Day 17 - August 9, 2024
Today's controversy was political, but it occurred on the field of play. Refugee B-girl, b-girl Talash, Manizha Talash, breaking for the Refugee team, was in action today along with the rest of the b-girls. Manash, originally from Afghanistan but now living as a refugee in Spain, removed an outer article of clothing to reveal a cape that said, "Free Afghan Women!" She was disqualified as the Olympics forbig any type of political statement or slogans. Seeing that she lost her pre-qualifying match anyway, the disqualification did not keep her from participating any further than she already did. So, I say, good on you Talash!
And, in the first ever gold medal in breaking, b-girl Ami from Japan takes it, and etches her name in history.
There was some absolutely amazing team games/matches/etc today. For the host country, some disappointment among their excitemend as Les Bleus fell behind Spain in men's soccer 3-1 early. But, some second-half persistence and aggressiveness led to a 3-3 draw at full time. Spain broke that draw and added another in extra time to take gold, while the French earned bronze. A great summer for Spain as they win Euros and capture gold in the Olympics.
In women's field hockey, the Netherlands won gold over China - who takes silver - in a shootout, making it a sweep for both Dutch teams in field hockey.
In women's basketball, the United States dominated Australia in the semi-finals, in search of their 8th consecutive gold medal in basketball. A'ja Wilson leads the team, and shows that she is absolutely and by far the best women's basketball on the planet.
On the volleyball court, the US men captured the bronze medal over Italy, in a match that - althgouh a 3-set sweep, was amaingly close and exciting.
China's men swept the Swedes 3-0 in the team event, but 2 of the matches went a full five sets, as Sweden gave the defending champions all they could handle.
The Brazilian team of Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa defeated Team Canada to win the gold medal in beach volleyball.
Imane Khelif, the newsmaking athlete of these games - not of her own accord - defeated China's Yang Liu to win the gold medal in her boxing weight class. I will refrain from commenting anymore on this so as not to give her lying critics any credence. Well earned Imane.
In another combat sport, the United States had a stellar day on the wrestling mat. And nobody's day was more stellar than Helen Maroulis, who although she "only" earned a bronze medal, she became the only female wrestler from the US to win three medals. This year's bronze will accompany her bronze from Tokyo and her gold from Rio!
Also earning a bronze was Aaron Brooks, who came back fired up after a literal last second loss in the-semifinals that you can read about in yesterday's post.
Spencer Lee won silver for the United States, after losing his gold medal match to Rei Higuchi of Japan, 4-2.
In what was likely the most exciting match in wrestling, Kyle Dake of the USA was defeated by Japan's Daichi Takatani 20-12, in a match that saw several stoppages so the video official could review to make sure enough points were being awarded. Dake will wrestley for the bronze medal tomorrow.
In weightlifting, American Olivia Reeves won gold, the first such gold for the US since basically forever.
But, the track is where most of the action took place yesterday. We should start with the heptathlon, where Belgium's Nafissatou Thiam won her second consecutive gold medal, making her the overall best women's athlete.
Another amazing female athlete is Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany, who won the shot put on the very last throw. Ogunleye, who led the event after 5 puts, was relegated to second place on the penultimate throw of the event taken by Maddison-Lee Wesche of New Zealand. Ogunleye stepped up on her last throw - the last of the event - and uncorked a 20 meter throw for gold.
The men's triple jump was interesting, as Cuban-born athletes swept the podium, with Jordan Alejandro Diaz Fortun winning gold, Pedro Pichardo earning silver, and Andy Diaz Hernandez taking bronze. What makes this interesting is that none of the athletes represented Cuba, as they competed for Spain, Portugal, and Italy, respectively.
The biggest disappointment for the United States occurred in the - surprise, surprise, not - men's 4x100 meter relay, in which they failed to get the baton around the track. Noah Lyles had to be replaced due to Covid, so instead of just inserting a runner - likely Kenny Bednarek, into the anchor leg, the team switched all of the spots/runners except for starter Christian Coleman, who could not catch Bednarek after what looked like an early start. Canada took advantage of the sloppiness to win gold, as America has to go back to the drawing board to figure out how to get some continuity and practice out of its relay teams.
The women, however, did get the baton around the track, although a bit of sloppiness in the hand-off the Gabby Thomas in the third leg did slow the team down, but then Sha'Carri Richardson, caught the 4 athletes ahead of her for gold! Gabby Thomas's gold was the 12th medal for Harvard alumni/students!
A much anticipated race was the men's 400 meter hurdles, pitting Rai Benjamin of the USA, who has the world's best time this year, Norway's Karsten Warholm, the world record holder and defending Olympic champion, and Brazil's Alison dos Santos, silver medalist in the world championships, but to quote Ato Bolden, the NBC track announcer, "Rai said never mind the big 3, THERE'S JUST BIG ME!" (Thanks Kendrick Lamar!) Benjamin cruised ahead of his rivals, with Warholm winning silver and dos Santos earning bronze.
The men's 400 meter hurdles may have been more anticipated, but thh women' 10,000 meter race turned out to be the most exciting of the day. In an exhausting sprint finish that included several athletes, Kenya's Beatrice Chebet won gold, becoming the first ever Kenyan to win the women's 10,000 meter, and in so doing won the 5,000 meter/10,000 meter combination. Finishing in second was Nadia Battocletti of Italy, and in the bronze position was the defending gold medalist in this event from the Netherlands, Sifan Hassan. Hassan also medaled in the 5,000 meter, and will try to equal Czech great Emil Zatopek by adding a medal in the marathon to her collection.
Athlete of the Day - Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium, Athletics
Defended her gold medal in the heptathlon!
U.S. Athlete of the Day - Rai Benjamin, USA, Athletics
Ran away with what was supposed to be a three-way race in the 400 meter hurdles.
Team of the Day - Spain Men, SPA, Soccer
Won an exciting gold medal game in soccer, against the host country.
U.S. Team of the Day - Women's 4x100 meter relay, USA, Athletics
Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Gabby Douglas, Sha'Carri Richardson brought home gold.
Olympic Term of the Day: Exposure - When a wrestler turns an opponent shoulders to the mat. Awarded two points.
Olympic Events Watched: Athletics, Basketball, Golf, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling,
USA Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (listed alphabetically): KATIE LEDECKY, NICK MEAD
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