Join us throughout the Olympics for news, analysis, photography and more.
THIS WEEK's SI COVER (1:10 ET): Usain Bolt, going fast. Pretty cool.
U.S. VOLLEYBALL OUSTED (12:45 ET): "Not much went right for the U.S. men's volleyball team Wednesday afternoon at Earls Court, as the Americans lost to Italy in their quarterfinal match in straight sets, 28-26, 25-20, 25-20. The U.S. team had been hoping to successfully defend its gold medal from Beijing, which would have been the first back-to-back gold medals in the sport since the Americans did it in 1984-1988. Instead, the Americans squandered opportunities in the first set - including a botched call that gave them their first set point - but couldn't close out any of their three set points. The second set remained close until 16-16, at which point the Italians reeled off four consecutive point and cruised to a 25-20 victory. The third set felt more like a formality." (USA TODAY Sports' Nicole Auerbach)
HOOPS QUARTERS UPDATE (12:15 ET): "Men's basketball halftime update: France leads Spain 37-34 at halftime of their quarterfinal game. If France was unhappy with Spain's 16-point fourth quarter in a losing effort to Brazil which placed Spain the opposite half of the bracket as the USA, France is doing what it should do. Make Spain pay. France's Boris Diaw came to play. He has 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, Florent Pietrus, the older brother of Mickael Pietrus, has 10 points and Tony Parker has eight. Pau Gasol has six points and six assists, and Marc Gasol has five points and four rebounds for Spain. Halftime advice for Spain: Get the ball inside to the Brothers Gasol. The winner will play Russia in a semifinal game Friday." (USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt)
MUST-SEE (12:11 ET): The grumpy old man sitting behind Aly Raisman's jubilant parents during her gold-medal-winning floor routine yesterday. The genius is watching the grumpiness in super-slo-mo.
Russia, 83 Lithuania 74 (11:25 ET): Russia advanced to the semifinals where it will play the winner of Spain-France. Russia used its size advantage offensively and defensively to eliminate Lithuania, which didn't get nearly as many easy shots at the rim as it did in a 99-94 loss to the USA Saturday.
Andrei Kirilenko, who recently signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, continued his strong year with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Denver Nuggets big man Timofey Mozgov had 17 points and four rebounds and Viktor Khryapa had 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Russia.
Lithuania's Linas Kleiza, who plays for the Toronto Raptors had four points and seven rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas, another Raptor big man who will his first NBA season in 2012-13, struggled in the Olympics competition, but played possibly his best game with seven points, nine rebound, one blocked shot and solid defense against Russia.
"I'm missing something, I don't know," Valanciunas said. "This tournament was not so great for me. I did not play the best game I can do." (via USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt)
HAPPY TO BE HERE (11:00 ET): Japanese player and coach are jovial, thrilled to be here. Coach admits that Americans may have more incentive after World Cup defeat. (via USA TODAY Sports' Robert Klemko)
ON THE SCENE (10:20 ET): Tickets are in huge demand for the afternoon and evening quarterfinal sessions in the men's basketball tournaments. Several fans were stationed outside the entrance to North Greenwich Arena before the start of the Russia-Lithuania game asking if anyone had extra tickets. Fans of France and Spain, the second game of the afternoon session, were looking tickets, too. Felt like the outside of a soldout Phish show, minus the patchouli. (via USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt)
FOR LOVE *AND* MONEY (10:00 ET): U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati says the women's team will split a $1.5 million bonus if the Americans beat Japan in the final here Thursday, which is more than they would earn with a loss, though Gulati declined to specify how much more. (via USA TODAY Sports' Robert Klemko - full story)
TOO HARD ON LOLO? (9:45 ET): Lolo Jones responded emotionally to a critical article in the New York Times on TODAY Tuesday morning. "I didn't read it, but I heard it was quite bad," Jones said after racing in the Olympic 100-meter hurdles final Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium. "I don't understand why they would rip a U.S. athlete apart two days before they run." (via USA TODAY Sports' Bryce Miller - full story)
MOMENT OF THE MORNING (9:20 ET): Sarah Attar became the first Saudi woman to compete in Olympic track this morning. Here's an inspiring photo of her on the track. "It is the hugest honor to be here to represent the women of Saudi Arabia," she said. "It is an historic moment. I hope it will make a difference."
Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/RiKlYkkhs34/1
NFL Players strike Steelers Commissioner Roger Goodell Roger Goodell Goodell
No comments:
Post a Comment