US Boxers shut out of Gold for the first time since 1948. Not surprising because US style is so out of touch with International rules

US Freestyle Wrestlers shut out of Gold for the first time since 1968. Not surprising. In the US, Freestyle Wrestling translate into WWF, WCW, and ECW.

More medal counts - Qatar has won one bronze medal

Shades of the cold war - Russia ended up with 88 total medals, only 10 behind the US. They are a power even without the other 14 Republics that made up the USSR (ÇÇÇP)

Good enough for PBS - Feature on British Runner Phillip Noel Baker who competed in 1920. He went on to help lay the foundation for the League of Nations and the U.N.

Lookalikes - USA Wrestler Lincoln McIlravy and "Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit of the WWF

Channel surfing - ESPN2 - A's wrap up the AL East, M's wrap up the AL Wild Card, Braves wrap up home field vs the Cards until Rocker blew the save and the Rockies scored six runs in the 9th.

Muhammed Ali documentary - not much new stuff here for those already familiar with his story. Denzel did a fine job speaking Ali's words. RE: George Foreman fight - many including Howard Cosell (me too) were really worried about Ali getting seriously injured fighting Foreman. He proved again that he was the Greatest then. Near the end of his Rope-a-Dope strategy, hewhispered to Foreman, "Is that all you have George?". George said it was.Nice touch - the show ended with Ali's recording of "Stand By Me"

Marathon memories - NBC's Frank Shorter evokes a vivid TV moment. 1972 Munich Games, Shorter has a large lead near the end of the Marathon, as he enters the stadium, an imposter is already on the track pretending to be the victor. "Love Story" author Erich Segal was doing commentary for ABC yelling, Get him off the track! He's an imposter! This shouldn't happen at the Olympics! This is a Boston Marathon stunt!

Speaking of pranksters - In the middle of the night, someone painted over the blue line signifying the marathon course and redirected it to a pub.

Channel surfing - NFL, I didn't notice who did it but in the Jacksonville/Pittsburgh game, a receiver thought he was tackled and spiked the ball resulting in a turnover.

No worries - Rulon Gardner reflecting on his previous loss to Karelin, said of Karelin's feared body lift, "I never flew before, it was kind of cool."

Ethiopian tradition - Marathon winner Gerahenge Abera evokes memories of an enduring image of Barefooted Abebe Bakila running through the streets of Rome past the Ancient Ruins (1960)

Channel surfing - PBS - Secrets of the Dead - Evidence that there was a 6th Century eruption at Krakatoa that would have dwarfed the famous 1883 eruption. The resulting dust clouds creating climatic changes may have contributed to Europe entering its Dark Ages. On a related note from my local news, a couple of previously unknown faults were discovered off the coast of San Diego. They have the potential to cause 7.0 magnitude quakes. Now that really brightened my day.

Melbourne 1956 - The symbolic change of the Closing Ceremonies occurred here. Just like the Opening Ceremonies, there used to be a parade of nations. Thanks to a letter by John Ian Wing, the idea to have the intermingled athletes walk in (One Nation) during the Closing Ceremonies was born.

Costas quip- Having watched Producer Rick Burch who also produced the ceremonies in Barcelona, I'd say he is fond of people on stilts.

Lookalikes -(Costas noticed it too) Midnight Oil Lead Singer Peter Garrett and Aussie Swimmer Michael Klim

AudienceCool - They shook their complementary coolers to the beat of the music

Hail the Aussie Icons - Golfer Greg Norman, Bananas in Pajamas, Elle Mcpherson, and Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee Wear

Song of the Night - Men at Work "I Come from the Land of Down Under"

Goosebump of the night - "Waltzing Matilda"

Greatest man-made Fireworks show ever, short of a nuclear explosion

Best Olympics ever. Definitely!!!!

A wish for American Girls - Weightlifter Cheryl Haworth and the USA Softball Team proved that you don't have to be rail-thin to be beautiful. Follow their examples, chase your dreams, and feel good about yourselves. That is true beauty.

My other favorite personalities from these Games - Cathy Freeman, Rulon Gardner, Misty Hyman, Marion Jones, Eric Mousambani, Stacy Dragila, Alexei Nemov, Michelle Quann, Lenny Krayzelberg, Laura Wilkinson, Custom Made (Tailor), Tommy Lasorda, and Bob Costas.

Thank you Sydney!

Aussie oi, Aussie oi, Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi!

See you in 16 months - Salt Lake City