LONDON — There was backstroke dominance for the United States and another impressive French performance during another wild night at the Olympic pool. LONDON — There was backstroke dominance for the United States and another impressive French performance during another
LONDON — There was backstroke dominance for the United States and another impressive French performance during another wild night at the Olympic pool.
American teenager Missy Franklin won the women’s 100-meter backstroke before Matt Grevers led a 1-2 finish for the U.S. in the same men’s race.
Franklin, a 17-year-old from Colorado and best hope for the U.S. program in the post-Michael Phelps era, had a brief 13-minute break after taking the final qualifying spot in the 200 freestyle semifinals before she had to get back into the water for the backstroke final.
No problem.
Australia’s Emily Seebohm, the top qualifier, led at the turn and was under world-record pace, but Franklin showed a remarkable finishing kick. With her arms twirling, the 6-foot-1 swimmer passed the Aussie in the final 25 meters and lunged toward the wall for a winning time of 58.33 seconds.
Grevers then produced another rally in the men’s 100 backstroke, and Nick Thomas made it a 1-2 finish for the Americans, touching for silver in 52.92.
The twin backstroke victories made up for a disappointing performance by U.S. star Ryan Lochte, who faded to fourth in the loaded 200 freestyle — won by France’s Yannick Agnel.
The Chinese won their second straight Olympic title in gymnastics and third in four games after a dismal performance in qualifying.
China’s score of 275.997 points was more than four points better than Japan, which needed help from a replay to finish second.
Britain initially was announced as the silver medalist, setting off raucous celebrations at the O2 Arena, Princes William and Harry included. The British don’t have a proud history in gymnastics, and this was their first men’s team medal in a century.
But Japan questioned the score of three-time world champion Kohei Uchimura on pommel horse, the very last routine. While judges huddled around a video screen, the British partied and Uchimura and his teammates sat stone-faced against a wall.
About five minutes later, Uchimura’s score was revised, with judges giving him seven-tenths more credit for his dismount. Instead of 13.466, he scored 14.166 — enough to move Japan from fourth to second with a total of 271.952. Britain was bumped down to bronze.
Also from Monday:
BASKETBALL
Candace Parker and the U.S. women’s team are 2-for-2 in London, and this one was a laugher.
Parker had 14 points and 12 rebounds to help the United States to a 90-38 rout against Angola.
The Americans (2-0) have won their last 35 games in the Olympics and four consecutive gold medals, while Angola is looking for its first victory.
France had the most surprising win of the day, edging Australia 74-70 in overtime. Emilie Gomis scored all 22 of her points after halftime.
Belinda Snell connected from just past half court at the end of regulation, giving Australia a chance. But the Aussies had to play the extra session without stars Lauren Jackson and Liz Cambage — both had fouled out.
China, Turkey, Russia and Canada also won on the women’s side.
