Blog Posts From Active.com 2008 Olympics Tagged With united_states

Let It Out: The Movie

Active Toby — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:05:00 GMT

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing China are now over but the inspirational performances witnessed this year will continue to live on in Olympic history. Hopes and dreams were realized by some while others watched their dreams slip through their fingertips by one one-hundredth of a second. It’s this very union of triumph and tragedy on the world stage that evokes powerful emotions in each of us.

Kleenex® Tissue created a 40-minute film that documents the finest moments in United States Olympic history. Host Paul Hochman sits with a number of U.S. athletes, families and fans on the Kleenex® blue sofa, armed with a box of Kleenex® tissues to share emotional and inspirational Olympic moments.

To watch the full video online, click here.

USA Soccer: That's a Winner

RyanActive — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:12:29 GMT

United States women's soccer goalkeeper

Hope Solo

made a beautiful save in the 72nd minute of the gold-medal game against Brazil, one of about 10 stops she made during the crucial match.

She said she would almost a year ago after not playing against Brazil in the World Cup. Now we believe her.

Solo and the rest of the defense led the United States to a 1-0 victory over Brazil and a gold medal in the Beijing Games. The lone goal was scored in extra time, when

Carli Lloyd

poked one through in the 96th minute.

Solo and the defense then held on.

This is a big victory for the Americans, who probably weren't favored to win. Though they played well against Brazil in friendly matches leading up to Beijing, Brazil still had bragging rights until now.

"We've seen Brazil three times since that last match, but it wasn't the same," Solo said. "On the world stage is when teams really come to play so it sat with us a little bit but we were confident in our team defending, so I knew it going to be a different game altogether."

In some ways, the Olympics have been disappointing for the Americans (Michael Phelps
aside). Softball lost a gold it was a huge favorite to win. Track and field has had several setbacks. Women's gymnastics lost the team competition to China.

Women's soccer provided a little relief in the post-swimming Olympics for the USA. It took us 100-plus minutes of action to figure it out, though U.S. defender Lori Chalupny
knew long before that.

"We just look in each others' eyes and we believe and we know that we can do it," Chalupny said. "It's just a feeling that we have and nobody can break that bond. It's awesome."

BMX Olympic Debut

mvalenti — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:12:35 GMT

BMX makes its Olympic debut this week in Beijing. Here are the four U.S. riders who hope to make history by winning the first BMX Olympic gold medal.

Mike Day Day earned his nomination to the Olympics at the Olympic Trials event in Chula Vista, California. He took first place in three out of the four events and second place in the remaining race.

Because he is so tall (6'3") Day uses a unique handlebar style with an upsweep on it. The handlebar, named after Day, is called The Fly Racing Mike Day BMX Handlbar.

Read more about Mike Day

Donny Robinson Currently ranked number one in world ranking points, Robinson “credits his drive and determination for his success on the dirt.”

Aside from dreaming about Olympic gold, Robinson is a singer/performer and hopes to one day star on Broadway.

Read more about Donny Robinson

Kyle Bennett Bennet was the first American to secure a spot on the Olympic BMX team. He has two second place finishes at the X Games and he won the 2007 world championship in Vancouver after recovering from ACL surgery and only having three and a half months to prepare. He is often referred to as “butter” because of his smooth riding style.

Read more about Kyle Bennett

Jill Kintner Kintner started her career in BMX at only 8 years old then jumped between successful runs in both BMX and mountain biking. She finally shifted her full attention to BMX when she decided to push for the Olympics.

In a journey that came down to the final race, Kintner out-biked friend, roommate and teammate Arielle Martin for the sole spot on the women’s U.S. BMX team. Martin returned home to Utah after loosing to Kintner only to return to the Chula Vista training center four days later on a decision to help Kintner get ready for the games.

Read more about Jill Kintner

The Track

The U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Cycling built a replica of the Beijing course in Chula Vista, California at the Olympic Training center where the U.S. athletes have been riding for the last several months. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)

The Event

Seeding starts on Wednesday August 20 with both men’s and women’s semifinals and finals taking place on Thursday August 21 in Beijing. Event coverage will be on NBC from 6 to 9 pm on Wednesday the 20th East Coast Time.

USA Basketball: USA 92 - Greece 69

Coach Corey — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:05:49 GMT

United States gets Revenge against Greece

Two years ago, Greece surprised the USA men's basketball team at the 2006 FIBA World Championships. They took it to the Americans by shocking them 101-95 in the semifinals. This time, there would be no letdown for the Americans.

Greece was ahead 13-9 with four minutes left in the opening quarter, but less than two minutes later a steal by Chris Paul led to a Kobe Bryant bucket giving the Americans the lead for good. The United States forced 25 turnovers and outscored Greece by 28-4 off the turnovers.

The Americans’ best moments in this tournament have been with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, who both come off the bench, on the floor. Greece ran 42 of its trademark pick-and-rolls in the teams’ 2006 match-up. On Thursday, it did not get half of that number, with the activity of Wade on the perimeter and Bosh inside keying a disruptive defense.

After looking sloppy and uninspired at times in its first two games, the United States played its best game of these Olympics. The United States led by 19 at halftime and rendered the second half a formality. It was 51-32 at the half, and Mike Krzyzewski's team was in the driver's seat throughout the final 20 minutes. Greece couldn't get closer than 16 in the third and the U.S. led by at least 19 throughout the fourth.

Next Game Saturday vs. Spain

USA Basketball: Red, White, and Dunk?

Coach Corey — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:06:25 GMT

USA Basketball: Red, White, and Dunk?

Team USA stroke again with the help of LeBron James back off of injury as USA defeated Turkey 114-82 on another dunk fest tune up game before the team heads to Shanghai for their final two of three games. James scored 20 points and was a defensive force Thursday night in his exhibition debut, helping the U.S. Olympic basketball team overcome some early sloppy play.

At the end of the first quarter USA lead by a very skinny point, 31-30. That means there was zero defense by either team which you won't see in the Olympic Games in Beijing. Here is the key for TEAM USA Basketball and help me out here with this one if you agree? There is a difference in playing unselfishly and playing as a TEAM. (Together Everybody Achieves More). Granted the team is playing unselfishly and that is a plus, and it's really leading to some great 1 on 1 highlight dunks. Awesome! But I believe it's breeding false confidence within the team and the fans here in the United States who may not be watching these exibition games.

Just because were playing unselfishly doesn't mean were playing World-Class basketball as a team. Winning the Gold medal this year at the games is going to take a total team effort. Team USA's full court press last night was a joke and even to Team Turkey who were able to expose the gigantic holes in our press defense. I hope over the next 2 games Coach K is stressing Red, White, and Blue which defines TEAM USA and continuity. Right now were playing Red, White, and Dunk basketball which will prevent us from getting to the Medal stand if we continue this 1 on 1 mentality.

Having said that Turkey pretty much gave up in the quarter and the United States went on for the easy victory. They improved to 2-0 in Olympic tune-up play and face Lithuania here Friday before moving on to Shanghai for their remaining two games.

James was 8-of-9 from the field and finished with six rebounds, five steals and four assists in 23 minutes, sitting out the fourth quarter. James had 12 points in the half and added eight more and some of the game's highlight plays in the third. Following a basket by Turkey, he took the ball out and whipped a pass to the other end of the court to a streaking Dwyane Wade for a dunk. A minute later, James had another steal and passed ahead to Kobe Bryant, who bounced it in front of the basket to Anthony for a dunk.

Turkey didn't qualify for the Olympics and has an automatic berth into the 2010 world championships as the host country.

Game Highlights (USA vs. Turkey)

USA Basketball: Team USA defeats Canada

Coach Corey — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:37:47 GMT

Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Michael Redd scored 20 points apiece Friday as the USA dominated Canada 120-65 in a Beijing Olympic basketball tune-up.

Chris Paul handed out eight assists for the United States, who will play two warm-up games in Macao and two more in Shanghai before their Olympic opener in Beijing against hosts China on August 10.

Although Canada may not have been serious competition it did look like Team USA played very solid from as an overall team aspect. TEAM USA looked like one big "dunk" highlight reel with Chris Paul taking over the front court.

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James injured his right ankle in a scrimmage Tuesday when he landed on the foot of reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant. As a result, James did not play on Friday, but he wasn't needed as the United States outscored Canada 34-18, in the third quarter en route to taking a 95-56 advantage entering the final period.

"I thought for our fifth day of practice we showed a lot of energy," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "Guys are committed to playing defense. I liked the effort we had on the defensive end of the court. We're still developing this team. The more the game went along, the more comfortable they became. We got a commitment to protect each other's back. We're collectively responsible on defense."

The United States are vying to regain international basketball glory for the first time since claiming Olympic gold in 2000. Team USA was embarrassed en route to winning bronze medals in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 World Championships. Since then, the team has been restructured. USA Basketball hired veteran NBA executive Jerry Colangelo to build the squad and appointed iconic Duke University coach Krzyzewski.

Players since have had to commit to Team USA for three years to foster the kind of continuity other international teams possess.

World's Greatest Athlete: Pappas is the 1st Ever...

Coach Corey — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:18:17 GMT

Tom Pappas of the United States is the first ever U.S. decathlete to qualify for three Olympics. Is that simply amazing or what? First off all, you have to be insane anyways to compete in 10 events just to win once, but I guess that's why whoever wins the decathlon is dubbed the World's Greatest Athlete.

Monday at the 2008 Olympic Trials Pappas, 31, used a first place in the pole vault (17-0¼ ) and a second place in discus to become the first U.S. decathlete to qualify for three Olympics. Over a decade of training 6 days a week, 5-6 hours daily, with double sessions twice weekly.

Basically over the last 12 years, which is 4,380 days...Pappas trained 3,744 of those days! And I'm not talking about trained as he went for a run, stopped by the weight room, did some sit-ups, or some intense stretching. Decathletes are the best trained physical and mental species you have ever seen. Hands down.

Pappas won the gold medal at the 2003 World Championships held outside Paris, France, and was rated number 1 in the world that year by Track & Field News. He is a four-time US champion (2000, 2002, 2003, 2006) and was the 1999 NCAA champion while attending the University of Tennessee. He finished fifth at the 2000 Olympic decathlon, and competed in but did not finish the decathlon due to a foot injury at the 2004 Olympic Games. His personal best in the decathlon is 8,784 points while winning the 2003 US championships held at Stanford University, CA.

Now Tom Pappas will have an opportunity to possibly help the USA sweep the decathlon event with his veteran swagger next month at the Olympic Games in Beijing. At the age of 31 Tom is not your favorite to win the gold or maybe even metal for that matter, but what is more impressive to me is the solid commitment he has given to his family, the decathlon, and the United States of America. Congratulations Mr. Pappas I wouldn't be surprised to see you come home from Beijing with a little hardware!

In Success,

Coach Corey

Biography is courtesy of USTAF.Org

Pappas claimed his fifth U.S. Outdoor decathlon title and second in a row in 2007 before traveling to Osaka, Japan, for the World Outdoor Championships, where he dropped out of the competion after six events due to an injury. Following an injury in 2005, he bounced back to win the 2006 USA Outdoor decathlon title and showed up again in the world rankings (#7 in world, #2 U.S.) by Track & Field News.

Pappas had surgery in March 2005 for a torn labrum in his shoulder and was unable to compete that year, though he did continue training in all events except the javelin and pole vault. After winning the 2003 World Outdoor crown, Pappas, who is of Greek heritage and has a large Greek fan base, was a gold-medal favorite in the decathlon for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Unfortunately, Pappas was forced to drop out of the Olympic competition after he hurt his left foot on his first pole vault attempt at 4.61 meters/15 feet, 1 inch. Pappas was diagnosed with an acute strain in his left foot.

In 2003 Pappas became the only American other than the legendary Dan O’Brien to win World Championships gold in the decathlon…had minor surgery on his right shoulder on January 27, 2004 to remove cartilage…throws left handed…Pappas established himself as one of the greatest decathletes in U.S. history with his winning total of 8,784 points at the 2003 USA Outdoor Championships, making him the then #2 American of all-time and setting a meet record.

Pappas beat the world’s finest to win gold in the heptathlon at the 2003 World Indoor Championships...participated in football, baseball, wrestling and basketball in high school and was Junior class president. His grandfather was a professional wrestler who encouraged him to try the sport as well. His father, Nick, constructed a full-size wrestling ring in their basement so Tom and his two brothers could take turns body slamming each other. Pappas’ competitive nature comes from his father, who has dealt with paralysis most of his life after becoming a victim of polio before age two. Despite being physically challenged, Nick Pappas became the family’s first world record holder when he and a partner claimed a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in a vehicle that achieved a top velocity of more than 700 kilometers per hour... In 1995, Pappas began training as a decathlete, winning his first-ever decathlon with 6,746 points...Married to heptathlete Kim Schiemenz.

Blog Posts From Active.com 2008 Olympics Tagged With united_states

Let It Out: The Movie

USA Soccer: That's a Winner

BMX Olympic Debut

USA Basketball: USA 92 - Greece 69

USA Basketball: Red, White, and Dunk?

USA Basketball: Team USA defeats Canada

World's Greatest Athlete: Pappas is the 1st Ever...

Let It Out: The Movie