Social Olympics: Aussies Strike Gold
The London Games have been dubbed the most social yet, with the organizers encouraging the athletes and fans to use social media. Here are the highlights from Day 10.
- The Olympic Stadium saw another day of track and field events. Team USA's Jenn Suhr struck gold in the pole vault with 4.75 meters, while Cuba's Yarisley Silva took the silver and reigning champion Yelena Isinbayeva settled for bronze with 4.70 meters.
- After her victory, Suhr posted the following on her Facebook page: "It’s very emotional. It’s something that you work so hard for, for four years, and heartbreak and joy, and then some more heartbreak. To overcome it and come out on top is something that whenever I thought of I started crying, so I knew it was just going to be emotional, whenever I thought about how it would feel to win gold. Then I would think of how it would feel to be fourth, and I’d cry over that too. It was definitely something that I’ve wanted, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything so bad."
- In basketball, Kevin Durant put in a stunning performance to help Team USA to a 126-97 victory over Argentina. Durant finished with a game-high 28 points. Kobe Bryant posted post game photos of Team USA riding in style on London transport on his Facebook page.
- Team USA managed to grab a goal in the 122nd minute against Canada in women's soccer semi-final to take them through to the Olympic final. Alex Morgan headed the dramatic winner in extra time in an epic 4-3 victory against their North American rivals.
- Alex Morgan posted a photo of Team USA celebrating after her goal on her Facebook page.
- Australia, once an Olympic super power, has so far had a poor London Games. Some of the British media cheekily poked fun at the misfortune of their Antipodean rivals, and a spoof BBC account even joked about a new medical ailment caused by their Olympic predicament.
- The Australians are really hurting!!! Front page of The Sun #Olympics twitpic.com/agbp8d
- Sailor Tom Slingsby struck back for Australia, sailing to gold in the laser class. In taking the top spot, Slingsby doubled the Australians' gold medal tally.
You are an Olympic Champion Tom Slingsby!! Years of hard work turn to #AussieGOLD http://pic.twitter.com/KOLUB4VJ
Check out Tom Slingsby flying the flag after his big win!! #goaussies http://pic.twitter.com/zRCIO8v8- The Domican Republic's Felix Sanchez not only won the gold but also the Olympic Stadium crowd and many watching at home as he sobbed his way through his medal ceremony. The 2004 Olympic champion's grandmother died on the eve of the Beijing Olympics. He vowed but failed to win a medal at the 2008 Games and ran with a picture of her inside his vest in London. Sanchez posted a picture of his vest with her picture and his gold medal on Twitter.
