"This is a Beat Down": Day One Review/Day Two Preview

The phrase, "passing the torch" is thrown around a lot in sports. It normally defines the event of an older, very accomplished and many times legendary athlete ceding his place on the sport landscape to a young,  hungry and extremely talented up and comer. It also can simply be the changing of an sport's top star, no matter the age. We all know when it happens and we understand the implications of it. While most times it sticks, sometimes the athlete passing the torch makes one last "I'm not finished yet" stand.  Roger Federer has done it like four times since 2008.  The phrase is very apt for the Olympics (torch!) and many of the most high profile passing's take place here. On Saturday at the London Aquatic Centre, the marquee rivalry (or at least the one NBC wants you to watch) of these games had its first confrontation, but what happened was not a passing of the torch. Ryan Lochte ripped the torch out of Michael Phelps hands and beat him over the head with it, his stunning 400 IM victory becoming the first major statement of these Olympics. It was so profound, that my dad, brother Burk and friend Pat (all of whom will no doubt appear again in these pages) had no idea what to say. When we could finally muster up the words to describe the race it started with, "starched", "destroyed", "he had nothing for him" and "beat down". I never thought I would describe a race that involved Phelps losing with those words. The "Baltimore Bullet" was untouchable, a man that not only could do no wrong at the Olympics, but was also a huge source of pride to a Baltimore community that would defend its athletes to the ends of the earth. I'm convinced 90% of this city would take a bullet for Ray Lewis. What happened on Saturday not only humbled the sometimes standoffish Phelps, but also brought down our guy, the guy we thought couldn't lose. Over the next week, the greatest Olympian of my lifetime will be examined, analyzed and picked apart around the country, but for now, the only thing the he wants, that we want, is that torch back. 

Things You Need to Know: (Thoughts on the day that was)

• I don't know what happened after the USA Women's Soccer team lost in the World Cup final last year to Japan, but this team is out for blood. They might not win this tournament, but they are going to attempt to eviscerate you trying. The USWNT dispatched an over-matched, but rugged Colombia team 3-0 on Saturday. Colombia, which didn't have much to offer besides a right cross (thanks SB Nation!) that might have been one of the better punches of the day had it been in the boxing event and and an excuse for me to yell TerpNation, did a solid job of stifling the Americans for much of the game. Late however, Abby Wambach (TFA) went all Gatorade commercial on two Colombian defenders and iced it for the US. This US team is fired up, with Hope Solo even tweeting furiously at Brandi Chastain about her apparent disrespect to Rachel Buehler on commentary. Hope, you've got a lot for tournament left, lets leave yelling at US Soccer legends until after the Olympics.
• The USA Men's gymnasts are for real. These guys are a group of gamers, who were able to keep the failings of the favored Chinese and Japanese out of there heads and just hit their routines. Were there bobbles? Yes. Can there be improvement between now and finals? Absolutely, but these guys will not give in, and with the shakiness developing around them, they might just find gold.
• Over the long run, the biggest story line that played out at the swimming venue on Saturday could be the continued emergence of Chinese swimming. Sun Yang defeat favored Korean Park Tae-Hwan in the men's 400 free and Shiwen Yi defeated American Elizabeth Beisel in the women's 400 IM. The first shot has been fired in the real biggest rivalry of these games; USA vs China. While the world's most populace nation was reported to be in a sporting downturn before these games, they showed on Saturday that they are not losing the medal count without a fight.
• Archery was awesome. Katniss!
• Team GB (TEAM GB!!!) was shut out of the medals on Day One with Cycling road race favorite Mark Cavendish losing to a 38 year old Kasak with a previous two year doping ban. Solid work as always cycling!

Day Two Preview

Things to Watch: (Summery of the events that require your attention)

The "Fabulous Five", otherwise known as the most talented USA Women's team ever assembled, makes its debut at the O2 Arena (I know its North Greenwich) for the qualifying rounds of Women's Gymnastics, with China, Russia and Romania and an emerging Great Britain (Team GB!) as the other medal contenders.... Michael Phelps is back in the pool for the 4 x 100 free relay, a race that four years ago made Jason Lezak into an Olympic legend... The uber athletic USA basketball team makes its first appearance against a Tony Parker led French team... Women's shooting, road cycling and field hockey are fun... Men's handball, boxing and soccer excite me.

Story lines to Follow: (More specific stories and events that you need to know)

• Gymnastics Injuries: Injuries are always a big part of gymnastics, and all the team gold medal contenders have concerns. American vault extraordinaire, frequent tweeter and pink Beats owner McKayla Maroney (TFA) has a toe injury, but seemed fine during podium training on Thursday. Her Amanar  (get used to that word) vault is the best in the world and she is a heavy favorite for gold in that event.  Russian superstar Aliya Mustafina is coming back from a torn ACL that took her out of the 2011 World Championships and her recovery has huge implications on Russia's medal chances and the All-Around competition. Watch this girl, because the 2010 World All Around champ is a fierce competitor and has the talent to flip the whole gymnastics competition on its head if she puts it all together. Finally, up and coming Romanian Larisa Iordache has planter fasciitis in her heel and may not be able to compete. I've had that injury and it really sucks, but Lax Splash is no Olympic games so hopefully Ms. Iordache will recover and put on a show. 
• USA small ball: I watched this USA team play Brazil in person last week and they are an interesting bunch. They're the most talented, athletic and well coached team in this tournament. However, seeing them struggle with the Brazilian big men was fascinating at times and is something to watch during your basketball viewing. It will take a herculean effort for anyone to beat this USA team, but there may be a formula.
• Exciting Niche Sports: Boxing, Archery and Handball were all awesome Saturday and should not disappoint on Day two (USA Boxing was great day one). Well, unless you hate corruption, the Hunger Games or the US not being involved. Really though, why are we not good at Handball?

TFA'S (Taylor's Favorite Athletes) TO WATCH: McKayla Maroney, Russell Westbrook

PGA (Personal Vendetta Alert) TO WATCH: Chinese Gymnasts 

One Last Thing: 

(Viewing habits! Personal vendettas! Coverage Analysis! Who knows what I'll say!)

• The first day grade for NBC is a B-. I'm not sure they'll ever receive an A because of tape delay but the coverage was good for the most part. Get used to Arlo White, US soccer viewers, that guy is not going anywhere, he's fantastic. Bob Papa and Teddy Atlas are once again shining over in boxing and I like most of the daytime hosts so far.  However, Pat O'Brian is horrible as the tennis host and the live streaming was very spotty.