"Did you hear Jenn's coach ripping on Jenn after the jump. I wanted to deck the guy."

Yeah, me too. I understand that success in these sports involves constant self-criticism and self-improvement, never being satisfied, etc., but really!!! That was hardly the time and place; she should have been allowed to savor the moment for a while, and worry about whatever she needs to improve the next day.

It's been just an amazing sequence of one real-life drama after another. I knew that I would be hopelessly glued to the tube, but I didn't foresee (or remember) just how very compelling it would be.

Last night's late-night ever-so-close men's indoor volleyball semifinal between the US and Russia was another good one, by the way.

If the three 400-meter medalists, along with one additional US teammate, manage not to drop the baton in the 4 X 400 (or "metric mile") relay, it should be an easy win, and might also serve to remind us of, and to partially make up for, the twin fiascos in the sprint relays. The American women are not similarly favored in their 4 x 400, but they should have a decent shot, and if they can win as underdogs, it could be pretty dramatic and remove some of the bad taste of the USA track team's generally woeful performence.