Beijing 2008 Olympics

In a exciting fight to the finish Russia’s Larisa Ilchenko wins Gold in Women’s 10km Swimming by overtaking the Brit duo from the Stockport Metro Swimming Club, Keri-Anne Payne and Cassie Patten in the final one-hundred meters with a winning time of one hour 59 minutes 27.7 seconds. Larisa, a native of Volgograd, continues her domination of open-water distance swimming and remains unbeaten since 2004. Keri-Anne Payne and Cassie Patten took the Silver and Bronze medal respectively in a highly courageous race.

The race also marked the entrance of a true hero, South African Natalie du Toit, the first female amputee to take part in the Olympics, who finished in a very solid sixteenth position.

“I went out there and gave it everything, which was my goal,” she said.

Larisa Ilchenko nearing the end of the race (Photo credit: Liu Dawei/Xinhua)

Larisa Ilchenko of Russia after the race (Photo credit: Liu Dawei/Xinhua)

Larisa Ilchenko of Russia with her gold medal. (Photo credit:Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Michael Phelps goes double-digits in his Gold Medal collection and now owns the record for most gold medals for athlete with this tenth as he won the Men’s 200m Butterfly final with a new world record at 1:52.03. Hungary’s Laszlo Cesh won silver and Takeshi Matsuda of Japan won third.

Michael Phelps wins another Gold for USA (Photo credit: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Michael Phelps (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Michael Phelps winning Gold (Photo credit: Chen Kai/Xinhua)

The aerial ballet of diving is, if you haven’t been to a competition, something to behold. For even the novice fan, or better-said first-time viewer, after you watch a competition you’ll be amazed at the remarkable level of athleticism and skill.

In the Men’s Synchronized 10m Platform partner, reigning world champions Lin Yue and Huo Liang of China took the gold medal with Sascha Klein and Patrick Hausding of Germany winning silver and  Dmitriy Dobroskok and Gleb Galperin of Russia taking home the bronze.

Lin Yue and Huo Liang win Gold in Men’s Synchronized 10m Platform partner(Photo credit: Getty)