Stage set for US, Jamaica showdown in 200m sprint

The stage is set on Tuesday for a showdown between the United States and Jamaica in the 200m sprint in the Olympics after three women from each country got through the opening round.

The stage is set on Tuesday for a showdown between the United States and Jamaica in the 200m sprint in the Olympics after three women from each country got through the opening round.

However, unlike the 100m, where the Jamaican women swept the medals, Felix, Muna Lee and Marshevet Hooker of the US looked to give the Caribbean a run for their money.

Lolo Jones leads a United States charge towards China which maintained its position at the top of the medals table, 39 gold medals ahead of the United States8217; 22.

The 12th day at the Olympics has lined up 20 finals as well as deciding who the medal contenders will be in men8217;s football but the spotlight will be on athletics.

Germany8217;s Jan Frodeno claimed the gold in men8217;s triathlon defeating pre-event favourite Javier Gomez in the final.

Jones is the world8217;s best 100m hurdler this year, ahead of Damu Cherry going into the final in another athletics showdown with Jamaica led by Bridgette Foster-Hylton.

8220;We8217;re going to go for an American sweep, 1-2-3, and see what happens,8221; said Cherry, with the Americans keen to respond to the 100m final where they were swamped by Jamaicans.

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Jamaica ran away with both 100m mens and womens titles and Usain Bolt is also favored to advance from the men8217;s semifinals aiming to fulfill his dream of a rare sprint double.

World No 1 Sanya Richards leads the US challenge in the women8217;s 400m, which could provide an explosive confrontation with Britain8217;s world champion Christine Ohuruogu.

There were plenty of upsets in the long jump qualifying round with world indoor champion Naide Gomes of Portugal being the main victim.

Five-time world indoor champion Tatyana Kotova, who finished 14th, fell by the wayside with only the top dozen advancing.

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Triple jump bronze medalist Hrysopiyi Devetzi of Greece was also eliminated in 15th place, and triple jump world champion Yargelis Savigne of Cuba lagged in 18th.

Anju Bobby George of India, the 2003 world championship bronze medalist, hurt her right foot on her last warmup jump and failed on all three of her attempts.

She said the surface was too fast and 8216;we8217;re not getting the rhythm8217;.

8220;It8217;s good for the runners, not so good for the jumpers,8221; she said.

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Men8217;s football will witness the greatest clash when Brazil, aspiring for its Olympic soccer gold, and defending champion Argentina take on each other in the semifinal. On show will be two of the game8217;s biggest stars 8212; Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.

Britain cycling pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins will be aiming for a third gold medal and the chance to equal a 100-year-old British record when he starts in the race at the velodrome.

Having already won the individual and teams pursuit races, a victory will make Wiggins the first Briton to win three golds at one Games since swimmer Henry Cotton in 1908.

A day after the shock retirement of national icon Liu Xiang in the 110m hurdles, Chinese runners appear out of contention in the track finals but they do expect to clean up in their traditional strengths of diving and gymnastics.

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He Chong will be trying to add an Olympic gold to his world championship crown, in the men8217;s 3m springboard. China already have five diving golds at these Games.

They will also be hoping to add to their eight-gold haul in gymnastics where gold medals are on offer in women8217;s balance beam and men8217;s parallel bars, horizontal bar and trampoline.