Hundreds of swimmers resumed practice for the U.S. Olympic trials at the Qwest Center's two pools yesterday, while repairs were made to the arena in Omaha, Neb., after damage by a severe storm a day earlier.

Powerful winds tore siding off the sides of the building, and heavy rain overloaded the arena's main drains. A 12-inch pipe in one section was blown out, causing water to cascade down steps in the seating area and onto the pool deck.

"We're not pretty, but we're functioning," said Roger Dixon, president and chief executive officer of the 7-year-old arena. "We're beat up a little bit. We're very lucky we had no injuries."

About 600 swimmers, including superstar Michael Phelps, were ordered out of the competition and warmup pools late Friday afternoon and sent to the building's interior hallways and lower floor. About two hours later, after the storm had passed, the building was cleared and practice was canceled for the rest of the night.

Swimmers returned yesterday for two practice sessions. The eight-day meet to decide the U.S. Olympic team begins today, with 1,250 swimmers competing.

JAMAICAN TRACK

BOLT WINS 100 FINAL

World record-holder Usain Bolt beat former record-holder Asafa Powell in the 100-meter final last night in Jamaica's Olympic trials in Kingston, finishing in 9.85 seconds.

Powell was second in 9.97. Last month in New York, Bolt ran a 9.72 to break Powell's world record of 9.74.

Kerron Stewart won the women's 100 in 10.80, the second-fastest time ever by a Jamaican woman. Shelly-Ann Fraster was second in 10.85, Sherone Simpson followed in 10.87 and world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown was fourth in 10.87

OBITUARY

Nicolae Linca: A boxer who won the welterweight gold medal at the 1956 Olympics while fighting with a broken wrist, died yesterday at his home of Feisa in Transylvania. He was 79.

Linca was Romania's only Olympic gold medalist boxer. He won the final at the Melbourne Games by beating Ireland's Frederick Tiedt. Linca was awarded the victory by three of the five judges.