Team USA at Top of Final Medal Count

Photo from usatoday.com

What a finale to the Olympic Games!  Jake Varner added another gold to America's medal count by capturing the championship at 96 kg (211.5 lb), highlighted by a textbook ankle pick in the first period.  This marked the first time the US earned multiple gold medals in freestyle since the Atlanta games in 1996.  In addition to Jordan Burroughs's gold medal and Coleman Scott's bronze, Tervel Dlagnev took fifth at heavyweight for the US yesterday.  It was a great performance for the team, but they finished just shy of team gold, placing third with 38 points.  Russia and Georgia tied for first with 40.

There are a few more events being shown on TV before the Closing Ceremonies are broadcasted at 8:30 EST, and I'm a little bummed that it's coming to an end.  But, a perfect quote for that feeling came from Michael Phelps when interviewed about this being his last games: "Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened."  And while we're in the spirit of quotes, here are some more wise words from the athletes:

"Yeah, I would've liked to have been six hundredths of a second faster, but there's nothing I can do about that now, so I just have to move forward." - Michael Phelps

"Success and winning is not the goal.  The goal is to play your best.  If you do that, winning and success will happen along the way." - I can't remember for the life of me - it was one of the women's volleyball players from another country

 "I'm just enjoying the moment right now.  I will probably have some chocolate milk or a Mountain Dew to celebrate."  - Jake Varner - I through this one in there just for kicks

And plenty more that I forgot and didn't get a chance to write down.  If you're looking for more motivation, a quick scan of any of the articles about the games should come up with some gems.

Congrats to all who represented their country,
Jeff