The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • C1

London 2012 BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE AUGUST 12, 2012 BOSTONGLOBE.COMSPORTS Bob Ryan Dream job, and a labor of love LONDON -Day One did not begin well. En route to the Globe for my first day as a summer intern, I was sideswiped on Stor-row Drive by a Bloodmobile. Since then, no columnists on a major American daily newspaper have spent their entire journalistic lives with one newspaper? The answer is close to zero. But why would I want to go anywhere else? By the way, that first day quickly got better. When I finally arrived at the paper for my first day of summer employment, the first person I met was a fellow 1968 Globe summer sports intern.

It was a North Carolina Tar Heel named Peter Gammons. Post-Olympics, I will have covered my last event and written my last deadline story for the paper that has been my home for 44 years. It is a totally different sports journalism world from the one I first inhabited. When I began in 1968, we used typewriters, and copy, both from local venues and the road, was sent via Western Union. There were at least RYAN, Page C6 We've been friends ever since.

When I was a student at Boston College and a fervent newspaper reader, my fantasy was to work for the Boston Globe. It became a case of Mission Accomplished, with every reasonable wish fulfilled. Now it is time to step aside, though not completely out of sight. When I hit the "send" button on my gold medal basketball game column, I will cease to be a full-time employee of the only newspaper I have ever worked for after graduating from college. But let's not call it "retirement." I choose to call it "Transition to Phase Two." Joe Sullivan, who among his other distinctions is the only sports editor I have worked for who loves and knows more about college basketball than I do, has graciously asked me to remain as a Sunday contributor for 30-40 times a year.

But make no mistake: I'm stepping aside from full-time duty. complaints. Forty-four years later, I'm still here, which is truly remarkable. How many An investment in the development of gender equity paid off for the US, which won the medal count for the fifth straight Games John Powers XXX SUMMER OLYMPICS ON OLYMPICS LONDON The defining picture of the Games of the XXX Olympiad at least for the American side was beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh adorned with the Stars and Stripes with a son in each arm waiting to collect her third gold medal on the spot where Henry VII held jousts for men only. On the field, in the pool, on the track, on the road, on the court, on the mat, on the piste, in the ring, on the floor, on the water, on the grass, in the sand, Uncle Sam's bemedaled nieces turned these into the "Girl Games." Going into Sunday's finale, the American females had won more gold medals (29) than the entire Russian and British teams.If they were their own country, their 58 medals would put them fourth in the overall standings, ahead of Germany.

Not to mention nearly twice as many golds as the US males, who didn't come anywhere near their total of 53 from Beijing, while the women were ex-ON OLYMPICS, Page C3 Golden girls Geno Auriemma, Angel McCaughtry (above) and US victorious again. C3 Drought ends Boudia wins gold on his final dive, the first for the US since 2000. C4 Farah sweeps Distance runner adds gold in 5,000 meters to his win in 10,000. C5 mm JHH mm -MM For latest results, video and more from London, go to boston.comolympics Medal leaders 44 38 102 87 78 62 44 United States China Russia Britain Germany 21 25 28 15 11 19 CTVA, 1." 1VK TWEET OF THE DAY LoloJones Its a shame how fast I'm losing my fitness since lOOmh race. The crosswalk gave me 10 seconds to cross street I barely made it.

olympics HI I III I'MIl I I I 1111 III 11 1 1 1 s. RICHARD HEATHCOTEGETTY IMAGES (FRANKLIN); CAMERON SPENCERGETTY IMAGES (WALSH); BRIAN SNYDERREUTERS (DOUGLAS); FRANCK FIFEGETTY IMAGES (HARRISON) Franklin (above), Kerri Walsh (top right), Gabby Douglas, and Kayla Harrison were just some of the brilliant faces for the US. Missy Today on TV The US men's basketball team takes on Spain for the gold, and the men's marathon. Listings, C2 Bolt, Jamaica in a world of their own Time 9.69 19.30 37.10 Sports All in a day Keeping up with Sox manager Valentine during a busy schedule. C7 Taking his pick Piecing together some thoughts from the sports world.

Shaughnessy, C7 USAIN BOLT'S MEDALS 2008 Olympics, Beijing Finish Event GOLD 100 METERS GOLD 200 METERS GOLD 4X100 METER RELAY 2012 Olympics, London GOLD 100 METERS GOLD 200 METERS GOLD 4X100 METER RELAY -Olympic record -world record field history, the US would have been running for gold. But this is the Usain Bolt era. Powered by his long strides, the 6-foot-5-inch Bolt easily opened a lead on American anchor Ryan Bailey. Running hard all the way through the finish without any hint of theatrics, it was clear he wanted something in addition to gold. He craved the kind of grand finale only a self-proclaimed 'living legend" could deliver.

Bolt crossed the line in 36.84 sec onds and gave 80,000 spectators and millions of television viewers a new world. The time broke the record of 37.04 set by Jamaica at last year's world championships, once again, highlighting the Caribbean country's recent sprint dominance. "I like to push the barrier, to do things that no one has ever done before, because it sets you from everybody else," said Bolt. "That's why I change the TRACK, Page C5 By Shira Springer GLOBE STAFF LONDON The United States and Jamaica made its final baton exchanges in the men's 4 100 meter relay virtually even. The anchor legs gripped the sticks in full stride and dashed toward the line, a blur of red, yellow and green.

The Olympic Stadium crowd unleashed a deafening roar in anticipation of a thrilling finish. During any other era in track and 9.63 19.32 36.84.