Olympic action: Aug. 11
The London Games might be one day away from Closing Ceremonies, but there’s still plenty of action. Wrestling is still getting under way, and with the end near many events’ gold medal matches are set for Saturday and Sunday. Check out today’s highlights and what’s on deck for tonight below.
Silver medalist Sabine Spitz (GER), gold medalist Julie Bresset (FRA) and bronze medalist Georgia Gould (USA) celebrate with their medals at the women’s cross country mountain bike. Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports
American medals in women’s mountain biking
Georgia Gould of the United States took bronze Saturday in the women’s mountain biking event, while France’s Julie Bresset took gold, far and away from the rest of the field. Bresset pulled away from Silver medalist Sabine Spitz when she made a mistake on a rough section of the course, and would end up finishing over a minute ahead of Germany’s Spitz, the defending gold medalist. For Gould, the bronze medal meant the first medal of any color for the U.S. in women’s mountain biking since 1996.
Russia makes history in rhythmic gymnastics
Russian rhythmic gymnast Evgeniya Kanaeva made history Saturday when she became the first rhythmic gymnast to defend her Olympic individual all-around title. Kanaeva scored more than two full points over fellow Russian Daria Dmitrieva who finished with the silver. Liubou Charkashyna of Belarus took the bronze.
Jake Herbert advances in freestyle wrestling
American Jake Herbert advanced past the first round Saturday in the 185-pound freestyle wrestling class. A late rally lifted Herbert over Cuba’s Humberto Arecibia, who led with 11 seconds left in the third round of the wrestling match. It was a decisive takedown on Herbert’s part that led the to U.S. victory. Teammate Jordan Burroughs won gold Friday night, following some very confident tweet from the outspoken, popular U.S. wrestler. Burroughs’ gold was the first for the U.S. in any style of wrestling throughout the London Olympics thus far.
Mexico shocks in men’s soccer final
The Mexican team upset Brazil Saturday to defeat a heavily favorited Brazilian team for the gold medal. You can read more about that win here.
U.S. basketball player Maya Moore during the quarterfinal round of the London Games. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Coming up:
The U.S. women’s basketball team takes on France in the gold medal game later today. Some of the players on that team will be looking for their third Olympic gold, and the U.S. has taken gold in every Olympics since 1996. Usain Bolt will go for his third gold of the London Games in the men’s 4×100 relay final, while the women will take to the track for the 4×400 final. The U.S. women’s volleyball team will face off against Brazil in the volleyball final which will air in primetime.
Updates (spoilers included):
It’s the fifth straight gold for the U.S. women’s basketball team which defeated France. 86-50. The five straight wins for the women’s basketball team are unprecedented in the Olympics, and the team has not lost since the semifinals of the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Usain Bolt won his third gold medal of the London Games, leading his relay team in the 4×100 men’s relay final. Their world record time of 36.84 seconds was good enough to hold off the U.S. team, which finished in silver medal position.
