The Journeys of Day 8

 The medal picks of Day 8 came from the Men’s 1500m freestyle in the Swimming Tournament where Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia won a bronze medal and the Men’s 10,000m where Tariku Bekele of Ethopia also won a bronze medal.

It was a mixed outcome at the Athletics Tournament with some unexpected results. Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare had shown so much promise, it looked more than certain that she would get a medal in the Women’s 100m going by her performance at the Heats, Yet, she came in 5^th place, in probably her worst time this season.

Kenenisa Bekele was the African favourite for the Men’s 10,000m, but he came in 4^th place with Tariku Bekele winning the bronze medal.

Ghana’s Godfrey Khotso Mokoena didn’t make into the first three in the Men’s Long Jump, but made it to the 8^th position.

Amantle Monthso of Botswana is the only African to make it to the finals of the Women’s 400m.

South African 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pristorius qualified for the Men's 400m semifinals, where he ranks as No.16 - the highest for Africa in the lineup.

In the Men’s Basketball Tournament, Nigeria lost to Argentina in a 79:93 points score; while Tunisia lost to France 69:73.

Ramy Elawady of Egypt will not be progressing to the quarterfinals of the Men’s Light Fly in the Boxing Tournament. Richarno Colin of Mauritius and Abderrazak Houya of Tunisia were eliminated in the Round of 16 in the Men’s Light Heavy.

However, Abdelhafid Benchabla won his Round of 16 against Enrico Kolling of Germany in the Men’s Light Heavy and will face Oleksandr Gvozdyk of Ukraine in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Bernard Esterhuizen of South Africa came in 11^th place in the Men’s Sprint event of the Cycling Tournament.

Karim El Zoghby of Egupt made the first qualification in the Individual Jumping event in the Equestrian Tournament.

The young lions of Senegal had to exit the quarterfinals after a 2:4 loss to Mexico. Egypt lost 0:3 to Japan thus ending Africa’s chances at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.

The Tunisian Men’s Handball team had a 34:17 victory over Great Britain in the Group A preliminaries. They have one more match against Argentina, which will determine their continued participation in the tournament. The Men’s Volleyball team lost to Germany 0:3 in the preliminaries of Group B. They have also been unable to secure any wins since the tournament began, and will play against USA in their last match.

South Africa was still not able to record any win in the Women’s Hockey Tournament, as they lost for the 4^th time to Australia.