RIO
DE JANEIRO — Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic gold medal as the
United States won the 4x100 relay at the Olympics on Sunday. The
Americans’ traditional rival in the event, France, was second, and
Australia third.
The gold was Phelps’s 23rd medal: 19 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronzes. The final time was 3:09.92.
Phelps
swam the second leg for the Americans, taking over from Caeleb Dressel
in second place behind France and swimming into the lead. His split time
was a strong 47.12. Ryan Held and Nathan Adrian brought the U.S. home;
Adrian’s split was an even better 46.97.
Usually
the American 4x100 team is made up of the top finishers from the 100
free at the Olympic Trials. Phelps chose not to contest that event, but
was put on the relay team anyway.
Photo
Credit
Doug Mills/The New York Times
Photo
Credit
Patrick B. Kraemer/European Pressphoto Agency
Phelps
retired after the 2012 Games but decided to return in part because of
disappointment with how the American men swam in the 4x100 relay at the
2013 world championships, losing to France.
The
relay was the most unpredictable event of the night in swimming, with
Australia, France, the United States and Russia all having claims to a
gold medal. France and the United States split the last two Olympic gold
medals, with Yannick Agnel of France outdueling Ryan Lochte in the
anchor leg to win four years ago. Phelps was on both of those American
teams.
Muhammad Ali, the silver-tongued boxer and civil rights champion who
famously proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and then spent a lifetime
living up to the billing, is dead. Ali died Friday at a Phoenix-area hospital,
where he had spent the past few days being treated for respiratory
complications, a family spokesman confirmed to NBC News. He was 74. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's
disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time
World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Bob Gunnell, a
family spokesman, told NBC News. Ali had suffered for three decades from
Parkinson's Disease, a progressive neurological condition that slowly
robbed him of both his legendary verbal grace and his physical
dexterity. A funeral service is planned in his hometown of Louisville,
Kentucky. Even as his health declined, Ali did not shy
from politics or controversy, releasing a statement in December
criticizing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposal to
ban Muslims from entering the United States. "We as Muslims have to
stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda,"
he said. The remark bookended the life of a man who burst
into the national consciousness in the early 1960s, when as a young
heavyweight champion he converted to Islam and refused to serve in the
Vietnam War, and became an emblem of strength, eloquence, conscience and
courage. Ali was an anti-establishment showman who transcended borders
and barriers, race and religion. His fights against other men became
spectacles, but he embodied much greater battles. Born Cassius Clay on Jan. 17, 1942 in
Louisville, Kentucky, to middle-class parents, Ali started boxing when
he was 12, winning Golden Gloves titles before heading to the 1960
Olympics in Rome, where he won a gold medal as a light heavyweight. He turned professional shortly afterward,
supported at first by Louisville business owners who guaranteed him an
unprecedented 50-50 split in earnings. His knack for talking up his own
talents — often in verse — earned him the dismissive nickname "the
Louisville Lip," but he backed up his talk with action, relocating to
Miami to train with the legendary trainer Angelo Dundee and build a case
for getting a shot at the heavyweight title.
Muhammad
Ali, right, attacks Alex Mitoff in the sixth round in which Ali
clobbered the Argentinean to the canvas, on Oct. 7, 1961 in Louisville,
Ky. H.B. Littell / AP, file
As his profile rose, Ali acted out against
American racism. After he was refused services at a soda fountain
counter, he said, he threw his Olympic gold medal into a river. Recoiling from the sport's tightly knit
community of agents and promoters, Ali found guidance instead from the
Nation of Islam, an American Muslim sect that advocated racial
separation and rejected the pacifism of most civil rights activism.
Inspired by Malcolm X, one of the group's leaders, he converted in 1963.
But he kept his new faith a secret until the crown was safely in hand.
That came the following year, when heavyweight champion Sonny Liston
agreed to fight Ali. The challenger geared up for the bout with a litany
of insults and rhymes, including the line, "float like a butterfly,
sting like a bee." He beat the fearsome Liston in a sixth-round
technical knockout before a stunned Miami Beach crowd. In the ring, Ali
proclaimed, "I am the greatest! I am the greatest! I'm the king of the
world."
A Controversial Champion The new champion soon renounced Cassius Clay as
his "slave name" and said he would be known from then on as Muhammad Ali
— bestowed by Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad. He was 22 years
old. The move split sports fans and the broader
American public: an American sports champion rejecting his birth name
and adopting one that sounded subversive. Ali successfully defended his title six times, including a rematch
with Liston. Then, in 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, Ali was
drafted to serve in the U.S. Army. He'd said previously that the war did not
comport with his faith, and that he had "no quarrel" with America's
enemy, the Vietcong. He refused to serve. "My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother,
or some darker people, some poor, hungry people in the mud, for big
powerful America, and shoot them for what?" Ali said in an interview.
"They never called me nigger. They never lynched me. They didn't put no
dogs on me." His stand culminated with an April appearance at
an Army recruiting station, where he refused to step forward when his
name was called. The reaction was swift and harsh. He was stripped of
his boxing title, convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years
in prison. Released on appeal but unable to fight or leave
the country, Ali turned to the lecture circuit, speaking on college
campuses, where he engaged in heated debates, pointing out the hypocrisy
of denying rights to blacks even as they were ordered to fight the
country's battles abroad. "My enemy is the white people, not Vietcongs or
Chinese or Japanese," Ali told one white student who challenged his
draft avoidance. "You my opposer when I want freedom. You my opposer
when I want justice. You my opposer when I want equality. You won't even
stand up for me in America for my religious beliefs and you want me to
go somewhere and fight but you won't even stand up for me here at home."
Muhammad
Ali is held back by referee Joe Walcott, left, after Ali knocked out
challenger Sonny Liston in the first round of their title fight in
Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1965. AP, file
Ali's fiery commentary was praised by antiwar
activists and black nationalists and vilified by conservatives,
including many other athletes and sportswriters. His appeal took four years to reach the U.S.
Supreme Court, which in June 1971 reversed the conviction in a unanimous
decision that found the Department of Justice had improperly told the
draft board that Ali's stance wasn't motivated by religious belief. Return to the Ring Toward the end of his legal saga, Georgia agreed
to issue Ali a boxing license, which allowed him to fight Jerry Quarry,
whom he beat. Six months later, at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, he
lost to Joe Frazier in a 15-round duel touted as "the fight of the
century." It was Ali's first defeat as a pro. That fight began one of boxing's and sport's
greatest rivalries. Ali and Frazier fought again in 1974, after Frazier
had lost his crown. This time, Ali won in a unanimous decision, making
him the lead challenger for the heavyweight title. He took it from George Foreman later that year
in a fight in Zaire dubbed "The Rumble in the Jungle," a spectacularly
hyped bout for which Ali moved to Africa for the summer, followed by
crowds of chanting locals wherever he went. A three-day music festival
featuring James Brown and B.B. King preceded the fight. Finally, Ali
delivered a historic performance in the ring, employing a new strategy
dubbed the "rope-a-dope," goading the favored Foreman into attacking
him, then leaning back into the ropes in a defensive stance and waiting
for Foreman to tire. Ali then went on the attack, knocking out Foreman
in the eighth round. The maneuver has been copied by many other
champions since. The third fight in the Ali-Frazier trilogy
followed in 1975, the "Thrilla in Manila" that is now regarded as one of
the best boxing matches of all time. Ali won in a technical knockout in
the 15th round. Ali successfully defended his title until 1978,
when he was beaten by a young Leon Spinks, and then quickly took it
back. He retired in 1979, when he was 37, but, seeking to replenish his
dwindling personal fortune, returned in 1980 for a title match against
Larry Holmes, which he lost. Ali lost again, to Trevor Berbick, the
following year. Finally, Ali retired for good.
Muhammad
Ali, right, takes a punch from Trevor Berbick, of Canada, during the
first round of their 10-round bout in Nassau, Bahamas, in this Dec. 11,
1981 file photo. AP, file
'He's Human, Like Us'The following year, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease."I'm in no pain," he told The New York Times. "A
slight slurring of my speech, a little tremor. Nothing critical. If I
was in perfect health — if I had won my last two fights — if I had no
problem, people would be afraid of me. Now they feel sorry for me. They
thought I was Superman. Now they can go, 'He's human, like us. He has
problems.' '' Even as his health gradually declined, Ali — who
switched to more mainstream branches of Islam — threw himself into
humanitarian causes, traveling to Lebanon in 1985 and Iraq in 1990 to
seek the release of American hostages. In 1996, he lit the Olympic flame
in Atlanta, lifting the torch with shaking arms. With each public
appearance he seemed more feeble, a stark contrast to his outsized aura.
He continued to be one of the most recognizable people in the world.
Muhammad Ali attends the Sports For Peace Fundraising Ball at The V&A on July 25, 2012 in London. Ian Gavan / Getty Images, file
He traveled incessantly for many years,
crisscrossing the globe in appearances in which he made money but also
pushed philanthropic causes. He met with presidents, royalty, heads of
state, the Pope. He told "People" magazine that his largest regret was
not playing a more intimate role in the raising of his children. But he
said he did not regret boxing. "If I wasn't a boxer, I wouldn't be
famous," he said. "If I wasn't famous, I wouldn't be able to do what I'm
doing now."
In 2005, President George W. Bush honored Ali
with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and his hometown of Louisville
opened the Muhammad Ali Center, chronicling his life but also as a forum
for promoting tolerance and respect. Divorced three times and the father of nine
children — one of whom, Laila, become a boxer — Ali married his last
wife, Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams, in 1986; they lived for a long time in
Berrien Springs, Michigan, then moved to Arizona. In recent years, Ali's health began to suffer
dramatically. There was a death scare in 2013, and last year he was
rushed to the hospital after being found unresponsive. He recovered and
returned to his new home in Arizona. In his final years, Ali was barely able to
speak. Asked to share his personal philosophy with NPR in 2009, Ali let
his wife read his essay:
"I never thought of the possibility of failing,
only of the fame and glory I was going to get when I won," Ali wrote. "I
could see it. I could almost feel it. When I proclaimed that I was the
greatest of all time, I believed in myself, and I still do."
"I am absolutely delighted that the United States has taken up that
challenge and will host the next Invictus Games in 2016. I have no doubt
that the USA will set the bar even higher than London did and put on a
great show." Prince Harry. The Invictus Story
Most of
us will never know the full horrors of combat. Many Servicemen and women
suffer life-changing injuries, visible or otherwise, whilst serving
their country. How do these men and women find the motivation to move on
and not be defined by their injuries?
How can they be
recognized for their achievements and not given sympathy? Prince Harry
asked these questions. On a trip to the Warrior Games in the USA in 2013
he saw how the power of sport could help physically, psychologically
and socially. His mind was made up. London would host the inaugural
Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and
sick Service personnel.
The word ‘Invictus’ means
‘unconquered’. It embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured
and sick service personnel and what these tenacious men and women can
achieve, post injury. The Games harness the power of sport to inspire
recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and
respect for those who serve their country.
These Games have
shone a spotlight on the ‘unconquerable’ character of service men and
women and their families and their ‘Invictus’ spirit. These Games have
been about seeing guys sprinting for the finish line and then turning
round to clap the last man in. They have been about teammates choosing
to cross the line together, not wanting to come second, but not wanting
the other guys to either. These Games have shown the very best of the
human spirit. Prince Harry.
In the words of Prince Harry of England, “Invictus means unconquered, a
word which perfectly embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded,
injured and sick service personnel and veterans.”
Prince Harry
has been the inspiration and creator of the Invictus Games and did so
after a visit he made to the United States in 2013 to attend the
“Warrior Games”. It was at that point in time that he realized and
“fully appreciated” that sport played a vital role in helping with the
recovery process.
Prince Harry's description of the meaning of
the Invictus Games sums it up most eloquently: “I believe there is more
support we can and should give to these incredible men and women.
Reassuring them that their service will not be forgotten and that they
have every opportunity to make a full and meaningful contribution to the
communities in which they live.”
Every competitor overcame
triumphant battles at some level, just to be afforded the opportunity to
be at the starting line but what transpires is the most outstanding
showcase of competition, camaraderie and the very best of the human
spirit.
In the words of Ken Fisher, Chairman of the Invictus
Games 2016 along with Fisher House: “These games will serve as a
powerful reminder that wounded, ill, and injured servicemen and women
and their families are not alone. They will be able to share their
experiences with each other as only they can. Treating physical and
psychological trauma is just one step on the long road to recovery,
recovery that is about rediscovering self-confidence,personal ambition,
and most importantly, family healing. THAT is the spirit of the
INVICTUS GAMES. They truly are unconquered.” (emphasis added)
Mary Louise and I recently had the pleasure and honor to attend the
Annual Invictus Games being held at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney
World Orlando. While we were there with the initial intent of meeting
the recipient of the Orlando Rocks Benefit for 2017; with tickets
purchased and eager to go, we came to find out that the warrior would
not be competing due to prosthetic issues. We attended just the same.
Below is the account of our day with all the warriors. Enjoy folks!
In the words of Prince Harry of England, “Invictus means unconquered, a
word which perfectly embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded,
injured and sick service personnel and veterans.”
Prince Harry
has been the inspiration and creator of the Invictus Games and did so
after a visit he made to the United States in 2013 to attend the
“Warrior Games”. It was at that point in time that he realized and
“fully appreciated” that sport played a vital role in helping with the
recovery process.
Prince Harry's description of the meaning of
the Invictus Games sums it up most eloquently: “I believe there is more
support we can and should give to these incredible men and women.
Reassuring them that their service will not be forgotten and that they
have every opportunity to make a full and meaningful contribution to the
communities in which they live.”
Every competitor overcame
triumphant battles at some level, just to be afforded the opportunity to
be at the starting line but what transpires is the most outstanding
showcase of competition, camaraderie and the very best of the human
spirit.
On behalf of Mary Louise and myself, Raymond Tharaldon, we hope you
enjoy our showcase of photos and undying devotion and we would like to
say “thank you” to ALL these American and international heroes.
With
the Coronado Bridge as a backdrop, Harriette Thompson stepped outside
of the Hilton Bayfront hotel Friday morning and began jogging along the
bay. One woman stopped her in front of the million-dollar yachts for an
autograph. Another wanted her to pose for a picture.
“It’s just because I’m so old,” joked Thompson.
One
year ago this weekend, Thompson, then 91, completed the Suja Rock ’n’
Roll Marathon in 7 hours, 7 minutes, the fastest marathon ever by a
woman 90 or older.
Minutes
after the feat, sitting in the shade of a tent next to Petco Park,
Thompson promised, “If I’m still (alive), I’ll be back next year.”
Grace Brethren's celebrates a goal during the CIF High School
Girls Soccer Division 7 Final against St. Anthony High School. Final
Score Brethren 6, St. Anthony 0. Downey March 8, 2015. (Photo by
Brittany Murray / Daily Breeze)
Butterflies. Nerves. Jitters.
Playing in its first CIF
Southern Section final, the Grace Brethren girls soccer team experienced
the entire spectrum of emotions.
It took just one goal to put Grace Brethren on the path toward a CIF record-setting performance..
By
the time Grace Brethren closed out its 6-0 victory over St. Anthony in
the CIF Division 7 final, Grace Brethren had become the first team —
boys or girls — to score six goals in a CIF final.
“We’re so
blessed,” Grace Brethren’s Amanda Stout said. “I am so overwhelmed with
excitement. This is an amazing feeling. I’m so proud of everyone.” Grace Brethren rushed the field in jubilation after the match.
They gave Coach Vince Allegra a celebratory ice shower. Allegra, soaked
completely, then shared a special embrace with his daughter Frankie, the
team’s goalkeeper.
“That was special,” Coach Allegra said. “She’s
been around this program since she was 6 or 7. She’s been the water
girl, the stat girl. It was cool we got this far, and especially for me
with Frankie on the team.”
For the first 30 minutes, Grace
Brethren (23-4-1) seemed to play stiff. Its passes were not connecting
well, and the team seemed to be going at about half-speed. Joana Schimmel’s 31st-minute goal changed the entire course of the match.
From that point, the Grace Brethren offensive juggernaut was not going to be stopped.
“We
started off nervous and timid,” Schimmel said. “After that goal, we
realized we had this and we were not going to stop. Sometimes that’s how
it goes. Once we get one, it pumps up everyone.”
From there, it was a race to history.
Sammi
Fisher scored three minutes later for a 2-0 lead on a breakaway. Emma
Hopkins added a goal with 31.6 seconds left in the first half for a 3-0
halftime lead. Avery Smithson and Stout added second-half goals.
Then Fisher scored her 31st goal of the season to give Grace Brethren the CIF record in the 61st minute.
The
1988 Agoura team and the 2008 Desert Christian team were part of a
group of four teams that had scored five goals in a CIF final, but Grace
Brethren set itself apart.
“This feels amazing. Nothing can
compare to it right now,” Fisher said. “Once we got that first goal,
that settled us down. Then we used our speed to blow by them to get more
goals.” Grace Brethren now has 108 goals on the season — the most in the
CIF Southern Section this season, including a whopping 31 in the
postseason.
“Once we settled down, we just wanted to score more
and more and get each other goals,” Hopkins said. “This means all the
hard work we put in all year was justified and rewarded.”
Grace
Brethren said it feeds off each other’s energy and takes pride in its
balanced attack and hopes it will translate well into next week’s
Southern California Regionals.
“As long as we work together, we feel we can accomplish anything,” Smithson said.
