London 2012: Great Britain on fire, Aussies can’t grab gold

 
David Lord Columnist

By , 5 Aug 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert

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    The women’s Olympic 100 track final in London was a cracker with Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce defending her crown from Beijing in 10.75 from American Carmelita Jeter 10.78, and Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown 10.81.

    Could that be the omen for the Jamaicans tonight in the men’s 100?

    Jamaican Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, cruised into the semis with an “ordinary” 10.09, but tonight he will get down to the serious business of defending his Beijing gold.

    The big guns are ready to fire.

    Two Americans are fastest qualifiers – Ryan Bailey in 9.88 and Justin Gatlin 9.97, followed by Jamaican Yohan Blake’s 10 seconds dead, Englishman Dwain Chambers 10.02, Jamaican Asafa Powell 10.04, American Tyson Gay 10.08 with Bolt’s 10.09.

    Two magnificent 100 final fields, arguably two of the best of all time.

    At windy Wimbledon, Serena Williams was in awesome touch as she demolished Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-1 to win gold in just 63 minutes of pure power, precision, and placement. I have seen never a match between two world class players where one was so totally dominant.

    Williams has been like that all tournament winning every one of her 12 sets, losing just 17 games.

    In the men’s doubles final the American Bryant twins Bob and Mike took the gold from Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4 7-6.

    Silver for Australian Mitchell Watt in the long jump with 8.16, gold to Great Britain’s Greg Rutherford with 8.31.

    Silver also for the Australian 4×100 medley relay of Emily Seebohm, Leisel Jones, Alicia Coutts, and Melanie Schlanger in 3.54.02 – gold to the Americans with a world record 3.52.05.

    And bronze for the Australian men’s 4×100 medley relay of Hayden Stoeckel, Christian Sprenger, Matt Targett, and James Magnussen, thanks to Magnussen churning the pool from fifth to medal in 3.31.58 to Japan’s silver in 3.31.26 and the American’s gold 3.29.35.

    Two Australian medals from the last day of the rowing regatta – silver for the coxless fours of William Lookwood, James Chapman, Drew Ginn, and Joshua Dunkley-Smith – Great Britain the gold.

    And bronze for the incredible Kim Crow in the single sculls to go with her silver in the double sculls. All up Kim had to survive six gruelling races, but two medals from two finals was well worth it. Czech Miroslava Knaphova won the single sculls gold.

    Triathlon bronze for Australian Erin Denshaw to complete a great success story. Three years ago she suffered heart problems and was close to calling it a day. But Erin stuck to it and has been rewarded with an Olympic medal – Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig the gold.

    Trap shooting for women where Australia’s 2004 gold medallist Suzanne Balogh finished sixth in the final, won by Italian Jessica Rossi.

    Australian discus thrower Dani Samuels made an early departure from the final.

    Around the venues:

    Australian medals are still looking good at the sailing, where Olivia Price, Nina Curtis, and Lucinda Whitty remain unbeaten in the match race class, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen top the 470s standings, and Tom Slingsby is near the lead in the Laser class.

    The Hockeyroos kept their medal chances alive with a tight 1-0 win over South Africa, Jade Close netting in the eight minute.

    The Australian Boomers beat Great Britain 106-75, Patty Mills scoring 39 points.

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