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Friday, 26 July, 2002, 14:21 GMT 15:21 UK
Jamieson takes heptathlon lead
Australia's Jane Jamieson took a surprise lead at the end of day one of the heptathlon.
Jamieson ended the day with a total of 3,622 points, 39 points clear of team-mate Kylie Wheeler courtesy of strong displays in the high jump and the shot putt.
The overnight leader initially leapt her way into contention with a dominant high jump, her best of 1.86 metres far exceeding her nearest rivals.
She moved into first place after a shot putt throw of 13.73m, a lead she maintained after the final event of day one, the 200m.
Wheeler jumped up from fourth to second with a 12.61m throw in shot putt and closed the gap on her countrywoman with a superior time in the 200m.
At one stage Australia held a one-two-three in the competition, Clare Thompson moving into third with a best of 13.37m in the shot putt.
But she fell away as the final event took its toll.
Kelly Sotherton is the best placed of the English athletes, with 3,521 points, after clocking the fastest 200m - 23.85s.
But it was a day of mixed fortunes for the early leader, Ghana's Margaret Simpson.
Simpson clocked the fastest time in the 100m hurdles - 13.81s - and maintained her lead with a 1.80m high jump.
But the Ghanian had an abysmal shot putt competition, recording a best throw of 11.10m and falling well down the overall classification.
Simpson, along with Julie Hollman of England, is the only Commonwealth athlete to have passed the 6,000-point mark in competition this season.
But Hollman, the pre-tournament favourite, struggled throughout the day and fell well out of contention.
There are three more events scheduled for Saturday: the long jump, the javelin and the 800m.
25 Jul 02 | Athletics
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