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China proved to be a determined first-time Olympic host as it tops the gold medal chart with 51 in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The United States, Britain and an array of small nations also had reasons to celebrate. The US, though with less golds at 36, garnered first place overall for the fourth consecutive Olympics with 110 total medals.

China’s haul of gold medals was the largest since the Soviet Union won 55 in Seoul in 1988. Not since 1936, when Nazi Germany prevailed at the Berlin Olympics, had a country other than the US or the Soviet Union/Russia led the gold medal list. They groomed athletes since childhood in sports academies winning medals in 25 different sports, including its first ever in sailing, beach volleyball and field hockey.

The United States trailed behind the Chinese in golds, the first time since 1992 it didn’t lead the category. Meanwhile, it seems that the sporting world should watch out for Great Britain, host of the 2012 Olympics, which won 47 medals (the most in their history). This is an astonishing 17-medal increase from the previous Athens Olympics. It seems like Great Britain is preparing well as it will host the next Games in London for the first time in 68 years. They have another 4 years to prepare . . . we’ll see if they do as well as China did.

With the Beijing Games winding down, the International Olympic Committee wants close all pending controversies regarding the ages of China’s gold medal women’s gymnastics team. The IOC still could not find sufficient proof of any cheating. They did ask the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate “what have been a number of questions and apparent discrepancies.” Nevertheless, all the information the Chinese gymnastics federation presented supports its claim that its gymnasts were in compliance to age requirements.

The IOC hopes that the matter will be put to rest since the information they received seems satisfactory in terms of the correct documentation—including birth certificates. If the federation had found evidence that the gymnasts were underage, it could have affected four of China’s medals. Parents of the gymnasts would already like to have closure on the issue as most of them have allegedly been indignant over the questions regarding their children’s age.

China coach Lu Shanzan said Asian gymnasts are naturally smaller than their American and European rivals.“Surely it’s not possible that these documents are still not sufficient proof of her birthdate?” Lu asked. “The passports were issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The identity card was issued by China’s Ministry of Public Security. It would be a difficult fight for those who believe they have been cheated. If the Chinese government had been part of the conspiracy, there was no way to prove that the girls were indeed underage. Cached website pages found by hackers that prove the girls were underage have since been removed. Previous gymnasts did admit that they had been underage during the Olympics that they had competed on. Maybe it will take a few more years to find the truth about the controversy.

One of my biggest frustrations is art. I have not been given that gift by God. It’s no wonder I envy those who can draw or paint, those who can sculpt, or even those who are creative enough to do good layouts on scrapbooks. I am dumb when it comes to art. When I see people creating such beautiful products, I am amazed. I have no idea how they do it.

For those who do clay art products or ceramic, the finishing touch on the artwork is actually the glazes. It makes the big difference. It’s what defines your artwork as you paint the hues and design on your clay products. The leading manufacturer of glazes and underglazes is American Art Clay Co., Inc. (AMACO). They manufacture non-toxic glazes that can even be used by preschoolers for their art projects. Amaco is the expert in glazes in the art industry and they offer various types of glazes that suits different types of art products. However, their products are ACMI glazes, or certified by the Art and Creative Materials Institute, Inc. with the proper labels. The glazes are either labeled non-toxic or cautions required (for professionals only). Amaco also offers glaze chalk which are like crayons that are available in intense hues or pastes. These can be sharpened for fine details or dissolved in water for painting or spraying. They also come in the non-toxic labels or the cautions required label.

Whether you are a professional, someone with a hobby, or a parent of a pre-schooler, always remember that safety and quality are important for glazes. Go with the expert and choose Amaco’s glazes and underglazes.

Cuban Olympic boxer Dzhakhon Kurbanov was disqualified during his light heavyweight bout with Kazakhstan’s Yerkebulan Shynaliyev. The bout was stopped 17 seconds before the end of the third round when Shynaliyev showed the referee blood on his shoulders. Apparently, Kurbanov bit him during the clinch.

It was good that Evander Holyfield had already left the gymnasium early on and did not witness the incident. I’m sure he did not need to be reminded of his last bout with Mike Tyson when the former champ took a chunk of his ear in 1997.

Shynaliyev, who angrily showed the blood on his shoulder to the referee, led 12-6 at the time. Kurbanov had already received multiple warnings from the referee earlier for shoving and holding his opponent.

It was a bad ending for Kurbanov who got off to an auspicious start in Beijing last week after beating world champion Abbos Atoev in his first bout. He was also the middleweight won champion in the 2005 Asian championships.

This biting thing in boxing should not become a normal event in competition as it may usher in a new trend that could make the sport even more gory than it already is.

Michael Phelps has now been dubbed the greatest Olympian of all time after eclipsing Mark Spitz’s 7 golds in a single Olympics with his 8th gold in Beijing in the 4 x 100 medley relay. Again, it was Jason Lezak who made sure that Phelps made his goal as he anchored the final leg, keeping the lead that Phelps had given him.

Though the Americans had never lost the event, it was not a piece of cake as the team came in third behind Japan and Australia when Phelps jumped in for the third leg. However, Phelps overtook both teams as he used the same stroke and distance he used in his 7th gold. He passed the lead to Lezak in the anchor leg and despite Australia’s attempt to spoil Phelps’ record, the Americans will not be denied this honor. The Americans broke the world record again with Lezak touching in at 3 minutes and 29.34 seconds.

After the win, Phelps hugged all his teammates, thanking them for the support they had given him. “Without the help of my teammates, it wouldn’t have been possible,” he said. Out of his 8 golds, 3 were from relays that he was a part of. Phelps set seven world records and one Olympic record, doing a personal best time in every event. While competitors ganged up on him and spewed out challenges that would faze normal athletes, Phelps kept cool and responded to them by doing his best in the pool.

He ran up to his Mom and sisters and gave each one a hug and a kiss. His mother hugged him tighter with tears streaming down her face. It was every mother’s dream — to raise a son who would conquer every challenge in his life head on and triumph by etching his name in history as the greatest Olympian yet. He not only holds the record for the most golds in a single Olympics, but he is also the Olympian with the most career golds at 14, 5 more than any other Olympian in history — and he has one more Games to go.

After receiving his eighth gold, they cranked up the American flag and the Star Spangled Banner. Phelps looked up to his Mom and sisters and finally gave in following days of challenges and pressure — he broke down and cried.

Michael Phelps delivered an unforgettable race at the Water Cube for the 100 meter butterfly. The audience was barely breathing when he turned for the final 50 meters at 7th place. He then shovel-kicked his way to victory by a hair. Phelps won the gold and broke the world record with a time of 50.58 seconds while Serbian Milorad Cavic got silver with 50.59 seconds.

The American audience was ecstatic when the computer registered the time. It was impossible to tell with the naked eye who won the race. Thus, the Serbians later protested the results which led to FINA reviewing the replay and slowing the final second frame by frame. The video and timing system did confirm that Phelps won the race by an eyelash. Even the Serbians relented after seeing the frame by frame video. The race was so close it seems that the American swimming sensation has God’s attention in the Olympics.

The win puts him one gold away from Olympic history. Sunday’s 4×100 medley relay will decide his fate. The Americans have never lost this event and are favored to win. Over-confidence has a way of creeping up on you when you least expect it. And God sometimes has a weird sense of humor. Whatever happens now, Phelps has proven that he is a fighter and a winner. The last gold would simply be icing on the cake. Good luck kid!

Here’s a video of the 100 meter butterfly race between Phelps and Cavic. Amazing race!

Michael Phelps won his sixth gold in the Beijing Olympics in the 200 meter individual medley. What is more critical is that he is on the brink of matching Spitz’s record of 7 gold medals in a single Olympics. And then another to break it. As a matter of fact, Phelps has already made records by being the Olympian with the most number of career gold medals at 12. Yet, he is still swimming as if he has not made his mark in sports history.

His next two races are important, the 100 meter butterfly and the 400 meter medley. The 100 meter butterfly is his signature stroke, so it is likely that he will be able to match Spitz’s record. The last race will be the one that makes or breaks his place in Olympic history.

My money is on Phelps breaking the record. Good luck Mike!

If you have been watching the Beijing Olympics and some action in Women’s Beach Volley, you’re probably wondering what that black goo on Kerry Walsh’s shoulder is all about. I made a guess too and thought it was a cover-up for a tattoo of a non-paying sponsor or something like that. Some say it’s a Nike swoosh gone haywire. Others think it’s not a cover-up but an actual tattoo that means something. Care to guess?

It’s not any of those I mentioned above. The black stuff on Walsh’s right shoulder is actually medical tape called Kinesio Tape. A kinesio tape is made of special elastic material designed to support muscles without impeding any range of motion. Walsh underwent surgery last fall to remove bone chips, bone spurs, and scar tissue that has built up over time from spiking and setting. The tape and the method by which it is applied stabilizes the shoulder and aids in circulation during the match.

We’ll see how this kinesio tape holds up when Walsh and her partner retains the gold medal in Beijing.

The Spanish Olympic Basketball team is currently taking flack for an ad which, according to many, is racist. It features the entire team slanting their eyes by pulling the corners with their fingers. It was reported that the picture was made as a reference to the extension of the team’s ad contract with Li-Ning Footwear, a Chinese company founded by Li Ning, the final torchbearer during the Opening Ceremony a few days ago.

As Spain tries to defend itself, the picture continues to draw negative comments from people. Regardless of the intent, none of those involved in the ad anticipated that it could upset a lot of people. The issue continues to pick up steam with Spain still justifying their action instead of apologizing for the bad judgment. The Organization of Chinese-Americans released multiple statements condemning the picture.

During the Spain-China basketball game last night, the Chinese crowd consistently booed the Spaniards. Spain won the game 85-75 in overtime.

The US Olympic Basketball Team easily defeated the Angolans with a 97-76 victory Tuesday night. It was an expected massacre as LeBron James overpowered their opponents in the court. Dwayne Wade scored 19 points while Dwight Howard added another 14 points. At least, the Angolan Team met their goal of not losing for more than 40 points. Now that the US Dream Team has wrapped up the easy leg of the competition, they are now preparing for the next game with Greece.

It was Greece that delivered the upset to the US Team in the semi-finals of the world championships 2 years ago and the US does not intend to make a repeat. They are now aware of how physical Greece can get and anticipates a tougher game than the last two. The US team will meet world champion Spain after the game with Greece.

The team was actually shooting badly during the game with Angola with Kobe Bryant making 0-for-5 in the first half. Though he improved in the next half, he admits that the team was having problems in spot-up shooting and needs to adjust. The Americans were 7-of-24 from behind the arc during the game with China and now barely any difference at making 5 out of 21.

Jason Lezak was the hero in the 4×100 Freestyle Relay. Though Michael Phelps started off great in the first 100 meters, the team was trailing behind the anchor leg against Alain Bernard of France. But there was no way Lezak was going to let the French stay true to his word. With only 25 meters to go, Lezak slowly inched his way closer to Bernard while the crowd was wild with excitement. The two lunged for the wall together. Guess what?! The American Team won by a fingertip! His teammates, especially Phelps, went wild. They broke the world record set by the earlier American team in the prelims by almost a full 4 seconds!

L-R: Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps, Garret Weber-Gale

The irony of it all is that Lezak is the oldest in the team at 32 years old. He was a full body length behind Bernard after the final turn. Yet, he managed to outswim the younger and stronger Frenchman. Even Bernard couldn’t believe what happened. By the time he realized the loss, the time was already registered on the clock and the Americans were already celebrating.

The win kept Phelp’s bid to break Mark Spitz’s 8 Olympic Gold medals still afloat. It was a sweet victory for the Americans following Alain Bernard’s promise to smash the team and get the gold. It was a close call though. There is no doubt that the French was a team that couldn’t be easily beat. However, Lezak’s spirit and the Americans’ will to take home the gold after losing it in the last 2 Olympics were more than what the French could handle. Maybe next time Bernard will know better than to rile the Americans and give them more motivation to get the gold. In sports, I still believe the mind and heart plays a large part in winning the game. Ask Jesse Owens how it felt to run the victory lap in the 1936 Berlin Olympics with Hitler watching in the sidelines at the height of his propaganda to promote Aryan supremacy.

Here’s a video of the last leg of the race for those who want to see how the the US won the 4×100 freestyle relay by a fingertip care of Jason Lezak.

Just a I figured, Michael Phelps was all fired-up Sunday and broke his own world record for the 400 meter Individual Medley with an amazing time of 4 minutes, 3.84 seconds. With his family and President Bush cheering him on, Phelps was emotional at the medal stand while the American flag was raised and the Star-Spangled Banner was in the background. He plans to break Mark Spitz’s record of 7 gold medals in the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Alain Bernard of France, still insists that they will break the Americans in the 4×100 freestyle relay. The Frenchman may be biting off more than he can chew with the preliminary American squad breaking the world record Sunday night. The team that broke the record was comprised of Nathan Adrian, Cullen Jones, Benwildman-Tobriner, and Matt Grevers. But only Jones will join the team in the finals while the rest of the guys have already done their job. Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Jason Lezak, and Jones will compete in the finals and give the French a run for their money.

What did I say about challenging the Americans? Anyway, it’s going to be a hell of a fight for the French, especially with President Bush going out of his way to support the American team in the Olympics.

Here’s a link of the video of the 400 meter Individual Medley won by Phelps.

WATCH PHELPS WIN THE 400 M INIVIDUAL MEDLEY

Alain Bernard, current world record holder for the 100-meter freestyle just announced that the French freestyle relay team’s goal is to smash the American team. The world record for the 4×100 freestyle is currently held by the Americans which the French team are running after. Reports have circulated that the most recent time clocked in by the French relay team was good enough to beat the European record and just 0.08 seconds away from world record.

So, are the American swimmers shaking in their boots? Nah! If anything, Bernard got them all fired-up. And knowing Michael Phelps, remarks like these serve more as fuel than deterrents in the water. The remark was most likely triggered by reports that the American swimming team currently has the best collection of male swimmers in Olympic history. Along with Phelps in the team are Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak who were part of the team that made the world record in the 4×100 freestyle in Victoria, British Columbia in 2006. It is likely that they will be joined by Garret Weber-Gale, the current American record holder of the 100-meter freestyle.

Swimming is one of my favorite events in the Olympics, along with track and field, diving, and basketball. There’s never a dull moment in these events. And with the Frenchman’s remark, looks like the 4×100 freestyle is the event to watch.

As the Beijing 2008 Olyimpics opened yesterday, athletes from around the world marched in their chosen colors while the whole world watched in anticipation. The Americans looked fantastic in their Ralph Lauren navy coats and white pants as they paraded around with Lopez Lomong of the track and field team carrying their flag.

Meanwhile, other teams were less formal like the Australians wearing comfy sandals rather than formal shoes and the Swiss who sported the skateboarder look.

But the fashionistas for the night were definitely the British with their navy suits, matching belt and white jackets. They were led during the parade in the National Stadium by swimmer Mark Foster who proudly waved the flag as the team showed off their national colors.

During the Olympics, I will keep everyone posted and updated on the important events in the Games until the final parade. Good luck to all athletes!

Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek had his visa to China revoked by the embassy just hours before he was scheduled to fly. He even admitted that he never planned to wear a mask when he got there. Cheek is the founder of Team Darfur, a group of athletes who intend raise awareness of human rights violations in the Darfur region of Sudan. China’s military, economic, and diplomatic ties to Sudan have been well-publicized as the Games started to draw near.

Said Cheek of his ban in a prepared statement:

I am saddened not to be able to attend the Games. The Olympic Games represent something powerful: that people can come together from around the world and do things that no one thought were possible. However, the denial of my visa is a part of a systemic effort by the Chinese government to coerce and threaten athletes who are speaking out on behalf of the innocent people of Darfur.

Cheek intended to attend the games to support athletes on Team Darfur and to promote the cause he has been championing for years. Following his gold medal in the Torino Games, Cheek announced that he was donating his $25,000 USOC bonus to Darfur and implored his sponsors to do the same.

Despite promises that China will clean up its act before the Olympics began, it seems a difficult task considering the lengths they will go to in order to prevent dissension in their country. Revoking Cheek’s visa for the Olympics is actually ironic. The Olympics represents the world’s unity regardless of our conflicts and differences. Yet, China has chosen to deny Cheek the opportunity to watch the Games for these very reasons.