Crawford takes title as Greeks vent fury

AMERICAN Shawn Crawford won the men’s 200 metres gold medal amid astonishingly hostile scenes in the Olympic Stadium as the Greek public vented their spleen against the Games organisers.

The Greeks had hoped to see Kostas Kenteris, the defending champion and a national hero, running for gold. But after he failed to appear for a random drugs test on the night before the opening ceremony, Kenteris was subject to an investigation by Games officials, which prompted his withdrawal from the Games to avoid the humiliation of being thrown out. The Greeks have been incensed at the treatment of Kenteris, who claimed a shock gold in Sydney four years ago. And there was one aborted start because of the chants of “Hellas! Hellas!” and constant whistling and booing.

Then Mauritian Stephane Buckland was false-started as the deafening din only slightly abated. When the race began, the nightmare result for the hosts materialised.

Many Greeks feel their athletes have been victimised and that United States athletes have not been subject to the same scrutiny by anti-doping officials.

But it was an American 1-2-3, with Crawford racing through the line in 19.79 seconds, Bernard Williams second in 20.01secs and 100m gold medallist Justin Gatlin third in 20.03secs. There was almost a moment for the romantics to treasure, but veteran Namibian Frankie Fredericks could not quite get in the medals at his final Games, taking fourth place in 20.14secs.

American Dwight Phillips added Olympic gold to his world indoor and outdoor titles as he soared to long-jump glory.

With his very first jump, Phillips leapt 8.59metres, and that was enough to fend off his rivals. It was always likely to be sufficient, given that Phillips is the outstanding jumper of the year and the man who produced an 8.60m effort in Linz on August 2 which was the longest for four years.

Eighth at the Sydney Games four years ago, Phillips had won all 10 of his competitions this season before coming to Athens. Only his US team-mate John Moffitt offered any real competition.

The US collegiate champion clinched the silver medal with a lifetime best of 8.47m in the fifth round. That saw Moffitt leap ahead of Cuban-born Joan Lino Martinez, now competing in Spanish colours.

Martinez, three years after switching allegiance, produced his best jump this summer of 8.32m to win the bronze medal.