U.S. midfielder Shannon Boxx heads away a corner kick as Brazil threatens to score late in the second half of overtime at the women’s Olympic soccer final. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Christie Rampone, left, Kate Markgraf and Lori Chalupny celebrate the final seconds of a U.S. victory over Brazil in the women’s Olympic soccer final in Beijing. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. soccer player Christie Rampone carries the national flag as Carli Lloyd and Heather O’Reilly follow after the team defeated Brazil. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. goalie Hope Solo runs across the field sporting a homemade gold medal while talking on a cellphone during a post-game celebration. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The U.S. women’s soccer team poses for photographers after receiving gold medals. The US beat Brazil, 1-0, in overtime to win third gold medal in four Olympic tournaments. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. catcher Stacey Nuveman tosses the bat as she pops out with runners on base midway through the softball gold medal game with Japan. The U.S. lost, 3-1. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Caitlin Lowe leaves the field after the U.S. suffered a loss to Japan in the softball gold medal match. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The U.S. women’s softball team cues up for the medal ceremony. The team won the silver medal. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. wrestler Steve Mocco, right, loses to Russian Bakhtiyar Akhmedov in a men’s wrestling quarterfinal match. Mocco lost in another match and was eliminated. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Taimuraz Tigiyev of Kazakhstan says a prayer after defeating George Gogshelidze in a men’s wrestling quarterfinal match. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
USA’s Misty May-Treanor returns a shot against China in the gold medal match at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
USA’s Misty May-Treanor makes a save in front of teammate Kerri Walsh against China in the gold medal match. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Fans brave the rain as they cheer on their teams during a gold medal match between USA and China. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
China’s Jia Tian dives for a ball against USA in the gold medal match. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The U.S.’ Kerri Walsh, right, is ecstatic about her win with Misty May-Treanor over China at the Olympics. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The U.S.’ Kerri Walsh, left, and Misty May-Treanor celebrate their gold medal win over China at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown crosses the finish line and wins the gold medal in the women’s 200-meter final. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica celebrates her gold-medal win in the women’s 200 meter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Muna Lee (9), Allyson Felix (5) and Marshevet Hooker of the U.S. embrace in a group hug as Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart catches her breath after the women’s 200 meter. Felix takes home the silver, Stewart the bronze. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. runner Jeremy Wariner prepares for the men’s 400-meter final. Wariner finishes the race in second place. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
USA’s LaShawn Merritt waves to the crowd after winning the gold medal in the men’s 400 meter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
LaShawn Merritt of the U.S. is in disbelief after winning the gold medal in the men’s 400-meter race. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. runners Torri Edwards, behind, and Lauryn Williams have a bad exchange and drop the baton in their women’s 400-meter relay heat at the Beiing Olympics. The U.S. finished last and did not qualify for the final. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Edwards screams as teammate Williams runs back to pick up the dropped baton in their women’s 400-meter relay heat at the Beijing Olympics.(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Edwards stands alone after she and teammate Lauryn Williams dropped the baton in their 400-meter relay heat. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Cuba’s Dayron Robles leaps over the last hurdle to win the men’s 110-meter race. David Payne of the U.S., right, with teammate David Oliver finished second and third, respectively. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Gold is in sight for Cuba’s Dayron Robles, who celebrates his win in the men’s 110-meter hurdles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
American Bryan Clay relaxes between attempts during the high jump competition of the men’s decathlon at the Beijing Olympics. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Ukraine’s Oleksiy Kasyanov splashes into the mat in a heavy rain storm during the high jump portion of the decathlon. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Decathlete Gonzalo Barroilhet of Chile shakes the rain off his face during the high jump competition. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
