(BEIJING, 18 August) -- Despair and disbelief filled the National Stadium when home-crowd favorite and defending 110m Hurdles gold medallist Liu Xiang of China failed to complete his first-round heat. The hurdler has been struggling with a leg injury all season and after a false start, he walked away from the track.
Another of the favorites in the Men's 110 Hurdles, Terrence Tramell of the United States, also failed to finish his heat after pulling his hamstring and failing to clear the second hurdle. However, world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba had few problems progressing, leading his heat in 13.39 seconds.
Continuing on the brighter side, Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda of Panama made history by becoming the first Panamanian to win an Athletics Olympic gold medal when he added the Olympic Long Jump title to his 2007 world title with a leap of 8.34m.
Behind Saladino Aranda were Khotso Mokoena of South Africa, who grabbed the silver with a jump of 8.24m, and Ibrahim Camejo of Cuba, who took bronze with 8.20m.
Russia's Elena Isinbaeva defended her Women's Pole Vault title, with Jennifer Stuczynski of the United States and Svetlana Feofanova of Russia taking the silver and bronze.
As she did at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, 26-year-old Isinbaeva broke the world record for the third time in 2008 clearing 5.05m on her final jump.
Eighteen-year-old Pamela Jelimo of Kenya continued her remarkable debut season by racing away from the pack for the 800m gold in a junior world record 1:54.87.
Compatriot Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei grabbed silver, while Hasna Benhassi of Morocco took bronze.
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique finished in fifth place in her sixth and most likely final Olympic Games appearance.
US athlete Angelo Taylor became a double Olympic champion when he led a 1-2-3 finish for the United States in the Men's 400m Hurdles. Taylor won the same event at Sydney 2000.
Behind him, taking the silver and bronze, were 2007 world champion Kerron Clement and 2005 world championship Bershawn Jackson.
US discus thrower Stephanie Brown Trafton's first throw of 64.74m was good enough for gold in the Women's Discus Throw. Cuban athlete Yarelys Barrios's threw a 63.64m to take silver. And Olena Antonova of Ukraine grabbed the bronze, her first major medal, with a toss of 62.59m.
Brimin Kiprop Kipruto of Kenya continued his country's fine tradition in the Men's 3000m Steeplechase, crossing the line in 8:10.34 to take the gold medal. Kenya has won seven Olympic golds in a row in this event.
The silver medal went to Mahiedine Mekhissi-B of France in 8:10.49. After staying in contention throughout the race, he outsprinted Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong of Kenya, who finished in 8:13.47 for the bronze.
In the Women's 100m Hurdles semifinals, favorites Lolo Jones of the United States, Delloreen Ennis-London and Bridgitte Foster-Hylton of Jamaica all made it to the final, but the race ended in tears for European champion Susanna Kallur of Sweden, who fell at the first hurdle.
Sheena Tosta of the United States led home the first Women's 400m Hurdles semifinal to reach Wednesday's final. She will be joined on the blocks by Melaine Walker of Jamaica, who won the second semifinal.
Meanwhile 100m gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica started his quest for a second gold in the 200m, qualifying for the semifinal with ease with a run of 20.29.
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