August 13, 2012
Top 10 Olympic Feats - London 2012
- David Boudia - 10m Platform Gold
Why: This guy turned into another diver during the semis and finals. Put the Chinese under pressure and found the path to victory.
- Nathan Adrian - 100m Freestyle Gold
Why: 0.01 seconds, that’s why.
- McKayla Maroney - Team Gymnastics Vault
Why: Nothing else in gymnastics comes close to what this lady can do on the vault. The delta between her and the rest is astounding.
- David Rudisha - Men’s 800m
Why: Shattered the World Record, superb 400-600m surge.
- Ashton Eaton - Decathalon
Why: Versatility and consistency, this event remains the greatest test for higher, faster and stronger.
- Oscar Pistorius & Kirani James Tag Exchange
Why: Class act from Kirani, a fitting farewell to Pistorius.
- Yannick Agnel - France Mens 4x100 Freestyle Relay
Why: This guy was in another universe for Freestyle legs. Astounding speed. He was also classy, accepting victory and defeat with equal grace.
- Ye Shiwen & Katie Ledecky
Why: Two unreal young swimmers, one unfairly ridiculed and smeared. I think we’ll be hearing a ton from both of them in the future.
- Jamaican Men’s 4x100 Relay Team - 36.84
Why: Because four guys averaged 9.21 secs/100m for the first time in history.
- Michael Phelps - 100m Butterfly (17th Gold)
Why: Because even though this was not a perfect race for Michael, he found enough in the final 50m to overhaul his competition (Cavic) and get the Gold. A lot of that had to do with the intimidating time (50.86) he set in the semis. I don’t think there was anyone one in that pool who actually believed they could beat him. That makes this race the closest in tone to his 2008 exploits.