That completes perhaps the longest day of Olympics action possible with the surfing gold medals going to France’s Kauli Vaast and America’s Caroline Marks.
It feels like an age ago that we saw Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson win gold in the women’s 800m and Sweden’s Armand Duplantis break his own pole vault world record, let alone the thrilling, chaotic, controversial mixed relay triathlon that started the day.
We’ll be back in just under two hours to do it all again on day 11 of the Paris Olympic Games.
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Surfing gold for the USA
Caroline Marks is the women’s surfing gold medallist, hanging on in a thrilling final in Teahupo’o for a 10.50 to 10.33 win over Tatiana Weston-Webb.
The Brazilian was given a 4.50 for her last wave and falls agonisingly short of Marks, and has to settle for silver.
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Weston-Webb makes the most of a low wave, carving four hard turns that could be enough to claim the lead with one minute remaining. Marks is paddling back out after very briefly catching a barrel, but we’re now waiting on the last score for the Brazilian to decide the gold and silver medals.
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Weston-Webb works her way back into the final with crisp carving on a short wave. It earns a 5.83, which is not enough to claim the lead but could be a handy back up score if she finds another wave of consequence. Marks gets a brief barrel and now leads 10.50 to 7.63, but the gold medal will likely go to the surfer that can add the stronger second score in the four minutes remaining.
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Marks completes the first wave of the women’s gold medal match, delaying her turn into the barrel, briefly stalling in the tube and riding out clean. That is the new benchmark with a 7.50, giving the American an 8.00 to 0.76 lead with less than 14 minutes remaining.
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Weston-Webb paddles for the first wave of the final following 10 minutes of waiting, but after a late drop in the Brazilian crashes out. Marks tries to make her pay immediately, pulls into a barrel but it quickly closes in. The American takes a nominal 0.50 to 0.33 lead.
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Women's surfing final: Marks v Weston-Webb
It’s straight into the women’s surfing gold medal match between America’s Caroline Marks and Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb.
Marks is already assured of her first Olympic medal after finishing fourth in Tokyo 2020, while Weston-Webb knows this break well and picked up a perfect 10 at Teahupo’o just a few months ago.
The finalists are out the back and waiting for the first set to come through.
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Surfing gold for France
Kauli Vaast is the men’s surfing gold medallist after picking up two early barrels, while Australia’s Jack Robinson just could not find a second wave of consequence and finishes with silver.
The 22-year-old French surfer, from the local village in Teahupo’o, went deep into a barrel for a 9.5 that set a high benchmark for the rest of the final. Vaast takes victory 17.67 to 7.83.
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Robinson has priority for the next set but the waves are low and the bar is high with the Australian needing almost a perfect 10, or at least two very strong scores, to overtake Vaast. The local surfer leads 17.67 to 7.83 as the clock ticks down to only 12 minutes remaining in the gold medal match.
Vaast gets into another barrel, stalls his pace to stay deep in the wave and exits with a hard carve on a huge face. The French surfer is awarded a 9.50 for his first wave and an 8.17 for his second. Robinson is handed a 7.83 and he has all the work to do in the 20 minutes remaining.
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The Teahupo’o sand is packed with fans watching on, while there are several more boats off to the side with an even better view, and after almost 10 minutes the ocean joins the party.
Vaast grabs the first wave with a long tube ride, holds it deep for several seconds and exits with arms aloft. Robinson is onto the next wave in the set but it closes out quicker, and it looks like the French surfer will take an early advantage.
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Men's surfing final: Robinson v Vaast
The Paris 2024 men’s surfing gold medal match will see Australia’s Jack Robinson facing French goofy-footer Kauli Vaast. And after 10 days in Tahiti, the hooter has sounded for the men’s final.
Vaast was born in Tahiti and resides, for the most part, in Teahupo’o. But Robinson also knows this break as well as anyone and won the WCT Tahiti Pro here in 2023.
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France’s Johanne Defay is the women’s surfing bronze medallist, as Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy improves one spot on her placing three years ago to finish in fourth. Defay started strong and controlled the heat, while Hennessy just could not find a wave of consequence. Defay is ecstatic, wiping away tears and letting out huge cries of joy.
Back in Tahiti, Brisa Hennessy has clutched at a few lower waves but hasn’t been able to get enough out of them. Defay takes the best wave for at least 10 minutes, holds her place in the barrel and exits to carve up a huge face but loses her footing on the way back down. The Costa Rican is almost out of time here.
Jack Robinson will be surfing for Australia’s second gold medal of the day after Noémie Fox claimed gold in a chaotic women’s kayak cross final. It was incredibly the third gold medal at Paris 2024 for the Fox family, after sister Jess won the C1 and K1, and Jack Snape has more on the sibling sensations:
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France’s Johanne Defay is controlling this women’s bronze medal match, busy catching the majority of waves and finding a third barrel to stretch her lead with a 6.83. Brisa Hennessy now needs a 9.66, as she trails 12.66 to 4.50 (and each surfer’s best two waves make up their score) with under 15 minutes remaining.
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Defay again gets a short barrel before coming out for three aggressive carves and a 5.57. Hennessy is made to wait her turn and jumps at the first wave to come through for several minutes, takes off late and settles into the barrel but the lip closes in and knocks her off – it’s only a 1.50.
Johanne Defay gets the first wave of the women’s bronze medal match. There is only a short barrel but the 30-year-old adds three powerful turns to score a solid 5.83. Hennessy follows up straight away, three quick carves getting her on the board with a 3.00.
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The women’s bronze medal match is up next as France’s Johanne Defay takes on Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy. The surfers are making their way to the Tahitian water now.
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Brazil’s Gabriel Medina adds an Olympic bronze medal to his three world titles, edging out Peru’s Alonso Correa 15.54 to 12.43. A pair of clean barrels were the difference, but Medina’s aggression through the turns also stood out.
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Correa is waiting patiently as the clock ticks down. He has two minutes to find a wave – with a hefty barrel – that offers an 8.72 or better.
Medina gets another barrel, holding his speed to sit deep and make a classy exit. The Brazilian goes straight into an alley-oop but loses his feet on the landing.
That’s still enough for Medina to stretch his lead over Correa – 15.27 to 12.43 – with less than nine minutes remaining.
The Peruvian will likely need a tube to overtake Medina but the good news is that heavier waves have now arrived.
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Three-time world champion Medina bursts back into the heat as he gets a deep, long tube and hangs on through the exit. Three fast carves make it surely the best score of the heat so far. Correa was on the wave ahead but missed out on a barrel and could only throw in four carves.
The Brazilian gets back out quicker than Correa and takes priority for the next set.
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Correa is piling on the pressure with the next wave as he gets a short tube, riding out from the back of it, then carves hard to make the most of his turn.
The Peruvian now leads 11.83 to Medina’s 6.54 with 20 minutes remaining.
Surfing bronze medal match: The two goofy footers are made to wait for a set to come through but Correa gets the first wave of the men’s third-place final. The Peruvian holds on as the barrel closes out then adds a couple of carves to get the first score on the board.
Medina responds straight away, no tube so he carves hard, but Correa looked to have the better of their opening waves.
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While we wait for the surfers to be dragged out, catch up on France’s extra-time victory over Egpyt in the men’s football semi-final:
Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb is through to the women’s surfing final against Caroline Marks after defeating Brisa Hennessy 13.66 to 6.17. Hennessy will face Johanne Defay in the bronze medal match.
The men’s third-place surf off is up next between Gabriel Medina and Alonso Correa, as the surfers hit the water.
Thanks to Daniel for keeping things running smoothly during a monster stint of day 10 action. We’re still officially in the 10th day of Paris 2024 as the surfing in Tahiti edges towards the medal matches.
Australia’s Jack Robinson will face Tahitian-born, French surfer Kauli Vaast for the men’s gold medal. Brazilian Gabriel Medina is up against Peru’s Alonso Correa for the bronze.
Caroline Marks is through to the women’s final with Tatiana Weston-Webb and Brisa Hennessy down to the last few minutes of their semi-final to find out who will join the American in surfing for gold.
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Aha! We may be about to bring you the aforementioned surfing! Stick with us!
Righto, that is us done for another day. Doesn’t really feel like it does it justice to call it a day, but there it is. and the best thing about it? There’ll be another along shortly – and already is, with the surfing.
Otherwise, we’ve got the usual array of wrestling, canoe, skateboarding and such. There’s also more men’s 200m, men’s team sprint cycling, and the big track and field finals are the men’s long jump, the women’s 40m hurdles – yes, that is Sydney McLaughlin v Femke Bol – the men’s 1500m – yes, that is Josh Kerr v Jakob Ingebrigtsen – and the women’s 3oo0m steeplechase. Oh, and the semis in the women’s football, USA v Germany and Brazil v Spain, and some boxing medal-matches. Goodness.
But in the meantime, Keely Hodgkinson is Olympic champion, Mondo Duplantis is still Olympic champion and improved his own world record just because he knew he could, and Britain’s women, Emma Finucane, Katy Marcant and Sophie Capewell won the first of the track cycling golds.
Thanks for your company and comments – peace out.
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France beat Egypt 3-1 (a.e.t.) and will play Spain in the final of the men's football
Egypt led and put up a good fight, but France had too much class. Doue made a big difference when he came on, while Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta are steaming hot at the moment.
Surfing: Australia’s Jack Robinson is guaranteed at least an Olympic silver medal after reaching the men’s final with victory over three-time world champion Gabriel Medina. After a seemingly endless wait for the competition to get back under way due to unfavourable conditions at Teahupo’o, athletes finally got back into the water on Monday (Tahiti time) and Robinson won a cagey heat against the Brazilian with a score of 12.33 to Medina’s 6.33. In the gold medal contest, he will face French Polynesian Kauli Vaast.
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Olise gets on the ball, on the move, creates space for a shot … and snaps it just past the far post. He’s going to have a lot of fun at Bayern.
I cannot tell you how close I was to doing the same thing. So close I feel poorly when I think about it, as though I actually did.
The celebrations at the end of the floor competition were great.
Laura Kenny knew.
Michael Olise is so good. Doue, who’s been excellent since he came on, bundles into a challenge, falls, and has the ball walloped against his prone back, in the process delivering a visionary assist for Olise, who leathers a low instashot inside the near post to finish the match. France lead 3-1 and are going to play Spain for the gold medal.
…and Azizo teases a low curler just wide. Restes, though, had it covered.
We’re into added time in the first period of extra time, but Egypt have a free-kick to the left of the D. In the circumstances, this is a chance…
How good these last few days have been is actually quite overwhelming. We’ll be wrecks by Sunday.
There’s some lovely stuff in here. Noah Lyles is a superstar.
And talking of ridiculous. Imagine how much more is to come from both of these.
Just a ridiculous individual. How easy he makes look something incomprehensibly taxing is indecent.
Crystal Palace score again for France! Olise receives a short corner and bursts to take a yard out of his marker, caressing a gorgeous ball into the box which Sildillia nods back across, and Mateta finishes yet again. It’s fair to say he’s on one.
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“The Icelandic commentator invoked the theft of the Mona Lisa before France equalised,” returns Kári Tulinius, “but I wouldn’t go that far. However, it’s nice to watch a fun French team. Les Bleus are at their best when they blend steel and romance, and after a dull Euros campaign it’s nice to see some poetry being inked in blue.”
I can’t disagree with that. It feels like the rich football nations will keep producing rafts of talented youngsters now.
I thought Omar Fayed might get a second booking for handball, after he was booked for dissent, protesting against the review of his handball. But to make things right, he’s had the electric Doué rinse past him before chopping him down; out comes the second yellow, then the red, and Egypt will play 28 minutes with 10.
The Netherland players celebrate with their families and that’s lovely to see. Meantime, in Lyon, extra time is under way.
De Jong, we learn, was the Netherlands’ flag-bearer. Decent few days for him.
The Netherlands beat France 17-16 to win gold in the 3v3 basketball
Oh look at that. Just look at it! De Jong nails a two from wide, and wins gold for the Netherlands with a moment of unfathomable inspiration! He has made his life, right there!
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Back to the 3v3, there are seconds to go and France lead 16-15 … but Netherlands equalise at the death! 16-16 and the first to two wins! France score first…
The final whistle goes, the score after 90 France 1-1 Egypt. Extra time it is.
No penalty given! Bade fouled Fayed as they contested the high ball, says the ref, which caused him to … lift both arms in the air? Apparently so, and the crowd go wild. That is a nonsense according to my grasp of things, but perhaps we could then say the error wasn’t clear and obvious, I don’t know. Really, I don’t know.
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The ball’s pumped into the box, Loic Bade wins the header, and Fayed raises arms, the ball hitting one. Open and shut as far as I understand the laws, except we know that these days, no one understands anything. The game has been stopped for I don’t even know how long – I’ve not a clue why it took so long to go to the screen.
Finally, the ref is sent to the screen and Fayed is booked for arguing – he could go off too, you know, because his handball, if given, could attract a further caution. I just can’t see how this isn’t a penalty.
What?! Back in the football, a stray Egyptian hand has flicked a high ball pumped into the box, off a French head – the defender was claiming a foul, I think – and that looks a penalty to me! VAR are having a look and Mohamed Elneny is leading the complaints – I can’t see an infringement from France – but Omar Fayed should be the target of them – his arm was up, it didn’t need to be, and what else is to be said?
I meant to say, we had another look at the 5000m DQ – remember that?! – and I guess we might say that Tsegay did run in front of Kipyegon, but Kipyegon was the first to deploy hands, moving her away. It looks harsh to me, but i can see why the call was the call and feel like Kipyegon could just’ve done nothing – and probably has, on many other occasions, done nothing – without significant cost. Pressure!
Oh man, we’re now watching an interview with Katy Marchant – remember her, she won gold in the team cycling three years ago earlier this evening. She’s holding her son, who can’t be older than three, and imagine how proud he’s going to be when he’s old enough to grasp what his mum’s been up to.
In the 3x3, France lead Netherlands 4-3 with 6.55 to go in the first.
Keely Hodgkinson is in some serious company. Mary Peters, Ann Packer, Mary Rand, Sally Gunnell, Jess Ennis, Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis, Tessa Sanderson – and whoever i’ve missed, apologies. But there are now 10 British women who’ve won Olympic gold in track and field; Keely is one. And she’s plenty of time to come back for more.
Crystal Palace have equalised for France! The irrepressible Michael Olise surges through the centre and slides a ball in behind, Jean-Philippe Mateta slamming an expert’s finish high into the net!
Ten to go in the football, Egypt still leading France 1-0, while the men’s 3v3 basketball will soon get going, France taking on the Netherlands.
“What a jump that was from Duplantis,” writes Krishnamoorthy V. “More fulfilling was how the American and the Greek kept egging him on and whipping up the crowd in support. If you ever need a video to demonstrate sporting spirit, this is it. Massive respect to all three.”
Agreed. On Eurosport, they were saying the vaulters are collegiate in the way they compete, advising and helping each other, and seeing them enjoy each other’s success is glorious.
Oh goodness me, France hit bar and post in the same attack, while Mondo rings the bell, Gabby Logan pointing out that we hear the sound before the rope is pulled. How can we carry on?!
Back to the men’s football semi, which we’ve been forced to neglect, Egypt have taken the lead against France! We’ve 27 minutes plus added time left to play.
There’s a lovely and moving camaraderie between the pole vaulters. They know Mondo is unbeatable, hard as they’re trying, and the three medalists celebrate each other’s success, each of them elated. I guess it’s like when Roger Black said the 400m was two races, Michael Johnson v the clock then the rest, and he won his taking silver in Atlanta.
Germany win gold in the women's 3v3 basketball!
They beat Spain 17-16 in the final.
“Wow, Daniel, what a run from Keely Hodgkinson,” writes Guy Hornsby. “It wasn’t quick, but it won’t matter. All she needed to do was keep everyone behind her, and when it came down to it, they couldn’t live with her pace. A negative split on the last 200m on the last lap, which is really impressive. As you’ve said, she’s still so young and you hope this huge win will allow her to kick on even further. What an athlete she is.”
Yup – it was never in the remotest doubt, which in an 800m race is saying something.
Women’s freestyle wrestling: US viewers have yet to get a look at one of the most dominant performances by a US athlete in these Games thus far, clinching at least a silver medal.
Amit Elor, making her Olympic debut at age 20 after winning two world championships, won her matches today 10-2, 8-0 and 10-0 to reach tomorrow’s gold-medal match against Kyrgyzstan’s Meerim Zhumanazarova, the bronze medalist in Tokyo and the 2021 world champion.
Mondo might’ve attacked his record in a regular meet to make more money, but no: he wanted to give his best – the best – at the greatest show on earth, and goodness me has he delivered. We are privileged to be living in his time. Tell you mum, tell your dad, tell everyone you know: Mondo Duplantis is it.
Mondo Duplantis of Sweden breaks the pole vault world record, jumping 6.25 and taking the gold medal!
OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER DAYS! He absolutely annihilates the jump and Paris 2024 belongs to him! He leaps, he bounds, he embraces, and he might be the best anything there is in the world right now! I can’t believe what I’m seeing here! He is a superstar, he is perfection, he is NOW!
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And here he goes!
Back to the pole vault, Mondo is going for a world record 6.25 – his third attempt, having last broken the mark just a few months ago!
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So when Hodgkinson speaks to BBCm she’s immediately reminded that she’ll soon be enjoying similar. That’s when it’ll sink in, she thinks, and when we’ll see some emotion; if not, they can always get Hazel in to remind her of any sad life events to get her going.
On the race, she felt it could be run any way and probably wanted it to be a bit slower at the bell. But everyone was tired after the semis, so it was tough and she saved herself for the last 100, thinking composure when she could feel Moraa behind her. She had a cheeky look at the screen to check she was going to win and she’s now Olympic champ; for the next four years, no one can take it away from her. No one ever, old mate.
This year was the year she tried to make the step up and she thinks people could really tell. There’s also more there, she reckons, so the future is bright, and she’s super-happy to bring it home for her team. Her face is like an absolute lighthouse and it’s joyous to behold.
Meantime, we’ve got the 100m medal ceremony. Noah Lyles looks pretty happy, I’d say, but we don’t get the stars and stripes fading into his face fading into his winning run, as I erroneously thought convention stipulated. I’m still buzzing from that race, I must say, and dropping Hodgkinson on top of that is extremely over-stimulating.
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Hodgkinson tells Eurosport she’s dreamed of this so much it hasn’t sunk in yet. The crowd were amazing, and told there’ve only been nine female British Olympic champions, she accepts that she doesn’t realise it yet, but will enjoy seeing Kelly Holmes. She’s so happy to fulfil what she thought she could do – how many of us can say that? – and she says she had to compose herself before she saw her family. She feels relief because there was so much pressure – the rounds were the hardest part, making sure she got to the final, and asked what we should know about her that we don’t, she balks at a hard question. People were saying it was hers to lose, but she’s been dealing with growing up, with pressure, and she’s shown how resilient she is and how much she wanted it. What a moment! What an athlete!
I’m not sure we’ll see two more dominant performances in t&f than we’ve seen tonight. Mondo is just so calm – he knows no one can beat him and so do the rest. Hodgkinson, meanwhile, has established herself at that level with tonight’s performance – she can’t be beaten from the front, and she can’t be beaten with a kick. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with from here.
Gold secure – Kendricks takes silver for USA – Mondo is now going for 6.10, a new Olympic record – by seven seconds. His world record is 6.24, and he oozes over this. He is just remarkable.
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Hodgkinson rings the bell with gusto, and her elation is flowing through the screen. I reckon the 800m might be the nastiest race to have to do and she’s taken it to such a level here. She was in total control of that race, and it being tougher than expected tells us just how dominant she is in this event. I can’t wait to hear from her.
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During the 5000m, I blamed Tsegai for running in front of Kipyegon, and now Kipyegon’s disqualification is confirmed, we see it again and i still think that. I certainly have no clue why Tsegai didn’t suffer the same fate, for all the difference it makes; I doubt we’ve heard the last of this one.
At a mere 22, Hodgkinson has so much left to accomplish; how good can she get? No one is close to her and she’s still improving; look at her greeting her team! Imagine how proud her parents are!
Her mates were right: they knew what was going to happen, so did Hodgkinson, and though she was pushed, she never wavered or faltered, winning in 1:56.72. Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia takes silver in 1:57.15, qwit Mary Moraa of Kenya bronze in 1:57.42.
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Keely Hodgkinson wins gold for GB in the women's 800m!
A dominant performance in a tough race; she is brilliant!
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Hodgkinson leads from Moraa in the home straight and Hodgkinson goes away!
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Hodgkinson leads at the bell and it’s quick and getting quicker. She stretches them out and can anyone go with her?
We’re ready to go in the women’s 800m! The row is something, and Hodgkinson, in lane five, hangs back as they break, tucking into third place before moving level with Duguma of Ethiopia, who leads.
Valarie Allman of USA wins gold in the women's discus!
She retains the totle, with Feng Bin of China taking silver and Sandra Elkasević of Croatia the bronze.
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On the one hand, Keely Hodgkinson is under insane pressure, given how favoured she is; on the other, she knows if she runs well, it’s over. How will she handle those realities?
Women’s 3v3 basketball A bronze medal wasn’t what the women’s 3x3 basketball team had in mind after taking gold, albeit with four different players, in Tokyo. The USA followed up with a World Cup championships in 2023.
But when Cameron Brink suffered an ACL injury in June, the team was clearly thrown off. They lost their first three games to Germany, Azerbaijan and Australia, playing with a surprising lack of poise. But they rattled off four straight wins, then routed China in the play-in round. Spain beat the USA in the semifinals to send them to the bronze-medal game.
Canada took a 7-3 lead early. The USA rallied to tie but again fell behind 12-9. Hailey Van Lith had an assist, a free throw and a one-point shot to tie it at 12. Canada again took a one-point lead, but Van Lith fed the ball to Dearica Hamby for a one-pointer and a free throw. The defense slammed the door from there, and the USA took bronze with a 16-13 win.
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon is disqualified from the women's 5000m!
Sifan Hassan is upgraded to silver, with Nadia Battocletti now taking bronze! I imagine there’ll be an appeal from Kenya; we shall see.
Out the corner of my eye, on my fourth screen, I just saw tape of Kipyegon and Tsegay shoving each other, it doesn’t look great from either … AND THE JUDGES AGREE!
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Karalis takes bronze in the pole vault, clearing 5.90; Kendricks will now challenge Mondo for the gold; good luck with that one, old mate.
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What's it like to run at @keelyhodgkinson's 800m pace? 💨#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/daZ9qeMc0T
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2024
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Next on the track: Keely Hodgkinson goes for gold in the women’s 800m final.
In the football, it’s France 0-0 Egypt, and we now see tape of Mondo’s most recent clearance – he's not close to missing it, and he enjoys it, muchly. He looks miles better than the rest.
Back to the men’s pole, Mondo leads on 6.00, with Kendricks second on 5.95 – and from whose Wikipedia page, I enjoyed this line: “He also lettered in cross-country and soccer. In 2011, he was named the Gatorade boys’ high school track and field athlete of the year for Mississippi.”
Who doesn’t yearn to letter; what’s not edifying about Gatorade sponsoring a high school award?
Kipyegon was a huge favourite for that race, but Chebet is a serious competitor. As a kid, she lived with her geran and her talent was spotted by neighbour. Though her gran was a stickler for education, she allowed Chebet to join a club and she was mentored by Hellen Obiri, who taught her that winning and losing is part of the game, not a matter of life and death. I bet it feels good, though!
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Beatrice Chebet of Kenya wins the women's 5000m!
Faith Kipyegon, also of Kenya, is second, with Sifan Hassan, the defending champion, taking third for the Netherlands. What a run that was!
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Chebet goes through! She’s timed this perfectly and Kipyegon has nowt left!
Kipyegon kicks again but Chebet goes with and moves to the outside! Can she get by down the straight? Hassan is beaten!
We’ve now got nine athletes in the leading group, Tsegai running in front of Kipyegon and there’s a bit of a stumble, but everyone seems fine, Tsegasy now taking up the lead with 600m to go. They’re winding it up and Kipyegon has seen enough, leading at the ball as Hassan makes her way through the field – she sits fourth nehind three Kenyans, the Ethiopians gone.
Discus: USA’s Valarie Allman isn’t out of the woods just yet. Bin Feng (China) and Jorinde van Klinken (Netherlands) have each thrown farther than Allman’s leading mark in the past three and a half year. The difference is that Bin and van Klinken have each done it one time. In the same span of time, Allman has thrown farther 19 times.
They’re now bunching at the front, Kipyegon now leading from Chebet. It’s slowing a little, and this finish is going to be a mess. Lucky us!
Sam Kendricks has taken a circuitous route to what appears to be a pole vault medal. He took bronze in this event in Rio and followed with two world championships. But he had to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for Covid. He still harbors some frustration over what happened.
He wasn’t in the last two world championships. But by the end of 2023, he was back over 5.95 -- not quite the 6.06 he cleared in 2019 or the 6.02 in 2020, but getting there.
There are six laps to go, by the way, which is to say we’re just over halfway. So Hassan begins to make her way through the field, Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia now in front.
Karoline Grovdal leads the 5000m. They’ve sped up a little, but this pace favours the 1500m specialists. At some point, surely someone will get after it, but for now, Kipyegon sits, likewise Beatrice Chebet, her teammate; Hassan remains at the back.
At the moment, though, she’s at the back, the pace pretty slow.
I said Hassan won the 2o23 London marathon, which she did. But what I didn’t say is that it was her debut at the distance and for a while, she looked about to drop out, injured. She is absolutely not to be messed with.
Off they go! Also involved in the shake-up will be Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, the favourite. She’s world record-holder in the 1500m and mile, having won the former in Rio and Tokyo. She was the fastest in qualifying, but there’s not much to choose between the most likely medalists.
Sifan Hassan, one of the leading contenders, is an incredible athlete. She won the 5 and the 10 in Tokyo, so here is also trying the marathon – she won in London last year. “My biggest goal is to complete the event, rather than the medal,” she said. “I don’t want to makemyself crazy by focusing on gold … the medals will come later. It’s good to take the risk and challenge yourself as a human being because lisfe will always challenge you. I have been challenging myself from my youth.”
Trudat. She left Ethiopia as a refugee and didn’t start running until she was in Holland, studying to be a nurse.
Next on track it’s the final of the women’s 5000m and I’m looking forward to this – Steve Cram thinks it could one of the great races.
“A quick response to Geoff Wignall,” begins David Hilmy. “If you re-read what I wrote you’d note that I did acknowledge that indoor velodrome heat is controlled, but if you look more closely I also stated that as relatively high outdoor temperatures and humidity create low air pressure and air density, neither of which is controllable indoors but both of which do reduce air resistance indoors, the good temp indoors plus the low air pressure created by temp and humidity outdoors, will combine to speed up times.”
Fight, fight, fight!
Updated
The finalists of the women’s 200m are:
Gabby Thomas USA 21.86
Julien Alfred St Lucia 21.98
Favour Ofili Nigeria 22.05
Brittany Brown USA 22.12
Daryll Neita GB 22.24
Mackenzie Long USA 22.30
Dina Asher-Smith GB 22.31
Jessika Gbai Cote d’Ivoire 22.36
Now then! Kendricks clears 5.95 in the pole vault and loves it; obviously Duplantis then does likewise.
Neita gets away well and looks good, but Brittany Brown of USA, a more natural 200m runner, eventually hauls her back despite looking far less tidy; both qualify.
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Meantime, France and Egypt have just kicked-off in the second of the men’s football semis.
Back to the 200m, Daryll Neita of GB now goes in the third and final semi. She’s running well enough to do something here.
In the women’s discus, we’ve just seen Allman, the favourite and defending champ, rinse a throw of 68.74m having fouled first go. She leads with Sandra Elkasevic of Croatia second with 67.51m.
Back to the pole vault, Kendricks almost does a lap of honour after clearing 5.90; he’s second, Karalis leading after also getting over – and doesn’t he love it! His lifetime best is “only” 5.93, and he’s bringing it here, nailing every height first go.
Asher-Smith flies out of the blocks and leads at the curve, but Thomas reels her in to win by a street in 21.86 – her fastest this term is 21.78. Asher-Smith takes second, so also moves on to the final.
Gabby Thomas, the hot favourite and fastest in the world this goes in the second women’s 200m semi. She’s in lane eight, and inside her is Dina Asher-Smith, who needs to shake off the disappointment of the 100m – having felt in shape, she ended up going out at this stage so had to sit and watch as the medals we won in times not beyond her.
“I have my doubts around David Hilmy’s explanation for fast times in the cycling,” advises Geoff Wignall. “All he says is true enough, but given that velodromes are typically temperature-controlled, it’s hard to see temperature and humidity making a huge difference.
I suspect that the track geometry – curvature, gradients and width – along with the nature of the actual track surface (dictating rolling drag or friction) have rather more to do with the speeds reached and maintained. Plus of course bike technology and sports science ever evolving.”
Yes – as to that last observation, I daresay there’s a profound correlation between success and exchequer.
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“It’s good to get back out there,” Noah Lyles tells Eurosport, at which point my feed cuts out. But i reckon he thinks he’s well good, is going to win, and is generally enveloped by a sense of joy none of us will ever know.
And Alfred absolutely punishes this race, turning it up from about 150-170 before easing down to win in 21.98. Also into the final is Favour Ofili of Nigeria, with Mackenzie Long of USA third in 22.30, Williams fourth in 22.58. They’ll do well to make the final with those time.
Righto, time for the women’s semis. Bianca Williams of GB goes in the first race, first two through by right, Julien Alfred of St Lucia, the 100m champ, in this race. Look out for Mackenzie Long os USA. Remember we’ve no Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Herah – the Tokyo champ – or Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Back to the pole vault, we’ve now got five men clear at 5.85: Duplantis, Emmanouíl Karalís of Greece and Ersu Şaşma of Turkey who’ve yet to fail any height, so share first place; and in joint-fourth, it’s Kurtis Marschall of Australia and EJ Obienna of Philippines.
That completes the first round of the men’s 200m; next on the track, the semis of the women’s event, getting away at 7.45pm.
Lyles takes it easy, winning in a frankly pathetic 20.19. Behind him, Andre De Grasse of Canada, who took gold in Tokyo, also moves on, likewise Towa Uzawa of Japan.
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The man of the moment is on the track: Noah Lyles is in lane six and what a welcome he gets from the crowd. He’s not lost over 200m since winning bronze in Tokyo and it’s hard to see how he’s stopped here. The start almost cost him in the 100m, but he still ran it down, and it matters less over 200, especially when you’ve got his speed endurance with which to run down any oversight.
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The GB women enjoy their medal ceremony, even if their trackies need some work. Meantime, Mondo, who didn’t bother with 5.80, nails 5.85 so easily it’s embarrassing.
The women’s discus finalists run out, knowing it’ll take a special performance to challenge Valarie Allman of USA. The defending champ was four metres clear of the rest in qualifying, but behind her, there’s not loads to choose between the rest.
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Erriyon Knighton of USA, the youngest world championship medalist – he won bronze in 2022 aged 18 – wins his heat easily in 19.99. He’s followed through by Tapiwanashe Makarawu of Zimbabwe and Shaun Maswanganyi of RSA.
I love this.
8 frames, 1 iconic 100m final 🖼️#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/0Q6ItW3e4j
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 4, 2024
Bednarek says he’s on a mission after the disappointment of last evening when he came seventh in the 100m final. But he’s improving every day and I guess we’ll see how he goes from here.
Oh man, Sophie Capewell has absolutely gone waiting to get her gold. I can only imagine the sacrifices her dad – and mum – made to get her to here.
Kenny Bednarek lays down the smack! He eases home to win heat four in 19.96, Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic and Joshua Hartmann of Germany accompanying him. Bednarek was within 0.06s of Lyles’ trials record at the US qualifying event, and will fancy himself to capitalise on any complacency.
Katy Marcant tells BBC she’s no words to explain what she and her mates have just done, whole Finucane says they’ve been working really hard “but we nailed that final”. She believed in them and they delivered a near-perfect race – she’s made-up to do it alongside the other two. And finally Capewell says she’s had her struggles and wishes her dad could be in the stands watching her – “He is,” says Finucane, putting an arm around, and as below, seeing the closeness teammates develop is as good as seeing their team perform.
Noah Lyles, by the way, goes in the sixth and final heat. I wonder what kind of night and day he’s had – he’s spieling with house money now, and won’t want to do the reverse Seb: winning his weaker even then losing his stronger.
Letsile Toboco of Botswana goes in this next men’s 200m heat and he is far too good for the rest. Poor Benjy Richardson pulls up with a hammy; Makanakaishe Charamba of Zimbabwe and Filippo Tortu of Italy also qualify.
In the studio, Laura Kenny – who thinks GB will win a large haul of golds – explains that once the first one comes in, it sets off everything else. The teams are in camps together so will all feel like they’ve won, and when they go in their final tomorrow, they’ll be thinking if the women can do it, so can they.
Spain beat Morocco 2-1 to reach the final of the men's football
They’ll meet France or Egypt for gold.
Updated
Back with the pole vault, Kendricks and four others have cleared 5.80, but this is just early skirmishes.
Back to the men’s 200, Tarsis Orogot of Ugana, Wanya McCoy of Bahamas and Renan Correa of Brazil are through from heat two.
I’m old, but I may now prefer watching athletes celebrate with their families and teams than i do watching the actual sport – and truss, I’m obsessed with actual sport to the point of illness.
Three runs, three world records, and you can’t argue with that: a perfectly-paced demonstration of excellence.
It was close – 45.186 v 45.659, but from halfway there was only one outcome. GB win the first velodrome gold!
Great Britain win gold in the team cycling in a world-record time!
Emma Finucane, Katy Marcant and Sophie Capewell bring it home for Britain!
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GB lead at the bell and have the world champ on the final leg…
NZ lead early, but GB’s strength is late doors, and they’re 0.5s down…
Earlier, GB were quicker by a hundredth of a second, but the pressure now is another level. And here we go!
Seven minutes added time in the football, with GB and NZ on the track and ready to go in the cycling team sprint final.
And the men’s 200m heats are under way! Joe Fahnbulleh of Liberia wins the first in 20.20, with Eseosa Fostine Desalu of Italy tzking second and Wayde van Niekerk, the 400m world record-holder, also qualifying by right. The rest go into the repechage.
Germany rack up a decent lead and Netherlands have work to do to claw this one back … but they can’t. Germany take the bronze!
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Juanlu, set up by Fermin, has put Spain in front against Morocco. There are two minutes to go.
Germany and Netherlands are about to get going in the women’s team cycling, bronze-medal match
And how good is this?
And this?
There’s something not unCarmy-like about Mondo…
We’re not far off our women’s cycling team sprint medal matches – put the hyphens into that – with GB’s trio comprised of Emma Finucane, Katy Marchant and Sophie Capewell. Laura Kenny is convinced they’re going to win what she says is the most dangerous race on the track. Though they didn’t win the team event at the worlds, they were close and have reconfigured since. On the first leg, Marchant gets out sharply, Capewell holds it down in the middle, and Finucane can go faster in P3 than most others in P2. It’s the only team sprint GB have yet to win…
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It’s quite moving hearing them chat about how sound she is, but maybe that’s me imagining my mates doping this for me, and banging on about how sound I’m not. “We are bricking it,” Olivia confides, “butterflies, what’s gonna happen … but we kinda know what’s gonna happen.” From her mouth to his ears, as my gran was fond of saying.
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Jess Ennis is pondering the pressure under which Keely Hodgkinson finds herself. Last evening, MJ wondered whether the others would just let her go because they know she’s too good for them, so won’t want to jeopardise their medal hopes chasing for no reason. It’s amazing how relaxed she is, really, and we’re now with two of her best mates who’ve come to watch. Real talk I’ve not a clue how one holds itself together in those circumstances – I went to see a mate do white-collar boxing once and totally lost my mind. He was not going for Olympic gold.
Fermín López has just seized on a loose ball inside the box to ram Spain level against Morocco in their men’s football semi. He’s got such a nose for a chance – for a striker, never mind the midfielder that he is – but the Atlas Lions are straight back on to the attack, Amir Richardson bending a shot just wide from the edge.
Netherlands are just too good at this and they set a new Olympic record, beating GB by over half a second. It’ll take something special to halt the orange machine.
In the men’s cycling sprint, Jack Carlin has just pulled UK out of a hole, setting the fastest final lap by far to beat Australia, with only the defending Dutch champs to come.
Duplantis now also clears 5.70, with ridiculous ease. The defending champ has dominated his event at every level, his nickname, Mondo, apparently awarded him by his Italian godfather – the man himself is Swedish-American. His dad, Greg, was a vaulter before him and his mum, Helena, a long jumper. And he’s making an absolute packet out of his otherworldly talent; good.
A little teaser for later:
0.12 seconds across them
— James Dart (@James_Dart) August 4, 2024
📸 @rheathcote pic.twitter.com/fKHUPtkt1S
In the pole vault, Sam Kendricks of USA, the closes challenger to Mondo – nominally speaking – is over 5.70 at the first time of asking.
So, back to the cycling, Germany face Netherlands in the bronze-medal match at 6.54pm, then at 6.59 it’s GB v NZ for th gold and baddest initials.
The first heat of the men’s steeplechase is over, and through to the next round are:
Soufiane El Bakkali (Morocco)
Peruth Chemutai (Uganda)
Getnet Wale (Ethiopia)
Daniel Arce (Spain)
Ahmed Jaziri (Tunisia)
There was some kind of collision earlier on that I didn’t see; I’ll let you know if there’s any comeback.
Meanwhile, David Hilmy has some cycling thoughts to share: “Some of the track speed will be related to track geometry but simply put, although temperature is a factor it’s actually not really about a warm Paris because the temperature inside the velodrome will be controlled. There are four environmental factors that will determine most of the speed: yes temperature, but also humidity and air pressure which all combine to affect the fourth which is air density.
Air temperature is proportional to the kinetic energy generated between vibrating air molecules – there is more resistance when temperatures are low, so relatively higher temperatures would be good for quicker times. Humidity and air pressure are inversely proportional so an increase in atmospheric pressure decreases humidity but if there is an increase in humidity, air pressure is lowered and low air pressure is less dense. When air density is relatively high it is harder for cyclists to push through, but when air density is low the fewer air molecules you have banging into you, so low air density would also facilitate quicker times. Therefore, relatively high temps and humidity would create low air pressure and low air density which in turn would be ideal conditions for fast speed. As the temperature inside the velodrome can be controlled, I expect it will be maintained relatively warm and humidity will most likely be dictated by weather outside, therefore if it is humid or stormy (currently 35% humidity in Paris) and the velodrome can be kept relatively warm (I believe they usually keep the velodrome at 25C), those environmental conditions would combine to create low air pressure and low air density and therefore would be ideal conditions for fast speeds.”
Consider me telt.
“Morocco v Spain hasn’t been the most thrilling match,” reports Kári Tulinius, “as evidenced by the fact that a flock of pigeons has had peace to hang out in both penalty boxes, pecking at seeds.”
I guess that shouldn’t be surprising given how Morocco played at the World Cup and Spain’s love of keeping the ball.
On the track now, the first heat of the men’s 3000m steeplechase is under way.
Updated
Thanks Jim and hi everyone. We’ll have to go some to match the ludicrosity of last evening, were ludicrosity a word, but we’ll see what we can do because we’ve all sorts coming up.
In cycling, we’ve the women’s team sprint heats currently under way – Germany have just broken the world record – with the medal races coming up just before 7pm BST. Laura Kenny is confident the GB women will bring this one home and, as I type, they improve the world mark to set up a final against NZ.
Starting now, we’ve the men’s pole vault final, with Armando “Mondo” Duplantis one of the hottest favourites in any event.
At 6.55pm, the men’s 200m runners get going. Any idea who the favourite is?
Currently, Morocco lead Spain 1-0 at half-time of their men’s football semi; later on, it’s France v Egypt.
At 7.45pm, it’s the women’s 200m semis and 8.15 it’s the women’s 5000m final, an open race that could be a classic.
At 8.47pm. Keely Hodgkinson goes in the final of the women’s 800m.
At 9 and 9.30pm we’ve the final of the 3v3 basketball, women first, then men.
And plenty more besides. On y va!
And
Updated
Here’s the best of today’s Olympic pictures and there will be plenty more to follow too as attention turns to the evening’s entertainment.
That’s me done for today – Daniel Harris is your expert guide for the next stint. Goodbye!
Women’s Hockey - Netherlands beat Great Britain 3-1
Heartbreak for Great Britain, they didn’t have enough to contain a very strong Dutch side but they gave a very good account of themselves in that match, a frantic game played at high pace with the Netherlands marching on towards the medals podium.
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Cycling – Men’s Team Pursuit
Italy may be the reigning Olympic champions but they post an underwhelming time and go into fourth place. So, Great Britain are in second with Australia sitting pretty at the top ahead of tomorrow’s pedal for the medals.
Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – The Netherlands go 3-1 up against Great Britain. That could be the jig up with less than fifteen minutes to go, big response needed.
Luna Fokke slots in the rebound for the Netherlands after a fine tumbling save from Maddie Pritchard. The Yves-du-Manoir Stadium is decidedly raucous as the fans cheer on both sides – the Olympic dream could be slipping away though for Team GB & NI.
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Thanks to Justin Horton who emails in with some drama in the men’s football semi final between Spain and Morocco.
“Dear James, I would hate you or your readers to miss the drama in the Spain v Morocco football semi-final where the scoreline remains nil-nil but we have a replacement referee, Ilgiz Tantashev having been bundled over in midfield and having to leave the pitch to be replaced by Glenn Nyberg.”
The mind wanders back to Hillsborough in 1998 when Paulo Di Canio sent referee Paul Alcock tumbling – somewhat elaborately it has to be said.
“I can only imagine that the goalkeepers are both keeping snacks near their goals” writes Edward Graves… “Given the flocks of pigeons that keep congregating there. Maybe they’re spitting sunflower seeds into the penalty area?”
It’s chips for pigeons isn’t it? Where’s Jack Duckworth when you need him? Didn’t think I’d manage to drop that name into an Olympics liveblog, one for the kids.
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Cycling – Men’s Team Pursuit
Australia get around 0.283 seconds faster than Great Britain! The Aussies go top and knock GB’s team of Ethan Hayter, Oliver Wood, Daniel Bigham and Ethan Vernon into second place. Italy still to ride, we could see some more records fall in the velodrome very soon.
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Cycling – Men’s Team Pursuit
The British team are still at the top of the qualification standings with a few teams still to ride. France slip into second place but their time was a whopping two seconds slower than Team GB.
Reigning Olympic champions and world record holders Italy are still to take to the track though and a strong Australian outfit are about to take their turn.
Thanks very much to ‘C’ who gets in touch over email to explain why the velodrome in Paris is likely to see some hot laps.
The air pressure is low because it’s been pretty hot in Paris, which means the air is less dense and riders can go faster - essentially fewer particles to bump into along the way! But the track is also faster cos it’s a metre wider than normal, meaning you can gain more height in the banking to then swoop down and gain speed.
It’s a pretty new vélodrome and I remember at the first World Champs hosted there they wanted to establish its reputation as a fast track so they cranked up the heating (warmer air - less dense), but that created condensation on the air con unit which then dripped onto the track, so someone with the longest mop you’ve ever seen had to quickly brush it each lap after the riders passed - it was very funny!”
Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – Half Time
Netherlands 2 – 1 Great Britain & Northern Ireland
The goal stands and in a double blow Team GB lose their review too. They head into the sheds a goal down but are in this match against a very strong Dutch side.
Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – Tense moments as the goal is reviewed…
Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – Three minutes left in the second quarter and Team GB are giving the Dutch more than they bargained for, some flouncing and stick waving from the Netherlands as they get frustrated at a penalty corner chance wasted. Laura Peel goes charging through the centre for Great Britain & NI, there’s been plenty of scrappy play in the middle of the sun scorched pitch.
Thirty seconds left in the half and the Dutch are awarded a penalty corner – can GB cling on here? Drag and flick – saved on the line but in goes the rebound! 2-1 to the Netherlands on the stroke of half time!
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Men’s Cycling – Team GB post an impressive time of 43.241 seconds in the men’s team pursuit. That’s another marker laid down, that time is nearly four seconds (Can that be right? Seems loads) faster than the Belgian team. Australia and New Zealand are still to ride and could push Great Britain close.
I do have half an eye on the Hockey and the Netherlands nearly go 2-0 up at the start of the second quarter! A goal line block from a penalty corner frustrates the team in orange and they have another shot just fly wide. The Netherlands are all over Great Britain like the proverbial cheap suit at the moment…
Just as I type that Team GB win a penalty corner. Charlotte Watson about to fling it in and THERE IS THE GOAL! Hannah French lifts in the rebound with an ice cool finish. That’s French’s third goal of these Olympics and it is game well and truly on with ten minutes to go until half time.
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I’m going to stay tuned to the cycling with the Men’s Team Pursuit qualifying about to get underway.
Elsewhere it is a bad start for Team GB in the women’s hockey quarter final against the mighty Dutch. Xan de Waard has just sent the Oranje section of the crowd into raptures by belting a goal past Miriam Pritchard in the Team GB goal after a matter of seconds! Netherlands 1 Great Britain 0 in the very early stages.
Team GB have really laid down a marker there in the women’s Team sprint qualifying. All the noise is that the velodrome is a ‘quick one’ and records are likely to tumble.
I guess it is something to do with the atmospherics and air pressure. I can sort of understand but if any readers out there know the specifics do get in touch and I’ll give you full credit on the blog and promise not to pass off your expertise as my own.
The pool in Paris was meant to be a slow one wasn’t it? My sofa is medium-fast. If you’re interested.
Germany and China are thought to be the nearest contenders to Team GB in the women’s sprint – the medals of which will be decided later on today just before 7pm. China are the current Gold holders and they suffer from a false start! They get another chance but it is a disappointing overall time for them – currently sitting fifth with a time of 46.458.
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World Record for Team GB in the velodrome!
Here come team GB and they are rapid! In fact is is a new World Record!
Team GB’s Katy Marchant, Sophie Capewell and Emma Finucane hit the pedals and scorch the track… they post an incredible time 45.472! That’s the gauntlet thrown down to Germany and China who are up next! We’ve just seen a glimpse of why Laura Kenny was so confident in the BBC studio.
Updated
Thanks Sarah and hello all. Straight down to brass tacks (no punctures please) we’re in the hot and humid velodrome for the start of the cycling events. Laura Kenny predicts a GB gold rush in the studio with the incomparable Hazel Irvine, suggesting EIGHT gold medals could be on the cards for Team GB across the cycling.
Laura Kenny on the BBC:
I think you might see British Cycling of old. I’ve got a semi-wild prediction of how many gold they’re going to take. I think they could top London and Rio’s medal count. I am going eight gold medals.
Emma Finucane is absolutely unbelievable. I think she is a complete athlete as far as I’m concerned. I think you may see three gold medals.
I think she could be the first female to win three gold medals at a single Olympics and if she doesn’t I think either Katy Marchant or Sophie Capewell will win the event that she doesn’t win.
But across the board that women’s sprint team is in the best shape I have ever seen it.
It [the keirin] is pretty unpredictable and it is where we tend to see the crashes and that is why I think Emma is not world champion in that event, because she crashed out at the worlds.
The team sprint for me they’re favourites. They didn’t win in worlds but they are so close and they’ve actually built the team slightly different now.
They’ve got Katy Marchant in one, and she’s an absolute rocket off the start line now. Then you’ve got Sophie that glues the thing together and Emma.”
Let’s get stuck in then – first up in the Women’s Team Sprint Qualifying.
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Well with that my watch is over, a thrilling hour of kayak cross. James Wallace is here to take you through the next few hours. Enjoy.
Men’s kayak cross: Lukas Rohan in fourth but he did so well to get to the final in the first place, he is usually a canoe paddler.
There are more celebratory scenes with Butcher’s team jumping into the water.
Butcher wins men's kayak cross gold
It is gold to New Zealand.
The start saw New Zealand’s Finn Butcher with the best away, GB’s Joe Clarke struggled initially but fought his way back into it.
Clarke hunted Butcher down, the top two clear of the last two.
He got caught up on a gate and Butcher crossed the line first, Clarke silver and Germany’s Noah Hegge gets bronze.
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Women’s kayak cross: Kim Woods came through the race last but Germany’s Alena Lilik picked up a fault so she gets promoted.
The entire Fox family has jumped into the water to celebrate with Noemie, what a Games it has been for them.
The men’s final next.
Fox wins women's kayak cross gold
The Fox family have the midas touch!
It was a fantastic start from all four paddlers but it was Kim Woods who went ahead. After the first gate Australia’s Noemie Fox managed to get ahead, it was a well handled move.
Woods then gets caught on a gate but she gets bronze. Silver goes to France’s Angele Hug.
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Axelsen win men's singles badminton gold
Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen has won gold after beating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight games in the final of the men’s singles badminton event.
What a performance.
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Men’s kayak cross: The men’s small final now.
The order ends Martin Dougoud, Slovakia’s Jakub Grigar, France’s Boris Neveu, Poland’s Mateusz Polaczyk.
The finals now.
Women’s kayak cross: So this small final will determine fifth to eighth positioning at the Olympic games.
The order ends up: New Zealand’s Luuka Jones, Switzerland’s Alena Marx, Algeria’s Carole Bouzidi and Brazil’s Satila.
Women’s 10m platform: Heartbreak for GB’s Lois Toulson as she finished 13th, the top 12 qualified for the final.
China’s Hongchan Quan and Yuxi Chen are through, one and two on the leader board. GB’s Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix finished third to qualify for Tuesday’s final.
Australia’s Ellie Cole and Melissa Wu also join them.
Kayak cross: The women’s and men’s small finals – determining fifth to eighth – will take place before the finals.
Men’s kayak cross: The second semi sees Czech Republic’s Lukas Rohan in for the disqualified Titouan Castryck.
Oh my word, Rohan is into the final. France’s Boris Neveu had one eye on the finish line and it slows him down on the last gate. Wow. Germany’s Noah Hegge joins him.
Women’s final to come now.
Men’s kayak cross: The first semi-final sees GB’s Joe Clarke start really strongly, he has raced to a good lead here. The lead really helps when it comes to the gates, there is less of a battle around each.
It is Clarke and New Zealand’s Finn Butcher who are through to the semis.
Women’s gymnastics: The USA’s Simone Biles has spoken to reporters after her silver medal win on floor.
She said: “Today has been wild. I’ve been out on that floor so many times this week, so exhaustion sets in... I’m not very upset or anything. I’m happy, proud and even more excited that it’s over.”
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Men’s badminton: The gold medal match is happening and Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen has won the first game 21-11 against Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
Women’s kayak cross: The second semi-final is stacked full of stars with France’s Angele Hug probably favourite here.
GB’s Kim Woods is battling well and is well ahead at the moment but anything can happen in this sport! But Woods does qualify and Hug does expertly to battle back to a qualification spot. Wow.
No room for a breather, men’s semi-finals inbound.
Women’s 10m platform: In the semi-final there is no change at the top of the leaderboard.
GB’s Lois Toulson is currently 17th, it is just the top 12 who go through to the final.
Women’s kayak cross: The first of the semi-finals here and it is Australia Noemie Fox who gets ahead, this is absolutely electric.
The three behind Fox are in such a close battle but New Zealand’s Luuka Jones picks up a penalty as did Algeria’s Carole Bouzidi. So it is Fox and Germany’s Elena Lilik who are through to the final.
Men’s kayak cross: Well there has been a bit of drama, France’ Titouan Castryck has been pinged for a fault and so his qualification to the semis have been revoked.
Women’s gymnastics: There has been such a touching moment at the women’s floor medal ceremony. The USA’s Jordan Chile and Simone Biles, who won bronze and silver, have put a guard of honour for Rebeca Andrade, who won gold.
Updated
Men’s kayak cross: France’s Titouan Castryck and Germany’s Noah Hegge are the last paddlers to qualify for the semis.
This sport does not slow down as we head straight to the women’s semis.
Italy win skeet mixed team gold
Italy have won a gold medal for skeet mixed team after beating the USA 45-44.
The bronze medal went to China who beat India 44-43.
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Men’s kayak cross: This sport is absolutely crackers, it looks so much fun to participate in. France’s Boris Neveu revs up the crowd as he qualifies for the semi-finals.
Switzerland’s Martin Dougoud joins him from the third quarter-final.
Men’s kayak cross: That has now been confirmed that Ochoa faulted on the final gate and so he is not through to the semis.
In the second is Italy’s Giovanni di Gennaro, who won gold in the individual kayak event. Di Gennaro has an error and he doesn’t qualify. It’s New Zealand’s Finn Butcher and Poland’s Mateusz Polaczyk who will feature in the semi.
Women’s 10m platform: So the semi-finals have just finished the third round of five and the top of the leaderboard hasn’t changed. China’s Hongchan Quan and Yuxi Chen first and second, third is GB’s Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix.
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Men’s kayak cross: The quarter-finals are underway in these quarter-finals.
GB’s Joe Clarke is in a real battle with Spain’s Manuel Ochoa and they both look like they are going to go through. Clarke is through but Ochoa has a penalty on the last gate and so Slovakia’s Jakub Grigar is through. That hasn’t been confirmed yet as the judges review the decision. I’ll bring you the confirmation when we have it.
Women’s kayak cross: Mallory Franklin looks devastated after that result, if GB did log a challenge then it has been rejected as the result is now official.
Anthony has emailed me and said:
Hi Sarah, first time I’ve ever seen Kayak Cross. Or It’s a Knockout in a Boat as I’m calling it. It is definitely my favourite new addition to the Olympics. Carnage!
It is such a fun sport isn’t it, it’s one I’d definitely want to try.
Women’s kayak cross: In the last quarter-final France’s Angele Hug had a lovely run, so clean and she is through. GB's Mallory Franklin thought she had gone through but she is pinged for a fault on the roll gate and so it is Brazil’s Ana Satila who is through.
The semi-finals will take place in just under half an hour.
Men’s badminton: Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee has won the men’s singles badminton bronze in a brilliant comeback. He lost the first game to India’s Lakshya Sen 21-13 but then won the second and third 21-16 and 21-11 respectively.
Women’s kayak cross: There are quarter-finals happening right now and the first saw Germany’s Elena Lilik and Algeria’s Carole Diana Bouzidi qualify for the semi-final.
In the second Australia’s Noemie Fox and New Zealand’s Luuka Jones through.
The third has just happened and GB’s Kim Woods and Switzerland’s Alena Marx have semi-final spots. One more to go there and then the men’s quarters will get underway.
Women’s gymnastics: So we have official confirmation now. Romania’s Sabrina Maneca-Voinea’s mark did not change. However, Team USA challenged Jordan Chiles’ score and it was bumped up into the bronze medal position.
So Rebeca Andrade wins gold, Biles has silver and Chiles with bronze.
Women’s gymnastics: Will we see Simone Biles at another Olympics? The USA athlete has not confirmed either way but if that is her last outing then that silver medal is her 11th Olympic medal. What an advert she is for the sport.
Women’s gymnastics: Romania’s Sabrina Maneca-Voinea put in a challenge on her score, she currently sits in fourth.
As things stand Simone Biles is in silver position and bronze is the USA’s Jordan Chiles (according to the Olympic website). Chiles initially came in at fifth but she has jumped up.
Andrade wins women's floor exercise gold
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade has her gold.
The silver and bronze is yet to be confirmed, there have been an inquiry logged.
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Women’s gymnastics: The USA’s Jordan Chiles is concluding this floor final. She really is a crowd favourite with some elegant moves in her routine. It is also a clean performance.
Can she knock Andrade off the top spot? That will be confirmed shortly.
Women’s gymnastics: So as we recover from the shock of those errors putting Simone Biles into second (shock only coming because Biles is such a star), her feet were out of bounds on two landings and so she was penalised – Romania’s Sabrina Maneca-Voinea has performed a great routine.
She has scored 13.7 and she is in fourth.
Women’s 10m platform: After the first round of dives in the semi-final it is the Chinese pair of Hongchan Quan and Yuxi Chen who are in first and second respectively with GB’s Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix in third.
Women’s gymnastics: Here is Simone Biles and it is the last time we will see her at this Games. Her first move is executed perfectly, she does step out of bounds which will be a slight penalty but her routine has so much pizazz. It just such beautiful gymnastics and she receives a standing ovation and is applauded by Andrade.
She scores 14.133, my word! It isn’t gold, she goes into silver position. Andrade looks stunned.
Men’s badminton: This bronze medal match is being taken into a third game as Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee has won the second game following his first game loss.
Women’s gymnastics: Alice D’Amato is next and she has already won gold today in the beam, it will take a lot to knock Andrade off the gold position but she could slot onto the podium here.
The Italian has some excellent elements to her routine and only makes a few errors. She scores 13.6 to slot into third.
Women’s gymnastics: Romania’s Ana Barbosu is up now and it is a hauntingly beautiful routine, I say haunting just because of the music chosen.
She receives a huge cheer after her performance. Barbosu scores 13.7 to go second and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade remains in the gold medal position.
Women’s gymnastics: Japan’s Kishi Rina is next up and she moves so eloquently with the music, her twists and flips almost perfectly executed too.
She scores 13.166 and she goes into second position.
Women’s gymnastics: China’s Yushan Ou is now on the floor and she is bringing the artistry here, there are some small errors to the routine but not too many.
A solid performance and she scores 13, slotting into second place.
Women’s gymnastics: Wow, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade has just put in an absolutely stunning routine. It may have been the cleanest version we have seen from her, which is saying something because she really is in form.
Andrade goes into the lead with a score of 14.166.
Men’s badminton: India’s Sen Lakshya has won the first game against Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee in the bronze medal match.
Women’s gymnastics: Italy’s Manila Esposito is up first in the women’s floor exercise final but she doesn’t land one of her flips cleanly, landing on her knees. She has a few more errors but while it isn’t completely clean it is styled well.
She scores 12.133 which probably won’t see her medal here.
Women’s 10m platform: The semi-final here is due to start at 2pm BST and it features GB’s Lois Toulson and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, Canada’s Caeli McKay and China’s Hongchan Quan.
The top 12 will progress to the final.
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Women’s gymnastics: The athletes have been introduced to the arena ahead of the women’s floor exercise final, it’s not surprising that Simone Biles gets the biggest cheer – she really is shining.
Cyprus’ Marios Georgiou I don’t know what happened, I just fell. I felt okay in the air but I ended up falling, it is what it is.
“What I can learn from today is to focus until my routine is over.”
Also apologies, the men’s singles badminton is the bronze medal match. India’s Sen Lakshya is leading Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee 17-11 in the first game.
Novak Djokovic has congratulated his rival and friend Carlos Alcaraz, who he beat in the men’s singles tennis final yesterday:
Another epic final, @carlosalcaraz. El clasico. Congratulations to you and your team for an excellent Olympics. Considering your age, your energy and the way you play, you probably have 20 more Olympics ahead of you 😆. Your gold will come. Until next time, amigo. pic.twitter.com/UNc47Ayetk
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 5, 2024
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Women’s gymnastics: This is the last final in the sport at this Games and it contains some stars. Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade and Manila Esposito among the athletes in this one. Alice D’Amato is also competing, she has already won gold on the beam today.
Here’s some colour from the pool:
If you would like uninterrupted gymnastics coverage have a read of our dedicated blog:
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We will stay with the gymnastics as we have the women’s floor exercise final up next. I’ll also bring you the updates from the men’s singles badminton gold medal match.
Oka wins men's horizontal bar gold
It’s a second medal of the day for Japan’s Shinnosuke Oka as he wins gold after his earlier bronze.
Barajas wins Colombia’s first gymnastics medal on this apparatus in silver and China’s Boheng Zhang and Chinese Taipei’s Chia-Hung Tang share bronze.
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Men’s gymnastics: China’s Weide Su, who fell in the team final and didn’t get support by his teammates, is up and he is the last athlete on this apparatus. Everyone is holding their breath with a lot of errors in this final. It is a clean routine but the dismount is messy, he falls to his knees.
I have no clue why this is happening, it’s not just a step but a huge stumble. I don’t think he will challenge for gold.
Men’s gymnastics: Croatia’s Tin Srbic starts so well and it looked promising but then in his next move he falls! He is cheered by the crowd as he returns to the bar to finish his routine. I think he hurt his elbow on his fall and he makes another error, he gets back on the bar to do his dismount.
He scores 11.333 and he looks devastated. This bizarre amount of mistakes in this final continues. One athlete to go.
Men’s gymnastics: China’s Boheng Zhang is the top qualifier and he is looking to pick up his first gold of these Games. There’s some lovely moves, there are some bent arms but this is thoroughly impressive. Can he land this cleanly? No he can’t, he stumbles and almost lands on his face. That might have cost him gold.
The whole arena is stunned, he looks frustrated. He scored 15.133 in qualification but in the final he has a score of 13.966. He is in tied bronze medal position with two athletes to go.
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Men’s gymnastics: So next up in this horizontal bar is Japan’s Takaaki Sugino is up. The first move he has over done it and he almost falls and with the next he does. He is cheered as he gets back onto the bar and completes his routine.
He receives a score of 11.633.
Men’s gymnastics: Cyprus’ Marios Georgiou has his head in his hands. He had a very clean routine but his dismount is messy and that will cost him.
He scores 13.333 and he is out of the medals.
Men’s gymnastics: Barajas has slotted into second place. He scored the same as Oka with 14.533 but when the score is the same in gymnastics the athletes are split into execution score and the Japanese athlete has a higher one.
Hughes out of 200m
Team GB’s Zharnel Hughes has pulled out of the 200m heats, which are due to take place later today, because of injury.
He failed to qualify for the 100m final and no decision has been made about his participation in the 4x100m relay later this week.
Men’s gymnastics: Colombia’s Angel Col Barajas has made the crowd oo and ah throughout his routine and he could rocket into the lead here. His dismount was incredible, a perfect landing. His score to come but there is some breaking news…
Oh I love that Bridgerton introduction Will, thank you! So the men’s horizontal bar is well underway and Japan’s Shinnosuke Oka, who won parallel bar bronze earlier today, just pulled off an outstanding routine. He is full of confidence and why wouldn’t he be?! A bronze earlier today but he has also won two golds at this Games so far. A midas touch but will it stretch to this event? It may as he scores 14.533, he is in the lead.
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Wonderful news dear readers, Sarah Rendell has returned to run you through the afternoon’s action.
Men’s gymnastics: We are onto the high bar final. Tang is up first. He is really good at ‘catchers’ but then completely misses the bar soon after and drops to the ground. Lots of nerves in the arena today. The rest of the routine is really impressive to the end and concludes with a great landing. The score is 13.966, which is decent but he would have been in with a shout of a medal without the fall.
At the start of the Games, Marchand, 22, was a richly gifted kid, burdened with an almost unfathomable weight of expectation. France doesn’t have a bona fide star to light up the athletics competition at the Stade de France, which means Marchand, who only won his first world championship title in 2022, came into the Games as the biggest hope they had in either of the Olympics’ two main sports. Marchand’s parents, both Olympic swimmers, encouraged him to move to the USA to get away from all the attention, which only meant the college swimming circuit all of a sudden had a French press pack for the season.
Andy Bull on France’s new hero.
Australia’s triathletes have been taking medicines to combat E.coli for a month, the team doctor said on Monday after they took precautions ahead of the event amid concerns over pollution levels in the river Seine.
The triathlon team of Luke Willian, Matthew Hauser, Natalie van Coevorden and Sophie Linn had earlier finished 12th in the mixed relay where the swimming leg was in the river Seine. The four athletes also took part in last week’s men’s and women’s individual triathlon events. The men’s event was postponed due to pollution levels in the Seine.
“We started by administering a medication that’s good against E.coli, which is the main bacteria in this water, a month ago,” Carolyn Broderick told reporters. “After the race, we’ve also been using prophylactic antibiotics and we’re using skin washes, ear washes, eye washes. So we’re trying to account for everywhere that may get infected essentially and similarly for our marathon swimmers.”
Alice D'Amato wins balance beam gold
D’Amato holds onto gold, Zhou with silver and Esposito earns Bronze. The headline will be that Simone Biles ended up with nothing but D’Amato will not care. Andrade looked like she would challenge for top spot but scored 13.933 and came fourth.
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Women’s gymnastics: Andrade has a shot at gold – she is last up. There is not issue with her leaping and the backflips come off. The cartwheel is almost perfect, too. She shows great flexibility and concludes with a double pike. Surely that is gold …
Women’s gymnastics: Biles is not happy with the atmosphere inside the arena by the looks of it. Biles is given 13.100, putting her fourth – and out of the medals - after a lengthy delay from the judges.
Women’s gymnastics: The noise around the arena increases with Biles stepping onto the beam. There is a perfect bit of spinning to the tune of three but she comes off the beam after a couple of back flips. Is that gold gone? The dismount is beyond impressive but that error looks set to cost her gold.
Women’s gymnastics: D’Amato knows she can put herself on the podium with her routine. She looks confident and controls her backflips and somersault. It is a beautiful dismount and she must be going into first, purely for not even threatening to fall off. It is 14.336. That is the score to beat.
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Women’s gymnastics: What’s that? Another gymnast falling off the beam? This time it is Romania’s Voinea who ends up on the mats prematurely twice to add to the total of errors in this final. The dismount is great but she is another who will not trouble the podium. To be fair, she is only 17 and will be back. The score is 11.733.
Zhou is still top with 14.100. Only three more to go.
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Women’s gymnastics: Italy’s Esposito looks to be the first gymnast to not at least threaten to fall off the beam in this final. She does wobble slightly but keeps her balance, ending with a double pike and fine landing. She goes into second with 14.000.
Women’s gymnastics: Soares is on the beam, mounting it with a backflip on the half turn. The Brazilian is showing fine composure and plenty of variety she also falls off. Has someone greased the beam? She produces some incredible blackflips as she exits the beam but she is set to be marked down for her fall. The judges give her 12.333.
Women’s gymnastics: Sunisa Lee steps up next. She starts with a triple spin and everything is going steady until she produces three stunning cartwheels but slips off at the end. She gets back on and finishes in style but the damage has been done. Biles gives Lee a hug, who is just about maintaining a smile. The score is 13.100. Such a shame.
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Women’s gymnastics: China’s Zhou Yaqin is first on the beam, a piece of apparatus she fell of twice in the team event. She almost falls again but just about keeps her balance, although it will cost her in the score. She finishes with a stunning dismount but it probably will not be enough for a medal. The judges give her 14.100.
At the end of an exceedingly successful Paris Olympics swim meet for Australia, after the women’s medley relay had won silver in the final race of the event, there was an impromptu celebration. Having collected their medals and stood on the podium for yet another time this past week, the relay team jumped in the pool together – fully clothed.
Kieran Pender on Australia’s successful time in the pool.
Women’s gymnastics: The gymnasts have made their entrance and Biles gets the loudest cheer. She looks very relaxed.
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Molly Caudery: “It is totally heartbreaking, it is not the Olympics experience I was hoping for. I am so sorry for everyone back home. I will take everything I can from the experience.
“I’ve been asking myself why [I failed]'; I am in the best shape of my life, I wasn’t nervous, it’s a great crowd. I will go to talk to my coach and try to work out what went wrong.”
Getty Images photographer Hector Vivas has created a series of astonishing images called Layers of the Games, which aim to show in one image the multiple moments that happen in a game or a day of competition in Paris.
Check out this stunning gallery.
Women’s pole vault: It is a massive shock that Caudery is out – she was hoping to be in contention for gold but has fallen well short.
Here she is speaking to Sean Ingle about mishaps and chaos.
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Women’s 400m heats: Miller-Uibo failed to finish. She has barely had a race since giving birth in April. Poland’s Kaczmarek won the race, with Gomez of Cuba second and Sada Williams from Barbados. GB’s Victoria Ohuruogo was pushed to fourth, meaning she will be waiting on repechage to see if she goes through.
Women’s pole vault: Molly Caudrey is out having failed to succeed on three attempts at her starting height of 4.55m, which is a huge shock.
Men’s discuss: GB’s Okoye’s final throw is a foul and his best of 61.17m will not be good enough for the final.
Women’s 400m heats: We have a call back in the third heat but no one is given a false start. At the second time of asking, everyone begins as it should and GB’s Anning ambles just ahead of Klaver, with Moran from Mexican getting third. A solid start for the Brits on the track today.
Holly Bradshaw after failing to make the pole vault final: “I am just crushed, I knew this was going to be my last champs. I am heartbroken, it’s been a really hard year. I wanted to come out and do myself proud and I haven’t.
“I wanted to come out and do my dad proud, he passed away in November, so hopefully I’ve done that.
“I fought hard to get back and to be here is a privilege.
“My priority now is to be a mum and I want to start a family with my husband.
Women’s 400m heats: Pryce runs well within herself to win the second heat. She will be in the semi-finals alongside Nielsen, who just pipped Jaeger for second.
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Hi, sorry to all James Wallace fans but he has been unavoidably detained, hopefully not by our boys in blue. The focus is on the women’s 400m heats. GB’s Laviai Nielsen is in the second race.
To take you through the next few hours is Will Unwin, I will be back later today. Enjoy the feast of sport.
Taylor Knibb is directly or indirectly responsible for two of the USA’s most thrilling medals of the last 24 hours, if not the Games as a whole.
Knibb, according to our analysis of research provided by Olympic statkeepers Olympedia, has become the first athlete to compete in two sports in the same Summer Olympics since 1992.
But her time in Paris had been rough – several falls in the rain-soaked road cycling time trial and a difficult swim in the triathlon. She finished 19th in both events despite being a medal contender in triathlon.
Knibb had also earned a spot in the women’s road race as well despite a lack of road racing experience. She relinquished her spot, and USA Cycling reassigned it to Kristen Faulkner, who won gold.
Today, Knibb’s decision to rest up yesterday paid off as the US took a stunning silver behind Germany. Knibb’s time of 22:13 was the fastest of any woman in the event.
The women’s 400m heats have got underway and the first three in each heat will qualify. The rest will run in repechage races.
The first saw a really strong field with Stacey Williams having an impressive race but it is the former world champion Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser who wins it. Williams comes in second and Romania’s Andrea Miklos is third.
In the men’s parallel bars final GB’s Joe Fraser has been confirmed as to not be competing. He was the first reserve but the top eight are competing.
The first to go is Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun and has scored 15.500.
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An wins women's singles badminton gold
The Republic of Korea’s Se Young An has beaten China’s Bing Jiao He in straight games to win the gold in the women’s singles badminton event.
The Republic of Korea athlete took a while to settle into the match but after she did she raced to a 21-13, 21-16 win.
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The penultimate round of the women’s 10m platform has just been completed and China’s Hongchan Quan is still leading with compatriot Yuxi Chen in second and Canada’s Caeli McKay in third. Lois Toulson is in seventh and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix is fifth.
The final men’s 400m repechage race and Qatar’s Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim takes it.
It was a smooth start from a lot of the field but Jamaica’s Sean Bailey pulled up around 200m and didn’t finish. It’s a strong finish from Yahia Ibrahim to hold off his competitors.
The two fastest losers are yet to be confirmed but I’ll bring you that as soon as we have it.
As well as getting athletics, diving and badminton updates, the action in the gymnastics is about to begin. The men’s parallel bars final will get underway shortly.
The second men’s discus throw qualification group is underway. Remember the automatic throw to qualify is 66, if 12 athletes don’t hit that then the next best performers will go through. Three athletes hit 66 in the first group.
The third men’s 400m repechage saw South Africa’s Zakithi wins and qualifies.
Rounding the final bend all the athletes were so close but the South African raced clear.
In the women’s pole vault GB’s Molly Caudery – who is arguably the best in the world in the sport at the moment – has failed to clear 4.55 on the first time of asking. Italy’s Elisa Molinarolo is one of six athletes to clear that height.
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Just going back through some earlier action as a women’s hockey quarter-final has finished with China pipping Australia 3-2 to reach the semis.
In the men’s volleyball Poland have secured a first semi-final spot for the nation since 1980 with a 3-1 win over Slovenia. Tennis star Iga Swiatek was on court to celebrate with the team.
South Africa’s Lythe Pillay has won the second men’s 400m repechage to bag himself a place in the semi-finals. He was in full control throughout that race.
In the women’s singles badminton gold medal match it is Republic of Korea’s Se Young An who won the first game 21-13. She had gone behind early on to China’s Bing Jiao He but has rallied.
After the conclusion of the third round in the women’s 10m preliminary the top three remain the same. Lois Toulson is in eighth and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix is fourth.
In the men’s 400m the winners of all four heats will see the winner qualify and the next two fastest qualify.
In the first one only three have started with the rest of the field not running for various different reasons. Argentina’s Elian Larregina wins the first and qualifies, the others will have a nervous wait as the other repechage races take place.
Bradshaw has failed to clear 4.4 and so that looks like her Olympic is over.
We now have the men’s 400m repechage, it is all go in the athletics this morning.
In the women’s pole vault the automatic qualification level is 4.7, if 12 athletes don’t meet that criteria it will be the next best performers who go through. We are up to 4.4 at the moment with GB’s Holly Bradshaw failing on two attempts, she has one more or she is out.
If you are just tuning in this morning you may have missed the GB and USA photo finish mixed triathlon. GB were initially awarded silver but it was downgraded after judges reviewed the photo finish. Germany took the gold. You can catch up with that here:
The last repechage race in the women’s 400m hurdles sees France’s Shana Grebo win and qualify, she struggled over every hurdle but her strides and fast pace in the last few metres is enough. Ukraine’s Anna Ryzhkova is also through.
China’s Bing Jiao He is currently 8-7 ahead in the women’s badminton singles gold medal match against the Republic of Korea’s Se Young An.
In the women’s 10m platform preliminary the athletes are in the third round and China’s Hongchan Quan is still leading the field with her compatriot Yuxi Chen in second and Canada’s Caeli McKay in third. GB’s hopefuls Lois Toulson and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix in fourth and 10th respectively with the latter yet to take her third dive.
China’s Jiadie Mo wins the second women’s 400m hurdles repechage to qualify for the semis.
GB’s Jessie Knight is in tears as she thought she had missed out but she just clinches the second spot to pip Panama’s Gianna Woodruff.
The first group in the men’s discus throw have finished their throws and it is just those three athletes who have thrown enough to be automatically through to the semi-finals. The rest of the field must wait until the second group finish to see if they go through – a nervous wait.
In the end Van den Broeck and Yukich have both qualified for the semi-finals. They crossed the line at exactly the same time and with them not being able to be separated they both go through, wow.
There are three repechage women’s 400m hurdles and the top two of each will progress.
The first heat and there is another photo finish! That was such a close contest and Italy’s Ayomide Folorunso is through as the fastest. The judges are just looking between Belgium’s Naomi van den Broeck and Australia’s Alanah Yukich. It is taking them quite some time to make a decision, it was that close.
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GB’s Alastair Chalmers has told Eurosport after his automatic qualification for the 400m hurdles semi-finals: “It is absolutely incredible, it is an honour to be standing here, to be racing and competing.”
Australia’s Matthew Denny has bagged himself and automatic qualification spot on the men’s discus throw after a throw of 66.83. Three athletes have automatically qualified now with Austria’s Lukas WeissHaidinger and Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna also through.
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So the men’s 400m hurdles heats are over and the women’s pole vault qualification begins.
The women’s 400m hurdles repechage is also coming up.
The final 400m hurdles heat and there’s another photo finish in third with Alastair Chalmers falling over the line but he clinches the automatic spot.
In first was Jamaica’s Malik James-King and second was Brazil’s Matheus Lima.
On hurdle four Qatar’s Ismail Doudai Abakar fell and hit the track. He did not get up and finish the race which means he cannot compete in the repechage race.
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Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna has become the second athlete to automatically qualify for the men’s discus throw with a second throw of 67.47.
Heat number four in the 400m hurdles sees Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke take it with Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel second and France’s Wilfried Happio third.
It was a really close finish at the end there, most of the field fighting for the top three spots.
A reminder once all of these heats are over the three fastest finishers will also qualify. The rest of the fields will have a repechage to have another chance of qualifying.
In the men’s discus throw qualification the athletes need to hit 66 in three throws to automatically qualify. Austria’s Lukas Weisshaidinger has qualified with his first throw and he is the only one in the first group to do it with his first throw.
The second group will compete after this one is wrapped up.
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Why Dos Santos pulled up towards the end I do not know because that could impact which semi-final he is in and which lane position he has.
Brazil’s Alison dos Santos is in heat three in the men’s 400m and he has a really strong run, so much so he slows down before crossing the line which sees him finishing third.
Estonia’s Rasmus Magi was first and the USA’s CJ Allen second.
Heat two sees defending Olympic champion Norway’s Karsten Warholm win and qualify. France’s Clement Ducos is second and third is Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba
The first men’s 400m hurdles heats has been completed and the USA’s Rai Benjamin, Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde and British Virgin Islands’ Kyron McMaster have all qualified. The top three of each heat progress with the next three fastest progressing and so fourth in heat one – Sweden’s Carl Bengtstrom – will have to wait and see if he has done enough.
GB’s triathlon performance director Mike Cavendish has spoken to the BBC about the photo finish which saw them demoted to a bronze medal. He explained how the judges review a still from the finish to determine who came second and third after it being so close between the USA and GB.
He added on their reaction to the decision: “When it is as close as that you are always going to have to go to a photo finish. It is relatively rare in the triathlon that it goes to a photo finish so that’s probably why it took a little bit longer. They might be a little bit disappointed with the silver [being downgraded] but ultimately a bronze medal is still an amazing achievement.
“To be completely frank it was an incredible advert for the sport to have such a brilliant finish, a brilliant race. The tactics went as well as it could for us.”
In diving the preliminary round of the women’s 10m platform is underway, the top 18 athletes progress to the semi-finals. So far China’s Hongchan Quan is leading with a score of 81. Only seven athletes have completed their first dive so far so a long way to go in that one. GB’s Lois Toulson is currently seventh with 54.
Li wins 25m rapid fire pistol gold
China’s Li wins the gold with a flawless last round.
In his final round Yeohong Li shot five out of five. He fist pumps.
Republic of Korea’s Yeongjae Cho wins silver. A great final.
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The bronze medal in the 25m rapid fire pistol event has gone to China’s Xinjie Wang and he finishes with 23. So will Li or Cho win gold? They head into the final with Li three ahead.
The final of the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol final has been cut down to the three who will win a medal and they will now battle it out for where they finish.
Li, Cho and Wang are the top three after Peter and Wang had to have a shoot off as they were both on 20 heading into the cut off moment. The German only manages to hit three and he finishes fourth.
We are heading into the start of a busy few hours in the athletics track and field events. Men’s 400m hurdles heats, men’s discus throw qualification and women’s pole vault qualification are among what’s happening this morning.
This is the closing moments of that photo finish. The quotes from the BBC have the athletes reacting to silver as at that point they thought they had won it. If there is any reaction to it being changed to bronze I will let you know.
There’s been a change of medal position in the mixed triathlon, the photo finish was that close the silver and bronze medals were called wrong.
Silver is now going to the USA and GB have bronze.
Li Yuehong put his hand up before he took his shots in the third round, there seems to be a problem with the target. That’s been fixed and he hits four out of five. That sees him out in front by himself with Peter in second and Wang in third.
Germany’s Florian Peter is pushing the joint leaders with a five out of five on his second round. Both Chinese athletes missed two shots in the second round and so they jointly lead but are only one ahead of Peter.
China’s Li Yuehong, who holds the world record in the 25m rapid fire pistol, has taken his first five shots and not missed a single one to slide into joint first position with compatriot Xinjie Wang early on.
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So from one medal event – which I will try and get some reaction to – to another. The final in the 25m rapid fire pistol men’s event is underway.
“Allez les Bleues” rings around as Cassandre Beugrand comes in fourth, wow.
There was a photo finish between GB and the USA for the silver and bronze medals but it was GB to pip them. All three of the front pack collapsed over the line.
Germany win mixed triathlon gold
It is Germany with gold, GB with silver and the USA with bronze.
Knibb, Lindemann and Potter were all together at the start of the run but the GB athlete slipped back to third. Alex Yee shouts “believe” at Potter as she ran past.
Potter closes down the gap and will she time her attack well? Or can Knibb and Lindemann stay ahead and battle between themselves? Potter goes for it but Lindemann is over the line!
Cassandre Beugrand is now up to fourth, what a heroic effort from the Frenchwoman. After that early crash the medal hopes were dealt a blow and it won’t be for France today but that is a brilliant performance.
Potter did look to be tiring but seeing them overtake her but she has remained with her rivals. They transition off the bike and go into the run. It is the USA’s Knibb came in off the bike with a second advantage but her transition isn’t the best and so GB’s Potter is back in front.
Knibb and Lindemann are working together and they have both overtaken Potter, what an impressive stint from both the German and American athletes.
After the first lap of the bike leg Potter is ahead by 12 seconds. But Lindemann and Knibb still firmly have her in their sights, this could be a nail-biting finish.
There was such a good shot as GB’s Potter was cycling on a straight and Germany’s Lindemann whipped around a corner as she hunts down the lead. Germany are hot on the heels of GB but if Potter is still in the lead come the run their gold medal hopes will look more certain, Potter is a very strong runner.
There are so many intricate details these athletes have to get right in the triathlon. They not only have to put in solid performances across the three different elements but they have to get transitions between athletes and equipment done quickly. The front three are doing everything so smoothly that they just keep opening the gap on the rest of the field.
So coming out of the water after the swim in the Seine it is GB’s Potter who exits first. She has extended the team’s lead to seven seconds before the ride. From second in Lindemann of Germany to the USA’s Knib is nine seconds.
France are around a minute back from the lead so Cassandre Beaugrand has a lot to do to get into the medals. The crash at the end of the first leg really putting a blow in for the host nation.
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Thank you Joey, a clean transition which wouldn’t get us penalised if we were in this mixed relay.
In this mixed relay Samuel Dickinson has handed over to Beth Potter to GB in the lead but Germany are only 0.05 seconds behind. The chasing pack two seconds behind.
And in the great spirit of the relay, it’s now time for me to depart and hand over the baton to Sarah Rendell for the next few hours.
Fortunately, my stint on the blog hasn’t required me to jump in the Yarra River down here in Melbourne because, unlike the Seine, that probably would see me grow a second head.
“The French goose is cooked here,” says the world feed commentary, Leo Bergere battling valiantly to try to make up time after Pierre Le Corre’s crash at the start of the race to little avail.
Britain’s Samuel Dickinson and Germany’s Lasse Luehrs continue to lead as they prepare to commence the running portion of their race.
What a massive run from Lisa Tertsch of Germany, who has overhauled Georgia Taylor-Brown of Team GB to put Lasse Luehrs into the lead as dives into the Seine ahead of Samuel Dickinson.
The Olympics are a time for getting lost in the excitement and joy that comes with being exposed to new sports and the stories of the athletes that compete in them -- I for, instance, am in the midst of finding a newfound appreciation for the mixed triathlon relay.
And perhaps there’s been no better exemplar of this phenomenon in Paris than none other than Snoop Dogg, who as Deborah Cole writes has been in the hizzle at a wide variety of sports throughout the Games.
Looking away from the mixed triathlon for a moment, and while the swimming portion of the Games has concluded -- the controversy that has at the pool over the past ten days will probably continue to be felt in the months ahead.
The latest flashpoint? After a fourth-placed finish in the men’s 4x100m medley relay on day nine, British swimmer Adam Peaty has said that he “might have to step away from the sport” because “it hurts too much” before rebuking “cheating” in the sport.
After the early rise for the 8am start of the mixed triathlon relay, three further events will commence at 9am Parisian time – women’s beach volleyball, shooting and men’s volleyball all getting under way.
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The first handover has taken place in the mixed triathlon relay and newly crowned men’s triathlon gold medallist Alex Yee putting Britain into the lead as he hands over to Georgia Taylor-Brown. He’s followed by Germany’s Tim Hellwig and Switzerland’s Max Studer.
Disaster, however, for two of the biggest medal candidates, with France’s Pierre le Corre and New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde crashing towards the end of the cycling leg, sending them to the back of the pack.
We’ve hit 8am in Paris and that means that the mixed triathlon relay has kickstarted today’s events!
It’s going to be a faced and furious race, the event seeing a team’s four athletes – two men and two women – completing a 300-meter swim, followed by a 5.8K bike ride and then finishing with 1.8K run. The race order will be mixed, going from man to woman to man to woman.
It looks like we’ve had a few false starts as well, which means there’s going to be a few time penalties dished out.
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How tight was the men’s 100 meter final? This close.
HISTORIC 100m Final Olympic⚡️!
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 4, 2024
For the first time in history, all finalists ran under 10 seconds. 🤯
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Finale Olympique du 100m HISTORIQUE ⚡️ !
Pour la première fois de l'histoire tous les finalistes sont descendus sous les 10 secondes 🤯
📸#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/apo5bHnUpT
There were tears of joy at Roland Garros yesteday, as Novak Djokovic -- just months after tearing his meniscus at the same venue -- took out gold for Serbia in the men’s singles against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Srbijo,
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 4, 2024
Uspeli smo!
Volim vas,
Nole ❤️ 🥇
**
Dear Serbia,
We did it.
Love, Nole ❤️🥇 pic.twitter.com/TUjgFYPCUH
What did it mean to the 37-year-old? He would declare it the “biggest sporting success I’ve ever had in my career.”
Rivalries between two dominant athletes so often prove to be among the most engaging storylines to come out of the Games and that’s certainly the case for men’s 1500m competitors Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr – the duo cruising through their semi-final yesterday and set up a gold medal showdown on Tuesday evening.
Swimmer Kyle Chalmers has an endorsement deal with grooming brand Wahl here Down Under, with ads during the games advertising their facial hair trimmer. It got me thinking how much of a massive flex it would be for a swimmer to rock up at the Olympics with a massive beard – aerodynamics be damned – and take out the gold.
Even then, though, it would only be the second most impressive beard to scoop swimming gold at the Olympics, after Amanda Beard.
The velodrome has proved a happy hunting ground for Team GB in recent Games, and as the track cycling gets under way anticipation is high that the Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines will prove a bountiful host for Great Britain’s cyclists -- even in the absence of the likes of Laura and Jason Kenny and Katie Archibald.
The phrase ‘Put in the Louvre’ is getting a bit old hat these days. Maybe we can put this incredible image of the men’s 100 metre final in the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris instead.
8 frames, 1 iconic 100m final 🖼️#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/0Q6ItW3e4j
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 4, 2024
A night after Olha Kharlan secured Ukraine’s first gold medal of the Games in fencing, Yaroslava Mahuchikh doubled her country’s haul in the women’s high jump yesterday, the nap-powered world record-holder taking the crown ahead of Australian duo Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh goes from power naps to power jumps. 🤯 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/AjQzjiDQ4H
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) August 5, 2024
Nick Ames was on hand at the Stade de France to take it all in, as Ukraine’s women continued to embody their nation’s resilience on the world stage – Mahuchikh dedicating the win to the athletes and coaches that have been killed since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
This is the Guardian’s live coverage of the tenth official day of competition at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
That’s the post.
This is Paris.
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 4, 2024
That's the tweet.
📸 #Paris2024 / Bilal Aouffen pic.twitter.com/SDuGd9RdUf
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There was always going to be significant pressure on host nation France to deliver on the football pitch in these games.
But while Les Bleus’ women were eliminated by Brazil in the quarter-finals – ensuring living legend Marta will have a chance to sign off her amazing career with a medal – their men have advanced through to the semi-finals, where they will take on Egypt later today.
And in guiding the side to this point, Philippe Auclair observes that Thierry Henry has taken great strides in restoring his reputation as a coach and, just maybe, is beginning to put together a case to succeed Didier Deschamps at the helm of the senior side.
I can see what they’re doing, what he’s doing. I can see it, I can feel it. He’s cooking.
For those European-based types getting up and checking the live blog as you begin to get ready for the day, what’s on the menu for breakfast? If you’re after a breakfast of champions, maybe I can suggest two breakfast burritos made with nine eggs, sausage or bacon, cheese, sour cream and salsa – just like American shot putter Ryan Crouser.
It’s not like this is some kind of new thing for him, either, as this 2016 tweet would suggest.
Trying to bulk up. Hamburger, rice, chili Mac, Mac&cheese+avocado with a chicken breast and breakfast tacos #dinner pic.twitter.com/73ggZe3iic
— Ryan Crouser (@RCrouserThrows) March 31, 2016
The first event to take place today will be the mixed relay triathlon, which is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am Parisian time.
Amid concerns over the water quality in the Seine, training sessions for the swimming leg of the event had been cancelled in the lead-in had been cancelled but the IOC has confirmed the event will go ahead as planned after tests of the river’s water quality.
Belgium, however, will not take part in the race after its Olympic committee announced on Sunday that it was withdrawing after Claire Michel, who competed in the women’s triathlon last Wednesday, fell ill.
The Swiss outfit, meanwhile, has been forced to replace Adrien Briffod with Simon Westermann after the former fell ill with a gastrointestinal infection. Swiss Olympic chief medical officer Hanspeter Betschart, however, has not directly linked Brifford’s condition with the Seine.
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As ever, there was a series of incredible images to come out of day nine in the Olympics. I in particular found the image of Egypt’s Mohamed Essam and the United States’ Alexander Massialas really cool.
Massialas may need to brush up on his Wu-Tang Clan: Protect Ya Neck!
There are few things on earth more capable of capturing the imagination than the 100-metre dash at the Olympics. For ten seconds, it feels as if the World takes a breath as a collective, stops what it’s doing, and loses itself in the moment, as the bounds of humanity are tested.
Julien Alfred first wrote herself into Olympic and St Lucia folklore as she took out the women’s 100m on Saturday and the great Barney Ronay was at the Stade de France last night as Noah Lyles etched his name into legend with a gold medal-winning run.
Not to be outdone, Sean Ingle was also on hand at the Stade De France and broke down a dramatic, photo-finish race.
And on Simone Biles, given that she is 27 years old, you’d be forgiven for thinking that today could be the last time we see her competing at an Olympic Games. The average age of women in artistic gymnastics has been creeping up in recent years but, at the same time, she has said at these Games “I am getting really old” (ouch, nothing makes you feel as old as when someone younger than you says something like that).
But while she’s definitely retiring her Yurchenko double pike vault after Paris, the superstar isn’t ruling out a run at the Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Medal Tally Heading into Day 10
And if we’re going to be discussing medal events, we may as well use that as a segue to see what the medal tally looks like after day nine.
And well, no more creative counting metrics are needed for the United States of America to sit atop the count, with Team USA moving to its summit after drawing level with China’s 19 gold medals and outpacing their rival’s silver and bronze tallies.
Hosts France retains its position in third and Australia follows in fourth but with the latter’s girt-powered run in the pool now at an end, the likes of Team GB, South Korea and Japan will be eyeing closing in on their 12 gold medals. Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany, then round out the top ten.
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Medal Watch
For those more inclined to a bit of scoreboard-watching, there’s a swathe of gold medals available today.
All eyes will inevitably be on the Bercy Arena for women’s gymnastics as Simone Biles --the 🐐GOAT🐐 -- competes for the final time in Paris in the finals of the women’s beam and floor.
🥇Athletics – Men’s Pole Vault / Women’s Discus, 500m, 800m
🥇Triathlon – Mixed Team Relay
🥇Shooting – Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol
🥇Badminton – Women’s Singles / Men’s Singles
🥇Gymnastics – Men’s Parallel Bars, Horizontal Bar / Women’s Beam, Floor
🥇Shooting – Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol / Team Mixed Skeet
🥇Surfing – Women’s Shortboard / Men’s Shortboard
🥇 Basketball – Women’s 3x3 - Men’s 3x3
🥇Canoe – Women’s Kayak Cross / Men’s Kayak Cross
🥇Track Cycling – Women’s team sprint
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Day 10 Schedule
The swimming portion of the Games concluded yesterday, giving the athletics greater scope to take the spotlight, with athletes such Team GB’s Keely Hodgkinson and Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis in action. Focus will shift to the velodrome as the track cycling commences, alongside the beginning of artistic swimming, sport climbing, and the purist’s Olympic event, wrestling. Conversely, today will be the final day for badminton, the basketball 3X3, canoe slalom, gymnastics, shooting, and triathlon events.
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Preamble
Howdy folks! Welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the tenth official day of competition at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. I’m Joey Lynch and I’ll be taking you through the first few hours.
The big news from day nine, undoubtedly, was the crowning of Noah Lyles as the new fastest human on Earth: the American backing up the hype by taking the gold after a dramatic finish in the men’s 100m, edging out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson to the crown by just five-thousandths of a second, with fellow American Fred Kerley claiming bronze.
Indeed, it was a good day nine for the Americans, with Team USA’s women setting a new world record in winning the 4x100m medley and Bobby Finke setting a new world record as he took out gold in the men’s 1500m freestyle.
Elsewhere, Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour became the first African to win Olympic gold in gymnastics, holding off a challenge from reigning world champion Qiu Qiyuan to take out the women’s uneven bars while Carlos Yulo continued a golden run for the Philippines in claiming his second gold in as many days in the men’s vault. Novak Djokovic took out one of the few prizes that have eluded him in his illustrious career as he beat Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros to take gold in the men’s tennis singles and, in a history-making moment, Cindy Ngamba became the first-ever athlete from the Refugee Olympic Team to ensure themselves a medal as she reached the semi-finals of the women’s 75kg boxing.
But there’s plenty on tap for day ten to keep this momentum going and, with my handy-dandy Australian time zone making it possible, I’ll be getting you set for all the action for the next few hours as those in Europe rise from their slumber.
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