2024 Paris Olympic: Medals Updates – Fencing & Swimming

Let’s keep track of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ medal updates to stay updated with all the action happening in Paris. It’s the 2024 Paris Olympic: Medals Updates on Fencing & Swimming

Fencing

Men’s Team Foil

The Grand Palais buzzed with excitement as notable stars welcomed the men’s team foil fencers back to their French roots. Unfortunately, the American team finished off the podium after France triumphed in the bronze medal match. In the gold medal round, Japan made history by defeating Italy, becoming the first non-European team to win the Olympic title in men’s team foil.

The gold medal match saw Japan’s Takahiro Shikine, Kazuki Iimura, and Kyosuke Matsuyama take an early lead against Italy. Guillaume Bianchi of Italy later narrowed the gap, winning the fourth bout against Shikine 20-18. Italy’s Tommaso Marini maintained the lead until Japan tied it in the sixth bout. A medical timeout for Bianchi after a weapon clash briefly halted the match, but he bounced back to narrow Japan’s lead to just one point.

In the eighth bout, Japan’s Yudai Nagano faced experienced fencer Alessio Foconi, who failed to score, allowing Nagano to increase Japan’s lead to 40-34. Iimura then faced Marini in the final bout, where he secured the win for Japan with a score of 45-36.

Earlier, the U.S. faced France in a fierce contest for bronze, where France received penalties for target area infractions. The American team, consisting of Alexander Massialas, Nick Itkin, and Chamley-Watson, initially led 13-10. However, France’s Enzo Lefort turned the tide, scoring five touches against Itkin, who managed to tie it before Lefort regained the lead. By the end of the match, France was ahead 40-30 entering the final bout.

Women’s Team Sabre

In another arena, Ukraine won the women’s team sabre event at the Olympics, defeating South Korea 5-3. Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan, who was controversially knocked out of the 2023 World Fencing Championships, secured the gold medal. In the next round, South Korea scored seven points against Ukraine’s Yuliya Bakastova, extending their lead. However, Ukraine made an outstanding comeback in the final round to secure the gold, 45-42, over South Korea. Japan secured the bronze medal.

Women’s Team Foil

Lee Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs, Jackie Dubrovich, and Maia Weintraub became the first Americans to win an Olympic gold medal in a fencing team event. The team has distinct fencing techniques and brings a wide array of experience to the table. They fight with incredible intensity for each other and for their program. The fencing world showed a lot of support and congratulations to the women. They are still taking in the enormity of their achievement.

The American fencing team, the Wreck-It Ralfs, won gold in the Olympic team event while maintaining a lighthearted attitude and being present in the moment. They exchange advice and motivational speeches with each other and have a strong connection after years of traveling and competing together. Dubrovich plans to retire from fencing and open a fencing club with her partner. Kiefer is taking a break from fencing for a while to unwind and step away from the intensity of the Olympics. Weintraub and Scruggs will be resuming their college education in the fall. They have not made a decision on whether to train for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics yet, but the future of American fencing looks promising.

Swimming

Men’s 1500m Freestyle

American swimmer Bobby Finke set a new world record in the men’s 1500m freestyle, clocking in at 14 minutes, 30.67 seconds, during an exhilarating race at La Defense Arena, while successfully defending his Olympic gold medal. His remarkable performance surpassed the previous record held by China’s Sun Yang, which had stood for 12 years at 14:31.02. Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri secured the silver medal, finishing 3.88 seconds behind Finke, while Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen, also an 800m gold medalist, captured the bronze. This victory helped the United States to lead the medal table at the Paris Games.

Finke’s triumph was met with thunderous applause as fans and fellow competitors alike celebrated his extraordinary feat. This historic swim not only solidified his status as one of the sport’s greats but also inspired a new generation of swimmers to push their limits in pursuit of greatness. The intense competition and high stakes presented by the Paris Games brought forth thrilling performances leaving spectators on the edge of their seats as the narrative of the Olympics continued to unfold in unexpected ways with records being shattered and dreams realized.

Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay

Next up, Caeleb Dressel won his ninth Olympic gold medal as the United States set a new world record in the mixed 4x100m medley relay. France finished fourth, marking the first time a four-gold medalist had lost in a final. The record-breaking time of 3 minutes and 37.43 seconds eclipsed the previous record of 3:37.58 held by the champions from Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. Great Britain, without the breaststroke specialist Adam Peaty, managed to finish just seventh.

Stay current with 2024 Paris Olympic Games: Medals Updates (Recap) from:

• Medals update for Basketball, Diving and Canoeing
• Medals update for Badminton, Rowing and Surfing
• Medals update for Archery, Judo and Tennis
• Medals update for Gymnastics and Equestrian
• Medals update for Cycling, Track & Field
• Medals update for Fencing and Swimming
• Medals update for Shooting and Triathlon
• Medals update for August 1st
• Medals update for July 31
• Olympic Games update