2008 Beijing Games Day 14

Argentina’s Luis Alberto Scola is fouled by Dwight Howard of the U.S. in the men’s basketball semifinal in Beijing.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dwyane Wade lets out a yell after he is fouled while making a shot in the men’s Olympic basketball semifinal against Argentina.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant puts a rebound in the basket from behind his head in the semifinal game against Argentina.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder enters the gym to fight a semifinal bout against Clemente Russo of Italy. Wilder lost the bout and will receive a bronze medal, the only boxing medal for the U.S. in the Beijing Games.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant ties up Fabricio Oberto in the first half of the men’s Olympic basketball semifinal match between the U.S. and Argentina.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Bryan Clay of the U.S. prepares for a javelin throw during competition in the men’s decathlon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Clay won the gold medal.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Bryan Clay holds the American flag after winning the gold medal in the men’s decathlon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Russia’s Yuliya Chermoshanskaya, right, celebrates her team’s gold medal-winning performance in front of Belgium’s Kim Gevaert, whose team won the silver, in the 4 X 100 relay.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

From left, Russia’s Evgeniya Polyakova, Yulia Gushchina, Yuliya Chermoshanskaya and Aleksandra Fedoriva after winning the gold medal in the 4 X 100 relay.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. runner Monique Henderson takes the baton from teammate Mary Wineberg during the first heat of the 4 X 400 relay.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. runner Regi passes the baton to teammate Angelo Taylor during the first heat of the 4 X 400 relay.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

From left, Jamaica’s Nesta Carter, Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Usain Bolt celebrate their gold medal win in the 4 X 100 relay.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates with the crowd after his team won the gold medal in the 400-meter relay.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Australia’s Steve Hooker breaks an Olympic record, clearing 5.96 meters to win the men’s pole vault and capture the gold medal.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. heavyweight Deontay Wilder exchanges punches with Clemente Russo of Italy during a semifinal match at the Beijing’s Workers’ Gymnasium. Wilder, the last remaining U.S. boxer in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, lost to Russo and will settle for a bronze medal.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Heavyweight Clemente Russo of Italy smiles while being lifted off the ground as he clinches with Deontay Wilder of the U.S. during an Olympic semifinal at the Beijing’s Workers’ Gymnasium. Russo easily won the fight and advanced to the gold medal match, while Wilder settled for bronze.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Referee Hassen Boughalmi raises the hand of Italian heavyweight Clemente Russo as U.S. boxer Deontay Wilder looks on in defeat during after an Olympic semifinal bout at Beijing’s Workers’ Gymnasium.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Americans Todd Rogers, left, and Phil Dalhausser celebrate their win over Brazil and the gold medal in the men’s beach volleyball final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Phil Dalhausser of the U.S. blocks a shot from Brazil’s Marcio Araujo in the men’s beach volleyball final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Fans hold Chinese flags during the gold medal match between the U.S. and China in the men’s beach volleyball final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Sand flies as two players battle during the gold medal match between U.S. and China in the men’s beach volleyball finals in Beijing.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)