On 11 August 2008, the U.S swimming team has won 4 x 100 freestyle relay in 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games. I was watching the match live from television and I have to say it is so hard to differentiate who has won it, either America or the French team. In fact, when only 25 meters to go, Frenchman was still leading with probably a body length of gap. At that moment, I thought France was going to win. However, Jason Lezak, who is the oldest member in the U.S swimming team and the last member in the 4×100 team, has managed to push himself closer, stroke by stroke. The last member of respective team lunged the wall almost the same time.
The final results are 3:08.24 for the USA and 3:08.32 for France.
Yes, only 0.04 second of difference.
It is probably the last stroke that has differentiated between the US and France team. It is probably the experience overcame talent in that 0.04 second. Few sporting events live up the hype, this one just exceeded it.
Here are few snapshots showing the moments when the America team celebrating the hard fought victory.
I saw Michael Phelps shouting, thrusting his arms together with Garrett Weber-Gale. For now, Michael Phelps has won 5 gold medals in Beijing 2008. I dropped my jaw when I found that he has actually made new world records in all the 5 events in he has participated in Beijing - 400 m individual medley, 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay, 200 meter freestyle, 200 meter butterfly, 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay.
OK girls, don’t drool…
Phelps has won 6 gold and 2 bronze in 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Phelps’ achievements with his various world records, have made him being named World Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Phelps has another 3 more events to go in Beijing the next couple of days and if everything goes as he wants, he probably will win another 3 gold medals. With or without those 3 gold medals or even going to London Olympics in 2012 four years later, Michael Phelps is currently the athlete with most number of gold medals in Olympics history. This guy rocks, doesn’t he?
Updated: Michael won all the 8 gold medals he wanted in Beijing Olympics. If you want to find out more about Michael Phelps, check out the other article of How Michael Phelps Managed To Break So Many Swimming World Records, One After Another?
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Tom Parker // Aug 14, 2008 at 8:19 am
Totally agree with you Mun. Success stories like this are really inspiring for when I’m performing my own exercise routines. It goes to show what you can achieve if you stick with whatever your chosen exercise may be.
foongpc // Aug 14, 2008 at 10:29 am
I am full of admiration for Phelps. He is indeed the greatest swimmer of all time! He’s breaking record after record and leaving his competitors trailing far behind. I don’t think he’ll go home with just 5 gold medals - he’s unstoppable!
Jonz // Aug 15, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Can’t agree more. He has to get the olympian of the century award. This dude totally rocks man.
AkiraSabine // Aug 15, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Yeap, how do you know I was drooling over his perfect figure?Unfortunately I haven’t caught any of these record breaking moments of his. However, this fan of his is still in awe of his butterfly especially. He swims it the best!
muchacha // Aug 18, 2008 at 2:46 pm
The Men’s 100m Butterfly was awesome. While Milorad Cavic lost the gold by 1/100 of sec or as the media put it, by a fingernail, he did not want to contest the results. This Serb has my respect for being a true sportman.