Beach Volleyball, Women

In 2000, American Misty May competed at the Olympics with Holly McPeak, finishing in joint fifth place. In 2001, May joined up with Kerri Walsh, and they became the dominant team on the beach. In 2002, they were ranked first in the world and in 2003, they went undefeated, winning 39 consecutive matches, including the 2003 World Championships. Coming into Athina, they were heavily favored to win the gold medal. They continued that streak until shortly before the Olympics when they lost to Annett Davis and Jenny Johnson-Jordan. But with all Olympic matches now best of three sets, there were no upsets in Athina. May and Walsh won easily, never losing a set. In the final they faced the Brazilian pair Adriana Behar and Shelda, who they had supplanted as the dominant pair on the beach. The first set was fairly close at 21-17, but May/Walsh put the hammer down in the second set, winning 21-11.