Emmons Loses Gold Medal After Aiming at Wrong Target

Monday, August 23, 2004; Page D16

Matt Emmons was just focusing on staying calm. He wishes he had been more concerned with where he was shooting.

Emmons fired at the wrong target on his final shot, a simple mistake that cost the American a commanding lead in the 50-meter three-position rifle final and ruined his chance for a second gold medal.

Matt Emmons of the United States shoots at wrong target, finishes eighth. (Douglas C. Pizac -- AP)

^_____ Day 10 ^_____

• American Justin Gatlin wins the gold medal in the 100-meter sprint.
• American gymnasts add to their medal haul in the individual event finals.
• It was a day of both anticipated and unimaginable prominence for American women.
• The U.S. women's basketball team beats China, 100-62.
• The U.S. softball team needs one more win for gold.
• An injured Gail Devers pulls up short in hurdles.
• Two U.S. women's beach volleyball duos set up a showdown in the semifinals.
• Australian Chantelle Newbery wins women's platform diving.
• Patricia Miranda is the only American not to lose in women's wrestling.
• The American men's elite eight crew ends a four-decade drought in rowing gold medals.
• China's Li Ting and Sun Tian Tian wins gold in women's tennis.
• American shooter Matt Emmons loses a commanding lead by firing at the wrong target.
• American Jennie Reed's quest for a cycling medal ends quickly.
• A Russian shot putter who won gold is under investigation for a positive drug test.
• A Greek weightlifter and medal-winner is banned by the IOC for a doping offense.

^_____ More From The Post ^_____

• Mike Wise: In the blink of an eye, a star is born.
• Michael Wilbon: For Patricia Miranda, the journey to Athens was the toughest part.
• Sally Jenkins: The U.S. softball team has steamrolled through the Games.
• WADA Chairman Dick Pound states his case.
• The 2004 Olympics may be in Athens, but they belong to all of Greece.
• Bryan Clay one of the favorites to win the decathlon.

^_____ On Our Site ^_____

• Athens Snippets: Time is on your side.

^___ Sunday's Medals Results ^___

Cycling
• Women's individual pursuit

Diving
• Women's individual 10m platform

Gymnastics
• Men's floor exercise
• Men's pommel horse
• Men's rings
• Women's uneven bars
• Women's vault

Rowing
• Men's heavy eight, 1 oar
• Men's heavy quadruple, 2 oars
• Men's light quadruple, 1 oar
• Women's heavy quadruple, 2 oars

Sailing
• Laser
• Women's Europe

Shooting
• Men's 50m free rifle 3 positions
• Men's skeet

Table Tennis
• Women's singles

Tennis
• Women's doubles

Track and Field
• Men's 100m
• Men's hammer throw
• Men's high jump
• Men's triple jump
• Women's marathon

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Ahead after nine shots and needing only to get near the bull's-eye to win, Emmons fired at the target in Lane 3 while he was shooting in Lane 2. He had cross-fired -- an extremely rare mistake in elite competition -- and received a score of zero. That dropped Emmons to eighth place at 1,257.4 points and lifted Jia Zhanbo of China to the gold at 1,264.5.

"On that shot, I was just worrying about calming myself down and just breaking a good shot, and so I didn't even look at the number," said Emmons, 23. "I probably should have. I will from now on."

The mistake lifted American Michael Anti to the silver at 1,263.1 points and Christian Planer of Austria to the bronze at 1,262.8.

In skeet, Shawn Dulohery of the United States lost the bronze medal after a three-way shoot-off with Juan Miguel Rodriguez of Cuba, the eventual bronze winner, and Nassar Attiya of Qatar.

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