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Friday, August 10, 2012

Friday Favorites Olympic Style: Part Two

The second week of competition during the 2012 Olympics in London has brought many more memorable moments, so I am going to devote another Friday Favorites post exclusively to the Olympics. Here goes:

1.) Michael Phelps wins the final individual gold medal of his career in the 100m butterfly
After being out-touched by Le Clos during the 200m butterfly final earlier in the week, Michael Phelps emerged victorious in the 100m, winning the last individual gold medal of his career and also claiming his third consecutive Olympic title in this event.

2.) USA women win the 4x100m medley relay, setting a world record in the process
The quartet of Missy Franklin (backstroke), Rebecca Soni (breaststroke), Dana Vollmer (butterfly), and Allison Schmitt (freestyle) captured another gold medal for the USA in the final women's swimming event, and they did it in world record time. And of course Missy Franklin rocked her pearl earrings and pink goggles and Rebecca Soni her pink bathing suit.

3.) USA men win gold in the 4x100m medley relay
On the final day of swimming competition in the 2012 Olympics, the US team of Matt Grevers (backstroke), Brendan Hansen (breaststroke), Michael Phelps (butterfly), and Nathan Adrian (freestyle) won the gold medal in the medley relay. This was Michael Phelp's final race of his swimming career. What a great way for the most decorated Olympian of all-time to go out!

4.) Aly Raisman wins gold medal on floor exercise
After losing out on a bronze medal due to a tie-breaker in the individual all-around competition, Aly Raisman came back with stellar performances in her two event finals. She won a bronze medal after a solid balance beam routine. However, her near-flawless floor exercise routine which earned her the gold medal was the highlight of her event finals appearance. The first tumbling pass of her routine included a difficult element she left out in both the team and individual all-around finals, and she absolutely nailed it! Aly's gold medal also marked the first time an American gymnast won the floor exercise final in the Olympic Games. In addition to being an Olympic gold medalist, Aly Raisman also has great taste in shoes-check out my earlier post on her gold medal style!

5.) Oscar Pistorius Inspires the World
I don't get into track and field the way I do swimming, but anyone who has been watching the Olympics primetime broadcasts has heard the story of Oscar Pistorius, the South African sprinter who is a double below-the-knee amputee. He competes with prosthetic legs on a world-class stage against athletes who have both of their legs. Words can't adequately express how amazing and inspirational this is!

6.)Katie Ledecky wins gold in the 800m freestyle
Fifteen year-old Katie Ledecky, the youngest member of the USA swim team, won the 800m freestyle. She dominated the field, which included world-record holder Rebecca Atlington of Great Britain. Ledecky's winning time set a new American record in the event. The women's 800m freestyle had been one of the longest standing American swimming records, previously set by distance swimming great Janet Evans back in 1989!

This has been a memorable Olympics for sure! What have been your favorite moments?
-L
xoxo

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