Flash: Americans clean up Men's 400m Hurdles

The United States swept all three medals in the Men's 400m Hurdles final at the National Stadium on August 18. Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson won gold, silver and bronze medals with times of 47.25s, 47.98s, and 48.06s respectively.

American Phelps wins Men's 100m Butterfly Olympic gold

Michael Phelps waves to spectators. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

American Michael Phelps won the Men's 100m Butterfly gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Saturday.

Phelps clocked in an Olympic record of 50.58 seconds set up by Serbian Milorad Cavic on August 14, 2008. Cavic settled for the silver in 50.59 and Australian Andrew Lauterstein got the bronze in 51.12.

(L-R) Milorad Cavic, Michael Phelps and Andrew Lauterstein (Photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Michael Phelps competes. (Photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Michael Phelps celebrates. (Photo credit: Wang Dingchang/Xinhua)

Michael Phelps celebrates. (Photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Chinese men lead Trampoline qualifications

Dong Dong of China competes. (Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Chinese duo Lu Chunlong and Dong Dong dominated qualifications and earned the top two spots for the final, raising hopes for a first Men's medal for China in the Trampoline. The qualification event was held at the National Indoor Stadium on day eight of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 16, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Dong Dong of China competes. (Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Ben Wilden of Australia competes. (Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Jammica's Usian Bolt Won GOld in100m FInals

BEIJING, August 16) -- The National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, will be the scene for the biggest race of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Jammicas Usain Bold World'sT Fastest Man,he reached Target in 9.68 seconds A new OLympic record and world record.Silver to trinidad and bronze goes to another jammican.

Zhang takes gold to break ROK's 24-year reign

(L-R) Yun, Zhang and Park on the podium. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

(Beijing, August 14)-- Zhang Juanjuan of China broke the Republic of Korea's 24-year stranglehold on the Women's Individual event, claiming the gold medal with the last arrow of a riveting final against park sung hyun at the Olympic Green Archery on Thursday.

Zhang bites the gold medal. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

To win the Olympic title, No. 27 seed Zhang had to beat all of the top three seeded ROK women, including Park, the Individual gold medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Zhang won the final 110-109.

Zhang Juanjuan shoots in the match. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

In the semifinal, Zhang took out the No. 1 ranked archer in the world, Yun Ok-hee, 115-109. Zhang's score equaled the Olympic record Park set earlier in the day. In the quarterfinal, she beat Joo Hyung-jung 106-101.

Yun Ok-hee went on to win the bronze medal against Kwon Un- sil of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 109-106.

Khatuna Lorig of the United States was fifth, Hayakawa Nami of Japan sixth, Joo seventh and Mariana Avitia of Mexico eighth.

Zhang Juanjuan competes. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Juanjuan competes. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Juanjuan waves to spectators after winning the final. (Photo credit:

Xinhua)

Zhang Juan Juan competes. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Yang of China wins women's 78kg judo gold

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's judoka Yang Xiuli claimed the women's 78kg title at the Beijing Olympics here on Thursday, edging Yalennis Castillo from Cuba in the breath-taking final.

The bronze medals went to Jeong Gyeong-mi from South Korea and Stephanie Possamai from France.

Du Li of China wins women's rifle 3 positions gold medal

Du Li of China competes during the women's 50m rifle 3 pos. final at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Du claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Du Li of China won the gold medal of women's 50m rifle three positions gold medal with a new Olympic record of 690.3 points here on Thrusday.

The silver medal was taken by Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic at 687.7 points, followed by Eglis Yaima Cruz of Cuba in the third place at 687.6.

Du Li of China waves to spectators after winning the women's 50m rifle 3 pos. final at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Du claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua/Bao Feifei)

China's Liu wins women's 200m butterfly gold in world record time

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal with a new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Liu Zige won the women's 200m butterfly gold medal in a world record time at the Beijing Olympics here on Thursday.

It is the host nation's first swimming gold at the games.

Liu touched in 2:04.18, eclipsing the previous world mark of 2:05.40 set by Australian Jessicah Schipper in 2006.

Fellow Chinese Jiao Liuyang took silver in 2:04.72 and Australia's Jessicah Schipper grabbed the bronze in 2:06.26.

Liu Zige (R) of China celebrates with teammate Jiao Liuyang during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in with new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige (L) of China receives congratulations from Jessicah Schipper of Australia during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds.

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal with a new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige of China competes during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)

Phelps: 200m Butterfly win for tenth Olympic gold

Michael Phelps swims during the final. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 13) -- "Baltimore Bullet" Michael Phelps hit his target in the Men's 200m Butterfly for his fourth gold at the Water Cube and tenth Olympic gold overall on Wednesday morning -- and did it with a new world record time of 1:52.03.

After qualifying fastest for the final in an Olympic Record time of 1:53.70. Phelps, the defending Olympic champion and world record holder, was never headed. While the margin was a little closer than predicted, Phelps was never seriously challenged in winning the gold medal.

Phelps took the race out fast and hard as he is accustomed to and the pace immediately hurt his rivals. Phelps' first split at 100m was 25.36. At the last turn Phelps was under world record pace with a split at the 150m of 1:22.75.

Lazslo Cseh of Hungary had another great swim in European Record time to finish with the silver medal in 1:52.70. Cseh is having a great Games and swimming very consistently and looks to be a great challenger for Phelps in the years to come.

Matsuda Takeshi of Japan, after being the second fastest qualifier for the final, finished with the bronze medal and an Asian Record in a time of 1:52.97.

Phelps did not have much time to take the win in as he was due out again on Wednesday morning in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay.

Michael Phelps swims during the final. (Photo credit: Chen Kai/Xinhua)

Michael Phelps reacts after his win. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

China wins Women's Artistic Gymnastics Team gold

Chinese women's gymnastics team celebrates. (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Chinese women gymnasts scored a winning total of 188.900 points to take the Women's Team gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday.

The United States finished second in 186.525 and Romania got the bronze in 181.525.

Chinese women's gymnastics team celebrates. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Chinese women's gymnastics team celebrates. (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Jiang Yuyuan competes in the uneven bars. (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

He Kexin reacts after competing in the uneven bars. (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

He Kexin performs the vault. (Photo credit: XInhua)

Cheng Fei performs the vault. (Photo credit: XInhua)

He Kexin after the uneven bars. (Photo credit: XInhua)

Nehwal knocks sixth seed out of Badminton Women's Singles

(BEIJING, August 11) -- World No. 15 Saina Nehwal of India beat sixth seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong in the Badminton Women's Singles round of 16 on Monday, August 11.

World No. 6 Wang lost the first game 21-19 to Nehwal, though she reached 19 first when her opponent only had 16.

The second game saw Wang regain her momentum and win 21-11.

However, Nehwal led 6-0 at the beginning of the tiebreaker and kept this lead to win with the same score as the previous game, 21-11.

Maria Valentina Vezzali of Italy took home gold in Women’s Individual Foil

Maria Valentina Vezzali of Italy took home gold in Women’s Individual Foil, beating Nam Hyun-hee of the Republic of Korea. Margherita Granbassi, another Italian, landed with a bronze.

Jin Jong-oh wins Men's 50m Pistol gold

(BEIJING, August 12) -- Jin Jong-oh of the Republic of Korea scored a total of 660.4 points to win the Men's 50m Pistol gold.

The silver went to Kim Jong-su (660.2) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Tan Zongliang (659.5) of China won bronze.

China wins Men's Gymnastics Team gold at Beijing Olympics

Chen Yibing holds up his fist after his performance. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

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China scored a total of 286.125 points to win the Men's Gymnastics Team gold at the Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.

Japan finished second with 278.875 and the United States took the bronze with 275.850.

Yang Wei dismounts from the rings. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Xiao Qin competes on the pommel horse. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Yang Wei competes in the floor exercise. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Men's 100m Backstroke: Peirsol (USA) grabs gold and world record

Peirsol celebrates his win. (Photo credit: Chen Kai/Xinhua)

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(BEIJING, August 12) -- Aaron Peirsol of the United States came back from a lackluster semifinal swim to win the gold medal in the Men's 100m Backstroke final at the National Aquatics Center on Tuesday, August 12.

Peirsol, the defending champion and world record holder, qualified fifth fastest in 53.56 for the final but showed his class in swimming down Liam Tancock of Great Britain who turned in front at the 50m 0.49 seconds under the world record mark.

Peirsol surged ahead to win comfortably in 52.45 to beat the world record of 52.89 he set in July.

After qualifying second fastest for the final, Peirsol's USA teammate Matt Grevers finished with the silver medal in 53.11.

Hayden Stoeckel of Australia, who qualified fastest for the final in an Olympic record 52.97, deadheated with Russia's Arkady Vyatchanin for the bronze medal in 53.18.

Tancock faded badly in the final 50m to finish sixth.

Peirsol has confirmed his dominance of this event in emphatic fashion despite slow heat and semifinal swims. His form will be a shot in the arm for the US Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay team with Phelps also in such irresistible form and they must go into the event as unbackable favorites.

Spotlight on Anna Bessonova

Spotlight on Anna Bessonova
Athens Rhythmic Gymnastics bronze medalist Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: Getty Images)

(BEIJING, July 8) -- Many eyes will be on Athens Rhythmic Gymnastics bronze medalist Anna Bessonova as she prepares to compete in the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Bessanova was born into a family of sports on July 29, 1984, in Kiev, Ukraine. Her father, Vladimir Bessonov, played for Dynamo Kiev and made it to the FIFA World Cup Final in 1982, 1986 and 1990. Her mother, Viktoria, was a group rhythmic gymnast and won the World Championships twice. It was she who introduced the young Anna to the world of rhythmic gymnastics.

Anna began training when she was five years old. Instructed by Alina Deriugina and her daughter Irina Deriugina, a two time world champion, Anna benefited a lot from excellent coaching and showed great talent at a young age.

With years of hard training, Bessanova showed incredible flexibility and made her first international appearance at age 10.

In 1999, Anna competed in group gymnastics and finished third in the FIG World Championship in Osaka, Japan. Two years later, she clinched the bronze medal in the Individual All-round competition at the 2001 FIG World Championship in Madrid, Spain.

After winning more titles at the World and European Championships, the rising star went to Athens, where she performed impressively to earn the Olympic bronze medal with a total of 106.700 points.

She was finally awarded a long-waited gold medal in the 2007 FIG World Championship in Patras and most recently executed a gold-medal routine at LA Lights 2008.

As the Olympic Games draw near, enthusiastic fans eagerly anticipate Bessonova's graceful and breathtaking performance in Beijing.

Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Anna Bessonova (Photo credit: CFP)

Gymnastics Artistic Men's Individual Qualification

Manuel Carballo of Spain competes on the pommel horse. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Gymnastics Artistic Men's Individual Qualification event was held at the National Indoor Stadium during Day 1 of the Beijing Summer Olympics on August 9, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan competes on the ring. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Jonathan Horton of the United States competes on the parallel bars. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Louis Smith of Great Britain competes on the horizontal bar. (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Alexandr Shatilov of Israel (Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)