Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 10:12 PM

Veronica Campbell-Brown has secured a Jamaican clean sweep of the sprint events at the Beijing Olympics, taking out the women's 200 metres event at the Bird's Nest.

It caps a successful defence of her title for Campbell-Brown, who also took gold in Athens four years ago, winning her second Olympic gold with the fastest time in the world this year.

One day after Usain Bolt won the men's event in world record time, Campbell-Brown ran a personal-best 21.74 to snatch gold from pre-race favourite Allyson Felix, who had won the past two world championships.

Felix, the youngest athlete in the final, fell behind on the bend and could not make up ground in the final straight to finish second in 21.93, her second-straight silver in the event.

Campbell-Brown's countrywoman Kerron Stewart took bronze in a time of 22.00.

Jamaica also took out the 100m events, with Bolt cantering home in the men's event and Shelley-Ann Fraser heading home a Jamaican trifecta in the women's.

American Muna Lee was fourth in 22.01 with compatriot Marshevet Hooker fifth in 22.34. Both times were personal bests. Jamaica's Sherone Simpson came sixth on 22.36.

Campbell-Brown jumped out fast and by the turn was ahead. She powered into the straight and opened a gap with Felix, who held off Stewart's late charge at the line.

Stewart claimed her second medal of the Games after a 100m bronze.

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Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 10:40 PM

Australia's women's water polo team has taken the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, beating Hungary in a penalty shoot-out.

The Stingers broke away to a 2-0 lead early, but Hungary responded with five straight goals and led 5-3 at half-time.

Australia equalised at 6-6 late in the third quarter and then again with eight seconds remaining in the match via Rebecca Rippon to force extra time.

The Stingers led twice in extra time, with Hungary making it 9-9 with just 20 seconds left to force the shoot-out, which Australia won 3-2.

Captain Melissa Rippon says it was a thrilling result.

"Right now I'm relieved and excited, I can't really explain it," she said.

"It was just the most exciting game to be part of and I just put my faith in the girls and they came through and it was awesome."

She says while the team came to win gold, she is happy to walk away with a medal.

"Once we knew we couldn't get gold or silver we knew we had to come out here and get that bronze medal and I'm so glad we were able to do it."

Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 11:34 PM

The United States's miserable Olympic track and field campaign has continued with both its men's and women's 4x100 metres relay teams crashing out in the first round.

The American men, who took silver in Athens 2004, blundered in the final exchange when the baton was dropped as it moved from Darvis Patton to Tyson Gay.

Patton had the lead when he rounded the final bend but Gay's outstretched left hand could not find its way around the baton and he eventually fumbled it on to the ground.

It capped a miserable Games for Gay, who failed to reach the final of the 100m.

"I don't know what happened," triple world champion Gay said.

"The stick was in my hand. I think I felt it hit my hand, but I don't think it was in all the way before I grabbed.

"It's probably my fault, I take the blame for it."

On a night of mishaps in the sprint relay heats, Britain's men, surprise winners in Athens four years ago, were disqualified from heat two after a botched changeover.

Nigeria, the bronze medallists from Athens, also failed to progress after dropping the baton.

Trinidad and Tobago won in a time of 38.26 to qualify fastest, ahead of a Jamaican outfit which rested Usain Bolt but still won its heat easily.

Women's failure


In women's qualifying, the Americans blundered again in the final exchange when the baton was dropped as it moved from Torri Edwards to Lauryn Williams on the final leg.

Williams in desperation ran back to pick up the baton, but it was an impossible task as she came in last.

For Williams it was a terrible case of deja vu as in the 2004 final she had gone beyond the safety zone on the final exchange when third leg runner Marion Jones was trying to hand on the baton.

The Americans had won this title nine times - most recently in 1996.

Jamaica has comprehensively outperformed the US in the sprint events at Beijing, making a clean sweep of the men's and women's 100m-200m double.

Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 11:06 PM

The Netherlands has scored a goal in the final minute of the match to win gold in the Olympics women's water polo competition with a 9-8 victory over the United States.

Danielle de Bruijn masterminded the unexpected victory with a seven-goal haul that handed the Dutch their first Olympic title in the event. Women's water polo was introduced to the Games at Sydney in 2000.

"Danielle is a very experienced player and she has ... a talent and today we have seen it all," said Dutch coach Robin van Galen. "It is marvellous to play a match like this in the final."

The unheralded Dutch side raced to a four-goal lead within the first four minutes of the encounter, stunning the US, which was one of the tournament favourites.

"They came out on fire," US coach Guy Baker said. "We never quite got over the hump. We pulled even with them, but we could never quite pull ahead.".

The entire Dutch coaching team leapt fully dressed into the pool to celebrate the win, while many of the American players slipped back to the changing rooms in tears.

Australia took the bronze medal by beating Hungary 12-11 a penalty shoot-out.

The US is the world water polo champion and was widely expected to triumph in Beijing, especially after its showing in the preliminary stages when it was unbeaten.

The Dutch by comparison lost their first two games before finally finding their form at just the right moment, powering themselves to the Olympic podium for the first time.

Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 11:58 PM

LaShawn Merritt has upset defending Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner to win gold in the men's 400 metres final at the Bird's Nest.

Merritt ran a personal-best time of 43.75 to take the victory ahead of Wariner (44.74) and another American, David Neville (44.80).

The two favourites for the race, Merritt and Wariner emerged even at the top of the final straight, but the Athens champion could not match his younger rival's pace in the final 50 metres.

Wariner, who went into the final having won 43 of his last 49 races, edged out Merritt at the World Championships in Osaka last year, but Merritt reversed the result at the US trials in Oregon earlier this year.

Merritt then lost twice to Wariner last month in Europe, setting the stage for their most meaningful meeting yet.

US men have dominated the Olympic men's 400m, winning the past six gold medals in the event and 11 of the past 13.

Friday, August 22, 2008 - 12:43 AM

Cuba's world record holder Dayron Robles has emulated compatriot Anier Garcia in Beijing, winning the 110 metres hurdles Olympic title, timing 12.93 seconds - the second-fastest time in Olympic history.

The 21-year-old beat home two Americans, 2007 world bronze medalist David Payne (13.17sec) and American champion David Oliver (13.18sec).

Robles showed no nerves and was never challenged after rising from the blocks, making the absence of defending champion Liu Xiang even more marked - and to a lesser extent two-time silver medal list Terrence Trammell.

Robles, who was repeating the success of Garcia from the 2000 Games, sailed over the hurdles while behind him Payne and Oliver had difficulty in not clipping them.

While Robles eased over the line - tapping his head with both hands - the two Americans held on to their placings.

Oliver - the only man to beat Robles this season - had to withstand a challenge from France's 2005 world champion Ladji Doucoure.

Friday, August 22, 2008 - 2:15 AM

Defending champion the United States has produced an extra-time winner to again claim Olympic gold with a 1-0 win over Brazil in the women's football tournament.

The Americans replicated their extra-time triumph over the Brazilians in the Athens Olympics final four years ago to deny the South Americans yet again.

It was a courageous effort by the United States, who for long periods absorbed tremendous pressure from the Brazilians, spearheaded by their lethal strike pair of Marta and Cristiane to win it in the first period of extra time.

Midfielder Carli Lloyd proved America's hero with a rasping angled drive that eluded the despairing dive of Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara in the 96th minute.

The two great rivals produced a classic encounter, full of fierce physical contests and high levels of skill thrilling the capacity crowd at the Workers Stadium.

The Americans are rebuilding after a fractious campaign at last year's World Cup in China where they were taken apart by Brazil 4-0 in the semi-finals and finished with the bronze behind champions Germany.

In a breathless opening 45 minutes, US goalkeeper Hope Solo courageously saved at Cristiane's feet in the 31st minute.

Two-time world player of the year Marta thrilled the capacity crowd with her electrifying running, wriggling her way around two defenders but fired just wide three minutes later.

US right-back Heather Mitts was yellow carded for bringing down midfielder Formiga in full flight and minutes later it was the dangerous Marta again, this time swinging in a high free kick which Solo did well to hold under pressure.

Nearing half-time Marta again darted clear but her cross to Cristiane was put behind for a corner by defender Lori Chalupny.

Cristiane had enough time before the end of the half to let fly with a rasping volley over the bar.

But the Americans did well to stay in the contest, watched by Brazilian legend Pele sitting alongside FIFA boss Sepp Blatter.

Marta again accelerated around her marker and fired in a cross early in the second half but Solo defused it well in the goalmouth.

Mitts may have been lucky to stay on the field after her heavy challenge from behind on Daniela midway through the half, but the referee ignored Brazil's appeals for her to be red-carded and instead awarded a free kick.

The American defence was under siege for much of the second half as they stuck steadfastly to their task.

Marta again tested the US defence, unleashing a fierce volley that Solo somehow kept out with 18 minutes left.

The Americans had two great scoring chances to win it inside the final four minutes before the game went into extra time.

Angela Hucles brought out a diving save from Barbara and Amy Rodriguez was one-on-one and attempted to chip the goalkeeper, but Barbara leapt high to stop her.

Germany won its third consecutive Olympics bronze medal but made heavy weather of it against Japan with a hard-fought 2-0 victory.

Friday, August 22, 2008 - 12:00 PM

The Australian men's hockey team says it is still reeling after crashing out of Olympic gold medal contention with a 3-2 loss to Spain in Beijing on Thursday night.

The reigning champion Kookaburras, who arrived in Beijing as favourities to win gold, blew a 2-0 lead in the semi-final and will now face the Netherlands in the bronze medal game.

Australian's retiring captain Bevan George says a comfortable lead over Spain was given up in the second half.

"You can't ask for any more than of the guys they left very everything out there, but honestly we just didn't play well enough today. They were just too good for us," he said.

George says he feels he let down his team-mates.

"The guys just gave it their all, I mean there are some disappointed boys and they have not had the privilege of playing off for a gold medal," he said.

"I am just disappointed I let them guys down, I suppose.

"Some of these guys are good enough to play another four years, and I am sure they will be there in London."

Coach Barry Dancer says the Kookaburras were outclassed the by their Spanish counterparts.

"We need to do the re-group thing we need to make sure we are strong mentally," he said.

"It is the last time some of these guys will be playing together in this group."

Friday, August 22, 2008 - 3:08 PM

Australian walker Jared Tallent won his second walking medal of the Beijing Olympics today, claiming silver in the men's 50 kilometres walk.

Tallent followed up his bronze medal in the 20km event with a superb performance in tough conditions in Beijing, crossing the line in the Bird's Nest behind Italy's Alex Schwazer.

The Italian set a new Olympic record after finishing in 3 hours, 37 minutes and 9 seconds, with Tallent coming in 2:18 behind him in 3:39.27.

Russian number one Denis Nizhegorodov won the bronze in 3:40.14.

Tallent's triumph serves to somewhat soften the blow on Australia's athletics team, which lost gold medal walking favourite Nathan Deakes to injury prior to the Games.

Tallent becomes the first Australian to win an Olympic medal in the 50km walk, and the first Australian male in more than 100 years to win more than one track and field medal.

He says missing a team selection last year drove him on.

"I just can't believe it. Everything I've done this year is really prepared for this," he said.

"I missed out on last year's world champs team in the 50km and that made me really determined, which is probably the best thing that ever happened to me.

"I just don't take anything for granted. I worked really hard, not just to make the team but to come away and do well. And I can't believe it. I'm just ecstatic."

Tallent says he had prepared well for the trying conditions.

"Training in the heat tent once a week in Canberra also the climatisation we did in Japan really paid off and made these conditions feel really easy so I am rapt," he said.

The race was down to five men at the 20 km mark with Tallent, Schwazer, China's Li Jianbo, who was appearing in his first global championships, Nizhegorodov and France's European champion Yohann Diniz slightly adrift in fifth.

Schwazer bided his time and then pounced to make what he hoped was the decisive break for gold at around the 42km mark and with 5km to race he had a relatively comfortable 40-second lead over Tallent and Nizhegorodov.

Tallent, who had blasted the Russian 20km winner Valeriy Borchin because of his being a stablemate of several walkers who had failed dope tests, ditched Nizhegorodov shortly after the 45km mark and quickly opened up an unassailable lead over the Russian.

Schwazer was so confident that he had the gold he raised his finger to illustrate he was number one as he passed some cheering Italian fans.

Friday, August 22, 2008 - 5:38 PM

Australian kayaker Ken Wallace stormed home in the dying stages to claim bronze behind Briton Tim Brabants in this afternoon's K1 1,000 metres event.

Wallace, from Queensland's Gold Coast, was in last position at the halfway stage of the race but mowed through the field in the final 300 metres to snatch bronze.

Wallace got to within a boat length of Brabants, who finished the race in a time of 3 minutes, 26.36 seconds.

The 25-year-old Wallace finished just behind in 3:27.485.