ACOG - News - IBM

(26 July 1996; Day 7)

Sprint Stars Shine on Opening Day of Athletics Competition

Sprinting was anticipated to be the major attraction at the Olympic Games, owing to big-name stars competing under favorable weather conditions on a fast track. The medal candidates got the track they expected on the opening day of athletics, but they must have been disappointed in the weather, which served up swirling winds and intermittent rain.

But the sprint stars didn't let down the prognosticators, or the fans, in Atlanta. In heats and quarterfinals for the men's and women's 100m, and quarterfinals for the men's and women's 400m, most of the favorites remained in the hunt for medals.

Michael JOHNSON (USA), who hasn't lost a 400m final since 1989, virtually walked the final 20 meters of his heat to move on to the quarterfinals. He will be joined there by world record holder Butch REYNOLDS (USA), who took a similarly relaxed approach to the closing meters of his race. Roger BLACK (GBR), who may rank in popularity only behind triple jumper Jonathan EDWARDS among athletics fans in Great Britain, looked very strong in taking his section. Marie-Jose PEREC (FRA), the overwhelming favorite in the women's 400m, also had an easy time moving into Saturday's quarterfinal round.

The men's 100m assembles the greatest talent in sprint history, with 11 entrants having broken 10 seconds. After two rounds today, the semifinals are packed, with every major competitor advancing. Frank FREDERICKS (NAM), the hottest sprinter on the international circuit this summer, ran a smooth-looking 9.93 in the second round, while Ato BOLDON (TRI) was just as relaxed with his 9.95 quarterfinal victory. The three United States sprinters, Michael MARSH, Dennis MITCHELL and Jon DRUMMOND also successfully moved on, along with defending Olympic champion Linford CHRISTIE (GBR) and world champion Donovan BAILEY (CAN).

A comparable field in the women's 100m is in Atlanta, with nine competitors owning marks under 11 seconds. All of the major players advanced easily, except 1992 finalist Irina PRIVALOVA (RUS), who looked sluggish in both rounds and claimed the last spot into the semifinals. Gail DEVERS (USA), the Barcelona gold medalist, had the fastest time in the quarterfinals, while Gwen TORRENCE, the United States champion, and Merlene OTTEY (JAM) will both appear in the semifinals. TORRENCE, battling injuries which kept her from a sprint double in the 200m, said: "The first round was pretty good up to 50 meters, but then I had a cramp in my left hamstring. In the second race, I did not want to put a lot of pressure on my leg. I just tried to get relaxed and make the next round."

Two finals were contested on the opening day of athletics at the Olympic Games, beginning with the men's 20km walk, where Jefferson PEREZ (ECU) pulled off a huge upset, pulling away from a five-man pack with a kilometer to go for the win. "When I took the lead, I felt very tired, as if I was half asleep," said PEREZ. "Then I thought, this is my dream, I have to go for it even if I die."

In the day's other final, Randy BARNES (USA) responded with a big 21.62 meters (70-11-1/4) to win the gold medal in the men's shot put. Barnes surpassed teammate John GODINA (USA), who had seized the lead from Italian Paolo DAL SOGLIO, won the silver, while Oleksander BAGACH (UKR), also came up big on his last throw, knocking DAL SOGLIO out of the medals.

"This was the competition to end all competitions," said BARNES. "What a dramatic way to finish."

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


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Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.