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.

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.

Redeem Team Gets Redemption on Spain

LeBron James led eight U.S. players in double figures with 18 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Olympic men's basketball team continued its dominating ways with a 119-82 pounding of previously unbeaten Spain. With the game tied 9-9 in the first quarter James took the ball from the top of the key and drove to his left a and threw down a left handed jam like a man possessed. The very next trip James comes down and splashed a three pointerin the heart of the Spain defense. Then the very next trip down the floor earned a trip to the free throw line and sank both free throws for another quick two. Team USA never looked back from that point on.

The Americans had 7 steals in the first quarter alone and finished with 18 for the game. "We are never going to take a step back in this tournament," said James. "We'll only take steps forward and give ourselves a chance to win. This game means we're 4-0. A statement game? I don't know."

We looked like the United States of Athleticism on Saturday. From steals to dunks to sinking the three pointers the Americans look unbeatable at this stage in the competition. A 17-5 flurry in the second quarter extended the margin to 56-36 and the Redeem Team was on its way to another rout, certainly a major difference to what was witnessed four years ago when the Americans were relegated to the bronze medal at the Olympics.

It was 61-45 at the half and Spain never threatened over the final 20 minutes.

The final game for the U.S. in preliminary round play is Monday versus Germany.

Here are some of the Top 10 plays from this years USA Mens Basketball Team.

USA Basketball: Russia meets Kobe

Kobe Byrant scored 11 of his 19 points in the third quarter to lead the U.S. Olympic team to an 89-68 victory over Russia on Sunday. Carmelo Anthony added 17 points in what was by far the Americans' most competitive tune-up yet for the Olympics. Having averaged 118 points in winning its first three exhibitions by an average of 41 points, the U.S. found itself in a more competitive game against the Russians, who slowed the pace the entire contest.

The U.S built a 12-point lead after the first quarter and extended the margin to 46-31 at the break. The Americans remained in control despite scoring just 17 points in the second quarter. With Team USA leading 50-33 and 8:19 to play in the third quarter, Bryant scored his team's next 11 points on an assortment of dazzling moves.

"They had some gaps there and I just took advantage of them," Bryant said. "The ball found me and I was able to make them pay. In that kind of situation where the game is kind of see-sawing back and forth, we have so many weapons - it could be LeBron (James), it could be D-Wade, one of us is going to kick into high gear."

The sellout crowd of 14,523 clearly favored the United States, and Bryant clearly was the fans' favorite. They chanted "MVP!" when he went to the free-throw line, and generally oohed and aahed whenever he squared up to take a shot.

"It feels like home away from home," Bryant said. "It's great to be so far from Staples Center and still have so much support. I feel like I'm home." Bryant hadn't been looking for his offense on the tour, averaging only 11.7 points -- sixth-best on the team --while focusing his efforts on defending the top perimeter threat. But it was needed yesterday, since he's the Americans' best half court player.