Did nobody learn from the baton mistakes in the relay yesterday?

Let's see if the men do any better...

Rhythmic gymnastics is so bizarre. I wouldn't for an instant suggest it's not interesting to watch, or that it doesn't take a lot more skill and ability than I'll ever possess, yet at the same time, I can't help but feel it's a bit of a lame sport to be included in the Olympics, especially when compared to the artistic gymnastics.

The ribbon is pretty, but the clubs aren't much to look at, are they? Actually, my favourite bit is seeing the bitchy, bitchy expressions of the other girls every time a routine finishes. There doesn't seem to be much camaraderie.

ETA - shit! The Russians got another gold! I don't want them to overtake us on the medals table. Boo, Russia!

Unlike the awesome, awesome heptathletes who, after the final event, all congregated on the track to hug and congratulate and genuinely smile at and talk to each other, and then they ran around the track holding hands, all thirty-some of them, and then they lined up holding hands and did a big Broadway bow to the crowd.

And then I assume they went out for dinner together and had a sleepover and braided each other's hair. LOVE! I LOVED THEM!

I didn't see that - I'm recording the athletics, I hope they showed it over here. It's really sweet, I like it when you can see that they like and respect each other. I haven't actually seen much bitchiness at all, except for the faces of the rhythmic gymnasts. Even the artistic gymnasts seemed to like each other (though I did see one or two hastily concealed smiles when rivals fell from their apparatus).

3 gold medals and 3 world records. I think it's safe to say that Usain Bolt is having a good week...

I love watching Bolt run so much. I think he kept running the last leg and finished ahead of the last place team. Awesome world record by the Jamaicans and I'm happy for Powell that he went home with a gold and a record.

Aw, the interview they just did with the BBC was so cute. Bolt and Powell seem to get on really well. Powell even said he wanted to get Bolt his 3rd record.

One of the commentators said that Powell is apparently working on Bolt's car back in Jamaica.

Bolt might wanna check his car...

But seriously, all of the athletes that still live in Jamaica all live close to each other for the simple reason that nothing in Jamaica is every really far. I loved Lewis's backhanded compliment to the Trinidad and Tobago relay team. "They only have about five or six guys who run all the time so their relay can be consistant!"

More on that underage gymnasts thing: this article suggests that the investigation has been delayed until after the Olympics to ensure an 'incident-free Games' - it may still be sorted out.

Woo! Bryan Clay won the decathlon! Hapas represent!

According to tvguide, NBC is not showing the men's soccer final tonight at midnight. Bastards.

I haven't really watched any judged events until the Taekwondo, and the bias is atrocious. I've now seen 2 British fighters get shafted in the last couple of days.


ETA - Oh my goodness - the team pro-*test*-('")ed, and the decision was reversed! Justice!

That is amazing - apparently it's totally unprecedented! The commentators here are saying that it hasn't been announced at the event in madarin yet - the Chinese crowd is going to go completely mental. Apparently the Chinese team and athlete have been totally sporting about it though, which is great.

I'm meant to be going out for a run but I can't until the crowd get told their hero isn't fighting.

If there's one thing these games have missed, it's a riot...

The IOC is still investigating. I feel bad for the Chinese gymnastics team. They sound so downtrodden now, but rules are rules. Honestly though, I don't think the IOC will find anything. I don't like how the US is being called sour grapes about this. There is evidence that the Chinese government lied so it needed to be pointed out.