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Photos: Dutch swimmer wins MenPhotos: Dutch swimmer wins Men

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:53:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 12:37:11

Maarten van der Weijden swims. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 21) -- Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands won the gold medal in a huge upset in the inaugural Men's Marathon 10km Swimming race at a rainy Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Thursday, August 21.

The Dutch swimmer, who returned to competitive swimming after beating leukaemia which was diagnosed seven years ago, had not ranked among the pre-race favorites.

He put in a great sprint with 500m to go to overtake medal favorites David Davies of Great Britain (GBR) and Thomas Lurz of Germany (GER) to win in a time of 1:51:51.6.

Davies (GBR), who finished sixth in the 1500m earlier at these Games at the National Aquatics Center and was the Athens 2004 Olympic 1500m bronze medalist, just held on for the silver medal in a time of 1:51:53.1.

Maarten van der Weijden poses with his gold medal. (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Lurz, with more success over the 5km distance but a world title in this distance in 2006 and one of the pre-race favorites, came home strongly to win the bronze medal in a time of 1:51:53.6.

In steady rain, the 25 swimmers hit the water with Davies quickly working his way to the front from Greece's Spyridon Gianniotis with Lurz right on their heels. With Davies, the 1500m specialist, at the front the field quickly became strung out.

Davies, like his compatriots Keri-Anne Payne and Cassandra Patten in the Women's Marathon 10km on Wednesday, led for much of the first three laps. At the beginning of the fourth and final lap the moves began to come. Lurz swam up to share the lead with Davies, until Gianniotis went to the front.

The pack then settled back down with Davies again taking the lead and increasing the tempo and his kicking. The pack split across the course with Van der Weijden, Davies and Lurz pulling away toward the middle of the course for the sprint to the line.

Vladimir Dyatchin of the Russian Federation (RUS), world champion in 2007 and 2008, sat with the pack just back from the leaders throughout the race, but was disqualified after initially being recorded as finishing 12th. Dyatchin later said he slowed down because he knew he had been disqualified.

Photos: Dutch swimmer wins MenPhotos: Dutch swimmer wins Men

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:51:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 12:03:33

Maarten van der Weijden swims. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands won the gold medal of Men's 10km Marathon Swimming at the Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.

The silver medal went to David Davies of Britain while the bronze was taken by Thomas Lurz of Germany.

Maarten van der Weijden competes. (Photo credit: Wang Lei/Xinhua)

Maarten van der Weijden arrives at the finish. (Photo credit: Wang Lei/Xinhua)

Maarten van der Weijden reacts after winning the event. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Maarten van der Weijden celebrates. (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Maarten van der Weijden poses with his gold medal. (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Photos: Dutch swimmer wins MenPhotos: Dutch swimmer wins Men's 10km Marathon Swimming gold

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:51:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-17 11:00:21

Gold medalist Britta Steffen stands on the podium with her medal. (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 17) -- Britta Steffen of Germany sealed the sought-after Freestyle sprint double as she took gold in the Women's 50m Freestyle in an Olympic record of 24.06 seconds at the National Aquatics Center on Sunday, adding to the 100m Freestyle gold she won on Friday.

Steffen, who qualified third fastest for the final in 24.43, was not the quickest off the blocks but recovered to overpower the field and touch the wall first in a wall of whitewater.

Dara Torres of the United States, the 41-year-old mother of one, was out to show her competitors that her age is no barrier in the splash and dash. She clocked the fastest time into the final and recorded the second fastest reaction time but could only manage the silver medal behind Steffen. Torres also set an Americas record of 24.07.

Sixteen-year-old Australian schoolgirl Cate Campbell, who was not born when Torres made her third Olympic team at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, clocked an encouraging 24.17 to finish with a bronze medal.

World record holder Lisbeth Trickett of Australia had the quickest reaction time off the blocks but did not feature in the medals, finishing fourth in a time of 24.25.

Marleen Veldhuis of the Netherlands, another of the pre-race favorites, finished in fifth place at 24.26.

Schwarzer breaks OR in Men's 50km Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:48:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-22 12:18:30

Alex Schwazer competes. (Photo Credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 22) -- Alex Schwarzer of Italy won the Men's 50km Walk gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in a time of three hours and 37.09 minutes on August 22.

The 24-year-old Italian broke the previous Olympic record of three hours and 38.29 seconds set by Vyacheslav Ivanenko of the USSR ten years ago. With this achievement, he adds his first Olympic gold to his trophy shelf, next to bronzes earned at the 2005 and 2007 World Championships.

"It's the best, it's the highest level. I'm delighted," Schwarzer said excitedly when talking about his gold medal.

"This is for my grandfather who died in July. I'm very sad about it. He's been there for me my whole life, but now I'm sure he is happy," he added.

The silver medal went to Jared Tallent of Australia in three hours 39.27 minutes. Tallent won bronze in the Men's 20km Walk at these Games on Saturday, August 16.

"This is what you do it for. Just warming up this morning and thinking of all the years of hard work that come down to this. I can't believe it - two medals at the Olympics," said Tallent.

Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia took bronze in three hours 40.14 minutes.

"I feel very disappointed. I don't know why. I don't think I had any technical problems or mistakes. I got a silver four years ago (Athens 2004 Olympic Games), but now it's only a bronze. It's such a pity," said Nizhegorodov.

Clay tops Decathlon 110m Hurdles

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:47:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-22 09:44:58

(BEIJING, August 22) -- Bryan Clay of the United States still remains firmly in control of the Decathlon after the 110m Hurdles -- the sixth of 10 Decathlon disciplines.

Clay, silver medalist at Athens 2004, scored 984 points after running 13.93 seconds. He has attained a total of 5505 points for the sixth disciplines, holding off Andrei Krauchanka from Belarus with a total of 5381 points, who clocked 14.21seconds in the 110 Hurdles for 948 points.

Trey Hardee of the United States has kept his third place position, with 5377 points after running 14.20 seconds for 949 points.

Oleksiy Kasyanov from Ukraine remains in the fourth position running 14.37 seconds for 927 points. He has accumulated 5335 points so far.

Decathlon world record holder and reigning world and Olympic champion, Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, was down to the seventh rank from fifth in the previous discipline, at 5197 after scoring 885 points with a run of 14.71 seconds. Sebrle set the world record seven years ago with a final score of 9026.

The seventh discipline of the Decathlon, Discus Throw, will be held at 10:05 a.m. (UTC/GMT +8) on August 22 at the National Stadium.

Athletics Day 8 Preview: New queen to be crowned in Women's 5000m

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:46:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-22 02:26:02

(BEIJING, August 22) -- Seven gold medals will be decided on day eight of the Athletics competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. The clash between Ethiopian distance greats Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba in the Women's 5000m final is likely to be a highlight of Friday's action.

Women's 5000m - Final

Reigning Olympic and world champion Defar was the fastest qualifier for the Women's 5000m final after an impressive run of 14:56.32 in her heat.

Main rival and world record holder Dibaba won her heat in 15:09.89, setting up a much-anticipated battle between the two distance greats.

Other contenders for a medal include Beijing 2008 10000m silver medalist Elvan Abeylegesse of Turkey and Gulnara Galkina-Samitova of Russia, who set a world record in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase on Sunday, August 17.

Men's 50km Walk - Final

With reigning world champion Nathan Deakes of Australia absent because of a hamstring injury, France's Yohan Diniz is a slight favorite to take gold after he won the silver medal behind Deakes at the 2007 World Championships.

Alex Schwazer of Italy will be Diniz's main rival and has been in good form in 2008, finishing third at the world race walking challenge in Russia.

Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia will be out to improve on his silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Men's Pole Vault - Final

Reigning world champion Brad Walker of the United States was knocked out of the competition after failing to clear his opening height in the qualifying round.

The door is open for Steve Hooker of Australia, Evgeny Lukyanenko and Igor Pavlov of Russia to fight it out for the gold.

Women's Long Jump - Final

Reigning world and Olympic champion Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia will hope to add to her silver medal from the Women's Triple Jump.

Carolina Kluft of Sweden, the reigning Olympic and three-time world champion in the Heptathlon, is still in the hunt for her first major Long Jump title since deciding to concentrate on the event.

Naide Gomes of Portugal, the 2008 world indoor champion, along with Brittney Reese of the United States and Maurren Higa Maggi of Brazil, will also be in contention for a medal after promising performances in the qualifying round.

Men's 4 x 100m Relay - Final

The anticipated showdown between sprinting giants the United States and Jamaica will not happen after the US relay team failed to finish their heat, dropping the baton on the third change.

Athens 2004 champions Great Britain will not have an opportunity to defend their title after they were disqualified in heat one.

Jamaica has never won an Olympic gold medal in this event, but with the likes of Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell in their team, they have a big opportunity to make history in Beijing.

Trinidad and Tobago posted the fastest qualifying time of 38.26 seconds.

Women's 4 x 100m Relay - Final

Jamaica posted the fastest qualifying time of 42.24 to advance to Friday night's final.

Athens 2004 silver medalists Russia, and Belgium, the reigning world bronze medalists, also looked impressive in their heats.

Like the Men's 4 x 100m Relay team, the highly fancied US women's team also dropped the baton on the third change and was disqualified.

Men's Decathlon - 110m Hurdles, Discus Throw, Pole Vault, Javelin, 1500m

At the conclusion of day one, Bryan Clay of the United States was in prime position for the gold medal with 4,521 points. The 2005 world champion led the competition after every event, winning the 100m and Long Jump.

Defending champion Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic climbed from 27th position to fifth after five events.

Athens 2004 bronze medalist Dmitriy Karpov of Kazakhstan pulled out of the competition after limping across the line in the 100m with a heavily strapped thigh. Tom Pappas of the United States withdrew after the Long Jump when he was in 12th place.

Men's 4 x 400m Relay - Round one

The United States have dominated the Men's 4 x 400m Relay in the Olympic Games, winning 15 out of a possible 21 Olympic titles.

The US trio of LaShawn Merritt, Jeremy Wariner and David Neville took a clean sweep in the Men's 400m, and will be a force to be reckoned with.

The Bahamas, who won the silver medal at the 2007 World Championships in 2:59.18, should again be prominent.

Poland finished third at the 2007 World Championships with 3:00.05 and also have the potential to be among the medals winners.

Women's 4 x 400m Relay - Round one

The United States have won two of the past three Olympic titles as well as the 2007 World Championships gold. Sanya Richards and Deedee Trotter will be their strongest runners.

Rivals Russia won silver at Athens 2004 but went one better at the 2005 World Championships, claiming gold.

Jamaica, led by Novelene Williams and individual 400m silver medalist Shericka Williams, also look a medal chance.

Athletics Day 7 Review: Dropped batons spell disaster for US relay teams

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:46:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-22 01:22:05

(BEIJING, August 22) -- The US sprint teams' woes continued at the National Stadium on Thursday, August 21, when their Men's and Women's 4x100m teams failed to reach the finals.

The formerly dominant US sprint teams will exit the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with only two silver and two bronze medals from the 18 individual and relay medals available.

First, there was disappointment for the US Men's 4 x 100m Relay team, when a bungled baton change between Tyson Gay and Darvis Patton on the final changeover meant they failed to finish the first semifinal.

Then, in the Women's 4 x 100m semifinals, poor communication between Torri Edwards and Lauryn Williams of the United States, also on the final handover, resulted in another dropped baton.

The US men were not the only fancied team to fail to reach Friday's final. Olympic Men's 4 x 100m Relay champions Great Britain were disqualified for a late changeover when final-leg runner Craig Pickering received the baton from Marlon Devonish outside the changeover zone.

Jamaica is the overwhelming favorite for the gold in both the Men's and Women's finals after both teams won their semifinals, the women in a year's-best of 42.24 seconds.

In the Women's 200m, Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica retained her gold medal from Athens 2004 when she led the field home in a personal best 21.74 seconds.

Her win meant Jamaica has now won the 100m and 200m in both the Women's and Men's competitions and taken seven of the 12 medals available over those distances.

The 2007 world champion, Allyson Felix of the United States, took silver as she did at Athens 2004, while Kerron Stewart of Jamaica claimed her second medal of Beijing 2008, a bronze.

LaShawn Merritt of the United States broke Jeremy Wariner's dominance in the 400m, overtaking the Athens 2004 Olympic Games winner and double world champion in the home straight to win with a personal best of 43.75 seconds.

Despite fading badly in the last 60m, Wariner held on for silver, while David Neville of the United States dived over the line to snatch the bronze medal and complete a US sweep of the medals for the second successive Olympic Games.

Dayron Robles of Cuba confirmed he is the best 110m hurdler by adding Olympic gold to the world record of 12.87 seconds he set earlier in 2008.

David Payne and David Oliver of the United States took the silver and bronze medals after a close tussle.

Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic threw a European record to win the Women's Javelin in rainy conditions. She threw 71.42m with her final attempt to overtake long-time leader Maria Abakumova of Russia, who was unable to retake the lead with the last throw of the competition. Christina Obergfoll of Germany took bronze.

Nelson Evora of Portugal added the Men's Triple Jump Olympic gold to his 2007 world title with a season's-best jump of 17.67m. Phillips Idowu of Great Britain took silver and the Bahamas's Leevan Sands, bronze.

The day began with a fifth Athletics gold medal for Russia in the Women's 20km Walk. Olga Kaniskina of Russia led from the front in treacherous conditions to finish first in an Olympic record 1:26:31.

Kjersti Tysse Platzer of Norway won her second Olympic silver medal in 1:27:07, while Elisa Rigaudo of Italy opened her NOC's Athletics account with a bronze medal in 1:27:12.

American men capture 400 Final

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:45:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 21:42:14

LeShawn Merritt competes. (Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 21) -- LeShawn Merritt has won the Men's 400m gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, running smoothly in a time of 43.75 seconds, his personal best.

The silver medal goes to Jeremy Wariner, the race favorite who lagged well back at 44.74s, while David Neville finished strong and dove across the finish line to record 44.80s.

The current world record held by all-time Athletics great Michael Johnson is 43.18 seconds set in Seville in 1999, just under his Olympic record 43.49s from Atlanta 1996.

Athletics legend Johnson had also owned the 200m record for 12 years until Usain Bolt shaved it by 2 one-hundredths in the Beijing 2008 200m final.

Trinidad Tobago fastest, US drops out in Men's 4 x 100m relay

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:44:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 21:32:31

(L-R) Asafa Powell, Craig Pickering and Samuel Coco-Viloin (Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

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(BEIJING, August 21) -- Trinidad and Tobago has qualified first in heat 1 of the Men's 4x100m relay in 38.26 seconds, while Jamaica won heat 2 in 38.31.

Also qualifying among the top three in each heat 1 are Japan in 38.52s, Canada at 38.77s, the Netherlands with 38.87s, and Germany at 38.93s.

Qualifying with the next two fastest times are Brazil at 39.01s and China with 39.13s.

Four teams did not finish their heat by virtue of failed baton passes, including the well regarded United States team, Poland, Nigeria, and South Africa. Great Britain and Italy were disqualified on a hectic night in the rain.

Tyson Gay of the United States lost the baton. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Tyson Gay lost his last chance at a medal in these Olympics when he was unable to receive the baton from his team mate Darvis Patton on the anchor leg pass.

Eight finalists go through to the gold medal final on Friday, August 22 in the National Stadium.

A rainy run for Men's 800m semifinalists

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:43:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 21:18:25

(BEIJING, August 21) -- It wasn't sweat glistening on the faces of runners in the Men's 800m semifinal at the Bird's Nest on Thursday night, but rather, a lot of rain. In the midst of this downpour, eight men came out on top to qualify for the final, led by Alfred Kirwa Yego of Kenya.

Yego, 2007 IAAF world champ in this event, clocked 1:44.73. He was followed by 18-year-old Ismail Ahmed Ismail of Sudan, who crossed the finish in 1:44.91. With these two athletes setting the tempo, heat two turned out to be the fastest of the semifinal round, as both the third and fourth placed runners, Saad Yusuf Kamel (Bahrain) and Nadjim Manseur (Algeria) ran the next fastest two times in the 800m, qualifying them for a chance for the gold.

In heat one, the first and second place winners were Wilfred Bungei of Kenya, who clocked 1:46.23, and Yeimer Lopez of Cuba, who came in at 1:46.40. With a time of 1:46.53, third-placed Yuri Borzakovsky of Russia, defending Olympic champion in this event, failed to qualify for the final.

The other two 800m runners who automatically qualified for the final by coming in one and two in their heat were Nabil Madi of Algeria, who timed 1:45.63 and Gary Reed of Canada, with 1:45.85. Reed took the silver behind Yego at the 2007 IAAF World Championships.

Perhaps the rain affected the performance of Abubaker Kaki of Sudan, who claimed the title in the Men's 800m at the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Championships. He was the last of the last of the last Thursday night, running the slowest semifinal time of 1:49.19 to come in eighth place in the third heat of the event.

The final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the National Stadium.

Trinidad Tobago fastest in Men's 4x100m relay round 1

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:43:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 21:01:19

(BEIJING, August 21) -- Trinidad and Tobago has qualified first in heat 1 of the Men's 4x100m relay in 38.26 seconds, while Jamaica won heat 2 in 38.31.

Also qualifying among the top three in each heat 1 are Japan in 38.52s, Canada at 38.77s, the Netherlands with 38.87s, and Germany at 38.93s.

Qualifying with the next two fastest times are China with 39.13s and Brazil at 39.01s.

Photos: Czech Barbora Spotakova wins Olympic Women's Javelin Throw gold

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:42:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 20:59:24

Barbora Spotakova competes. (Photo credit:Xinhua)

Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic has won gold in the Women's Javelin Throw at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with a throw of 71.42 meters.

Barbora Spotakova competes. (Photo credit:Xinhua)

Barbora Spotakova competes. (Photo credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Campbell-Brown retains Olympic gold in Women's 200m

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:41:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-21 20:18:59

Veronica Campbell-Brown in jubilation (Photo credit: Guo Dayue/Xinhua)

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(BEIJING, August 21) -- Athens 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica successfully defended her Women's 200m title, crossing the line for gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in a personal best of 21.74 seconds.

The 26-year-old was under extra pressure to retain her title after failing to qualify for the 100m at the Jamaican Olympic trials, but she was in control of the 200m race from the gun to the line.

World champion Allyson Felix of the United States finished second behind the Jamaican, as she did at Athens 2004, and continues the tradition of the world champion failing to win the Olympic gold a year later.

Kerron Stewart of Jamaica added another medal to the growing Jamaican total by narrowly grabbing the bronze in 22.00s, just ahead of Muna Lee of the United States, who ran a personal best 22.01s for fourth.

Stewart was the quickest into her stride and was ahead at the bend.

As the athletes entered the home straight, Campbell-Brown moved to the front and extended her lead down the final 50m.

It was a disappointing run from Felix, who failed to find her rhythm and had to watch as Campbell-Brown raced away for the second time in the Olympic Games.

Campbell-Brown's success means Jamaica has now won gold at 100m and 200m in both the Women's and Men's competitions and won seven of the 12 medals available at those distances.

Campbell-Brown and her Jamaican teammates will now be hyper-confident of adding more medals from the Women's 4 x 100m Relay. They won the same relay in Athens.

Photo Gallery Update

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:43:00 +0000

Photos: Zou Kai of China wins Horizontal gold medal

Updated: 2008-08-19 20:20:03

Zou Kai competes. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Photos: Britain's Pendleton wins Women's Sprint Cycling Olympic gold

Updated: 2008-08-19 19:45:16

Victoria Pendleton competes. (Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Victoria Pendleton (front) competes. (Photo credit: Liang Qiang/Xinhua)

Photos: Shawn Johnson of United States wins the Beam title

Updated: 2008-08-19 19:38:45

Shawn Johnson (C), Nastia Liukin (L), and Cheng Fei (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Shawn Johnson competes. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Nastia Liukin competes. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang takes gold to break ROK's 24-year reign

Updated: 2008-08-14 19:08:26

(L-R) Yun, Zhang and Park on the podium. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

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Zhang bites the gold medal. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Photos: China wins bronze in Mixed Doubles

Updated: 2008-08-17 20:55:38

He Hanbin and Yu Yang (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Photos: Preliminary Baseball game between China and Canada

Updated: 2008-08-13 15:05:51

Zhang Yufeng (No. 9) of China turns a double-play. (Photo credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Jimmy Vanostrand (No. 29) of Canada makes contact with a pitch. (Photo credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Chen Junyi (No. 3) of China throws a pitch. (Photo credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Photos: Australia defeats Lithuania, finishes in fourth

Updated: 2008-08-18 15:16:40

Patrick Mills (No. 5) of Australia drives to the basket over the defense of Robertas Javtokas (No. 15) of Lithuania. (Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Mindaugas Lukauskis (No. 5) of Lithuania drives for a shot attempt against Australia. (Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Head coach Ramunas Butautas of Lithuania shouts. (Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Brad Newley (No. 8) of Australia drives for a shot attempt against Rimantas Kaukenas (No. 4) of Lithuania. (Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Photos: Men's Beach Volleyball preliminary pool A match

Updated: 2008-08-12 14:13:58

Xu Linyin (R) and Wu Penggen stretch for the ball. (Photo credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Xu Linyin of China serves the ball. (Photo credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Photos: Australian canoeists/kayakers in pre-game training

Updated: 2008-08-02 10:18:57

Australian canoeists/kayakers in pre-game training (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Canoe/Kayak Slalom Day 4 Preview: Men's C2 and Women's K1 get their medals

Updated: 2008-08-13 20:20:05

Peter Hochschorner and Pavol Hochschorner from Slovakia (Photo credit: Getty)

Gold finally comes for Johnson in the Beam

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:42:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 20:22:35

Shawn Johnson on the beam. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

(BEIJING, August 19) -- If she did not win gold in the Beam tonight, Shawn Johnson of the United States would have taken four silver medals back to her home state of Iowa. However, Johnson, the sprightly 16-year-old gymnast did not miss her last chance of Olympic gold. She scored 16.225 after a flawless routine, two-tenths of a point more than the silver medalist, Johnson's compatriot Nastia Liukin.

Johnson was outscored by Liukin in the Women's Individual All-Around on August 15 and was forced to settle for her second silver medal. Her first was the United States' second place in the Women's Team event, which was won by China. Johnson went within a hair's breadth of winning gold in the Women's Floor Exercise on August 17 – she was 0.150 of a point behind the gold medalist Sandra Izbasa of Romania.

Shawn Johnson (C), Nastia Liukin (L), and Cheng Fei (Photo credit: Xinhua)

However, tonight was a different story for Johnson. Li Shanshan of China, a heavy gold medal favorite and top-ranked qualifier, fell down from the beam and her medal chances nosedived sharply. Another Chinese gymnast Cheng Fei, who competed first and scored 15.950, had no chance of winning gold because of instability during her routine. Even Liukin, who has been so perfect during the Games, walked a small step forward when dismounting, which was a tiny mistake that probably cost her gold.

Anna Pavlova of Russia finished fourth with 15.900, followed by Gabriela Dragoi of Romania with 15.625. Li came sixth with 15.300.

Nigeria reaches Men's Football final

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:41:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 19:51:46

(BEIJING, August 19) - Nigeria advanced to the final of the Olympic Men's Football tournament after giving surprise semifinalist Belgium a 4-1 hiding.

Swimming Day 10 Preview: Ilchenko leads field in Women's Marathon 10km

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 13:28:52

(BEIJING, August 19) -- Russian open water superstar Larisa Ilchenko will enter the Women's 10km Marathon swimming race as overwhelming favorite to take gold, in an event making its Olympic debut at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Wednesday, August 20.

Ilchenko has dominated open water swimming since 2004, winning five consecutive 5km world championships and three consecutive 10km races. Given her ability to win in all water conditions and temperatures, she should adapt quickly to the warm shallow waters of the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. The nineteen-year-old athlete often chooses to sit behind the leaders and make a move in the last kilometer, so should relish the calm conditions and be able to swim the race on her terms.

Cassandra Patten of Great Britain burst on to the scene with a surprise silver medal at the 2007 world championships in Melbourne, Australia. A brave performance saw her lose a sprint to the line by only one second against the seemingly unbeatable Ilchenko. She also claimed silver to Ilchenko earlier this year at the world championships in Seville. Patten finished in eighth position in Final of the Women's 800m Freestyle event at Beijing 2008.

The experienced Angela Maurer of Germany will also be in strong medal contention. Her performance to claim fourth place at the 2007 world championships was far better than it looked on paper. She swam most of the race trapped in the rough conditions of the main pack but fell short of the leaders by only a few seconds. Maurer was the 25km gold medalist at the 2006 world championships in Italy.

Other top contenders also include Jana Pechanova of the Czech Republic, a silver medalist at the 2004 world championships and consistent performer over the 5km, 10km and 25km disciplines. Spain's Yurema Requena and Brazil's Poliana Okimoto could also challenge for a medal after strong 2008 seasons.

South Africa's Natalie du Toit became the first amputee to qualify for the Olympic Games when she booked her place in the Women's 10km Marathon event. The 2002 South African Sportswoman of the Year finished fourth in the 2008 10km open water world championships in Spain and may find herself in medal contention. Toit won five gold medals in the pool at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

The oldest competitor is 35-year-old Edith van Dijk of the Netherlands, a two-time 10km open water world champion who finished a disappointing 11th in the 2008 world championships; her experience could put pressure on the leaders.

The youngest competitor 16-year-old American Chloe Sutton, who has improved tremendously of late over the 5km discipline, and a strong 2007 10km World Cup campaign suggests she is ready go the extra distance.

Photos: Women's Long Jump qualifying round

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:39:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 11:46:14

Brittney Reese of the United States competes. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The Women's Long Jump qualifying round was held at the National Stadium on day eleven of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 19, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia competes. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Keila Costa of Brazil competes. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Men's Beach Volleyball Day 9 Preview: Giant killers face real giants

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 20:27:58

(BEIJING, August 19) -- In Wednesday's semifinal, Philip Dalhausser and Todd Rogers of the United States will take on Jorge Terceiro and Renato Gomes of Georgia in the Olympic Men's Beach Volleyball competition.

After their unexpected 0-2 defeat to Latvian duo Martins Plavins and Aleksandrs Samoilovs, the second-seeded US pair have maintained good form and fought all the way into the semifinals.

The fifteenth seeded Georgians were defeated in their first two matches, but they managed to win the ones that followed, including the two where they remarkably upset Austria's Clemens Doppler and Peter Gartmayer and the Netherlands' Richard Schuil and Reinder Nummerdor.

The question is whether or not the Georgian duo can continue their giant-killing run. The problem is, this time, they will face real giants.

In the other semifinal, two Brazilian teams will fight for a final berth.

The No. 3 seeds and defending champions Ricardo Santos and Emanuel Rego of Brazil have shown strong determination to defend their title by beating every team they have encountered so far.

Their opponents, No. 4 seeds Fabio Magalhaes and Marcio Araujo, also from Brazil, are powerful gold medal contenders. As one of the most successful teams on the FIVB World Tour, Magalhaes and Araujo are doubtless capable of challenging the unbeaten defending champions.

Sailing Day 10 Preview: Great Britain in pole position to claim Laser gold

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:36:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 01:19:55

(QINGDAO, August 18) – Medal races in the Laser (Men's One Person Dinghy) and Laser Radial (Women's One Person Dinghy) will be held on race Area A of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center on Tuesday, August 19, with Paul Goodison in a commanding position to claim Great Britain's third gold medal at the Sailing regatta. He takes an 18-point lead into the double-points race.

Laser (Men's One Person Dinghy)

Paul Goodison finished first, fourth and sixth in Monday's races to lead Rasmus Myrgren from Sweden by 18 points. The ISAF World Ranked No.3 will add to Great Britain's already impressive collection of Yngling and Finn gold medals and Men's 470 Silver.

Myrgren and a few others will fight for the silver and bronze medals, including current third placed overall Gustavo Lima from Portugal, Athens bronze medalist Vasilij Zbogar from Slovenia who is in fourth place and fifth placed Deigo Romero from Italy.

Pre-Olympic favorites Andrew Murdoch from New Zealand and Julio Alsogaray from Argentina are in danger of missing medals, while double world champion and World No. 1 Tom Slingsby from Australia will not make the medal round after finishing in 22nd place, having been unable to get good upwind boat speed.

Laser Radial (Women's One Person Dinghy)

World No.1 Anna Tunnicliffe from the United States is in the box seat going into the double-points medal race on Tuesday, with a seven-point advantage over her nearest rival Gintare Volungeviciute of Lithuania, but she does not have it all her own way.

World No. 2 Chinese Xu Lijia came out strongly, scoring a bullet in race seven. She finished the day with an 11th and a sixth to be third overall going in to the medal race. Only Xu and Volungeviciute can challenge Tunnicliffe for gold.

Out of contention for gold by a mere point, but in the ring for silver and bronze is World No. 3 Sarah Blanck of Australia, Sarah Steyaert of France and Evi van Acker from Belgium.

Women's RS:X (Windsurfer)

The five pre-Olympic favorites are vying for gold with one race remaining in the opening series. Three-time Olympian Alessandra Sensini from Italy, who took over the series lead from Chinese sailor Yin Jian on Monday, heads the rush for gold following races seven, eight and nine.

Others in contention are World No. 1 Marina Alabau of Spain, Bryony Shaw of Great Britain and Jessica Crisp of Australia, third, fourth and fifth overall.

There is only 11 points between the top five.

Another favorite, Barbara Kendall from New Zealand, dropped off to seventh on Monday, 20 points off the lead. She will need to come up with something special on Tuesday if she is to claim her fourth Olympic medal on Wednesday.

Men's RS:X (Windsurfer)

Tom Ashley of New Zealand, one of the pre-Games favorites, is leading the charge for gold with one race remaining in the opening series to be sailed on Tuesday, and the double-points medal race to be sailed on Wednesday.

Only 12 points separate the top five, but things could change again on Tuesday in the expected lighter conditions in the 7-10 knot range.

In the medal mix are: Nick Dempsey from Great Britain, who admits he is driven by his teammates' medal-winning performances in Qingdao; Julien Bontemps, the Frenchman at his second Olympics who feels he has nothing to lose; and Shahar Zubari of Israel, who led the regatta for several days while the winds were light.

Star (Men's Keelboat)

The Stars are scheduled to sail two races on Area C on Tuesday. This will bring them within one race of completing their 10-race opening series.

Fredrik Loof and Anders Ekstrom of Sweden have the lowest average, but like nearly every other boat in the fleet, have discarded a deep finish (in their case, a 15th in the 16-boat fleet).

Ian Percy and Andrew Simpson of the Great Britain poured it on in the final two races on Monday, and might keep the momentum going.

Frenchmen Xavier Rohart and Pascal Rambeau were the bronze medalists in Athens and their consistent sailing might be enough to land them silver or gold.

Expect the fleet to return to the dock with the scores close enough so that the final race of the opening series will be one in which everyone is fighting for points to get into the medal race rather than build a cushion for the medal race.

Tornado (Multihull Mixed)

The Tornados are scheduled to sail two races on Area C on Tuesday. This will bring them within one race of completing their 10-race opening series.

It is no surprise recent past world champions are tied for the lead in this fleet. Spaniards Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz and Australians Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby have 20 points each after seven races.

With 29 points separating the top 12 of this 15-boat fleet, nobody can be ruled out.

Light air is forecast for Tuesday, and they could be the conditions for Chupacabra to make its presence known.

Sailing Day 9 Review: Australia rules the day

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 00:20:33

(QINGDAO, August 18) -- Gold was Australia's for the taking in Qingdao on Monday, August 18, and take it they did: sweeping the 470 (Two Person Dinghy) with a combined margin of 41 net points over the second-place finishers.

With disqualification the only thing standing in the way of gold for Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page of Australia in the Men's 470, the pair put an exclamation mark on their victory by finishing first in the medal race. Wilmot and Page, who won the 2004, 2005, and 2007 World Champions but had never won at the Olympics, took over first place after the third race and never looked back, building an insurmountable 22 point lead before the final race and winning with 44 points overall.

Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield of Great Britain jumped from fourth to second (75 net points) after a third-place finish in the medal race and Nicolas Charbonnier and Olivier Bausset of France (78 points) held off Sven and Kalle Coster of the Netherlands for bronze with a better finish on the final day of racing.

Despite a ninth-place finish in the medal race, Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson won the second 470 gold of the Olympics with 43 points overall, matching the gold won by the Australian Men's 470 pair just one hour earlier.

Rechichi and Parkinson went into the final race with an 18-point lead over Marcelien de Koning and Lobke Berkhout of the Netherlands, who finished sixth in the medal race and won silver with 53 points overall. Fernanda Oliviera and Isabel Swan of Brazil won the medal race and the bronze medal with 60 net points.

Though the boats in the 49er (Skiff) class did not race on Monday, gold was awarded to Jonas Warrer and Martin Ibsen of Denmark who had to wait overnight for the ruling on protests lodged against them after Sunday's medal race. Athens 2004 Olympic gold medalists Iker Martinez de Lizarduy and Xabier Fernandez of Spain took silver and German brothers Jan Peter and Hannes Peckolt won bronze.

Star (Men's Keelboat)

Fredrik Loof and Anders Ekstrom of Sweden won race six today to take the regatta lead. Percy and Simpson got 11 points in Monday's racing moving them into second place. The French pair Xavier Rohart and Pascal Rambeau are third overall.

The day's biggest comeback was made by No. 1 ranked Poland's Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Dominik Zycki. They recovered from 13th around the first mark in race seven to finish in third.

Tornado (Multihull Mixed)

Spaniards Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz were tied at 20 points with Australians Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby in the overall lead after the three Tornado class races held on Course Area E today.

The Spaniards won race seven, the last of the day, in which the Australians came in second. They are both 12 points ahead of third placed Iordanis Paschalidis and Konstantinos Trigonis from Greece.

Santiago Lange and Carlos Espinola of Argentina and Francesco Marcolini and Edoardo Bianchi of Italy each have 33 points. Johannes Polgar and Florian Spalteholz from Germany follow with 34.

Laser Radial (Women's One Person Dinghy)

World No. 1 Anna Tunnicliffe from the United States regained her Laser Radial series lead despite a 15th placing in racing.

Tunnicliffe shrugged off the race seven result and topped up with a pair of second places in races eight and nine to finish as one of only three sailors in the running for gold. She used her race 15 result as a drop and goes into medal race with a seven point advantage over yesterday's leader Gintare Volungeviciute of Lithuania.

Volungeviciute also used race seven as her drop after finishing in 17th place. She too came back, with sixth and fourth-place finishes, not straying too far from her nearest rival.

World No. 3 Sarah Blanck of Australia moved up to fourth place overall after her first win of the series in race eight. She finished eighth and fifth in the other two races but is 21 points adrift of Tunnliciffe and out of contention for the gold medal.

Laser (Men's One Person Dinghy)

He missed a medal in Athens, he has struggled to win major regattas, but his talent is unquestionable and on Monday Paul Goodison of Great Britain came of age, his 1-4-6 results all but guaranteeing him a gold medal.

The ISAF World Ranked No.3, will add to Great Britain's already impressive collection of Yngling and Finn gold medals and Men's 470 Silver. His results Monday means he has amassed an 18 point lead over nearest rival Swedish Rasmus Myrgren going into tomorrow's double-points medal race.

Myrgren and a few others will battle it out for the silver and bronze medals, including current third placed overall Gustavo Lima from Portugal, Athens bronze medalist Vasilij Zbogar from Slovenia who is in fourth place and fifth placed Deigo Romero from Italy.

Early medal contender, Julio Alsogaray of Argentina started his day well with a second place, but 32nd and 16th places in the later races have almost killed any chance he has of winning the bronze medal.

Men's RS:X (Windsurfer)

Tom Ashley of New Zealand leads a group of five competitors in the hunt for a gold medal with Wednesday's medal race looming.

The New Zealander is three points ahead of Nick Dempsey from Great Britain and four ahead of Julien Bontemps from France, both also favored for a medal with one more race before Wednesday.

Others in contention for a medal at this stage include Shahar Zubari of Israel whose light wind superiority had him in the regatta lead until two days ago. Ricardo Santos of Brazil is fifth.

Women's RS:X (Windsurfer)

Three-time Olympic medalist Alessandra Sensini of Italy took the lead from Chinese Yin Jian on Monday with the double-points medal race scheduled for Wednesday.

In eight to 15 knot shifty winds and big seas, Sensini was at her best and scored a 2-5 result to sail past Yin who is at her best in light air.

Yin is only two points off the lead after 8-8 results in races eight and nine. Conditions will favour Yin on Tuesday as weather forecasters predict winds will diminish later in the day.

Another light-air performer, Jessica Crisp of Australia dropped two spots on Monday. World No. 1, Marina Alabau of Spain, took over third place from Crisp, while Bryony Shaw of Great Britain moved into fourth place, leaving the Australian in fifth.

Only 11 points separate the top five sailors, all of whom were favored for medals before the Games.

Goodison too good, dominates fleet for Laser gold

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 15:45:20

Goodison celebrates. (Photo credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

(QINGDAO, August 19) -- Paul Goodison of Great Britain clinched gold in the Laser (Men's One Person Dinghy) with a ninth finish in the medal race and an overall point total of 63, eight points ahead of Vasilij Zbogar of Slovenia who finished second in the medal place to claim silver. Goodison, who finished fourth in Athens, added to Great Britain's impressive gold medal -- making it three gold so far for his NOC. Diego Romero of Italy, an early leader in the regatta, grabbed bronze with 75 points overall.

Goodison came into the medal race 18 points ahead of his nearest rival, so all he had to do was keep Rasmus Myrgren of Sweden from finishing first. The Briton sat on top of his Swedish adversary throughout the two lap windward/leeward course at the back end of the fleet.

"It was quite tricky and pretty stressful," Goodison admitted. "I waited to make sure that I got the gold at the end of the day -- and there was only way to guarantee it. Sweden knew it was coming too -- but I just had to do what I had to do."

Goodison's actions also cost the Swede a medal even though Myrgren went into the race in second place overall.

Race winner Andrew Murdoch of New Zealand threw everything at Zbogar to try get rid of of the Slovenian in the light shifty airs, knowing it would cost him the bronze medal, but like Myrgren, the New Zealander missed out.

"It was really shifty, so it was hard to choose which course to take," the Slovenian sailor said. "I was able to sail my own race, as Britain was keeping an eye on Sweden. I think I had an advantage because I have already won bronze at Athens, so I didn't feel pressure and make mistakes."

Li wins fourth Olympic gold medal of his career

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:32:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-19 19:06:20

Li Xiaopeng celebrates his victory.

(BEIJING, August 19) -- China's Li Xiaopeng won the Men's Parallel Bars tonight, guaranteeing his place in history as one of China's most decorated gymnasts. Li has won two gold medals at Beijing 2008, which is on top of his two gold medals at Sydney 2000.

Li scored 16.450 for a less difficult routine but had a very high level of execution. Yoo Won-chul of the Republic of Korea won the silver medal with a score of 16.250. Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan won the bronze medal with a score of 16.200.

Li, the favorite for the gold medal going into the event, was the last of the eight gymnasts to perform. Li proved himself to be the consummate professional by carrying out a near-flawless performance. After landing cleanly, Li clenched his fists in joy because he knew that he had just secured the fourth gold medal of his career and the eighth gold medal for China in the Artistic Gymnastics competition at Beijing 2008.

Before the event, Yoo and his compatriot Yang Tae-young were seen as Li's only threats for the gold medal. Yang performed too many mistakes in his routine and landed poorly, thus he received the second-lowest score of 15.650. Yoo performed better, winning the silver medal but proving no match for the superlative Li.

At his first Olympic Games, Fokin was a surprise bronze medalist. The 25-year-old gymnast performed a solid routine, capitalizing on the opportunity presented by the mistakes of reigning world champion Mitja Petkovsek of Slovenia and Nikolay Kryukov of Russia. Kryukov's mistake was especially bad as he completely missed the bars and fell to the ground.

Rowing Day 8 Preview: Shunyi offers seven more gold medals

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:47:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-17 00:35:33

(BEIJING, August 16) – The final seven gold medals of the Olympic Rowing regatta will be awarded in Shunyi on Sunday, August 17 with the Lightweight Women's Double Sculls leading the way.

Lightweight Women's Double Sculls

Netherlands, Canada, China and Finland are expected to contest the Lightweight Women's Double Sculls Gold medal. The Dutch crew is a slight favorite after registering the fastest heat time on Sunday and by following it up with the fastest time of the semifinals. They had to work hard to overcome a pace-setting Finland in the semifinal, but their confidence will be boosted by the way they lifted over the last 350m.

Canada and Finland have both improved as the week has progressed while China has had a steady regatta and could be among the medals. Germany could surprise on the day while Greece may find the going too tough.

Lightweight Men's Double Sculls

Great Britain is the favorite in the Lightweight Men's Double Sculls. They were the fastest of the four heat winners on Sunday and convincingly won their semifinal over Italy and Cuba on Friday. 2006 and 2007 world champions Denmark will start in the fifth lane after a less than perfect semifinal row, but the pair remain genuine gold medal contenders.

Greece won the second semifinal on Friday. The world championship silver medalists should be in the race for a medal while Italy, Cuba and China will need to find a turn of speed to book a place on the victory dais.

Lightweight Men's Four

Denmark will start the Lightweight Men's Four A-final as favorites after posting the fastest times of the heats and semifinals. The crew has done everything right this week, but will find its strongest gold medal opposition in Poland, Canada and France.

World champions Great Britain and Netherlands will start in the first and sixth lanes, respectively, but can't be discounted. Only three seconds separated the six qualifiers after the semifinal -- an indicator as to how close Sunday's gold medal contest will be.

Women's Quadruple Sculls

Great Britain's world champion Women's Quadruple Sculls crew will be out to make history on Sunday by being the first women's Rowing crew from that NOC to win an Olympic gold medal. Their form this week suggests they could do just that, but they will first need to overcome China, who posted the fastest qualifying time with their runaway six-second heat win over Ukraine.

Germany and the United States should be in the running for medals while Australia and Ukraine appear the least likely.

Men's Quadruple Sculls

With only two seconds separating the six starters after the semifinals, the Men's Quadruple Sculls final A is shaping up as one of the closest races of the regatta.

Poland has been the most consistent crew this week with a heat and semifinal win, but second semifinal winner Italy, Australia and the United States have never been far behind. It is a very open race and it wouldn't surprise if Germany and France also challenged from their outside lanes.

Women's Eight

Romania and the United States are equal favorites for the Women's Eight gold medal after storming into final A with impressive heat wins on Monday.

A win for Romania would secure their fourth Women's Eight Olympic title in a row and victory for the United States would avenge the silver medal won at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

A Romanian victory would also be the sixth career Olympic Gold medal for Georgeta Andrunache and the fifth for Viorica Susanu after their victory in Saturday's Women's Pair.

Canada and Netherlands seem the most likely gold medal hurdles to the two favorites while Great Britain and Australia have not been far off the pace all week and could medal.

Men's Eight

World champions Canada will be out to reverse a 35-year-old trend that has seen no current world champion Men's Eight collect Olympic Gold the following year. Their commanding seven second heat win over Poland on Monday would indicate they are just the crew to do it.

Great Britain delivered a similarly impressive four-second heat win over the United States and enter Sunday's race as co-favorites.

Equestrian Day 9 Preview: Defending Jumping Team champions US tipped again

noreply@blogger.com (Positive Sylhet) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Updated: 2008-08-17 00:37:40

(HONG KONG, August 16) -- The Jumping competition for Team and Individual medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games continues over the second qualifier at the HK Equestrian Venue (Shatin) on Sunday. Seventy-seven riders will negotiate the course.

Defending gold medalist the United States starts as the favorite after three clear rounds in the first qualifier. The team has two of its Athens 2004 pairs, Beezie Madden riding Authentic and McLain Ward with Sapphire, competing.

Germany needs to put on a better performance to recapture the gold medal they lost at the Athens 2004 Games when Ludger Beerbaum and Goldfever were disqualified. The team starts only from 11th position.

Switzerland is banking on Christina Liebherr and Steve Guerdat, who qualified in the second spot along with Brazil and Canada.

Winner of the 2007 Pan American Games, Brazil is in good form, with only one time fault for defending Individual gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa riding Rufus in the qualifying round.

The Netherlands only has one original member of its world champion team riding: Gerco Schroder.

Canada, second to Brazil in the 2007 Pan American Games, had two clear rounds in the qualifier, including one from World No. 3 Eric Lamaze.

Jos Lansik from Belgium is a definite prospect for an Individual medal after a steady round on Cumano.

Sole Irish representative Denis Lynch is another contender for the Individual medal. He and 10-year-old gelding Lantinus went clear in the qualifier.

The competition on Sunday forms the first of two rounds for the Team medals and, at the same time, sorts the Individual rankings of all riders.

The competition begins at 7:15 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8). The first competitor into the arena is Karim El Zoghby from Egypt, riding Aladin.