Good morning! It's Monday, August 12, and the Paris Olympics have officially come to a close. While we're all feeling a bit of an Olympic void today, there's still plenty to discuss as we wrap up an incredible two weeks of competition. From historic wins to ongoing controversies, here’s how you can keep the Olympic spirit alive this week.
Team USA Dominates the Medal Count
Team USA once again finished the Olympics with the most medals, but for the first time, they tied with China for the most golds. Out of Team USA’s 40 gold medals, an impressive 26 were won by female athletes, accounting for 65% of the country’s gold medal victories. This year, the women led the charge for Team USA, inspiring future generations.
Gabby Thomas: Track and Field’s Golden Star
Gabby Thomas emerged as the only track and field athlete to win three gold medals, earning her a whopping $262,500 in bonuses. She received $50,000 for each gold from World Athletics, the governing body of track and field, plus another $37,500 per gold from Team USA. Thomas even caught the attention of Hollywood, receiving flowers from Tom Cruise before his dramatic entrance into the closing ceremonies.
The Jordan Chiles Bronze Medal Controversy
A major controversy erupted in Team USA Gymnastics when Jordan Chiles was initially awarded a bronze medal on the individual floor event, only to have it taken away and given to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu. The controversy centered around the timing of Chiles' coach's inquiry, which was reportedly submitted four seconds late, allegedly. However, new video evidence suggests that the inquiry was filed within the correct timeframe, and US Gymnastics has submitted this evidence in hopes of reinstating Chiles' bronze medal. Stay tuned as this story develops.
Gold Medal Moments: Basketball and Soccer
Sunday saw some intense gold medal matches. The US men’s basketball team secured their fifth straight gold in a nail-biting game against France. Steph Curry stole the show with his signature shimmy and bold fashion statement, donning a hoodie that read “Nuit. Nuit.” (night night in French) after sealing the win.
Not to be outdone, the US women’s basketball team also triumphed, overcoming a 10-point deficit to beat France by a single point, 67-66. Led by Olympics MVP A’ja Wilson, the team made history by becoming the first basketball team to win eight consecutive gold medals.
And let’s not forget the US women’s soccer team, who claimed their first Olympic Gold since 2012. Mallory Swanson’s lone goal and Alyssa Naeher’s incredible goalkeeping helped the team survive 330 minutes of knockout soccer without conceding a single goal—a record-setting achievement.
Looking Ahead: From Paris to Los Angeles
As the curtain closed on the Paris Olympics, we got a sneak peek at the upcoming LA Games during the closing ceremony. Exciting times are ahead, but if you’re missing the Olympic excitement, don’t worry—football season is just days away. Please stick with us for all the coverage you need as we transition from the global stage to the gridiron.
Have a great week ahead, and stay tuned for more updates on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram!
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