US wins gold medal in men’s volleyball

BEIJING (AP)—As the crowd roared and his team exulted in its gold medals, the coach of the U.S. men’s volleyball team buried his head in his hands and walked off the court. He had gone from the lowest low to the highest high, and it was all too much.Hugh McCutcheon needed to be alone.Just two weeks ago, at the start of the Olympics, his father-in-law had been stabbed to death in Beijing. He stepped away from his job to take care of his family. But his team, stirred by the tragedy, began an incredible run, ending Sunday with a 3-1 victory over defending champion Brazil—a team that they were never expected to beat.“It all was starting to sink in,” he said. “I had to take a step out and collect my thoughts and collect my emotions and come back out. It’s a very meaningful moment.”In two weeks of competition, the Americans were undefeated. The 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 final gave the U.S. men their third Olympic gold medal in the sport, matching the record set by the Russians. Top-ranked Brazil, a two-time gold medalist, was left with the silver medal. Russia won the bronze earlier in the day with a three-set victory over Italy.sually, the Olympic focus is on the athletes. But the tragedy endured by this coach was an integral part of his team’s story.“He’ll be the first to tell you that winning won’t bring Todd back,” U.S. wing spiker Reid Priddy said. “However this is a goal that he and his family have invested their lives in, just like we have. And so I know this is an incredibly special moment for us.”Todd Bachman was killed while sightseeing at the 13th-century Drum Tower in Beijing the day after opening ceremonies. Bachman’s wife, Barbara, was badly wounded; the assailant jumped to his death from the tower.McCutcheon missed the team’s first three games to be with his wife, former volleyball Olympian Elisabeth “Wiz” Bachman McCutcheon, who was there when the attack occurred. Barbara Bachman eventually improved enough to return to the U.S. by air ambulance. SOURCE:NBCOLYMPICS.COM