Over the weekend, Olympian Michael Phelps won his first event, shattering the world record and taking home gold. Phelps is on a quest to earn gold in a record eight events, something former Olympian and longtime swimming commentator Rowdy Gaines has said would be the single greatest athletic achievement of all time. I think Lance Armstrong would beg to differ, but Phelps' journey is certainly an incredible one. The man is in the water more than not, trains like he is running a marathon every week, and, well, he eats 10,000 calories a day. (The brilliant Dara Torres also won her first medal of the Games, but more on her later in the week.)

One event that may be new to most viewers is synchronized diving. I actually used to dive as a kid and somehow never managed to realize this was an event until today. Perhaps that is because the event premiered in 2000 and this year is the very first time an American team has qualified to compete in it. Unlike synchronized swimming, with its artistry and pomp, synchronized diving has a minimalist Zen-like quality. Each athlete seems immersed in the heartbeat of the other as they flip, twist, and unfold in complete unison. (Team USA just missed a medal with a strong fourth-place finish.)

Men's and women's team qualifying rounds also started this weekend with drama in each camp. Injury prevented U.S. favorite Paul Hamm from participating; meanwhile the women were deluged with injury, mistakes, and ultimately a heart-wrenching case of getting psyched out. Still, we'll be seeing more from each group as the medal events begin. On a side note: After Samantha Peszek was limited by injury to only performing on the uneven bars, commentator Al Trautwig (in a Best In Show Fred Willard-ism) actually said, "It's like ripping your wedding dress right before you walk down the aisle." Yep. Just like that, because, you know, women train their whole lives for that moment. I personally think that Peszek and the entire women's gymnastics community now has the right to kick the crap out of that guy and insist that only Elfi Schlegel speak over their routines.

In other news, “fan-in-chief” President Bush made it to swimming, basketball, and beach volleyball matches while Russia invaded Georgia.

--Sacha Zimmerman

New hope forthe civically exhausted

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New hope for
the civically exhausted

5 articles,
5 days a week