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Justin Gatlin of the US wins the gold medal in the 100 m dash, at 9.85. Shawn Crawford, in the middle, was fourth and Francis Obikwelu, running for Portugal, took the silver.
The Good...
Mizuki Noguchi of Japan won the gold medal, Catherine Ndereba of Kenya took the silver, and American Deena Kastor won an unexpected bronze, Sunday night, in the Olympic marathon, on the classic course, from marathon to Athens, that finished at the marble Panathinaikon Stadium. Heavy favorite Paula RadclifMe of Great Britain quit about 6 km from the finish, beaten by the oppressive heat and humidity that made Athens unbearable yesterday.
The Bad...
Women's shot put winner Irina Korzhaenko of Russia was stripped of the gold medal yesterday, after she failed a drug test. Arne Ljungqvist, president of the IOC's medical commission, told the AFP news agency "it's very sad and it tarnishes what was intended to be a very symbolic event," referring to the fact that the event was held at the ancient Stadium of Olympia.
Leonidas Sampanis, the Greek bronze medallist in weightlifting, was stripped of his medal by the IOC after he tested positive for abnormal testosterone levels.
nyloo's daily Olympic Diary
It was the fastest day in history yesterday in Athens.
Well, OK, it was the fastest 10 seconds in history.
Consider the facts:
In the men's 100 meters final the first four were clocked at less than 9.90 seconds. Five of the eight athletes finished in less than 10 seconds and one finished in exactly 10 seconds.
It was the fastest race in history. It had barely begun when it finished. It was blazing fast. It lasted for less than it takes you to breath. Oh my, it was fast.
A 22-year old American newcomer, Justin Gatlin, won it, at 9.85, with Maurice Greene, the reigning Olympic champion coming third, at 9.87. Francis Obikwelu, formerly of Nigeria and currently of Portugal, took silver at 9.86. The third American, Shawn Crawford, was fourth at 9.89.
It was a great day for sprints and jumps yesterday in Athens, as the thermometer climbed to 39 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and the humidity was more than 70%.
The spectators at the individual jump event in the equestrian competition suffered patiently through the morning heat but watched great performances by 77 of the best riders in the world, at what is widely believed to be the top equestrian facility anywhere. Mercifully, the day was over before 1 p.m., and everybody huddled to the safety and comfort of air conditioning.
Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain, the world record holder in the women's marathon, was not so lucky. She collapsed about 6 km from the Panathinaikon Stadium, exhausted from the heat and humidity.
