Jamaica and US set to battle it out in sprints

BEIJING, China (Reuters): The latest round of Jamaica's sprint battle with the United States in the women's 200 meters and Jeremy Wariner's 400m clash with fellow American LaShawn Merrit are the highlights of Thursday's athletics program. There is also the 110m hurdles final that was supposed to be one of the high points of the Games but, even with the presence of Cuba's world-record holding Dayron Robles, it is now somewhat deflated by the absence of China's Liu Xiang. There are medals available in the men's triple jump, women's javelin and women's 20k walk, while the decathlon and men's 4x100 also get under way. Jamaica v the United States, the Olympic champion v the world champion and 100 meters medalists against 100 meters losers - the women's 200 is overflowing with rivalries. Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and 100 meter joint-silver medalists Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart will lead the Jamaican assault with world champion Allyson Felix, Muna Lee and Marshevet Hooker trying to regain some sprinting pride for the sport's superpower. With Liu and double silver medalist Terrence Trammell both pulling out injured in the first round the way is clear for Robles to top his record-breaking year with Olympic gold. The 21-year-old Cuban qualified fastest in 13.12 seconds. The first round of the men's 4x100 relay is always interesting as the strongest teams, with reserves usually in place, try desperately to avoid messing up their changeovers. If all goes well the United States, Jamaica, Bahamas and Britain should all be in the mix come final time.

Cuba's Robles coasts into sprint hurdles final

BEIJING, China (Reuters): World record-holder Dayron Robles of Cuba oozed confidence as he swept into the Olympic 110 meters hurdles final on Wednesday. With China's defending champion Liu Xiang having departed with an injury before his first heat, the 21-year-old showed just why he is such a strong favorite for gold by the winning the first semi-final at a canter. Wearing his trade-mark spectacles and a huge gold crucifix around his neck, Robles got out of the blocks well and was quickly into his smooth rhythm, not grazing a single hurdle as he coasted across the line in 13.12 seconds. "No problem. I'm very calm. I'll win the gold medal," Robles, who set his world mark of 12.87 in June, told reporters. Americans are likely to present the strongest challenge to the Cuban in Thursday's final. David Payne finished second in the first race in 13.21 and David Oliver, the second fastest man in the world this year, won the second semi in 13.31. "It wasn't one of my great races," said Payne. "I kind of got out of control, but I was able to pick it up on the last few hurdles." France's 2005 world champion Ladji Doucoure qualified in the third fastest time of 13.22 but Liu's team mate Shi Dongpeng missed out by half a head, despite a late lunge that sent him tumbling over the line. "I'm very sorry I didn't make the final at home," said the 24-year-old. "I've been running worse and worse in the last three races. Liu Xiang gave me lots of encouragement but the main thing is that I didn't run well myself."

No mercy as Cuba Olympic baseball team crush China

BEIJING, China (AFP): Cuba crushed China 17-1 in Olympic baseball on Wednesday with the trouncing called to a halt in the seventh inning under the sport's mercy rule. China finished the preliminary round with a record of one win and six defeats after being handed a tough lesson in modern baseball with Elier Sanchez and Jonder Martinez pitching two shut-out innings each. Cuba's hitters were merciless with 20 hits in the seventh inning, including three home runs, while Giorbis Duvergel smacked a grand slam home run as the Caribbean side raced to a 7-0 lead by the end of the second inning. Li Lei scored China's only RBI in the top of the seventh for his team's only run. Despite the mauling China manager James Lefebvre insisted that the game could flourish in future in the country. "The team has been together for five years. We've accomplished a lot but there's still a long way to go," said the American who even sees a time when China take a gold in the sport. "There are great athletes in China. What do they have at the moment? 40 golds? It takes time. The girls gymnastics team took 50 years to get gold. "We need to develop the programme in China. We need to develop young players so that they will ready for the next Olympics." South Korea and Cuba have already made sure of first and second place in the eight-team competition with the USA to face Japan later Wednesday. They have identical 4-2 records. The winner of that game will face Cuba in the semi-finals with Korea waiting for the loser.