Tag: Olympics

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.”

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce did not start the 100m semifinal after qualifying and Olympics fans were stunned

The four-time medalist was a late scratch on Saturday

The one-time fastest woman in the world won’t get a chance to see if she can reclaim her title at the Paris Olympics.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica was scheduled to race in the 100 meter semi-final on Saturday but was not in the starters blocks as the gun went off. On the NBC broadcast, viewers were given a last-second message notifying them that the four-time Olympic medalist would be a “Did Not Start” after qualifying for the run.

Track fans were left confused without any details immediately available.

Fraser-Pryce, 37, had already declared she would retire after competing in Paris. After her stunning scratch on Saturday, fans may have already seen her last race unless she runs in the 4×100-meter relay.

Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson previously withdrew from the 100m earlier in the games.

We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.

 

 

 

 

Algeria’s Imane Khelif thanks supporters after clinching an Olympic medal with emotional victory in Paris

Imane Khelif is going to get an Olympic medal

Much of the discussion around the Summer Olympics in Paris over the past few days has been consumed by women’s boxing.

Specifically, they’re talking about Imane Khelif and the baseless rumors concerning her gender. And some of those people said some really dangerous and gross things about the accomplished woman from Algeria.

It all started on Thursday when Khelif’s opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini, quit after 46 seconds into the bout after getting hit in the nose. A flurry of misinformation flooded the internet and talking-head TV shows. A lot of folks fired off absurd takes without using any sort of research or critical thinking.

In short, Khelif’s detractors pointed to a “gender verification” test (which we have no real details about) administered by the Russian-led IBA – an organization that even the IOC has deemed too corrupt – which disqualified Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting from the women’s world championships in 2023.

It should be said, loudly and clearly, that Khelif is a woman. She is not transgender. She is not a man. She is competing in this sport fairly.

And she’s good at boxing too, evidenced by her quarterfinals victory Saturday against Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori.

With the 5:0 win over Hamori in the 66-kilogram (146 pounds) bout, Khelif has clinched a medal at the Olympics because two bronzes are awarded in boxing. It will be the first boxing medal for Algeria since 2000.

As she walked out of the ring, she became emotional.

Khelif’s coach Mohamed Chaoua told Reuters:

“It is hard, she has suffered a lot – as a child and now as a champion, she has suffered so much during these Games… Where is the humanity? Where are the associations for women’s rights? She is a victim.”

After her victory, Khelif tearfully thanked her supporters:

According to USA Today’s Josh Peter, the crowd was fully behind Khelif during the fight:

Throughout the fight, the Algerian fans, appearing to number in the hundreds, alternately cheered, sang and chanted “Imane.” And they erupted in cheers when she was declared the winner.

She will box again on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 4:34 p.m. ET against Thailand’s Suwannapheng Janjaem.

IOC President Thomas Bach attempted again on Saturday to squash any controversy around Khelif and Yu-ting, telling the Associated Press:

“We have two boxers who are born as a woman, who have been raised a woman, who have a passport as a woman, and who have competed for many years as women. And this is the clear definition of a woman. There was never any doubt about them being a woman.”

Olympics unofficial Muffin Man Henrik Christiansen’s TikToks have made him a star in Olympic Village

We caught up with Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen at the Paris Olympics to talk all things chocolate muffins.

NANTERRE, France — Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen is a star, thanks to his gold medal-worthy TikToks about the mouth-watering chocolate muffins in the Olympic Village.

The unofficial Muffin Man of the Paris Olympics, Christiansen’s videos are hilarious and so creative, and they’ve boosted his follower count from about 3,000 before the Paris Games to more than 340,000 and 16.7 million likes as of Saturday afternoon. His sense of humor is too good, and he brilliantly used a sound from an iconic scene in Shrek to really lean into the Muffin Man identity.

Saturday after Christiansen finished 20th in the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle prelims, I caught up with him to talk about all things muffins.

“What’s not to like?” the 27-year-old swimmer said. “They’re liquid in the center. They have chocolate chips. They’re really rich. They’re moist. It’s just − everything is really good.”

@henrikchristians1

I don’t think you guys realize how good this stuff is #fyp #zipline #olympics #paris2024 #olympictiktok #olympicvillage #muffins @Mr.Nicho

♬ original sound – I think you should leave shop

He said he’s eaten other things in the Olympic Village, obviously, but he’s really enjoying the chocolate muffins.

You can read the full story over at USA TODAY Sports, but here’s an excerpt from it:

As a professional athlete, he views himself “as being in the entertainment business,” and making TikToks about his experience in Olympic Village is another way to engage and show fans backstage moments at the Olympics.

While the videos have made the Oslo resident a social media star, Christiansen said he’s become a popular figure in the village as well.

“I have taken fan photos in the village as the muffin guy, which, I mean, if you’re taking fan photos in the Olympics, you’re someone,” he said. “All the other athletes that are really top, top — like [Rafael] Nadal or like Simone Biles — they’re taking fan photos. Of course, I wish that it was because of my swimming, but this is also fun.”

Read the full story on the Olympics’ unofficial Muffin Man at USA TODAY Sports.

@henrikchristians1

When bae is looking like a snack #fyp #olympics #paris2024 #olympictiktok #olympicvillage #muffins @Olympics @paris2024

♬ original sound – mywatchhistory

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Watch Anthony Edwards throws down windmill dunk

Former UGA basketball star Anthony Edwards throws down a ridiculous windmill dunk in Team USA’s win

Former Georgia Bulldogs basketball star Anthony Edwards is putting on a show for Team USA at the Olympic Games in Paris, France. Edwards scored a team-high 26 points of 11 of 15 shooting in the United States’ dominany 104-83 win over Puerto Rico.

Team USA has secured the No. 1 seed in the Olympic basketball tournament ahead of knockout play. The top highlight of the United States’ win had to be Anthony Edwards’ steal and windmill dunk in the fourth quarter.

Here’s a look at Edwards’ highlight.

Edwards’ windmill as about as good of an in-game dunk as you will ever see in basketball.