Day 16 - August 8, 2024
Not a large controversy, but American sprinter - and 100 meter gold medalists - Noah Lyles admitted to testing positive for Covid on Tuesday, at 5:30 in the morning. With all of the vasccines taken by people and the immunities developed, it isn't as deadly now, but for the Olympians it could mean the difference between a medal and not even participating. You would think that the IOC would have had some type of quarantine protocol and procedures to keep the virus from spreading around the village. Seems like that would be important.
Lots of fantastic team events today, starting the women's volleyball semi-finals match between the United States and Brazil. The US women defeated Brazil in 5 sets, but that 5th set had some absolutely amazing volleys and rallies, and if you have not seen it, you should go watch it! US to the finals to try to defend their gold medal!
At the beach, Germany defeated Norway in a third set in an ending that had I not seen it, I would not have believed it. Germany was up 14-13, when Norway seemingly tied up the match with a spike at the net around the German block. Germany challenges the play for a net violation, and on the replay it is clear that the Norwegian athlete did indeed hit the net - the bottom of the net - with his leg on the play, not only nullifying Norway's point, but giving the point - and the victory to Germany. This was not a situation in which the call was petty as it was absolutely correct; it was just unbelievable.
The basketball was amazing. In the first game, host country France defeated Germany to advance to the gold medal game, giving us all a chance to not only see Victor Wembanyama in action, but also to see Evan Fournier at his best - in FIBA. No word if France gets to keep possession of Alsace-Lorraine.
In the gold medal match France will play the United States, which just barely survived Serbia. The US was down 17 at one point, and down 11 at one point in the 4th quarter, and would not have been victorious if not for Steph Curry's 36 points (9-14 from three point range), and LeBron's triple double. This was LeBron's second career Olympic triple-double, the only athlete to achieve that feat.
In men's soccer, Morocco defeated Egypt 6-0 to capture bronze, but to set the stage for a barn-burning gold medal match between host country France and Spain tomorrow.
In men's field hockey, the Netherlands defeated Germany in a shootout to capture gold, with the Germans earning bronze.
In the pool, the United States succombed to Australia in the semi-finals of water polo, losing in a shootout, on the last shot of the game. They will return to action in the bronze medal game.
On the wrestling mat, American Aaron Brooks seemed on his way to the gold medal match when he was turned by Bulgarian Magomed Ramazanov with 4 second left in the match, giving the Bulgarian a 4-3 win. Brooks will wrestle for the bronze tomorrow, while Ramazanov goes for the gold.
In sport climbing, American Sam Watson could not equal his world record performance from the preliminaries, but still earned the bronze medal in the speed climb, behding gold medalist Leonardo Veddriq of Indonesia and the silver medalist China's Wu Peng.
The focus of yesterday's action - as well as most of the stars - were on the track, where the USA shined. In most years, Grant Holloway would be one of the shining stars as the prohibitive favorite in the 100 meter hurdles, and defending silver medalist from Tokyo, coasting to his first Olympic gold, with compatriot Daniel Roberts winning silver, just ahead of bronze medalist Rasheed Broadbell from Jamaica.
In the pit, the USA's Tara Davis-Woodhall had secured the gold medal just prior to making her sixth and last jump, but jumped anyone, landing in the pit, standing up, and then falling back down and doing a sand angel in the pit celebrating her victory. Her interaction with her husband in the stands made news the world over after the win. Milaika Mihambo of Germany - the defending gold medalist - won silver, while the USA's Jasmine Moore earned bronze.
The women's 400 meter was supposed to be one of the highlights of these Olympics, with American world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone being challenged by Femke Bol of the Netherlands, and although that challenge never really materialized, the race was spectacular nonetheless as McLaughline -Levrone easily won defended her Tokyo gold medal by setting another world record. Fellow American Anna Cockrelly joined McLaughlin-Levrone on the medal stand winning silver. Femke Bol earned bronze.
But, as dominating as McLaughline-Levrone's performance was, the news was all about the men's 200 meter dash, where Noah Lyles was attempting to win the sprint double after capturing the gold in the men's 100 meters. Lyles, who was diagnosed with Covid on Tuesday, and he just didn't have the closing burst we are used to seeing from him. Lyles, settled for bronze, just behind fellow American Kenny Bednarek who won silver. Both Americans were defeated by Letsile Tobogo, of Botswana, who earned a deserving gold.
Athlete of the Day - Letsile Tobogo, Botswana, Athletics
Won gold in the 200 meters over American favorites Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Erryion Knighton.
U.S. Athlete of the Day - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, USA, Athletics
She is probably the athlete of the day with her gold medal and world record in the 400 meter hurdles, but I had to give credit to Tobogo AND McLaughlin-Lecrone.
Team of the Day - Netherlands Men, NED, Field Hockey,
Defeated Germany in a shootout to capture the gold medal.
U.S. Team of the Day - Men's Basketball, USA, Basketball
Coming back from down 17 to advance to the gold medal game.
Olympic Term of the Day: Split Decision - In boxes, it is a scoring determination in which two judges agree that one boxer was the winning boxer while the third judge decides that the other boxer should have been victorious. This differs from a majority decision where two judges agree on a winning boxer and the third judge believes the match to be a draw.
Olympic Events Watched: Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Golf, Volleyball, Water Polo
Note on the United States Flag-Bearers for the Closing Ceremonies: The United States team captains have selected swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead. Ledecky needs no introduction, as she has been successful not only in this Olympics but also in her Olympic career (most decorated American female athlete). Nick Mead led the US men's rowing team to a gold in the men's four-boat. Mead rowed bow for the United States' first gold in the men's four-boat in 64 years, since Rome 1960. Although he specifically wasn't on my radar as a potential flag-bearer for these games, I do think he was an excellent choice. Ledecky - should go without saying.
USA Potential Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (listed alphabetically): Simone Biles, Ryan Crouser, Caleb Dressel, Brady Ellison, Kristen Faulkner, Cole Hocker, Vincent Hancock,Torri Huske, Lee Kiefer, Katie Ledecky, Ilona Maher, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Tom Murphy. Sophia Smith, Gabby Thomas
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