2024 Paris Olympic: Updates

Rowing

First Olympic rowing medal for U.S. since 2016

Interestingly for the first time in eight years, the United States has secured an Olympic rowing medal. The U.S. men’s four team, comprised of Nick Mead, Justin Best, Michael Grady, and Liam Corrigan, clinched the gold medal in Thursday’s final, and breaking the nation’s rowing medal drought that had persisted since the 2016 Rio Games. Further demonstrating remarkable skill and teamwork, the American crew led the race almost entirely from start to finish, and ultimately edging out silver medalists New Zealand by a narrow margin of 0.85 seconds. Previously, Great Britain, who had dominated the event with back-to-back world titles in 2022 and 2023, finished three seconds behind the U.S. to claim the bronze medal. This victory not only signifies a triumphant return for U.S. rowing on the Olympic stage but also dethrones the previously top-ranked British men’s four, highlighting a significant achievement for the American team.

Judo

Men’s Under 100kg

Zelym Kotsoiev of Azerbaijan claimed the gold medal in the men’s under 100kg judo category at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. Demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, Kotsoiev triumphed over a highly competitive field to secure his victory. The silver medal went to Georgian judoka Ilia Sulamanidze, who showcased impressive technique and resilience throughout the tournament. Additionally, Peter Paltchik of Israel and Muzaffarbek Turoboyev of Uzbekistan both earned bronze medals, highlighting their remarkable performances in the competition. This event was a display of high-level judo, with athletes from diverse nations achieving podium finishes and contributing to the excitement of the Olympic Games.

Women’s Under 78kg

In a thrilling competition at the Paris Olympics, Italy’s Alice Bellandi captured the gold medal in the women’s under 78kg judo category on Thursday. Bellandi demonstrated outstanding prowess and strategy to secure her victory against a strong field of competitors. Inbar Lanir from Israel earned the silver medal, showcasing her exceptional judo skills and determination. The bronze medals were awarded to Ma Zhenzhao of China and Patricia Sampaio of Portugal, both of whom delivered impressive performances throughout the tournament. This event highlighted the global talent in women’s judo, with athletes from various countries reaching the podium and adding to the excitement of the Olympic Games.

Canoeing

Men’s Olympic Single Kayak Slalom (Men’s K-1)

Italy’s Giovanni De Gennaro delivered a spectacular performance to win gold in the men’s Olympic single kayak slalom event, completing the course in 88.22 seconds. De Gennaro’s aggressive and flawless run allowed him to outpace the world’s best paddlers and top the podium. French teenager Titouan Castryck secured the silver medal, finishing just two-tenths of a second behind De Gennaro in his first Olympic appearance. Spain’s Pau Echaniz took the bronze with a time of 88.87 seconds, setting a high standard early in the competition that challenged subsequent racers.

The competition intensified when De Gennaro, ranked world No. 2, took the course fifth, thrilling the crowd as he navigated the upstream gate and completed the run cleanly. Reigning Olympic champion Jiri Prskavec of the Czech Republic ended in eighth place after incurring penalties, and Slovakia’s Jakub Grigar, the Tokyo silver medalist, also fell short due to a slow second half.

With only three competitors remaining, Castryck electrified the home crowd with his run, though an error at Gate 17 cost him the gold. Germany’s Noah Hegge and Britain’s 2016 champion Joe Clarke both failed to surpass De Gennaro’s time, sealing the Italian’s victory and prompting wild celebrations as Clarke finished over a second and a half behind.

Gymnastics

Women’s All-Around

Simone Biles has once again demonstrated her dominance in gymnastics by securing her sixth career gold medal and her second Olympic all-around title. Biles scored 59.131, narrowly beating Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, who earned the silver with a score of 57.932, and Tokyo Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee, who took home the bronze with a score of 56.465. This marks the first time in history that two Olympic all-around champions have stood on the same medal podium.

of only two other women, Larisa Latynina (1956 and 1960) and Vera Caslavska (1964 and 1968), who have won the all-around title twice. Her victory continues the American women’s all-around gold medal streak for the sixth consecutive Olympic Games, a legacy that began with Carly Patterson in 2004.

At 27, Biles also becomes the oldest female gymnast to win this title in 72 years, second only to Maria Gorokhovskaya, who won at age 30 during the 1952 Helsinki Games.

Fencing

Women’s Team Foil

Furthermore, Americans Lee Kiefer and Lauren Scruggs made history by leading the U.S. to its first-ever women’s team foil gold medal. The team, consisting of Kiefer, Scruggs, Jacqueline Dubrovich, and Maia Weintraub, on the contrary, defeated Italy in an intense gold medal match. Japan also celebrated a historic moment by securing its first women’s team foil medal, winning bronze against Canada.

The atmosphere was electric as the American and Italian women’s foil teams entered Paris’ Grand Palais, with a sold-out crowd eager to witness if Kiefer and Scruggs could replicate their success from the women’s individual foil event, which had featured the first all-American final. Italian fans were particularly enthusiastic, hoping for a medal after Alice Volpi narrowly missed the podium in the individual event, finishing fourth.

Swimming

Women’s 200m breaststroke

Certainly, Team USA fans have seen Kate Douglass shine, as the 15-time NCAA champion from the University of Virginia claimed Olympic gold in the women’s 200m breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Douglass set a new American record with a time of 2:19.24, beating Tokyo gold medalist Tatjana Schoenmaker by 0.36 seconds. Tes Schouten of the Netherlands took bronze, while veteran Lilly King finished 8th in her final individual Olympic event.

Women’s 800m Freestyle Relay

Meanwhile, Australian team of  Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell and Arianre Titmus who took gold in a time of 7:38.08 went pass Ledecky, along with teammates Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden and Erin Gemmell, as they finished second in the relay.

Katie Ledecky on the other hand continues in the latest mark of her all-time greatness in the swimming pool, as she now becomes officially the most decorated female Olympic swimmer of all time. Record shows that, no woman as many Olympic medals as Ledecky as she won silver medal as part of the U.S. 4x200m freestyle relay team for her 13th career Olympic medal.

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

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