Sha’Carri Richardson secured her first Olympic gold medal today, leading the American team to victory in the 4x100m relay. However, the United States faced disappointment in the men’s relay, with Canada claiming an unexpected gold. The U.S. team was disqualified due to a botched baton exchange. Despite this setback, Rai Benjamin won the 400m hurdles final, besting the defending gold medalist, Karsten Warholm from Norway.
In other events, the host nation France was defeated by Spain in the men’s soccer final. The United States women’s basketball team continued their dominance by defeating Australia, securing their 60th straight Olympic victory and advancing to the gold medal game.
In the aquatics center, Maddison Keeney from Australia won silver in the women’s 3m springboard event, becoming the first non-Chinese athlete to medal in diving at the Paris 2024 Games. China continued its dominance in diving, capturing their seventh gold medal in the competition.
The U.S. men’s water polo team faced a 10-6 defeat to Serbia in the semifinals, setting up a bronze-medal match against the loser of the Hungary vs. Croatia match. The U.S. women’s basketball team also competed against Australia in the semifinals, aiming for their 60th consecutive Olympic victory.
Kevin Paredes, a rising star in Olympic football, faced racial abuse and death threats following his team’s defeat in the quarter-finals. The abuse stemmed from fake news attributing derogatory remarks to him about the Moroccan team. Paredes emphasized that the statements were falsified and did not reflect his character.
In athletics, Quincy Wilson, a 16-year-old sprinter, had a humbling experience representing the U.S. in the 4x400m relay. Despite initial frustrations, Wilson appreciated the support of his team and the opportunity to compete on the Olympic stage.
Joel Embiid, a prominent NBA player representing the U.S. in men’s basketball, faced backlash from French fans for choosing to play for the U.S. Embiid expressed his readiness to face the fans and enjoy the competition in the gold medal match against France.
In field hockey, Argentina and Belgium were tied in the bronze-medal match, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. The men’s breakdancing tournament, a new addition to the Olympics, was set to begin, adding excitement to the event lineup.
Rose Zhang from the United States made significant progress in the women’s golf tournament, moving up the leaderboard with a strong performance in the third round. Additionally, Martin Fuksa from the Czech Republic set a new Olympic record in the men’s single 1000m canoe sprint, securing a gold medal.
Overall, the Paris 2024 Olympics continued to deliver exciting moments and unexpected outcomes across various sports, showcasing the talent and determination of athletes from around the world.
