Fraker advances in Olympic whitewater slalom

Benn Fraker on Monday came back from an early penalty in his first run at Beijing's Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park to complete a stellar second run in the Beijing Olympics whitewater slalom. Fraker finished 10th in the C-1 category with a combined time of 179.44, which was good enough to return to competition later in the week.

Fraker won the Junior Pre-Worlds in 2005, is coached by world champion Cathy Hearn and her brother, three-time Olympian Davey Hearn.

U.S. teammate Scott Parons had a fast 84.91 on his first run, but missed a gate late in his second run and suffered a 50-second penalty that eliminated him from the upcoming semifinals. His combined time was 220.4, which dropped him to 20th place; only the top 15 advance.

Parsons is ranked ninth in the world in the kayak slalom. Beijing was the second Olympics competition for Parsons, who finished sixth at the 2004 Athens Games.

Here is a link to a blog by David Yarborough, executive director of USA Canoe/Kayak.

-- Greg Johnson

Photo: Benn Fraker of the U.S. paddles during Olympic competition at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing on Monday. Credit: Frank May / European Pressphoto Agency

Hungarian Olympics canoeing champ dies

Two-time Olympics canoeing gold medalist Gyorgy Kolonics died earlier today after collapsing in his canoe during a training session, the Associated Press reported. The Hungarian athlete was 36.

Kolonics lost consciousness and paramedics were unable to revive him, the Hungarian Olympic Committee said. The probable cause of death was heart failure.

Kolonics won the Olympic gold medal in the 500-meter canoe doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. He followed up with another gold in the 500-meter singles at the 2000 Sydney Games. He also won bronze medals in Atlanta and at the Athens Games.

Kolonics was training for Beijing Games, which would have been his fifth Olympics.

Photo: Hungarian canoeists Gyoergy Kolonics, left, and Gyoergy Kozmann celebrate after winning a race on Aug. 12, 2007. Credit: Juergen Schwarz / AFP/Getty Images