The U.S. women's soccer team defeated Canada 4-3 in an extra-time thriller that is bound for the history books.
Despite trailing the Canadians in the first half, the U.S. team held on and forced the game into extra time, where several failed attempts on both sides culminated in a last-minute header by Alex Morgan that sailed narrowly over the hand of Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod.
The United States will contend for a gold medal Thursday against the Japanese, who defeated the French team 2-1 in the other semifinal match.
The gold-medal match will be a chance for revenge for the Americans, just one year after Japan beat them 3-1 in the 2011 World Cup final.In the 123rd minute, Morgan nodded a cross from Heather O'Reilly into the back of the net to produce the first U.S. lead of the match. Having rallied from deficits all night long at Old Trafford in Manchester, the U.S. women are moving on to face Japan after a thrilling 4-3 win. It took until the second half for the game to completely set alight, and Team USA scored straight from a Megan Rapinoe corner to equalize. Christine Sinclair made it 2-1 to Canada soon after, before Rapinoe equalized again.
Sinclair completed her hat-trick to make it 3-2 before Wambach equalized a third time from the penalty spot.
So it went to extra time and a fiercely competed two periods looked to be heading for penalties before Morgan stepped forward to book Team USA's place in the final and break Canadian hearts.
Monday, 6 August 2012
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Usain Bolt Win Gold 2012 Olympics 100 Meters FINAL
Jamaica's Usain Bolt won the gold medal in the most attractive athletic discipline, the 100m in a new Olympic record time of 9.63.
The silver medal was won by another Jamaican Johan Blake at the time 9.75, while the bronze American Justin Gatlin won in 9.79 times.Yohan Blake of Jamaica took silver in 9.75 seconds, with Justin Gatlin of the United States capturing bronze in 9.79 seconds. A training partner of Bolt, Blake equalled a personal best with his runner-up time. Also setting or equalling personal best times were Gatlin and Ryan Bailey of the United States, who finished fifth. Of course, with a who's who of international track stars -- largely hailing from the United States and Jamaica -- it was no surprise to see the scoreboard light up with such stellar times. Bolt's training partner and Jamaican teammate, world champion Yohan Blake, won the silver in 9.75, and 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin of the U.S. took the bronze in 9.79.
''It just feels good to be back,'' said Gatlin, who served a four-year ban after testing positive for excessive testosterone.
''To be honest, I went out there to challenge a mountain. I went out there to challenge the odds. Not just myself and everything I've been through, but the legacy of Usain Bolt,'' Gatlin said. ''I had to go out there and be fearless.''Bolt and Blake will be back Tuesday in the 200 meters. Gatlin and Gay return for the 4 x 100 relay Friday and Saturday.
More American disappointment came in the semifinals of the men's 400 meters, where USC's Byshon Nellum and University of Florida's Tony McQuay failed to make the cut for Monday night's final. That meant for the first time in Olympic history (save the boycotted 1980 Games), the U.S. will not have a male 400 finalist. The U.S. streak of seven consecutive men's 400 golds is done, too.
The fastest of all 400 qualifiers in 44.58 was Queens resident Lalonde Gordon, running for Trinidad and Tobago.
The day began with the women's marathon. For most of the race, it was a four-woman duel, but Tiki Gelana pulled away and crossed the line in 2:23:07, an Olympic record performance. "As soon as the rain started, I said to myself, thank God," Gelana said. "I loved running in the rain, I've been doing that since I was a small child."
The silver medal was won by another Jamaican Johan Blake at the time 9.75, while the bronze American Justin Gatlin won in 9.79 times.Yohan Blake of Jamaica took silver in 9.75 seconds, with Justin Gatlin of the United States capturing bronze in 9.79 seconds. A training partner of Bolt, Blake equalled a personal best with his runner-up time. Also setting or equalling personal best times were Gatlin and Ryan Bailey of the United States, who finished fifth. Of course, with a who's who of international track stars -- largely hailing from the United States and Jamaica -- it was no surprise to see the scoreboard light up with such stellar times. Bolt's training partner and Jamaican teammate, world champion Yohan Blake, won the silver in 9.75, and 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin of the U.S. took the bronze in 9.79.
''It just feels good to be back,'' said Gatlin, who served a four-year ban after testing positive for excessive testosterone.
''To be honest, I went out there to challenge a mountain. I went out there to challenge the odds. Not just myself and everything I've been through, but the legacy of Usain Bolt,'' Gatlin said. ''I had to go out there and be fearless.''Bolt and Blake will be back Tuesday in the 200 meters. Gatlin and Gay return for the 4 x 100 relay Friday and Saturday.
More American disappointment came in the semifinals of the men's 400 meters, where USC's Byshon Nellum and University of Florida's Tony McQuay failed to make the cut for Monday night's final. That meant for the first time in Olympic history (save the boycotted 1980 Games), the U.S. will not have a male 400 finalist. The U.S. streak of seven consecutive men's 400 golds is done, too.
The fastest of all 400 qualifiers in 44.58 was Queens resident Lalonde Gordon, running for Trinidad and Tobago.
The day began with the women's marathon. For most of the race, it was a four-woman duel, but Tiki Gelana pulled away and crossed the line in 2:23:07, an Olympic record performance. "As soon as the rain started, I said to myself, thank God," Gelana said. "I loved running in the rain, I've been doing that since I was a small child."
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Michael Philips 4x100-Meter Medley Relay London 2012 Olympics Games
Swimming the butterfly leg for the U.S. team in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay, Phelps has completed his program at the London Olympics -- and his swimming career -- with yet another gold medal. That makes 18 gold and 22 total medals over four career trips to the Olympics, including a pair of unprecedented individual three-peats. Having accomplished more than any other Olympian in history, the 27-year-old from Maryland is ready to walk away.
"I told myself I never want to swim when I'm 30," Phelps told reporters after his final race, making it clear that he won't be back in the pool for the 2016 Olympics. "No offense to those people who are 30, but that was something I always said to myself, and that would be in three years. I just don't want to swim for those three years."Entering the London Olympics, the U.S. had never lost the 4x100-meter medley relay. The American team swam in the fourth lane after recording the fastest qualifying time (3:32.65). Turning over the team after that performance, the swimmers representing the U.S. in the final were among the most impressive of the London Games. Phelps swam the fly leg and was joined by Matt Grevers (who had won gold in backstroke), Nathan Adrian (who won gold in freestyle) and Brendan Hansen (who won bronze in the breaststroke). Not surprisingly, this star-studded quartet captured the gold medal, finishing in 3:29.35. Phelps’s meet here started poorly, with a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter individual medley, the first time he had failed to medal in an event since he made his Olympic debut as a 15-year-old at the 2000 Sydney Games. But he finished with six medals in his remaining six events, including golds in his final four races: the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, the 200 individual medley, the 100 butterfly and the medley relay.
"I told myself I never want to swim when I'm 30," Phelps told reporters after his final race, making it clear that he won't be back in the pool for the 2016 Olympics. "No offense to those people who are 30, but that was something I always said to myself, and that would be in three years. I just don't want to swim for those three years."Entering the London Olympics, the U.S. had never lost the 4x100-meter medley relay. The American team swam in the fourth lane after recording the fastest qualifying time (3:32.65). Turning over the team after that performance, the swimmers representing the U.S. in the final were among the most impressive of the London Games. Phelps swam the fly leg and was joined by Matt Grevers (who had won gold in backstroke), Nathan Adrian (who won gold in freestyle) and Brendan Hansen (who won bronze in the breaststroke). Not surprisingly, this star-studded quartet captured the gold medal, finishing in 3:29.35. Phelps’s meet here started poorly, with a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter individual medley, the first time he had failed to medal in an event since he made his Olympic debut as a 15-year-old at the 2000 Sydney Games. But he finished with six medals in his remaining six events, including golds in his final four races: the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, the 200 individual medley, the 100 butterfly and the medley relay.
Usain Bolt advances to Olympic 100 semifinals
LONDON — In his first appearance at the London Olympics, Usain Bolt did what he had to do to advance to the 100-meter semifinals, overcoming a slow start to win his heat in 10.09 seconds Saturday.Bolt dominated the Beijing Games four years ago, winning golds in world-record times in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay — something no man had ever done at an Olympics. At the 2009 world championships, he lowered his 100 mark to 9.58, which still stands.
But he's been less than outstanding more recently. A false start knocked him out of the dash at last year's world championships, and he lost to training partner Yohan Blake in the 100 and 200 at the Jamaican Olympic trials. Bolt blamed his poor showings at home on back and hamstring issues.At the 2009 world championships, he lowered his 100 mark to 9.58, which still stands.
But he's been less-than-outstanding more recently. A false start knocked him out of the dash at last year's world championships, and he lost to training partner Yohan Blake in the 100 and 200 at the Jamaican Olympic trials.
But he's been less than outstanding more recently. A false start knocked him out of the dash at last year's world championships, and he lost to training partner Yohan Blake in the 100 and 200 at the Jamaican Olympic trials. Bolt blamed his poor showings at home on back and hamstring issues.At the 2009 world championships, he lowered his 100 mark to 9.58, which still stands.
But he's been less-than-outstanding more recently. A false start knocked him out of the dash at last year's world championships, and he lost to training partner Yohan Blake in the 100 and 200 at the Jamaican Olympic trials.
Friday, 3 August 2012
London Olympics 2012:Mahe Drysdale wins olympic gold
Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand, who has been crossing rowing finish lines first for almost a decade, finally did so at the Olympics Friday.
Drysdale is a five-time world champion in the single sculls and has been a dominant force in the sport, but he finished fourth at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and was third in Beijing four years ago.
Four of the top five competitors from the 2008 Olympics were back to challenge for the gold medal this time and Drysdale made sure he would not be denied this time. He got an early lead and powered his way along the 2,000-meter course in the time of 6:57.82.Drysdale went into the Beijing Games in 2008 as a huge favorite but fell ill days before the final and struggled to a bronze. He had to be helped onto the podium that day after vomiting behind the scenes.With the men's pair of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray also winning their final on Friday, New Zealand tops the rowing medals table with three golds with four final races left. Joseph Sullivan and Nathan Cohen won the men's double sculls Thursday.
Drysdale appeared in danger of missing the London Games when he crashed his bike into a car before a World Cup regatta in Munich in June. He sustained minor joint injuries, grazes and bruises.
It was Synek's second straight Olympic silver. The gold medalist from Beijing, Olaf Tufte of Norway, failed to reach the final.
Lassi Karonen of Sweden was overtaken in the final 150 meters by Campbell, whose bronze added to the two thirds he has won at the last two world championships.
Drysdale is a five-time world champion in the single sculls and has been a dominant force in the sport, but he finished fourth at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and was third in Beijing four years ago.
Four of the top five competitors from the 2008 Olympics were back to challenge for the gold medal this time and Drysdale made sure he would not be denied this time. He got an early lead and powered his way along the 2,000-meter course in the time of 6:57.82.Drysdale went into the Beijing Games in 2008 as a huge favorite but fell ill days before the final and struggled to a bronze. He had to be helped onto the podium that day after vomiting behind the scenes.With the men's pair of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray also winning their final on Friday, New Zealand tops the rowing medals table with three golds with four final races left. Joseph Sullivan and Nathan Cohen won the men's double sculls Thursday.
Drysdale appeared in danger of missing the London Games when he crashed his bike into a car before a World Cup regatta in Munich in June. He sustained minor joint injuries, grazes and bruises.
It was Synek's second straight Olympic silver. The gold medalist from Beijing, Olaf Tufte of Norway, failed to reach the final.
Lassi Karonen of Sweden was overtaken in the final 150 meters by Campbell, whose bronze added to the two thirds he has won at the last two world championships.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Nathan Adrian Wins Gold Medal In 100-Meter
Nathan Adrian took out the Missile by a fingertip. Daniel Gyurta and Rebecca Soni took down two more world records at the pool.
Adrian, a 23-year-old largely overshadowed by American stars such as Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, made a name for himself by winning the 100-meter Olympic freestyle Wednesday. He lunged to the wall to edge James "The Missile" Magnussen by one-hundredth of a second - the slighest margin possible - and again deny Australia its first individual swimming gold of the London Games.Adrian clocked 47.52 seconds to win by 0.01 ahead of world champion James "The Missile" Magnussen of Australia.
Magnussen touched in 47.53 to take the silver medal and Brent Hayden of Canada finished in 47.80 for bronze.
Adrian, a 23-year-old largely overshadowed by American stars such as Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, made a name for himself by winning the 100-meter Olympic freestyle Wednesday. He lunged to the wall to edge James "The Missile" Magnussen by one-hundredth of a second - the slighest margin possible - and again deny Australia its first individual swimming gold of the London Games.Adrian clocked 47.52 seconds to win by 0.01 ahead of world champion James "The Missile" Magnussen of Australia.
Magnussen touched in 47.53 to take the silver medal and Brent Hayden of Canada finished in 47.80 for bronze.
Olympic badminton pairs face match-fixing probe
A disciplinary hearing began Wednesday to investigate eight women badminton players, including the reigning world champions from China, charged with trying to throw their matches at the London Olympics to secure a favourable draw.
The Badminton World Federation said in a statement it had charged the doubles players from China, South Korea and Indonesia under its players' code of conduct with "not using one's best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport" in matches Tuesday night."China has been doing this so many times and they never get sanctioned by the BWF," Thohir said. "On the first game yesterday when China did it, the BWF didn't do anything. If the BWF do something on the first game and they say you are disqualified, it is a warning for everyone."
IOC vice president Craig Reedie, the former head of the international badminton federation, welcomed the decision.
"Sport is competitive," Reedie told the AP. "If you lose the competitive element, then the whole thing becomes a nonsense.
"You cannot allow a player to abuse the tournament like that, and not take firm action. So good on them."
The eight disqualified players are world doubles champions Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang of China and their South Korean opponents Jung Kyun-eun and Kim Ha-na, along with South Korea's Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jung and Indonesia's Meiliana Jauhari and Greysia Polii.Petya Nedelcheva, the Bulgarian women's singles 15th seed, who was playing on an adjacent court at the time of the first incident, was forthright in her general criticism of China. "China control everything," she said. "I don't know who controlled the match to lose, but if it is China again … They did it so many times last year, they didn't play against each other in 20 matches. They do what they want."
The online magazine Badzine published figures in December last year showing that of the 99 all-Chinese matches played in major tournaments in 2011, 20 were walkovers or ended in a retirement.
Emms said that the potential for spot-fixing was raised in a manager's meeting on Monday but that the referee had dismissed their concerns. "All the managers got together with the referee and said, 'look, this has happened; in Group D you will find some very dodgy matches going on in the evening because of it' and the referee laughed and said 'oh don't be silly'," she said. "And the managers said 'we know the game, we know the players and we know the teams and we know this is going to happen."
She added: "Badminton, in the Olympics and in all tournaments across the circuit, it's never played in a group stage, it's always a straight knockout system and for some reason they decided that the Olympic Games in 2012 should be this group stages.
The Badminton World Federation said in a statement it had charged the doubles players from China, South Korea and Indonesia under its players' code of conduct with "not using one's best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport" in matches Tuesday night."China has been doing this so many times and they never get sanctioned by the BWF," Thohir said. "On the first game yesterday when China did it, the BWF didn't do anything. If the BWF do something on the first game and they say you are disqualified, it is a warning for everyone."
IOC vice president Craig Reedie, the former head of the international badminton federation, welcomed the decision.
"Sport is competitive," Reedie told the AP. "If you lose the competitive element, then the whole thing becomes a nonsense.
"You cannot allow a player to abuse the tournament like that, and not take firm action. So good on them."
The eight disqualified players are world doubles champions Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang of China and their South Korean opponents Jung Kyun-eun and Kim Ha-na, along with South Korea's Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jung and Indonesia's Meiliana Jauhari and Greysia Polii.Petya Nedelcheva, the Bulgarian women's singles 15th seed, who was playing on an adjacent court at the time of the first incident, was forthright in her general criticism of China. "China control everything," she said. "I don't know who controlled the match to lose, but if it is China again … They did it so many times last year, they didn't play against each other in 20 matches. They do what they want."
The online magazine Badzine published figures in December last year showing that of the 99 all-Chinese matches played in major tournaments in 2011, 20 were walkovers or ended in a retirement.
Emms said that the potential for spot-fixing was raised in a manager's meeting on Monday but that the referee had dismissed their concerns. "All the managers got together with the referee and said, 'look, this has happened; in Group D you will find some very dodgy matches going on in the evening because of it' and the referee laughed and said 'oh don't be silly'," she said. "And the managers said 'we know the game, we know the players and we know the teams and we know this is going to happen."
She added: "Badminton, in the Olympics and in all tournaments across the circuit, it's never played in a group stage, it's always a straight knockout system and for some reason they decided that the Olympic Games in 2012 should be this group stages.
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