Day 10 - August 2, 2024
Not sure anything could compare to the situation surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, except for that surrounding Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who is in the exact same position. Any hormonal issues that either may, or may not, have could be different, but the underlying situation and its impact on the culture way are exactly the same, excepting the outrage that did not occur yesterday.
American golfer - and defending gold-medalist Xander Schauffele - did find himself in a bit of a jam as he approached his ball well off the 13th fairway and bruied in the whisps and the rough. As he is addressing his ball, he sees something weird (my word, not his). It turns out his ball was lodged up against an antpile. No relief, play on. He quikcly took a punch shot, sending hisball only 50 yards into the fairway, and ended round 2 in a tie for the lead, with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood at 11 under. Lurking in 10th place is world's number 1 Scottie Sheffler.
The biggest story had French judoka Teddy Riner, teh same Teddy Riner that lit the Olympic flame, woan his 4th gold medal in judo by capturing the heavyweight title. His four golds - and six overall - make him the most decorated judoka of all time.
France had more success in BMX, as Joris Daudet captured gold for France, and leading a French sweep of the podium as compatriots Sylvain Andre (silver) and Romain Mahieu (bronze) joined him.
France continued its great performances on the day at equestrian, in the team show jumping competition, where it finished in the bronze medal position, behind a virtually flawless Great Britain squad which won gold, and the USA team that had 1 fault total between 3 riders to earn silver.
But no French athlete is having the games of Leon Marchand, who won his 4th gold medal - and 4th Olympic record - in 4 events as he swam away from the field in the 200 meter individual medley.
Not having as good a day in the 200m individual medley was Slovakia's Tamara Potocka, who collapsed after her preliminary heat. She is under medical care now, and after first reports of an asthma attack, Potocka blamed exhaustion. Here is to quickly improving, especially if you have any other events remaining.
In the women's 200m backstroke, Australia's Kaylee McKeown won another gold medal - her second of these games and 5th overall - finishing ahead of Regan Smith of the USA (silver) and Canada's Kyle Masse (bronze).
In trampolining, yes trampoilining, Ivan Litvinovich, an independent athlete, won gold defeating China's Wang Zisai (silver) and Yan Langyu (bronze). Litvinovich is an independent athlete because Belarus is banned from these games due to its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In doubles tennis, Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul lost their semi-finals match against the Australian duo of Matthew Ebden and John Peers, which prohibits an All-American final against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. Both American teams will play for medals tomorrow.
Ths US men's soccer team was ecstatic to make the quarterfinals, and that is where their run ended, falling 4-0 to Morocco. Morocco moves on to play the country with which they share the world's shortest border of only 242 feet - Spain. In the other half of the bracket Egypt will play host France. I imagine that game is going to be PACKED!
In archery, Americans Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison earned bronze in team competition. Kaufhold is ranked number 1 in the world, but was upset early in the women's event. At 20, she looks to have many more chances for individual medals, and perhaps team gold! The bronze is the fourth medal for Ellison, who is still alive in the men's event. Korea defeated Germany for the gold, with the Germans winning silver.
The Americans also won a medal at the shooting range, as Sagen Maddalena won a silver medal in the women's 50 meter rifle, three position, behind only Switzerland's Chiara Leone who captured gold. China's Zhang Qiongyue earned bronze. This completely ruins my joke about teh US not being able to shoot unless they use an AR-15 and/or no medals in shooting is proof that the US does not apply anything they learn in school.
The United States also earned a bronze medal in sailing in the men's skiff. Ian Barrows and Hans Henken secured the medal, finishing behind Spain (gold) and New Zealand (silver).
On the track, the United States set a world record in the 4x400 meter mixed relay preliminary round. YES - IN THE PRELIMINARY ROUND. Given that it was just the preliminary round, it will be interesting to see if the US keeps the team of Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Dedmond, and Kaylyn Brown together, or if they will add any "faster" runners for the finals.
As outstanding as the USA's performance was in the 4x400 mixed relay, nothing in these Olympics yet compares to the men's 10,000 meter event. First, the medalists: Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei won gold; Ethiopia's Berihu Aregawi earned silver and Grant Fisher from the United States captured the bronze. That doesn't even tell the story.
For the last two laps, it looked like the entire field was sprinting. Cheptegei was leading a field of what looked like 7 or 8 medal contenders at that point. With just under a lap left, the final sprints began. Fisher passed about 4 men to come into second down the backstretch, only to be caught by an equally charging Aregawi at the finish line for a photo finish for the silver medal. All told, the top 13 competitors BROKE THE OLYMPIC RECORD! THIRTEEN!!! Imagine coming in 11th, and still breaking an Olympic record. Amazing - what a race.
Athlete of the Day - Teddy Riner, France Judo
Fourth gold and sixth overall in judo. Most decorated judoka ever.
Co-Athlete of the Day - Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda, Athletics
Gold medalist in THE race of the day, outracing 12 other would-be Olympic record setters.
Team of the Day - 4x400 meters mixed relay, USA, Athletics
World record in the preliminaries.
American Athlete of the Day - Grant Fisher, United States, Athletics
Broke the previous Olympic record in the 10,000 meters in winning bronze.
Olympic Term of the Day: Berm - In BMC racing, it is the banked corner which is an essential feature for riders to keep their speed through the turns.
Olympic Events Watched: 3x3, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, BMX, Equestrian, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo
USA Potential Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (Alphabetically - Capitals indicate a potential favorite to this point): SIMONE BILES, Chloe Dygert, BRADY ELLISON, Torri Huske, Casey Kaufhold, LEE KIEFER, KATIE LEDECKY, Ilona Maher, Tom Murphy
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