Paris 2024 Olympics Day 14 Recap and Highlights – August 9

Historic Wins and Firsts

Several athletes and teams have made history at these Olympics, setting new records and achieving unprecedented feats:

• Brazil’s Ana Patrícia Ramos and Duda Lisboa won gold in women’s beach volleyball, securing Brazil’s first Olympic gold in the event since 1996.
• Olivia Reeves struck gold in the women’s weightlifting 71-kilogram division, winning Team USA’s first Olympic gold medal in weightlifting since 2000.
• Japan’s B-Girl Ami Yuasa won the first-ever women’s breaking gold medal, as the sport made its Olympic debut.
• Helen Maroulis became the first U.S. woman to win three Olympic medals in wrestling, with a bronze in the women’s freestyle 57kg event.
• Marileidy Paulino became the first woman from the Dominican Republic to win an Olympic gold medal, breaking the Olympic record in the women’s 400m.

Team USA’s Triumphs and Challenges

American athletes have had their share of successes and setbacks at these Games:

• The U.S. women’s basketball team cruised to its 60th straight win, defeating Australia 85-64 to clinch a spot in the gold medal match.
• Rai Benjamin took gold in the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 46.46 seconds, helping Team USA claim both 400m hurdles medals.
• The U.S. women’s 4x100m relay team (Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson, and Twanisha Terry) grabbed gold, with Richardson’s incredible anchor leg securing the victory.
• The U.S. men’s volleyball team won bronze, sweeping Italy 3-0 and tying the record for the most men’s volleyball medals by any country.
• However, the U.S. men’s 4x100m relay team was disqualified due to a botched handoff, missing out on a medal.

Thrilling Competitions and Close Finishes

Many events have kept spectators on the edge of their seats with nail-biting finishes and fierce rivalries:

• The men’s soccer gold medal match between Spain and France went into extra time after a thrilling comeback by the French team, with Spain ultimately prevailing 5-3.
• Sifan Hassan kept her hopes of an unprecedented treble alive, winning bronze in the women’s 5,000m to add to her 10,000m bronze. She will compete in the marathon on Sunday.

Overcoming Challenges and Controversies

The Paris Olympics have not been without their challenges and controversies:

• The decision to hold swimming events in the Seine River has been questioned, as rainfall has led to higher levels of E. coli and bacteria in the water, causing some athletes to become ill.
• Letsile Tebogo, gold medalist in the men’s 200m, made critical comments about Noah Lyles, who won bronze in the event, sparking a debate about sportsmanship and the “face of track and field.”

Despite these issues, the athletes have continued to inspire with their resilience, determination, and incredible performances.

Looking Ahead

As the Paris 2024 Olympics enter their final days, there is still much to look forward to:

• The U.S. women’s basketball team will face either France or Belgium in the gold medal match, aiming for their eighth straight Olympic gold.
• Sifan Hassan’s quest for an unprecedented distance treble will conclude with the women’s marathon on Sunday.
• The track and field competition will continue with highly anticipated events such as the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays and the men’s marathon.