History Made

We got home from the Chrysallis last night fairly late, it was going on 11:00. We were tired but just happened to turn on the Olympics... I LOVE the Olympics. I got all the kids gathered in the living room and we watched as Michael Phelps won his 8th Gold Medal overtaking Mark Spitz's Olympic record. He won the following to secure the record:

1. 100-meter butterfly

2. 400 freestyle relay

3. 400 individual medley

4. 200 butterfly

5. 200 freestyle

6. 200 individual medley

7. 800 freestyle relay

8. 400 medley relay

Michael was born on June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, MD. His Mom talked a bit about his childhood. Here is what she said: "He was a very tall glass of water, a string bean," Phelps's mom told ABC News. "He was a very tall kid, and he was very awkward. His ears were a little big. People would tease him, which was very difficult for Michael."

"He wanted to run, but he had trouble running," she said, smiling. "But he has such a charismatic smile and a great personality."
Along with the teasing classmates, teachers told his mother that the young boy wasn't going to make much of himself. "It was very difficult to hear that," Phelps admitted. As a mother, teacher and now administrator, she knew better than to believe Michael's critics.

"Mike was a very energetic little kid who wanted to get answers to questions ... always in motion," she said. It was this ceaseless curiosity and energy would eventually serve as the foundation of his success as an individual and an athlete. I just wanted Michael to experience everything he could possibly experience."

Usain "Lightning" Bolt

Then I just couldn't go to sleep before I watched the men's' 100 meter dash. I have to admit though... I kinda hate to say it but I was rooting for Usain Bolt a.k.a Lightning. The 21-year-old "Lightning" Bolt was already the world record holder in the event when he smashed it again in a record 9.69 seconds.

In an awesome display of power running, the 21-year-old obliterated his own world record, despite raising his arms in triumph well before he crossed the line in 9.69 seconds.

"I came here just to win, that was my aim," said Bolt. "I didn't even know I'd won the record till I did my victory lap."

Bolt's supremely self-confident run in the world's most-watched race capped a magnificent day of sport in Beijing.

Bolt's victory was beyond doubt within meters of the starting block. He was ahead in a heartbeat and with 30 meters to go he glanced sideways and smiled in realization that he would win the showcase race of the Olympics.
The 21-year-old almost highstepped across the finish line to take the most coveted athletic crown meters clear of Trinidadian Richard Thompson who won silver in 9.89 seconds.

American Walter Dix won bronze in 9.91 but Bolt's blistering speed made his rivals look like sluggards.

After scorching across the line, Bolt draped himself in a Jamaican flag, took off his golden running shoes and kissed them.

His performance sealed a remarkable transition from 200 meter specialist to winner of the showcase race of the Olympics.

Bolt only began racing the 100m in the last year, putting his fellow sprinters in the shade with his performances. He first really showed his threat in May, when he set a world record time of 9.72 in New York.

JOY AT HOME
Bolt's father said "yam power" won it for his son. Wellesley Bolt said Usain son was partial to the vegetable grown in the Trelawny area of north-west Jamaica where he was born. Local citizens believe the local staple has medicinal powers.
Much of Jamaica clustered around televisions to watch the extraordinary run and jumped for joy at the victory of the man dubbed "Lightning" by the media.
Despite a tradition of producing world class sprinters, the Caribbean island had never before won a men's 100m gold at the Olympics.

Bolt can now set his sights on becoming the first man to win the 100m and 200m Olympic double since Carl Lewis in 1984. He will be full of confidence ahead of Wednesday's 200m final.

"I am just focusing on the 200 meters now," said Bolt. "I came here prepared and I'm going to do it."

The much-touted clash between Bolt, former world record holder and fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell and world champion Tyson Gay never happened.
Gay, suffering from a hamstring injury, failed to qualify for the late evening final in front of a roaring 90,000-strong crowd in Beijing's magnificent Bird's Nest stadium.

Powell, 25, who has never won a global sprint title, finished in fifth place.
"I messed up big time," said Powell. "My legs died on me. Usain ran an awesome race. I'm very happy for him."