My impressions of the XXIX Olympics in Beijing

Usain Bolt showboated over the finish line in a race that lasts less than 10 seconds. He caught a lot of grief for doing that, and to his credit I believe he listened, but to be able to run 100 meters and spend the last 10 showing off is incredible.

Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian ever. He has 11 gold medals. What more does he need to do? By saying he’s the greatest in no way detracts from other great Olympians. Jessie Owens is still a legend. He's up there with Babe Ruth, Paul Bunyan or Johnny Appleseed.

Watching Misty May and Kerri Walsh was magical. They transcend the sport and are very special. I will miss them in 2012.

Lisa Leslie won her fourth straight gold medal in Women’s basketball.

I wonder if Shawn Johnson and her pixie image would have made her American’s sweetheart had she won the all-around gold? Even so, Anastasia "Nastia" Valeryevna Liukin was awesome and is hot.

U.S.A. wins most medals and China wins most golds. I’m happy with that. My country can say they won the medal count. China can say they won the most golds—each country has something to brag about.

Baseball is out of the Olympics, probably for ever. MLB should shut down and send a “dream team” to the Olympics. They never will but they should.

U.S.A’s Men’s basketball team won both on and off the court. Unfortunately, I had to fight back the cynic in me which said they were only in China to sell jerseys. Had the Olympics been anywhere else none of them would have chosen to compete. I hope I’m wrong and their genuine emotion after winning leads me to believe I am.

Jimmy Page at the closing ceremony performing “Whole Lotta Love” was awesome but way out of place. What’s next? Chuck D performing “Welcome To The Terrordome?”

Olympics

Before the Beijing Olympics started, I was on record as predicting they would be the worst Olympics since the ’72 Munich games. While I hate to root for bad things to happen, I would still rather be right than wrong. Unfortunately, it looks like I’ll be way off on this one. The Chinese are doing a bang up job and NBC, despite their overtly feminine broadcast, is doing a good job too. Damn!

I know an American was killed but that was just a friendly reminder that crazy people live everywhere. It was very sad and a tragedy. The judging has been horrible in gymnastic, but they’re always bad.

I thought the time difference would screw things up but I don’t think it has. We are pretty good at avoiding media and avoiding results. There is always so much to watch that I haven’t a clue when things actually occurred. I just turn on the television or log onto the website and the events are there. I just wish NBC would tell us more about this Michael Phelps guy? I think he's a swimmer?