Farewell Beijing Olympics, looking forward to the 2012 London Games

The Olympic Games has concluded and for 16 days, we watched athletes all over the world compete in the world’s grandest stage.

We watched Michael Phelps set records, the Redeem Team bring back the gold for the USA, we have seen Dara Torres in her early 40′s (the first swimmer to compete in the Olympics over 40-years-old, and her fifth Olympics) come close to another gold medal, men’s volleyball bounce back from tragedy to win the gold, women’s soccer win another and so many competitions that will definitely stick into my mind.

In the end, the USA scored the most medals and China as expected won the most gold medals. China’s dedication in the Olympics showed as the diving team was flawless, gymnastics (despite the criticism and rumors surrounding the age of the athletes) did a phenomenal job.

I also was awed by the speed of the Jamaican’s especially with Usain Bolt and beating Michael Johnson’s 200m record.

I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed to hear softball and baseball to be removed from the Olympic games for the next two Olympics. This is not a sport dominated the the US, this is a sport that people enjoyed competing worldwide and to find out these two sports are being eliminated temporarily is a surprise. Japan won the softball gold and S. Korea for the baseball gold and the close competitions are examples of why the sport should remain.

Now why are the two sports being eliminated? According to news articles, baseball and softball is not watched in Europe and seven of the eight International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidents have hailed from Europe.

It’s bad enough that unlike basketball, professional players are unable to compete. Could you imagine pro’s from the USA, Japan, Korea, Cuba, etc. competing in the Olympics, granted the games are during Baseball season and not sure how that would have played out but that would have been amazing.

But then there are really ridiculous rules such as, if there is an 11th inning, two people are put on bases and the team up to hit can select anyone to hit the ball. Granted, an interesting way to eliminate long matches I suppose.

But baseball and softball, no more for the next two Olympics? Surprising isn’t it?

Overrall, I felt that this Summer’s Olympic games were exciting to watch and with the games heading to the London for 2012, that’s definitely going to be quite interesting and quite exciting.

USA Basketball’s “Redeem Team” moves on to the Gold Medal round to face off against Spain

I’ve been a big supporter of TEAM USA for so many Olympics. I remember being so involved as a young kid for the 1980 Winter Olympics and watching the “Miracle on Ice” when the USA beat Russia and then Finland.

But I have always been passionate about USA Basketball at the Olympics. I started getting into it back in 1988 for the Seoul Olympics, knowing that professionals from the NBA couldn’t compete but seeing David Robinson on the team was exciting. USA Basketball came in third with a bronze medal but the following year, when the announcement came that USA Basketball can now bring in professional players, who would imagine a team with the greats of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippin, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Chris Mullin, David Robinson and Christian Laettner all together for one team.

That was just amazing and I remember buying everything “Dream Team” in 1992. The cards, the soundtrack, Olympics merchandise… You name it!

In 1996 at the Atlanta Olympics, Dream Team II was back with a few from 1992′s Dream Team making a return and some new comers on the team such as Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller and Mitch Richmond won another gold!

But in 2000 at the Sydney Olympics, despite having Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett, Steve Smith and other talents…the team nearly lost against Lithuania who nearly beat the USA team with a 3-pointer. USA won gold but this close game was a sign that International Basketball was no longer the same as the years of USA professionals will now have to counter with their own fellow NBA superstars from other countries.

And then came the 2004 Summer Olympics at Athens, Greece. I watched this one and hoping with the addition of the new young stars like Carmello Anthony, Lebron James, Dwayne Wayde would be in it but when many pro’s pulled out because of injuries, I figured there were still a good number of professionals that can win the gold. And I just remembered sitting in awe and watching Team USA losing against Spain 102-94 and then against Argentina 89-81. The team managed to capture a bronze medal but this was a team that comprised of NBA professionals. Has International Basketball come to the point where the years of USA dominance was a thing of the past?

Well, here we are in 2008, TEAM USA aka “The Redeem Team” has beaten Argentina 101-81 and will be going against Spain for the gold medal.

This team has really been exciting to watch with Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wayde, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Tayshaun Prince, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd, Carlos Boozer, Michael Redd and Derron Williams again dominating the boards and fortunately, with the exception of one game against Australia, TEAM USA has won in a considerable margin.

Of course, there is one more game left! And I’m excited about it! Hope to see the “Redeem Team” win the gold