BEIJING — With silver medals swinging from their necks, their eyes filled with tears, five members of the U.S. Olympic softball team walked to home plate and placed their cleats in the dirt.

BEIJING — Outplayed and overwhelmed for most of the night, the Americans got the only shot they needed.

BEIJING — Move over, Michael. Make way for Usain.

BEIJING — The U.S. women’s indoor volleyball team avenged an earlier loss in these Olympics with a convincing win over Cuba Thursday.

BEIJING — Shirvani Muradov, taking the place of one of the world’s most successful wrestlers over the last four years, has won the Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medal at 96 kilograms (211 1/2 pounds).

BEIJING — Kerri Walsh celebrated her second straight Olympic gold medal with her husband, Casey Jennings, a fellow beach volleyball pro who failed to qualify for the Beijing Games but made the trip anyway to cheer on his wife.

BEIJING — Heptathlon silver medalist Lyudmila Blonska was kicked out of the women’s long jump final Thursday following her positive doping test.

IOC president Jacques Rogge criticized Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt on Thursday for showing a lack of respect to other competitors after his record-breaking gold medal performances in the 100 and 200 meters.

Americans Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor have won their second consecutive gold medal in beach volleyball, playing through a steady rain to beat Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China 21-18, 21-18.

Michael Phelps’ coach says he and his record-breaking athlete are extending their partnership from training into business, though the details are fuzzy.

Many, but not all, area residents in the Chinese community are proud the Olympic Games in Beijing showcase the success of individual athletes, and of the overall event.