Celebrations mark the final day of Olympic games.

BEIJING — USA Basketball completed its extreme makeover Sunday with a totally new Olympic experience. In defeating Spain, 118-107, for the gold medal, the Americans persevered in their first wire-to-wire competitive game of the 2008 Olympics.

BEIJING — While his players hugged and shouted and leaped into each other’s arms Sunday after winning the U.S. men’s volleyball team’s first Olympic gold medal in 20 years, coach Hugh McCutcheon walked off the court, alone.

Samuel Wansiru pulled away over the final few miles today to become the first Kenyan in the storied running history of that nation to win an Olympic marathon.

Sanya Richards took the baton for the final lap of the 1,600-meter relay with the U.S. in second place. Three turns later, Richards remained several strides behind, yet another disappointment looming.

High school senior and Olympics volunteer Greg Bai is one of 100,000 Chinese people this August who hopes to “show Beijing’s smiling face” — the mantra of the volunteers — to the rest of the world.

The games contiune at the Beijing Olympics.

Put up a net, put American men in action and watch out. At these Olympics, that’s becoming an unbeatable combination.

BEIJING — The United States men’s water polo team extended its unlikely string of victories Friday by defeating Serbia, 10-5, in the semifinals, sending the team to the gold medal match for the first time in 20 years.

BEIJING — The USA men’s basketball team has been so good at thrashing opponents throughout the Olympics that a nine-point halftime lead over Argentina in the semifinals Friday looked like a crisis.

Olympics Aug 22

BEIJING — The poorest performance by a U.S. boxing team since the sport’s Olympic debut in 1896 came to an end Friday when heavyweight Deontay Wilder dropped a 7-1 decision to Italy’s Clemente Russo.

BEIJING — The Brazilian men’s volleyball team defeated Italy 3-1 and will face the United States for the Olympic gold medal on Sunday.