Top U.S. Moments in Beijing

There were fake fireworks, lip synching and all kinds of questions about the age of Chinese gymnasts, and there were times when the sideshows threatened to overshadow the main event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

While the first week of the Games featured its share of awkward moments and disappointments, Americans had plenty to be happy about, too. Although the week often seemed like Michael Phelps’ personal highlight reel, the U.S. poster boy had plenty of company on the medal podium.

Here are our picks for the top American moments:

1. Michael Phelps wins eight gold medals, bettering Mark Spitz (7) for the most golds in a single Olympics, becoming the face of the Games in the process.

2. Jason Lezak swims one the most remarkable anchor laps in Olympic swimming history, making up nearly a body length on the leader to give the U.S. the gold medal in the 400 meter freestyle relay, keeping Phelps’ chances for a record eight gold medals alive. Lezak goes on to swim the anchor of Phelps’ final race, making Olympic history for both.

3. Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson grab gold and silver respectively in the women’s gymnastics all-around competition.

4. Natalie Coughlin wins her 10th Olympic medal by taking gold in the women’s 100 meter backstroke. She finishes with 11.

5. Rebecca Soni surprises by claiming the gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke in a world-record time of 2:20.22.

6. Ryan Lochte sets Olympic and world records in winning the men’s 200 meter backstroke.

7. Aaron Peirsol establishes Olympic and world records in winning the men’s 100 meter backstroke.

8. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh cruise into the women’s beach volleyball semifinals.

9. The U.S. women’s softball team rolls through the early stages of the tournament, getting a no-hitter from Cat Osterman in the process.

10. Mariel Zagunis, Sada Jacobson and Beca Ward get the Games off to a big start for the U.S., sweeping the podium in women’s fencing.

11. Dara Torres, a 41-year-old mother competing in her fifth Olympics, wins three silver medals to push her career total to 12 medals in all.