Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/715731
21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 17 AUGUST 2016 OLYMPICS Miller dives over line to deny Felix in 400m American Taylor leaps to second Olympic gold BAHAMIAN Shaunae Miller launched herself over the finishing line with a desperate dive to pip American Allyson Felix to Olym- pic 400 meters gold by the slim- mest of margins in a thrilling final on Monday. After literally flying across the line in a personal best time of 49.44 seconds, the 22-year-old lay on the track, shaken up and exhausted, as she waited for the scoreboard to confirm she had clinched her first major title. "I didn't see anyone until the last 20 meters and the only thing I was thinking was that I must get that gold medal," said Miller. "I think (the dive) was just a re- action, my mind went blank, the next thing I knew I was lying on the ground. I've got a few cuts and bruises but I'm okay. "This is the moment I have been waiting for. I am just so happy, so grateful, such emotions I just can't say." Felix, who finished in 49.51, was also on the floor after failing to claim her fifth Olympic gold med- al, let alone the 200-400 double she had originally planned for the Rio Games. "Disappointment," said the 30-year-old, struggling to hold back her tears. "It's been a tough one and I really hoped it would come together tonight. "I just gave it all I had, I don't think I had anything left to give. I feel emotionally and physically drained at this moment. I really wanted it, it's painful." Felix was denied the chance to defend her 200m title, and bid for an unprecedented double, after failing to finish in the top three at the U.S trials while suffering the effects of an ankle injury she suf- fered in a gym accident earlier this year. The Californian's silver medal was, though, her seventh in four Games, the most of any American female track and field athlete at the Olympics. Silver medalist in the 200m in Athens in 2004 and again in Bei- jing four years later, Felix won her only individual gold over the half- lap in London in 2012. She has also won three relay golds and could add to that tally in Brazil. Second behind Felix in the 400 meters at the world champion- ships in Beijing last year when her strong finish was not enough to rein in the American, Miller had clearly learned her lesson. She exploded out of the blocks in lane seven and went for broke, her long stride giving her a good lead on the back straight as the shorter Felix powered away inside her. Miller retained the lead coming off the final bend but started tight- ening up as Felix surged about 50 meters from the line and the pair were neck-and-neck until the Ba- hamian's gold medal-winning dive. Jamaica's Shericka Jackson took bronze in 49.85 ahead of Ameri- cans Natasha Hastings (50.34) and Phyllis Francis (50.41) in fourth and fifth. Shaunae Miller (BAH) of Bahamas throws herself across the finish line to win the gold ahead of Allyson Felix (USA) of USA. CHRISTIAN Taylor of the United States retained his Olympic men's triple jump title on Tuesday by jumping further than anyone else has recorded this sea- son. Taylor, the defend- ing Olympic and world champion, made his mark of 17.86 meters at the first attempt, stak- ing a claim for the po- dium top spot his rivals were unable to match. His American team mate Will Claye leapt 17.76 meters to take sil- ver. China's Dong Bin went home with bronze after jumping 17.58 me- ters on his first attempt and failing to make a mark for the rest of the competition. Christian Taylor of USA Kenya's Rudisha retains 800m title KENYA'S David Rudisha obliterat- ed his rivals in the 800 meters final on Monday to become the first man since 1964 to retain his Olympic ti- tle over the distance. Rudisha, the world champion and world record holder, stormed to victory with a devastating final- lap sprint that cemented his place among the greats such as New Zea- land's Peter Snell, the last man to successfully defend an 800m Olym- pic gold. Nicknamed 'King David' in Kenya, Rudisha hit top gear in the final 300 meters to surge ahead of his rivals with his trademark finishing kick and win gold in a season's best time of one minute 42.15 seconds. "I am so excited. It is the greatest moment of my career," Rudisha told reporters. After winning his first Olympic gold and setting a world record at the 2012 London Games, Rudisha suffered a couple of injury-ravaged years that dented his confidence and caused him to miss the 2013 world championships. He struggled for much of the cur- rent season and came third in na- tional Olympic trials but the 6-foot- 3-inch Maasai runner looked in total control of the Rio Games final as his long stride and fluid running style propelled him to victory. "It's been very difficult," Rudisha said, referring to his injuries. "I have stayed focused and positive. My coach has been great and given me hope." The 27-year-old crossed the line several meters ahead of Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi, the London Games gold medal winner over 1,500m. Makhloufi said the silver medal boosted his confidence ahead of the 1,500m event later this week. "I am so happy to make my coun- try proud," he said. "I dedicate this to the poor people." Fast-finishing American Clayton Murphy set a personal best time to take bronze ahead of France's Pierre- Ambroise Bosse.