Highlights of action Thursday in Athens

Thursday, Aug. 19

STARS

--Carly Patterson of the United States became the first American woman to win the gymnastics all-around since Mary Lou Retton in 1984.

--U.S. swimmer Aaron Peirsol reclaimed a gold medal in the 200-meter backstroke after initially being disqualified for what an official called an illegal turn. Hours after the race, officials rejected challenges by Austria and Britain and let the victory stand.

--Michael Phelps won gold in the 200-meter individual medley with an Olympic-record time of 1:57.14, leading the entire race as the 19-year-old secured his place as one of the greatest swimmers in Olympic history.

--Amanda Beard of the United States won gold in the 200-meter breaststroke with an Olympic-record time of 2:23.37.

--Liu Chunhong gave China its fourth gold medal in less than a week of Olympic weightlifting, breaking her own three world records at 152 pounds (69kg).

MORE, MORE, MORE

The upsets continued in men's tennis, with No. 3 Carlos Moya joining eliminated stars Roger Federer and Andy Roddick on the sideline after a 6-2, 7-5 quarterfinal loss to Nicolas Massu of Chile.

MARTINA BOUNCED

Martina Navratilova's long, illustrious career will end without an Olympic medal. Navratilova and partner Lisa Raymond lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Shinobu Asagoe and Ai Sugiyama of Japan. They fell short one step from the medal round.

SKY HIGH

A Greek government official said costs for the Athens Olympics are climbing again, expected to top $8.5 billion because of the massive security and overruns in the scramble to get venues ready. The initial projection was $5.6 billion, with a $7.2 billion revision.

NABBED

Five weightlifters were suspended for flunking drug tests they took before the Olympics, including two who were pulled just before walking to the lifting stand. The athletes were from Morocco, Hungary, Moldova, India and Turkey.

AQUA-SURPRISE

Two-time Olympic champion Alexander Popov of Russia and Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands, the 2000 bronze medalist, failed to advance from the quarterfinals in the 50-meter freestyle.

ASK THE DOC

Prosecutors examining the suspicious motorcycle accident involving Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou want to study injuries sustained by the athletes. They are hoping to question doctors at KAT hospital.

UP NEXT

Track and field begins, with five-time U.S. Olympian Gail Devers running in the 100 meters. ... Two-time defending Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia runs in the 10,000 meters, despite an Achilles injury. ... Mia Hamm and the U.S. soccer team play Japan in the Olympic quarterfinals. The winner moves on and the loser leaves without a medal. ... Defending gold medalist Laura Wilkinson of the United States has the first round of platform diving.

WEATHER

The mercury reached 95 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Friday's forecast called for more of the same -- clear skies and a high of 93.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I don't even know what to say right now. I'm so happy and excited. You dream about this your whole life. Then you win the gold medal, and it's just amazing."

-- All-around gymnastics champion Carly Patterson.