Dutch coach calls driver 'scared' after team withdraws

The Netherlands withdrew from the four-man Olympic bobsled competition after its driver said that he'd lost confidence, while his coach ripped him for simply being "scared."

Edwin van Calker said his choice had "nothing" to do with the perilous Olympic sliding track, where a Georgian luge athlete died in a training crash and well over 30 competitors have crashed during the Vancouver Games. Van Calker said he simply could not drive well enough on the track to feel safe. "It was a build-up of many things," he said.

Dutch coach Tom de la Hunty said he tried to talk van Calker, whose brother Arnold is on the team, into changing his mind. "I think he'll regret this decision for the rest of his life," de la Hunty said. "I've told him that to his face."

"I've never seen someone get to a major event and not compete because they're scared," said de la Hunty, who added that the van Calker brothers were also succumbing to family pressures after they saw Nodar Kumaritashvili die in a luge wreck at the track. "You keep your inner fears to yourself and do it."

Sweden ousts Britain

Surprising Sweden sent the reigning world champion British men's curlers to an early Olympic exit, shocking David Murdoch's foursome 7-6 in an extra end of a tiebreaker to secure a spot in the semifinals today against top-seeded and unbeaten Canada. Norway plays Switzerland in the other semifinal.

2nd gold for Sablikova

Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic captured her second speedskating gold medal, winning the women's 5,000 meters.The world-record holder Sablikova finished in 6:50.91, beating silver medalist Stephanie Beckert of Germany by 0.48. Defending Olympic champion Clara Hughes of Canada took the bronze. - AP