SMASHED!

Why do we write about the Olympics so much? Forget that, why do we love the Olympics so much? Because of what just happened at the Cube about 30 minutes ago. A 4x100m freestyle relay that will go down in history as one of the best. The race itself you will see only once every four years. And a race like that…something you many only see once in a lifetime. If you weren’t watching, then you can’t really call yourself a sports fan or an American. If this is so, I’ll give a short recap on what transpired.

Coming into the race, France seemed the favorites, even though the U.S. team had set a world record in the prelims. French star and world-record holder himself Alain Bernard had said France was going to "smash" the U.S. in the race. French swimmers were saying the U.S. team was scared of them. But when it came down it, the U.S. was the better team. The best team. The best in the entire world. And Michael Phelps’ dream of eight gold medals is still intact. Thanks to a 33 year-old, self-coached swimmer named Jason Lezak. Lezak, who is competing in his third Olympic games and is the oldest man on the U.S. swimming team, charged home in the anchor leg of the race to outtouch the 100m world-record holder Bernard. Lezak had been nearly a body length behind Bernard before closing in and finally overtaking the Frenchman at the last possible moment. Lezak’s 46.0 anchor leg was the fastest in history. The team time of 3:08.24 shattered the world record set by the U.S. team Sunday night in the prelims, which was set without Phelps. France finished at 3:08.32, losing by literally a finger tip. But a finger tip was enough to shut the French up and show them who’s boss. And while Lezak stole the show with his epic performance, credit must go to the entire team. Phelps got the Americans off to a great start, swimming his opening leg in 47.51. Second swimmer Garrett Weber-Gale actually swam a faster leg than Phelps, clocking in at 47.02. And Cullen Jones was solid as the three man, swimming his leg in 47.65. But the most credit is due to Lezak. His swim will go down in history as one of the greatest. Stunning. Phenomenal. Heart-stopping. Unbelievable. Call it what you want, this race was indeed great. Shutting the French up. Even better.