India's fledgling Olympic campaign today received a sensational boost with unheralded grappler Sushil Kumar clinching a bronze medal and boxer Vijender Kumar ensuring at least a bronze to give the country a record three medals for the first time ever.
After Abhinav Bindra’s gold-winning feat during the first week of the sporting extravaganza, the 25-year-old Sushil Kumar shot into fame by winning a bronze medal in the wrestling arena, while Vijender has put himself on course for a silver or gold medal on a historic day for Indian sports.
Sushil and Vijender’s heroics not only provided the late sparks to an otherwise dismal campaign but has also created a record of sorts as India had never returned with three medals from the Olympics.
India had won two Olympic medals in the 1952 Helsinki Games when the hockey team had won a gold medal and wrestler K D Jadhav had won a bronze, a record which stood for 56 long years.
While Sushil and Vijender made the country proud, there was some heartbreak for the Indians with another medal contender pugilist Jitender Kumar losing his quarter-final bout, despite a valiant effort in the ring.
After days of disappointments, it turned out to be a day to cherish for the Indians as Sushil found his way to the record books after becoming only the second wrestler in India’s Olympics history to win a medal in the men’s 66 kg freestyle category.
Showing posts with label Olympic 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympic 2008. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
U.S. Leads Overall, China Leads Gold Medal Count on Wednesday
The United States and China lead the medal count thus far in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, according to reports on Monday.
The U.S. is second to China with 26 gold medals. The U.S. has also earned 28 silver medals and 28 bronze medals to bring their medal count to 82 overall, the highest of all nations.
Michael Phelps set the all-time Olympic record for eight gold medals in a single Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz's record from the 1972 Olympics. Phelps extended his all-time record for most Olympic gold medals to 14.
Phelps set Olympic records in each event, but set seven, not eight, world records. Phelps missed the world record in the 100-meter freestyle (50.58), but set an Olympic record in the event.
Phelps set a world and Olympic record in the 200-meter individual medley (1:54.23), the 200-meter freestyle (1:42.96), 200-meter butterfly (1:52.03), 4x200 freestyle relay (6:58.56), the 4x100 medley relay (3:29.34), the 400m individual medley (4:03.84) and 4x100 freestyle relay (3:08.24).
Phelps won the exhilarating 4x100 freestyle relay, along with Cullen Jones, Garrett Weber-Gale and anchor Jason Lesak on last Sunday.
Nastia Luikin won the individual all-around final in women's gymnastics as she totaled four medals during the Olympics. Shawn Johnson won the gold medal for the balance beam to add to her two silver medals. The women's team won silver in the team final, while the men's team won bronze.
Venus and Serena Williams won the gold medal in the women's doubles final in tennis. In track and field, Angelo Taylor won the 400m hurdles, Dawn Harper won the 110m hurdles and Stephanie Brown Trafton won the women's discus throw.
The U.S. is second to China with 26 gold medals. The U.S. has also earned 28 silver medals and 28 bronze medals to bring their medal count to 82 overall, the highest of all nations.
Michael Phelps set the all-time Olympic record for eight gold medals in a single Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz's record from the 1972 Olympics. Phelps extended his all-time record for most Olympic gold medals to 14.
Phelps set Olympic records in each event, but set seven, not eight, world records. Phelps missed the world record in the 100-meter freestyle (50.58), but set an Olympic record in the event.
Phelps set a world and Olympic record in the 200-meter individual medley (1:54.23), the 200-meter freestyle (1:42.96), 200-meter butterfly (1:52.03), 4x200 freestyle relay (6:58.56), the 4x100 medley relay (3:29.34), the 400m individual medley (4:03.84) and 4x100 freestyle relay (3:08.24).
Phelps won the exhilarating 4x100 freestyle relay, along with Cullen Jones, Garrett Weber-Gale and anchor Jason Lesak on last Sunday.
Nastia Luikin won the individual all-around final in women's gymnastics as she totaled four medals during the Olympics. Shawn Johnson won the gold medal for the balance beam to add to her two silver medals. The women's team won silver in the team final, while the men's team won bronze.
Venus and Serena Williams won the gold medal in the women's doubles final in tennis. In track and field, Angelo Taylor won the 400m hurdles, Dawn Harper won the 110m hurdles and Stephanie Brown Trafton won the women's discus throw.
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Win Olympic Gold for U.S. in Women’s Beach Volleyball
The American duo of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh continued to prove their dominance in women’s beach volleyball as they captured the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Thursday.
As impressive as their 21-18, 21-18 victory in a steady rain over China’s Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China was, perhaps more impressive was the fact it was win number 108 in a row for the May-Treanor and Walsh tandem.
With the straight set victory May-Treanor and Walsh also extended their streak of never dropping a set at the Olympics and became the first pair to ever defend their Olympic gold medal title in beach volleyball.
As impressive as their 21-18, 21-18 victory in a steady rain over China’s Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China was, perhaps more impressive was the fact it was win number 108 in a row for the May-Treanor and Walsh tandem.
With the straight set victory May-Treanor and Walsh also extended their streak of never dropping a set at the Olympics and became the first pair to ever defend their Olympic gold medal title in beach volleyball.
United States to Face Russia in Women’s Basketball Semis, Australia and China Battle
The 2008 Beijing Olympics are heading into their final days and the women’s basketball competition will be featuring their two semifinal games on Thursday as the United States faces Russia while Australia takes on host country China.
The United States has yet to be challenged in Beijing and they will be heavy favorites when the face the Russians at 8:00 a.m. ET.
Australia has been equally impressive, carrying 5-0 record into their semifinals match against China. China’s only loss was a 45-point pounding at the hands of the U.S. Much like the U.S., Australia has yet to be challenged as all of their victories have been by 19-points or more.
The United States has yet to be challenged in Beijing and they will be heavy favorites when the face the Russians at 8:00 a.m. ET.
Australia has been equally impressive, carrying 5-0 record into their semifinals match against China. China’s only loss was a 45-point pounding at the hands of the U.S. Much like the U.S., Australia has yet to be challenged as all of their victories have been by 19-points or more.
Women’s Softball Gold Medal Game Features United States and Japan
While the United States women’s softball team just beat Japan in an epic nine-inning contest on Aug. 20 the two countries will be squaring off again on Thursday with the gold medal at stake at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The United States plated four runs in the top of the 9th on Wednesday to beat Japan 4-1 and now find themselves in their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal match.
The Americans pushed their record to 8-0 in Beijing and will now face Japan who knocked off Australia 4-3 to earn the birth into the gold medal game.
Thursday’s women’s softball finals will be played at 6:00 a.m
The United States plated four runs in the top of the 9th on Wednesday to beat Japan 4-1 and now find themselves in their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal match.
The Americans pushed their record to 8-0 in Beijing and will now face Japan who knocked off Australia 4-3 to earn the birth into the gold medal game.
Thursday’s women’s softball finals will be played at 6:00 a.m
Women’s Soccer Finals Set as United States to Face Brazil for Gold Medal
The women’s soccer finals are set to take place on Thursday with the United States facing off against Brazil in what promises to be an exciting gold medal match at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
After dropping their opening match of the Olympics to Norway the U.S. women marched through their opponents with purpose to survive group play and then dropped Canada 2-1 in the quarterfinals and drubbed Japan 4-2 in the semis to earn their golden ticket.
As for Brazil, the Samba women survived group play to advance to the quarterfinal round where they knocked of Norway 2-1 and then pounded Germany 4-0 to earn their way to the gold medal match.
Thursday’s women’s soccer finals are set for 9:00 a.m. ET while the bronze medal match between Germany and Japan will take place at 6:00 a.m. ET.
After dropping their opening match of the Olympics to Norway the U.S. women marched through their opponents with purpose to survive group play and then dropped Canada 2-1 in the quarterfinals and drubbed Japan 4-2 in the semis to earn their golden ticket.
As for Brazil, the Samba women survived group play to advance to the quarterfinal round where they knocked of Norway 2-1 and then pounded Germany 4-0 to earn their way to the gold medal match.
Thursday’s women’s soccer finals are set for 9:00 a.m. ET while the bronze medal match between Germany and Japan will take place at 6:00 a.m. ET.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
China Leads Gold Race, Phelps writes Games Gold History
He looked a bit uncomfortable at times Wednesday. Perhaps because of the burden of Olympic history. Or, maybe his faulty goggles were to blame. But that was welcome, for he looked human, something the world needs to tell itself about a man who swims like a machine.
Michael Phelps is now the most decorated individual athlete (six golds in Athens five in Beijing) in the history of the Olympic Games.
Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina and her countryman Nikolai Andrianov still hold the record for the most medals of any color: 18 for women and 15 for men. Andrionov’s record could fall, if Phelps, who has two bronzes from Athens, wins three more golds, as is expected, in Beijing.
Phelps was in the exalted company of Carl Lewis and Mark Spitz, both of the US, Latynina and the legendary Finn distance runner Pavo Nurmi for just a day before rising higher in the medals’ tally.
The icing on his cake: all his five golds in Beijing have come in world record time.
But he was not the only athlete to shatter records at will Wednesday. The women’s 200m freestyle and the individual medley records were broken in the pool and the 63kg weightlifting saw China’s Liu Chunhong smash the snatch, clean and jerk, and total records.
A different sort of record was set in the gymnasium, where China upstaged the US to win its first team gold in women’s gymnastics. The gold tasted doubly sweet because China had wrested its men’s team title from Japan a day ago.
A dramatic fall by Cheng Fei from the balance beam did not stop the host from beating the world champion by 2.375 points. The US entered the final Wednesday with only four fit gymnasts and major errors on the balance beam and in floor exercises - both by Alicia Sacramone - ruined its chances of winning the top prize.
Back in the pool, Italy’s Federica Pellegrini broke the women’s 200m freestyle record to take the gold. And Australia’s Stephanie Rice won her second gold in record time in the 200m individual medley.
Woman weightlifter Liu Chunhong put the stamp of China’s supremacy on the event. She set a world record in the snatch with 125kg, then broke that record with her next lift, snatching 128kg. Her 158kg lift in the clean and jerk and her combined total of 286kg were world records too.
But Sa Jae-hyouk of the Republic of Korea stopped China’s gold rush in weightlifting by edging out favorite Li Hongli to win the men’s 77-kg division.
Sa and Li both lifted a total of 366 kg, but Sa got the gold medal because of her lower body weight.
Before this, China had won in all the six weight categories it took part in.
Chinese divers completed their golden sweep in synchronized diving, with Wang Feng and Qin Kai leading from start to finish in the men’s 3m springboard, the last of the synchronized events.
China’s Chen Ying came from behind with a dazzling performance to win the gold in women’s 25m pistol shooting.
And Chang Yongxiang won China’s first silver in men’s wrestling after losing to Manuchar Kvirkelia of Georgia in a well-contested 74-kg bout.
French wrestler Steeve Guenot won the first gold for France in Greco-Roman wrestling (66kg) since 1926.
In cycling, French veteran Jeannie Longo missed the women’s time trial podium by just 2 seconds in what could be her final Olympic race. American Kristin Armstrong won the 23.8-km race.
Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara won the men’s time trial, powering his way to his second Olympic medal in four days. The Swiss had surprised himself with the bronze in the men’s road race on Saturday.
Benjamin Kleibrink of Germany won the gold medal in men’s foil fencing with a convincing victory over Japan’s Yuki Ota.
Britta Heidemann, also of Germany, won the gold medal in women’s epee, giving Germany its second first-place fencing finish of the night.
Masae Ueno won Japan’s third gold medal in judo, defending her 70kg Athens title against Anaysi Hernandez of Cuba.
World champion Irakli Tsirekidze of Georgia won the men’s 90-kg judo gold, scoring an early penalty point and then holding off Algeria’s Amar Benikhlef.
Michael Phelps is now the most decorated individual athlete (six golds in Athens five in Beijing) in the history of the Olympic Games.
Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina and her countryman Nikolai Andrianov still hold the record for the most medals of any color: 18 for women and 15 for men. Andrionov’s record could fall, if Phelps, who has two bronzes from Athens, wins three more golds, as is expected, in Beijing.
Phelps was in the exalted company of Carl Lewis and Mark Spitz, both of the US, Latynina and the legendary Finn distance runner Pavo Nurmi for just a day before rising higher in the medals’ tally.
The icing on his cake: all his five golds in Beijing have come in world record time.
But he was not the only athlete to shatter records at will Wednesday. The women’s 200m freestyle and the individual medley records were broken in the pool and the 63kg weightlifting saw China’s Liu Chunhong smash the snatch, clean and jerk, and total records.
A different sort of record was set in the gymnasium, where China upstaged the US to win its first team gold in women’s gymnastics. The gold tasted doubly sweet because China had wrested its men’s team title from Japan a day ago.
A dramatic fall by Cheng Fei from the balance beam did not stop the host from beating the world champion by 2.375 points. The US entered the final Wednesday with only four fit gymnasts and major errors on the balance beam and in floor exercises - both by Alicia Sacramone - ruined its chances of winning the top prize.
Back in the pool, Italy’s Federica Pellegrini broke the women’s 200m freestyle record to take the gold. And Australia’s Stephanie Rice won her second gold in record time in the 200m individual medley.
Woman weightlifter Liu Chunhong put the stamp of China’s supremacy on the event. She set a world record in the snatch with 125kg, then broke that record with her next lift, snatching 128kg. Her 158kg lift in the clean and jerk and her combined total of 286kg were world records too.
But Sa Jae-hyouk of the Republic of Korea stopped China’s gold rush in weightlifting by edging out favorite Li Hongli to win the men’s 77-kg division.
Sa and Li both lifted a total of 366 kg, but Sa got the gold medal because of her lower body weight.
Before this, China had won in all the six weight categories it took part in.
Chinese divers completed their golden sweep in synchronized diving, with Wang Feng and Qin Kai leading from start to finish in the men’s 3m springboard, the last of the synchronized events.
China’s Chen Ying came from behind with a dazzling performance to win the gold in women’s 25m pistol shooting.
And Chang Yongxiang won China’s first silver in men’s wrestling after losing to Manuchar Kvirkelia of Georgia in a well-contested 74-kg bout.
French wrestler Steeve Guenot won the first gold for France in Greco-Roman wrestling (66kg) since 1926.
In cycling, French veteran Jeannie Longo missed the women’s time trial podium by just 2 seconds in what could be her final Olympic race. American Kristin Armstrong won the 23.8-km race.
Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara won the men’s time trial, powering his way to his second Olympic medal in four days. The Swiss had surprised himself with the bronze in the men’s road race on Saturday.
Benjamin Kleibrink of Germany won the gold medal in men’s foil fencing with a convincing victory over Japan’s Yuki Ota.
Britta Heidemann, also of Germany, won the gold medal in women’s epee, giving Germany its second first-place fencing finish of the night.
Masae Ueno won Japan’s third gold medal in judo, defending her 70kg Athens title against Anaysi Hernandez of Cuba.
World champion Irakli Tsirekidze of Georgia won the men’s 90-kg judo gold, scoring an early penalty point and then holding off Algeria’s Amar Benikhlef.
Cejudo claims 55kg gold in Freestyle Wrestling
Henry Cejudo of the United States claimed gold in the Men's Freestyle Wrestling 55 kilogram class after beating Japan's Matsunaga Tomohiro 2-2, 3-0 on Tuesday, August 19.
US wrestlers have won silver medals in the 55kg category in three of the last four Olympics. The 2004 medalist, Stephen Abas, was defeated by 20-year-old Cejudo in the final at the 2008 Olympic Trials. Cejudo got his start in Olympic level wrestling by helping Women's Wrestling 48kg bronze medalist Patricia Miranda train before the 2004 Games. In 2007, Cejudo won his second straight national title, his first Pan-American Games gold medal, and went to his first World Championship where he was knocked out in the first round.
Twenty-eight-year-old Matsunaga is the 2008 Asian champion.
US wrestlers have won silver medals in the 55kg category in three of the last four Olympics. The 2004 medalist, Stephen Abas, was defeated by 20-year-old Cejudo in the final at the 2008 Olympic Trials. Cejudo got his start in Olympic level wrestling by helping Women's Wrestling 48kg bronze medalist Patricia Miranda train before the 2004 Games. In 2007, Cejudo won his second straight national title, his first Pan-American Games gold medal, and went to his first World Championship where he was knocked out in the first round.
Twenty-eight-year-old Matsunaga is the 2008 Asian champion.
Cockburn ties Canadian record with medals at 3 straight Games
Wheeling through the air and dancing in white on a wonky wheel are both old hat for trampolinist Karen Cockburn.
"My wedding was two weeks after my surgery last November," Canada's latest Olympic medallist was telling a medal-hunting pack of Canadian media in the mixed zone on a memorable Monday night. "But I danced the night away, anyway."
Here's guessing there's a twinge or two inside that right knee again today. But, like those mid-November nuptials, any discomfort will be well worth it.
Instead of a ring on her finger this morning, Toronto's Cockburn has another Olympic medal around her neck -- her third in as many Summer Olympics. She won silver yesterday to go along with the silver she won in Athens in 2004 and the bronze she picked up in Sydney, Australia, in 2000, the first year trampoline was part of the Olympic program.
"Is she a trailblazer?" Cockburn's coach of 17 years, Dave Ross, said as he glanced over at his prize pupil who stood holding the bouquet of flowers medallists receive on the Olympic podium. "She is the trailblazer.
"In Sydney, when Karen won a medal, her boyfriend, now her husband (Mathieu Turgeon), said, 'Damn! Karen got a medal. I've got to get one, too.'"
Thus inspired, Turgeon went out and matched her bronze. That's the sort of ripple effect Cockburn's success has infused in this largely unknown sport in Canada.
Downing Celebrex to ease the ongoing ache in her reconstructed right knee, Cockburn bounced into Canadian Olympic lore yesterday.
Cockburn joined track star Phil Edwards (1928-36, three bronze), rower Lesley Thompson White (1992-2000, a gold, silver and bronze) and kayaker Caroline Brunet (1996-2004, two silvers and a bronze) as the only athletes from the land of Bruno Gerussi and Relic to win medals at three consecutive Summer Games.
The knee was so sore that she decided not to train the day before the final.
"How did she get through it?" Ross tapped his temple knowingly. "Mental strength."
And, miraculously, until the last competitor, China's He Wenna, ended her routine, Cockburn still had a shot at reaching the only Olympic podium level that has eluded her -- the top one.
Slotted in fourth from the end, with qualifying results going in reverse order, her score somehow stood. Clubmate Rosie MacLennan, also from Toronto, and Russian world champion Irina Karavaeva both faltered. The door was still open, a sliver.
"My wedding was two weeks after my surgery last November," Canada's latest Olympic medallist was telling a medal-hunting pack of Canadian media in the mixed zone on a memorable Monday night. "But I danced the night away, anyway."
Here's guessing there's a twinge or two inside that right knee again today. But, like those mid-November nuptials, any discomfort will be well worth it.
Instead of a ring on her finger this morning, Toronto's Cockburn has another Olympic medal around her neck -- her third in as many Summer Olympics. She won silver yesterday to go along with the silver she won in Athens in 2004 and the bronze she picked up in Sydney, Australia, in 2000, the first year trampoline was part of the Olympic program.
"Is she a trailblazer?" Cockburn's coach of 17 years, Dave Ross, said as he glanced over at his prize pupil who stood holding the bouquet of flowers medallists receive on the Olympic podium. "She is the trailblazer.
"In Sydney, when Karen won a medal, her boyfriend, now her husband (Mathieu Turgeon), said, 'Damn! Karen got a medal. I've got to get one, too.'"
Thus inspired, Turgeon went out and matched her bronze. That's the sort of ripple effect Cockburn's success has infused in this largely unknown sport in Canada.
Downing Celebrex to ease the ongoing ache in her reconstructed right knee, Cockburn bounced into Canadian Olympic lore yesterday.
Cockburn joined track star Phil Edwards (1928-36, three bronze), rower Lesley Thompson White (1992-2000, a gold, silver and bronze) and kayaker Caroline Brunet (1996-2004, two silvers and a bronze) as the only athletes from the land of Bruno Gerussi and Relic to win medals at three consecutive Summer Games.
The knee was so sore that she decided not to train the day before the final.
"How did she get through it?" Ross tapped his temple knowingly. "Mental strength."
And, miraculously, until the last competitor, China's He Wenna, ended her routine, Cockburn still had a shot at reaching the only Olympic podium level that has eluded her -- the top one.
Slotted in fourth from the end, with qualifying results going in reverse order, her score somehow stood. Clubmate Rosie MacLennan, also from Toronto, and Russian world champion Irina Karavaeva both faltered. The door was still open, a sliver.
Phelps's epic journey ends in a perfect
It was so surreal to be Michael Phelps here, to listen to people debate whether he is the greatest athlete in Olympic history after he passed a group that included the runners Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi to become the one with the most gold medals.
Phelps is a self-described klutz, a real fish out of water on land, and he has a surgical scar on his right wrist to prove it.
In October he took a nasty stumble that imperiled his pursuit of Mark Spitz's single Games record of seven gold medals. Phelps, 23, slipped on a patch of ice and fell while climbing into a friend's car in Michigan and broke his right wrist.
It made for a tough start to the training cycle that carried him through these Beijing Games, but the climax was perfect. On Sunday morning, Phelps swam the butterfly leg on the 4x100-meter U.S. medley relay that held off Australia in a world record-setting victory, giving Phelps his eighth gold medal of these Games and his 14th over all.
"I wanted to do something nobody ever did," Phelps said. "This goes hand in hand with my goal of changing swimming."
Phelps is a self-described klutz, a real fish out of water on land, and he has a surgical scar on his right wrist to prove it.
In October he took a nasty stumble that imperiled his pursuit of Mark Spitz's single Games record of seven gold medals. Phelps, 23, slipped on a patch of ice and fell while climbing into a friend's car in Michigan and broke his right wrist.
It made for a tough start to the training cycle that carried him through these Beijing Games, but the climax was perfect. On Sunday morning, Phelps swam the butterfly leg on the 4x100-meter U.S. medley relay that held off Australia in a world record-setting victory, giving Phelps his eighth gold medal of these Games and his 14th over all.
"I wanted to do something nobody ever did," Phelps said. "This goes hand in hand with my goal of changing swimming."
Bulgaria's volleyball team advances to the quarterfinals at Beijing Olympics
With team captain Plamen Konstantinov back on track, Bulgaria's national volleyball team reached the quarterfinal stage of the volleyball tournament at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games after a 3:1 win against Venezuela on August 18 2008.
The start was not very promising for Bulgaria with Venezuela winning the first game (23:25). This did not augur well because a loss by the South-American side would have meant an end to Bulgaria's dreams of an Olympic medal.
Bearing this in mind Martin Stoev's boys took the initiative, hence the second game ended with a convincing win for Bulgaria (25:19). From then on it all went according to plan and the two remaining games were easily won by the Bulgarians (25:16, 25:22)
Bulgaria now has three wins and two losses on its scorecard at the Olympics and can safely wait for its quarter-final game when the team will face either Russia or Poland.
The Venezuela match was important for yet another reason for the Bulgarians. It was the first game at the Olympics for team captain Plamen Konstantinov.
Konstantinov's drama started minutes before the start of Bulgaria's first game at the Olympics against hosts China. His name was not on Stoev's starting list to the surprise of fans and media.
Later Stoev said that Konstantinov had health problems and had probably left the tournament. This uncertainty led to speculation in Bulgarian media about a possible doping scandal or conflict between Konstantinov and Stoev.
Few days later, it became clear that he had registered unusually high testosterone levels in a routine doping test just before the Olympics. This prompted a ban on him appearing in any matches, imposed by the head of Bulgaria's volleyball federation, Dancho Lazarov.
Konstantinov returned to Bulgaria to take a new test after being refused one in Beijing and on August 16 flew back to China.
In an interview for Bulgarian-language Dnevnik daily Konstantinov said that his level of testosterone was indeed unusually high but it had nothing to do with doping as proved by the tests he had undergone in Bulgaria.
“I just wanted to take the tests so that I can clear my name. Since taking the test in Beijing was not possible I had to return to Bulgaria” he said.
“If we’d done the tests before the Olympics we would not have to worry about this at all,” he said.
The fact was that Konstantinov missed the first four games at the Olympics which almost costed the team its place at the quarterfinals.
The start was not very promising for Bulgaria with Venezuela winning the first game (23:25). This did not augur well because a loss by the South-American side would have meant an end to Bulgaria's dreams of an Olympic medal.
Bearing this in mind Martin Stoev's boys took the initiative, hence the second game ended with a convincing win for Bulgaria (25:19). From then on it all went according to plan and the two remaining games were easily won by the Bulgarians (25:16, 25:22)
Bulgaria now has three wins and two losses on its scorecard at the Olympics and can safely wait for its quarter-final game when the team will face either Russia or Poland.
The Venezuela match was important for yet another reason for the Bulgarians. It was the first game at the Olympics for team captain Plamen Konstantinov.
Konstantinov's drama started minutes before the start of Bulgaria's first game at the Olympics against hosts China. His name was not on Stoev's starting list to the surprise of fans and media.
Later Stoev said that Konstantinov had health problems and had probably left the tournament. This uncertainty led to speculation in Bulgarian media about a possible doping scandal or conflict between Konstantinov and Stoev.
Few days later, it became clear that he had registered unusually high testosterone levels in a routine doping test just before the Olympics. This prompted a ban on him appearing in any matches, imposed by the head of Bulgaria's volleyball federation, Dancho Lazarov.
Konstantinov returned to Bulgaria to take a new test after being refused one in Beijing and on August 16 flew back to China.
In an interview for Bulgarian-language Dnevnik daily Konstantinov said that his level of testosterone was indeed unusually high but it had nothing to do with doping as proved by the tests he had undergone in Bulgaria.
“I just wanted to take the tests so that I can clear my name. Since taking the test in Beijing was not possible I had to return to Bulgaria” he said.
“If we’d done the tests before the Olympics we would not have to worry about this at all,” he said.
The fact was that Konstantinov missed the first four games at the Olympics which almost costed the team its place at the quarterfinals.
Felix on course for 200m Olympic gold
America's two-time 200 metres world champion Allyson Felix believes her time has come leaving her on course to turn her 2004 silver into Olympic gold after breezing through her first round heat on Tuesday.
The talented 22-year-old, who in 2005 became the first teenager to win a world sprint title, beat home two-time world minor medalist veteran Sri Lankan Susanthika Jayasinghe.
Felix, who said she would have liked to have had a chance at running the 400m as well if the timetable had permitted, said she had taken it easy once she had looked at the scoreboard screen and seen she was well ahead.
"This is my time finally," said Felix, who is nicknamed 'chicken legs' because of her long, spindly legs.
"I came out with as little effort as possible. I felt comfortable. I just wanted to win the heat with as little effort as possible and just not take any chances.
"I like to see where I'm at (why she looks at the screen) and not slow down too much," added Felix, who is the daughter of a minister and an elementary school teacher.
Felix's two fellow US team-mates also came through safely as they attempt to avenge the humiliation of the 100m final where the Jamaicans swept all three medals.
Muna Lee, one of those to suffer at the hands of the Caribbean island's athletes in the 100m, recorded the fastest time of the heats in 22.71sec but was still smarting from the belief that there had been a false start in the 100m final.
"I was pretty mad but I had to get over it," said the 26-year-old, who won the 100m at the US trials.
"It (the cleansweep) was disappointing. Miracles happen nowadays."
Lee, who finished seventh in the 200m final in 2004, said she was surprised that she had run the fastest time, but put it down to the early start time for the heats.
"It was pretty good. Always work the beginning and if I had to go go, but not too much," said Lee.
"I feel pretty good. I think everybody is a little sluggish. It was just one of those days."
Olympics debutant Marshevet Hooker also won her heat and professed herself to be relieved to have got it over with in what is her first major championships.
"I'm glad I finally got that first race out of the way," said the 23-year-old, who like American men's world champion Tyson Gay is coached by former leading 100m runner Jon Drummond.
"It wasn't as bad as I dreamed it would be. I got out there and it was just like any other meet - just don't look at the third level (of the stadium seating)."
Their Jamaican rivals all sailed through, defending Olympic champion Veronica Campbell - who will race against Felix in Tuesday evening's second round - and the joint silver medallists from the 100m including Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.
The talented 22-year-old, who in 2005 became the first teenager to win a world sprint title, beat home two-time world minor medalist veteran Sri Lankan Susanthika Jayasinghe.
Felix, who said she would have liked to have had a chance at running the 400m as well if the timetable had permitted, said she had taken it easy once she had looked at the scoreboard screen and seen she was well ahead.
"This is my time finally," said Felix, who is nicknamed 'chicken legs' because of her long, spindly legs.
"I came out with as little effort as possible. I felt comfortable. I just wanted to win the heat with as little effort as possible and just not take any chances.
"I like to see where I'm at (why she looks at the screen) and not slow down too much," added Felix, who is the daughter of a minister and an elementary school teacher.
Felix's two fellow US team-mates also came through safely as they attempt to avenge the humiliation of the 100m final where the Jamaicans swept all three medals.
Muna Lee, one of those to suffer at the hands of the Caribbean island's athletes in the 100m, recorded the fastest time of the heats in 22.71sec but was still smarting from the belief that there had been a false start in the 100m final.
"I was pretty mad but I had to get over it," said the 26-year-old, who won the 100m at the US trials.
"It (the cleansweep) was disappointing. Miracles happen nowadays."
Lee, who finished seventh in the 200m final in 2004, said she was surprised that she had run the fastest time, but put it down to the early start time for the heats.
"It was pretty good. Always work the beginning and if I had to go go, but not too much," said Lee.
"I feel pretty good. I think everybody is a little sluggish. It was just one of those days."
Olympics debutant Marshevet Hooker also won her heat and professed herself to be relieved to have got it over with in what is her first major championships.
"I'm glad I finally got that first race out of the way," said the 23-year-old, who like American men's world champion Tyson Gay is coached by former leading 100m runner Jon Drummond.
"It wasn't as bad as I dreamed it would be. I got out there and it was just like any other meet - just don't look at the third level (of the stadium seating)."
Their Jamaican rivals all sailed through, defending Olympic champion Veronica Campbell - who will race against Felix in Tuesday evening's second round - and the joint silver medallists from the 100m including Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Women’s Basketball Results
The 2008 Beijing Olympics featured four women’s basketball games on Sunday with medal contention implications for several of the squads.
South Korea locked up a spot for the next round with a 72-68 victory over Latvia, pushing their record to 2-3 in Group A play, good enough to advance.
Brazil earned their first win of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, beating Belarus 68-53 in Group A but it will be Belarus that moves on with a 2-3 record while Brazil finished 1-4.
China knocked off the Czech Republic 79-63 on Sunday to improve to 4-1 while the Czech Republic fell to 2-3 but will still advance from Group B.
The United States pounded New Zealand 96-60 to remain undefeated and will advance to the medal round competition as a heavy favorite.
South Korea locked up a spot for the next round with a 72-68 victory over Latvia, pushing their record to 2-3 in Group A play, good enough to advance.
Brazil earned their first win of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, beating Belarus 68-53 in Group A but it will be Belarus that moves on with a 2-3 record while Brazil finished 1-4.
China knocked off the Czech Republic 79-63 on Sunday to improve to 4-1 while the Czech Republic fell to 2-3 but will still advance from Group B.
The United States pounded New Zealand 96-60 to remain undefeated and will advance to the medal round competition as a heavy favorite.
United States Pounds New Zealand in Women’s Basketball to Remain Undefeated
The United States women’s basketball team remained undefeated at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, pounding the New Zealand squad 96-60 on Sunday.
After leading by just five after the first quarter the Americans turned up the defense and held New Zealand to just six points in the second as they build a 50-24 lead at the break and coasted the rest of the way.
Tina Thompson led the charge with 15 points for the United States.
After leading by just five after the first quarter the Americans turned up the defense and held New Zealand to just six points in the second as they build a 50-24 lead at the break and coasted the rest of the way.
Tina Thompson led the charge with 15 points for the United States.
Gulnara Galkina-Samitova Takes Gold, Sets Record in Women’s 3000m Steeplechase
Russia’s Gulnara Galkina-Samitova set a new Olympic and world record in the women’s steeplechase on Sunday, breaking the nine-minute barrier with a time of 8:58.81 to claim gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Galkina-Samitova outpaced Kenya’s Eunice Jepkorir Kertich who had to hold on to claim the silver with a time of 9:07.41.
It was almost a one-two finish for Russia as Ekaterina Volkova took the bronze just behind Kertich with a time of 9:07.64.
Galkina-Samitova outpaced Kenya’s Eunice Jepkorir Kertich who had to hold on to claim the silver with a time of 9:07.41.
It was almost a one-two finish for Russia as Ekaterina Volkova took the bronze just behind Kertich with a time of 9:07.64.
Women’s Triple Jump Gold Won by Cameroon’s Francoise Mbango Etone
Francoise Mbango Etone won Cameroon’s first medal of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and she made it a gold medal performance in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 15.39 meters. Mbango was defending her Olympic gold after earning the medal in Athens four years ago.
Russia’s Tatiana Lebedeva, two-time world champion, claimed the silver medal after jumping 15.32 meters.
Chrysopigi Devetzi of Greece won the bronze with a jump of 15.23 meters.
Russia’s Tatiana Lebedeva, two-time world champion, claimed the silver medal after jumping 15.32 meters.
Chrysopigi Devetzi of Greece won the bronze with a jump of 15.23 meters.
Kenenisa Bekele Defends Olympic Title with Gold Medal Performance in Men’s 10,000m
Kenenisa Bekele defended his Olympic title and set a new record on Sunday winning the men’s 10,000 in a time of 27:01.17 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Bekele finished just ahead of his countryman Sileshi Sihine finished just behind him in a time of 27:02.77 for the silver medal.
Kenya’s Micah Kipkemboi claimed the bronze medal after crossing in 27:04.11
Bekele finished just ahead of his countryman Sileshi Sihine finished just behind him in a time of 27:02.77 for the silver medal.
Kenya’s Micah Kipkemboi claimed the bronze medal after crossing in 27:04.11
Indian Olympic Athletes on Lenovo Blogger Programs
Indian shooters Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Abhinav Bindra will blog during the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games. They are part of the Lenovo blogging programme launched in which athletes will share their views and feelings before and during their athletic events. The program is a historic shift in the Olympic movement –- these are the first Olympic Games where athletes will blog during the competition time period itself. The programme involves a blog and a website for athletes training to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Until 2008, athletes were allowed to write blogs only until the opening day of the Olympic Games, and could then resume their blogs after the conclusion of the Games. This year, new regulations from the International Olympic Committee enable athletes to write blogs about their experiences off the field of play during the actual 17 days of competition.
Lenovo has provided IdeaPad and other notebook PCs and video cameras to Rajyavardhan Rathore, Abhinav Bindra and more than 100 other athletes from more than 25 countries and 29 sports who have signed up to participate in the blogging program. Their blogs are being presented on the website www.summergames.lenovo.com. Lenovo is a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Torch Relay, providing more than 30,000 pieces of computing equipment to manage the operations of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Athletes also will be able to use Lenovo internet lounges inside the Olympic Village, using PCs to maintain blogs, e-mail, and surf the Internet.
“The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will create the first truly Web 2.0 experience, one in which athletes, fans, supporters and television viewers interact and collaborate over the Internet," says Deepak Advani, Lenovo senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “We want to provide personal computing technology that helps athletes engage with a global community that cares passionately about competition, training, and the kinds of experiences that have gone unheralded until now. We want to help athletes achieve their dreams, and share those dreams with the world."
Lenovo began offering personal computing technology to athletes in April 2008, asking them simply to use IdeaPad notebooks and video cameras to share their experiences through a blog. Lenovo does not require athletes to blog about their usage of Lenovo personal computing equipment, and does not require athletes to sign contracts to participate. Many have never blogged before, and Lenovo is sharing tools and advice to help them get started.
Until 2008, athletes were allowed to write blogs only until the opening day of the Olympic Games, and could then resume their blogs after the conclusion of the Games. This year, new regulations from the International Olympic Committee enable athletes to write blogs about their experiences off the field of play during the actual 17 days of competition.
Lenovo has provided IdeaPad and other notebook PCs and video cameras to Rajyavardhan Rathore, Abhinav Bindra and more than 100 other athletes from more than 25 countries and 29 sports who have signed up to participate in the blogging program. Their blogs are being presented on the website www.summergames.lenovo.com. Lenovo is a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Torch Relay, providing more than 30,000 pieces of computing equipment to manage the operations of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Athletes also will be able to use Lenovo internet lounges inside the Olympic Village, using PCs to maintain blogs, e-mail, and surf the Internet.
“The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will create the first truly Web 2.0 experience, one in which athletes, fans, supporters and television viewers interact and collaborate over the Internet," says Deepak Advani, Lenovo senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “We want to provide personal computing technology that helps athletes engage with a global community that cares passionately about competition, training, and the kinds of experiences that have gone unheralded until now. We want to help athletes achieve their dreams, and share those dreams with the world."
Lenovo began offering personal computing technology to athletes in April 2008, asking them simply to use IdeaPad notebooks and video cameras to share their experiences through a blog. Lenovo does not require athletes to blog about their usage of Lenovo personal computing equipment, and does not require athletes to sign contracts to participate. Many have never blogged before, and Lenovo is sharing tools and advice to help them get started.
Tie Goes to Chinese Gymnast in Uneven Bars; Liukin Gets Silver
Nastia Liukin's bid for a second gold medal fell short by an inconceivably narrow margin Monday, as 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 with 16.725 points in the apparatus final, held at National Indoor Stadium. And the panel of judges arrived at the final score in the same way: Awarding both Liukin and Kexin a "start" value of 7.7 and an execution score of 9.025. Added together, that makes 16.725.
But the gold went to He, and the silver to Liukin under an obscure tie-break provision that left U.S. officials scrambling for an explanation even as the three medal winners marched onto the floor for the medal ceremony.
He's teammate Yang Yilin took bronze (16.65).
He is among the three Chinese gymnasts who age ahs been a source of controversy in recent weeks. Listed as 16, reports have stated her age as young as 14.
Monday was the second of three nights of finals in specific events at National Indoor Stadium, with gold medals at stake on the uneven bars and men's still rings and vault.
Only the eight athletes with the highest scores in the Aug. 9-10 qualifying sessions were eligible to compete. No country was allowed to field more than two athletes on a given apparatus.
Earlier, Chinese gymnasts won gold and silver on the rings. Reigning world champion Chen Yibing scored 16.600 points to claim the gold, with countryman Yang Wei, the 2008 Olympic all-around champion, taking silver (16.425). Oleksandr Vorobiov of the Ukraine took bronze (16.325).United States Holds Edge in Medal Count, China Continues to Dominate Gold
The United States still holds a slight edge in the overall medal count at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but China continues to dominate in the gold medal haul, increasing their lead with each day that passes.
After Sunday’s competitions the United States had collected 65 medals while the Chinese sat just four back with 61 but more than half of those were gold medal efforts, 35, compared to the U.S.’s 19 golds.
China has been nearly unstoppable in several events with eight gold medals in weightlifting, five gold medals in diving, five in shooting, five in gymnastics, three in badminton, three in judo and individual gold medals in archery, fencing, rowing, table tennis and wrestling.
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