She won the world championships in 2013, 2014 and 2105. Four years ago, Britain were able to boast gold medals, coming in the men’s time trial courtesy of Sir Bradley Wiggins and the women’s coxless pair of Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.
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Keep an eye on Biles’ floor routine: It includes a move she created and which is named for her. Earlier in the day, Serbia faces Australia.
That would be Ryan Lochte, who could become the second-most-decorated swimmer – and tie as the fourth-most-decorated athlete in Olympic history – with a potential medal performance in the 200-meter individual medley on Thursday.
The Brazilians have a stake in the 200 IM, too.
Rio 2016 director of communications Mario Andrada was also forced to defend his seemingly ill-advised prediction that Rio would be the “safest city in the world” during the Games.
After already adding to their standout records, Americans Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky are expected back in the pool for even more. Fans shouldn’t be too anxious: Ledecky set the world record in the event in January. She and teammate Rajeev Ram faced two match points Thursday and saved both in rallying from a set down for a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 10-8 tiebreak win over Kiki Bertens and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands.
After consecutive midnight matches, including one Tuesday, American Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross take on the Swiss team of Isabelle Forrer and Anouk Verge-Depre at the more reasonable hour of 9 p.m. Walsh Jennings took gold in London and Ross won silver, but each were playing with different partners at the time. Dmitriy Balandin pulled off a stunning upset in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke, winning from the eighth lane to put his central Asian country on the swimming medal stand for the first time. World and Olympic record holder Katinka Hosszu of Hungary is in the field.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion and 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist originally was slated to play for Spain in the third round of singles against Gilles Simon of France, in the semifinals of men’s doubles with Marc Lopez against Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil of Canada, and in the first round of mixed doubles with Garbine Muguruza against Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. That’s just 30 pounds lighter than Bubba Watson, who is representing the United States in the golf event. China’s Ma Long and Zhang Jike are both into the semifinals, and we’re sure to see how the subtleties of spin dictate the victor.
The first American male basketball player to appear in four Olympics, Carmelo Anthony passed LeBron James as the most prolific scorer to ever wear a us jersey. Some high-tech equipment will be on display to help shave seconds off the clock.
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Much of the competition had to be pushed back on Wednesday because of rain. On top of this, genuine medal hopes failed to materialise, with Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates all missing out in the men’s road race and Lizzie Amitstead likewise in the women’s event, along with the men’s gymnastics team. But the USA team lost to Fiji 24-19, their second heartbreaking loss, sandwiched around a shutout of host Brazil.
