Surprises, Upsets at Saturday’s Olympic Games

Posted July 28th, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
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Athletes at the Summer Olympic Games in London are getting down to business on Saturday, following Friday evening's lavish opening ceremony.

China earned the first gold medal of the Games when Yi Siling won the women's 10-meter air rifle competition, while competitive shooter Bahai al-Hamad became the first woman from Qatar to participate in the Olympics.

There were highlights in weightlifting. China's Wang Mingjuan extended her 10-year unbeaten record to win gold in the 48-kilogram weight division. However, the competition ended abruptly for Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku, who was disqualified for testing positive for a banned steroid.

In swimming, South Korea's defending champion in the 400 meters freestyle was disqualified for a false start. However, judges reinstated Park Tae-Hwan on appeal. It was also a rough day for U.S. swimming superstar Michael Phelps, who barely qualified for the 400-meter individual medley.

Earlier Saturday, police cleared part of central London's Hyde Park after a suspicious package was found near a display sponsored by the Russian government. They later reopened the site, saying the situation had been resolved and there were no safety concerns.

Also Saturday, police said they arrested more than 130 cyclists who took part in a protest near the Olympic Stadium during Friday's opening ceremony.

Authorities said the protesters ignored warnings not to enter the Olympic route.

The 17-day competition in 26 sports runs through August 12.