AMERICANS MISS THEIR SHOT FAVORED TO SWEEP MEDALS, U.S. SETTLES FOR ONLY SILVER.

Byline: Steve Dilbeck Staff Writer

OLYMPIA, Greece - Adam Nelson's first heave in the men's shot-put final in ancient Olympia Stadium on Wednesday was impressive.

It sailed 21.16 meters and rocketed him to first place.

Yet Nelson knew, at the Olympics, it was unlikely to hold. Challengers would come. There would have to be a stronger effort.

The challenge came from the Ukraine's Yuri Bilonog, who twice came within a centimeter of Nelson.

But the stronger throw from Nelson never came. Just four consecutive fouls. Finally on Bilonog's final effort, he tied Nelson.

And so the first Olympic event held here in 1,611 years, came down to one last, dramatic throw by Webb. Since Bilonog had the better second-best throw, Nelson had to beat their shared mark.

The shot sailed down the line and might have had the necessary distance, but the official's flag at the pit went up once again.

His fifth consecutive foul left Bilonog the winner of the gold. For the second consecutive Olympics, Nelson took the silver. Denmark's Joachim Olsen earned the bronze at 21.07.

Nelson argued his toe had not crossed the line, but the official held firm.

Somehow at this low-tech ancient site, his coaches viewed a replay that showed official Dimitri Kaveitlas' call to be correct.

``I can usually tell when I foul, and I really didn't feel that I had,'' Nelson said. ``They said I did. They were right. I apologize to the officials.''

It was a painful way for Nelson to lose the gold, actually tying for the best shot and then losing on a tiebreaker.

He sought out his wife, Laci, in the crowd afterward and the two shared a long, emotional embrace.

``A silver medal is a great piece of hardware, but ultimately the goal is gold,'' he said. ``I guess this means I'll have to stick around and try again in four years.''

Nelson's disappointment, however, was nothing compared to that of John Godina.

Northridge's Godina was a co-favorite to capture the gold but failed to advance from the field of 12 into the final eight.

After two fouls, the announcer mistakenly said Godina's third throw of 20.19 meters did advance him. It actually trailed Germany's Ralf Bartels (20.26) for the eighth spot.

``I really don't understand what happened today,'' said Godina, who competed at UCLA. ``I warmed up throwing in the 22.50s in the other ring.

``I really thought I had made the final. Then they told me I was out.''

Godina had previously made two Olympics in the discus but was looking for gold in the shot.

``I should have won it,'' he said. ``I screwed it up.''

If anyone could have made that argument, it was Nelson, who had one good throw and then five consecutive fouls.

``There's just no excuse for it,'' Nelson said. ``I could just never find my rhythm today.

``This is a great venue and really captures the Olympic spirit. You have to know guys are going to push you.''

Reese Hoffa, the third U.S. contestant, did not advance to the field of 12. He refused to speak to the media when exiting the ancient field.

The finalists were given olive wreaths at Olympia afterward, but will receive their medals Friday at Olympic Stadium in Athens.

Steve Dilbeck, [phone]

stephen.dilbeck(at)dailynews.com

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Adam Nelson's first throw was good enough for silver, which was good because he fouled on the rest of his attempts.

Ed Wray/Associated Press