Friday, August 15, 2008

2008 Olympics: The Amazing Finish


Four days ago Michael Phelps was part of the 2008 Olympics 4 X 100 relay that was the greatest in the most amazing race in Olympics history. In that race, his teammate, Jason came had to gain a half second on French swimmer Alain Bernard to win by a fingertip. lunged in for the victory, Phelps was able to take a last "half stroke" to win his record-tying seventh gold medal.

As great of a finish as that was, Phelps finish was better. Phelps beat Serbian swimmer MiloradCavic by a fingernail, winning the 100 meter butterfly by one-hundredths of a second to win with a time of 50.58.

Phelps was behind Cavic by a full body length after the first of the two laps in the short race. But following a great turn and a series of intense strokes, Phelps was in contention again. But even going into the last 10 meters, Phelps looked to be slightly on the outside looking in and his dream of winning gold in all of his events seemed to be gone for the second time in the last 10o hours.

Even as the swimmers hit the walls, it seemed unlikely that Phelps would win the photo finish type of race. But Phelps continued his magic and barely tapped the wall before Cavic. As Cavic

The man who's record he tied, Mark Spitz called the race (and Phelps accomplishment) "epic." It certainly was an epic finish as replays showed Phelps having to take his arms from behind his head and pound his hands to the wall barely ahead of Cavic's last lunge. Amazing!

All 2008 Olympics Shots Heard Coverage

2008 Olympics: Opening Ceremony goes well and with a hitch
2008 Olympics: The Amazing Race
2008 Olympics: The Amazing Finish
2008 Olympics: NBC's dirty pool
2008 Olympics: Lucky Eight for Phelps
2008 Olympics: Down goes Franco! Down goes Franco!
2008 Olympics: Usain Bolt - A bolt of lightning or steroids in a syringe?
2008 Olympics: Final Thoughts

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