in the United States.”

The Americans coasted to the victory, needing only solid performances on the final rotation, the floor exercise. After Aly Raisman landed her final pass – good enough for a 15.300 – the Americans exploded, jumping, cheering, and hugging each other through tears.

“It’s awesome,” Douglas said. “I’m so proud of these girls. To come out on top feels amazing.”

Russia, China, and the other contenders eventually fell apart, with mistakes and poor performances. The Russians were left in tears but finished with silver. Romania won bronze.

The US girls were nearly flawless as they kept the pressure on the other teams from start to finish. The US, who were paired with Russia throughout the team final, took an early lead with Maroney’s score of 16.233 on the vault. With no due respect to the judges who appear to have been extras from the move ‘Sick It’, Maroney’s vault was so perfect it should ave been a Nadia Comaneci 10 or 16.5. The and sealed the deal on the floor exercise. By the competitions end, the Russians were left in tears.

By the time Raisman took to the floor, where she won bronze at the last world championships, as the final performer of the evening, all the Russian gymnasts were in tears as they watched.

A confident routine delivered, Raisman joined her team mates and the five stood holding hands and gazing up at the giant results screen.

A score of 15.300 flashed up to confirm the magnitude of their win and American fans in the arena erupted into cheers.

“It’s an incredible feeling; just in this moment you realize every single effort and every single sacrifice and so-called suffering through the years with the ups and downs it was worth it,” U.S. team co-ordinator Marta Karolyi told reporters.

6 Year Old Chinese Swimmer Ye Shiwen Swam a Faster 50 Meters than Ryan Lochte … A London Summer Olympic Doping Scandal in the Making

You’ve come a long way baby, but not that far as many skeptics question the 16 year old Chinese swimmers eye opening time and not believable.

16 year old Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen obliterated the competition on Saturday at the London Summer Olympic games as she swam the 400 meter individual medley in a world-record time. But was it too good to be true? The swim was described as “unbelievable” and “disturbing”. Not only did she take more than a second off the world’s record, she actually swam the  final 100m of freestyle, in which she recorded a split time of 58.68sec, that aroused Leonard’s suspicion. Ye Shiwen also swam the last 50m she was quicker than the American Ryan Lochte who participated in the men’s 400m IM. Really, c,mon man. Who really believes that is possible?

China has become embroiled in the first doping controversy of the London Games after one of the world’s most respected coaches described the swimming prodigy Ye Shiwen’s gold medal performance as “unbelievable” and “disturbing”.

The American John Leonard, executive director of the World Swimming Coaches Association, said the 16-year-old’s performance was “suspicious” and said it brought back “a lot of awful memories” of the Irish swimmer Michelle Smith’s race in the same event at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Smith, now Michelle de Bruin, was banned for four years in 1998 after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Ye stunned world swimming on Saturday by winning gold in the 400m individual medley in a world-record time. It was her final 100m of freestyle, in which she recorded a split time of 58.68sec, that aroused Leonard’s suspicion. Over the last 50m she was quicker than the American Ryan Lochte, who won the men’s 400m individual medley in the second-fastest time in history .

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Kim Rhodes Shoots Her Way Into the Olympic Record Books … Win 5 Medals in an Individual Event in 5 Consecutive Olympic Games

Shooting for near perfection …

No American athlete in an individual sport has ever gone to 5 consecutive Olympics and meddled 5 consecutive times. That was until today when  Kim Rhodes of the United States won gold in woman’s skeet.  Rhodes set an Olympic record and tied the world record by hitting 99 of 100 targets on the way to winning the gold medal. She also became the first woman to win three gold medals in Olympic shooting.

She earned a gold medal in women’s skeet, setting an Olympic record and tying the world record by hitting 99 of 100 targets. She also became the first woman to win three gold medals in Olympic shooting.

“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, from the time I shot to present, it’s just been a whirlwind of emotions,” Rhode said. “It’s incredible. I’m just waiting for someone to pinch me.”

After Rhode’s final shot, the audience rose to its feet for an ovation, which was followed by Rhode’s tearful acceptance of her medal.

“I don’t think it ever becomes old hat,” she said of the Olympics, adding, “It’s really about the journey.”

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Kim Rhodes said during her interview that she would be back for a 6th Olympics to defend her gold medal. Hey why not, she began her Olympic career at the age of 17 in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA and she expects to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Isn’t this interesting, I bet that Democrats like Chucky Schumer, Diane Feinstein, Frank Lautenburg and Barack Obama would block and question Kim Rhodes as to why she uses so many rounds of ammunition. She averages 500 to 1,000 rounds a day, seven days a week. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (NJ) and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY) will announce new legislation on Monday to regulate the online and mail-order sale of ammunition. Because no one could ever have a legal reason and purpose to use large amounts of ammunition.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if Kim Rhodes was invited to the White House for her amazing Olympic accomplishment? What are the odds that Obama would praise an athlete who’s sport was involved with guns? The heck with that silly 2nd Amendment thing and Rhodes’ record breaking accomplishment.

Shameful: International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge Refuses to Allow 1 Minute of Silence for Israeli Victims of the 1972 Munich Terrorist Massacre at Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics; However, NBC’s Bob Costas Will

SHAMEFUL, DISRESPECTFUL AND GUTLESS  ACT BY THE IOC …

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge reiterates that he refuses to allow a one minute moment of silence during the Opening Ceremonies of the London Summer Olympics for the Israeli victims who were killed by terrorists during the 1972 Olympics Munich massacre. Simply SHAMEFUL. On the 40th anniversary of the tragedy that saw 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by Palestinian terrorists, Rogge stated that it’s not “an atmosphere that is not fit to remember such a tragic incident.” Really, or is it discrimination?

Like it or not Jacques, this is a lasting image of the Olympics

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge won’t budge: There will be no minute’s silence for the Israeli victims of the 1972 Munich massacre at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

Rogge rejected the latest calls Saturday for a special observance to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by Palestinian gunmen at the Munich Games.

“We feel that the opening ceremony is an atmosphere that is not fit to remember such a tragic incident,” Rogge said.

The IOC has come under pressure from politicians in the United States, Israel and Germany to pay tribute to the slain Israelis during Friday’s ceremony.

The Late Great ABC’s Jim McKay … “they are all gone”

Could you be any more DISRESPECTFUL, not the right atmosphere? It is exactly the right atmosphere as a reminder of what happened 40 years ago.  Instead the IOC would rather keep their collective heads in the sand and pretend like it never happened. It is exactly the correct moment to put it on the world stage for all to see and to condemn violence, murder and terrorism. But no, instead Rogge comes up with excuses to have it remembered in other less public ways. Can you say GUTLESS! What’s the matter Jacques, are you afraid you might upset radical Islam? Or are you afraid you might upset and antagonize Muslim countries participating in the games? And if such countries would be upset over a one minute remembrance of the slaughter of athletes and coaches who were just participating in the Olympic games, what does that tell us about so-called mainstream Islam?

The IOC’s logic to all of this is if a murderous, terrorist act occurs in the woods and no one is there to see the remembrance, did it really happen? However, it would seem that all are not going to keep their heads in the sand and pretend like it never happened. NBC’s Bob Costas intends to remember the slain Israeli’s during the Opening Ceremonies and call out the IOC.

ABC News 1972 Munich massacre coverage

“I intend to note that the IOC denied the request,” Costas said. “Many people find that denial more than puzzling but insensitive. Here’s a minute of silence right now.”

Costas appears to be joining the efforts of Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and Ankie Spitzer, whose husband was among the Munich victims. Ayalon said the IOC refusal of his request to commemorate the victims was “unacceptable.” Spitzer, meanwhile, has been petitioning to have a moment of silence during the Opening Ceremony, to no avail.

“The IOC’s refusal is pure discrimination,” she said.

A note to the IOC, like it or not but the 1972 Olympic massacre of Israeli’s is part of your past. If you want to embrace the good of the brilliance and skill of Russian gymnast Olga Korbut (video) from the 1972 Olympics, you also have to deal with the bad. To simply ignore it does not trivialize those that were killed, it trivializes you. By pretending terrorism did not take place during the Olympics does not make it goo away, it shows your weakness and acceptance. If you pretend that it never happened, you open yourself up to it occurring again.

The moment of silence should have been done and the victims names should have been named, no different than what they do in the United States for the victims of 9-11. Since the IOC does not have the respects or guts to do so, we shall.

• Moshe Weinberg (wrestling coach)
• Yossef Romano (weightlifter)
•  Ze’ev Friedman (weightlifter)
• David Berger (weightlifter)
• Yakov Springer (weightlifting judge)
• Eliezer Halfin (wrestler)
• Yossef Gutfreund (wrestling referee)
• Kehat Shorr (shooting coach)
• Mark Slavin (wrestler)
• Andre Spitzer (fencing coach)
• Amitzur Shapira (track coach)

UPDATE I: Interestingly enough, the Olympic committee in charge of the London event has formed a special team to prepare for the contingency for the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran during the 2012 Summer Games.

Terrorism in the UK: Al-Qaeda Terror Suspect Caught at Olympic Park in London

Just a couple weeks before the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and another terrorist arrest …

An al-Qaeda terrorist, believed to be a suicide bomber, has been detained after caught crossing through the Olympic Park and breaching security five times in one day in London. The man, who is of Somali origin and known only as CF is also suspected of fighting for the Al Qaeda group al-Shabaab.

This coming on the foot-heals of six people arrested, including White Muslim convert Richard Dart arrested last week. Previously, two Muslim converts were arrested in East London yesterday on suspicion of plotting an attack against the London Olympic canoeing venue.

The alleged al-Qaeda militant was caught crossing through the Olympic Park five times, breaking a ban imposed by the Home Secretary, The Sunday Telegraph has learned.

The 24 year-old has previously tried to get to Afghanistan, allegedly for terrorist training, and is suspected of fighting for the Somali Islamist group al Shabaab, which has been responsible for thousands of deaths, including those of Western aid workers. He is accused of trying to recruit other Britons to its cause.

A Home Office lawyer warned after his discovery in the Olympic area that the man – known as CF – wanted to “re-engage in terrorism-related activities, either in the UK or Somalia” and is “determined to continue to adhere to his Islamist extremist agenda”.

His detention is the most serious security alert yet to hit the Olympic Park.

One really has to wonder what al-Qaeda has in store for the Summer Olympics in London? Is this all just a ruse to make people nervous, was this individual performing reconnaissance mission for a potential terror attack?  Will we have a peaceful games where the only stories will be what the athletes do on the track, in the pool and the gym or could this become a “bloody mess”?

South African Double-Amputee “Blade runner” Oscar Pistorius Named to 4×400 Olympic Team

Blade Runner headed to the London Olympics …

Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee runner has been selected to the South African Olympic track team in the individual 4×400 meter race and relay. Pistorius will be the first amputee track athlete to compete in the Olympics. South Africa’s Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee said Pistorius was picked for the London Games because of athletic achievements, not because he is the world’s most famous disabled athlete. That may not be entirely true seeing that the committee changed their minds despite the fact that he just missed out on the country’s strict qualifying criteria.  Kudos to Pistorius, hey if you can qualify for the Olympics, there is no reason why one should not be able to compete. Also, call me sentimental and having participated in volunteering for the Special Olympics, but I think it is a tremendous accomplishment for a double amputee to be an Olympic athlete.

Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius is going to the London Olympics after being selected for South Africa’s 1,600-meter relay team.

Pistorius is set to become the first amputee track athlete to compete at the games after South Africa’s Olympic committee picked him Wednesday as one of 13 athletes on the team initially selected last month.

“Today is really on of the happiest days of my life! Will be in (at)London2012 for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games!” the multiple Paralympic champion said on Twitter. “Thank you to everyone that has made me the athlete I am! God, family and friends, my competitors and supporters! You have all had a hand!”