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August 15, 2004 4:27 pm

Inconsistent archer no match for winds

By ELLIOTT DENMAN

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - The Olympic archery site was breathtaking. But the fabled Meltemi winds swirling down from the Aegean Sea and around classic Panathinaiko Stadium were simply brutal.

Consistency was gone with the gusts breezing through the antique marble landmark home of the first modern Olympic Games, now back in use at the games of the 28th Olympiad, as the knockout phase of the women's Olympic archery tournament began Sunday.

Stephanie Arnold of Portland, Ind., was among the 32 first round KO's. Australia's Melissa Jennison, competing despite a hairline fracture of her right wrist, bested Arnold, 132 points to 121, in the 16-arrow competition.

Janet Dykman of El Monte, Calif., a three-time Olympian, also went to the sidelines as just one American, Jennifer Nichols of Cheyenne, Wyo., advanced to Tuesday's round of 32.

The medals will be determined in Wednesday's final round and then Arnold, Dykman and Nichols plan to regroup for the three-woman team competition to take place on Friday.

``You know, this is only a disappointment in the sense that I had hoped to shoot a little better,'' said first time Olympian Arnold, a 26-year-old graduate of Taylor University, now a marketing and development director for the American Red Cross.

``Had I shot a decent score, and I still didn't win, it might have been OK.

``But, my gosh, the range was just outrageous. I'd literally never shot in wind conditions like this, even in Texas, even in Arizona; you know it can be pretty windy in places like that, but nothing like this.

``There will be more to come. We're looking really strong for the team competition.''

The venue was a definite winner.

``This is an amazing place,'' said Arnold. ``It's just beautiful. It's magnificent.''

And she's caught Olympic fever.

``Living in the (Olympic) Village the past two weeks has been just great,'' she said. ``It's been safe, it's comfortable, and we're right across from our practice venue. Reacting with athletes from other countries, and everything else, it's just phenomenal.

``And Opening Ceremonies, wow, what can I say? Just coming in, and looking around the stadium, that was unbelievable.

``The reception the United States team received, it was so great; it was definitely one of those moments in my life I will never forget.''

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