Heavy Medal - The Washington Post's blog about the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics - August 17, 2008

First Kenyan Wins Olympic Men's Marathon

From the Associated Press: Samuel Wansiru pulled away over the final few miles Sunday to become the first Kenyan in the storied running history of that nation to win an Olympic marathon. The 21-year-old negotiated the 26.2-mile (42.15-kilometer) course through...

By washingtonpost.com Sports Editor | August 23, 2008; 11:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Taekwondo Athlete Kicks Ref: The Photos

Here's the incident that has resulted in the recommendation that Cuba's Angel Matos and his coach, Leudis Gonzalez, be banned from all championships sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation. (Earlier, we reported that the ban was already in place. The...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 23, 2008; 3:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Taekwondo Federation Wants to Ban Cuban

From the Associated Press: Cuba's Angel Matos deliberately kicked a referee square in the face after he was disqualified in a bronze-medal match, prompting the World Taekwondo Federation to recommend he be banned for life. "We didn't expect anything like...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)

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Phelps-Cavic Photos Released

From the Associated Press: It really was that close between Michael Phelps and Milorad Cavic. Official timekeeper Omega released a digital photo sequence (below) of last week's riveting 100-meter butterfly finish at the Olympics -- and it's still not clear...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 11:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)

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Leslie, U.S. Women Win Fourth Consecutive Gold

Lisa Leslie said she wanted the U.S. women to continue its dominance of the rest of the world in the Olympics. But in order for Leslie to become the first basketball player to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals, her...

By Michael Lee | August 23, 2008; 11:37 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Women's Volleyball: Brazil Tops U.S. (Updated)

Brazil, which has never won a gold medal in women's volleyball despite the country's passion for the sport, beat the United States in the gold medal match tonight, a 25-15, 18-25, 25-13, 25-21 decision that finished with a flurry. The...

By Barry Svrluga | August 23, 2008; 11:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (29)

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Rogge: We Want Major Leaguers

From the Associated Press: Jacques Rogge would get a kick out of seeing A-Rod in the Olympics. Probably Dice-K, too. The International Olympic Committee president said Saturday baseball would do itself a big favor toward getting back on the Olympic...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 11:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Aussie Diver Stops China's Streak

From the Associated Press: Matthew Mitcham of Australia, earning four perfect 10s on his last dive, won the men's 10-meter platform in an upset Saturday night that prevented China from sweeping the eight Olympic diving gold medals. Mitcham totaled 537.95...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 10:08 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Russian Wins Heavyweight Gold

From the Associated Press: Rakhim Chakhkiev of Russia has won the heavyweight boxing gold medal, avenging a loss to Italy's Clemente Russo at last year's world championships with a 4-2 victory. Chakhkiev is the only Russian to win gold so...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 9:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Sweeps 4x400 Relays

The U.S. track team swept the 4x400-meter relay finals on Saturday, with the women winning a thriller and the men taking gold in an Olympic record time. Olympic 400 champion LaShawn Merritt led off the men's race by taking a...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 23, 2008; 9:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Koreans Win Baseball Gold

From the Associated Press: There's a new champion in Olympic baseball: the surprising South Koreans. South Korea captured the gold medal and capped a perfect Olympic run with the country's biggest win in international baseball, a 3-2 victory over defending...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 9:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Boxing: Brit Degale Wins Gold

From the Associated Press: James Degale of Britain has won the middleweight boxing gold medal, upsetting Cuba's Emilio Correa 16-14 in a sloppy bout filled with wrestling. Both Degale and Correa were assessed two-point penalties while spending much of the...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 9:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Fourth Taekwondo Gold for S. Korea

From the Associated Press: South Korea's Cha Dong-min has won the men's over 80-kilogram class in taekwondo, bringing the fourth gold to his country in its native sport. Cha fell behind when Alexandros Nikolaidis of Greece nailed him in Saturday's...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 8:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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First Boxing Gold for DR

From the Associated Press: Light welterweight Felix Diaz won the first gold medal in Olympic boxing for the Dominican Republic with a 12-4 battering of defending champion Manus Boonjumnong of Thailand on Saturday night. In a brawling four rounds, Diaz...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 8:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Russian Wins Rhythmic Gold

From the Associated Press: Russia's Evgeniya Kanaeva has won gold in the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around competition, posting the high score in all four rotations of the event. Kanaeva got identical scores of 18.850 on her rope and hoop routines...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 8:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ethiopia's Bekele Wins 5,000; Lagat Ninth

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele completely dominated the men's 5,000, leading nearly from start to finish and winning with an impressive last-lap sprint in an Olympic record 12 minutes, 57.82 seconds. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge claimed second in 13.02.80 and Kenyan Edwin Cheruiyot...

By Amy Shipley | August 23, 2008; 8:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Kenyan Langat Wins Women's 1,500

Kenyan Nancy Jebet Langat won the women's 1,500 meters in 4 minutes, 00.23 seconds Saturday night, easily outkicking the field in the homestretch. Ukraine's Iryna Lishchynska finished second in 4:01.63 and Russian Nataliya Tobias got third in 4:01.78. The only...

By Amy Shipley | August 23, 2008; 7:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Kenyan Bungai Wins 800

Kenya's Wilfred Bungai won the men's 800 Saturday, crossing the line in 1 minute, 44.65 seconds. Ismail Ahmed Ismail won the silver in 1:44.70 and Bahrain's Yusuf Saad Kamel finished third in 1:44.82. No Americans had qualified for the final....

By Amy Shipley | August 23, 2008; 7:38 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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No Medals for U.S. Mountain Bikers

The U.S. mountain biking team failed to medal in Saturday's races. Mary McConneloug placed seventh and Georgia Gould of Baltimore eighth in the women's competition. McConneloug covered the course in a time of 1:50:34, 5:23 off the pace set by...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 6:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Russians Win Synchro Gold

Russia won the team synchronized swimming finals Saturday, giving the country its thrid straight sweep of the synchronized swimming events. The Russians scored 99.500 points, finishing ahead of Spain (98.251) and China (97.334). The United States team -- whose choreographer...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 23, 2008; 4:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Baseball: U.S. Finds Enough for Bronze (Updated)

From the Associated Press: The Americans celebrated modestly in the middle of the diamond with hugs, handshakes and high-fives. The U.S. baseball team had to settle for bronze, certainly not the medal color it had planned to bring home. Taylor...

By washingtonpost.com Sports Editor | August 23, 2008; 3:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Soccer: Argentina Wins Gold (Updated)

From the Associated Press: Angel di Maria provided the finish to another piece of Lionel Messi magic and Argentina won its second Olympic soccer title in a row, a 1-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday. Di Maria collected Messi's expertly...

By washingtonpost.com Sports Editor | August 23, 2008; 3:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Lorig, Competing for Third Nation, Will Carry U.S. Flag

U.S. Olympic team captains voted archer Khatuna Lorig, who is competing for her third nation during these Games, to be the flag bearer at Sunday's Closing Ceremony, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Saturday morning. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Lorign won...

By Amy Shipley | August 22, 2008; 11:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Beats Argentina, Reaches Gold Medal Game

U.S. men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski kept saying that his team wasn't invincible, that it wouldn't get overconfident or overlook any opponent, no matter how lopsided the games have been these Olympics. But staying focused got a little difficult for...

By Michael Lee | August 22, 2008; 12:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (36)

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Basketball: U.S. Re-Establishes Order

The U.S. has not found a way to stop Luis Scola and Carlos Delfino, but Argentina couldn't find anybody to contain Dwight Howard and LeBron James. Howard and James combined to score all of the Americans' points during a 12-4...

By Michael Lee | August 22, 2008; 11:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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U.S. Holding On, 49-40, At Halftime

Who needs Manu? Argentina isn't the defending gold medal champion for nothing. With its star guard in the locker room, Argentina was able to rally back from a 21-point first-half deficit to get within six points with 46 seconds left...

By Michael Lee | August 22, 2008; 11:02 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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U.S. Leads 30-11 After First

So much for the suspense. This game appears to be over and there are three more quarters of basketball to be played. It was not a good sign for Argentina when Chris Bosh is at the free throw line giving...

By Michael Lee | August 22, 2008; 10:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Spain Tops Lithuania Without Calderon

Pau Gasol scored 19 points to lead Spain into the gold medal game with a 91-86 victory over Lithuania. The hotly contested game was tied at 71 when Spain guard Rudy Fernandez went on a personal 7-3 run to give...

By Michael Lee | August 22, 2008; 10:46 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Bolt, Jamaica Set WR in 4x100 Relay

In a race that was, in its way, as electrifying as either of Usain Bolt's individual sprints, the Jamaican relay team set a world record -- Bolt's third of the Games -- in the 4 x 100-meter relay, with a...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 10:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (124)

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Bolt Running Third Leg for Jamaica's 4 x 100

The Jamaican 4 x 100-meter men's relay team is on the track, and Usain Bolt will be running the third leg, with the more veteran Asafa Powell running the anchor....

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 10:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)

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Blonska Tests Positive, Loses Silver

Here's the latest on Lyudmila Blonska, the Ukrainian heptathlete who was stripped of her Olympic silver medal earlier Friday for doping. Excerpts from the Associated Press report: The International Olympic Committee said Blonska tested positive for the steroid methyltestosterone after...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 22, 2008; 10:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Clay Wraps Up Decathlon Gold

American Bryan Clay won the gold medal in the decathlon, earning the unofficial title of "world's greatest athlete" for the next four years. Clay, the silver medalist four years ago in Athens, finished some 30 seconds behind the leaders in...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 9:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)

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USOC Wants Age Question Resolved

The U.S. Olympic Committee sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee Friday asking it to "expeditiously resolve" the issue of whether gymnast He Kexin was underage when she helped the Chinese women's team to the gold medal and won...

By Amy Shipley | August 22, 2008; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (204)

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U.S. Team to Top 2004 Medal Performance

With slightly more than two days of Olympic competition to go, the United States is assured of surpassing its total medal total at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, team officials said Friday. By midway through the night's competition, the...

By Amy Shipley | August 22, 2008; 9:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Organizing Committee
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Bad-Baton-Pass Epidemic Spreads to Jamaica

Jamaica's heavily favored women's 4 x 100 meter relay team was disqualified in the finals when Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart botched the second handoff, opening the door for Russia to sneak off with the gold medal. Belgium and Nigeria...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 9:16 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Clay Leads Decathlon With One Event to Go

American Bryan Clay had the third-best throw of the decathlon field in the javelin toss, has a commanding lead of 479 points in the decathlon, with only one event -- the 1,500-meter run -- to go. Clay has an outside...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 9:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ethiopians Take Gold and Bronze in Women's 5K

American Shalane Flanagan, whose bronze in the 10,000 meters gave the U.S. a rare distance running medal, faded badly in the women's 5,000, finishing in 10th place. Ethiopians Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar took gold and bronze, respectively, in what...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 8:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Water Polo: U.S. Advances to Play for Gold

Behind an offensive onslaught in the fourth quarter and the outstanding goalkeeping of Merrill Moses, the United States advanced to the gold medal match of the men's water polo tournament with a 10-5 victory over Serbia tonight at Yingdong Natatorium....

By Barry Svrluga | August 22, 2008; 8:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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German Wins Modern Pentathlon

From the Associated Press: Germany's Lena Schoneborn has won gold in the women's modern pentathlon. Schoneborn led after the first four events and held on to the victory despite finishing ninth in the 3000-meter run. She was 20th in shooting...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 22, 2008; 8:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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After Three Quarters, U.S. Water Polo Holds Lead

The American water polo team heads into the final quarter with a 7-5 lead over Serbia in its semifinal matchup. The U.S. built a 7-4 lead in the quarter, and goalie Merrill Moses was stellar. Only eight minutes stand between...

By Barry Svrluga | August 22, 2008; 8:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Baseball: Cuba Beats U.S., 10-2

A barrage of four home runs, including a pair of three-run homers in the eighth inning by Alexei Bell and Ariel Pestano, led Cuba to a 10-2 thumping of the U.S. as the perennial island power reach the gold medal...

By Thomas Boswell | August 22, 2008; 8:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)

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U.S. Women's Long Jumpers Finish 5th and 8th

Americans Brittney Reese and Grace Upshaw finished fifth and eighth, respectively, in the women's long jump finals. Gold went to Brazil's Maurren Higa Maggi with a best jump of 7.04 meters. Silver and bronze to Russia's Tatyana Lebedeva (7.03 meters)...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 8:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Leads at Halftime of Water Polo Semis

The United States, which has not won an Olympic medal in men's water polo since 1988, holds a 5-4 lead over Serbia at halftime of a semifinal match at Yingdong Natatorium. Layne Beaubien scored twice for the Amercians, who were...

By Barry Svrluga | August 22, 2008; 8:08 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Men's 4x400 Relay Holds Baton, Qualifies

Three clean handoffs for the U.S. men's 4x400-meter relay team -- David Neville, Kerron Clement, Regi Witherspoon and Angelo Taylor -- who won their heat to qualify for Saturday's finals. However, Taylor ran the anchor leg a little too casually...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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(Update) Taekwondo: Steve Lopez Wins Bronze

Steven Lopez scored a 3-2 victory over Rashad Ahmadov of Azerbaijan to win the bronze medal in 80kg taekwondo at the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium. Lopez's sister, Diana, won a bronze medal in the sport on Thursday, and...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 22, 2008; 7:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Cuba 4, U.S. 2 in bottom of 7th. Frederich Cepeda Homers

After six innings, Cuba leads the U.S. 4-2 in their semifinal baseball game. Frederich Cepeda hit a tape-measure home run off American lefthanded reliever Brian Duensing in the bottom of the sixth. His blast almost went entirely out of the...

By Thomas Boswell | August 22, 2008; 7:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Cuba 3, U.S. 2 in the 5th

The U.S. cut Cuba's lead to 2-1 with a solo run in the fourth inning on lead off singles by Brian Barden and Nate Schierholtz, an infield ground out and a sacrifice fly to left by DH Natt Brown. The...

By Thomas Boswell | August 22, 2008; 7:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Cuba 2, U.S. 0 in 3rd IP. Both runs off Strasburg.

San Diego State junior Stephen Strasburg, the only college player on the U.S. baseball team, worked out of a first-and-third two-out jam in the bottom of the second inning against Cuba to keep the U.S. in a scoreless tie in...

By Thomas Boswell | August 22, 2008; 6:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Holds Baton, Wins Heat in Women's 4 x 400m

The U.S. women's 4 x 400 meter relay team did what its 4 x 100 meter teammates failed to do yesterday -- namely, keep the baton off the ground. As a result, the foursome -- Mary Wineberg, Monique Henderson, Natasha...

By Dave Sheinin | August 22, 2008; 6:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Synchronized Swimming: U.S. Fifth

The U.S. synchronized swimming team swam its way into a fifth place tie with Canada today during the team technical event. Both teams scored a 95.167 and will carry a 47.584 over into the team free competition, which will begin...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 22, 2008; 5:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Boxing: Wilder Stopped at Bronze

Deontay Wilder of Tuscaloosa, Ala., lost his heavyweight bout with Clemente Russo of Italy, 7-1, Friday afternoon at Beijing's Workers' Gymnasium. The loss gives Wilder a bronze medal, which is the 100th medal won by the United States during the...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 22, 2008; 5:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Americans Get Rematch With Argentina

The United States got the only team it really wanted in the semifinals, the last team to defeat it on the Olympic stage. Four years ago in Athens, Argentina delivered the final salvo to a flawed U.S. team that featured...

By Michael Lee | August 22, 2008; 5:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (26)

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Volleyball: U.S. Men Into Gold Medal Game

From the Associated Press: The U.S. men's volleyball team will play for the Olympic gold medal after defeating Russia in five sets. With the 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13 victory Friday, the U.S. men remain undefeated in Beijing. They play...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 22, 2008; 3:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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U.S. Rides Off With 3 of 6 BMX Medals

A kids' sport came of age at the Beijing Olympics Friday before an alternately partisan and puzzled crowd, as cheerleaders gyrated, rock music blared and helmeted bicycle riders tangled without mercy on a roller-coaster of a racecourse. When the...

By Liz Clarke | August 22, 2008; 3:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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IOC Wants FIG to Investigave

The International Olympic Committee has asked the governing body for gymnastics to reexamine the issue of whether gymnast He Kexin was underage when she helped the Chinese women's team to the gold medal and won the individual gold on the...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 22, 2008; 1:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Rogers and Dalhausser: Golden at the Beach

Phil Dalhausser dominated the third and decisive set in the beach volleyball gold medal match, and he and Todd Rogers, his American partner, fell to the sand in a large hug when they completed a 23-21, 17-21, 15-4 victory over...

By Barry Svrluga | August 22, 2008; 12:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Beach Volleyball in Third Set

The American team of Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers took the first set from the Brazilian duo of Marcio Araujo and Fabio Magalhaes, a 23-21 thriller. But the Brazilians bounced back and closed out a 21-17 second set, bringing the...

By Barry Svrluga | August 21, 2008; 11:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Equestrian: Canadian Wins Finale

The equestrian competition in Hong Kong wrapped up Thursday night with Canadian Eric Lamaze winning the individual show jumping title aboard Hickstead. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and Ninja, Sweden, won the silver and American Beezie Madden, aboard Authentic, took the bronze. American...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 12:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Soccer Wins, Softball Loses -- What Leads?

For American Olympic fans, at least, the story from Thursday in Beijing was the performance of the women's team in finals and semifinals. What was the most compelling event and the most significant result? Here's one quick ranking -- argue...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 21, 2008; 12:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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U.S. Wins Women's Soccer Gold, 1-0

Carli Lloyd scores in the 96th minute to give the United States a 1-0 overtime victory over Brazil in the women's soccer final. Redemption for the U.S., which lost to Brazil 4-0 in the semifinals of last fall's Women's World...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 21, 2008; 11:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Track and Field: This Morning's Medals

For quick reference, here's a list of winners from the five track and field medal events this morning (U.S. time). This list also could be headlined "What NBC will show you in 12 hours." - Women's Javelin: Barbora Spotakova, Czech...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 21, 2008; 10:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Men's Basketball: Chat with Jerry Colangelo at 11

Curious how the Redeem Team came together? Wonder how Kobe, LeBron, Carmelo and company interact? Want to talk about Coach K's approach to managing NBA superstars? Well, USA Baskeball executive director Jerry Colangelo -- who is also the Chairman of...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 21, 2008; 9:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Howard Grad Claims Bronze in 110 Hurdles

Cuban world-record holder Dayron Robles easily won the 110 hurdles Thursday night, cruising across the line in 12.93 seconds. David Payne finished second in 13.17 and David Oliver leaned for third place in 13.18. The race was missing the reigning...

By Amy Shipley | August 21, 2008; 9:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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U.S. Women Beat Russia, Advance To Finals

Becky Hammon wandered around center court, looking for someone, anyone to accept her cap as players from the U.S. and Russia exchanged gifts before the opening tip off of their highly-anticipated semifinal game. Finally, Hammon, the South Dakota native in...

By Michael Lee | August 21, 2008; 9:37 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)

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Women's Soccer: Live

Need live updates from the U.S.-Brazil women's soccer final? Sports Smogger Dan Steinberg has a minute-by-minute report on his blog....

By Jon DeNunzio | August 21, 2008; 9:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Led by Merritt, U.S. Sweeps 400

LaShawn Merritt upset Jeremy Wariner with a dominant run for the gold medal in the men's 400 meters, but Wariner claimed second and David Neville dived across the line to grab third, giving the United States its second straight Olympic...

By Amy Shipley | August 21, 2008; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)

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Softball: Gold for Japan, Silver for U.S.

Note: Dave Sheinin's full game report is now available. A stunner in softball: The U.S. team, which has dominated the sport since its introduction to the Olympic in 1996, has lost the gold medal game to Japan, 3-1. With the...

By Dave Sheinin | August 21, 2008; 8:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (86)
Categories: Softball
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U.S. Women Lead By One At Halftime

The U.S. women's basketball team is in a tight ball game against American-born Becky Hammon and Russia at Wukesong Indoor Arena. The Americans lead 33-32 at the break, but had to scramble out of a huge early hole. The Russians...

By Michael Lee | August 21, 2008; 8:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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M. Lopez Settles For Silver

Only an hour after his sister won a bronze medal, Mark Lopez of Sugar Land, Texas, had to settle for silver in the featherweight division of the men's taekwondo competition, losing a tight 3-2 decision to Son Tae-jin of South...

By Barry Svrluga | August 21, 2008; 8:38 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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U.S. Drops Baton in Both Relay Heats

The U.S. men's and women's 100-meter relay team were both eliminated in the first round Thursday night when Tyson Gay and Lauryn Williams, running the final legs, could not hold onto the baton passes from Darvis Patton and Torri Edwards,...

By Amy Shipley | August 21, 2008; 8:23 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (255)

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Track Flash: Jamaica Takes Gold, Bronze in Women's 200

Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica won the gold medal in the women's 200 Thursday night in 21.74 seconds, capping a sweep of track's sprints. It is the first time a country has won the men's and women's 100 and 200 events...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 8:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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Seventh-Inning Wretch

We're one inning away from what could be -- dare we say? -- the biggest upset of the Olympics. After six innings of play, Japan maintains a 2-1 lead over the Americans in the gold medal softball game, after the...

By Dave Sheinin | August 21, 2008; 8:13 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Softball
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(Update) Track Flash: Relay Teams Set

From the Associated Press: Tyson Gay and Lauryn Williams will anchor the U.S. men's and women's teams in Thursday night's preliminary round of the 4x100-meter relays. Usain Bolt was left off Jamaica's team in the preliminary round, giving him a...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 8:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Water Polo: Silver for U.S.

A goal by Danielle de Bruijn with 26 seconds remaining gave the Netherlands a 9-8 victory over the United States in the gold medal game in women's water polo, played Thursday evening at the Yingdong Natatorium. Jessica Steffens led the...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 8:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Table Tennis: American Makes History

From the Associated Press: Wang Chen of the U.S. has lost her quarterfinal match in the Olympic table tennis singles competition, bringing an end to the Americans' best showing ever in the sport. Wang lost to Li Jia Wei of...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 8:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Soccer: Germany Wins Bronze

From the Associated Press: Substitute midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj scored a pair of second-half goals to help world champion Germany beat Japan 2-0 and win its third straight Olympic bronze in women's soccer. Bajramaj opened the scoring off a rebound in...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 7:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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U.S. Softball Six Outs From Defeat

Heading to the sixth in the gold medal softball game, with the Americans tailing Japan, 2-1. Left-hander Monica Abbott is on in relief of starter Cat Osterman. U.S. slugger Crystal Bustos, far and away the dominant hitter in the sport,...

By Dave Sheinin | August 21, 2008; 7:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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D. Lopez Comes Back for Taekwondo Bronze

Diana Lopez of Sugar Land, Texas, one of three members of her family competing here, fought back from a loss earlier today to win the bronze medal in the women's 57-kilogram class of the taekwondo competition. Lopez, who lost in...

By Barry Svrluga | August 21, 2008; 7:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Bustos Gets U.S. Softball on Board

Designated player Crystl Bustos, considered the Babe Ruth of women's fast-pitch, homered to lead off the bottom of the fourth for the U.S. team's first run. They still trail Japan, 2-1, in the gold medal game -- the first time...

By Dave Sheinin | August 21, 2008; 7:49 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Softball
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Rain Delay at Softball Over

It turns out there was a tarp. But now it's off again, and we're back underway. U.S. still trailing, 2-0, to Japan. Gold medal game. More later....

By Dave Sheinin | August 21, 2008; 7:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Softball
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American Heptathlete Moves Closer to Silver

American Hyleas Fountain moved closer to getting her bronze medal in last weekend's Olympic heptathlon upgraded to silver. The International Olympic Committee Disciplinary Commission provisionally suspended the current silver medal winner, Ukraine's Liudmyla Blonska, after a hearing Thursday to review...

By Amy Shipley | August 21, 2008; 7:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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(Update) Wrestling: Final 3 Golds Decided

From the Associated Press: Revazi Mindorashvili of Georgia defeated Russian gold-medal favorite in an emotional semifinal match, then rallied in the finals to win the Olympic freestyle wrestling 84-kilogram (185-pound) championship. Mindorashvili, the 2005 world champion, lost the first period...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 7:33 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Trails in Softball (!)

For the first time in the Olympics, the U.S. softball team is trailing. Japan is up 1-0 in the gold medal game after second baseman Masumi Mishina led off the top of the third with a double off U.S. pitcher...

By Dave Sheinin | August 21, 2008; 7:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Underway In Softball, But For How Long?

One inning in the books at the U.S./Japan gold medal game in softball. U.S. pitcher Cat Osterman struck out the side in the top half of the first, but the U.S. failed to score despite loading the bases with one...

By Dave Sheinin | August 21, 2008; 6:21 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Softball
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(Update) Wrestling: U.S. Wrestlers Done

U.S. freestyle wrestler Daniel Cormier has withdrawn from competition at 96 kg, which was Thursday. Cormier weighed in on Wednesday and received his draw. He became dehydrated and received treatment from U.S. Olympic Committee medical staff at the Poly Clinic...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 5:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Kayak: Johnson, Zur Eliminated

Carrie Johnson narrowly missed advancing to the finals in the women's single kayak (K-1W) 500m race, placing fourth in her semifinal Thursday afternoon at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. Johnson covered the 500 meters in 1:53.721, 0.512 seconds behind the third-place...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 5:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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(Update) Track and Field: Pappas Out

Decathlete Tom Pappas has wiithdrawn from the competition due to continuing pain in his right foot caused by plantar fasciitis. Pappas placed eighth in his heat in the 100 meters with a time of 11.12 seconds and recorded one jump...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 4:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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(Update) Sailing: Spaniards Take Tornado

From the Associated Press: Star class pair Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson have won Britain's fourth sailing gold of the Games, with silver going to the Brazilian team of Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada and bronze to Sweden's Fredrik Loof...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 3:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Volleyball: U.S. Women to Gold Medal Game

From the Associated Press: The U.S. women's volleyball team has advanced to the gold medal game, defeating Cuba in three sets to guarantee the Americans their best Olympic finish since 1984. The United States will play the winner of Thursday...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 2:11 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Rogge Criticizes Bolt's Post-Race Behavior

From the Associated Press: IOC president Jacques Rogge criticized Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt on Thursday for showing a lack of respect to other competitors after his record-breaking gold medal performances in the 100 and 200 meters. "That's not the way...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 12:42 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)

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Diving: Chen Leads After Semifinals

From the Associated Press: China's Chen Ruolin led the women's 10-meter platform semifinals Thursday, setting the home team up for its seventh diving gold of the Beijing Olympics. Chen, the world's top-ranked diver on the high board, received a perfect...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 21, 2008; 12:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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May-Treanor, Walsh Win Gold Again

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, high school rivals who have become the most dominant beach volleyball team ever, won their second straight gold medal this morning with a 21-18, 21-18 victory over the Chinese team of Tian Jia and Wang...

By Barry Svrluga | August 20, 2008; 11:52 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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Dutch Swimmer Wins in Open Water

From the Associated Press: Dutch swimmer Maarten van der Weijden skirted just inside the final red buoy and grabbed gold. Winning a three-way sprint with a better-angled finish, Van der Weijden took the inaugural men's 10-kilometer open water swim under...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 11:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Rain Postpones BMX Finals to Friday

Heavy rain postponed Thursday's BMX activity at Beijing's Laoshan Field, rendering the steeply banked track too dangerous for riders. Both the men's and women's semifinals and finals were to be held Thursday morning, giving NBC an opportunity to air...

By Liz Clarke | August 20, 2008; 8:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Australia's Mills Thrills

Chris Paul couldn't stay in front of him. Deron Williams couldn't hold onto the ball when he was in front of him. Patrick Mills was a 5-foot-11 blur for Australia and a revelation for NBA scouts who watched him eat...

By Michael Lee | August 20, 2008; 5:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Afghanistan Wins First Medal

Afghanistan won its first medal in Olympic history on Wednesday when 21-year-old Rohullah Nikpai took a taekwondo bronze in the 58 kg division. He defeated world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain, 4-2, to earn the medal. From the AP...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 20, 2008; 2:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Bolt Wins 200; DQ Gives U.S. Silver and Bronze

Usain Bolt of Jamaica put on a commanding performance Wednesday night in the men's 200 meters, winning in 19.30 seconds to break a 12-year-old world record and winning his second sprint gold medal of these Games. "I've been saying all...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 1:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (174)

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(Updated) Jamaica's Walker Wins Hurdles

Melaine Walker continued Jamaica's dominance of the track competition Wednesday night, winning the women's 400 hurdles in an Olympic record 52.64 seconds. Sheena (Johnson) Tosta was second in 53.70. Tasha Danvers of Britain won the bronze (53.84). Tosta was a...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 12:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)

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Basketball: Argentina Edges Greece, Will Face U.S.

Argentina pulled out the most thrilling game of the Olympics while beating Greece, 80-78, on Wednesday. The game wasn't decided until Greek guard Vasileios Spanoulis missed a three-pointer from the top of the key as time expired. Argentina, the defending...

By Michael Lee | August 20, 2008; 12:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Volleyball: U.S. Men to Semifinals

The U.S. men's volleyball team came from behind to defeat Serbia in five sets and remain undefeated in Beijing. The 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12 victory Wednesday night propels the United States into the semifinal round against Russia. The U.S....

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 12:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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U.S. Baseball Team Beats Japan

The U.S. baseball team won a pitchers' duel by committee Wednesday night, defeating Japan, 4-2, in 11 innings to close out preliminary play. U.S. Manager Davey Johnson used six pitchers, with Jeff Stevens picking up the win after pitching the...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 11:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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DC-Bound U.S. Gymnasts Bask in Glory

Winning all-around gold fulfilled a dream for U.S. gymnast Nastia Liukin. But getting invited to New York's Fashion Week by Maria Sharapova, a fellow Russian-born sporting superstar, runs a close second. For Shawn Johnson, who won gold on the...

By Liz Clarke | August 20, 2008; 11:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Track Flash: Americans, Jamaicans Advance in 200

Three Americans and three Jamaicans advanced to the finals of the women's 200 meters Wednesday night. Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown had the fastest time in either semifinal, 22.19 seconds. Her teammate, Kerron Stewart, and American Muna Lee followed in that heat...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 10:02 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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U.S. Challenged Early, Dominates Late

The U.S. men's basketball team scored so effortlessly, so easily at the start, that another blowout victory against an inferior opponent seemed inevitable. The Americans established an early nine-point lead against Australia only to have the Aussies push back, tie...

By Michael Lee | August 20, 2008; 9:41 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)

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Howard's Oliver Makes 110 Final

Howard graduate David Oliver had to work to get through his 110-meter hurdles semifinal, but he won his heat and advanced with a time of 13.31 seconds. He topped Poland's Artur Noga, who crossed the line in 13.34; Spain's Jackson...

By Amy Shipley | August 20, 2008; 9:33 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Diving: Wilkinson Fifth in Prelims

Laura Wilkinson placed fifth in the women's 10m platform diving preliminaries held Wednesday evening at the National Aquatics Center. Teammate Haley Ishimatsu was 10th. Wilkinson scored a 370.70, which was 58.10 behind the leader, China's Chen Ruolin, who posted a...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 9:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Track: Lagat Advances in 5,000

After a crushing loss in the semifinals of the 1,500, American Bernard Lagat advanced easily to the 5,000-meter final, winning his heat in 13 minutes, 39.70 seconds. American Matt Tegenkamp, who finished fourth at last year's world championships, also advanced,...

By Amy Shipley | August 20, 2008; 8:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Track: Symmonds Advances in 800

American Nick Symmonds finished first in his heat in the first round of the 800 meters Wednesday, advancing to the second round. Symmonds finished in 1 minute, 46.01 seconds, the 11th best time among 61 runners who competed in eight...

By Amy Shipley | August 20, 2008; 8:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Michael Johnson: U.S. Performance "Disappointing"

American Michael Johnson, the 200 and 400 world record holder, called the U.S. team performance at these Games "disappointing" during a press conference (Johnson did not, however, say "disastrous" as the Olympic information service reported.). Johnson also expanded on his...

By Amy Shipley | August 20, 2008; 8:11 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)

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IAAF: Bolt Tested At Least 11 Times in 2008

Jamaican Usain Bolt, who competes in the 200-meter Olympic final Wednesday night, has been drug-tested at least 11 times in 2008, according to Nick Davies, a spokesman for the world track and field federation (IAAF). Bolt was tested four times...

By Amy Shipley | August 20, 2008; 7:41 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (42)

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Lithuania Eliminates China, Yao

Sarunas Jasikevicius scored 23 points with six assists as Lithuania advanced to its fifth consecutive Olympic semifinals with a 94-68 victory over host China. The tiny, basketball-crazed nation has never missed a semifinal since it broke free of the former...

By Michael Lee | August 20, 2008; 7:37 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Heptathlete Tests Positive; Could Mean U.S. Silver

The heptathlon silver medal winner tested positive for the steroid methyltestosterone last Saturday, the world track and field federation (IAAF) confirmed Wednesday, which means American Hyleas Fountain could see her Olympic bronze medal upgraded to a silver. Lyudmila Blonska, who...

By Amy Shipley | August 20, 2008; 7:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Spain Cruises To Semis

Spain became the first men's basketball team to advance to the semifinals with a 72-59 win over Croatia at Wukesong Indoor Arena. Spain, the No. 2 seed from Group B, scored the first 12 points of the game and led...

By Michael Lee | August 20, 2008; 5:36 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Kayak: Zur Eliminated in Semis

Rami Zur placed seventh in his semifinal and was eliminated from the men's single kayak (K-1) 1000m event Wednesday afternoon at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park. Zur had a time of 3:46.204, 12.949 seconds behind Ken Wallace of Australia, who won...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 5:08 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Synchro: U.S. Duet Finishes 5th

The U.S. tandem of Christina Jones and Andrea Nott placed fifth in duet synchronized swimming at the National Aquatic Center Wednesday afternoon. Jones and Nott received a score of 47.750, 2.167 points off the gold-medal total of Anastasia Davydova and...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 5:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Wrestling: Second Chance for Schwab

Doug Schwab was eliminated in the repechage round of the 66kg class in freestyle wrestling, falling to Sushil Kumar of India, 4-1, 0-1, 3-2, Wednesday afternoon at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium. Schwab lost to Andriy Stadnik of the Ukraine...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 4:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Weightlifter Shaves Head in Support of Tibet

Before winning a silver medal Sunday in the 94-kg weight class, Polish weightlifter, Szymon Kolecki, shaved his head in a gesture of solidarity with Tibetan monks, the Poland-based Tibet support group The Other Sports Foundation said in a release....

By Amy Shipley | August 20, 2008; 3:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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(Update) Table Tennis: Gao, Chen to 4th Round

Gao Jun of Gaithersburg defeated Sayaka Hirano of Japan, 4-1, to advance to the fourth round of the women's singles table tennis tournament Wednesday evening at the Peking University Gymnasium. Gao will play Wu Xue of the Dominican Republic Thursday...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 2:07 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Phelps: Every Medal Swim Recounted

Barry Svrluga covered all eight of Michael Phelps's gold-medal winning swims. Here are the stories, in chronological order: 1. 400 Individual Medley 2. 4x100 Freestyle Relay 3. 200 Freestyle 4/5. 200 Butterfly/4x200 Freestyle Relay 6. 200 Individual Medley 7. 100...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 20, 2008; 1:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Softball: U.S. Beats Japan

The U.S. softball team scored 4 runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat Japan, 4-1, in a semifinal game Wednesday morning. Caitlin Lowe drove in the first run with a single. After a walk to Jessica Mendoza,...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 12:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Softball
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Russian Wins Open Water Swim

American Chloe Sutton, formerly of Northern Virginia, placed 22nd in the first staging of the open-water 10km swim Wednesday morning at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park. Her time was 2:02:13.6, 2:45.9 behind the gold medal effort of Larisa Ilchenko of Russia...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 20, 2008; 12:13 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Taekwondo: Craig to Quarters

Olympic flyweight Charlotte Craig has advanced to today's quarterfinals after defeating Switzerland's Manuela Bezzola, 4-0, in her opening match. Craig will face Venezuela's Dalia Contreras Rivero in the quarterfinals....

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 11:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Day, Bennett, Robinson Qualify for BMX Semis

Mike Day of Santa Clarita, Calif. led all qualifiers in Wednesday's quarterfinals of men's BMX, while Kyle Bennett of Conroe, Tex. survived a gruesome crash and a dislocated shoulder to also qualify. The third American, Donny Robinson of Napa, Calif.,...

By Dave Sheinin | August 19, 2008; 11:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Day Gets Top Seed in BMX Time Trials

Time trials are completed at the Olympic BMX venue, and Mike Day of Santa Clarita, Calif., had the top time in 32-rider men's field, getting around the course in 35.692 seconds. The other two Americans, Kyle Bennett of Conroe, Tex.,...

By Dave Sheinin | August 19, 2008; 11:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Rogers, Dalhausser Advance To Beach Final

Playing their best match of the men's beach volleyball tournament, the America team of Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser thumped a team of Brazilian-born players representing Georgia, Renato Gomes and Jorge Terceiro, 21-11, 21-13 in all of 42 minutes. Rogers...

By Barry Svrluga | August 19, 2008; 10:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Sally Twittered

Early in the Games, I suggested Heavy Medal fans try our Twitter feed. Today, I return with another plug, with this spin: if you subscribe to The Post's Olympic Twitter feed, you could get live updates in 140-character bites from...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 19, 2008; 1:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Swimming: A Way-Late Wrapup and Awards

I was in danger of going an entire day without writing the word "Michael" followed by the word "Phelps." So to make sure that doesn't happen, I thought I'd do a little two-days-late wrapup of the swimming competition, in a...

By Barry Svrluga | August 19, 2008; 12:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Australia, Good Game Or More Of The Same?

It's been so easy, perhaps too easy, through the first five games for U.S. men's team. It won by an average of 32.2 points and its closest game was a 21-point win over Angola that wasn't nearly as competitive as...

By Michael Lee | August 19, 2008; 12:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Women's Volleyball: U.S. Heads to Semifinals

The U.S. women's volleyball team (non-sand division) advanced to the semifinals on Tuesday night with a 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 15-6 victory over Italy. The United States (5-1) will play Cuba (6-0) in Thursday's semifinals; the other semi pits Brazil...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 19, 2008; 12:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Equestrian: van Grunsven Takes Gold

From the Associated Press: Anky van Grunsven of The Netherlands has won her third straight gold medal in equestrian individual dressage in Hong Kong. Isabell Werth of Germany took silver. Either Werth or van Grunsven have held the top spot...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 11:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Track Flash: Bahrain Claims Gold

Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain captured the gold medal in the men's 1,500 meters, the final event of Tuesday night's program. Bashir won in 3 minutes 32.94 seconds. Asbel Kipruto Kiprop of Kenya won the silver and Nicholas Willis of New...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 10:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Track Flash: Jones Falters, Harper Wins

Dawn Harper won the gold medal in the women's 100-meter hurdles Tuesday night at National Stadium, posting a time of 12.54 seconds. Sally McLellan of Australia was shown as the silver medalist, while Canada's Priscilla Lopes-Schliep won the bronze. Both...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 10:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Baseball: U.S. Beats Taiwan

Dexter Fowler went 3-for-3 and John Gall was 2-for-3 with a solo home run to pace the U.S. baseball team to a 4-2 victory over Taiwan at Wukesong Baseball Field Tuesday evening. Brandon Knight struck out five and walked two...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 10:41 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Diving: Gold for China, Again

From the Associated Press: He Chong has easily won the gold medal on men's 3-meter springboard, making China 6-for-6 in Olympic diving -- two events away from matching swimmer Michael Phelps' golden haul. He earned 11 perfect marks of 10.0...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 10:23 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Richards Stunned in 400; Gets Bronze

American Sanya Richards, considered the best female 400-meter runner in the world since 2006, got passed by two women in the last 50 meters of a race she seemed to have wrapped up at the final turn. In the Olympic...

By Amy Shipley | August 19, 2008; 10:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)

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Men's Soccer: Brazil-Argentina LIVE

It's halftime, and there's no score in the semifinal between the two South American powers. Find out what happens the rest of the way by following Dan Steinberg's live-blogging from the stadium....

By Jon DeNunzio | August 19, 2008; 10:01 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Wariner, Merritt Set for 400 Showdown

American Jeremy Wariner looked ready to defend his 400-meter Olympic title Tuesday, crushing his competition in his semifinal. A few minutes later, Wariner's main rival, fellow American Lashawn Merritt, looked ready to upset Wariner, obliterating the competition in his semifinal....

By Amy Shipley | August 19, 2008; 9:46 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Bolt Wins 200 Semifinal

Jamaican Usain Bolt jogged to the finish of his 200-meter semifinal, crossing the line in 20.09 seconds, just ahead of American Shawn Crawford, who ran hard to stay with Bolt and finished in 20.12. American Wallace Spearmon finished third in...

By Amy Shipley | August 19, 2008; 9:33 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (29)

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Track: Liu Speaks A Day Later

From the Associated Press: Liu Xiang, China's great hope for track glory at the Beijing Games, said he was sorry for his dramatic withdrawal from the Olympics but that he had no choice because pain from a foot injury became...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 9:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Howard Grad Leads 110 Hurdle Qualifiers

Howard graduate David Oliver posted the fastest qualifying time of the night in the second round of the 110-meter hurdles, winning his heat in 13.16 seconds. In an event that looks wide open given the absence of Olympic gold medal...

By Amy Shipley | August 19, 2008; 9:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Women's Basketball: U.S. Advances To Semifinals

Through their first five games of pool play, the U.S. women squashed the competition by an average of 43 points, with no team coming within 36 points. The challenge was supposed to be a bit greater in the medal round,...

By Michael Lee | August 19, 2008; 9:23 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Baldini May Not Defend Marathon Title

From the Associated Press: Italy's Stefano Baldini is uncertain whether he will defend his Olympic marathon title on Sunday. The Italian injured his right thigh on Friday and has not been able to prepare in ideal conditions for the concluding...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 8:46 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Johnson Finally Wins Gymnastics Gold

American Shawn Johnson finally got a gold medal to add to her collection of three silvers on the final night of gymnastics competition at the 2008 Beijing Games, impressing judges with a technically difficult balance-beam routine that earned 16.225...

By Liz Clarke | August 19, 2008; 8:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (115)

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Three U.S. Women Make 5,000 Final

Shalane Flanagan, the Olympic bronze medal winner in the 10,000, led a trio of American women into the 5,000-meter final. Flanagan finished sixth in her heat in 14 minutes, 59.69 seconds; Kara Goucher claimed seventh in her heat in 15:00.98;...

By Amy Shipley | August 19, 2008; 8:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Gymnastics Flash: Horton Takes Silver

Jonathan Horton won the silver medal in the men's high bar in the gymnastics individual event finals held Tuesday evening at the National Indoor Stadium. Horton scored a 16.175, only 0.025 behind the 16.200 scored by Zou Kai of China...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 8:21 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Wearing Hijab, Bahrain's Al-Gassra Wins 200 Heat

Bahrain's Roqaya Al-Gassra, who was injured last year and did not compete in the world track championships, won her second-round heat in the women's 200 meters Tuesday in 22.76. A Muslim, Al-Gassra wore a long-sleeve shirt that included a white...

By Amy Shipley | August 19, 2008; 7:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Synchro: U.S. Pair 5th in Duet

The U.S. duet of Christina Jones and Andrea Nottfinished preliminary competition in fifth place with a total score of 95.500. The reigning Olympic and World Champion duet, Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova of Russia, finished the day in the top...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 6:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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(Updated) Wrestling: Cejudo Wins Gold

Henry Cejudo of the United States won the gold medal in the men's 55 kg freestyle wrestling class with a 2-2, 3-0 decision over Tomohiro Matsunaga of Japan on Tuesday evening at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium. Henry Cejudo had...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 6:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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(Update) Canoe/Kayak: Zur, Johnson Advance

Rami Zur placed third in his heat to advance to the semifinals in the men's 500m single kayak in competition at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park Tuesday afternoon. Zur had a time of 1:39.037, which was 0.641 behind the heat's winner,...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 5:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Water Polo: U.S. Women to Final

The U.S. women's water polo team topped longtime nemesis Australia, 9-8, in the semifinals Tuesday at the Yingdong Natatorium, putting the Americans in Thursday's gold medal game, where they will play the winner of this afternoon's Hungary-Netherlands semifinal. Brenda Villa...

By Dave Sheinin | August 19, 2008; 4:12 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Sailing: Gold for Tunnicliffe

From the Associated Press: American Anna Tunnicliffe has won the Olympic gold medal in Laser Radial sailing after coming from behind in the final medal race to finish second and secure the top spot on overall points. Gintare Volungeviciute took...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 3:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Triathlon: Germany's Frodeno Wins Gold

From the Associated Press: Jan Frodeno of Germany has won the men's triathlon, edging Simon Whitfield of Canada in an exciting four-man sprint finish. Whitfield led momentarily just a few yards from the finish line, but Frodeno raced past him...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 12:14 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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(Update) Softball: U.S. Beats Japan

The U.S. women's softball team, unbeaten at these Games, took a 4-1 victory over Japan this morning. Tne Americans scored all their runs in the top of the ninth inning. Caitlin Lowe drove in the first run with a single...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 19, 2008; 12:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Softball
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Diving: U.S. Men Move On

Chris Colwill and Troy Dumais have advanced to the finals of the men's 3m springboard diving competition, which will be held at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the National Aquatics Center. In the semifinal round Tuesday morning, Colwill was sixth...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 11:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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3 U.S. Long Jumpers Advance

American Brittney Reese led all long jumpers in Tuesday morning's qualifying with her jump of 22 feet, 6.5 inches. Two other Americans, Grace Upshaw, 21-11, and Funmilayo Jimoh, 21-8.25, also advanced into long jump final....

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 11:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Women Advance in 200

Americans Allyson Felix, Muna Lee and Marshevet Hooker each won her 200 heat early Tuesday, running easily into the second round of the event. Felix cruised in 23.02 seconds; Lee in 22.71 and Marshevet Hooker in 23.07. The trio will...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 10:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Walsh, May-Treanor Into Final

Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor cruised to their 68th consecutive victory this morning in the semifinals of the beach volleyball tournament, crushing the Brazilian team of Talita Antunes da Rocha and Renata Trevisan Ribeiro, 21-12, 21-14. Walsh and May-Treanor, the...

By Barry Svrluga | August 18, 2008; 10:07 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Phelps Visits Redeem Team

Members of the U.S. men's basketball team came out to support Michael Phelps at almost every step of his incredible, eight-medal haul in Beijing. So once Phelps's busy schedule finally subsided, he and almost 20 members of the U.S. swim...

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 2:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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The Uneven Bars Tiebreaker Explained

Let's take a crack at understanding the obscure tiebreaker that gave China's He Kexin the uneven-bars gold medal over the United States' Nastia Liukin. Here's a breakdown of the scoring process: And here's Liz Clarke's effort to explain it over...

By Jon DeNunzio | August 18, 2008; 2:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (177)

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Volleyball: Men's Team to Quarters

The U.S. men's volleyball team defeated Japan, 25-18, 25-12, 25-21, Monday night at the Capital Gymnasium. The victory give the Americans a 5-0 record in Pool A and advances them to the quarterfinals, where they will face Serbia on Wednesday....

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 12:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Woman Wins First Discus Gold Since 1932

American Stephanie Brown Trafton became the first U.S. woman to win gold in the discus since the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles. She also claimed the first gold medal for the United States in track and field here. "I...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 11:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Soccer: U.S. Women to Final

From the Associated Press: Angela Hucles scored a goal in each half to lead the United States to a 4-2 soccer win over Japan and another Olympic final against Brazil. The U.S. had to rally from an early deficit after...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Beach Volleyball: Brazil Ousts U.S. Pair

From the Associated Press: Emanuel and Ricardo beat Americans Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal in the beach volleyball quarterfinals to give Brazil two teams in the men's final four, along with a third that is Brazilian in all but their...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 10:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Equestrian: Team Gold for U.S.

From the Associated Press: The U.S. equestrian team won the gold medal Monday in team jumping, knocking out Canada, which took silver. Norway won the bronze. The U.S. got clear rounds from their first three riders in the jump-off. One...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 10:46 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Baseball: U.S. Beats China in Rough Game

From the Associated Press: The U.S. baseball team has beaten China 9-1 in a game that featured three ejections. Jake Arrieta struck out seven in six shutout innings Monday night and Taylor Teagarden and Nate Schierholtz each hit two-run doubles...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 10:31 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)

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Tie Goes to Chinese Gymnast in Uneven Bars

Nastia Liukin's bid for a second gold medal fell short by an inconceivably narrow margin Monday after the recently crowned Olympic all-around champion received the exact same score as China's He Kexin for her uneven-bar routine. Both gymnasts finished...

By Liz Clarke | August 18, 2008; 10:26 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (265)

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Americans Sweep 400 Hurdles

Angelo Taylor, the 2000 Olympic champion in the 400-meter hurdles, led a U.S. sweep in the event with his finish in 47.25 seconds, a personal best. Kerron Clement claimed the silver in 47.98 and Bershawn Jackson claimed the bronze in...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Russia's Isinbayeva Wins PV Gold; Sets WR

Russian Isinbayeva clinched her second straight Olympic gold medal and 14th straight victory in a major competition when American Jenn Stuczynski bowed out of the pole vault competition after three misses at 16-feet, 0.75 inches. Stuczynski, who cleared 15-9, secured...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 9:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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18-year-old Kenyan Wins 800 Gold

Kenyan Pamela Jelimo, 18, won the women's 800-meter gold medal and set a world junior record with her finish in 1 minute, 54.87 seconds. Jelimo crushed the field, topping countrywoman Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, who clocked 1:56.07. Morocco's Hasna Benhassi won...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 9:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Trounces Germany, 106-57

Dwight Howard sat behind a table with a pair of swimming goggles on his forehead after the United States obliterated Germany, 106-57, to conclude pool play with a 5-0 record. Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps had just finished visiting with...

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (23)

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The Rout Continues, 83-46

Did Kobe just miss his second dunk of the game? Kobe Bryant's hops are about the only thing that hasn't worked for the U.S. this game, as he drove under the basket and missed a dunk early in the period....

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 9:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Gar-Field High's Tosta Advances

Sheena (Johnson) Tosta, a 2000 graduate of Gar-Field High in Dale City, led all qualifiers in the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles, winning her heat in 54.07 seconds. Jamaica's Melaine Walker was second fastest in 54.20, and Great Britain's Tasha...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 9:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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U.S. Leads 53-29 At Halftime

Is there a mercy rule in basketball? The United States is leading by 27 at the half, and the game isn't nearly as close as the score might suggest. The Americans scored the first eight points of the second period,...

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 8:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Soccer: Brazil Into Gold Medal Game

From the Associated Press: Cristiane scored twice to lead Brazil to a 4-1 win over Germany on Monday in Shanghai to reach the Olympic women's soccer final for the second time in a row. After Birgit Prinz gave world champion...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 8:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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U.S. Leads Germany 31-12 After First

The United States scored the first eight points of the game and haven't looked back and they have a 31-12 lead at the end of the first period. German center Patrick Femerling is retiring after these Olympics, so Coach Dirk...

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 8:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Bolt Bolts Into 200 Semis

Jamaica's Usain Bolt jogged to the finish in the second round of the 200 meters Monday, easily advancing to Tuesday's semifinal in 20.29 seconds, well ahead of American Shawn Crawford (20.42) and St. Kitts and Nevis's Kim Collins (20.43). "After...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 8:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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U.S. Hurdler Blazes into Final

World indoor champion Lolo Jones posted the fastest time in the 100-meter hurdles since 2004, winning her semifinal heat in 12.43 seconds--the third-fastest time in Olympic history. She is the best of a trio of Americans who made the final;...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 7:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Brackets Set For Men's Basketball Quarterfinals

With Croatia's victory over Iran and Greece's win against China, the brackets for the men's basketball medal round were set on Monday. The United States, the Group B No. 1 seed will open against Australia, which lost by just 11...

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 7:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Kaman, American In German Clothing

When Kobe Bryant spotted Chris Kaman with other German athletes at the Olympic opening ceremonies, he didn't have a problem that the Michigan born and bred Los Angeles Clippers center was representing another country. Bryant just wanted to know if...

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Synchro Pair in Fifth

The U.S. entry of Christina Jones and Andrea Nott stood fifth after their technical routines in synchronized swimming duet competition at the National Aquatics Center Monday afternoon. The pair will carry a 47.750 into tomorrow's free routine, which begins at...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 5:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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(Update) Cycling: Hammer Breaks Shoulder

From the Associated Press: Sarah Hammer crashed out of the Olympic women's cycling points race Monday, falling after two racers clipped wheels in front of her and caused a pileup. The crash happened only a few feet in front of...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 4:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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China Loses Game, Players Lose Tempers

China's players were not in a happy mood after losing 91-77 against Greece on Monday. Yao Ming walked past reporters without speaking and shouted angrily to himself and punched his left hand as left the tunnel. Yao may have been...

By Michael Lee | August 18, 2008; 4:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Water Polo: U.S. Men to Semifinals

Jeff Powers and Adam Wright each scored two goals and Merrill Moses recorded 14 saves to spark the United States to an 8-7 win in men's water polo action at the Yingdong Natatorium Monday afternoon. The victory moved the U.S....

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 4:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Zur Advances in Flatwater Kayak

Rami Zur placed sixth in qualifying heats for the men's 1000m single kayak in racing at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park Monday afternoon. He advanced to the semifinals, which will be held on Wednesday. Zur got off to a bad start,...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 4:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Softball: U.S. Keeps Rolling

The U.S. softball team scored all its runs in the first inning to record a 9-0, five-inning victory over host China Monday afternoon at the Fengtai Softball Field. Cat Osterman allowed one hit to improve to 3-0, striking out three...

By Tracee Hamilton | August 18, 2008; 2:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Softball
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Americans 4th, 11th and 19th in Women's Triathlon

American Laura Bennett finished fourth in the women's triathlon Monday, 25 seconds out of medal contention and nearly two minutes behind gold medal winner Emma Snowsill of Australia. Snowsill's time was 1:58:27.66, more than a minute ahead of silver medalist...

By Dave Sheinin | August 18, 2008; 12:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Shock at Track: Liu Xiang Pulls Out

Arguably the biggest star of the Summer Games, Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang walked off the track before competing in his 110-meter first-round heat because of a right foot injury. Liu, the reigning Olympic and world champion, had competed sparsely this...

By Amy Shipley | August 18, 2008; 12:02 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (47)

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Network News

Heavy Medal: August 17, 2008 - August 23, 2008