By The Associated Press, Associated Press
LONDON (AP) — Around the 2012 Olympics and its host city with journalists from The Associated Press bringing the flavor and details of the games to you:
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MORE GOLD FOR GABBY?
With two gold medals in her pocket already, Gabby Douglas is back for more.
The dynamic gymnast who helped the Americans to their first team gold since 1996 and then won the all-around competition returns to action on the uneven bars on Monday.
Douglas also competes on the balance beam on Tuesday, giving her a chance for four golds in these London Games. She's also hoping to avoid disappointment after McKayla Maroney, the overwhelming favorite in the vault, wound up with a silver on Sunday.
— Jon Krawczynski — Twitter http://www.twitter.com/APKrawczynski
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STREAK IS OVER
For the first time since 1980, the Olympics will feature a men's 400-meter gold medalist who is not from the United States.
The gold medal has stayed in the United States for seven straight Olympics, dating back to Alonzo C. Babers' win in 1984. The U.S. boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games, meaning they haven't lost an Olympic 400 in which they participated since 1972.
But defending champion LaShawn Merritt has a hamstring injury that knocked him out, and the Americans did not get a qualifier out of the semifinals on Sunday.
That opens the door for Kirani James of Trinidad and Tobago to break the streak.
— Jon Krawczynski — Twitter http://www.twitter.com/APKrawczynski
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TO END A JINX
It's been 11 years since Canada beat the United States in women's soccer, and the Canadians know it. They're 0-22-4 in the last 26 matches, and will get another crack at the mighty Americans on Monday in Manchester.
The Canadians have only three victories in their history against the United States, and coach John Herdman thinks the one-sided rivalry is in his players' heads.
"They know there's something there. There's a little fear there that we've not done it for a while," Herdman says.
A win over the U.S. would guarantee Canada its first top-three finish at an Olympics or World Cup. It would also be the country's first Summer Games medal in a sport other than rowing or equestrian since 1936.
— Joseph White — Twitter http:www.twitter.com/JGWhiteAP
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BOLT TO GATLIN: ENOUGH TALK
Whatever Justin Gatlin said to get under Usain Bolt's skin probably wasn't a good idea.
After Bolt dusted Gatlin in the 100 final, he said the American was talking a little too loosely leading into the race.
"For me Justin has been saying a lot," Bolt says. "I wanted to run against him in the semifinals. I was praying to get him in my semifinals, but I didn't. People can talk a lot and say what they want, but showing up and doing what you got to do is a different thing. For me, it's all business."
Gatlin took the bronze, and was just fine with that.
"I went out there to challenge a mountain," he says.
— Jon Krawczynski — Twitter http://www.twitter.com/APKrawczynski
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AMERICANS REGROUP
Lithuania gave the Americans a scare in their last game. Now LeBron James and Co. face a team even more talented.
Team USA plays Argentina on Monday, looking to reassert themselves after nipping Lithuania 99-94 on Saturday. Carmelo Anthony says the game woke them up and they're ready to get back to dominating.
"It was a little bit tighter than what we expected," Anthony says. "Lithuania was focused, and it kind of caught us on our heels. We won't get caught on our heels again."
Argentina features NBA stars Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola, who lost one game to France in pool play.
— Jon Krawczynski — Twitter http://www.twitter.com/APKrawczynski
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BOLT TWEETS
Hours after winning a second consecutive Olympic gold in the 100 meters, Usain Bolt took a moment to tweet a message of support for injured Jamaican teammate Asafa Powell.
Bolt — whose handle is (at)usainbolt — wrote: "Respect bossy..hope u get well soon.. You started this Jamaican take over (at)officialasafa"
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