Olympic Word of the Day: Sculler - A sculler is a rower who rows with two oars, one in each hand.
I did not get to see much of the Olympics today due to a previous commitment, so this post only covers what I see and know about.
In the pool, both the Men and Women from the United States won gold medals in the 4x100m medley relay, although both of those gold medals were expected. The races were important because the United States won one more swimming medal in Rio than it did in London, and the women's victory was the 1000th gold medal in Olympic history for the United States.
Almost as expected was the third-straight gold medal for the United States in the women's 8 with coxswain rowing competition. The team is now undefeated in Olympic and international competition in the last 11 years. Elle Logan rowed her way to her third consecutive gold medal on the team. American Gevvie Stone also earned the silver medal in the single sculls competition.
Almost as expected was more violence against athletes in Rio. A quartet of swimmers, including Ryan Lochte, were robbed at gunpoint after the taxi was pulled over by thugs dressed as fake cops. The group was heading back to the athletes village after partying at the French Club, the hospitality location set up for the French delegation, and their invitees.
Not as expected was the gold medal won by Monica Puig of Puerto Rico in tennis. Puig defeated Germany's Angelique Kerber in three sets, with Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic winning the bronze medal over American Madison Keys.
In track, Great Britain's Mo Farah defended his 10,000m title, as expected, but it is the way Farah won that makes the race memorable, Mo Farah fell to the ground after being bumped by his fried and training partner (and eventual 5th place finisher) Galen Rupp of the United States. Farah made up the ground with some pacing assistance from Rupp, and eventually defeated Paul Kipngetich Tanui of Kenya and Ethipio's Tamirat Tola, who joined Farah on the podium.
The story of the day is not Farah, but rather German Christoph Harting, who, on his last attempt, unleashed a massive throw of the discuss that went 68.37 meters. Harting, unseating the reigning Olympic champion, Robert Harting - CHRISTOPH'S BROTHER!, who won gold in London with a throw of 68.27. Congratulations Christoph, you are the story of the day.
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