Olympics Highlights: Day 11
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International track officials say American shot put world champion C.J. Hunter has tested positive for a banned substance. The case is being turned over to USA Track and Field, and Americanofficials will decide what to do next.
Hunter isn’t competing at the Olympics because of recent surgery, but he is in Sydney as a coach for his wife, 100-meter gold medalist Marion Jones. Jones nowhas to deal with this distraction in her attempt to win a total offive gold medals.
Hunter tested positive for nandrolone, which helps athletes gainstrength and muscle bulk.
“I know what’s going on and I am aware of the allegations andam going to defend myself vigorously,” Hunter told NBC. There wereno reports linking Jones to the use of banned performanceenhancers.
Obadele Thompson’s Olympic medal was bronze, not gold, but for his home country of Barbados it was still precious.
“It is truly great for Barbados to have the third fastest humanbeing in the world,” Sports Minister Rudolph Greenidge said.Acting Prime Minister Billie Miller called the medal “historic.”
Thompson came third in the Olympic 100-meter dash in Sydney onSaturday to the first Olympic medal ever for the island of 260,000since it gained independence from Britain in 1966.
His win set off a national celebration. Whooping fans pouredinto bars to celebrate and radio stations blared a calypso tributesong, “Oba” as politicians and sports figures lauded Thompson.
Basketball
The Dream Team looked drowsy at thestart and the finish. In between, they ran a highlight film’s worthof dunks over France to win a fifth straight game in Sydney,106-94. The win, which puts the two-time defending gold medalistAmericans into the quarterfinals, was highlighted by Vince Carter’ssky-walking dunk over Frenchman Frederic Weis.
Antonio McDyess finished with 20 points, Kevin Garnett with 19and Carter had 13.
Lithuania, guaranteed a slot in the quarterfinals, improvedto 30-2 by knocking off winless New Zealand 85-75.
Russia clinched a quarterfinal berth with an 88-to-65 romp overAngola.
Beach Volleyball
The home team won again.
Already having its best overall Olympic performance ever, hostnation Australia picked up a gold in women’s beach volleyball.Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst edged out Brazilians Shelda Bedeand Adriana Behar 12-11, 12-10 in front of yet another rowdy crowdof Aussies.
The Brazilian team of Sandra Pires and Adriana Samuel beatYukiko Takahashi and Teru Saiki of Japan for the bronze.
Diving
America’s momentum at the diving pool continued as Mark Ruiz and Troy Dumais moved into the semifinals of 3-meter springboard. Defending Olympic champion XiongNi of China was the semifinal leader, with Ruiz fourth and Dumaisseventh.
On Sunday, Laura Wilkinson ended America’s 36-year skein ofdiving futility by shocking the defending champion Chinese on the10-meter platform.
Equestrian
Rhythmical, ridden by Nona Garson of Lebanon, N.J., fell on aturn during the qualifying round, eliminating her from theindividual event. Horse and rider were unhurt and will be in theteam event Thursday.
The mare Liberty, ridden by Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, Wis.,lowered two fences for 8 faults. Kraut finished 21st in the groupof 74 riders, Lauren Hough of Ocala, Fla., 37th and MargieGoldstein Engle of Wellington, Fla., 49th. The scores will be wipedclean if they move forward to the final event on Sunday.
