Greer, an eight-time defending national champion, hurt his shoulder at the world championships in Osaka and was throwing for the first time in competition since.

He said he felt more relieved than upset, and this disappointment certainly won't match his Olympic letdown of four years ago. He had the longest throw of anyone in the games, but it came in preliminaries. In the finals, his bad knee gave out in the first round, and he was unable to finish.

He said he was basically hoping for a miracle this year.

"All the doctors, my team of 3,000 people that keep me duct-taped together, suggested not coming here," he said. "I came anyway. Don't tell me what to do. From time to time, you eat (it). From time to time, you get a little gold in your pocket. Today, I ate (it)."

In the men's 1,500-meter semifinals, there were no surprises. The finals are Sunday — the last event of the 10-day meet — and it is shaping up as one of the most competitive races on the card. There are only three spots available for five, maybe more, contenders. Bernard Lagat, Alan Webb, Leonel Manzano and Lopez Lomong are all in the mix, and all advanced to the final.

In the 5,000 women's finals, Kara Goucher finished first and Shalane Flanagan came in third, giving both a chance at a double in Beijing. Each already had qualified in the 10,000. Jen Rhines, who just turned 34, earned the other spot.