Good morning, Sunshine. It is Friday, August 2. Let's dive into the latest news, and it’s all about the Olympics
Olympic Productivity Dip
A study by MarketWatch reveals that employers are losing $2.6 billion in productivity due to the Olympics. This is the first time in a while we can watch the broadcast during the day.
Tom Cruise and the Closing Ceremonies
Rumors are swirling around Tom Cruise engineering an epic stunt for the closing ceremonies to hand off the flag to LA for the 2028 Games. TMZ reports Cruise or a stunt double will scale the top of the Stade de France, appear in the stadium with the Olympic flag, then cut to a pre-recorded segment of Cruise flying from Paris to LA before skydiving to the Hollywood sign.
Ongoing Gymnastics Excitement
Simone Biles won her sixth gold medal in the all-around, while Suni Lee took bronze. The excitement continues with the individual apparatus rounds. On August 3rd, Biles and Carey compete for the vault, Suni Lee for the uneven bars final on the 4th, and Biles and Lee for the balance beam final on the 5th. Biles and Jordan Chiles will also compete in the floor exercise final on the 5th.
Swimming and Track & Field Highlights
Katie Ledecky is now the most decorated female Olympian in US history with 13 medals and has a chance for one more this weekend. Track and field events are also starting. Sha'Carri Richardson's path to the 100-meter gold got easier with the withdrawal of Jamaica's Sherika Jackson. The US hasn't won the 100-meter race since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. That final is on Saturday.
Veronica Fraley's Olympic Debut (Is The Least Of Her Worries)
Ahead of her Olympic debut, track and field athlete Veronica Fraley shared on Twitter that paying her rent on time was her biggest concern. This caught the attention of rapper Flava Flav and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who pledged to help by sending her money. Flava Flav has also sponsored the US women's water polo team after learning many Olympians work multiple jobs to support their athletic careers.
Basketball and Final Olympic Events
USA men's and women's basketball have secured spots in the knockout round. The men play on August 3rd against Puerto Rico, and the women play on August 4th against Germany.
ESPN8: The Ocho Returns
If you’re not into the Olympics, how about obscure sports 24/7? ESPN: The Ocho is back for four days, featuring fan-favorite sports like the Robot Fighting Championship, speedcubing, the Carjitsu Championship (ju-jitsu but in a car) and Adult Big Wheel Races. Here’s a complete list of what you can look forward to.
Keep up with us at lastnightsgame.com, and follow us on social for all the Olympic updates. Have a great weekend!
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