Simone Biles of the United States won her third gold medal of the Rio Olympics with a dominant performance in the women’s vault final.
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Amid a almost packed venue that was already buzzing in anticipation of what is expected to be Michael Phelps’ final night of Olympic competition, Manuel – who won the 100 free on Thursday – was just a fingernail away in her follow-up event.
Australia took the silver, beating bronze medallists Denmark by just 0.01 of a second.
Going last in the field of eight, she scored 15.966 for her two attempts.
The 19-year-old Texan led the USA women’s team to a record-margin victory in Tuesday’s team final and then followed that up two days later by outclassing the competition for gold in the individual all around. Next up for her are the finals in balance beam on Monday and floor on Tuesday.
Whitlock became the first gymnast from Great Britain to win Olympic gold by edging Brazil’s Diego Hypolito in the men’s floor exercise final.
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Surprisingly, the Americans’ spot in the mix at the top has been taken by the Brits, who have revamped their program in recent years, winning a team bronze in London four years ago. Her total of 62.198 was well clear of the scores of silver medalist and “Final Five” teammate Aly Raisman an. They finally have their first two golds thanks to the 23-year-old Whitlock. In the 100-meter freestyle, Manuel actually tied for first place with 16-year-old Canadian Penny Oleksiak, clocking in at 52:70, a new Olympic record.
