Rio Olympics 2016: American women, Bolt-De Grasse steal the show on Day 12
The U.S. women did something never accomplished before in an Olympic event
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3 min read
It was an interesting, unpredictable day in Rio. There's as much news happening away from the venues as there is inside of it. From Ryan Lochte going Jason Bourne and getting out of a foreign country just in time, to a septuagenarian being busted -- reportedly -- in the nude.
Here are some takeaways from Day 12 of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Bolt flashes signature grin again
Any time Usain Bolt runs, it's a headline event at the Olympics. He didn't compete for a gold on Wednesday night; it was the 200-meter semis. He won his heat, but it came with some good-natured competition and joking, too. As Bolt was approaching the finish, Canadian Andre De Grasse challenged for first. Can't wait to see how those two run in the final on Thursday night. Bolt is a mortal lock to win, but De Grasse can absolutely push him.
Did Ryan Lochte make it all up?
He maintains he was held up at gunpoint early Sunday morning. Lochte spoke with NBC's Matt Lauer by phone on Wednesday night and mostly stuck to his story, though he's now saying a gun wasn't up against his forehead so much as it was waved toward his face. That's not the only drama. Lochte had already flown out of Brazil by the time a judge asked for him not to leave the country. Two of his USA swimming teammates were taken off a plane as it was sitting on the tarmac and awaiting takeoff to head back to the United States. And as of late Wednesday night, per the most recent reports, no one knows where Jimmy Feigen even is. He's the fourth member of the team who was involved in the alleged incident early Sunday morning.
Here's how it all breaks down.
Foreign country. Lochte escapes. Two others pulled off a plane. The other in the foursome is missing. It's Argo meets Hangover meets Bourne!
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) August 18, 2016
U.S. women make history on the track
Three United States women had never taken gold, silver and bronze at the same event in a single Olympics until Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin did just that in the 100-meter hurdle final on Wednesday night. An awesome scene, and a great moment in Olympic history. In total, the U.S. women won six medals on the track on Wednesday.
Something to keep an eye on Thursday: Vashti Cunningham competes in women's high jump. She could be the future of the sport. You've gotta see what she can do.
Walsh Jennings, Ross salvage bronze in beach volleyball
Kerri Walsh Jennings had never lost in beach volleyball in Olympic play until Wednesday night. But she and teammate April Ross recovered in less than 24 hours to defeat the Brazilian team of Larissa Franca and Talita Antunes (17-21, 21-17, 15-9). The bronze will have to do this time. Expect Walsh Jennings and Ross to make a return for Tokyo in 2020. I doubt Walsh Jennings wants to end such a dominant Olympic career by playing a third-place game.
USA men's basketball down early, then blows doors off Argentina
At first, Argentina held a 19-9 lead and people were wondering if it was going to be another grueling game for Team USA. Then came the 27-2 run and complete demolition. It's a reminder of how good this team is -- it's just a matter of motivation. When can you see Carmelo, Durant and Co. play again? Friday, against Spain. Win there, and it's on to the gold medal game.
Ashton Eaton could win the decathlon again
You remember what Eaton did in London in 2012? Do you realize how hard the decathlon is? And it's an awesome event, too. It should get more pub, more TV time, more press. Guys doing everything from 100-meter dashes to throwing javelins, high jumping and long-distance running. All in a span of less than 48 hours. Eaton is in first heading into Thursday's final five events. If he wins gold, it will be broadcast live on NBC, Thursday night.
71-year-old IOC board member busted for being in ticket scalping ring
And he was apparently found early on Wednesday morning in his son's hotel room -- naked.
Boxing judges getting the boot
The Olympics doesn't want these headlines out there, but the fact is there's been a lot of griping over the judging at the 2016 Rio Games. Powers-that-be are taking note, and certain judges have been sent home. This in advance of Claressa Shields' march toward a second straight gold. She's on her way to becoming the female face of boxing in America.
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Medal Tracker
Rio 2016
|
Country
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
46 | 37 | 38 | 121 |
|
27 | 23 | 17 | 67 |
|
26 | 18 | 26 | 70 |
|
19 | 18 | 19 | 56 |
|
17 | 10 | 15 | 42 |
|
12 | 8 | 21 | 41 |
|
10 | 18 | 14 | 42 |
|
9 | 3 | 9 | 21 |
|
8 | 12 | 8 | 28 |
|
8 | 11 | 10 | 29 |
|
8 | 7 | 4 | 19 |
|
8 | 3 | 4 | 15 |
|
7 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
|
7 | 4 | 6 | 17 |
|
6 | 6 | 1 | 13 |
|
6 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
|
5 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
|
5 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
|
4 | 9 | 5 | 18 |
|
4 | 3 | 15 | 22 |
|
4 | 2 | 7 | 13 |
|
3 | 5 | 9 | 17 |
|
3 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
|
3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
|
3 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
|
2 | 6 | 7 | 15 |
|
2 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
|
2 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
|
2 | 5 | 4 | 11 |
|
2 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
|
2 | 3 | 6 | 11 |
|
2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
|
2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
|
2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
|
2 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
|
1 | 7 | 10 | 18 |
|
1 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
|
1 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
|
1 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
|
1 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
|
1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
|
1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
|
1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
|
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
|
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
|
1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
|
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
|
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
0 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
|
0 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
|
0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
|
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
|
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
|
0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
