Word: goldings
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...touted as a showdown between the U.S. and Australia for the title of world's top swimming nation, with both countries initially trying to claim the status of underdog. By Saturday night, the U.S. had easily retained its champion nation's title, winning 33 medals, 14 of them gold - an improvement on both counts over the 1996 Atlanta Games. "When you're faced with a worthy opponent, it forces you to work for it," said American sprinter Gary Hall Jr., who shared gold with training partner Ervin after a dead heat in the 50-m freestyle. "We were able...
America's marvelous performance was spread across its entire team: 39 out of 48 swimmers won medals. The U.S. won four of the six relays, including all three for women. Individual gold eluded Thompson, but her three relay performances brought her career medal tally to 10 (with eight gold), making her America's most decorated female Olympian. Ukrainian-born backstroker Lenny Krayzelburg cruised to victory in both the 100-m and 200-m events - but did not break a world record - and picked up a third gold in the medley relay team. Though savored, Krayzelburg's victories were expected...
When Misty Hyman produced the swim of her life to beat Australian Susie O'Neill in the 200-m butterfly last Wednesday, it lifted the Americans; the Australians looked beaten, in the stands and in the pool. In the end, Australia and the Netherlands tied with five gold medals apiece. In Atlanta, Australia won two gold (and 12 medals in all), while the Netherlands scored a miserable two bronze medals. In Sydney, the host country won 13 minor medals compared with only three for the Dutch. The top three countries won 60 percent of all the swimming medals and broke...
...their ultra-competitive nature, can bring out the best in people. "A lot of it is psychological," said Hall, after five world records tumbled on the first night of competition. "Knowing a lot of records have been broken, it creates more." Australia's swimming-crazy fans screamed for gold and generously applauded the achievements of swimmers from all countries. That also helped bring in classic times and close races. "No matter what you've done in your career, the last eight days will never come close to it," said Australian Kieren Perkins, two-time Olympic 1,500-m freestyle champion...
...freestyle finals - perhaps an even greater feat than the American's considering the Dutchman's stellar opponents. In winning the blue-ribbon sprint title, Van den Hoogenband ended the reign of Alexander Popov, who was trying to win his third straight Olympic 100-m freestyle gold. "It's not the end of the world, obviously," said the 28-year-old Russian, undefeated over the distance for seven years before the Dutchman beat him last year in Istanbul. "I have already got plenty of medals. I can't win everything. I have to share...