Filed under: Thoughts much? | Tags: 2008, 4 x 100 Men's Relay, Alain Bernard, America, Beijing, Cullen Jones, Eamon Sullivan, France, Frederick Bousquet, Freestyle, Garrett Weber-Gale, gold medal, Jason Lezak, man hug, Michael Phelps, Olympics, smash the Americans, swimming, world record
OH. MY. GOD!!!! Did you see last night’s 4 x 100 Freestyle Men’s Relay??? It’s been put onto the list of my favorite Olympic moments EVER!!! Here’s what happened:
Well, a few days ago, Alain Bernard, the French swimmer, was quoted saying, “The Americans? We’re going to smash them! That’s why we’re here.” Well, eat your freakin’ words Bernard because you just got told… or for better words- swimmed!!!
The four people swimming for America were (from left to right) Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones, and Jason Lezak
Michael Phelps starts us off. After 100 meters, we’re neck to neck with France, but Eamon Sullivan of Australia leads (and has a World Record 1st leg). Then, Garret Weber-Gale, first time olympic swimmer, jumps in and gets us into the lead! Third to go is Cullen Jones. He loses the lead to French swimmer Frederick Bousquet, but still manages to keep a close 2nd.
THEN, THE SHOW DOWN OF ALL SHOWDOWNS!!!
Alain “American-Smasher” Bernard versus Jason “I Eat Frenchmen For Breakfast” Lezak
Alain keeps the lead over Jason, UNTIL about the last 25 meters, and you start to see Lezak close in on Bernard. It was at this point where the commentators [and I] had accepted that America would get the silver medal. Then, out of no where, in the final seconds of the race, Lezak speeds up and is practically tied with Bernard. I was standing inches away from my television screaming, “Did we get it? Did we get it?!”
WE DID!!! WE WON THE GOLD MEDAL!!! WE TOOK FRANCE’S WORLD RECORD!!!!
It was probably one of the greatest natural highs I have ever had. And did you see Michael Phelps’ face?!?!? PRICELESS!!!! It was as if he had won his first gold medal ever! I’ve never seen so much excitement on one person’s face!! Everyone on the America team is screaming. Phelp’s freaks out! Weber jumps up to him and joins the reveille! Jones walks over and celebrates! Lezak gets out of the water and embraces them all! It’s probably the greatest man hug ever:
There’s a new team in town… and it’s name is Mi-gar-len-son!
