China Fails in Major Olympic Goal, Men's Volleyball/Basketball Win Gold

I must have read 20 different articles prior to the Olympics that assured readers that the Chinese would top the medal list at the end of the Olympics. They had put all their efforts into not only dazzling the world with their facilities and organization, but had concentrated their sports training efforts to ensure they would win more medals than any other nation, especially the United States. They topped the list in gold medals, but they fell 10 medals short in the overall count. Somebody's gonna pay. Even the cheating with the women's gymnastics team couldn't push them past the U.S.

Some special congratulations must go to the Men's Indoor Volleyball Team which took the gold medal today after an Olympics that started in tragedy but ended in triumph:

BEIJING - As the crowd roared and his team exulted in its gold medals, the coach of the U.S. men's volleyball team buried his head in his hands and walked off the court. He had gone from the lowest low to the highest high, and it was all too much.

Hugh McCutcheon needed to be alone.

Just two weeks ago, at the start of the Olympics, his father-in-law had been stabbed to death in Beijing. He stepped away from his job to take care of his family. But his team, stirred by the tragedy, began an incredible run, ending Sunday with a 3-1 victory over defending champion Brazil — a team that they were never expected to beat.

"It all was starting to sink in," he said. "I had to take a step out and collect my thoughts and collect my emotions and come back out. It's a very meaningful moment."

In two weeks of competition, the Americans were undefeated. The 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 final gave the U.S. men their third Olympic gold medal in the sport, matching the record set by the Russians. Top-ranked Brazil, a two-time gold medalist, was left with the silver medal. Russia won the bronze earlier in the day with a three-set victory over Italy.

Usually, the Olympic focus is on the athletes. But the tragedy endured by this coach was an integral part of his team's story.

"He'll be the first to tell you that winning won't bring Todd back," U.S. wing spiker Reid Priddy said. "However this is a goal that he and his family have invested their lives in, just like we have. And so I know this is an incredibly special moment for us."

Todd Bachman was killed while sightseeing at the 13th-century Drum Tower in Beijing the day after opening ceremonies. Bachman's wife, Barbara, was badly wounded; the assailant jumped to his death from the tower.

Michael Phelps may have won 8 gold medals, but Men's Volleyball Coach Hugh McCutcheon is my Olympic hero.

Congrats should also go to the Men's Basketball Team for bringing the gold medal back home after a disaster in Athens four years ago. I wrote my thoughts on this year's team here.

Congrats to all of our athletes, whether medalist or not. I don't remember seeing any examples of poor sportsmanship or bad behavior from our team. Certainly nothing like this Cuban who kicked the referee when he got mad at a disqualification:

His competitive days are over.

The track team has some issues which need to be worked out (such as handing a stick from one runner to the next), but all-in-all, a spectacular Olympics for the U.S. I rarely watch live TV, but for the past 2 1/2 weeks have had the Olympics on every night and have slogged through the commercials and sports like synchronized diving, but overall, it's been fun.