What a contrast between the men's basketball team and the men's 4X400 relay team during their medal presentations and the anthem. The basketball players stood at full attention, hands on heart and some even singing along to the anthem. The runners were moving around, looking all over the place, seemingly disinterested. It's 2 minutes long for Christ's sake...stand still and at least ACT like you give a rat's ass.

Not at all. See my previous post regarding resepct for Ellen's decision to just live her life.
"Personal reasons" were not Matthew's choice of wording. It was NBC. Matthew was more than forthcoming about his personal life. The absence of comments about it was like an elephant in the room.
What I am saying is not right is the camera's not showing Matthew's partner, nor anyone saying how proud his partner must be, etc., even when Matthew had talked about him, and he was right there. But who cares? It's over, and the story will make it's way however it happens.

I wish I could take credit for the origin of that comment- but as soon as I read it- I was like- OMG, that was what I was thinking. I had seen the symbol for a long time before noticing it was even showing 2012 as numbers- sad LOL

My hat is off to Matthew Mitcham. He seemed to have surprised even himself, not to mention knocking off the Chinese favorite.

And my hat is off to Cynthia Potter, who was much less scathingly critical in her final color-commentary. She was especially kind to all of the final divers.

Go Cindy!

TRL

I have seen the comments on the NBC coverage of Matthew and I am impressed that they even covered a non-USA Gold medal.

Firstly, I want to congratulate the Yanks on their Men's basketball team. One of our commentators summed it up perfectly. They were playing for what was written on the front of their singlet instead of what was written on the back. Worthy winners of the Gold Medal. I hope USA Basketball does not become complacent and go back to the old days now.

Also, for those who can find it, our Channel 7 (The Australian Olympic TV network) did a big thing last night with Matthew coming out of the Water Cube after his event to be greeted by his partner, who got a hug and a small kiss followed by the Olympic Bouquet, and his mum. Lachlan was asked a few questions and I reckon his face must really be hurting this morning because you could not wipe the smile from his face. Mum, Lachlan and Matthew were seen as one group and certainly the TV network never tried to hide Lachlan. They treated Lachlan as if he was Matthew's spouse. It really did solidify in my thinking how great society is down here.

At the end of the day, he won a gold medal with an almost perfect dive. There seems to have been nothing else shown on the TV for the past 24 hours down here. His story is one which would have been fantastic regardless of whether he was straight or gay.

Even Entertainment Weekly is getting in on the Matthew Mitcham praise, calling him: Olympic Stud of the Day

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But watching the Closing Ceremonies and various recaps of the games today, there were some wonderful memories and great competition.

As a Canadian, my best memory of the games is Simon Whitfield's silver medal finish in the men's triathalon. He won the gold medal in Sydney in 2000, but 8 years later, 33 and no longer a race favorite, he battled and ran a strategic race and only narrowly missed winning the gold. Love him!

Whitfield was inspired by another Canadian, Adam Kreek, a member of the men's 8-man rowing crew that won gold. Whitfield wrote "Sing like Kreek" on the handlebars of his bike, and indeed the Canadian rowers and kayakers were an inspiration. Adam Kreek at the Closing Ceremonies:



Despite some disappointments (one silver instead of a hoped-for two golds), Adam Van Koeverden carried himself so well, and his on-air apology for his 8th place finish in the 1000m kayak was truly touching and genuine. Love him!

Carol Huynh, who won Canada's first gold medal at the Beijing games in wrestling, was an inspiring story. As was Ian Miller and Eric Lamaze in equestrian.

Also shout outs to Kyle Shewfelt who was coming off injury and didn't make it to the finals in gymnastics. And Alex Despatie, who always does Canada proud.

Thank you, Canada!

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Adam van Koeverden and team Canada return home:

wow... what a great two weeks of sports!

Congrats to the US teams and athletes!

I am from UA-Fayetteville in Arkansas and can't help but wonder.... If our former coach John McDonnell, the most successful collegiate coach in the history of track and field hadn't been snubbed by the US Track coaching establishment at the last minute ( head of the coaching team was from a rival school in Texas) would the mediocre showing of some of the events not occurred?

Just a thought....

Just read Roger Ebert's interesting blog post on his view of the Olympics. Although he's seen many Chinese films, and interviewed many Chinese directors and actors, he has never been to China. So the Beijing Olympics were an eye-opening and learning experience for him, as I'm sure it was for many of us.