London 2012 Olympic Games: Day 8

London 2012 Olympic Games: Day 8

Al Tielemans

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (far left) defended her title as the world's fastest woman, edging Carmelita Jeter of the U.S. in the 100-meter final. Fraser-Pryce won in a time of 10.75, which was .03 faster than Jeter.

Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is only the third woman in history to win back-to-back Olympic 100-meter titles, joining Gail Devers and Wyomia Tyus.

Simon Bruty/SI

Oscar Pistorius, the first amputee to compete in an Olympic track event, advanced to Sunday's semifinals in the 400 meters by finishing second in his qualifying heat.

John W. McDonough/SI

Kobe Bryant and the U.S. had their hands full with Lithuania, which led 84-82 with 5:50 to play. Ultimately, the U.S. prevailed 99-94.

Getty Images

Training teammates in Oregon before the Olympics, Mo Farah of Great Britain (left) and Galen Rupp of the U.S. rejoice after finishing first and second in the 10,000-meter run. Rupp's silver was the first medal by the U.S. in the event since 1964.

Simon Bruty

Usain Bolt begin defense of his 100-meter title by advancing in the opening rounds of the qualifying.

Getty Images

Serena Williams joined Steffi Graf as the only women to win a career Golden Slam as Williams defeated Maria Sharapova on Saturday in the gold medal match.

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Capping the greatest Olympic career in history, Michael Phelps earned his 18th gold and 22nd total medal with a butterfly leg that helped the U.S. win in the 4...100 medley relay.

John W. McDonough/SI

In a final race that was more a coronation than a contest, Phelps headed into retirement the only way imaginable - with an 18th gold medal.

Bill Frakes/SI

Britain's national favorite Jessica Ennis thrilled home fans--and closed out her heptathlon victory--with strong showings in the long jump, javelin and 800 meters.

Nursing an injured hamstring, defending 400-meter champion LaShawn Merritt of the U.S. pulled up less than halfway through his heat, leaving the 400 without a clear favorite.

Simon Bruty/SI

Ethiopia's Hiwot Ayalew, Germany's Gesa Felicitas Krause and Ethiopia's Etenesh Diro Neda had the three fastest times, respectively, in the first round of Saturday's 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Simon Bruty/SI

Genevieve LaCaze of Australia failed to qualify for the 15-woman final. Two U.S. runners did: Emma Coburn with the 11th best time and Bridget Frankek with the 14th fastest.

Simon Bruty/SI

Antoinette Nana Djimou Ida of France heads toward a landing in the long jump portion of the heptathlon competition.

Mike Powell/SI

Helen Jenkins of Great Britain paces the field in the running portion of the triathlon on Saturday.

Mike Powell/SI

Fifty-five woman triathletes battled their way through the opening 1.5-km swim leg in the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Nicola Spirig of Switzerland eventually won gold in a photo finish over Lisa Norden of Sweden.

Al Tielemans/SI

Philippe le Jeune, a 52-year-old Olympian from Belgium, competes aboard Vigo D'Arsouilles on Saturday.

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Making his first Olympic appearance since 2000, Britain's Dwain Chambers, who served a ban for doping, pulled away from the field in his 100-meter heat, shot with a finish-line-style strip camera.

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

The U.S.'s Tyson Gay (third from left) has his eyes on a 100-meter medal, and he won his opening heat in 10.08 seconds. Teammate Ryan Bailey turned in the session's fastest time (9.88).

Mike Powell

New Zealand's women's pursuit team raced to victory over Belarus in its first-round matchup. In the finals Great Britain won the gold medal and New Zealand finished fifth.