Every 4 years, the world watches in awe as representatives from each nation compete in a physically grueling battle to determine who are the strongest, fastest, and most flexible. Athletes train for years, honing their bodies and skills to the point of perfection. The Summer Olympics are an exhibition for each country, without regard to prominence in the diplomatic world, to be praised for the talent and superiority of their citizens.

The 2008 Olympic Games were comprised of 16 days of intense competition. In the end, China was awarded the most gold medals, at 51. However, the US came out on top in the number of total medals, 110, 10 more than China’s total. The United States was the best competitor in quite a few areas, including swimming, gymnastics, basketball, and beach volleyball.

Michael Phelps dominated in the pool, raking in a record-breaking 8 gold medals in one Olympic Games. He set another world record with his total number of gold medals accumulated by an individual, 14, and tied the record for gold medals won in an individual event, 4. Phelps currently holds 7 world record times in swimming. He comes in second in overall Olympic medals to Larissa Latynina, a Soviet gymnast who won 18 total medals and 9 gold throughout three Olympic Games.

Also significant in the Olympic Games this year were our gymnasts. Nastia Liukin finished first in All Around gymnastics, and Shawn Johnson finished first on the balance beam. Our women’s gymnastics team finished with an overall silver medal.

The US excelled in both basketball and beach volleyball, sports that are often overlooked in the Olympics. Our basketball teams, both men and women, finished with gold medals; likewise, both beach volleyball teams finished with gold medals.

Overall, the Olympic Games are a time for all countries to come together to support their athletes. We did that, and our athletes succeeded on a grand scale. Now we have the 2010 Winter Olympic Games to look forward to…Vancouver here we come!