Swimming was big last night

Oh Say Can You See, Olympic History, US Takes 1 and 3!! Coughlin Takes GOLD in Women’s 100M Backstroke

The 100 Meter Backstroke saw Natalie Coughlin and Kirsty Coventry likely to be in a tight race. Coughlin broke out beautifully and took a strong lead early.

Coughlin was off strong, and well ahead of Coventry, but was drawing near the lane line and needed to center herself. Coughlin turned strong holding the lead and still looked to be well in front by about 2/3 of a body length, but we have seen how in prior races that can dissipate quickly.

Halfway through the final lap you could clearly see Coughlin drifting. And the rest of the pack started to catch up. Coventry was making her push for Gold and Coughlin was just inches ahead.

At the touch, Coughlin TAKES THE GOLD!!! Coventry of Zimbabwe took the Silver and Coughlin’s US teammate Margaret Holzer took the Bronze!!!

Two more US Medals. “Oh Say Can You SEEEEEE!!!!” Olympic HISTORY! Coughlin is the first ever to defend the title successfully in the Women’s 100 Meter Backstroke in Olympic History!

Phelps Makes Olympic Medal History, Wins Men’s 200M Freestyle for GOLD!

Phelps broke out to the lead early with a strong leap into the pool and reached the turn first, but was under his record pace.

Phelps had a body length lead on the second turn, and was looking stronger as he progressed. Phelps passed World Record Pace just before the last turn, and following the turn was a full second under with 40 meters left. Not one racer in the pool was close.

Phelps was going for a World Record all the way and touched at 1:42.96 almost a full second ahead of the World Record. Peter VanderKaay of the US touched third for the Bronze.

Phelps now has 9 golds and 11 total medals in the Olympics. One more, and he will be the new record holder of total medals.

In 1972, Mark Spitz took 7 Golds. He has held that record now for 36 years. Phelps could break that record as well and has 3 Golds so far in this Olympics thanks to the heroic win of the US Relay Team in the Freestyle 4×100 Meter race.

Soni!!! No Bologna!!! USA’s Rebecca Soni takes Silver in Women’s 100M Backstroke

This was clearly Leisel Jones race. Jones from Australia left little doubt throughout the race who was going to touch first.

But Rebecca Soni put in a spectacular performance to take the Silver. Soni is stronger in the longer distance. Could we be looking at a Soni GOLD???

Peirsol “Peirces” WORLD RECORD TO TAKE GOLD. US 1-2 in Men’s 100 Meter Backstroke

Peirsol got off to a weak start leaving Tancock ahead at the first turn, but Peirsol executed a great turn, and started to pour it on. Peirsol hasn’t lost this race in 7 years!! It wasn’t going to start today.

Peirsol surged to a WORLD RECORD at 53.54. Matt Grevers had an awesome swim and received the Silver!!!

One has to wonder, what could Peirsol have done if his start had been just a tad more crisp?

This American Team is amazing! Two more medals for the US. Keep ‘EM COMIN’!!

PHOTO CREDITS: NBC and Getty Images