This was an Olympics of Firsts.' The first time any athlete won eight gold medals at a single Games. As records fell in sport after sport, questions were raised once more about illegal doping. But most observers around the world thrilled at the spectacle of China's meticulously managed coming-out party and the parade of mind-blowing human accomplishments. A series of portraits of competitors in the men's semifinal of the 10-meter Platform Diving competition.
