Jezebel: Olympics

Do you care that Dara Torres didn't win a ...

Intern Margaret — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:20:00 EDT

Do you care that Dara Torres didn't win a gold medal? Neither does anyone else. Torres, 41, has become a national inspiration despite the fact that she returned home with three silver medals and has never won the gold. At the Olympics last month, her agent, Evan Morgenstein, tried to explain to her that losing the gold actually made her more relatable, since “wanting something so badly and you don’t get it, but you keep on trying, is something everyone can identify with.” Though Torres was disappointed about missing the gold by a hundredth of a second, she says the intense adulation she's received since she's come home, from throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees game, to inspiring Lance Armstrong to come out of retirement, to being congratulated by fawning fans wherever she goes, is helping her stop seeing herself as a loser. [NY Times]

Dara Torres, the 41-year-old American swimmer ...

Maria — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:45:00 EDT

Dara Torres, the 41-year-old American swimmer who won three silver medals at the Beijing Olympics this year, is set to undergo anthroscopic surgery to repair her right shoulder. Torres developed a degenerative arthritis problem in her acromioclavicular (or AC) joint in 2007, but she put off surgery in order to compete in the Beijing Olympics. [CNN]

Olympic pole vaulter Jenn Stuczynski isn't ...

Intern Margaret — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:20:00 EDT

Olympic pole vaulter Jenn Stuczynski isn't bothered by coach Rick Suhr chewing her out on camera after winning a silver medal, but she is upset by the public's reaction. On Saturday, Stuczynski defended her coach, explaining that the cameras didn't capture her asking Suhr what she'd done wrong, the fact that he was screaming over 91,000 fans, or their celebration afterwards. "I don’t ask for him to be a cheerleader,” Stuczynski said. “I don’t want him to carry pompoms and tell me I’m great when I’m not. That’s not the athlete I want to be. I don’t want the constant stroking of my ego. I want someone to be honest and fair. That wasn’t an attack, it wasn’t even criticism. It was the facts. That’s the way I took it." She added, "I’m 26 years old. I can think for myself. I’m a strong girl. My parents raised me to be strong and I was not even remotely sad that night." [The Buffalo News]

Sanya Richards, Teammates Come From Behind To Win 4X400 Relay

Jessica — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:30:00 EDT

Despite being edged out and hugely disappointed by her second place finish in the 400 meter race, American sprinter Sanya Richards managed to overtake the Russians and help the U.S. women win gold as the anchor of the 4X400 relay on Saturday. (Clip of the last two legs of the race is at left.) The night after her silver medal win, says Richards, "I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's hard. I worked for four years." But after Saturday's relay victory, Richards felt vindicated. "At least now I have something positive to think about. I have to say it was good," she says. We won more medals on the women's side in how many years? I'm really proud of the team and the fact we ended up on a high note".

U.S. 4x400 Teams' Gold Ends Spotty Performance By American Athletes [SF Chron]

Golden Boys: U.S. Water Polo Team

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

Players from the US water polo team celebrate after defeating Serbia during the Men's semifinals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 22, 2008. The US went on to win 10-5. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Sheila Taormina

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:50:00 EDT

[Image via AP.]

Sheila Taormina of the United States dives into the pool in the swimming event of the women's modern pentathlon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.Taormina win the fourt heat.(AP Photo/Martin Mejia) — AP

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Heather Fell

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:55:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

Heather Fell of Great Britain on her horse 'Lele' clears a jump during the women's riding in the modern pentathlon event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Olympic Sports Centre stadium on August 22, 2008. (INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Anne-Caroline Chausson

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:25:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 22: Anne-Caroline Chausson of France competes in the Women's BMX semifinals held at the Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross Venue during Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Evgeniya Kanaeva

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:55:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

Russia's Evgeniya Kanaeva competes in the individual all-around qualification of the rhythmic gymnastics at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing on August 22, 2008. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: German Kayak Team

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:25:00 EDT

[Image via AP.]

From right, Germany’s Conny Wassmuth, Katrin Wagner-Augustin, Nicole Reinhardt and Fanny Fischer paddle to win their Kayak Four 500m Women final at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) — AP

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Grace Upshaw

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:55:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 22: Grace Upshaw of the United States competes in the Women's Long Jump Final at the National Stadium on Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Boys: Jeffrey Powers, Tony Azevedo

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:35:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 22: Jeffrey Powers #4 and Tony Azevedo #8 of the United States celebrate their win over Serbia in the men's semifinal game of the water polo event at the Yingdong Natatorium on Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

This Just In: Women Excel At Sports -- And Motherhood

Anna N. — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Today's Wall Street Journal congratulates Roqaya Al-Gassra for trouncing her opponents in a qualifying heat for the 200-m dash, all while wearing a hijab. Her country, Bahrain, sent just two women to the Athens Olympics, but this year they sent four. And women's participation in the Games is rising across the board — 42% of athletes this year are women, the highest percentage ever. Women are cleaning up in the medal counts too: As of today the US women have 50 to their male teammates 48, while Chinese women dominate with 54 to the Chinese men's 34. All this asskickery should be inspiring to all women, but coverage of female Olympians shows we still have a ways to go — especially when it comes to sports and motherhood.

Last week we talked about sexist coverage of female athletes' bodies, but yesterday Morgan Felchner at US News and World Report brought up a different issue: Olympic moms. Not Debbie Phelps this time; she's talking about the 20 women on the US Olympic team who are also mothers. She references a Sports Illustrated article called "Mother Load" which profiles some of "the boo-boo-kissin', bedtime-story-readin' athletes who really put the family in the IOC's self-important phrase, Olympic family." These women are awesome, but Felchner points out they're still rare. "Just like in politics," she writes, "when a woman takes time out from her sport to give birth, it is equally as shocking."

"These women don't expect praise for raising their children," she continues, "nor do they expect kudos when they come back to the sport after giving birth [...] They want to win gold medals and they do so with the support of their children and spouses." Articles like "Mother Load" — subhead: "balancing the demands of motherhood and Olympic competition can be heavy lifting, but Melanie Roach and a new generation of women are making it look easy" — highlight how combining kids and sports is an anomaly deserving of a special profile, when it should be totally accepted. "Until it's commonplace for women to have children and still do the stuff of their dreams," Felchner writes, "whether it's winning Olympic gold or the presidency, it's evident we have some work to do."

With female athletes from around the world showing they can climb the medal stand just as well as men, it's a perfect time to emphasize that female athletes are entitled to the balance of public life and family life that men have long taken for granted. Sports Illustrated deserves praise for showing that some of the best female athletes in the world can and do have children — especially when other media outlets are focusing on sex in the Olympic Village or Jennie Finch's cleavage. But let's hope that soon this truth will no longer need showing.

A Woman's Place Is Here
Olympic Moms and Pregnancy in Politics

Related: Sex And The Olympic City [Times of London]

Earlier: Gawking At Olympic Bodies, For Better Or For Worse
MagHag
Female Olympians Known For Their Brawn, Not Their Beauty

Golden Boys: Jason Kidd, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Dwight Howard

Anna — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:50:00 EDT

(L to R) USA's Jason Kidd, USA's Dwyane Wade, USA's LeBron James and USA's Dwight Howard celebrate at the end of the men's semi-final basketball match Argentina against The US of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 at the Olympic basketball Arena in Beijing. The US won 101-81. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Golden Girls: Hwang Kyungseon, Gwladys Patience Epangue

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

Hwang Kyungseon (L) of South Korea lands a kick on Gwladys Patience Epangue of France in the semi-final of the women's -67 kg taekwondo match during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 22, 2008. (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images)

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Maartje Paumen, Chen Qiuqi

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

The Netherlands' Maartje Paumen (L) charges China's Chen Qiuqi (R) in their women's final field hockey match during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on August 22, 2008. (CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: U.S. Synchronized Swimming Team

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

USA's team competes in the synchronized swimming technical routine team event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing on August 22, 2008. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Christine Ohuruogu, Indira Terrero

Intern Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 22: Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain competes with Indira Terrero of Cuba in the Women's 4 x 400m Relay Round 1 - Heat 1 at the National Stadium on Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Chinese Continue To Deny Allegations Of Age-Fudging In Women's Gymnastics

Jessica — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:30:00 EDT

Even though the women's gymnastics competitions ended days ago, controversy is still roiling over the age of the Chinese gymnasts, specifically He Kexin and Yang Yilin. The IOC has said that there is no proof at this time that He and Yang are under 16, but that they want the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate the matter further. According to the AP, the Chinese coach, Lu Shanzan as well as He and Yang's parents are "indignant," and furthermore, Shanzan says, "They have faced groundless suspicion. Why aren't they believed? Why are their children suspected? Their parents are very angry."

But the suspicion is not entirely groundless, the AP notes. "Earlier this month, the AP found registration lists previously posted on the Web site of the General Administration of Sport of China that showed both He and Yang were too young to compete. He was born Jan. 1, 1994, according to the 2005, 2006 and 2007 registration lists. Yang was born Aug. 26, 1993, according to the 2004, 2005 and 2006 registration lists. In the 2007 registration list, however, her birthday has changed to Aug. 26, 1992." In addition, Time linked to blogger Stryde Hax, who found evidence on the Chinese search engine Baidu that official cached documents listing He's birth date as 01-01-1994 had been deleted.

Below is a clip from this morning's Today show in which Meredith Vieira discusses the hubbub with journalist Alan Abrahamson, who thinks that the Chinese are far too sophisticated and well-versed in gymnastics rules to make the elemental mistake of leaving He's "real age" on a publicly accessible website:

Despite Abrahamson's point about the Chinese sophistication in gymnastics circles, honestly? I think these girls probably are underage, but that the Chinese government will never, ever admit that they forged new documents for He and Yang to allow them to compete. If they bothered to lie in the first place, they're not going to admit the truth, even if the IOC does accuse them of foul play. How can they prove it anyway? Cut these girls open and look for tree rings? As the AP points out, China has falsified documents before, and "Even China's own Yang Yun, a double bronze medalist in Sydney, said during an interview aired on state broadcaster China Central Television that she was 14 during the 2000 Games." I think we might just have to echo Nastia Liukin's attitude about the entire thing. She said earlier this week about He, "She's an excellent athlete no matter how old she is."

Gymnasts' Parents 'Indignant' Over Age Questions [AP]
Olympic Controversy Update [Time]
Hack The Olympics![Stryde Hax]

Golden Girls: Veronica Campbell-Brown

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:50:00 EDT

[Image via AP.]

Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown celebrates winning the gold in the women's 200-meter final during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) — AP

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Stacey Nuveman, Megu Hirose

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

Japan's Megu Hirose (R) slides safely into home as the ball gets past US catcher Stacey Nuveman (L) in the top of the seventh inning, scoring the third run for Japan, the end of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games softball gold medal match against Japan at the Fengtai stadium on August 21, 2008. Japan won 3-1 to take home the gold, with the US receiving silver and Australia the bronze. (OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Evgeniya Kanaeva

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 21: Evgeniya Kanaeva of Russia competes in the Individual All-Around Qualification round held at the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Gold Medal Cunts

Anna — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Reader submitted tip: Did Tiki Barber call the Today Show's Jenna Wolfe a "cunt"? We say no. You say...? [DailyMotion]

Golden Girls: Lise van der Meijden

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:45:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

Goalkeeper Lise van der Meijden from the Netherlands (R) makes a save during the Women's Water Polo Finals match at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 21, 2008. The Netherlands went on to win gold with a 9-8. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Heather Mitts

Anna — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:50:00 EDT

BEIJING - AUGUST 21: Heather Mitts of United States runs with the ball during the Women's Football Gold Medal match between Brazil and the United States on Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 at Worker's Stadium in Beijing, China. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Swimmer Loses Her Leg, Goes On To Compete in the Olympics

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EDT

South African swimmer Natalie du Toit didn't win a medal in Beijing, but she is still one of the most inspiring Olympians of this year's Games. Du Toit, 24, lost her left leg in a motorcycle accident in 2001, a year after she failed to qualify for the Sydney Games. Three months after her leg was amputated at the knee she was back in the water, and went on to win five gold medals in the 2004 Paralympic Games. After narrowly failing to qualify for the 2004 games, this year Natalie became the first female amputee to compete in the Olympics. She swam in the 10km race yesterday, finishing 16th out of 25, as seen in the clip above from The Today Show.

Retro Sports Style: The Haircuts & Smiles Were As Uneven As A Gym Apparatus

Anna — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

We think everyone can agree that it's been an amazing two weeks of the Olympic games: Michael, Usain, Rebecca, Nastia, Shelly-Ann, Dita, Valerie, Kerri and others have both entertained and awed. And even though the games are just about four days away from ending, and the major news networks are already running (and hawking) highlight reels, we thought we'd close out the second and final week of the Summer Games with a little nostalgia of our own, namely, our own sports-related failures and triumphs...in fashion. One thing we noticed: A lot you participated in gymnastics, soccer and softball. Fewer played Little League. Even fewer, lacrosse and tennis. But all of you were awesome...and, of course, ridiculously adorable. After the jump, a few dozen of our favorite Olympics-inspired past fashion photos.

(Click on any image to begin gallery view)

Golden Girls: Anita Gorbicz

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

Hungary's Anita Gorbicz holds the ball during a women's handball semifinal of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games against Russia on August 21, 2008 in Beijing. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Katie Smith

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

USA's Katie Smith jumps for the basket during the women's semi-final basketball match Russia against The USA of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 at the Olympic basketball Arena in Beijing. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Antonietta Di Martino

Intern Margaret — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 21: Antonietta Di Martino of Italy competes in the Women's High Jump Qualifying Round held at the National Stadium during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Nathalie Du Toit

Intern Margaret — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:50:00 EDT

[Image via AP.]

Natalie du Toit, of South Africa, center, removes her prosthetic leg before the start of the women's marathon swimming during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008. Portugal's Daniela Inacio, left, and Italy's Martina Grimaldi, right, look on. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, IOPP, Pool) — AP

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Roqaya Al-Gassra, Aleksandra Fedoriva

Intern Margaret — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:50:00 EDT

[Image via AP.]

Bahrain's Roqaya al-Gassra, right, and Russia's Aleksandra Fedoriva compete in a women's 200-meter 2nd round heat during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) — AP

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Sarah Walker

Intern Margaret — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 20: Sarah Walker of New Zealand competes in the Women's Seeding phase of the BMX competition at the Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Sara Khosh Jamal, Yang Shu-Chun

Intern Margaret — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:50:00 EDT

[Image via Getty.]

BEIJING - AUGUST 20: Sara Khosh Jamal of Iran (red) competes in the Women's taekwondo -49kg quarterfinal against Yang Shu-Chun of Chinese Taipei at the University of Science and Technology Gymnasium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — Getty

Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Golden Girls: Andrea Fuentes, Gemma Mengual

Anna — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:50:00 EDT

Spanish Andrea Fuentes and Gemma Mengual (R) perform in the synchronized swimming duet free routine final event at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Russians Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova won the Olympic synchronised swimming gold medal here ahead of Spain and Japan. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)

Golden Girls: Fukuhara Ai

Anna — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:50:00 EDT

Fukuhara Ai of Japan serves during her 2008 Beijing Olympic Games women's table tennis single preliminary match against Melek Hu of Turkey in Beijing on August 20, 2008. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)

There's No Boxing Day For Olympic Women In Beijing

Dodai — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EDT

There's an article on the Reuters Blogs today asking whether women should be allowed to box in the London Olympics in 2012. To be honest, I didn't realize women were not allowed to box. They can weightlift, run, dive play basketball, field hockey, do judo, fence and participate the Modern Pentathalon, but they can't box? It wasn't always so: Apparently there was women's boxing in the 1904 Olympics. And the International Boxing Association women’s commission vice-chairwoman, Bettan Andersson, believes having women’s boxing at the Olympics would help improve the overall image of the sport: "If women come in, people will feel the sport is more common, not so dangerous, and that would be a very good thing for the image of boxing," she says.

As a fan of boxing, I have to agree. I used to think boxing was just a brutal, savage spectacle of two people beating the crap out of each other. And it is! But I've learned that it's more than that.

It's a sport of endurance, skill, strategy and footwork. It's not brainless swinging — that's a bar brawl. Boxers train and think and outwit and scheme. And yes, brutally pummel each other. But when it comes to not letting women punch women, something stinks. Is this about females being delicate flowers? Is this about women not messing up their beautiful faces? I can't understand why women would be allowed to do Taekwondo in the Olympics, but not box. If you've ever seen Michelle Rodriguez in Girlfight or Laila Ali throw a jab, you know that an incredibly strong woman brings new meaning to the word "knockout".

Should Women Box In The London Olympics? [Reuters]

Golden Boys: Serbian Men's Water Polo Team

Anna — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:50:00 EDT

Players of Serbia celebrate after defeating Spain during their 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men's warter polo quarterfinal match in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Serbia won 9 to 5. AFP PHOTO / FRED DUFOUR (Photo credit should read FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

Shawn John And Mom Thrilled With Olympic Gold

Jessica — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Maybe you heard, but Shawn Johnson won gold last night in the individual balance beam competition. And we've got some clips! This first bit of footage shows the self-proclaimed "daredevil with a big smile" waving to the crowd — her mom and dad included. Her mom is crying tears of joy, and it's just about the sweetest thing imaginable, made even more poignant when the announcer says that the Johnsons mortgaged their house more than once to pay for Shawn's training. You can see a video of Shawn's winning performance here. The second clip, posted after the jump, shows Shawn on the podium accepting her gold medal. The medal ceremony music is a little cheese, but the sentiment is clearly authentic.

Gymnastics: Shawn Johnson, Beam Gold [NBC Olympics]

Golden Girls: Zhao Yudiao, Janne Mueller-Weiland

Anna — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:50:00 EDT

Zhao Yudiao (L) of China celebrates after scoring a goal as Janne Mueller-Weiland (R) of Germany reacts during a women's field hockey semifinal match of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)