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Record Setting Weekend in Beijing

As I’m sure you’ve all heard by now, Michael Phelps (with the help of his teammates) broke Mark Spitz’s record of 7 gold medals at one Olympic games.  Phelp’s 8 brought his overall gold total to 14 making him the winningest athlete in Olympic history (and he’s only 23).  Also in the pool, 41 year-old Dara Torres won 2 silver medals setting American records in both events, and becoming the oldest swimmer to win an Olympic medal.  She said she hopes her performance helps people realize that “our dreams have no age limits.”

Back on land it was all about Jamaica.  Usain Bolt, who just recently started running the 100m, streaked away from the rest of the field easily winning gold and setting a new world record of 9.69 seconds.  On the women’s side, it was a clean sweep with Shelly-Ann Frasier taking gold followed by Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart who tied for second.  The two golds were the first ever in the 100m for the small island country. 

Sports fan or not, you can’t help but be inspired by the joy that results when these people finally reach these dreams that they have been working so hard for.  Its just another reminder of the great things we can accomplish when we are willing to sacrifice.

-JH

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