Chinese Wins Women's Pole VaultGao Shuying of China took the title of the women's pole vault at 4.26 meters Monday at the MAI Galan track meet in Malmoe, Sweden, while Stacy Dragila, who recently broke the record in the US Olympic trials, finished third.Ato Boldon of Trinidad, who had run the second fastest time of 9.95 seconds this year in the men's 100 meters, easily won his race in 10.03 seconds. Boldon, who clocked 10.21 Saturday in London and ended fourth, was followed by Americans Jeff Laynes at 10.10 and Bernard Williams at 10.12. Injured record-holder Maurice Greene of the United States missed the meet but watched from the stands. Dragila, who set the world record 4.63, only managed 4.26, finishing behind fellow American Melissa Mueller, who also cleared over 4.26. Gao won on fewest attempts. The 29-year-old Dragila, former heptathlete who was persuaded by her coach at Idaho State to try the pole vault, will be leading the American contingent in the new Olympic event. Michelle Collins of the United States won the women's 400 meters in 50.79. Collins, who outdistanced Sandie Richards of Jamaica (51.21) and Monique Hennegan of the United States (51.92), had soar muscles and complained about the cold weather, with a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit). US sprinter Danny McCray won the men's 400 meter in 45.49 ahead of countrymen Warren Hooker with 45.88 and Jerome Davis with 45.92. In the women's 400-meter hurdle, Iceland's Gudrun Arnadottir beat Olympic champion Deon Hemmings of Jamaica. The two women easily took an early lead and outdistanced the other runners before Arnadottir pulled ahead, finishing in 54.89 while Hemmings clocked 55.11. South Africa's Llewellyn Herbert won the men's race in 49.20, while Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic was second in 49.98 with Whyte Wayne of Jamaica third in 50.11. |
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