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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Its no easy thing to push Usain Bolt, even in an Olympic warm-up race.Might be even tougher upstaging him.But that happened on a wild Wednesday night in track. It began with the Jamaican star exchanging smiles, then wagging his finger at a brash up-and-comer who dared challenge him in the 200-meter semifinals. It kept going with another Jamaican, Elaine Thompson, completing the first 100-200 womens double since 1988. And it closed with an American sweep of the hurdles to put the cherry on top of a seven-medal day for the United States on the track.Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin finished 1-2-3 in the 100-meter hurdles to give the United States its first sweep in the event, its seventh in the history of Olympic track and the 23rd for U.S. women, regardless of sport, over the history of the Olympics.It was a not-all-unexpected result, though this might be an eye-opener: Both 2008 champion Dawn Harper-Nelson and the current world-record holder, Keni Harrison, were back home after failing to crack the top three at the Olympic trials.Also parading the stars and stripes were long-jumpers Tianna Bartoletta and Brittney Reese, who finished 1-2; steeplechaser Evan Jager, who won silver earlier in the day; and Tori Bowie, who added a 200-meter bronze to her 100 silver.Who wouldnt be thankful for another medal? Bowie said. Now, I have two.So does Thompson.The 24-year-old Jamaican got off to a strong start and held off reigning world champion Dafne Schippers, who belly flopped at the finish line, but finished .10 seconds behind.Thompson, who came into the Olympics nursing a hamstring injury, won in 21.78 seconds. She became the first woman since Marion Jones in 2000 to win both Olympic sprints. Jones records have since been stripped, so Thompson goes in the record book in place of Florence Griffith-Joyner, who starred in the 1988 Seoul Games.I had rough days training but I did not let that overcome me, Thompson said. Im a warrior, a strong girl. I guess hard work pays off.The evenings best entertainment came, as usual, from Bolt, who will go for his eighth Olympic gold medal Thursday.His main goal during the opening rounds is to conserve energy, which is exactly what he was doing when he looked to his right, saw Canadas Andre de Grasse a few steps behind and put it on cruise control.Only problem was, de Grasse, the bronze medalist in the 100, didnt back down. He sped up, caught up and, suddenly, the two were nose to nose, peering and smiling at each other down the stretch. Bolt leaned in to finish in 19.78 to win by a scant .02 seconds. He wagged his finger at the up-and-comer as they crossed the line.That was really unnecessary, Bolt said. I dont know what he was trying to do. Hes a young kid, hes great. He has a lot of talent. Im looking forward to the competition in the final.The competition wont include Justin Gatlin, who has given Bolt more run for his money than anyone over the past four years. In the evenings biggest stunner, Gatlin finished third in his heat and did not qualify for the final.He said he rolled an ankle in the run-up to the Olympics and was happy just to make it here.Probably, I should have rested it instead of running on it, said Gatlin, who finished second to Bolt in the 100.It was a lost medal opportunity for the Americans, for sure. But theyre ahead of the game.Their wins Wednesday gave them 19 for the meet -- five gold, seven silver and seven bronze -- which is already one more than they won through the entire world championships last year in Beijing.Decathlete Ashton Eaton is a candidate to add to that haul. The defending champion finished Day 1 with a solid 121-point lead over Kai Kazmirek of Germany.Another multi-sport athlete is Bartoletta, who won world championships 10 years apart -- in 2005 and 2015 -- and came to Rio de Janeiro hoping to medal in both the 100 meters and the long jump. The 100 didnt go well, but the long jump did. Bartoletta jumped 7.17 meters on her fifth of six attempts. Reese, the defending Olympic champion, had one last shot to pass her but came two centimeters short.Im going to eat a pizza, said Bartoletta, when asked how shed celebrate.Darya Klishina, the lone Russian in the entire meet due to a doping scandal in the country, finished ninth. She spent as much time in a hearing room as the jumping pit in the lead-in to the Olympics, while she appealed her own last-minute ban.The last week and a half before the competition was a total disaster, she said, and I think I didnt quite have enough today.While Russia regroups, the Americans march on.Bartoletta termed Americas strong finish Wednesday night an awesome hour.Bolt, who has his eyes on not only the win, but maybe another world record, is hoping his time will come Thursday night.I definitely think I can try for the world record, said the sprinter, whose current record in the 200 stands at 19.19 seconds. 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John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. Danny Santana Jersey . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe.NEW YORK -- Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby, Washington Capitals right-winger Alex Ovechkin and New York Islanders centre John Tavares were named finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy on Friday. The award is given annually to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. The winner will be announced during the Stanley Cup final. Crosby and Ovechkin have previously won the award, while Tavares is a finalist for the first time. Tavares ranked third in the NHL with 28 goals this past season and led his team with 47 points in 48 games to help the Islanders secure their first post-season berth in six years. The 22-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., also ranked in the top 10 in the league in even-strength goals (19), power-play goals (nine) and game-winning goals (five). Crosby missed the final 12 games of the regular season due to injury, but still finished fourth in the league with 56 points and second with 41 assists. He had 17 multi-point games and a plus-26 rating to help the Penguins claim the top seed in the Eastern Conference.dddddddddddd The 25-year-old native of Cole Harbour, N.S., previously won the Hart Trophy in 2007 and was a finalist for the award in 2010. Ovechkin became the first three-time winner of the Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy as the NHLs goal-scoring leader this season after scoring 32 goals in 48 games. He also finished third in the league in points (56), first in power-play goals (16), first in power-play points (27) and first in shots on goal (220). The 27-year-old Moscow native led the Capitals to an 11-1-1 record in April and their fifth Southeast Division title in the last six years. He previously won the Hart Trophy in 2008 and 2009 and was a finalist in 2010. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the award at the end of the regular season. The top three vote-getters were designated as finalists. Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin won the Hart Trophy last year. ' ' '