Game Face

Dara Torres throws out the first pitch at Yankees Stadium Tuesday night. Photos by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

It doesn't get much better than this, as 41-year-old five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres brought a Yankees Stadium crowd to its feet as she threw out the ceremonial first pitch in tonight's game against the White Sox.

Torres, who competed in Beijing after taking 8 years off--during which she had a kid--won three silver medals this time around.

In all, she has 12 Olympic medals--four each of gold, silver and bronze.

-Check out 41 photos of Dara Torres through the years

14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was in a pool off Union Square today, charming the lucky kids who got to swim with him.

The photos are great--huge Phelps, helping little kids with the form; and leading them in jumping jacks (in the water of course).

-Click here for all the photos of Michael Phelps swimming with NYC kids

(Getty Images)

Nothing beats the sight of giddy gajillionaires unleashing sincere joy at a gold medal ceremony.
Congratulations, men's and women's USA basketball, for placing first in the world.

Click here to see all the USA Basketball men's gold medal celebration photos

Click here to see the USA Basketball women's gold medal celebration photos

— Max

USA's Kobe Bryant reacts during the men's semifinal basketball game against Argentina at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

USA Basketball can stand tall again, after the Americans got revenge for losing in the semis in the Athens Olympics and demolished the same Argentina team 101-81 to make the gold-medal game against Spain.

Yup, the very Spanish team the U.S. clobbered in pool play, winning by 37 points....

-Click here to see photos of all the highlights in the U.S.-Argentina Olympics basketball game

--Click here to see Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Hasselhoff, and others in the halter top.

-Check out our photos of Michael Phelps, champion partier.

United States' Christie Rampone celebrates the US teams' victory over Brazil at the end of the women's soccer gold medal match at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in China, with her little daughter Rylie Cate, right. AP Photo/Petr David Josek

An outplayed U.S. women's soccer team managed to beat Brazil in an overtime thriller at the Beijing Olympics today, winning 1-0 on Carli Lloyd's goal.

Goalie Hope Solo was the heroine of the match, bailing out her teammates again and again.

-Click here to check out all the fun celebration and game highlights photos.

-And here are more photos, videos, and live Olympics results for all events

Our third "last" halter-top shot of the night.

OK, this is REALLY the last of the night. If any Game Face readers who like to dabble in Photoshop want to join in, post your own celebs wearing the Michael Phelps halter top. (If that doesn't work, just e-mail them to me at ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com, and I'll post them.)

-Click here for photos of Michael Phelps, sans top

OK, last one of the night. I have real work to get back to.

Britney's already sporting the Michael Phelps gold medal halter top. Who might be next? Stay tuned to Game Face to find out.

Olympic champion Mark Spitz during a press event in New York yesterday. (AP)

Mark Spitz: "Do these belly dancer halter tops come in my size?"

The latest Sports Illustrated arrived at our offices today. This isn't exactly the most manly Michael Phelps has ever looked. Nice midriff, though. He looks more like he's ready to enroll in belly-dancing classes than to swim a 200-meter freestyle.

-Click here for photos of Michael Phelps, sans top

This could be part of Usain Bolt's touchdown celebration (Photo by AP)

Plaxico Burress spends more time in the team hot tub than he does on the practice field. Amani Toomer is about two years away from his first false-teeth fitting. We’re still waiting for a memorable Sinorice Moss sighting. Steve Smith, Mario Manningham – promising youngsters, but injured. Domenik Hixon? Excuse us if we don’t give into preseason hype.

The Giants’ receiving corps has plenty of potential, but also plenty of question marks. General manager Jerry Reese should swing for the fences by bringing a new receiver into the mix, one who could potentially be the greatest wideout the game has ever seen.

I’m, of course, talking about Jamaican track god Usain “Lightning” Bolt.

There’s so much about Bolt that screams NFL wide receiver.

1. He’s fast. ESPN says he would run the 40-yard dash in an unfathomable 3.49 seconds. In most years, the NFL’s fastest player runs about a 4.2 40.

2. He’s got the size. If a speedy defensive back can defy the odds and keep up with Bolt on the field, what are the chances that he would be able to outjump the 6-foot-5 gold medalist, too? Bolt would have at least a 3-inch advantage over all of last season’s Pro Bowl cornerbacks – half of whom weren’t even 6 feet tall.

3. He’s cocky. By saying things like "I blew the world’s mind,” Bolt has the personality to be an NFL receiver, following in the footsteps of Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson and many others. And as evident by his triumph in the 100-meter dash, in which he began celebrating before he crossed the finish line, it’s easy to picture him high-stepping before he hits the end zone, Deion Sanders style.

Of course, there’s that small matter of whether Bolt can actually catch a football. But T.O. has been one of the NFL’s best at dropping passes the past two seasons and many still consider him to be a great “receiver.”

Although, if Bolt has his choice of signing with any NFL team, the Giants wouldn’t make much sense. He should instead sign with the San Diego Chargers. “Lightning” Bolt playing for the lightning bolts. How perfect would that be?

LeBron James of the United States collides with Matt Nielsen of Australia; photo by Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald Staff.

The U.S. men's basketball team beat down Australia 116-85 Thursday to move to the Olympic semifinals, where they'll play defending champion Argentina for the right to play in the gold medal against either Lithuania or Spain.

The game against the Aussies was a marked contrast to the close 87-76 USA win during their Olympic warm-up tour, as the Americans served notice that they're not taking anything for granted at these Olympic games.

Check out all the photos from the game here, including LeBron looking fierce.

Iowan Shawn Johnson has had her share of silvers, but eventually captured gold in the individual beam competition. (AP)

By Emily Ngo

For all those captivated by her all-American charm and impish smile (who me?), be frustrated no longer. A double double dismount and punch-front pike executed with athleticism earned her a 16.225 score and the elusive gold Tuesday in the individual beam competition. Her frival (friend/rival) Nastia Liukin captured the silver.

Hometown newspaper The Des Moines Register has a Web tribute with breakdowns of her routines.

And of her No. 1 title, 16-year-old Johnson on Tuesday told The Associated Press:

"It's crazy. ... I remember seeing Nastia have hers from the all-around and it is so pretty. Silver is really pretty, too. ... It's the best feeling ever."

More photos here.

U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson hugs teammate Nastia Liukin after Johnson won the gold at the Beijing Olympics for her performance on the balance beam. AP Photo

U.S. gymnastics sweetheart Shawn Johnson finally stopped finishing second, winning gold with a balance beam routine that blew away everyone else at the Olympics in Beijing.

Her teammate and Olympic all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin finished second, making for lots of hugs and big smiles for the U.S. team.

See all the photos of Shawn Johnson celebrating her gold medal with teammate Nastia Liukin.

Get more real-time Olympics results, photos and videos on our Olympics page.

Michael Phelps won the gold medal in the 200m individual medley Friday morning in world record time: 1:54.23. Rounding finishers in the final were Canada's Keith Beavers (1:59.43, 7th place) and Great Britain's Liam Tancock (2:00.76, last place).

Thanks to my friend Ecole for pointing this out.

Here was the call: "Beavers creates an opening for Tancock! Tancock is right up in Beavers! Tancock attacking Beavers! Tancock nearly edges Beavers at the finish!"

— Max

Five days down so far in the Olympics, and already we've had quite a few interesting storylines:

- Michael Phelps is 5 for 5 thus far in his attempt at 8 gold medals at these games. Those dreams would have been shattered early on, but Phelps' teammate, Jason Lezak, swam the last leg of the 4x100 meter freestyle at a frantic pace, chasing down the world record holder in the 100 meter freestyle, Frenchman Alain Bernard. Phelps will go for gold in one race apiece on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning in Beijing (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night here on the east coast).

- The men's gymnastics team overcame injuries to both of the Hamm twins to achieve an unlikely bronze medal.

- The women's gymnastics team had to settle for silver after two falls in the last two events by team captain Alicia Sacramone eliminated any chance the Americans had at gold.

- The American fencing team started the Olympics very strongly by sweeping all three medals in the Women's saber.

- Men's basketball has had two easy wins over China and Angola, but they will face their first true test in the form of Greece, the team that eliminated the United States in the semifinals of the 2006 FIBA championships. This will be a challenge for the so-called "Redeem Team", and might go a long way in determining how far they'll go.

- Despite violence and high military tensions, athletes from Russia and Georgia have remembered what the Olympics are really about, putting aside their differences and embracing after several contests, including beach volleyball.

- After a careless, senseless red-card penalty in the fourth minute, the United States' Men's soccer team played a man down against Nigeria for 86+ minutes, ultimately losing 2-1, especially after a late goal and a penalty kick off the crossbar narrowly prevented a tie, which would have let the Americans advance to the quarterfinals. The team has instead been eliminated.

- While the majority of the medals won thus far have been won in the pool, Americans have also won medals in shooting, cycling, judo, and equestrian.

- With track and field events coming up, a strong Men's basketball team, and individual gymnastics events all to come, the United States will look to put some distance in total medal count between themselves and China, while attempting to catch up to their staggering total of 17 gold medals that the Chinese have already achieved.

- Beach volleyball superstars Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, who have never lost a set at the Olympics, are 2-0 in preliminary matches. They're top competition might come from the United States' second team of Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs, the last team to defeat May-Treanor and Walsh, which happened one year ago next Tuesday.

- Cat Osterman pitched a no-hitter for the US women's softball team against Australia, extending their Olympic win streak to 16 consecutive games. Wow.

Photos of Chris Bosh, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh c/o Getty Images; Photo of Cat Osterman c/o the Associated Press; Michael Phelps photo, is c/o Chicago Tribune.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

Sacramone loses her footing and drops to the ground after mounting the beam. (AP)

By Emily Ngo
emily.ngo@am-ny.com

An injury-stricken U.S. gymnastics team endured four rotations of disappointment last night, conceding Olympic gold to defending China. Sloppiness led the women’s success to depend on mistakes made by the Chinese, and unfortunately, those were few.

Veteran gymnast Alicia Sacramone botched her mount on the beam and failed to shake the shock during her floor routine, landing on her backside after an Arabian double pike. Sacramone, 20, competes again in the individual finals, but her errors likely cost the Americans the team gold. The six women took the silver stand with grim smiles.

Joining Sacramone in the all-around will be Nastia Liukin, whose father is an Olympic gold medalist, and Shawn Johnson, whose impish charm and consistency have cemented her as the team’s face. In yesterday’s final, 18-year-old Liukin posted an event high 16.900 on the uneven bars with flawless one-armed Onos. Johnson, 16, shone brightest on the beam and nailed all her passes.

The Olympics have ended for the remaining members of the gymnastics team: Samantha Peszak, sidelined at the team finals with a sprained ankle; Bridget Sloan, who delivered a solid vault; and Chellsie Memmel, whose ankle injury limited her to the uneven bars.

Liukin and Johnson are expected to battle it out for the Nos. 1 and 2 spots in the all-around, taking full advantage of the new scoring system.

We pulled together photos from the Associated Press (top) and Getty Images (bottom) to create what we think is the sequence of events when President Bush visited some women's beach volleyball players at the Olympics this weekend.

Still not sure what's going on here--maybe he's getting a tutorial on the hand signals players use to communicate with each other?

Or perhaps there's a simpler explanation.

Check out 37 other photos of President Bush's goofiest moments at the Olympics, so far.

He really seems to be having a ball--perks like this must be why the Obama-McCain race is so hard-fought.

With the opening ceremonies of the Olympics just two short days away, let's review some of the most positive and negative things the American team is dealing with.

Pro: Men's Basketball

Team USA is looking strong, despite a mediocre performance in their final tune-up against Australia. This team looks to redeem their embarrassing bronze medal performance of 2004, and looks forward to match-ups with European powerhouses Spain, Argentina and Greece.

Con: Baseball and Softball

Enjoy these sports while you can. The IOC, in all its European-influenced brilliance, voted these two sports out of the 2012 games in London, England. The popularity of the sport in the Americas and Asia did nothing to influence the IOC, and there's no guarantee they'll be back in 2016 either. Look for Men's Baseball, led by former Mets skipper Davey Johnson, to contend for the gold.

Pro: Michael Phelps

The six-time Olympic gold-medalist swimmer looks to dominate this year, as he's competing to win a record eight gold medals in Beijing. Not to mention he's growing a sweet mustache.

Con: Big problems in China

We've been hearing about them for months. Conflict in Tibet, horrible pollution, human rights violations. These problems have largely overshadowed the build-up for these games, and there is no sign that this trend will stop. The Olympics were created as a way for nations to separate themselves from their everyday conflicts and issues, but there is a line of what we can ignore and look beyond and we have clearly crossed it.

Pro: Exhaustive coverage

In the age of DVRs, high-speed internet, and streaming video, the thousands of hours of Olympic coverage can be boiled down to whatever your heart may desire.

Con: Exhaustive coverage

How much is too much? Try 3600 hours of coverage between broadcast, cable, and online sources. That's 150 days worth of coverage if you're keeping track, in what NBC is calling "the most ambitious single media project in history." That might be the understatement of the century.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

Carly Patterson, at Athens 2004, was the first American to take gold in the gymnastics all-around since Mary Lou Retton (who reigned in the '80s when bowl cuts were cool). But she won't be found alongside Nastia and Shawn at Beijing 2008.

A pony-tailed Patterson was featured on Wheaties boxes after vaulting into victory, but now, well, now she's an aspiring musician. One with a mediocre voice singing eye roll-inducing lyrics.

The 20-year-old plays at gymnastics events and can be heard on Radio Disney every now and then. Here's her single, "Temporary Life," because duh, you can't be a champion gymnast for, like, ever.

— Emily Ngo