The U.S. men's sabre team lost on the final touch twice, dropping dramatic matches against eventual gold medalist France in the semifinals and then Russia for the bronze.
"This one really hurt," said Keeth Smart, who was in tears after losing out on the medal. "It wasn't meant to be for whatever reason."
Keeth Smart is stunned by the U.S. fencing team's loss to Russia, 45-44, during the bronze medal bout.
(Michael Conroy - AP)
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 | | _____ Day 7 _____
• American gymnast Carly Patterson wins the gold medal in the all-around.
• In swimming news, Michael Phelps wins his fourth gold, while Aaron Peirsol and Amanda Beard win golds of their own.
• The U.S. men's basketball team starts slowly but comes back to beat Australia, 89-79.
• The U.S. softball team remains unbeaten as it rolls to another victory, 7-0, over Greece.
• There will be no punishment for the Iranian Judo champion who was disqualified.
• The U.S. men's sabre team loses on the final touch twice, just missing a medal.
• The U.S. men's water polo team suffers its first loss.
• A Greek crew wins the first sailing gold of the Games.
_____ More From The Post _____
• Sally Jenkins: Give the USA basketball team a break.
• Michael Wilbon: Any sport with judging will have accusations, allegations and denials.
• After over a billion dollars were spent on security, the only disruptions so far are trivial.
• There is little, it seems, that does not excite Kenyan Bernard Lagat.
_____ On Our Site _____
• Athens Snippets: NBC is the Greek God of Time.
___ Thursday's Medals Results ___
Archery
• Men's individual
• Women's singles
Fencing
• Men's team sabre
Gymnastics (Artistic)
• Women's individual all-around
Judo
• Men's 100kg
• Women's 78kg
Shooting
• Men's 10-meter running target
Swimming
• Women's 200 breastroke
• Men's 200 backstroke
• Women's 100 freestyle
• Men's 200 individual medley
Weightlifting
• Women's 69kg
• Men's 77kg
_____ Multimedia _____
• Audio: Liz Clarke on gymnastics.
• Audio: Mike Ruane on Phelps.
• Audio: Paul Hamm's run to gold.
_____ Photos _____
• Day 7
• Photo galleries page
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Smart entered the final rotation against Russia with a 40-35 lead, but four-time gold medalist Stanislav Pozdniakov pulled even at 44. After neither scored on a double-touch, Smart attacked but hesitated for split-second, which gave Pozdniakov an opening.
"When you pull back your arm," Smart said, "you're automatically going to be punished."
The loss to France was tougher. After upsetting Hungary, the Americans trailed France 40-38 in the semifinals when Smart came in to fence Damien Touya. Smart rallied to tie it at 44. On the next play, Smart's sabre went through Touya's glove, piercing his hand at the webbing of the fingers, and exiting through his palm. Touya received treatment and returned.
On the fourth attempt at a deciding point, Smart and Touya both recorded touches, but Touya caught Smart while preparing to attack, giving the Frenchman the victory.
"France . . . you know . . . man, that hurt," Smart said.
-- From News Services
