Good morning! It's Friday, August 9th, and as we head into the last weekend of the Olympics, there’s no shortage of excitement. We’re diving into the final moments of these Games before we transition to football season. But first, let’s celebrate some incredible Olympians who have made history this year.
Sydney McLaughlin-LevRone: The Queen of the 400-Meter Hurdles
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once again proved why she’s the queen of the 400-meter hurdles. Yesterday, she broke her own world record, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history. Her dominance on the track is truly something to behold, and the crown placed on her head after the race was more than deserved.
Noah Lyles and a Tough Break in the 200-Meter
Noah Lyles, the self-proclaimed fastest man in the world, was aiming to join the exclusive club of 100-meter and 200-meter gold medalists. However, in a surprising turn of events, he was defeated by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who earned Africa’s first-ever gold in the 200-meter. Lyles, who ran with COVID after being diagnosed two days prior, was visibly exhausted and had to be taken off the track in a wheelchair. As a result, he won’t be competing in the 4x400 meter relay today, but we’ll see history being made by Quincy Williams, the youngest US Track and Field Olympian at just 16 years old.
Team USA Women’s Basketball: Aiming for Gold
Today at 11:30 AM ET, Team USA Women’s Basketball faces off against Australia, aiming to secure a spot in the final and move closer to their eighth consecutive gold medal. With their incredible winning streak on the line, this is a must-watch game for any basketball fan. Should they win, their gold medal match will be on Sunday.
Gold Medal Matches to Watch This Weekend
Saturday is packed with high-stakes matchups. At 11 AM ET, the US Women’s Soccer Team takes on Brazil in a gold medal match that’s so big it’s been moved to NBC. The game features the “Triple Espresso” trio—Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson—who have dominated the field in France. In her final major tournament, they’ll face off against Brazilian soccer legend Marta.
At 3:30 PM ET, the US Men’s Basketball Team will battle host country France for the gold medal. With Kevin Durant leading the charge and aiming to become the first men’s player in Olympic history with four gold medals, it’s a game you won’t want to miss. Adding to the drama is the controversy surrounding Joel Embiid’s decision to play for Team USA instead of France, which has stirred up some strong emotions.
Closing Ceremonies: A Tom Cruise Stunt?
As we wrap up the Olympics on Sunday, there’s a buzz around Tom Cruise potentially performing an epic stunt during the closing ceremony. While we wait to see if this happens, we know that gold medalist Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead will be the flag bearers for Team USA. Ledecky leaves Paris as the fifth most decorated athlete in Olympic history, while Mead celebrates his first Olympic gold.
NFL: Fights, Fines and Football
As we bid farewell to the Olympics, the NFL (National Football League) is gearing up for the season. Tensions are high, with training camps and preseason games in full swing, leading to multiple team fights. The NFL isn’t taking this lightly, fining teams $200,000 for these altercations. The Detroit Lions and New York Giants have both been fined after brawls broke out during joint practices this week. The fines collected will be donated to two foundations supporting former players, with the NFL contributing around $4M yearly since 2011.
That’s your Olympic wrap-up for the weekend! Enjoy these final moments of the Games, and join us on Monday for our Monday Minute Wrap-Up as we transition into the college football season. Have a great weekend!
Photo: Unsplash
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