In today’s Times

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Articles from Thursday’s edition of The Times.

Kerri Walsh, right, and Misty May-Treanor celebrate their gold medal victory over China. Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Reign continues for Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times: Dynamic American duo win their 108th consecutive match and second consecutive gold medal in women’s beach volleyball. Full article>>

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U.S. basketball team shows ability to execute . . . opponents

Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times: With LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, leadership is there that was lacking in 2004. Full article>>

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Usain Bolt sets world record in Olympic 200 meters

Philip Hersh, Special to The Times: The Jamaican sprinter wins gold with a time of 19.30 seconds. He is the first person to break both the 100 and 200 world records in the Olympics. Full article>>

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Usain Bolt rewrites the record books, then dances for joy

Mike Downey, Chicago Tribune: Jamaican sprinter sets a record in the 200. Is it the shoes? Perhaps it’s the yams. Full article>>

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The all-around difference between Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson

Diane Pucin, Los Angeles Times: Liukin, the Olympic all-around gymnastics champion, appears to want to stay competitive. Her U.S. teammate Johnson, who was favored in the event, contemplates taking a break. Full article>>

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Beach and indoor volleyball are worlds apart

Melissa Isaacson, Chicago Tribune: The indoor game, six to a team, is a virtual ballet with a perfectly choreographed routine, whereas the beach sport, with two to a team, is a more freewheeling game that calls for versatility. Full article>>

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Crossing national boundaries in quest for Olympic medals

Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times: Brazilians representing Georgia and Americans playing for Russia at the Beijing Games are among the instances that raise questions about what it takes to represent a country. Full article>>

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Former major league manager Davey Johnson says he’s honored to coach the U.S. team

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times: But he also recognizes the responsibility and the challenge as the Americans enter the medal round. Full article>>

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Kobe Bryant leads U.S. into semifinals

Mark Heisler, Los Angeles Times: He scores 11 of his 25 points early in the second half, when the Americans go on a 14-0 run to crush Australia, 116-85. Full article>>

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U.S. women’s basketball team gets another shot at Russia

K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune: The Americans were upset by Russia in the semifinals of the 2006 World Championships. On Thursday, the teams meet with a berth in the gold medal game at stake. Full article>>

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U.S.-Cuba baseball rivalry endures

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times: After bearing Japan, 4-2, Team USA advances to the medal round and will play Cuba on Friday. Full article>>

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U.S. baseball team beats Japan, 4-2

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times: Americans advance to the medal round and will play Cuba on Friday. Full article>>

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U.S. men’s volleyball hangs tough for win against Serbia

Diane Pucin, Los Angeles Times: Team USA was trailing in the third set when Coach Hugh McCutcheon called a timeout and gave a pointed pep talk. Full article>>

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BMX cycling events postponed because of rain

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times: Californian Mike Day, expected to be BMX cycling’s first Olympic champion, has to wait until Friday. The delay gives fellow U.S. rider Kyle Bennett more time to recover from his shoulder injury. Full article>>

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This guy is not horsing around in his writing about Olympics

Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times: Australian unhappy with failure in the equestrian competition. Full article>>