Greeks vent, then Americans tame track

Fans of disgraced Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris delayed the start of the men's 200, which the U.S. men went on to sweep.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- What a night for U.S. athletes in Olympic track and field. Even in the event that went to another country, an American won.
Shawn Crawford, Bernard Williams and Justin Gatlin swept the 200. Dwight Phillips and John Moffitt went 1-2 in the long jump. Marion Jones and the 400-meter relay team cruised into the finals.
And Felix Sanchez, whose 400-meter hurdles win Thursday gave the Dominican Republic its first Olympic gold medal, was born in New York, raised in San Diego and has dual citizenship.
Everyone behaved -- except the Greek fans who packed Olympic Stadium, chanting the name of their disgraced sprinter, Kostas Kenteris. The Greeks had paid big money to watch Kenteris defend his 200 gold medal, but he withdrew from the Olympics in a doping scandal.
Diplomatic
The turmoil delayed the start of the 200 four minutes. Four-time Olympic silver medalist Frank Fredericks, who finished fourth in the race, held his finger to his lips, then clasped his hands together, begging for quiet.
The Americans weren't upset.
"We're here in the birthplace of the Olympics, the defending Olympic champion is from Greece, and there were certain situations that didn't allow him to compete," Crawford said. "I'm sure they were disappointed. I can understand their feelings. I know they're disappointed and angry."
Crawford took the lead off the turn and burst down the home stretch to finish in 19.79 seconds, the fastest time in four years and a personal best. Bernard Williams tied his personal best of 20.01 seconds for silver. Justin Gatlin, the 100 champion, won bronze in 20.03.
The celebration was subdued. Williams, part of the embarrassing preening after the U.S. 400-meter relay victory in Sydney four years ago, made sure he behaved himself. So did the usually flamboyant Crawford.
Not arrogant
"We don't have to be arrogant about anything," Williams said. "We can carry ourselves with honor. That's the stars and stripes."
The trio didn't quite complete their victory lap. They stopped at the medal stand where Phillips and Moffitt were standing as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played.
It was the sixth time the United States has taken all three 200 medals -- the last sweep was led by Carl Lewis in 1984.
And it gave the United States a total of 18 track and field medals, just two behind the total from Sydney, with two nights of competition remaining. Russia is next with nine medals.
Phillips, probably the biggest favorite to win a gold of all the Americans, captured it on his first jump, 28 feet, 21/4 inches -- a half-inch off the personal best he set three weeks ago. Moffitt, the NCAA champion from LSU, was second with a personal-best 27-91/2.
Jump is back
The United States has won the long jump gold in all but four Olympics. The latest shutout was four years ago, and the significance of reclaiming the title was not lost on Phillips.
"To go 1-2 in the Olympic Games, and follow in the footsteps of those great jumpers -- such as Mike Powell, Carl Lewis, Bob Beamon, Ralph Boston -- now you've got Dwight Phillips and John Moffitt," Phillips said.
Overshadowed in the U.S. medal barrage Thursday night was Jones' appearance in the semifinals of the 400-meter relay. The quartet of Angela Williams, Jones, Lauryn Williams and LaTasha Colander matched their world-leading time of 41.67 seconds.