After a few close calls earlier in the Olympics, this was no contest.
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Rio 2016 has been a great tournament for the British athletes, but while Team GB pulled off a stunning haul of 66 medals in Brazil, the host nation won the gold they craved more than any other.
After a few close calls in Rio de Janeiro, including a 94-91 win over Serbia in pool play, the USA sent Mike Krzyzewski out with a third gold medal. This rematch looked nothing like that meeting, but it did resemble the final of the 2014 Basketball World Cup, which the Americans won 129-92.
MIXED BAG: Brazil managed to pull off South America’s first Olympics under hard economic and political conditions, with the competitions, venues, athletes, friendly hosts, TV images and Rio’s scenic backdrops all rising to the occasion.
The Americans haven’t lost since, winning 25 straight in the Olympics. That capped an Olympics in which the USA dominated the medal tables, both the gold (46) and overall totals (121).
And despite the un-matched success Brazil has enjoyed in global football – five World Cups, don’t forget – they had never won the Olympic gold before.
Neymar struck the winning penalty as Brazil claimed a first ever Olympic football gold medal with victory over Germany on penalties at Rio’s Maracana on Saturday. The U.S. rallied to beat Russian Federation 23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-13 for the bronze medal.
Olympic gold was the only major title to have escaped five-time world championsBrazil in their history.
Luan, another star for Brazil during the Summer Games, also dyed his hair gold, along with teammate Rafinha, and got a Rio 2016 tattoo with the Olympic rings on the right side of his chest. Feyisa Lelisa of Ethiopia finished second for the silver, and American Galen Rupp took bronze in his second marathon and Olympic debut.
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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The Brazilians closed out the Rio Games in style Sunday.
