Beijing Games: Day 7

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 19, 2008

Beijing Games: Day 7

The only battle was for silver and bronze as Michael Phelps broke his own record in the 200 IM for the seventh time, easily beating Laszlo Cseh of Hungary and teammate Ryan Lochte to collect his sixth gold medal.

Ryan Lochte (left) of the U.S., seen here with a stunned Michael Phelps, won the bronze medal.

Rebecca Soni won the 200m breaststroke by upsetting world record-holder Leisel Jones and erasing the Aussie's world-best time.

Ryan Lochte got in quite a warmup for his 200 IM showdown with Michael Phelps by setting a world record in the 200m backstroke to win the first individual gold medal of his career. He edged fellow American Aaron Peirsol with a time of 1 minute, 53.94 seconds.

Michael Phelps at the start of heat 1 of the 100m butterfly semifinals.

Michael Phelps won his heat but will face stiff competition in the final.

Nastia Liukin of the U.S. competing in uneven bars, her best event. She went on to win the all-around gold.

Nastia Liukin displays the talent that won her gold in the women's individual all-around final.

Shawn Johnson of the U.S. (silver), Nastia Liukin (gold) and Yang Yilin of China (bronze) show off their hardware after the individual all-around final.

A closeup of Asafa Powell's shoes at the 100m preliminary.

Niina Kelo of Finland during the heptathlon 100m hurdles.

Taylor Phinney of the U.S. during qualifying for the individual pursuit.

Lucimara Silva of Brazil during the heptathlon high jump.

Reese Hoffa finished seventh in the shot put.

Veronica Nyaruai Wanjiru (2268) of Kenya falls with Zhao Yanni of China close behind during the 3000m steeplechase.

Hyleas Fountain of the U.S. was the top woman in the heptathlon high jump and led the field through four events.

000.37007-mid.jpg — John W. McDonough/SI

Danielle Scott-Arruda helped the U.S. knock off China in five sets in the preliminary round. The Americans are 3-2 overall, in good shape to advance. China fell to 2-2.