She Likes to Watch

Few things set an American heart a-thumping faster than a last-minute victory at the Beijing Olympics.

The U.S. men’s swimming team squeaked past France at the end of Monday’s relay event, beating two world records and securing an amazing down-to-the-wire win.

It might have been the sight of Michael Phelps flexing his rippling abs, or his brutish yawp, but that event — rife with athletic rivalry and dramatic tension — made for excellent television.

Since so many of the Olympics’ coolest events (the stunning opening ceremony, the U.S. men’s basketball blowout versus China) take place at odd hours, I’ve started catching up online.

Interviews, analysis and full video broadcasts are available at this Olympics coverage super-site.

The Tribune also has plenty of Olympics coverage, from up-to-the-minute stories to videos, photo galleries and blogs by Central Coast athletes competing in China.