90,000 spectators are following the running events in Beijing’s National Stadium. © www.photorun.net

The Olympic semi-finals of the men’s 800m produced several surprises. The big favorite, Abubaker Kaki (Sudan), failed to reach Saturday’s final. The 19-year-old world junior record holder and world indoor champion lost contact with the leaders with around 250 meters remaining on the second lap and finished last in 1:49.19. The race was won by Nabil Madi (Algeria) in 1:45.63 while the two Kenyans, Wilfred Bungei (1:46.23) and the reigning world champion Alfred Kirwa Yego (1:44.73), won the other races.

The Kenyans are favorites for Saturday, especially as the title holder Yuriy Borzakovskiy (Russia) was caught napping in the semi-finals. He was third in 1:46.53. “I’m expecting the final to be close and decided on a fast finish. I’m ready for it,” said Yego.

Also on the schedule in the Olympic stadium on Thursday were the semi-finals of the women’s 1500m. The winners of their respective races were the world champion Maryam Jamal (Bahrain/4:05.14), Irina Lishchynska (Ukraine/4:13.60) and Nancy Lagat (Kenya/4:03.02). The British youngster Stephanie Twell, whose performances have led some in Britain to compare her to Paula Radcliffe in her junior career, narrowly missed a place in the final. The 19-year-old was sixth in her race in 4:06.68. Shannon Rowbury was the sole American to make it through to the final.