Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-05-24

110m Hurdles world champion Liu Xiang
110m Hurdles world champion Liu Xiang

(BEIJING, May 24) — Athens Olympics gold medalist Liu Xiang of China won gold in the Men’s 110 Hurdles at the Good Luck Beijing China athletics competition on May 24 with a time of 13.18 seconds. He bested compatriots Shi Dongpeng and Ji Wei, who placed second and third with times of 13.29 and 13.41 seconds, respectively.

Updated: 2008-05-24

(BEIJING, May 24) — Lin Xiangqian of China won gold in the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase at the Good Luck Beijing China Open athletics competition on May 24 with a time of 8:39.46 minutes, his best time of the season. Sun Wenli of China finished second with a personal season best time of 8:44.86 minutes. Yang Le of China finished third with a person best time of 8:45.16 minutes.

Updated: 2008-08-03 17:21:27

Usain Bolt breaks the world record in New York (Photo credit: Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 3) — Men’s 100m world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica got the green light from his coach to compete in both the 100m and 200m events at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The 21-year-old sprinter has won nine out of ten races in the 100m and 200m competitions this year.

In the 100m, Bolt clocked 9.72 to break the world record in New York this May. He has the two quickest performances of the year under his belt.

Bolt’s accomplishments don’t stop there. In the 200m, Bolt was behind the three fastest times of this year, culminating in his 19.67-second performance in Athens three weeks ago.

The double dash Olympic gold is one of the most coveted prizes of the Games. Many have tried, but few have been able to accomplish the feat.

Carl Lewis was the last to win the Olympic double gold 24 years ago in Los Angeles.

Other members of this prestigious group of athletes include Valeriy Borzov of the USSR (1972), Canadian Percy Williams (1928) and Americans Bobby Morrow (1956), Jesse Owens (1936), Eddie Tolan (1932), Ralph Craig (1912) and Archie Hahn (1904).

Updated: 2008-08-01

(BEIJING, August 1) — The Spanish Athletics Federation has unveiled the names of the 54 athletes who will make up the Spanish athletics team at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Among the athletes are Paquillo Fernández, 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the 20km Race Walk; Mario Pestano, Spanish Discus national record holder; and Marta Domínguez, 2006 European champion in the Women’s 5000m.

José María Odriozola, President of the Spanish Athletics Federation and IAAF Council Member, said at a press conference that Spain is aiming for eight to ten medals at the Beijing Olympics or at least to equal the four medal performance at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics.

There are 32 male athletes and 22 female athletes on the Spanish athletics squad.

Updated: 2008-08-01

(BEIJING, August 1) — Reigning Olympic Women’s Heptathlon champion Carolina Kluft will not be defending her title in Beijing.

The Swedish athlete has decided that she will not compete in the Heptathlon, instead choosing to focus her energies on the Long Jump and Triple Jump events.

In an interview with a Swedish newspaper earlier this year, the 25-year-old explained her decision, citing a lack of motivation and fitness concerns.

“I understand that a lot of people will not understand the decision and will contest it but the motivation is not sufficiently there for the heptathlon,” she said.

“The decision was tough and yet at the same time a simple one. I had been thinking about it for some time. I had a chat with myself and followed what my heart said.”

Her father, Johnny Kluft, is supporting her decision, stating that she has more energy and motivation now that she has reduced her training load.

“It is an unbelievable challenge for her and she is aiming to do her best. Before, she had won everything and she was starting to get bored.”

Although she will not be participating in the Heptathlon, she will still be aiming for two gold medals in the Long Jump and Triple Jump.

Kluft is currently ranked eighth in the world in Long Jump, but her chances in the Triple Jump are difficult to ascertain, having finished fourth at the European Cup in July.

Kluft won her first major title at the World Youth Championships in Chile at age 17, just 5 years after taking up the sport.

The Swede was crowned World Heptathlon Champion in 2003, 2005, and 2007; European Champion in 2002 and 2006; and Olympic Champion in 2004.

Updated: 2008-07-30

(BEIJING, July 30) — Nigeria will replace Finland in the Women’s 4×100m relay competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Finland notified the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that they will not enter a team in the Women’s 4×100m relay event after the IAAF announced the names of the relay squads participating in the Beijing Olympics.

As a result, Nigeria, ranked 18th in the qualification standings, will compete in this event in Beijing.

Updated: 2008-07-30

Yelena Isinbayeva sets new world record in Monaco

(BEIJING, July 30) — Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia cleared 5.04m in the Women’s Pole Vault to set a new world record at Herculis 2008, the IAAF World Athletics Tour event held this week in Monaco. It is the last major international competition of the season prior to the Beijing Olympic Games.

This was the second time Isinbayeva, 2004 Olympic gold medalist and 2007 world champion, broke the world record in the Women’s Pole Vault within a month, and the twenty-third time that she set a world record.

“I will start my competition at 4.70, then 4.85, then 4.95, and then a 5.04 world record. Yes, it looks easy on paper,” Isinbayeva said at a press conference before the competition.

The Russian athlete made it look as easy as it sounds when she rose high above the bar in setting the new record.

“I’m in good shape,” Isinbayeva was quoted on the International Association of Athletics Federations website. “I just need to keep my condition until the Olympic Games. I wanted to improve my personal best and that’s what I did. I see this world record as a personal one.”