Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - They're golden girls again.
Kara Lawson scored 15 points, making all five of her shots from the field, and the U.S. women's basketball team won its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal by thrashing Australia, 92-65.
Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker each scored 14 for the Americans, who beat the Aussies in the final for a third straight time. Sylvia Fowles tallied 13 points.
The U.S. used a 24-4 run, bridging the end of the first quarter and into the second. Lawson had the first six points of the spurt. Two free throws from Seimone Augustus capped the quarter for a 22-15 advantage.
Cappie Pondexter's bucket ended the big push for a 34-17 lead with six minutes left in the half.
It was 47-30 at the half and never close over the final 20 minutes. Parker's two foul shots made it a 20-point spread late in the third and when the Aussies got within 69-56, just 26 seconds into the fourth, the U.S. turned it up a notch.
Leslie, who secured her fourth straight gold medal, then scored consecutive inside buckets to culminate an eight-point run to put the game away.
"It's been a blessing for me to be out on this court," said Leslie. "I haven't necessarily played great during this tournament. Tonight I got into some foul trouble, as did Diana (Taurasi) and Katie (Smith). But we fought hard and beat Australia. It's the third Olympics in a row we've faced them for the gold. For all those kids out there, I encourage you to write down all your goals."
WNBA star Lauren Jackson had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Australia, while Belinda Snell scored 15, but none in the second half. The Aussies went 19- of-76 from the field, while allowing the U.S. to shoot 59 percent.
"You look at the shooting and that tells a story," said Australia's Tully Bevilaqua. "We were down in the 20s (percent), you can't win ball games like that, so credit goes to them."
The United States women, who have not lost a game in the Olympics since falling to the Unified Team in the 1992 Games, have a 33-game winning streak that dates to the '92 bronze medal game and includes golds in 1996, 2000 and 2004, as well as all eight victories in Beijing.
"I felt my knees buckle and got weak," said Fowles about the moment she received her gold medal. "I thought I was going to fall."
Overall in Olympic play the U.S. women are 50-3 since women's basketball was added to the Olympic slate in 1976.
Becky Hammon scored 22 points to pace Russia to a 94-81 win over China in the women's basketball bronze medal game.
Tatiana Shchegoleva and Maria Stepanova each added 15 points for Russia, which lost to the United States by 15 in the semifinals on Thursday.
Ilona Korstin tallied 11 points for Russia, which used a big run in the second quarter to take command.
Chen Nan had 26 points and Bian Lan scored 17 for China, which lost despite going 30-of-55 from the field. Miao Lijie chipped in 16 points.
Sui Feifei's inside basket put China ahead 26-24 just 1 1/2 minutes into the second quarter, but Russia came back with an ensuing 16-4 run. Svetlana Abrosimova and Hammon started the flurry with consecutive three-pointers. Shchegoleva also hit one, turning it into a rare four-point play as she was fouled by Chen Xiaoli with 3:58 left in the half, stretching the lead to 40-30.
Russia was up 52-39 at the half and held a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.
After the game, Miao announced her retirement from Olympic competition.
US RELAY GOLDS HIGHLIGHT LAST NIGHT ON THE TRACK
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Both the American men's and women's 1,600 meter relay teams won gold medals Saturday evening at the Beijing Olympics, closing out the last full day of track and field competition at the 2008 Summer Games.
There is one event remaining in the sport, as the men's marathon takes its traditional center-stage status on Sunday, the final day of action in Beijing.
The 1,600 relay victories were big for the U.S. after both the American men's and women's teams in the 4x100 failed to make the medal race after dropping batons in the semifinals.
The U.S. men stole the show Saturday at the Bird's Nest, setting an Olympic record in the 4x400 meter relay.
The heavily-favored Americans had won gold, silver and bronze in the men's individual 400m and each member of that sweep was on the 1,600m team. The remaining U.S. leg was run by Angelo Taylor, gold medalist in the men's 400 meter hurdles here in Beijing.
The U.S. ran the race in 2 minutes, 55.39 seconds to break the mark of 2:55.74 set by another American squad at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Men's 400m gold medalist LaShawn Merritt ran the opening leg and gave the U.S. a lead it would never relinquish. Taylor extended the advantage and David Neville, winner of bronze in the 400, held on to the pace.
Jeremy Wariner, winner of gold four years ago in Athens in the 400 and silver medalist this year, was then able to bring the record home with an excellent anchor run. Wariner also won a gold in the relay four years ago.
"The relay is four individuals coming together as one," said Wariner. "We did that, and we broke the Olympic record."
The Bahamas won the silver medal, finishing nearly four seconds behind the Americans with a time of 2:58.03. Russia crossed the finish line just .03 seconds later for bronze.
The U.S. has won this race at every Summer Games since boycotting the 1980 Moscow Olympics. However, the 2000 Sydney team had its gold medal stripped after Antonio Pettigrew confessed to doping. American sprinting legend Michael Johnson was among those who lost his medal from that race as was Taylor, who ran a leg in the preliminaries that year.
Shortly before the men's record run, the U.S. women were also able to claim gold in the 4x400, thanks in large part to a stellar anchor run by Sanya Richards.
The Americans trailed Russia heading into the final leg, but Richards was able to outrun Anastasia Kapachinskaya in the last 100 meters.
The U.S. team, which also featured Mary Wineberg, Allyson Felix and Monique Henderson, crossed the line in 3:18.54 -- just .28 seconds in front of the Russians.
Jamaica won the bronze medal with a time of 3:20.40.
Henderson and Richards repeated as Olympic champions in the 4x400, as they were also members of the team in Athens.
It was a bit of redemption for Richards, who on Tuesday was unable to hold a lead down the stretch in the individual 400m race as she was outkicked to the finish by Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain and Jamaica's Shericka Williams. Richards was able to hold on for bronze in that race.
"This summer I was determined to leave with a gold," said Richards. "Of course I was disappointed with the 400m, but I said I wasn't going to leave here without a gold."
The U.S. isn't likely to place anyone in the top-three of Sunday's marathon so the Americans should end with 23 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 7 bronze) in track and field at the Beijing Games.
Also on Saturday, Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele claimed his second gold medal of these Games, winning the men's 5,000 meters in Olympic record time.
Bekele also won the 10,000m earlier at the Games and is just the second Ethiopian to ever achieve double gold in the distance events. Miruts Yifter accomplished the feat at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba also won gold in the same races for the women here in Beijing.
This was the fourth overall Olympic medal, and third gold, for Bekele, who won the 10,000 and finished second in the 5,000 at the Athens Games.
Bekele ran the race in 12 minutes, 57.82 seconds, smashing the previous Olympic mark of 13:05.59 set by Morocco's Said Aouita at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Kenya took silver and bronze as Eliud Kipchoge finished in 13:02.80 and Edwin Cheruiyot Soi crossed the line just over three seconds later.
Bekele's younger brother, Tariku, also made the final heat and finished sixth.
Bernard Lagat of the U.S. was ninth and fellow American Matthew Tegenkamp placed 13th.
In a big upset, Tia Hellebaut of Belgium won gold in women's high jump, while prohibitive favorite Blanka Vlasic settled for silver.
Both Hellebaut and the Croatian Vlasic cleared 2.05 meters, but the Belgian did so on her first attempt, thus making her Olympic champion. Hellebaut's jump set a new national record in women's high jump.
Hellebaut was the 2006 European champion, but Vlasic is the defending world champ and was named female athlete of the year in 2007 by the European Athletic Association, becoming the first Croatian and also the first high jumper to ever win that award.
"I never expected to beat Blanka because for almost one year she's been unbeatable," said Hellebaut. "But it's always nice to be at your best at big championships."
Russia's Anna Chicherova won bronze by clearing 2.03 meters.
Chaunte Howard of the United States finished sixth with a jump of 1.99 meters.
Another Olympic record fell Saturday, as Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway won a gold medal in men's javelin, making him a two-time defending Olympic champion in the event.
Thorkildsen made it two straight golds by turning in a record toss of 90.57 meters, easily outdistancing Latvia's Ainars Kovals, who had a best throw of 86.64 meters. The Norwegian broke the previous Olympic mark of 90.17 meters set by Czech Jan Zelezny at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Finland's Tero Pitkamaki won the bronze and was just .48 meters behind Kovals.
Wilfred Bungei of Kenya won gold in the men's 800 meters, finishing just ahead of Sudan's Ismail Ahmed Ismail. Bungei was able to hold off Ismail at the end, completing the race in 1:44.65 -- just .05 seconds ahead of the Sudanese runner.
Kenya also won the bronze as Alfred Kirwa Yego, the reigning world champion, was close behind with a time of 1:44.82. All three athletes earned their first Olympic medals.
Canada's Gary Reed was fourth despite finishing just .29 seconds after Bungei.
Nancy Jebet Langat of Kenya earned a gold medal in the women's 1,500 meters, becoming just the second Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
Just minutes after countryman Bungei took gold in the 800, Langat won her race with a personal-best time of 4:00.23 to beat Iryna Lishchynska of the Ukraine by 1.40 seconds.
Langat joins Pamela Jelimo, who won the 800 meters in Beijing, as the only Kenyan women ever to win gold.
The Ukraine also claimed bronze as Nataliya Tobias crossed the line just .15 seconds after her compatriot.
Defending world champion Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain was a favorite heading into Beijing, but finished a disappointing fifth.
Shannon Rowbury was the lone American in the final race and finished seventh.
CUBAN ATHLETE KICKS TAEKWONDO REF IN FACE
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Cuba's Angel Valodia Matos kicked a referee in the face after he was disqualified from his taekwondo bronze medal match in the over-80 kilogram weight class on Saturday night.
Matos, beating Arman Chilmanov of Kazakhstan 3-2 near the end of the match, was disqualified for taking more than the allotted one minute of injury time when he went to the mat with what his opponent said was a broken toe.
Livid with the decision, Matos and his coach argued with referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden. As Chelbat awarded the win to Chilmanov, Matos exploded with a left roundhouse kick to the referee's face.
Chelbat walked off and approached officials. Matos and his coach also tried to approach, but were escorted out to boos from the crowd.
Later, the sport's governing body recommended Matos' disqualification from fifth place and a lifetime ban from future events.
"We gave a recommendation. This does not mean it will be a final decision," said World Taekwondo Federation secretary general Yang Jin Suk of the United States.
Yang said the International Olympic Committee would make the final decision on Matos' status. He said Chelbat was "badly harmed" by the kick and needed stitches in his lip.
"The WTF will look into it as to what legal actions can be taken," said Yang. "It is a most unfortunate situation. It is an insult to Olympism, and insult to the spirit of taekwondo and an insult to mankind.
"On behalf of taekwondo, I express my regrets."
Matos was the 2000 gold medalist in the under-80 kg weight class at the Sydney Olympics. Chilmanov believed the Cuban fighter would not have been able to continue the match even if he hadn't been disqualified.
"To me it was obvious he was unable to continue," said Chilmanov.
Chilmanov, who called Matos' behavior "unsportsmanlike," shared the bronze medal with the winner of the other third-place bout, Nigeria's Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije.
Korea's Cha Dongmin and Mexico's Maria del Rosario Espinoza claimed the last gold medals awarded in taekwondo by winning the men's and women's heavyweight divisions.
Cha defeated 2004 silver medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis of Greece in the gold medal match of the men's over-80 kilogram weight class, scoring three points in the first round on the way to a 5-4 win.
Nikolaidis settled for his second straight silver medal.
Espinoza beat Nina Solheim of Norway to win the women's over-67 kg division, rallying for three points in the third and final round to claim a 4-1 victory.
Brazil's Natalia Falavigna and Sarah Stevenson of Great Britain won bronze medals. Stevenson won an appeal to win her quarterfinal match against China's Chen Zhong.
S. KOREA EDGES CUBA FOR 1ST BASEBALL GOLD
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - South Korea turned a double-play with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, holding on to beat Cuba 3-2 in the gold medal game at the Beijing Olympics.
It was the first gold medal for the Koreans in 16 years since baseball was added as an Olympic sport.
"This is outstanding. When we came here, we didn't think about the gold medal," said Korean pitcher Bong Jungkeun. "Our goal was third place. But every game we gave 200 percent."
Cuba, the three-time Olympic champions, took less than gold for the first time since winning silver behind the United States in 2000.
"Silver is a fine medal," said Cuban starter Pedro Luis Lazo. "We fought hard and I think that it's a good medal."
Earlier on Saturday, Taylor Teagarden hit the go-ahead two-run double in the fifth inning and Jason Donald followed with a two-run homer to lead the U.S. over Japan, 8-4, in the bronze medal game.
Trailing by a run, Cuba put three runners on base with one out in the ninth inning -- the last on a contentious walk to Alexei Bell.
Korean catcher Kang Minho was ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire, even after his manager stepped in. Kang threw his mask to the ground and his glove against the bullpen wall.
Chong Taehyon was brought in to relieve Korean starter Ryu Hyunjin (2-0), and he induced a double-play off the bat of Yuliesky Gourriel to end the game
The infield turned the double-play flawlessly, with shortstop Park Jinman fielding the ball cleanly and making a swift toss to second baseman Ko Youngmin, whose throw to first beat Gourriel by several steps.
The Koreans celebrated in a huddle in the middle of the field. It was their second Olympic medal in baseball after a bronze in 2000.
Korea ended the tournament with a perfect 9-0 record, having already beaten Cuba earlier this week. Cuba (7-2) took its only two losses against the Koreans.
Korea jumped on Cuban starter Norberto Gonzalez (0-1) for two runs in the top of the first inning, taking the early lead on Lee Seungyuop two-run homer to left field.
Cuba came back with a run in the bottom of the inning, halving its deficit on Michel Enriquez's solo homer off starter Ryu.
That was the last run until Korea rallied for a score agianst Lazo with two outs in the seventh inning, sparked by a single from Park. A walk moved Park to second base, and he scored on Lee Yongkyu's double to make it 3-1.
But Cuba rebounded again with a run in the bottom of the seventh on Bell's solo homer, cutting its deficit to 3-2.
USA BEATS JAPAN FOR BASEBALL BRONZE
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Taylor Teagarden hit the go-ahead two-run double in the fifth inning and Jason Donald followed with a two-run homer as the United States beat Japan, 8-4, in the Olympic baseball bronze medal game.
Matt Brown slugged a three-run homer, while Matt LaPorta also homered for the United States in its final Olympic game for at least eight years.
This is the final year of baseball in the Olympics until further notice. It's been voted out for the 2012 London Games, but could return for 2016. Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, attended part of Saturday's game.
Norichika Aoki had a three-run homer and Masahiro Araki also homered for Japan.
Team USA, which didn't qualify for the Olympics four years ago in baseball, won its third medal, adding to the gold from 2000 and bronze from 1996.
Japan defeated the U.S., 4-2, in extra innings when they met in the preliminary round, but a big fifth inning sent the Americans on their way to victory Saturday.
The win came one day after a 10-2 semifinal loss to defending champion Cuba.
Brett Anderson pitched seven innings to get the win, allowing four hits, walking three and striking out six.
"It was a great game," USA manager Davey Johnson said. "Our bats woke up. Brett pitched a great ball game."
Kenshin Kawakami was saddled with the loss after surrendering four hits and four runs in 2 1/3 innings.
The teams traded three runs in the third inning. Aoki homered to give Japan a 4-1 lead, but in the bottom half and two men on base after an error and a walk to Jayson Nix, Brown homered.
Brown doubled with one out in the fifth and Nate Schierholtz walked. Brown stole a base with two down, and Teagarden then doubled home the tie-breaking runs. Donald followed with a homer off the pole in left field.
Japan threatened in the ninth inning, but reliever Kevin Jepsen put out the fire to seal the victory.
LaPorta plated the first American run with a solo shot in the second inning to tie the score.
BRAZIL BLOWS PAST US FOR VOLLEYBALL GOLD
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Brazil won the gold medal in women's volleyball for the first time in Olympic history, beating the United States in four sets.
Brazil's 25-15, 18-25, 25-13, 25-21 win came in their first-ever Olympic final.
Brazil lost just one set over eight matches on the way to winning gold. Japan (1976) is the lone team that has never lost a set at a women's Olympic volleyball tournament.
"We've been working very hard for the last four years," said Brazil's Sheilla Castro. "We are a very bonded team. Each and every player of the team deserved this gold."
The U.S. was in its first women's volleyball final since 1984, with that its highest ever finish, a silver.
"It's not about who is better, it's about preparing well and coming here to play," said USA player Stacy Sykora. "Brazil is amazing. They did a great job in blocking. There were indeed differences between us."
Brazil surged to an 18-10 lead in the first set, thanks mostly to service aces from Paula Pequeno, but the U.S. took a 5-1 lead in the second set, led by double spikes from Logan Tom and Yayyiba Haneef-Park.
The third set was a breeze for Brazil, and in the fourth Castro's spikes troubled the U.S. defense, but the score was still tied at 10-10. Blocks by Fabiana Claudino and Castro, combined with a wild shot from Tom ended the match.
Earlier Saturday, China earned a four-set win over Cuba to capture the bronze medal.
China's 25-16, 21-25, 25-13, 25-20 triumph gave the host country a third-place finish.
Cuba went ahead 6-2 in the first set, but sparked by Wang Yimei, China had consecutive kills and got back in the match, tying the score at six. China's front line was too much in the opening set.
Cuba was up again in the second set before China rallied for a 12-all tie before faltering. China's blocking game though got stronger in the final two sets.
ARGENTINA TOPS NIGERIA TO WIN SECOND STRAIGHT GOLD
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Angel Di Maria scored in the second half and Argentina beat Nigeria, 1-0, at Beijing National Stadium on Saturday to become the first men's soccer team to repeat as Olympic gold medalists in 40 years.
Argentina extended its record winning streak in the Olympics 12 games. The last time Argentina lost was in the 1996 final to Nigeria. Hungary was the last team to win consecutive golds in 1964 and 1968.
"The feeling we have is incredible," said Argentina's captain, Juan Riquelme. "I hope our country is celebrating back home. It was a beautiful day from the start."
Argentina posted its fourth shutout in six games, following its impressive 3-0 win over Brazil in the semifinals with a gold-medal performance in the final.
Nigeria medaled for just the second time in its history, adding a silver to its 1996 triumph. Argentina, which lost the 1928 and 1996 Olympic finals, won its fourth medal in men's soccer.
"I'm a little disappointed because we could've created history for us and Nigeria," said Nigeria forward Victor Obinna. "But I'm so proud we won the silver. I'll be honest, nobody gave us support, we were here on our own as a team. We had to pull together as a team and fight for one another."
Di Maria and Argentina star Lionel Messi combined on the winning goal - the duo also teamed to score the game winner in overtime against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Argentina and Nigeria both struggled to find a steady rhythm early in the match in 90-degree temperatures before the teams settled in after 20 minutes.
Messi, who wasted a chance early in the match, had a better scoring opportunity in the 22nd minute, but tripped in the penalty area. Messi threw his hands up after falling down - asking for a penalty - but it was clear he tripped over Nigeria's Chibuzor Okonkwo.
Nigeria had the next chance when Peter Odemwingie got under a cross and headed high from seven yards.
Due to the extreme heat, the match was briefly stopped in the 30th minute - a rarity in soccer - to allow players a short water break.
Nigeria had the first scoring chance after the match resumed, playing the ball across the area and getting a deflection on goal from Promise Isaac that goalie Sergio Romero had to jump to save at the right post.
Sergio Aguero, who had two goals and set up a third in Argentina's victory over Brazil, sent a header high in the 40th minute, and Di Maria nearly found the upper-left corner in the 45th but Nigeria goalie Ambruse Vanzekin dove to push the ball wide.
Nigeria did a great job of slowing down Messi in the first half, limiting his looks and not allowing him much space when he did have the ball.
Argentina opened the second half with a great chance when Aguero got behind the Nigerian defense for a potential one-on-one chance against Vanzekin. But he got off his line quickly and knocked the ball away before Aguero could take a shot.
Messi found a little space a few minutes later, unleashing a shot from outside the area that Vanzekin dove to punch away. The speed of the shot was evident when Vanzekin punched it, because it sailed back outside the area.
Although Messi couldn't create his usual magic to score, he again set up a goal to give Argentina all the offense it needed in the 58th minute. Messi delivered a long pass to Di Maria down the left side to give him a one-on-one chance with Vanzekin.
Vanzekin charged off his line to pressure Di Maria, but the 20-year old - known as "The Little Angel" - chipped the ball with the outside of his left foot and it sailed perfectly over the goalie and into the net.
Romero made another key play for Argentina in the 63rd minute, diving to snag a cross from Obinna, who had a teammate waiting at the far post.
Isaac set up Nigeria's next chance in the 65th minute, crossing from the right to Victor Anichebe, who tried to get a touch to deflect the ball on goal but it was knocked just wide by an Argentine defender.
The teams were given another water break in the 70th minute, and seven minutes after the restart Messi stole the ball just inside midfield to create a deadly opportunity.
He raced down the center of the field and made it to the top of the area, where Nigeria's Onyekachi Apam chased him down and made a sliding tackle to knock the ball away in the 77th minute.
Nigeria had a few decent chances to tie the game over the last 20 minutes - six minutes of injury time were added - but couldn't convert. The Nigerian missed a few shots wide, Romero made one key save and the best opportunity slipped away on a bad bounce.
Three minutes into injury time, Nigeria played a long free kick into the box to Odemwingie. He tried to control the ball with his chest but it bounced away and Argentina cleared. He would have only had to beat Romero from about eight yards for the tying goal.
ARCHER LORIG TO CARRY US FLAG AT CLOSING CEREMONY
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Archer Khatuna Lorig has been selected the flag bearer for the United States at Sunday's closing ceremony of the Olympics.
Lorig was selected by captains of each sport of the US Olympic team.
"Being named the US flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony is almost like winning a gold medal, maybe even better," said Lorig. "I thought I could win a gold medal in competition, but I never thought I'd have this opportunity. I am truly, truly so proud to be an American citizen and part of the U.S. Olympic Team."
Lorig has represented three different countries in the Olympic Games. She represented the Unified Team of the former Soviet Union at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, where she won the bronze medal in the team competition. She competed for Georgia at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the 2000 Games in Sydney.
Lorig immigrated to the United States and missed out on the 2004 Olympic Games as she was not yet a U.S. citizen. She received her citizenship in 2005 and competed in her fourth Olympic Games this year.
Lorig made it to the quarterfinals of the women's individual elimination round before falling to world record holder Yun Ok-Hee of Korea.
FOUNTAIN MOVES UP TO SILVER DUE TO BLONSKA DOPING
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Hyleas Fountain of the United States was moved up to the silver medal in the women's heptathlon due to the positive doping test of Lyudmila Blonska of the Ukraine.
Fountain was given her medal in a ceremony held inside the Olympic village on Saturday.
Blonska, the original silver medalist, tested positive for the substance methyltestosterone, her second doping offense.
"I think it's great to get the silver, and I won it in a fair way," Fountain said. "But it's not my place to judge her (Blonska). I just wanted to get on the medal stand. I didn't know where it would be. I'm very happy with the silver."
Fountain became the only American woman other than Jackie Joyner-Kersee ever to win an Olympic medal in the heptathlon, finishing behind Nataliia Dobrynska of Ukraine.
Following Blonska's drug test, fourth-place finisher Tatiana Chernova of Russia was moved up to third.
AUSSIE'S FINAL DIVE DERAILS CHINESE HISTORY
Beijing, China (My Sportsbook) - Australia's Matthew Mitcham pulled off a stunning final dive Saturday to shock Chinese favorite Zhou Luxin to win the gold medal in the men's 10-meter platform.
It ended China's quest to sweep the eight diving events at the Beijing Olympics.
Trailing Zhou by 37.3 points entering the final dive, Mitcham scored outstanding points on a near-flawless back 2 1/2 somersault with 2 1/2 twists -- a dive with a 3.8 degree of difficulty.
Zhou, who dove before Mitcham, went with an easier attempt, a reverse 3 1/2 somersault, and scored poorly.
"It's going to take a while to sink in," said Mitcham, who ranked ninth out of 12 competitors after a dud on his first of six dives. "My cheeks hurt from smiling, my fa
