August 23, 2004 Table Of Contents
2004 Olympics
Michael Phelps's ambitious gold rush hit a couple of bronze bumps, but he remained the center of attention as his medal haul grew, befitting the world's most versatile swimmer
By Tim Layden
Natalie Coughlin showed her colors: gold and silver
The powerful men's and women's eights want no less than gold
For the U.S. water polo team, a brutal training regimen paid off with a last-minute
The gold went to Japan, but the U.S. men's gymnastics team, led by the dazzling Hamm twins, were thrilled to be on the podium at last
By E.M. Swift
By Don Yaeger
Beach volleyball shakes up its show
While getting spanked by Puerto Rico in its first game, the U.S. basketball team played like an NBA team--the Clippers--and the Americans' nightmare in Athens may have just begun
Diana Taurasi isn't used to being a sub. No problem
Three shutout wins can't erase a lingering sense of loss
By Don Yaeger
In synchronized diving the Chinese still rule the pool
Good food, bad movies--the athletes' colossal compound has it all
Two improbable soccer wins raised spirits and worked as a salve for past pain and future uncertainty
By Grant Wahl
In an ambivalent Athens one message is clear: At these Games restraint could be as precious as gold for the U.S. and its athletes
By S.L. Price
Special Bonus Section: Sports Illustrated Presents: Fantasy Football 2004
Frustrated with your favorite team? In this game no one is more powerful than a fantasy owner
By David Sabino
By David Sabino
By Gene Menez
Sports Illustrated Bonus Section: Golf Plus
Short on confidence, lacking motivation and with no one to turn to, Tiger Woods has lost his mojo
Saving their best for last at Whistling Straits, Chris DiMarco and Chris Riley played their way onto a U.S. Ryder Cup side badly in need of their help
For the handful of natives playing in the Russian Open, simply making the cut would have been a major accomplishment
Vijay's victory, Smilin' Marvin and Ryder Cup fallout from the PGA Championship
By Jim Gorant
By Jim Suttie
By Jim Gorant
Voting hours at si.com: 7 p.m. EST Sunday to 3 p.m. EST Monday
By Jim Gorant
By Sal Johnson
By GORJUS George Lucas*
By Donald Trump
Air and Space
By Steve Rushin
Golf
With a dogged playoff win in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, Vijay Singh removed any doubt that he is the world's best player
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
THE LITTLE SCHOOL THAT CAN'T BE BEAT
De La Salle High is a Catholic boys' school in a quiet Northern California suburb, with modest facilities, unassuming student-athletes--and a football team that has won 151 games in a row
By Kelley King
De La Salle copes with a death in the football family
By Kelley King
Television
Let's go back-back-back through 25 years with ESPN's Chris (Boomer) Berman, whose outsized enthusiasms have stamped his network, sports and television
By CHARLES P. PIERCE
Inside
Inside The NFL
A trim Ron Dayne looked like his old self in the Giants' win over K.C.
Atlanta's New Offense
Inside Baseball
The Indians are ahead of schedule in their run at the AL Central leader
By Albert Chen
Tampa's Rookie Shortstop
The Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly
Departments
The Oakland Raiders, of all teams, have a host of former players in prominent NFL positions
Life Before the Dodgers and Giants
Even before the arrival of its major league teams, California played an integral role in baseball's development
By Ron Fimrite
Far off the beaten path, in the Italian minor leagues
By Bill Syken
SI Presents: The Great Pigskin Debate
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Democratic consultant James Carville rarely see eye-to-eye, especially on USC and the Fighting Irish Interviews by Don Yaeger
By Don Yaeger
The NHL declines to get involved in yet another star's gambling mess
How They'll Look According to SI's JOHNNYDAMONIZER 4000
By Bill Scheft
WHAT TO WATCH AND WATCH FOR
By Julia MorrILL
By Nancy Ramsey
By Mark Bechtel