Olympics highlights

By Compiled by Times staff writer

Standing tall

Jon Rauch, a 6-foot-11 White Sox prospect, posted 13 strikeouts against South Africa in an 11-1 victory by the United States.

Ruling the pool

Soft-spoken immigrant Lenny Krayzelburg (100 backstroke) and brash, trash-talking Megan Quann (100 breaststroke) won gold medals for the United States, and Australian sensation Ian Thorpe finally proved vulnerable, losing the 200 freestyle to the Netherlands' Pieter van den Hoogenband.

Party time

The Chinese men's gymnastics team finally won the team gold it has always longed for, setting off the all-night victory party that had been in the works since the team arrived. The Americans, meanwhile, left the empty-handed. Again.

Upset special

Dot Richardson committed two errors in the top of the 11th inning as Japan beat the U.S. softball team 2-1.

Off-beat

Canned

Security guards checking for dangerous items have been asking visitors attending sports events at the main Olympic Park if they are carrying "knives, weapons or cans of Pepsi" in an attempt to appease official sponsor Coca-Cola. Those who refuse to give up their cans or bottles of Pepsi are told they will be refused entry. Olympic officials have been scouring the venues to ensure that the only visible products are of official sponsors, who according to some estimates have paid almost $1.5-billion for rights.

What time is it?

Sydney is 15 hours ahead of Tampa Bay, so as most people read their morning paper, today's events are wrapping up in Australia. We have converted schedules and other references to Tampa Bay time. For the latest results, check the Times Web site at http://www.sptimes.com/olympics.

While you were sleeping

Some of the events completed after deadline for today's paper: women's gymnastics team final, U.S.-Italy men's basketball, U.S.-Kuwait men's soccer, and swimming finals in the women's 200 freestyle, men's 200 butterfly, women's 200 individual medley and men's 800 free.