By Randy Evans – The 2008 United States Olympic Team has made America proud. It could not have come at a better time. Just as the “down with America” drumbeat seemed to have reached its peak, up stepped a group of athletes that reflect the best that the country has to give.

Of course, the biggest story of the Beijing Olympics was Michael Phelps. The United States earned twelve Gold Medals in swimming. Michael Phelps got eight of them. While his feat was truly historic, it was his character and personality that made him so special. Everyone wanted him to win, and win he did. He won big, won close, won as a part of a team, won individually, and won with class.

But it was not just gold in swimming that was so energizing. At age forty-one, Dana Torres became the oldest swimmer to ever win a medal. Her smile was infectious and her effervescent personality was fun. Everyone watching wanted to see her win. Everyone watching was glad she won a medal. For all the forty-plus Americans, it was proof positive that good things can still happen after forty.

Vincent Hancock, the nineteen year old member of the United States Army Marksmanship team from Eatonton, Georgia won the Gold Medal in Skeet Shooting. He won the Gold Medal in a shoot-off with Norway’s Tore Brovold. Politically correct mainstream media outlets prefer not to spend much time on shooting of any kind, much less shooting shown in a positive light. When asked about what his Army Marksmanship team does, Vincent Hancock answered “We’re helping save American lives by teaching soldiers what to do.” Georgians are proud of him.

He was not the only one to win a Gold Medal in a shooting event. Eller Walton from Houston, Texas won the Gold Medal in Men’s Double Trap shooting. There is not a lot written about these gentlemen or their success in Olympic shooting events. But, gold it is.

Equally impressive, American women swept the sabre fencing competition in Beijing. Mariel Zagunis won the Gold Medal in sabre fencing for the Americans with President George Bush watching. Sada Jacobson from Dunwoody, Georgia won the Silver and Becca Ward captured the Bronze. When describing being on the platform, Sada Jacobson said, “I don’t think I anticipated the emotion I would feel up there – it was such a feeling of pride.”

Nastia Liukin won the Olympic Gold Medal in the women’s individual all-around gymnastics competition and won a total of five gymnastics Olympic medals which ties her with Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Miller When she arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on her way home to Parker, Texas, she received a hero’s welcome. It was deserved.

Shawn Johnson from Des Moines, Iowa won a Gold Medal in the balance beam. Both Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson exemplified the style, grace, and demeanor of true Olympic champions. Their infectious smiles charmed the world.

Henry Cejudo wowed the wrestling world by winning gold in the Men’s Freestyle – 55 kilogram division. There were no flying drop-kicks or sleeper holds. Candidly, no one expected Henry Cejudo to win except Henry Cejudo. Last year, he was 31st in the 2007 world championships in wrestling. At twenty-one, he is now the youngest American to win an Olympic Gold Medal in wrestling. It was impressive.

There were many more. (Stephanie Brown Tafton won the Gold Medal in the women’s discus throw. At six foot four inches, and 220 pounds, she stood tall in the event. And, she won.)

Medal after medal, the Americans won.

Winning is always fun. Yet, it is the way that Americans have won that has left such an impact. American athletes performed with class and character and with the determination and drive for excellence that exemplifies the very best in this country.

Of course, there were many more champions than the Americans at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. World records were set. Gold medals were awarded. Athletes from around the world accomplished incredible feats. It was all good.

But honestly, it was the opportunity to cheer for the Red, White and Blue that was so good. It was hearing the Star Spangled Banner as the flag of the United States of America was hoisted. It was seeing those smiling faces, and hearing those humble words that was so sweet.

Bleary eyed Americans are exhausted from late nights watching to see if, just if, another miracle could happen. And miracles happened. It was great.