The U.S. women come away with gold on an overtime goal in women’s soccer for a 1-0 win over Brazil. Missing three key players, Carli Lloyd scored the gamer to topple a Brazil team that had pasted the Americans, 4-0, in the World Cup last year.

All that glittered was not the U.S. however,  as the relay teams fell apart. Both the men’s and women’s 4×100 teams failed to complete baton passes and were eliminated in the semifinals. Probably just as well as they wouldn’t have beaten the dazzling Jamaicans. Ruins NBC’s dream of creating that storyline: the U.S. relay team making amends for lack of individual sprint gold.

The U.S. women were also upset, losing to Japan in the softball final, 3-1. It was the U.S. team’s first loss since 2000 in the Sydney Games. Ouch.

Interesting read from Filip Bondy in the New York Daily News, chastising IOC boss Jacques Rogge for his stinging criticism of Usain Bolt’s actions after winning double gold. Had to say we found it peculiar that Rogge would take a stand against Bolt. That said, we did notice that the sprints were pretty much the only competition where the winner — Bolt — wasn’t surrounded by fellow competitors in celebration. Bolt’s show didn’t offend us, as much as it was just noticeably different. Think Rogge’s rebuke is a bit — a lot — stronger than needed.

Wonder what Tommie Smith and John Carlos think of a basic total absence of protest or political statement in these Games in a world gone mad in so many ways. Not sure it reflects great on today’s Olympic athletes, or does it?