Olympic Update: Diving

The finals of the 3m Springboard...

Troy Dumais 

Mexico's Yahel Castillo, who led for a few rounds

Russia's Ilya Zakharov

Troy

Matt Mitcham, gold medalist in the 10m platform four years ago, 

cheering for Ilya

My 2008 Olympic crush, Canada's Alex Despatie

Ilya

Great Britain's Chris Mears, who finished ninth, 

but gave the dive of his life (and one of the highest-scoring) 

in front of an adoring home crowd

Once again, China's strangle hold on diving gold is broken.

Ilya wins!

Olympic Update: Water Polo - USA vs. Croatia

FINAL SCORE

Croatia 8
USA 2

Another heart-breaking game.

Pre-game huddle

Team Croatia

 
I'm not quite sure what's going on here,
but I suspect it's meant to be offensive.

Just 'cause

Our first time out

Damir Buric

Ryan Bailey loses his hat

Paolo Obradovic

Unexpected Croatian pecs walk in front of the camera

The sinking spirits of Team USA

The confident Team Croatia 

 The final time out

 
Chay Lapin leads the way back to the bench for the final minutes of the game

Olympic Update: Diving

Men's 3m Springboard Preliminaries...

Troy Dumais and his well-packed suit... always impressive

Troy's synchro partner Kristian Ipsen

Canadian Alex Despatie

 Alex's coach and "best friend" Arturo

Alex

A relaxed Troy waiting to dive

And here we are in the Semi-Finals...

More Alex

Greg Louganis in the stands

Speaking of well-packed suits...

He's trimmed his chest hair for the Games... a pity

The Finals are yet to come...

Olympic Update: Swimming - Rowdy Gaines

NBC's swimming commentator Rowdy Gaines (b. 1959) was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1980 after setting world records in both the 100m and 200m freestyles. He was looking at five possible gold medals in Moscow. But the USA ended up boycotting the games to protest the Soviet's war in Afghanistan. After a brief retirement, Gaines returned, working as a hotel night clerk to finance his Olympic dream, which came true in 1984, when Gaines won three gold medals in Los Angeles.

Still lookin' good, Rowdy!