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5:30am

Fri August 3, 2012
Strange News

Weightlifter Keeps Calm, Sleeps In And Carries On

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne, with a lesson on how to keep calm, sleep in and carry on.

Twenty-one-year-old Jack Oliver went to bed ready to represent Great Britain at the Olympics. That was until the weightlifter overslept by an hour on his big day. He was roused by his coach and got dressed in 30 seconds, he says, and still managed two personal bests, grabbing a fourth place finish. The sleep did me good, he said. I had less time to think about the competition.

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5:30am

Fri August 3, 2012
Sports

U.S. Swims Deeper Into The Record Books

Michael Phelps won his 20th Olympic medal, the gold, in his last race with Ryan Lochte, who took the silver. Rebecca Soni won a gold, as well. All in all, it was a good day for American swimmers. NPR's Howard Berkes reports from London.

5:30am

Fri August 3, 2012
Sports

London Olympics' Record-Setting First Week

The London Olympics have produced lots of fascinating moments in its early days. Records have been shattered, rules have been broken. And it's only the first week. NPR's Mike Pesca has been covering the games and joins Steve Inskeep.

4:57am

Fri August 3, 2012
The Torch

Would You Rather Win Silver Or Bronze? (Be Careful What You Wish For)

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 9:32 am

Credit Julian Finney / Getty Images

Both athletes were U.S. swimmers, both were dripping wet after finishing an Olympics final, and both had just won medals.

The first said, "It's not my normal specialty. ... We went out there and raced tough – and just came up a little short."

The second had a beaming face. He said, "[I] swam my own race. And knew I had a lane, and had an opportunity, and I went for it. It worked out, you know, it's just awesome that I get to go on the podium tonight. Honestly, I'm really proud of myself!"

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5:51pm

Thu August 2, 2012
The Torch

Michael Phelps Wins Record 20th Medal; Soni Sets Record In Breaststroke

Breaking News Update at 3:27 p.m. ET: Phelps Wins Gold For 20th Medal.

Michael Phelps has won the men's 200-meter individual medley at the 2012 Summer Games, winning his 20th Olympic medal — and his first individual gold medal in London.

Phelps led Lochte by .16 of one second at the first turn, in the butterfly. He maintained his lead in the backstroke — the discipline Lochte had just raced in half an hour earlier in the day.

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5:30pm

Thu August 2, 2012
The Torch

Photos Of Day 6 From The London Olympics

The best Olympic images of the day include snapshots from swimming, gymnastics, rowing, judo and cycling competitions.

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5:20pm

Thu August 2, 2012
The Torch

If Gabby's Got The Gold, Why Flip Over Her Hair?

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 9:37 am

Credit Thomas Coex / AFP/Getty Images

Gabby Douglas, the 16-year-old gymnast from Virginia Beach, Va., won another gold medal Thursday. The first was won with her team earlier this week. She was the only member of the team to perform in all four rotations. So, why are some black women obsessed with her hair? Writer Monique Fields has this perspective.

Never mind how she flies like a raven on the balance beam. Or flutters across the floor. Or soars on vault. Or swings on the uneven bars.

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5:20pm

Thu August 2, 2012
London 2012: The Summer Olympics

Missy Franklin A Reason For Aurora, Colo., To Cheer

Originally published on Thu August 2, 2012 6:39 pm

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

Aurora, Colorado is still coming to grips with the shooting last month that killed 12 people and injured dozens. But this week the city has something to celebrate, Olympic swimming sensation Missy Franklin. So far, she's racked up three medals in London and there may be more to come.

As Colorado Public Radio's Megan Verlee reports, Franklin's performance is giving Aurora a much needed boost.

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5:20pm

Thu August 2, 2012
London 2012: The Summer Olympics

Americans Grab More Gold In Swimming, Gymnastics

Originally published on Thu August 2, 2012 6:39 pm

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

We begin this hour with news from the London Olympics, where American athletes made history today. In a few minutes, a new face on the medal stand in the sport of judo, but first to swimming and gymnastics. Today, Michael Phelps won his 20th Olympic medal, a gold. And gymnast Gabby Douglas won gold in the women's individual all-around final.

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5:15pm

Thu August 2, 2012
Movies

Summer Movies: Olympic Medal-Winning Favorites

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

Is a film in development where the aged Russian gymnast is allowed to give Michael Phelps the medal that broke her record? How about "Bad News Badminton" or "Dream Team V"? Well, there's no way to know whether we're going to see the butterfly, shuttlecocks or slam dunks in 3D anytime soon, but in the grip of Olympic fever, we kick off our annual summer film festival with a celebration of Hollywood's past focus on the drama of the games. Our favorite film buff Murray Horwitz joins us in just a moment.

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