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Olympic Athletics Recaps: 3 August (Day 15)

Women's High Jump Final

Kostadinova Finally Wins an Olympic Title

Completely mastering the Olympic high jump field, world record holder Stefka KOSTADINOVA (BUL) jumped 2.05 meters for the gold medal. The Bulgarian went without a miss through 2.03 before clearing 2.05 on her second attempt. She led silver medalist Niki BAKOGIANNI (GRE), who needed three attempts at 2.03 and had two misses at lower heights. KOSTADINOVA's is a new Olympic record, and her three tries at a world record 2.10 meters were not close.

Gold--Stefka KOSTADINOVA (BUL), 2.05; Silver--Niki BAKOGIANNI (GRE), 2.03; Bronze--Inha BABAKOVA (UKR), 2.01.


Men's Javelin Final

Zelezny First Javelin Defender Since 1924

World record holder Jan ZELEZNY (CZE) became the first man to defend his Olympic javelin title with an 88.16-meter throw on Saturday. After intentionally fouling his first throw and trailing Steve BACKLEY (GBR), who hit 87.44 meters on his opener, ZELEZNY rifled the winner in round two. Seppo RATY (FIN), sitting in fifth most of the evening, threw 86.98 meters on his last attempt to move up to the bronze medal.

Gold--Jan ZELEZNY (CZE), 88.16; Silver--Steve BACKLEY (GBR), 87.44; Bronze-- Seppo RATY (FIN), 86.98.

"I am very keen to meet the coach of the Atlanta Braves and then two days later see the result of my pitching trial. It will be a new challenge," said ZELEZNY, who has scheduled a tryout with baseball's Atlanta Braves.


Women's 4 x 100m Relay Final

Talent-Deep United States Team Runs Away With Relay

Helped by Gwen TORRENCE's (USA) quick anchor leg, the United States easily won the women's 4 x 100m relay by 0.20 seconds over the Bahamas. The United States overcame shaky passing, particularly on the third exchange between 100m gold medalist Gail DEVERS and Inger MILLER. Chryste GAINES led off for the gold medal winning U.S. team.

Gold--United States, 41.95; Silver--Bahamas, 42.14; Bronze--Jamaica, 42.24

"We trained hard the last few days, especially on handoffs. This is what we got from four day's practice. The relay is a fun, team effort," said United States leadoff runner Chryste GAINES.


Men's 4 x 100m Relay Final

Canada Hands United States First Short Relay Defeat

Canada handed the United States its first ever defeat in the men's 4 x 100m relay to win the gold medal on Saturday evening. Using an outstanding second leg from Glenroy GILBERT, and 100m world record holder Donovan BAILEY on the anchor, the Canadians sped to the sixth-fastest 4 x 100 meters relay time ever. Brazil was the surprise bronze medalist, running 38.41 seconds.

Gold--Canada, 37.69; Silver--United States, 38.05; Bronze--Brazil, 38.41.

"The U.S. relay was on their home turf and concerned with whether Carl LEWIS would be on their team or not, that they forgot that the other teams were running too," said Canada's Donovan BAILEY.


Men's 1500m Final

Morceli Survives Collision, Unchallenged on Finish

World record holder Noureddine MORCELI (ALG), who needed only an Olympic medal to add to his collection of honors, got gold by running away in the final lap of the men's 1500 meters. With everyone still in it after a slow (2:01 seconds) first 800 meters, MORCELI was nearly tripped as Hicham EL GUERROUJ (MAR) ran up on his heels. The experienced used the collision to his advantage, taking a quick look back and then speeding away from the field. After MORCELI, defending Olympic champion Fermin CACHO (ESP) showed the best speed, earning the silver medal.

Gold--Noureddine MORCELI (ALG), 3:35.78; Silver--Fermin CACHO (ESP), 3:36.40; Bronze--Stephen KIPKORIR (KEN), 3:36.72.

"I am the happiest man in Atlanta. I achieved my goal, surprisingly much easier than I had thought before the race," said MORCELI. "I have offers to run the 5000 in the rest of the season, but as of so far I am not yet decided but for sure I will be in Zurich at either the mile or 1500."


Women's 1500m Final

Masterkova's Fast Finish Good for Second Gold

Writing the same script that she used in winning 800m gold medal, Svetlana MASTERKOVA (RUS) used her quick closing speed to win the women's 1500m title in 4:00.83. MASTEKOVA broke up a tightly bunched pack with 200 meters left, and just 40 meters later, the medalists were decided. Gabriela SZABO (ROM) and Theresia KIESEL (AUT) were the only two women to follow in earning silver and bronze medals.

Gold-- Svetlana MASTERKOVA (RUS), 4:00.83; Silver--Gabriela SZABO (ROM), 4:01.54; Bronze--Theresia KIESL (AUT), 4:03.02.

"Together with my coach we were pretty sure to get a medal over 800 but not one in the 1500. To win this one was much harder because it was my sixth race here," said MASTERKOVA.


Men's 5000m Final

Niyongabo Makes Smart Decision in Moving Up to 5000

Making the move from the 1500 meters to avoid the nearly unbeatable Noureddine MORCELI (ALG), Venuste NIYONBAGO (BDI) used his miler's speed to win gold in the men's 5000m. Sitting on a slow pace through 4000 meters that left 11 men still in contention for a medal, NIYONGABO sat safely in the pack, turning a 52-second last lap and easing across the tape. Paul BITOK (KEN) outran Khalid BOULAMI (MAR) over the final 200 meters for the silver.

Gold--Venuste NIYONGABO (BDI), 13:07.96; Silver--Paul BITOK (KEN), 13:08.16; Bronze--Khalid BOULAMI (MAR), 13:08.37.

"The reason for changing to the 5000 was that, though I was running well, I was still just third in the world. Now I know that my selection was right," said NIYONGABO.


Women's 4 x 400m Relay Final

Third Leg Comeback Wins Gold for United States

Nigeria took it out the hardest, but the United States' Kim GRAHAM split a 49.5-second third leg to pull her team to the women's 4 x 400m gold medal. Fatima YUSUF (NGR) gave her team a 5-meter margin over the United States before GRAHAM put the United States ahead at the final exchange. Jearl MILES (USA) stretched the advantage, but almost succumbed to Falilat OGUNKOYA (NGR) in the last 3 meters, giving the United States a winning edge of just 0.13 seconds.

Gold--United States, 3:20.91; Silver--Nigeria, 3:21.04; Bronze--Germany, 3:21.14.


Men's 4 x 400m Relay Final

United States Prevails in Relay Dual With Great Britain

In a classic battle between the world's two top 400m powers, the United States held off Great Britain in the final 80 meters for the men's 4 x 400 relay gold medal. The two teams were matched evenly through the first two legs before Derek MILLS (USA) gave his team a 4-meter lead on the third carry. But Great Britain's Roger BLACK, the silver medalist in the 400 meters, made that up and was poised to pass coming out of the final bend. Anthuan MAYBANK (USA) steadily pulled away in the stretch, repulsing BLACK's charge. LaMont SMITH and Alvin HARRISON ran the first two legs for the United States, which turned in the third-fastest time in history.

Gold--United States, 2:55.99; Silver--Great Britain, 2:56.60; Bronze--Jamaica, 2:59.42.


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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