Russia- 2 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze; 7 total
Ethipia- 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; 3 total
Jamaica- 0 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze; 5 total
Sixteen years after the IOC concluded that women were sturdy enough to compete in an Olympic marathon, the Games have gone hurly-girly for gender equity. The hammer throw in Sydney will be one of six new women's competitions (modern pentathlon, pole vault, water polo, weightlifting, and the time trial in track cycling are the others) in events previously reserved for men. The best female tossers will spin three to four times inside a seven-foot circle before hurling an eight-pound, 13-ounce ball and chain close to 250 feet, about 30 feet less than the top men propel their 16-pound implements. Ironically, male throwers commonly heaved-ho in a skirt some 400 years ago, when the precursor to the hammer was contested by brawny men in tartan kilts launching sledgehammers and wagon wheels across the Scottish countryside. As they throw for the gold in Sydney, U.S. champ Dawn Ellerbe and her rivals will definitely not wear skirts.
Source: Sports Illustrated
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Track and Field
Laura, 17, who traded gymnastics for the shot put 16 months ago after she broke an exercise floor on a landing, won a pair of national titles, the US Track Association juniors, with a put of 50'-10.75", and the Foot Locker high school championships, with a meet-record 51'-11.25"
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: iaaf.org
The New Zealand Herald newspaper reported Saturday that police raids in Auckland, New Zealand, on suspected people-smuggling operations allegedly run by organized crime gangs uncovered evidence of a plot against a nuclear reactor in Sydney. But Australian officials said there was no serious risk to the small research reactor, and they had no plans to shut it down during the Olympic Games.
A spokesman for the Sydney 2000 organizing committee, said security during the September 14 - October 1 Olmpics was the responsibility of the New South Wales police.
A nuclear reactor in Atlanta was closed down during the 1996 Olympics over concerns of terrorism.
Source: The Associated Press