Women sport news

BEIJING (Olympics) – Spain played as if an upset might be on the cards in the second quarter but forgot to show up for the second half and crashed to a heavy 93-55 defeat.

Day seven of the swimming saw Fran Halsall swim a fantastic final of the Women's 100m freestyle, Lizzie Simmonds progress through to the final of the 200m backstroke.

In the Women's 200m Breaststroke final, world champion and world record holder Leisel Jones of Australia faced stiff competition from Rebecca Soni (USA).

The battle for the medals in the Women's 100m Freestyle final was as close as expected after the qualifiers from the semi-finals were only split by four tenths of a second. It was a fascinating battle between Britta Steffan (GER) and world record holder, Lisbeth Trickett (AUS)

The U.S. Olympic Team for Women’s Water Polo has won Group A by virtue of Italy’s 10-9 defeat of China

The Yngling trio of Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson have also ensured a medal for Team GB – a minimum of silver as long as they finish their medal race without incident. Penny Clark saw a 22 in the sole race for the Laser Radial class today, but should improve on her overall position of 10th once she can drop her worst result after the fifth race for the fleet tomorrow. photo onEdition

Sailing resumes in Qingdao today after racing was postponed due to inclement weather and lack of wind yesterday. With oscillating winds of 7-9 knots forecast for today, there should be some real action on the water. As the wind blows through the mountains at the rear of Qingdao, it swirls as it moves over the water. Combined with the moving tide, it will make for a challenging day of competition.

BRITAIN'S track cyclists and athletes open their Olympic campaigns tomorrow with very differing expectations of what they can achieve.

(BEIJING, August 15) -- Chinese judoka Tong Wen threw defending Olympic champion Tsukada Maki of Japan for an ippon in the final of the +78kg weightclass to win the last gold in Women's Judo

Slovakia's Elena Kaliska won the women's Kayak gold at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Friday. Australia's Jacqueline Lawrence took the silver and Austria's Violetta Oblinger Peters won the bronze.

(BEIJING, August) -- Nastia Liukin won the Women's All-Around gold with a total score of 63.325.

Beijing, China — An hour and a half after Shawn Johnson stood on the awards podium for the second time this week, she was paraded through the Olympic Green in the back seat of a golf cart, rose bouquet in hand, wearing her newest silver medal and chatting with the president of USA Gymnastics while on her way to an interview.

The start list for the women's triathlon competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games has changed as Italian Nadia Cortassa has been replaced by compatriot Daniela Chmet.

In the first day of the heptathlon, Hyleas Fountain (Kettering, Ohio) stood strongly in the lead after winning each of the first two events. Fountain posted the fastest performance in the 100m hurdles, 12.78 (1,158), and a personal best 1.89m/6-2.25 (1,093) in the high jump to total 2,215. Plus 800m quotes.

In a team of debutants, our youngest, 20 year old Dani Samuels, has automatically qualified for the Women’s discus final. Heptathlete Kylie Wheeler continued her impressive day, recording a seasons best in the Shot put. Wheeler launched the 4kg implement 13.06m, her furthest throw in competition this year; an effort that placed her 4th in her group and 25th overall.

BEIJING - It was anything but easy for either athlete, but Shalane Flanagan (Pittsboro, N.C.) overcame incredible odds to take bronze in the greatest women's 10,000m in history. photo Prettysporty.com

FIVB President Dr. Rubén Acosta and his wife Malú were joined by the Vice President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, and his wife at the Women's Olympic Volleyball match between China and Cuba on Wednesday. photo FIBA

The “ABCs” of women’s Beach Volleyball were back at it here Thursday at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground as pairs from Brazil, China and the United States captured the final three pool titles at the at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. photo FIVB Beijing 08

After surviving a marathon third game tie-break, Australia's world champion Rachael Grinham beat former world champion Vanessa Atkinson in the final of the Women's Alexandria Sporting Club Open to retain her title in the $25,000 WISPA World Tour squash event at the Alexandria Sporting Club in Alexandria, Egypt. photo WISPA

(BEIJING, August 13) -- Romania out-powered France, Norway cruised past Kazakhstan and Hungary rocked a last-minute win over Germany on day five in the Women's Handball competition at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium.

Serena Williams beat Alize Cornet in three sets at the Olympics Wednesday, completing the quarterfinal line-up. Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams were also among the day's winners.

Home favourite Li Na has just become the first Chinese player to make a place in the Olympic Tennis Semi Final. She defeated Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams 7-5 7-5.

Great Britain’s women earned their first victory of the 2008 Olympic Games by overcoming New Zealand 2-1 in a close contest. The Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Germany and Argentina also won their respective matches

BEIJING (Olympics) - EuroBasket 2007 winners Russia and 2006 FIBA World Champions Australia took decisive steps towards a place in the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s basketball competition on Wednesday. photo FIBA

BEIJING (Olympics): Defending gold medalists the USA scored a rousing 97-41 over FIBA Africa champions Mali in the Olympic women’s basketball competition on Wednesday. The USA have so far won all their three outings, while Mali have lost all their three. photo FIBA Beijing 08

BEIJING (Olympics) - Lisa Leslie is homing in on a fourth straight Olympic gold medal with Team USA, and she’s entered the record books along the way.