Checking in from Beijing Olympics

Hey James! My favorite moment was when gymnast Kerri Strug fought off an injured ankle in Atlanta 1996 to take home the gold for the Americans. She was the last hope for the U.S. and landed a jump from the vault that looked excruciatingly painful. I was just 10 years old, but I remember watching this in disbelief with my dad!

1996. muhammed ali lighting the torch. still gets me after 12 years.

My favorite Olympic moment was when one of my favorite players, Mardy Fish got a silver medal in Men's singles, defeating tough players Juan Carlos Ferrero and Fernando Gonzalez to get there.
Best of Luck Team United States, and go James! (J-Block all the way)

James, whats up man good luck in the olympics. i cant wait to watch you play as youre one of my fav tennis players and its awesome that u are representing our country. My favorite olympic moment was of course the Miracle in 1980. The passion that the Americans had to go out there and beat the dominating Soviets. A group of young relatively inexperienced hockey players beat one of the best international teams of the time. With it being during the heat of the cold war, it really helped our country gain hope.

GOOD LUCK JAMES, USA!!!

James - I'm looking for you to break out sir! Time to unleash the demons - I can't wait to see the torchered dejected looks of your opponents when they realize that your game came in full force to Bejing!

Also, it is time for Sam to break out and have a big time tournament.

watching the US AMErican BAsketball Team Lose in the 2004 Olympics.....Stephon Marbury scores American Olympic HIgh, 31 pts and arguably the best player of the Olympics...Who would ever believe that.....So haters on Marbury can save it, he served his country right....As far as winning goes, yea they lost but its not always about winning, just being there is good enough...Though I expect USA to get a gold medal in Basketball this year. Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard, Lebron, Kobe, and Chris Bosh should lead the way..

Have fun in China and what do you think of the 4 cyclists wearing masks coming into China...Thats pretty funny and China thought it was an insult....I thought they were keeping it real, China has air pollution up the yea yo...

nice post Booker, i agree with u, what I thought was very disrespectful was China inviting all these ahtletes and hosting these games then not doing a dam thing about the air pollution problem.

My favorite moments:
1. When Lindsay Davenport won the Olympic gold medal in '96. She was so thrilled, so genuinely excited. And her smile lit up the stadium. Great moment.
2. Wrestling at the 2004 Olympics: two amazing moments. First, Cael Anderson captured the essence of the Olympic spirit by making the leap from being the best wrestler EVER in the history of college wrestling in the United States to winning the gold medal at the Olympics. Amazing amazing amazing. But then, at the same games, Rulon Gardner, who lost dislocated his wrist and lost a toe (!!!) came into the games as the potential comeback story of the entire Olympic competition. He barely won a bronze medal, which is truly amazing, too, and after the match, he left his wrestling shoes on the wrestling mats as a symbol of his retirement. Hell, my eyes are watering right now thinking of that moment.
3. Dan vs. Dave. No kid can forget the marketing for the 1992 Olympic decathalon and how the games were supposed to be a showdown for Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson. O'Brien didn't even qualify, which was a shock, but he did win the gold in 1996, which was a great end to the story. Staying true to the spirit of the Olympics and the spirit of competition, Dave Johnson won a bronze medal at the hyped 1992 games after sustaining a stress fracture in his foot ...on the first day of the games!!! Wha???!?

Thanks for the update - The Olympic Lane - that sounds like something you could use all over the place. Just flash the Gold Medal you're going to win and you get an open lane on all freeways.

Favorite Olympic moment. There are so many that come to mind. I used to really enjoy watching the boxing as a kid and watching a young Sugar Ray Leonard electrify everyone was very memorable. Plus he had a photo of his girlfriend and baby on his sock when he fought. There were some epic battles between USA and Cuba and that was one. I don't remember who he beat in the final, but it was the Cuban champ and Sugar Ray was the underdog (imagine that!). I remember wanting to be Sugar Ray Leonard for months after that.

Carl Lewis 84' here in LA........He just crushed the competition.........what a world class athlete he was

Hey James! My favorite moment was in Atlanta 1996 when gymnast Kerri Strug led the Americans to a gold medal. She was the last hope for the U.S. but injured her ankle. However, on the vault again she managed to somehow stick the landing and won gold! I was just 10 years old, but I still remember watching this with my dad!

Here's a youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsQcwHc1Jfw&feature=related

Hey James, good luck over in China. Do us proud my friend.

One of my all-time favorite moments in sports not just the Olympics took place in the 1992 Summer Games. It actually gets me a bit teary eyed when I watch the replays, but it happened when British sprinter Derek Redmond suffered a bad injury to his hamstring in the 400 meters removing any chances he had of medaling.. Even though he knew he had no chance of winning, he continued to limp toward the finish in tears and pain barely able to stand. His father made his way onto the track, and helped him across the finish line. Knowing he had prepared long and hard, and had come up short with the injury must have been demoralizing, but he showed his true colors, as he "finished the race". To me, the games embody that type of spirit. Sure winning medals is nice, but only three medal are given for each event. There are so many people that don't win, and each of them has a special back story as well. Derek Redmond has left a lasting impression on myself and many others who cheered him across the finish line.

Good luck again and I hope to see you create memories for us as well. We will be watching.

Great call. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zi0_LjHHN4

Hands down has got to be when Vince Carter jumped OVER the 7'2" guy in the 2000 Olympics. I think he was from Turkey. Also, this was the last time the Men's team won gold, which I hope they do this year. Good luck James! Bring home some hardware!

Since the Olympics are a month long cry session for me (what can I say sports make me weep), my most memorable is the one that I could not stop laughing at. 1994 Winter Games. The Broken Shoelace Incident. Tonya Harding, sucking down on her inhaler, getting on the ice in the nick of time. Popping out of her first jump and crying hysterically to the judges, leg propped up on their desk with Exhibit A- The SHOELACE, the tears magically disappearing when she realizes they're giving her a second go at it. All set to a musical score from Jurassic Park?!? What?! Who does that? You could literally hear Nancy Kerrigan rolling her eyes. It was just all so absurd and rude and way too much for my giggling 13 year old self (perhaps still is cause I laugh now thinking of this). It was just another episode in the Harding Made for TV Movie that year, but it was so disproportionate to the Olympics and it's Spirit and the usual tears I shed, which is perhaps why it is so very memorable to me.

Good Luck James and don't forget to have fun out there!

Favorite moment: Tommy Smith and John Carlos in the 1968 Olympics after the 200M on the medal stand- raising their hands during the victory ceremony. The Olympics are about representing your country, as well as international peace and harmony. Yet, you can still be proud to be an American while recognizing there are still injustices that exist. Having the bravery to stand up for your rights and what you believe in is something just as incredible as being able to run the 200m in record time.

Hey James!!
When Andre Agassi, my all-time favorite athlete, won the gold for U.S.
That had to be my greatest moment ever. Since he retired, you are now my favorite player so I hope you can do the same.. good luck this tourney, I'm pulling for you!

Go James!!! Goodluck in the tournament!

My favorite moment was at the 1996 trials. My cousin Danette Young came in first in the 200 meter finals (track). My best friend's sister was in that same race and came in last, lol. We watched it together and actually bet on it. It's not an international thing, but it meant a lot to me.

She blew it in the 2nd heat of those games, but she still got gold as part of the relay team.

My favorite moment will be when Sudanese refugee Lopez Lomong leads the USA into the Olympic Stadium. I want to see how the crowd reacts, and what the US commentators have to say about Lomong's significance in being the flagbearer. Hopefully the commentators don't trivialize the importance.

HI, James,
First off, best of luck in the Games and above all, cherish the moment as one you'll remember forever. I must admit to having become blase toward the Olympics in recent years, after cherishing every Games as a child. But this year I find myself looking forward to it, largely because I traveled to China as part of a humanitarian medical mission this Spring and spent considerable time with Chinese parents and their children, and learning that even if a government seems to care little about its children, their families still do. I am rooting for you, and for all the Americans, but also rooting for Beijing.
Despite the facth that I was most enthralled with the Olympics in the late 60's and the 70's, the most memorable positive moment for me actually came in the winter games of 1994 when Nancy Kerrigan skated to the silver. I was never much of a Kerrigan fan, and I had long turned up my nose at those competitions like skating and gymnastics that relied on subjective evaluation to choose a champion, but I tuned in for the human drama that was to be this athlete's response to all that had gone on in the month leading to the Games. I wanted to see how someone who had been under such scrutiny, who had had so much attention for something that was so out of her control, would perform. I remember thinking that it was a victory for her to even be able to put the attack and the attention it received out of her mind enough to even take the ice. But once the music started she grabbed that moment, with more attention than had ever been afforded an athlete in her position, and performed with breathtaking excellence. I remember half expecting, maybe on lsome level wishing for her to fall on her face, and by the end of her routine I was standing alone in my apartment cheering out loud. For three minutes, this person - so alone and under so much pressure - performed flawlessly. I cant remember an athlete in any sport coming up bigger in such a big moment. It was a thrill.
Good luck. Bring home the gold, or at least golden memories.

My favorite moment may possibly be when Rulon Gardner beat Alexander Karelin for the Gold in Greco-Roman Wresting back in 2000. It was the most exciting event I had ever seen in the Olympics. The Miracle on Ice was before my time, but this match-up was its equal in terms of a "David and Goliath" event.

Here's the link to the match on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYO4YWgLcko

good luck! make it happen

Favorite Olympic moment? Miracle on Ice, 1980. Much more meaning behind it than just a gold medal- it was America over USSR, Capitalism over communism

James I am so happy for you - It's amazing to see how far you've come from 4 years ago. I wish you much success in Bejing. My favorite Olympic moment was in the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona - Trent Dimas winning gold in the horizontal bar - he was the only US male to win gold in an individual event in 60 years. I taped that performance and I watch it from time to time. I still can't believe he stuck that triple back somersault landing. It was AWESOME!!!
I wish for to have your own similar AWESOME performance :)

Venus Williams winning the Gold at the 2000 Olympics. I was only 15 at the time, but it made such an impression on me that I decided to play tennis on a more serious level. I can't wait to see you and the rest of the American teams play against the world. Congratulations and we can't be more proud of you than we are now!

Good Luck James, go Team USA!!
My favorite Olympic moment:
Confidence, Resilience, and grit are words to describe Jackie Joyner Kersees' triumph at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. I remember nearly every wince and look of discomfort as she battled to complete the heptathlon despite a nagging hamstring injury.. This was my first time actually rooting for someone at the Olympics and my heart sank when she pulled out of the 100 meter hurdles in unbearable pain. To my amazement, she decided to compete in the long jump to qualify for the final even though she was risking further injury. With one event left in the final, she was 6th place in the heptathlon and landed a 22 ft long jump to take the bronze medal. Despite the fact that she didn't win gold as expected her effort was praised around the world. I was extremely disappointed about the injury but an important lesson was learned. It taught me that in spite of what happens in life you can always persevere. I hope the triumphs in Beijing are just as inspiring.

My favorite Olympic story is that of John Dane. He is a sailor and he tried to make the Olympics for the first time in 1968, but failed. 40 years later, after 5 additional attempts to make the Olympics, he finally qualified and will be sailing this year with his son in law. I think his story is a great example of perserverance and how you should never give up on something that has always been your dream, no matter how many times you fail.
Good luck in your matches James! I know you will do great.

my fav olympic moment was oksana bauil winning gold over nancy kerrigan by a fraction of a point. i thought she had the most emotion and passion in her performance which edged nancy out plus i think everyone was sick of the nancy and tonya harding thing. (my fav winter olympic moment that is).

the other one is keri strug who kept going even though she was really injured and she did it and truly had the heart of a champion. (that was my fav summer olympic moment)

oh and if this is supposed to be only tennis olympic moments then i apologize...

Good Luck James!

The miracle on ice always does it for me.
Do you believe in miracles? YES!

Hey James I called your name at the airport but it was just a way too noisy. I'm gonna go for your games but still not sure about the schedule...ill figure it out...
im not go through the answers but anyway good luck in Olympics and have fun here in beijing

I believe in MIRACLES James Riley Blake. In 1980 it was the USA Men's Hockey Team and their victory on Ice. Dan Jansen comes in second with his speed skating win in 1994 and the victory lap carrying his daughter Jane. In 2008 it will be James Riley Blake bringing home Gold for the USA. I was in Portland to watch your victorious 4 set win and the USA Davis Cup Victory. I couldn't make it to Beijing, but I'll be with you James Riley Blake from Here to Eternity.
~victory~

Hello James, and good luck. My favorite moment was Mike Johnson running in those GOLD NIKES. Since Ive ran most of my life (colgate finals at the garden in 88) that brang tears to my eyes to see the fastest man in the world. He won so many medals that year it was truly nunbelieveable. Love you your thr best and please
fire It Up for the USA, we need you now and I know you can do it. Just dont BREATH too hard over and preserve your energy. PS: dont get down on yourself. Hollywood form WaterTown, NYC

Mardy Fish fighting his way for a silver medal in Athens. Who would have thought that of all the great players in that draw, he would claw his way to the final. On a non olympic note I went all the way from NY to Portland for a weekend to watch you win Davis Cup. That was awsome. If you guys win in Spain I will be there for the final in Moscow or Buenos Aires.

I am an Olympic fan. If they call it an Olympic sport--I will watch. Of course, tennis has to be the best.
One of my favorite moments was Marty Fish winning the silver medal in Athens in 2004. Both players were battling exhaustion and barely on their feet when the match was over. Too bad Chile had to take the Gold and Bronze along with the doubles gold.

Got to be Miracle on Ice.
Not American related, but I have to say that the Chinese athlete parade with the 9 year old earthquake survivor/hero will become an all time great olympic memory for me!
Now on to the current games----Way to Go!! When you saved set pt in the 2nd, I knew you would win the tie break. Way to get the mens competition started by getting the first victory of the games. Keep it going!!
Looking forward to a great week by you and the rest of the USA team.
Loving the Bryan brothers photo blog!!!

YES JB 6-3, 7-6 ON TO THE SECOND ROUND! GOLD BECOMES YOU JAMES RILEY BLAKE

~ victory~

Nice work over there! Dreams coming true, pure joy, hard work paying off, winning for yourself and your country--always gets me, any nationality. The individual profiles help to illustrate just how much sacrifice went into making the wins a reality.

Nicely done, Blake! Onto the 2nd round.

Hello James. Heard about your win on the atp circut. Very happy to see your dream is getting closer and closer. I have very high hopes in the US team on a whole, but I know a Gold in is your grabs. You seem to be the underdog in the race for Gold, but its ok. Let them focus on Rafa and the bunch and will just grab the Gold right from under them. Will be praying for you all the way through. No one derserves the Gold more then you. Hey check out my small bio on the Barker and youll see why I can relate to some of what youve been through.( star80 in the name aka Hollywood) Later. Hollywood from WaterTown, NYC

Hey James. Good job today agains Hrbaty, he seemed to be a tough opponent. I watched the match online through nbcolympics.com and it was very cool to just see the atmosphere without commentary. Well I hope you continued success and cant wait till you bring home the gold to the USA!
Trevor in New Jersey.
ps. Best Olympic moment for me is Jesse Owens in the 1936 Berlin games. With Hitler overseeing the olympics and claiming the Germans would take home all the important medals and prove themselves to be the best in the world. Owens takes home 4 golds after going through discrimination not only at the games but at home in the states.

Hey James! All the best there in Beijing! My Fav moment,There are a lot of great monments. I am not big hockey fan but The USA defeat over the soviets in 1980."DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES" Those words still got through me . I also love to see the Olympicians the just give it their best even though they know they will not medal.