Surprisingly there are a number of empty seats here at the Cube.  While it has certainly filled out significantly since the start of finals this morning, it is still a shock to see empty seats after all the hullabaloo about tickets selling out so quickly.

One seat is definitely taken.  That is the seat of President George Bush who, waving his American flag, needed to catch a glimpse of the Phelps.  A glimpse he did catch, giving Phelps the thumbs up after his World record performance.

Final 400 IM for Phelps

“I told Bob [Bowman] that this would be my last 400 IM,” Phelps said.

Was that our National Anthem

Picture this.

You are standing on the awards podium, having reached the pinnacle of your sport.

Three things matter.

The medal.
The flag.
The National anthem.

You see the flag.  Check.

You have the medal draped around your neck. Check.

National anthem?  Well, sort of.

As happened four years ago in Athens, a snafu with the United States national anthem occurred.

The anthem seemed to repeat the first verse twice.  It also cut out well prior to the end during Phelps’ award ceremony, leaving most of us standing confused, and a large number of fans singing a capella.

You can quote me on that

“I woke up at six and ate McDonalds.” – Ryan Lochte

“I think I am older than her parents.” – Dara Torres referring to Cate Campbell