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Olympic Athletics (Track and Field) Recaps: 28 July (Day 9)

Men's Hammer Throw Final

Early Big Throw by Kiss Stands for Gold

Balazs KISS (HUN) took the lead on his second throw and watched it stand for the next four rounds to win the gold medal in the men's hammer throw. KISS seized the lead at 80.50 meters in round two, and then stretched it in round three with his winning distance, 81.24 meters. He becomes the fourth Hungarian to win the Olympic event. The United States' Lance DEAL provided the biggest threat, throwing 81.12 on his final attempt to win the silver medal. DEAL barely qualified for his final three throws, tying for the eighth and last spot on his third throw, after fouling on his first two attempts.

Medalists: Gold, Balazs KISS (HUN), 81.24; Lance DEAL (USA),81.12; Oleksiy KRYKUN (UKR), 80.02.

"It wasn't a good feeling to see Deal throwing the last one so far," said KISS. "As the fourth Hungarian, I'm extremely hapy to be on the rostrum as the great Hungarians of the past."


Men's High Jump Final

Last Ditch Olympic Record Earns Austin the Gold

Charles AUSTIN (USA) jumped Olympic record 2.39 to overcome Poland's Artur PARTYKA in the men's high jump. With two misses at 2.37 and PARTYKA clear on his second attempt, AUSTIN used his last jump at 2.39, and was way over the bar. PARTYKA chose to pass to 2.41 after initially failing at 2.39, but missed his two remaining attempt to settle for silver. The Olympic champion took three attempts at a world record 2.46, none of them appearing close.

Medalists: Gold, Charles AUSTIN (USA), 2.39; Silver, Artur PARTYKA (POL), 2.37; Steve SMITH (GBR), 2.35.


Women's 5,000 Meters Final

Wang Regains World Class Form

In a return to the top, WANG Junxia (CHN) pulled away on the final two laps to win the inaugural Olympic women's 5,000 meters in 14:59.88. WANG and silver medalist Pauline KONGA (KEN) built a big gap midway through the race, assuring the top two spots. Roberta BRUNET (ITA) was the quickest over the final 300 meters, outkicking a pack consisting of Michiko SHIMIZU (JPN), Paula RADCLIFFE (GBR) and Yelena ROMANOVA (RUS) for the bronze medal. Pre-meet favorite Sonia O'SULLIVAN (IRL) looked labored and retired late in the race.

Medalists: Gold, WANG Junxia (CHN), 14:59.88; Pauline KONGA (KEN), 15:03.99; Roberta BRUNET (ITA), 15:07.52


Women's Heptathlon Final

Shouaa's Long Javelin Throw Sparks Comeback

Coming back from a poor long jump performance when she slipped into second, Ghada SHOUAA (SYR) broke a national record in the javelin to win the gold in the heptathlon. SHOUAA picked up 188 points on Natalya SAZANOVICH (BLR) in the javelin, and a solid 800m performance in the final event ensured the first Olympic gold medal for a Syrian woman.

Medalists: Gold, Ghad SHOUAA (SYR), 6780; Natalya SAZANOVICH (BLR), 6563; Denise LEWIS (GBR), 6489.


Men's Long Jump Qualifying

Lewis Seizes Finals Spot, and the Lead, on Final Attempt

In a non-qualifying 14th place with a single try remaining, Carl LEWIS (USA) pulled out an 8.20 to go into Monday's men's long jump final as the leading qualifier. He joins fellow U.S. jumpers Joe GREENE and world record holder Mike POWELL in the final 12.

Top Qualifiers: Carl LEWIS (USA), 8.20; Joe GREENE (USA), 8.28; Yuriy NAUMKIN (RUS), 8.21; Mike POWELL (USA), 8.20; Erik NIJS (BEL), 8.16; HUANG Geng (CHN), 8.12.


Men's 110 Meters Hurdles Qualifying

Clash Among Top Hurdlers Still On

Two rounds of the men's 110 meters hurdles were run on Sunday, with only Tony JARRETT (GBR) eliminated in the quarterfinals. World champion Allen JOHNSON (USA) and world record holder Colin JACKSON (GBR) won their quarterfinal races easily, while Mark CREAR (USA) and Florian SCHWARTHOFF (GER) recorded the two fastest times at 13.14 and 13.27, respectively. JARRETT crashed a hurdle in his quarterfinal and tumbled to the track.

Top Qualifiers: Mark CREAR (USA), 13.14; Florian SCHWARTHOFF (GER), 13.27; Allen JOHNSON (USA) 13.27; Emilio VALLE (CUB), 13.29; Colin JACKSON (GBR), 13.33; Sven PIETERS (BEL), 13.36.

"I had a cramp after my heats. In the second round, I went over the first three hurdles fine, but when I thought to myself to go for a bit more, I hit a hurdle and landed a bit wrongly and I felt my right thigh cramp. It just collapsed and that ended it," said JARRETT on his quarterfinals fall.


Men's 800 Meters Qualifying

Round One Does Little to Establish Clear Candidate

In an event with no overwhelming favorite, Sunday's 800 meters qualifying did little to clear the picture. Norway's Vebjoern RODAL looked the best in easily triumphing in heat one, although David KIPTOO (KEN) ran a quick 1:45.11 in heat four.

Top Qualifiers: David KIPTOO (KEN), 1:45.11; Giuseppe D'URSO (ITA), 1:45.27; Vebjoern RODAL (NOR), 1:45.30; Philip KIBITOK (KEN), 1:45.34; Nico MOTCHEBON (GER), 1:45.82; Benyounes LAHLOU (MAR), 1:45.85.


Men's 400 Meters Semifinals

A Johnson-Black Showdown?

There was little doubt about the top two 400 meter runners in Sunday night's semifinal, with Roger BLACK (GBR) and Michael JOHNSON (USA) dashing to convincing heat wins. BLACK kicked off the action with a 44.59 run, while JOHNSON literally jogged the last 70 meters of his race to also run 44.59. Three other runners broke 45 seconds on their way to the final. World record holder Butch REYNOLDS (USA) did not finish his semifinal due to injury.

Top Qualifiers: Michael JOHNSON (USA), 44.59; Roger BLACK (GBR), 44.59; Roxbert MARTIN (JAM), 44.81; Davis KAMOGA (UGA), 44.85; Davian CLARKE (JAM), 44.87; Iwan THOMAS (GBR), 45.01; Ibraham ISMAIL (QAT), 45.02; Alvin HARRISON (USA), 45.04.


Women's 400 Meters Semifinals

Perec, Graham Set up for Showdown in Finals

Marie-Jose PEREC (FRA) ran the fastest time of the year, and Cathy FREEMAN (AUS) ran a relaxed semifinal race as the two set up a showdown for Monday's women's 400 gold medal. PEREC ran a smooth 49.19 win, towing two others under 50 seconds. FREEMAN, seen as the biggest challenger for the Olympic title, jogged home to take her heat.

Top Qualifiers: Marie-Jose PEREC (FRA), 49.19; Falilat OGUNKOYA (NGR), 49.57; Pauline DAVIS (BAH), 49.85; Jearl MILES (USA), 50.21, Cathy FREEMAN (AUS), 50.32, Fatima YUSUF (NGR), 50.36; Sandie RICHARDS (JAM), 50.74; Grit BREUER (GER), 50.75.


Women's Marathon Final

Ethiopian Runner Splashes to Marathon Victory

Fatuma ROBA (ETH) took control one hour into the race and pulled away to win gold in the women's marathon in 2:26:05. Uta PIPPIG (GER) took the early lead under overcast skies and drizzle, building her lead to 20 seconds at 15 kilometers. A pack led by eventual bronze medalist Yuko ARIMORI (JAP) caught PIPPIG shortly after that, but ROGA ran away from the field over the next 5 kilometers, building a 6-second margin that she steadily increased. ARIMORI and Valentina YEGOROVA (RUS) decided the medals by 35 kilometers, with the Russian producing the fastest run-in for the silver in 2:28:05. Germany's Katrin DOERRE-HEINIG fell just short of the bronze, running 2:28:45 to ARIMORI's 2:28:39.

Gold, Fatuma ROBA (ETH), 2:26:05; Silver, Valentina YEGOROVA (RUS), 2:28:05; Bronze, Yuko ARIMORI (JAP), 2:28:39.

See story.

"Before the race I was afraid of the others with better times but soon I realized that they were not running fast today. I picked up my speed and they did not follow," said ROBA.


Women's 400 Meter Hurdles Qualifying Round

United States Hurdlers Still in Running for a Sweep

All three women from the United States made it through the first round of the 400 meter hurdles, including world recordholder Kim BATTEN, who won Heat 3 in a time of 54.92. BATTEN, along with Tonja BUFORD-BAILEY and Sandra FARMER-PATRICK, are the favorites to sweep the medals, along with Sally GUNNELL (GBR). The former world record holder easily advanced, placing second in Heat 2 at 55.33.

Top Qualifiers: Deon HEMMINGS (JAM), 54.70; Gudrun ARNARDOTTIR (ISL), 54.88; Kim BATTEN (USA), 54.92; Heike MEISSNER (GER), 55.05; Susan SMITH (IRL), 55.22; Tonja BUFORD-BAILEY (USA), 55.23.


Women's Discus Qualifying

Wyludda Top Thrower in Discus Qualifying

Gold medal pick Ilke WYLUDDA (GER) led the way to the discus finals with a throw of 66.78 meters. All 12 finalists surpassed the automatic qualifying mark of 62.00 meters, with all the major names making it in. The leading thrower of 1996, Elya ZVEREVA (BLR), was the seventh qualifier at 62.74 meters.

Top Qualifiers: Ilke WYLUDDA (GER), 66.78; Yanling XIAO (CHN), 65.10; Franka DIETZSCH (GER), 63.94; Anja GUENDLER (GER), 63.80; Nicole GRASU (ROM), 63.00; Lisa-Marie VIZANIARI (AUS), 63.00.

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


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The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts.