By Sportswriter Gao Peng

    BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Jamaican sprinters smashed the world record to win the men's 4x100m relay at the Beijing Olympics on Friday, and Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba became the first woman to complete a long-distance golden double at one Games.

    The Jamaican quartet, composed of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, clocked 37.10 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 37.40 set by the United States in 1993. It was Bolt's third gold medal in Beijing, after his world record-breaking victories in the 100m and 200m.

Usain Bolt (C) of Jamaica competes during the men's 4x100m relay final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008. The Jamaican team won the title with 37.10 seconds and set a new world record.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "I asked the guys to give it (the relay gold) to me and they came through," said Bolt.

    "We've always been the sprinters, but we're going to tell them (the world) we're taking over forever, forever," he added.

    Trinidad and Tobago took silver in 38.06 and Japan won bronze in 38.15. The U.S. had dropped the baton in the heats and failed to enter the final.

Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter and Usain Bolt (L to R)of Jamaica pose for photos by the results board with their new world record after the men's 4x100m relay final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008. The Jamaican team won the title with 37.10 seconds and set a new world record. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie) Photo Gallery>>>

    But in stark contrast, the Jamaican women stumbled on the second changeover in the 4x100m relay, allowing Russia to win a surprise gold in 42.31 seconds.

    Dibaba was equally impressive on the track as the 23-year-old ran an fast final lap to win the 5,000m in 15 minutes 41.40 seconds.

    "I'm very happy," said Dibaba. "I will remember the Beijing Games forever because I won two gold medals here."

    Also at the Bird's Nest stadium, long jumper Maurren Maggi became first-ever Brazilian women's athletics gold medalist, American Bryan Clay took the decathlon title and Australian Steve Hooker cleared 5.96m, an Olympic record, to win the men's pole vault.

    Just like Jamaica's dominance in sprints, the Chinese have no match in table tennis.

Gold medalist Zhang Yining, silver medalist Wang Nan, and bronze medalist Guo Yue, all of China, witness the Chinese national flag hoisting up at the awarding ceremony of the women's singles of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008. (Xinhua/Bao Feifei) Photo Gallery>>>

    Zhang Yining came from one set down to defeat Wang Nan 4-1 (8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-3) in an all-Chinese final to win back-to-back singles golds. It was Zhang's fourth gold medal from two Games, equaling legendary Deng Yaping's gold medal haul.

    Zhang admitted that she was not as excited as four years go when she first topped the podium.

    "I had greater desire to win at the last Olympics. Today, when I won gold, I was calmer than expected," she said.

    The bronze medal went to another Chinese - Guo Yue, who downed Singapore's Li Jia Wei 4-2.

Gold medalist Zhang Yining (C), silver medalist Wang Nan (L), bronze medalist Guo Yue, all of China, pose for group photo at the awarding ceremony of the women's singles of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008. (Xinhua/Xu Jiajun) Photo Gallery>>>

    The anticipated clean sweep of golds by China should be continued as the trio of Wang Hao, Wang Liqin and Ma Lin are aiming to oust the lone non-Chinese semifinalist - Jorgen Persson of Sweden.

    Six-time world champions the Netherlands outclassed China 2-0 to win their second Olympic field hockey title. The silver is China's first ever medal in field hockey of any color. The Chinese, coached by South Korean Kim Chang-back, finished fourth at the 2004 Games in Athens.

Tang Chunling (R) of China vies for the ball during women's gold medal match between China and the Netherlands at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games hockey event in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008. The Netherlands won the match and grabbed the gold medal. (Xinhua/Li Yong) Photo Gallery>>>

    "Even though we only ended with a sliver medal, I am satisfied with our performance as a team," said Chinese forward Fu Baorong. "Of course, we have regrets, but that's life."

    Earlier, Argentina beat Germany in the bronze medal game.

    Philip Dalhausser and Todd Rogers completed the U.S. sweep of beach volleyball when they beat Brazil in the men's final a day after Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh upset Chinese pair Tian Jia and Wang Jie for the women's title.

    Maris Strombergs grabbed Latvia's first gold medal of the Games when he won the BMX cycling men's race, and Anne-Caroline Chausson taking the women's gold.

    Germany and Belarus scooped up two gold medals apiece in canoeing and kayaking, and Britain and Hungary split the other two.

    The U.S. men's volleyball team beat Russia in a five-set thriller to reach their first ever Olympic final since 1992. The Americans, who won gold in 1984 and 1988 before winning the bronze in Barcelona, will meet defending champions Brazil in the gold medal match. Brazil defeated Italy 3-1 in the other semifinal.

    In men's basketball, Spain defeated Lithuania 91-86 to set up a final showdown against the United States, a 101-81 winners over defending champions Argentina.

    In men's soccer, Brazil won the bronze medal after thrashing Belgium 3-0.

    At the end of Day 14, China led the medal table with 47 gold, followed by the United States on 31 and Britain on 18.