But the biggest cheers at the Lagoa stadium erupted when it was announced that Brazil’s Isaquias Queiroz got the bronze in a photo finish – his second medal at the Rio Olympics.
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Empty seats have been prevalent across Rio, but not on Wednesday at Maracana Stadium, where they packed in to watch Neymar and Co.
It was all Brazil from the first whistle as captain Neymar scored the fastest goal in Olympic history to open the scoring, and later rounded off the rout with the sixth goal in the final seconds of the game.
But a gold which they badly wanted here did not come. Germany’s senior team trounced Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals of the World Cup in Rio two years ago.
When the first Olympic Games held in a South American country commenced, China had proudly predicted a gold medal count of 30 to 36 from their 416 athletes who will be participating in 210 events in 26 different kinds of sports.
In other competition across Rio, the United States beat Argentina 105-78; Spain beat France 92-67 to bring to an end Tony Parker’s Olympic career; and Australia beat Lithuania 90-64 in the quarterfinals of the men’s basketball tournament. Lochte’s father told The Associated Press that his son had returned to the USA before the order was issued.
WOMEN’S GOLF: Inbee Park shot 5-under 66 to take the early lead as women’s golf returned to the Olympics for the first time since 1900.
BOLT’S BACK: Usain Bolt takes another step toward another sweep in the sprints.
As clearly stated in the article, China was hoping to replicate performances of their Olympians during the London and Beijing Olympics. Gatlin didn’t make it out of the 200-meter semifinal the night before because of a nagging ankle injury. Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Manu Ginobili received an emotional farewell from the passionate Argentine fans in his final Olympic game.
USA HOOPS: After meeting in the semifinals of the last three Olympics, the US men’s basketball team plays Argentina in the quarterfinals.
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The German women’s national team is also playing in the gold-medal match against Sweden on Friday, marking the first time a nation has had both its men and women in a soccer final at the same Olympics.
