If that was the end, and Phelps insists it is, what a way to go. Swimming the backstroke Murphy set world and Olympic records with a time of 51.85, and from there the Americans were in business.
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Synchronized swimmers were greeted Sunday by clear blue water in the pool after officials worked through the night to replace the murky green water that prompted competitors to dub it “The Swamp”. He wouldn’t be for long.
The round of 16 continues for both men and women the day after defending champions Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross took on Marta Menegatti and Laura Giombini of Italy in the late match.
Klay Thompson ended an Olympic-long slump with seven 3-pointers and 30 points, and the US needed nearly all of them to hold off France 100-97 in basketball.
Phelps was elected a team captain for the first time in his career – this was his fifth Olympics – and truly seemed to enjoy being around his fellow swimmers.
“In some ways”, she said.
“I try not to think about the history much”, Ledecky said.
That wasn’t the case with his life after London, or even the way Phelps approached the Games themselves.
“I’m happy”, Phelps said.
He wouldn’t be for long.
On the return lap, Phelps powered through the water with his whirling butterfly stroke, surging ahead of James Guy to pass off a lead to the anchor Adrian.
It wasn’t in doubt after that. Britain held on for silver, with Australia nabbing bronze.
(EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) A general view of the court as Monica Puig of Puerto Rico plays against Angelique Kerber of Germany during the Women’s Singles Gold Medal Match on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The first Games of the Modern Olympics produced the fewest golds (11) while the Soviet-boycotted 1984 Los Angeles Olympics generated the most (83).
Joseph Schooling of Singapore, the surprise victor of the men’s 100-meter butterfly, was delighted to share the podium with silver medalists Phelps, Chad le Clos and Laszlo Cseh, three swimmers who “changed the face of our sport”. “It’s a nice number”.
The relay of Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Dana Vollmer and Simone Manuel won America’s first gold of the night in the final night of swimming competition here to reach the milestone.
Future Arena – Handball has proven a popular attraction for athletes from other sports as well as spectators, with the stadium around 85 per cent full for Spain’s clash against Romania in the women’s competition.
Denmark easily beat New Zealand to earn bronze.
The Brazilian women, led by star Marta, are already in the Olympic quarterfinals after beating Australia on penalty kicks Friday night. Speaking of gold, the US continues to rack up plenty of medals, with 38 total after Day Seven on Friday.
Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes said in a statement that interim President Michel Temer had declared a day of national mourning following the death of the military policeman “in consideration for the high level of excellence and the importance of the work carried out by those dedicated to guaranteeing the security of the Olympic Games”.
The U.S. men’s basketball team could take a lesson from the U.S. women’s soccer team: beware of being the heavy favorite.
Considering all the jaw-dropping moments he’s manufactured this week and how he’s two races away from an all-gold, six-medal haul at these Games, it makes sense to at least wonder.
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“It was more about being where she rightfully belongs”, Kuster said.
