Briefs: A photo finish
It took 11.01 seconds to finish the race to decide the fastest woman at the world track and field championships in Osaka, Japan. For Veronica Campbell of Jamaica, it seemed an eternity before she was declared the winner in a photo finish over defending 100-meter world champion Lauryn Williams of the United States.
In one of the closest finishes in championship history, Carmelita Jeter of the United States took bronze, one hundredth of a second behind the leading duo. A third American, 2003 world champion Torri Edwards, took fourth place in 11.05.
In confusing scenes, Edwards' name was first flashed onto a stadium screen in gold-medal position. Then Williams was given the same time. To make it worse, Campbell was suddenly given top place before the screen went blank, leaving all runners in suspense.
"I was just hoping. I did a lot of praying in those few minutes in hoping that God would shine down on me and I could be a gold medalist again," Williams said.
"When the names came up I didn't know what to think. They were starting to switch around and I thought there is hope for me yet," Williams said.
Only when Campbell's name flashed up again on the screen was the Jamaican confident enough to take the flag and start celebrating.
Golds for jailed coach
The most successful coach so far at the world track and field championships is in jail. Lance Brauman's star pupils, America's Tyson Gay and Jamaica's Veronica Campbell, both won gold medals in the 100 meters. They've each pledged their loyalty to Brauman, who is nearing the end of a one-year prison sentence for embezzlement, theft and mail fraud. The charges stem from Brauman's manipulation of scholarships for his athletes at Barton County Community College in Kansas. Brauman is scheduled to be released today, just as Gay starts his qualifying run in the 200 meters.
Bus catches fire
A bus carrying two Asian teams leaving the Little League World Series caught fire early Monday in Lewisburg, Pa., but the children escaped safely. The bus was carrying the second-place team from Japan and a team from Taipei when it caught fire near Bucknell University after leaving South Williamsport at 6 a.m., Susquehanna Trailways spokeswoman Amy Brooks said. The teams and their chaperones got off the bus on U.S. Route 15 and the driver called the fire department, Brooks said.
Credit where credit's due
In Monday's about Steve Stricker winning The Barclays, The Associated Press erroneously reported the last name of his caddie. The correct name is Tom Mitchell, not Matthews.