The flurry of medals at the midway point of these Games ensured that the Australian team have officially registered their best start to any Games in history. But day eight wasn’t all about Australia, as the athletics program burst into life and the streets on Paris witnessed an epic cycling race.
Tennis
“Some miracle work happened here,” said Matt Ebden after he and his partner, John Peers, roared back from a set and a break down in the men’s doubles final to beat American duo Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek in a thrilling match at Roland Garros. It is the first time in 28 years that Australia has won a gold medal in the Olympic tennis tournament, emulating the “Woodies” at the Atlanta Games in 1996. Read Jack Snape’s report
Athletics
All eyes were on the track in the northern suburbs of Paris as Julien Alfred raced the 100m of her life at a rain-soaked Stade de France to stun the pre-race favourite Sha’Carri Richardson and deliver a first gold medal for her country, St Lucia. Alfred won with ease in 10.72sec ahead of Richardson and a second American, Melissa Jefferson. Read Sean Ingle’s report
Swimming
Ariarne Titmus did not quite have enough to win the latest instalment of her rivalry with the American Katie Ledecky, but the Australian’s brilliant swim in the women’s 800m freestyle was enough to secure a silver medal. Two other medals went Australia’s way on Saturday night, as Kaylee McKeown took a surprise bronze in the women’s 200m individual medley – thanks to an American disqualification – and the mixed 4x100 medley relay team also won bronze at the end of the evening. Read Kieran Pender’s report
Cycling
Thousands lined the streets of Paris in scenes reminiscent of the Tour de France as the men’s road race was won in dramatic circumstances by Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian suffered a puncture as he neared the end of the course, which included a section along the cobbled streets of picturesque Montmartre, but he recovered in time to add to the gold he won in the time trial earlier in the week. Read Jeremy Whittle’s report
Sailing
Having harboured ambitions of representing the All Blacks not so long ago, Grae Morris used the valuable lessons he learned during a budding rugby union career to win a silver medal in the windsurfing competition off the coast of Marseille. Born in Australia to New Zealander parents, the dual citizen could not top gold medal winner Tom Reuveny of Israel but Morris was delighted with his second place. “That was awesome,” Morris said. “The best racing we’ve ever done. It was sick.” Read Kieran Pender’s report
Gymnastics
Another day, another gold medal for Simone Biles. The American star’s greatness seemingly knows no bounds as she extended her lead as the most-decorated US gymnast with victory in the vault final at Bercy. It was her second career victory in the vault, her third gold medal of these Games and her 40th Olympic or world medal overall. Read Tumaini Carayol’s report
Other bits
The frosty relationship between Australian and Chinese swimmers appears to be thawing after Kyle Chalmers revealed he and Pan Zhanle have been texting each other, with his rival keen to show the Australian around Shanghai when the pair swim there later in the year. Read Kieran Pender’s report
The International Olympic Committee has been forced to issue a correction after its president, Thomas Bach, got in a muddle when defending a decision to let an Algerian boxer who failed a gender test fight in the Paris Games. Read Dan Boffey and Sean Ingle’s report
Jack Robinson has been forced to alter the design of his surfboard before he competes in his semi-final against Gabriel Medina after South Korean officials lodged a complaint. The Australian surfer usually has a red and white rising sun decal on the bottom of his board, but that is considered offensive in parts of east Asia and Robinson has been asked to remove it. Read Kieran Pender’s report
Snoop Dogg and equestrian? Why not? The rapper made more headlines at the Paris Games when he attended the dressage competition, complete with riding helmet and in the company of Martha Stewart, despite confessing to being afraid of horses. Read Martin Pengelly’s report
