In today’s Times: pure gold
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Articles from Monday, Aug. 18, edition of the Los Angeles Times:
Michael Phelps won’t be just a shooting star
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times: Don’t expect the swimmer and his eight gold medals from Beijing to fade quickly from the scene. Phelps has what it takes to stay in the public’s orbit for a long time. Full article>>
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For U.S. track team, multiple setbacks in one very bad day
Philip Hersh, Special to The Times: No medal in the women’s 100, no finalists in men’s 1,500 or men’s high jump: It’s one disappointment after another. Full article>>
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Call the U.S. men the esteem team
Mark Heisler, Los Angeles Times: What’s being redeemed isn’t only their record but their global reputation, which had suffered in the years since 1992’s Dream Team. Full article>>
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Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin add Olympic gymnastics medals
Diane Pucin, Los Angeles Times: Johnson takes silver and Liukin gets bronze in floor exercise. China’s men take two more golds on pommel horse and floor exercise. Full article>>
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In the Olympic Games, fringe sports have their fans
David Colker, Los Angeles Times: Unfamiliar events get their moment of glory in Beijing and on the big screen in a Pasadena sports bar. Trampoline, anyone? Full article>>
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Americans sport a laid-back style in Beijing
Mary McNamara, Times Television Critic: In an Olympics in which the host country almost seems to be trying too hard to put on a perfect show, the U.S. team takes a ‘Never let ‘em see you sweat’ ethos and runs with it. Full article>>
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U.S. women’s basketball team rolls over New Zealand
K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune: Tina Thompson scores 10 of her 15 points during a 21-0 run in the second quarter and the Americans beat New Zealand, 96-60, on Sunday night to finish 5-0 in pool play. Full article>>
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Venus and Serena Williams take doubles Olympic gold
Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times: The Williams sisters win the top medal, beating the Spanish team, 6-2, 6-0. Full article>>
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Jim Lefebvre leads Chinese Olympic baseball team
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times: The former Dodger and big-league manager tries to ‘jump start’ the sport for the host nation. Full article>>
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U.S. men’s basketball team faces Germany
Mark Heisler, Los Angeles Times: In the likely event of a loss, Germany’s Chris Kaman will be heading back to L.A. Full article>>
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For L.A. wrestler, Olympics are just another challenge
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times: Born to undocumented Mexican immigrants, Henry Cejudo spent years bouncing from state to state. The odds will be stacked against him in the freestyle competition, but that’s how he likes it. Full article>>
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Matt Emmons loses Olympic shooting on last shot
Melissa Isaacson, Chicago Tribune: Heading into the final shot with a huge lead, the American almost misses the target completely and finishes in fourth place. Full article>>
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U.S. makes comebacks, rises to win silver in team sabre
Kevin Pang, Chicago Tribune: The seventh-seeded Americans stun Hungary and Russia before falling to France in the gold-medal match. Full article>>
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Oksana Chusovitina, 33, bucks young-gymnast trend
Diane Pucin, Los Angeles Times: The native of Uzbekistan wins a silver for Germany in the women’s vault. Full article>>
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Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva thinks she’s above the rest
Philip Hersh, Special to The Times: The Russian, possessor of 23 world-record vaults, scoffs at the idea that American Jenn Stuczynski is in her league. Full article>>
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Mark Spitz shows Michael Phelps a champion’s grace
Steve Springer, Los Angeles Times: Mark Spitz, whose 1972 record of seven golds in one Olympics was broken by Michael Phelps in Beijing, has only praise and admiration for the younger swimmer. Full article>>
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It’s official: These are the Michael Phelps Olympics
Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times: Phelps’ record-shattering performance in the pool has some writers wondering if there’s anything he can’t do. Full article>>
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John Cherwa, Orlando Sentinel: Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers advance to beach volleyball semifinals; China completes a sweep of diving gold medals. Full article>>