In praise of our Olympians

The Olympics drew to a close in Bejing today after an incredible two weeks of sporting action.

We witnessed the greatest ever Olympian Michael Phelps destroy world and Olympic medal records in the pool and Jamaican Usain Bolt raise the bar for all sprinters.

But our own Javier Mascherano made a little bit of history in the searing heat of the Bird's Nest on Saturday morning when he became the first Argentinean to win two Olympic golds as the footballers retained their gold from Athens four years ago.

While 'El Jefe' took gold Lucas Leiva took bronze with Brazil who beat Belgium in the third place play off. It was the Argentineans who ended Brazilian dreams in the semi final earlier in the week.

Unfrotunately for Lucas his Olympics ended on a sour note when he was red carded in the semi final ironically for a tackle on Mascherano but we're sure there's no hard feelings.

Ryan Babel didn't finish among the medals and was back with the Reds yesterday, coming on as a sub against Middlesbrough after his Holland team fell foul of the Mascherano's men at the last eight.

Well done to our trio of Olympians, particularly Masch in light of the disappointment he suffered in 2006/07 for club and country, but we'll be glad to seem them back in the Liverpool team shortly.