Tina Thompson embraces Sylvia Fowles as the U.S. women’s basketball team wins the gold medal with a victory over Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. guard Kara Lawson drives past Australia’s Tully Belivaqua early in the first half of the women’s Olympic basketball final in Beijing. Lawson scored 15 points, leading the Americans to a 92-65 win for the gold medal. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. player Cappie Poindexter drives past Australian defender Belinda Snell to score in the Beijing Olympics women’s basketball gold medal game. The U.S. beat Australia, 92-65. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A teary eyed Lisa Leslie waves to fans after she leaves the court for the last time in Olympic competition during the gold medal game against Australia at Beijing’s Olympic Basketball Gymnasium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Monique Henderson of the U.S. takes the baton and helps her team win the gold medal in the women’s 4 X 400 relay. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Sanya Richards of the U.S. passes Russia’s Anastasia Kapachinskaya in the final meters to help her team win the gold in the women’s 4 X 400 relay. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The women’s 4 X 400 relay team -- from left, Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards, Mary Wineberg and Monique Henderson -- gathers after its win. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Jeremy Wariner carries the baton across the finish line to help the U.S. men’s team win the 4 X 400 relay. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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The U.S. men’s 4 X 400 relay team -- from left, LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, Jeremy Wariner and David Neville -- celebrate their gold medal win in Beijing. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Argentina’s Pablo Zabaleta falls to his knees as time expires while defeating Nigeria, 1-0, in the men’s soccer final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, left, beats Nigeria’s Chibuzor Okonkwo to the ball in the men’s soccer final. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Belguim’s Tia Hellebaut screams after making a successful jump for the gold medal in the women’s high jump final. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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A volunteer naps in the spectator seats before the start of track and field events. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
