Redemption Day for Team USA

This Olympics began with tragedy for Americans abroad. Two weeks ago, Todd Bachman, the father-in-law of Hugh McCutcheon, the coach of the U.S. men’s volleyball team, was stabbed to death by a Chinese man. McCutcheon’s mother-in-law, Barabar Bachman, was also stabbed and hospitalized. She remains in critical condition.

Throughout the games, team members marked their shoes with the initials of Todd and Barbara Bachman as a gesture of sympathy and support. On the very last day of the Olympics, the U.S. men’s volleyball team took home the gold, beating the world champion Brazilians in the gold medal match.

Also on the final day of the Beijing Games, the USA men’s basketball “Redeem Team” took home the gold, beating Spain 118-107 in the gold medal game. The team, led by star players Kobe Bryan, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski, came to Beijing, to “redeem” the losses suffered by previous U.S. men’s basketball teams at the 2004 Athens games and in the world championship games.

It truly was a day of redemption for Team USA. And, the United States had the most overall medals in the final medal count: 110 total medals. While China had the most number of gold medals (51 to the United States’ 36), the host nation did not win the overall medal count, falling short by 10 medals, with 100.

What a great 2 weeks in Beijing. Michael Phelps clearly stole the show, but Team USA also proved to be the best all-around nation in the summer games, once again. “USA! USA! USA!”