EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Defending champion Masterkova out of Olympics

From Sports Illustrated • SI Images: Photos from the Games • Brian Cazeneuve: Sheets leads U.S. past Cubans • Tim Layden: Track and field notebook • Richard Hoffer: Bennett's career remains promising despite loss • Jack McCallum: Wrestler who sued to make team earns silver | Gardner slays a giant • Leigh Montville: Armstrong chase for gold comes up short this time • John Walters: The Channel Guy -- The Sydney Games have provided a soap-opera spirit • Medal Picks: SI's Predictions More Features • Angelo Taylor Diary: Winning provides a great feeling • Sydney Scene: Luba Vangelova -- Oi, Oi, Oy • Day at a Glance: On track when it counts • Wake-up Call: Tracking the day in sports • Viewers' Guide: Sept. 27 • Quiz: Today's Tester Athletes • Just Checking In: U.S. soccer player Landon Donovan • Athlete Bios: U.S. Rosters Multimedia • Photo Gallery: Shots of the Day • Photo Gallery: Upsets galore • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Video and More

SYDNEY, Sept 27 (AFP) - Russia's defending Olympic 1500m champion Svetlana Masterkova collapsed in tears after injury forced her out of the Sydney Games on Wednesday.

Masterkova failed to complete her 1500m first round heat at Stadium Australia, clutching her left leg in agony midway through the race before slumping to the track.

Masterkova also won the 800m gold medal in 1996 but chose not to contest the shorter distance at these Games to concentrate on the 1500m.

She spent minutes sobbing on the infield before being taken away by medical staff with what was believed to be an Achilles tendon injury.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.