Day 6 - July 29, 2024
Light day of Olympics watching for your author, as it was a Monday, and sometimes work must be done. That does not mean there isn't anything to report, as there was some great action on the fields, courts, pools, etc.
The day wasn't without controversy though, controversy which actually occurred two days ago, but was announced yesterday. Eurosports' commentator Bob Ballard was on the call for the women's 4x100 meter freestyle relay. After Australia won gold, and the other teams were competing to finish second through eighth, Ballard stated, "Well, the women are just finishing up. You know what women are like ... hanging around, doing their makeup." Ballard's broadcasting partner Lizzie Simmonds, herself a former Olympian, immediately called him out saying, "Outrageous Bob." Ballard was removed from his job broadcasting the Olympics and sent home by Eurosports, and rightfully so.
But yesterday was a better day in the pool, as there was some fantastic action. In the women's 400 meter individual medley - the race that most consider the rest to determine the world's best overall swimmer - Canada's Summer McIntosh cruised to gold - her second of the games, with Americans Katie Grimes and Emma Weyant neck-and-neck for silver and gold.
Also in the pool, American Luke Hobson secured bronze for the USA in the 200 meter freestyle, finishing behind Romania's David Popovici (gold) and Britain's Matthew Richards.
American team captain Ryan Murphy secured the bronze medal - hist 7th overall Olympic medal - in the men's 100 meter backstroke, and he arose out of the pool to see his pregnant wife holding a sign that read, "IT'S A GIRL!" Thomas Ciccon of Italy won gold, followed by China's Xu Jiayu.
In the women's 200 meter freestyle, Australia Ariarne Titmus staked her claim to the best female swimmer of these games with another medal, this time silver as she was bested only by her countrywoman Mollie O'Callaghan.
American's were successful outside of the pool as well, with Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston winning silver and bronze in the skateboarding men's street final, with Eaton finishing just .1 point behind Japan's Horigome Yuto for the gold. Eaton's silver will pair with his bronze medal from Tokyo.
The USA won another medal in fencing, as Nick Itkin secured bronze in the men's foil, defeating Japan's Iimura Kazuki in the bronze medal match. Cheung Ka Long of Hong Kong won gold in a scintillating final over Italy's Filippo Macchi, winning 15-14 in the gold medal match.
And, of course, the US Men's gymnastics team won bronze medal in the team competition, for the country's first medal in 16 years in Beijing in 2008. Congratulations to the team of Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Frederick Richard. The pure exuberance showed by the Americans in winning bronze was interestingly contrasted with the disappointment shown by the Chinese team - who suffered some uncharacteristic falls on high bar - in finishing second. Japan won the gold.
The Women's rugby team defeated Great Britain 17-7 to advance to the semi-finals. Here's to hoping that I can write more about them tomorrow after today's semi-finals and finals.
The most fascinating event I watched yesterday was the men's canoe slalom, in which Nicolas Gestin was able to secure gold in front of the home fans. He was followed onto the podium by Adam Burgess of Great Britain and Slovakia's Matej Benus. Benus earned his second Olympic medal in the event, having come in second in 2016 in Rio.
The best event I watched was the women's volleyball match between Turkiye and the Netherlands, with Turkiye coming back to win the last 3 sets after falling behind 2 sets to none.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Novak Djokovic - Rafael Nadal match in the second round - YES SECOND ROUND - with Djokovic thrashing the Spaniard in his last singles match at Roland Garros Stadium. Nadal remains alive in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, who also won his singles match yesterday.
As for the best photograph from yesterday's events - and probably from Olympic history - is this one:
This photograph was taken by Jerome Brouillet of AFP/via Getty Images after Brazil's Gabriel Medina (pictured) just concluded what he knew was an amazing ride in surfing at Teahupo'o in Tahita. It turns out Medina's ride was awesome - it was the highest scoring ride in Olympics history.
Athlete of the Day - Gabriel Medina, Brazil, Surfing
Dominating run in the men's surfing competition, and come on, look at that pose coming off the ride.
American Athletes of the Day - Frederick Richard/Stephen Nedoriscik, United States, Gymanstics
Richard's scintillating performance on high bar catapulted the Americans into medal contention. Nedorisik, who did not perform until the American's sixth and final apparatus - the pommel horse - due to the rules of only 3 competitors per country per event in the team finals, nailed his anchor leg performance to secure the USA's first men's gymnastics medal since Beijing 2016.
Olympic Term of the Day: Pancake - Volleyball - Defensively, when diving to save the ball from hitting the floor, a player dives and puts their hand straight out onto the ground so that the ball bounces off the hand instead of the ground in order to prolong the point.
Olympic Events Watched: Beach Volleyball, Canoe, Field Hockey, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Swimming, Synchonized Diving, Volleyball
USA Potential Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (Alphabetically - Capitals indicate a potential favorite to this point): Chloe Dygert, Brady Ellison, Torri Huske, Casey Kaufhold, LEE KIEFER, TOM MURPHY, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson
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