51.   But the reigning world champion, Ludmila Formanova of the Czech Republic, dropped out on the second lap of her heat because of a sore left ankle.

52.   China invited the team from Finland, the reigning world champions.

53.   Compatriot Stefan Eberharter won silver and reigning world champion Michael von Gruenigen of Switzerland took the bronze.

54.   Crowds of French and other officials surrounded televisions at alliance headquarters to follow the game, where a defeat would have eliminated France, the reigning world champions France.

55.   Daron Rahlves, the reigning world champion in the super giant slalom, dislocated his hip Tuesday while training for the U.S. Ski Championships.

56.   Dunga connected for Brazil and Roberto Baggio, the reigning world player of the year, kicked his shot over the crossbar.

57.   Each came to the Olympics as a favorite and as the reigning world champion and came up short in pursuit of gold.

58.   Earlier Saturday, reigning world champions and Olympic silver medalists Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia held their lead and won the pairs title.

59.   Even reigning world champion Li Xiaoshuang seemed to just be going through the motions, making a rare mistake on his final tumbling pass in the floor exercise.

60.   Foerster is five points behind Tom King and Mark Turnbull, the reigning world champions from Australia.