Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals broke Mark Spitz’s record of seven at the 1972 Olympics. Phelps also broke seven world records in his eight races.
Breaking news from Beijing: the Olympics aren’t over yet.
You wouldn’t know it from how quickly people flipped off their televisions.
After Michael Phelps’ commanding march through history culminated Saturday in an eighth gold medal, NBC saw its Olympics ratings fall 14 percent Sunday.
There’s no disputing Phelps’ record-breaking Olympic performance was truly phenomenal. However, there is still plenty to watch before the Beijing games come to a close Sunday, especially if you’re an Oklahoma State fan.
Tonight marks the continuation of competition for freestyle wrestling, giving two former Cowboys the chance to go for gold.
Daniel Cormier will take his shot at 96 kilograms. Cormier is the lone U.S. wrestler from the 2004 Olympic team to make it to Beijing. He’ll have a tough time getting past Russian wrestler Khadjimurad Gatsalov, the favorite at the weight, but could be in a position to medal.
Steve Mocco, who was a heavyweight wrestler and a football player at Oklahoma State, will wrestle in his first Olympics at 120 kgs.
Cormier and Mocco will continue a tradition of OSU wrestlers at the Olympics.
In the past 80 years, there has been a former Cowboy wrestling in every Olympics except in 2000, and OSU coach John Smith coached the team that year. Smith won two gold medals as a wrestler.
Overall, 34 Cowboys have wrestled at the Olympics, winning 12 gold medals.
Who needs swimming with these former Cowboys trying to trade their orange power for Olympic gold?
If you’re looking for more OSU alums to fill your Olympic viewing schedule, look to Team Canada.
Lauren Bay Regula, who pitched for the OSU softball team in the late 1990s, is the ace for the Canadians as they make their Olympic push. Canada plays Australia in the softball semifinals today at 12 p.m. If Canada wins, it could set up a showdown with the U.S., who plays Japan at 9:30 a.m. and is the favorite to win gold.
For more drama from Beijing, follow the U.S. men’s basketball team as the “Redeem Team” tries to reclaim gold after finishing third in Athens in 2004. The medal games are Sunday morning.
Follow American Brian Clay as he tries to win the men’s decathalon, ending Friday. Follow handball, kayaking or synchronized swimming for all I care.
What matters is that you don’t miss the rest of these Olympic games.
This has been the greatest Olympics of my lifetime and probably the most entertaining since at least the end of the Cold War.
We’ve seen an opening ceremony that, despite its controversy, was breathtaking and awe-inspiring. We’ve seen American gymnasts Nastia Liuken and Shawn Johnson take first and second in the women’s all-around, the first time the U.S. has ever claimed the top two places. We’ve seen Usain Bolt’s continuing domination of the Olympic sprint titles.
And of course, we’ve seen Phelps. His eight gold medals in Beijing gave him 14 for his career, another record for the man who, at the age of 23, is making his case as one of the greatest athletes ever.
With so much history already being made, it would be a shame to not see that last great Olympic moment.
So if you changed the station once Phelps was done, change it back.
Cheer for Cowboys. Cheer for the U.S.
Just find a storyline and follow it. Don’t miss out on the final building blocks of history as an Olympics for the ages comes to a close.
The O’Collegian staff wishes the best of luck to all OSU alumni
competing in Beijing.
Loading ...
All Articles