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Olympic Athletics Recaps: 29 July (Day 10)

Women's 800m Final

MASTERKOVA Masters 800m Field

Using a giant kick off a slow pace, Svetlana MASTERKOVA (RUS) won the women's 800m gold medal by a comfortable margin. After going through the first 400m in just more than 58 seconds, the field of eight was still together with 200 meters remaining. MASTERKOVA went first, gapping silver medalist Ana Fidelia QUIROT (CUB) seconds. Favorite Maria Lurdes MUTOLA (MOZ) overhauled Kelly HOLMES (GBR) for the bronze in the closing 30 meters.

Final Results: Gold - Svetlana MASTERKOVA (RUS) 1:57.73; Silver - Ana Fidelia QUIROT (CUB), 1:58.11; Bronze -Maria Lurdes MUTOLA (MOZ), 1:58.71.

"The pre-race plan was one of the oldest. Just run with them and wait and see. To my surprise, nobody followed me," said MASTERKOVA.


Women's 400m Final

PEREC Runs Fastest Women's 400m Since 1986

One of the tightest locks for gold at the Olympic Games, France's Marie-Jose PEREC lived up her billing by winning the women's 400 meters. PEREC ran an Olympic record 48.25, becoming the third fastest performer ever and clocking the fastest 400 meter time since 1986. The long striding PEREC pulled away from Cathy FREEMAN (AUS) over the last 80 meters, pulling the Australian and four others under 50 seconds.

Final Results: Gold - Marie-Jose PEREC (FRA), 48.25; Silver - Cathy FREEMAN (AUS), 48.63; Bronze - Falilat OGUNKOYA (NGR), 49.10.


Men's 400m Final

JOHNSON Completes First Half of Double in Dominating Performance

Michael JOHNSON (USA) completed the first half of his quest for an Olympic sprint double, turning in a dominating performance in the men's 400 meters. JOHNSON turned it on at the 200 meter line and finished with an Olympic record 43.49. Roger BLACK (GBR) produced the best finish in the homestretch behind JOHNSON, winning the silver medal at 44.41. Davis KAMOGA (UGA) surprised with the bronze. All seven finishers of the final broke 45 seconds.

Final Results: Gold - Michael JOHNSON (USA), 43.49; Silver - Roger BLACK (GBR), 44.41; Bronze - Davis KAMOGA (UGA), 44.53.

"I feel great. Now I have about 48 hours to get ready (for the 200)," said JOHNSON, now seeking a second gold medal.


Men's Long Jump Final

LEWIS Gets Historic Fourth Gold Medal

After barely making it into the men's long jump final, Carl LEWIS (USA) jumped 8.50 on his third jump to win a historic fourth gold medal and his ninth Olympic gold medal. All of the competition's longest jumps came in the first round of three jumps, with the notable exception of James BECKFORD's (JAM) 8.29, which won him silver in the final frame. Joe GREENE (USA) led briefly with 8.24 in the third round before slipping to the bronze. World record holder Mike POWELL (USA) settled for fifth, while Ivan PEDROSO (CUB) was 12th.

Final Results: Gold - Carl LEWIS (USA), 8.50; Silver - James BECKFORD (JAM), 8.29; Bronze - Joe GREENE (USA), 8.24.

"When I hit that one in the third round, I thought it might make it. But I was prepared to go again if necessary," said LEWIS.


Women's Discus Final

WYLUDDA Wins it Early

Ilke WYLUDDA (GER) put together a consistent series to win a gold medal in the women's discus. The German hit 68.02 on her first spin, good enough to win the competition, and improved to 69.66 in the second frame. She had three other throws more than 66.70. The longest thrower coming in, Elya ZVEREVA (BLR), hung on for third, nipping fourth placer Franka DIETZSCH (GER) by 16 centimeters.

Final Results: Gold - Ilke WYLUDDA (GER), 69.66; Silver - Natalya SADOVA (RUS), 66.48; Bronze - Elya ZVEREVA (BLR), 65.64.


Men's 110m Hurdles Final

JOHNSON Chops Wood, but Still Hurdles to Big Margin

It wasn't pretty, but Allen JOHNSON (USA) confirmed his status as the best hurdler in the world by winning the men's 110 meters hurdles. JOHNSON started quickly and had a clear lead by the third barrier. He only widened his margin despite hitting every hurdle after that, including a dangerous collision on 10th. The gold medal winner pulled the field behind him to the fastest mass finish in Olympic history. World record holder Colin JACKSON (GBR) fell out of the medals by just .02.

Final Results: Gold - Allen JOHNSON (USA), 12.95; Silver - Mark CREAR (USA), 13.09; Bronze - Florian SCHWARTHOFF (GER), 13.17.


Men's 10,000m Final

Awesome Second Half by GEBRSELASSIE

A second half that would have won gold medals in all but one Olympic 5000 meters final, powered Haile GEBRSELASSIE (ETH) to the 10,000 meter gold medal. After a pedestrian first 5000 meters, the running really began, with a pack of six, including GEBRSELASSIE and eventual silver medalist Paul TERGAT (KEN) able to hang on. TERGAT bolted with 2 kilometers left, dragging only the Ethiopian. GEBRSELASSIE ended the guessing with 450 meters and eased to the tape in an Olympic record 27:07.34. GEBRSELASSIE ran his second half in the 13:12 range, giving Ethiopia a second distance gold.

Final Results: Gold - Haile GEBRSELASSIE (ETH), 27:07.34; Silver - Paul TERGAT (KEN), 27:08.17; Bronze - Salah HISSOU (MAR), 27:28.59.


Women's 100m Hurdles Quarterfinal

ENQUIST Proves Herself as Biggest Threat to DEVERS

With the world's fastest time of the year in the quarterfinals, Ludmila ENQUIST (SWE) established herself as the biggest threat to preventing a 100 meters/100 meters hurdles double by Gail DEVERS (USA). But DEVERS showed that she's on top of her form, waltzing to victory in her heat. Brigita BUKOVEC (SLO) and Michelle FREEMAN (JAM) were the other quarterfinal winners. Sandra FARMER-PATRICK (USA) and Sally GUNNELL (GBR) did not get into the final. FARMER-PATRICK was a non-qualifying fifth in her heat, while GUNNELL did not finish due to injury.


Men's 800m Semifinal

Contestants Set for Wide Open 800 Competition

The men's 800 meters semifinals did little to establish a lock for the gold medal race, scheduled for Wednesday. Norberto TELLEZ (CUB) was the fastest at 1:43.79, with Benyounes LAHLOU (MAR) and Hezekiel SEPENG (RSA) also heat winners. Vebjoern RODAL (NOR), the prohibitive pick for gold, just squeezed in the final, finishing third in his section in 1:43.96.


Women's 400m Hurdles Semifinal

Final Will be Packed with Talent, but a Couple of Big Names Missing

The world record holder will run Wednesday's women's 400 meters hurdles, but two stars did not advance from the semifinals. Deon HEMMINGS (JAM) displayed the best form, winning the first section in 52.99, an Olympic record and only .38 seconds off Kim BATTEN's (USA) world standard. BATTEN had no trouble making it through, running the day's third fastest time with a 53.65 qualifier.


Men's 3000m Steeplechase Qualifying

Identical Heats Produce Few Surprises

Three moderately paced steeplechase heats advanced all of the major players. The six fastest qualifying times came from heat two, with world record holder Moses KIPTANUI (KEN) progressing out of heat three at 8:30.87.


Women's 10,000m Walk Final

Nikoleyeva Improves to Gold in Women's Walk

Barcelona runner-up Yelena NIKOLEYEVA (RUS) moved up one spot in winning the women's 10,000m walk at the Olympic Games. She strode to an Olympic record 41:48 and became Russia's first gold medal winner in athletics. NIKOLEYEVA took the lead midway through the race, defeating Elisabetta PERRONE (ITA) by 24 seconds. Two Chinese walkers crossed the line together for the bronze, with WANG Yan getting the nod over teammate GAO Hongmiao.

Medalists: Gold, Yelena NIKOLEYEVA (RUS), 41:48; Silver, Elisabetta PERRONE (ITA)42:12; Bronze, WANG Yan (CHN), 42:19.

"What a wonderful morning it was! There was not the famous Atlanta heat at all," said winner NIKOLEYEVA.


Women's Triple Jump Qualifying

High Quality Field Heads Into Final

Six women jumped 14.50 meters or further to lead triple jump qualifying Monday morning. Twelve competitors reached the automatic qualifying mark of 14.20 meters. Inna LASOVSKAYA (RUS) reached 14.75 meters on her initial attempt, while Iva PRANDZHEVA (BUL) hit 14.61. Missing out on qualifying were former world record holder Anna BIRYUKOVA (RUS) and Galina CISTJAKOVA (SLO).

Top Qualifiers: Inna LASOVSKAYA (RUS), 14.75; Iva PRANDZHEVA (BUL), 14.61; Olena GOVOROVA (UKR), 14.60; Inessa KRAVATS (UKR), 14.57; REN Ruiping (CHN), 14.56; Olga VASKEKI (GRE), 14.48.


Men's 1500 Meters Qualifying

Rotich Qualifies Fastest, but Morceli Looks Unbeatable

Kenyan Laban ROTICH ran 3:35.88 to record the quickest Olympic qualifying time ever, but world record holder Noureddine MORCELI (ALG) was firmly in control as both men won their 1500 meters heats. MORCELI was the slowest heat winner in 3:41.95, but he easily outsprinted the field for a relaxed victory. Defending Olympic champion Fermin CACHO (ESP) also advanced by winning his heat.

Top Qualifiers: Laban ROTICH (KEN), 3:35.88; Marko KOERS (NED), 3:36.18; Ali HAKIMI (TUN), 3:36.58; Stephen KIPKORIR (KEN), 3:36.70; Balazs TOLGYESI (HUN), 3:36.71; Driss MAAZOUZI (MAR), 3:37.08.


Men's Discus Qualifying

World Champion Gets Top Mark

A proven big meet thrower, three time world champion Lars RIEDEL (GER) led men's discus qualifying Monday morning. RIEDEL had a long throw of 64.66 meters. Anthony WASHINGTON (USA), the longest in the world this year, was the third qualifier at 63.66 meters. Notable non-qualifiers included Nick SWEENEY (IRL), who missed the finals by one place, Adewale OLUKOJY (NGR), Michael MOLLENBECK (GER) and Olympic shot put silver medalist John GODINA (USA).

Top Qualifiers: Lars RIEDEL (GER), 64.66; Virgilijus ALEKNA (LTU), 64.50; Anthony WASHINGTON (USA), 63.66; Vitaliy SIDOROV (UKR), 63.42; Vladimir DUBROVSCHIK (BLR), 63.22; Attila HORVATH (HUN), 62.90.


Men's 400 Meters Hurdles Qualifying

Matete Continues Hot Hurdling

Looking almost unbeatable this season, Zambia's Samuel MATETE turned in the fastest time in men's 400m hurdles qualifying Monday. Rival Derrick ADKINS (USA), last year's top-ranked hurdler, was second quickest at 48.46. Winthrop GRAHAM (JAM) went down in his heat with an injury and did not qualify.

Top Qualifiers: Samuel MATETE (ZAM), 48.21; Derrick ADKINS (USA), 48.46; Eronilde DE AURJO (BRA), 48.52; Everson TEIXEIRA (BRA), 48.52; Ibou FAYE (SEN), 48.84; Rohan ROBINSON (AUS), 48.89.


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


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