Britain set new record

Britain set new record

Britain set a world record of 3min 14.682sec to qualify for the gold medal match in the women’s inaugural 3km team pursuit at the Velodrome. Britain, who took nearly a second off the world record time they set on Friday (3:15.669), will meet the United States for gold with Australia, the third fastest, meeting Canada for the bronze.

Top Russian pair out

Russia withdrew two of their top weightlifters on Saturday, both of whom were expected to challenge for the gold medal in the 105 kilogramme weight class. Dimitriy Klokov, who won silver in Beijing, left the competition because of an unspecified medical condition. It is also said current world champion Khadzhimurat Akkaev is not fit for Monday’s competition.

Lithuania warned

Lithuanian basketball officials have been warned to control racist behaviour by fans, ahead of playing the United States on Saturday. A Lithuania fan admitted a “racially aggravated behavior” charge after making Nazi gestures and monkey chants during a match against Nigeria on Tuesday.

Japan men in semis

Kensuke Nagai, captain Maya Yoshida, and Yuki Otsu were the scorers against a 10-man Egypt team to put Japan through to the men’s football semifinals on Saturday. Meanwhile, Mexico became the second team to qualify after beating Senegal 4-2 in the other quarterfinals.

Russia, France win

A US-Spain rematch for the Olympic men’s basketball gold medal is now in jeopardy. Thanks to a stunning comeback, it is Russia who will avoid the Americans until the final. Russia beat Spain 77-74 on Saturday. Meanwhile, in a Group A match, France beats Tunisia in the preliminary round.

Aus eves beat SA

Australia rode on Jade Close’s early field goal to prevail 1-0 over South Africa and move ahead of the pack in Pool B with nine points from four matches in the women’s field hockey event. Meanwhile, Japan drew 1 goal apiece with Belgium.

IOC bans athlete

Colombian 400-metre runner Diego Palomeque Echevarria has been temporarily banned from the Games following a positive test for a prohibited substance, the IOC confirmed on Saturday. Brazilian female rower Kissya Cataldo da Costa has also been expelled from the Olympics for failing a dope test for EPO, a Brazilian rowing team official said.

Idowu in London

Britain’s star triple jumper Phillips Idowu on Saturday blasted the “hysteria” about his whereabouts, insisting he was about to check into the Olympic Village after receiving medical treatment. Charles van Commenee, the head coach of British athletics, called Idowu’s antics “bizarre” and said he was completely unaware of what the Beijing 2008 silver medallist
was doing.

France lose appeal

France’s appeal against the result of Saturday’s lightweight men’s double sculls at the rowing regatta has been rejected. The race had to be restarted after a seat in the Great Britain boat of Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter apparently broke. Once the seat was repaired and the crews sent on their way again Denmark emerged as winners, with the British duo second, New Zealand in bronze and France in fourth.

Collins sent home

Former 100-meter world champion Kim Collins is being sent home or disciplinary reasons. The St. Kitts and Nevis team said, “it regrettably announces that Collins, who it described as a national hero” was departing the Olympics.”