Olympics: Missile Magnussen stars on Games debut

Olympics: Missile Magnussen stars on Games debut

LONDON: Tough-talking James Magnussen marked his Olympic debut by leading Australia into the 4x100m freestyle relay final Sunday, as organisers launched a probe into acres of empty seats at venues.

As the Games moved into its second full day, the women gymnastics competition was rocked by a failed drugs test while China grabbed their fifth gold medal.

In the pool, world champion Magnussen dived in at the last change to reel in veteran America's Jason Lezak to lift Australia into Sunday night's relay final as top qualifiers.

It was Magnussen's first swim at the Games and the 'Missile' delivered on his brash confidence, clocking a sizzling 47.35 seconds to surge past Lezak (48.04).

Defending Olympic champions America were second quickest ahead of Russia and France.

The Americans, who have won eight of the 10 Olympic gold medals awarded in the event, are expected to bring in big guns Nathan Adrian, Cullen Jones and Michael Phelps for Sunday night's final.

Sun Yang led the way into the men's 200m freestyle semi-finals just one day after he gave China it's first men's swimming title.

Australian Emily Seebohm set the pace in the women's 100m backstroke preliminaries, winning her heat in 58.23sec -- an Olympic record and the third-fastest time in history.

US teenager Missy Franklin, swimming in seven events, was second-quickest.

Uzbek gymnast Luiza Galiulina was provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned diuretic furosemide, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced.

Galiulina underwent a drugs test on July 25, three days before the start of the women's artistic gymnastics competition.

China's Guo Wenjun came from behind on the very last shot to successfully defend her 10m air pistol shooting title.

With her final effort, Guo shot a 10.8, just 0.1 points short of a maximum score, drawing gasps from the packed crowd at the Royal Artillery Barracks and overhauling France's Celine Goberville, who had led going into the last round.

There are 14 medals up for grabs on Sunday.

In women's cycling, Dutch rider Marianne Vos of the Netherlands starts as favourite to take the title won by Britain's Nicole Cooke in Beijing.

Two golds are also up for grabs in weightlifting, judo with one each in fencing and archery. (AFP)