Category: Olympics

Jrue Holiday going for gold in 2024 Olympics

Going for the gold!

It certainly was not easy,  but Jrue Holiday and Team USA came away with a 95-91 win over Serbia on Thursday. Holiday started the game, scoring 3 points on 1 for 2 shooting. He added 7 assists in the game.

The United States trailed 54-43 at halftime and 76-63 after three. The American team went on a 32-15 fourth-quarter run to win the game.

The big story for the Americans was Steph Curry. who scored a game-high 36 points. Big man Joel Embiid was also strong for the USA with 19 points, while LeBron James had 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in the game.

For Serbia, Nikola Jokic scored 17 points, while Bogdan Bogdanovic led the team with 20.

Holiday and Team USA will now play for the Gold Medal on Saturday. The Americans will face off against the host country, France. These two teams met up in the Summer Olympics of 2020. The game is slated for 12:30 pm PST. Earlier in the day Germany will take on Serbia for the Bronze medal.

USWNT stars Rodman, Smith on Marta: ‘Love her, but we want to win’

Rodman and Smith agree that the six-time World Player of the Year “would want us to give her our best game”

The U.S. women’s national team’s attacking stars are among the many admirers Brazilian legend Marta has accumulated over the years.

Just don’t expect Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith to hold back in Saturday’s gold medal match.

The USWNT and Brazil will face off in the final of the 2024 Olympics women’s soccer competition. By itself, that would be an event of massive significance, but the game will be spiced up further by the fact that Marta has said she will retire from international play following the Paris Games.

That effectively leaves a USWNT side full of Marta fans having to choose between going all out to win, or letting the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year end her national team career with Brazil’s first-ever win at a World Cup or Olympics.

Per Rodman, the ‘conundrum’ has a clear answer.

“We want that gold, so I’m not gonna say too much on that,” said the Washington Spirit forward with a laugh. “Love her, but we want to win.”

“I know she would want us to give her our best game,” added Smith, whose goal sent the USWNT past Germany in a tense semifinal. “That’s the highest level of respect you can give someone.”

It is something of a surprise that the USWNT will be the final opponent in Marta’s incredible career with Brazil. A first-half red card for a dangerously high kick in a 2-0 group-stage loss to Spain resulted in a red card for Marta, who was suspended for As Canarinhas‘ quarterfinal and semifinal matches.

Brazil’s younger generation extended the legend’s national team career for one more game, seeing off France 1-0 in the last-eight before shocking World Cup champions Spain in a wild 4-2 semifinal.

After removing the mystery over whether the USWNT would drop its ruthless streak just this once, both players made their admiration for the Orlando Pride icon clear.

“Marta’s for sure like, the player I looked up to growing up. Whenever I would watch highlights of players with my dad, it was always Marta,” explained Smith.

“We get to play against her in the NWSL, which we’re really lucky for that, and to play against her in this magnitude of the game, I think is so special.”

USWNT stars: Marta ‘changed the game’

Rodman declared the 38-year-old Brazil captain “a legacy forever,” before adding that women’s soccer worldwide can be seen from a pre-Marta and post-Marta lens.

“It goes without saying: Marta has changed the game of soccer around the world,” stated Rodman. “She’s such a talented soccer player, but also a great human, which speaks volumes. I’ve always looked up to her, I think we all kind of do.”

Smith agreed, saying that players like she and Rodman “wouldn’t be here probably without a Marta, who did change the game forever, and is continuing to change the game.

“I don’t think words can really describe how grateful we are for a player like Marta to just advocate for young players like us.”

[lawrence-related id=79572,79544,79420]

Jasmine Moore wins second medal at 2024 Paris Olympics

Jasmine Moore already made Olympic history by qualifying for both the long jump and triple jump, and she’s coming home with two medals.

Former Florida track and field star [autotag]Jasmine Moore[/autotag] has won a second bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

Moore finished third in the long jump event on Thursday with a 6.96-meter leap. It came on her first of six attempts with 0.2 meters per second of wind behind her.

Fellow American Tara Davis-Woodhall took gold with a 7.10-meter jump, which came on jump four to improve on a 7.05-meter leap in the second round. German Malaika Mihambo won silver with a 6.98 that came in the fifth round, moving Moore out of the silver position.

Moore spent most of her college years in Gainesville, transferring to the University of Florida after a year with Georgia. She is the first American woman to participate in both the long jump and triple jump at an Olympics, winning bronze in both events.

Florida’s medal count moved up to 15 with Moore’s win. Shortly after, hurdler Grant Holloway made it 16. If the UF alumnus participated in the Olympics as a team, it would be 12th overall in total medals and tied for 13th with four gold medals.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Why Noah Lyles was allowed to run the 200 meters at the Paris Olympics with COVID

Lyles wasn’t the only Olympian to compete in Paris after coming down with COVID-19.

Noah Lyles didn’t look like himself on the track Thursday at the finals of the men’s 200 meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He finished in third place in his signature event, then needed a wheelchair to help him leave the track.

Moments after the race had ended, we learned why. Lyles had tested positive for COVID-19, the illness that had spurred a global pandemic four years earlier. It was an announcement that created mixed responses.

Some marveled at the American’s ability to find a place on the podium while fighting a respiratory virus. Others wondered why he’d been unable to compete after participants in the last Games, just three years earlier, had their Olympic hopes dashed after contracting COVID.

It turns out, the 2024 Olympics doesn’t have a protocol for COVID-19.

Lyles wasn’t the first athlete to compete with COVID

The first cases of COVID at the 2024 Paris Olympics, per USA Today’s Carrie McDonald, were members of Australia’s women’s water polo team. But since the Games no longer have specific rules and regulations related to the virus, their illness was treated like any other respiratory affliction.

“I need to emphasize that we are treating COVID no differently to other bugs like the flu,” said Australian Olympic team chief Anna Mears. “This is not Tokyo. The athlete is not particularly unwell and they are still training but sleeping in a single room.”

“We have our respiratory illnesses protocol in place and we have reinforced with all of the teams as they arrive into our village. Two basic rules around that really simple hygiene practices are effective. And if you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms, get tested.”

As such, the onus was shifted onto the athletes themselves to determine if they were well enough to compete. There are no temperature checks, mask mandates or mandatory testing. Competitors who feel ill are encouraged to self test, but the decision is theirs. The official Olympics literature for athletes at this year’s Games is scant and offers little in the way of official guidelines.

That makes a place like the Olympic village, where athletes are in close quarters with one another, an easy place for infection to spread. That applied to Lyles, who made the call to run the 200m despite his positive test and an illness that, by the time he’d finished the final, had forced him to be wheeled off the track.

Victor Wembanyama had the most chilling quote about spilling blood for France at the Olympics

Wemby said his bloody neck reminded him of the French national anthem.

During the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament, Team France had a huge upset over Team Germany.

By winning the game, the French national team will have a chance to play for a gold medal. They will face the winner of the United States and Serbia in the other semifinal match.

During the game, while it is currently unclear when it occured, France’s Victor Wembanyama suffered a cut on his neck that made him bleed. The big man then spoke to reporters after the contest, and he shared such an amazing quote (evoking the French national anthem) about the injury.

Here is what he said (via Washington Post):

“In our national anthem, we talk about blood, too. We’re willing to spill blood on the court. It’s no big deal. If it allows us to win gold, I’m all for it.”

Wembanyama said that his injury reminded him about the French national anthem (“La Marseillaise”) and for good reason.

The song includes the line “L’étendard sanglant est levé” which translates to “the bloody banner is raised” in English.

It also includes “Égorger vos fils et vos compagnes!” which means “cut the throats of your sons and your companions!” when translated.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1373 tag=692792600]

What is the USWNT ‘Triple Espresso’? The Rodman, Smith, Swanson nickname, explained

If you hear the phrase “Triple Espresso”, here’s what it means.

Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson officially have a nickname to explain their dominance.

The USWNT has been recently crushing it during this year’s 2024 Paris Olympic Games. They’ve survived several tough tests, including an overtime thriller against Japan that probably added gray hairs to fans’ heads.

Truthfully, the team doesn’t get as far on the Olympic stage, with a chance to play for a gold medal, without Trinity, Mallory and Sophia. The trio has contributed to 10 — YES, TEN! — of the 11 goals U.S. women’s soccer has scored. The ladies have been so good — almost quite literally waking up games — that they officially have a nickname for themselves: Triple Espresso.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393228]

Photos: 2024 Olympic women’s golf competition at Le Golf National

The women now have the stage at Le Golf National.

The women now have the stage at Le Golf National. After a riveting final round for the men’s competition, 60 of the world’s best players have gathered in France for the women’s competition, set to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 7 and conclude Aug. 10. Golf Channel and Peacock have the live coverage.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda, the 2020 gold-medal winner, highlights the field along with France’s own Celine Boutier, a major champion and six-time winner on tour.

Lydia Ko, golf’s only two-time medal winner, looks to add gold to make her set complete. A victory would also put her into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Here’s a look at the scenes in France:

This trippy 8-frame composite photo of Noah Lyles’ 100m finish should be hung in the Louvre

So many Noahs. So little time.

Noah Lyles‘ 100-meter photo finish from Sunday’s events was so mind-bogglingly good. But there’s a frame-by-frame photo of the race that might be even better.

The 2024 Paris Olympics men’s final will be talked about for quite some time. In the immediate aftermath, fans were stunned at just how close it ended. Also, for several moments, it was unclear from NBC’s broadcast who won.

In the end, Lyles beat Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson with an absolutely killer photo finish. Noah managed to lean just as he crossed the finish line, sealing the deal. Getty Images photographer Hector Vivas captured his incredible run with a spectacular eight-frame composite photo.

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 04: General view as Noah Lyles of Team United States competes the Men’s 100m Final on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. Layers of the Games shows in one image the multiple moments that happen during a game or a day of competition during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from a fixed camera. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Here’s another look at Vivas’ digital masterpiece:

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 04: General view as Noah Lyles of Team United States competes the Men’s 100m Final on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. Layers of the Games shows in one image the multiple moments that happen during a game or a day of competition during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from a fixed camera. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393228]

Josh Liendo wins silver in 100m butterfly, earns first Olympic medal

Florida Gators swimmer Josh Liendo captures the silver medal for Canada in the 100-meter butterfly final at the Paris Olympic Games.

Florida junior swimmer [autotag]Josh Liendo[/autotag] competed in the 100-meter butterfly final and will bring home a silver medal for his home country of Canada.

It was just yesterday that Liendo appeared in his first Olympic Finals of his young career, taking part in the 50-meter freestyle final.

The 21-year-old finished with a time of 21.58 seconds, his fastest ever in the 50-meter freestyle, but it was not enough to make the podium as he finished in fourth by just two-hundredths of a second behind France’s Florent Manaudou (21.56 seconds).

Liendo swam well during the 100-meter butterfly semifinal, finishing in second (50.42 seconds) and securing a spot to compete for a medal in the final.

Looking at his 100-meter butterfly final, Liendo had the gold medal in his sights from the get-go. He was ahead of the pack for most of the race but it wasn’t until the final 10 meters that Kristóf Milák of Hungary pulled ahead and won it at the last second.

Milák finished with a time of 49.90 seconds while Liendo followed close behind with a final time of 49.99 seconds. Nonetheless, it was a terrific showing from the junior Florida Gator swimmer.

Liendo at the Paris Olympics

Liendo competed in 10 events and appeared in three finals during his Olympic debut, capping it off with a medal under his belt. Going up against the best swimmers in the world, the Canadian certainly proved that he fits right in with this elite group of athletes.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Ryan Crouser: 5 facts about Team USA’s shot put king and now 3-time Olympic gold medalist

Ryan Crouser is a LEGEND, winning his third straight shot put Olympic gold in Paris.

For the Paris Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. We’re highlighting 15 Team USA athletes in the 15 days leading up to the Opening Ceremony. Up next is Ryan Crouser.

You don’t need to know a ton about shot put to know Ryan Crouser is an absolute star. The 31-year-old from Texas took home the gold medal at the last two Olympics in Rio and Tokyo, respectively, and will be considered the favorite until someone actually dethrones him.

That may be easier said than done considering all he’s accomplished in a storied career.

Here are the five things you need to know about him.

UPDATE: Crouser made history, winning his third straight shot put Olympic gold medal August 3.

1. You won’t have to guess when he makes a perfect throw

Crouser famously began celebrating the moment the ball left his hand during the 2021 Tokyo Olympic trials when he broke the world record at 23.37 meters.

@teamusa

The Shot Put King 👑 One week until the 2x defending Olympic gold medalist #RyanCrouser takes the sector at TrackFieldTrials24. #mtusa #olympics #teamusa #usatf #trackandfield #shotput #goldmedal #worldrecord #parisolympics @USATF @NBC Olympics & Paralympics

♬ original sound – Team USA

2. The shot put record book is just his name over and over again

Aug 5, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Ryan Crouser (USA) celebrates after winning the shot put in an Olympic record 76-5 1/2 (23.30m) during the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Summer Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We’re not really joking here, either. Among the top-25 outdoor shot put throws ever, Crouser owns 14 of them, as well as the indoor record at 22.82 meters.

Yet, it’s his ability to consistently perform at this level that’s allowed him to dominate the sport. Crouser is currently owns the men’s world record (23.56m), Olympic record (23.30m), world championship record (23.51m) and World Indoor Championship record (22.77m).

3. Crouser consumes between 5,000-6,000 calories per day when training

Jun 22, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Ryan Crouser wins the shot put at 74-11 1/4 (22.84m) during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

At least that’s what he was doing in 2021, according to People magazine. I wish I could tell you that’s the worst part, but sadly there’s also this: He also drinks 16 ounces of milk every day over the course of his FIVE meals. That’s half a gallon. Per. Day.

4. He comes from a family of Olympians

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9S10vNu7pl/

Mitch Crouser (Ryan’s dad) was an alternate on the 1984 Olympic team, Brian Crouse (Ryan’s uncle) competed in javelin throw at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and again in Barcelona four years later but never placed better than 21st.

5.Men’s shot put at the Olympics begins on August 2

Set those alarms for 2:10 p.m ET on August second when qualification begins because you will regret not witnessing the sheer strength and force of Ryan Crouser in real time.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393228]