Ethiopia’s Defar Wins Gold, Jamaican Sprinters Advance in London

Jamaica easily advanced Friday in the men’s 4×100 relay at the London Olympics, setting up a gold medal showdown Saturday when speedster Usain Bolt and teammates go up against a tough U.S. squad anchored by 100-meter bronze medalist Justin Gatlin.
In women’s competition, Ethiopian Meseret Defar won the gold medal in the women’s 5,000-meter race, denying teammate Tirunesh Dibaba a chance for an Olympic “double-double.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. basketball team – a glittering collection of NBA stars – booked a gold medal rematch Sunday with Spain, by easily defeating Argentina on Friday 126-97 in semi-final action. European champion Spain won the other semi-final, rallying to beat Russia 67-59.
In the women’s 4×100 relay, the U.S. won the gold, Jamaica the silver, and Ukraine the bronze.
Elsewhere, Russia earned a gold medal in synchronized swimming. Colombia’s Mariana Pajon won a gold in women’s BMX competition, and Latvia’s Maris Strombergs captured a gold in men’s BMX.
In men’s wrestling, Russia’s Dzhamal Otarsultanov won a gold in 55-kilogram freestyle. American Jordan Ernest Burroughs took home the gold in the 74-kilogram match.
The United States and China lead the medal count with 94 and 81 medallions respectively. Russia is third with 63 and Britain fourth with 57.

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