It was just a semi-final in the women's 50-meter freestyle. Probably not where you would expect to see one of the greater moments of these Olympic Games.

And yet, there it was.

The contestants were mounting the starting blocks, in preparation for their race. When one rips her swimsuit.

No mere cosmetic problem, this. The modern suits, as most have probably already read, are fragile, yet effective at speeding a swimmer's body through the water. The suit actually has less drag than human skin.

Having a tear in one would be a noticeable handicap. Not to mention the risk of exposure, literally, on the world stage. The swimmer decided she had no choice but to try a quick change into another suit.

The race referees do not have to wait. Once the call to the blocks is made, if you're not there when the gun goes off, you lose.

That simple.

So a competitor of this unfortunate young swimmer, from a different country, also fails to mount her starting block, and instead goes to advise a race official of the problem with the torn suit. And intentionally stalls in returning to her own lane. Even to the point of stopping for a sip of water from the pool.

All so that another swimmer will not spend the rest of her life knowing she missed her chance at Olympic glory because of a torn suit.

With the torn suit changed in record (some would say 'Olympic') time, both swimmers mount their starting blocks, and the race begins.

The Olympics have always been a nationalist endeavor. An "us versus them" competition. We cheer and root for all good athletes, yes, but we are most proud of our own when they exemplify what we consider our country's values.

Much of the world's attention has been focused on Michael Phelps who, by gold medal count is the "greatest Olympian of all time".

But today, as an American, I am proudest...

of Dara Torres.