Americans win in Brussels
Jeremy Wariner, Kerron Clement, Miguel Pate and Marshevet Hooker all were victorious Friday at the finale of the 2008 IAAF Golden League, the Memorial Van Damme meet in Brussels, Belgium.
The 2008 Olympic Games 400m silver medalist, Wariner won his specialty in 44.44 seconds in cold and wet conditions, finishing well ahead of runner-up Martyn Rooney of Great Britain, who crossed the line in 45.34.
2007 World Outdoor champion Kerron Clement, who won the silver medal last month in Beijing, won the men's 400m hurdles in 48.29 seconds, and 2008 Olympian Miguel Pate was victorious in the men's long jump with a best effort of 8.02 meters/26 feet 3.75 inches.
In women's action, 2008 Olympian Marshevet Hooker won the women's 200 meters in 22.62 seconds, with 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Kerron Stewart of Jamaica the runner-up in 22.76. Elsewhere, 2008 Olympic Trials winner LoLo Jones was the runner-up in the women's 100m hurdles in 12.67 seconds, and 2005 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist Chaunte Howard placed fourth in the high jump with a clearance of 1.97 meters/6 feet 5.50 inches.
In the men's 100 meters, Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica pulled away in the final ten meters to win the race in 9.77 seconds, with former world record holder and Bolt countryman Asafa Powell the runner-up in 9.83. 2007 World Outdoor champion Tyson Gay, who is not yet fully recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., decided not to compete.
For more information on the 2008 Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, including the complete results, visit: IAAF.org.
Team USA stars ring bells in NYC
2008 Olympic medalists Angelo Taylor, LaShawn Merritt and Walter Dix received the honor Friday morning of ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City.
Taylor, who won the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, duplicated that feat last month at the 2008 Games in Beijing. The 2007 World Outdoor Championships men's 400m silver medalist, Merritt won the gold medal in that event in Beijing and teamed with Taylor in winning Beijing Olympic gold in the 4x400m relay.
Shortly after ending his collegiate career at Florida State, Walter Dix qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in the men's 100m and 200 meters, winning the bronze medal in both events in Beijing.
Also while in New York, the trio appeared at the Friar's Club, where they were made honorary members. They also made an appearance on BET's 106 & Park television show and donated a pair of Olympic spikes to Oprah Winfrey's Dr. Oz Healthcorp Initiative Campaign.
Clay greets RNC
Olympic gold medalist decathlete Bryan Clay on Thursday made an appearance at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Clay was introduced as an athlete who exemplified the strength rigor and humility of the American spirit. He recently won the gold at the Beijing Olympics.
According to a report on ABC News, Clay addressed the gathered assembly, noting, "Whether you are a decathlete or a politician, we must stand together and believe in each other and in this great nation. Mahalo and God bless you, and may God bless America."
Clay did not mention any candidate or party during his brief remarks, according to ABC.
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