BEIJING (AP) -- Perhaps the second week of the Olympics will provide another major star but for now it is safe to say these Olympic games belong to one Michael Phelps of Ann Arbor, Michigan. In short, he has dominated the action not only in the pool but the entire Olympics.
He came into these games under extreme pressure to perform well and so far, he is responding in unbelievable fashion.
The 23-year old came in hoping to win eight gold medals and today, he took giant strides in that direction by picking up two more, giving him five. And in each event, he's set a world record.
His wins today came in the 200-meter butterfly and 800 freestyle relay. He hung on for the win in the fly despite the fact his goggles were leaking and he couldn't see well.
His winning time in the 200 was 1:52.03 while in the relay the U.S. team smashed the 7-minute barrier with a time of 6:58.56. The rest of the U.S. team consisted of Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay.
Phelps now has eleven career gold medals, more than any other Olympian in history.
In the women's 200 individual medley, Natalie Coughlin finished third while fellow American Katie Hoff was fourth. The winner was Australia's Stephanie Rice.
SWIMMING
BEIJING (AP) -- U.S. swimmer Eric Shanteau is ready to move on with his life. Shanteau is the 24-year old who was diagnosed with testicular cancer before the U.S. Olympic trials. He chose to put off surgery for a chance to compete in the Olympics and today, his Olympics came to an end.
Shanteau got as far as the semifinals of the 200 breaststroke but he failed to qualify for the final.
The Georgian finished sixth in his semi and tenth overall, one spot back of the qualifying field for the final.
GYMNASTICS
BEIJING (AP) -- The favored U.S. womens gymnastics team had a terrible day and because of mistakes wound up with the silver.
The Americans, who came in as world champions, finished more than two points behind the host Chinese and in front of bronze medal winning Romania.
Four years ago the U.S. was favored to win the gold and settled for a silver as well.
The Americans performed ahead of the Chinese in the final rotation and when team captain Alicia Sacramone landed her second pass flat on her back, the gold was gone. Two other team members also committed costly errors.
The gold is the first-ever for China in womens team gymnastics.
CYCLING
BEIJING (AP) -- Idaho's Kristin Armstrong won the gold medal in the women's road cycling individual time trial. She completed the race in a time of 34:51.72, more than 24 seconds faster than silver medalist Emma Pooley of Great Britain.
Christine Thorburn of Davenport, Iowa was fifth.
And Levi Leipheimer of California won the bronze medal in the road cycling individual time trial.
SOFTBALL
BEIJING (AP) -- The U.S. is now 2-and-0 in softball after Cat Osterman tossed just the second complete game no-hitter in Olympic history. Osterman struck out 12 as the U.S. blanked Australia 3-0. The only other no-hitter was tossed by former U.S. Olympian Lori Harrigan back in 2000.
The American's won their opening game on a combined no-hitter by Jennie Finch and Monica Abbott.
The U.S. will face Canada on Thursday.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
BEIJING (AP) -- The U.S. women's volleyball team has beaten Venezuela by the scores of 25-17, 20-25, 25-14, 25-18. The American team is now 2-1, with China slated as the next opponent on Friday.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
BEIJING (AP)-- The women's basketball team is taking part in its third game of the games tonight. The contest, which looks to be lopsided, features the team from Mali. The U.S. team beat the Czech Republic and China in its first two games.
MEDALS
BEIJING (AP) -- The United States remains at the top of the medal board with 28 medals overall while China has 24. Broken down by color, the U.S. has 10 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze while the Chinese have 16 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze.
