The Beijing Olympics ended after a memorable 16 days of competition and world record-breaking. The opening was massive and lavish, focused on China's history, and the finale was another extravagant display of modern, fanciful performances and fireworks.
Olympics Close in Beijing, Head to London in 2012
What that Weird Thing on Kerri Walsh's Shoulder is
One of the smaller mysteries of the Olympics has been solved! The Daily News confirms that the black tape-like stuff on U.S. beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh is in fact Kinesio tape, a "brand of therapeutic sports tape from an Albuquerque-based company that claims to assist and support muscles without inhibiting the joint's range of motion." (Walsh had shoulder surgery last year.)
Phelps's 0.01-Second Win Gives Him 7th Gold Medal
Wow. Michael Phelps won his seventh gold medal in these Beijing Olympics with a 0.01 of a second edge over Serbia's Milorad Cavic in the 100 meter butterfly, with a time of 50.58 (not a world record, but an Olympic record and a personal best). Phelps is now tied with Mark Spitz for having won the the most gold medals--seven--in one Olympics.
Big Day in Beijing for American Gymnasts, Swimmers
The U.S. Olympics team racked up the medals today. Edging Michael Phelps and his world record-setting ways briefly out of the spotlight were the American women's gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson, who won the gold and silver medals respectively in the all-around competition. First-place was determined only after the final rotation--the floor exercise--and Liukin edged Johnson out. China's Yang Yilin won the bronze. Bela Karolyi described Liukin's and Johnson's differences, “Nastia has those long lines and grace, while Shawn is that little fireball constantly moving. They are so opposite, but their outcome and scores are just about the same.” For fun, here's video of Karolyi freaking out (in a good way) during Liukin's performance.

