U.S. beach volleyball gods Phil "The Thin Beast" Dalhausser and his equally studly partner Todd "The Professor" Rogers annihilated hotshot Brazilian duo Marcio Araujo and Fabio Magalhaes in last night’s gold-medal match that ended way past your bedtime. The 6′9" Dalhausser, now officially My Favorite Olympian, totally dominated the final set with three stuff blocks in a row, the most endearing of which was #3 because the ball knocked Fabio (himself nicknamed "Jaws," and this would be why) on the cheek on its way down. YEAH! Stuffed-crust pizza in yo’ FACE, Jaws! U.S.A. sweeps the beach! Aside from Dalhausser’s clutch finish, the best part of the v-ball telecast might have been the nonchalant manner in which the commentators used the guys’ nicknames: "…unfortunately, the Thin Beast isn’t getting many serves…" "…Jaws is just getting harpooned by the Thin Beast…" "…now, Karch, what do we think the Professor just said to Jaws up at the net?" And my favorite: "Jaws is upset."
PopWatcher Katja supports my pick — she aptly labeled Rogers and Dalhausser "both physically and celebratorily studly – did you SEE the adorable man-hug-tackle they shared?" Oh, I did. And may have pretended I was included in it. But, uh, let’s move on.
U.S. women’s soccer won their final, too! I didn’t get tosee it, but Carli Lloyd absolutely deserves triple-co-stud status –the central midfielder scored the only goal, six minutes into overtime,in the U.S.’ second straight Olympic gold-medal triumph over Brazil. Canadian platform diver Emilie Heymans almost ruined China’s 7-for-7 winning streak, but 15-year-old phenom Chen Ruolin kept it alive. If you combined all six of Ruolin’s tiny non-splashes over the course of last night’s final, they’d make up roughly one substantial ripple. Amazing. U.S. women’s water polo took silver, and three Americans — Mike Day, Donny Robinson, and Jill Kintner — medaled in yesterday’s inaugural BMX finals.
Meanwhile, the U.S. went 1-2-3 in the 400-meter track final. LaShawn Merritt pulled way ahead for the win — I loved the way he denied, during his post-race interview, having any doubt it was possible to beat teammate Jeremy Wariner by a whole second. Aw hell to the no! And finally, be sure to press play on the video player below to see David Neville’s so-ridiculous-you-have-to-see-it-in-slo-mo DIVE across the finish line for the bronze medal. Enjoy!
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Call me what you will, but isn’t diving over the finish line in a track race just to get a medal a tad dishonorable? It almost seems like cheating to me. You’re supposed to RUN. Can someone explain?
Well, blatantly breaking age restriction rules is also dishonorable, but someone let that, too.
I love The Thin Beast! The Professor’s big puffy hat kind of makes him look like a nerd, so it’s a great nickname. My favorite beach volleyball moment: Kerry Walsh smashing the ball directly into the face of the 6′3” Wang in the Gold Medal Final. I think she did it twice…and I think it was on purpose. Love it!
After that, Wang’s nickname was Spalding since that was blazed across her cheek in welts.
BLINKY, the purpose of competing is to win and yes, get a medal. Diving for the finishline is an accepted manipulation of the rules. Runners are actually taught to lean forward after they finish every race just to finish .001th of a second faster, because in sprints, that’s might be all that separates you from winning and placing 2nd. Also, athletes are taking a huge change when they actually dive for the finishline because they are risking injury.
I spent most of the track and field races screaming angrily at the people who SLOW DOWN (or celebrate if you’re Usain Bolt) before the race is even over. If you’re not giving 1000% while representing your county, stay home.
I love the dive for the medal-and I do not think it is dishonorable or cheating. Its who crosses first, not who runs across first. No one wants to be fourth in the Olympics!
Love the Thin Beast. He and the Professor made quite a pair on the Today show this morning.
I’d like to nominate David Oliver as the Stud of the Day. He won bronze in the 110 Mens Hurdles, but more importantly, that man is soooo fine. Please include him, even if it’s an honorable mention. Thanks
Actually, I was just piggybacking on Gretchen’s comments. I couldn’t care less if the guy leaned forward.
I just thought it would be a good forum to point out (again) how blatant the Chinese gymnastics team flaunted the rules…
i’d like to nominate bryan clay who just won the gold for the decathlon! AWESOME, and he’s from my home state of Hawaii.
K – thanks for the info. Interesting. I still don’t think I like it, but if it’s accepted by track and field, then more power to the divers. And it must really hurt…
What was up with all the relay racers dropping the baton?? Seriously, if you lost the race because you couldn’t switch off the baton, then you are LOSERS who don’t deserve to win. LOSERS! That made me so angry. It’s like they were so self-absorbed, they forgot they were supposed to be running as a team. They are NOT studs! LOSERS!
he’s hot, but this is the olympian of the century at least in my book she is
http://www.yournobody.com/2008/08/22/proof-40g-boobs-are-not-always-hot/
I’m pretty sure Chen Roulin made five tiny non-splashes, not six. Diving is three rounds of five dives each, hence why they kept talking about Laura Wilkinson’s final 15 dives. Unless I missed something last night, which is possible; I’m getting Olympics fatigue.
I vote for Jeremy Wariner simply for refusing to answer NBC’s Bob Neumeier’s questions about his recent coaching change and whether that led to him not winning the gold medal. And Brian Clay is so Olympic Stud for tomorrow!
Yes for David Oliver! I’d never heard of him before, but he totally caught my eye during the post-race interview. Hot, yes. But exceedingly gracious and charming and friendly, hotter.
Jeremy Wariner, Matthew Mitcham. That is all.
Accent of the Day: Jeremy Wariner. Whew! And ditto the Carli Lloyd. I’m on the West Coast and we were all in the breakroom watching the end of that match – CRAZY!
I was happy to see The Professor & Thin Beast show some emotion after that win – they’re usually so contained. I’m sure this is because I’m spoiled from Kerry & Misty’s general goofiness off-court. “Jaws is upset” Hee!
no way dollhouser (yeah, i’m gonna spell it that way) beats neville — he freakin’ dived on pavement!?!?! what could be more studly? and yeah, i had fun saying “welcome to the dollhouse!!” everytime dollhouser got a point but it was still a freakin’ dive!! come on!!! and then neville sang all the words to the national anthem. Stud of the Day!
I vote for matthew mitcham, the hot aussie who stopped the chinese diving gold run at 7 by scoring the 8th gold for himself with a near-perfect 112 score for his final dive, including 4 tens!!!!
Phil Dalhausser reminds me of a really tall Billy Zane.
I can’t decide if that’s a good thing.