Russia's Ilya Zakharov dashed China's hopes of a clean sweep of all eight diving gold medals at the London Olympics with a gripping victory in the men's 3m springboard final on Tuesday.

Zakharov pumped his fist in the air as soon as he resurfaced upon scoring a competition high 104.50 points on his last dive to claim the gold medal from Chinese pair Qin Kai and defending champion He Chong.

With one gold down, the Russians are trying to discount all the talk about another sweep in synchronized swimming.

But it's not working. It's clear everyone else is playing for silver.

Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi said being disqualified from the London Olympics for not trying did not affect his focus after he came back to win the 1500m title just a day later on Tuesday.

Makhloufi was kicked out on Monday for not trying in the 800m, but reinstated when he appealed on medical grounds, citing a knee injury. On Tuesday, he beat a strong field for the 1500m gold medal.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has given a replica of South American independence hero Simon Bolivar's sword to Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo for winning a gold medal at the London Olympics.

The 27-year-old fencer has received a hero's welcome in Venezuela since returning from winning the country's first gold medal in 44 years.

U.S. NBA stars routed Argentina 126-97 Monday to remain unbeaten and set up showdowns in Wednesday's Olympic quarterfinals, with the alluring chance of a U.S.-Russia gold medal final on Sunday.

The Americans could meet Russia 40 years after a U.S. squad lost to the Soviet Union in a controversial Olympic final where the last seconds were played three times before the Soviets won, the first U.S. defeat in Olympic history.

Bayern Munich says Germany striker Mario Gomez has undergone surgery on his left ankle and will be out of action for three weeks.

Bayern says the 27-year-old Gomez had the operation on Tuesday.

Arsenal made its third offseason player signing on Tuesday, with Spain attacking midfielder Santi Cazorla joining from Malaga on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Arsenal has already signed Olivier Giroud from Montpellier for a reported 13 million pounds (€20 million) and Lukas Podolski from FC Cologne for an undisclosed fee.

Felix Sanchez cried like a baby as he led a night of shocks at the Olympics, with Russia's pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva dethroned and the men's 400m title pried from American hands.

Sanchez, with his famous Superman tattoo and trainers inscribed with "Abuela" (Spanish for "grandmother"), defied all expectations when he regained his 400m hurdles title, at the age of 34 and after a gap of eight years.

China is more than halfway toward a sweep of the diving gold medals at the London Olympics and suddenly looking vulnerable.

For the first time since diving began, the Chinese didn't lead a round. Ilya Zakharov of Russia topped the standings going into the men's 3-meter springboard semifinals on Tuesday.

The only drama in synchronized swimming is who's going to take the silver.

The Russian national anthem will surely be playing during the medal ceremony. Again.