U.S. sprinter Allyson Felix has powered to victory in the women's 200-meter race, one of the most anticipated events at the London Olympics Wednesday.
Felix's time of 21.88 seconds beat Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who was seeking a 100-meter, 200-meter sprint double win.
American Carmelita Jeter won the bronze, and Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown finished fourth.
In men's competition, the world's fastest man, Jamaican Usain Bolt, eased into Thursday's final of the 200-meter sprint, as did his Jamaican rival, Yohan Blake.
Bolt won gold in the 100-meter sprint in record time. He needs one win to become the first man to repeat as a double-Olympic sprint champion.
Elsewhere, Americans Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings won their third straight Olympic gold medal in beach volleyball. The duo beat April Ross and Jennifer Kessy in an All-American final.
Brazilian world champions Juliana Silva and Larissa Franca took the bronze.
Photo Gallery: Olympics Day 12
Day 12 of the Competition
The 12th day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
In men's basketball, Russia, Spain and Argentina advanced with wins in the quarterfinals. The U.S. is playing Australia in another quarterfinal game.
American basketball star Dwayne Wade, who is not on the Olympic team because of an injury, is confident the star-studded U.S. squad will win the gold medal. "I think, you know, for this team, a lot of people don't really understand this team - there's a lot of new guys that have been incorporated into this team, so they're still learning each other any they're getting better and better with each game, whether it's an 83-point win, or whether it's a close win and they win by 3 points or whatever the case may be. So you know, I think that they're going to be at their best at the end and I believe they're going to bring it home," he said.
In other results Wednesday, China completed a sweep of the four table tennis gold medals with a men's team victory over South Korea.
Hungary won gold medals in the men's 1,000-meter kayak doubles and the women's 500-meter kayak fours.
In sailing, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen finished first in a men's event, giving Australia a second sailing gold at the London Games. Also, Switzerland's Steve Guerdat won the individual show jumping gold.
And the U.S., India, Tajikistan, Brazil, Kazakhstan and China earned bronze medals in women's boxing.
In the medal count, the U.S. soared past China and held an 81-76 lead at one point. Britain is third with 48.
