Beijing Digest/ SOCCER: Argentina achieved revenge over Nigeria for their 1996 defeat with a 1-0 victory in the Olympic final in the blazing heat of the Bird's Nest stadium.
Lionel Messi, the 21-year-old Barcelona player whose participation in the tournament was threatened after his club won a legal battle with Fifa, proved the pivotal influence laying on a goal for Angel di Maria and regularly tormenting the Nigerian defence.
Victory meant Argentina had buried the ghost of 1996, when they lost 3-2 to a Kanu-inspired Nigerian side, and became the fourth country to defend their Olympic crown after Britain (1908, 1912), Uruguay (1924, 1928) and Hungary (1964, 1968).
It also meant two Olympic gold medals for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, the only survivor from Argentina's side in 2004.
For the goal, Messi's quick feet gave him space to roll a perfect pass into the path of di Maria. The Benfica midfielder outstripped the defence and as Ambruze Vanzekin advanced to meet him hit a delightful chip over the goalkeeper and into the net.
Seymour has tough time
MOUNTAIN BIKING: Robin Seymour had a tough time at the Olympic cross country event on Saturday, pulling out of the eight-lap race before the end.
France dominated the event, with Julien Absalon finishing one minute seven seconds ahead of team-mate Jean-Christophe Peraud. Nino Schurter (Switzerland) took bronze.
Seymour said afterwards: "I had a blood test. My white cell count is high which means I am fighting infection."
Fagan pulls out as Wanjiru triumphs
ATHLETICS: A hamstring injury forced Ireland's Martin Fagan to withdraw from the Olympic Marathon in Beijing yesterday morning.
Fagan's effort fell short at the 40km mark as he neared the Bird's Nest stadium. He was taken to the Chinese/Japanese Hospital in Beijing, where he was examined by team doctor Bill Cuddihy, before returning to the Olympic Village.
The race was eventually won by Sammy Wanjiru. The Kenyan defied the heat and humidity to comfortably win gold and set a new Olympic record of two hours six minutes 32 seconds. The 22-year-old, who is based for much of the year in Japan, beat Morocco's Jaouad Gharib into the silver medal position in two hours seven minutes and 16 seconds, while fast-finishing Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia took third.
Zeller nets golden goal for Germany
MEN'S HOCKEY: Germany claimed Olympic gold in the men's hockey on Saturday with a battling 1-0 win over Spain in the final.
Christopher Zeller netted the only goal of the match from a ferocious penalty corner in the 16th minute.
The Germans then fought off repeated Spanish attacks to secure gold and add the Olympic title to their World Cup triumph two years ago.
Spain lived up to their billing as the best team never to have won the Olympic gold as they faltered for the third time after losing finals to India in 1980 and the Netherlands in 1996.
The Spanish strikers, led by the seasoned Santi Freixa, raided the German half throughout a gripping contest but could not break a solid defence. Australia took the bronze medal with a spectacular 6-2 win over the Netherlands.
USA reclaim the volleyball laurels
VOLLEYBALL: The United States upset defending champions Brazil to win volleyball gold with a thrilling 3-1 victory in the mens final in Beijing.
Top seeds Brazil had held a two-point lead in the fourth set, but the US fought back to claim a 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 win.
It was the Americans first Olympic gold in the event since Seoul in 1988.
Russia beat Italy 25-22, 25-19, 25-23 to claim bronze.
Bryant dazzles
BASKETBALL: Hot favourites the United States won Olympic men's basketball gold by outgunning Spain 118-107 in an epic final of hard fouls and flying elbows yesterday.
World champions Spain were down by 14 points in the first half but pulled to within two on a Rudy Fernandez three-pointer with 8:13 left.
Jolted into action, Kobe Bryant swished two huge three-pointers. Dwyane Wade led the way with 27 points, sealing the game on another long bomb.
