Australia sets record in relay
Australia set a world record to capture the gold medal in the women’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay at the Rio Olympics. The United States took the silver medal, while the bronze went to Canada.
Also, Katinka Hosszu of Hungary set a world record in the women’s 400-meter individual medley to win the gold medal at the Rio Olympics. Maya DiRado of the United States claimed the silver and Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain took the bronze.
Australia’s Mack Horton won the gold medal in the men’s 400-meter freestyle at the Rio Olympics, holding off rival Sun Yang of China.
Tennis
Venus Williams faded as her opening match at her record fifth Olympics dragged past 3 hours and she lost 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) to Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium.
The 36-year-old American – owner of four gold medals and seven Grand Slam titles – labored at times and even showed frustration by shouting “Ridiculous!” after dropping one point Saturday night.
With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry watching, the fifth-seeded Williams was broken while serving for the victory at 5-3. She was two points from the win four times but could not close out Flipkens, who is ranked 62nd and only once reached the semifinals of a major tournament.
Air rifle
Virginia Thrasher, a 19-year-old, topped her spectacular spring where she won three NCAA titles and a spot on the U.S. Olympic team by upsetting China’s Li Du, a two-time gold medalist, to capture the 10-meter air rifle title. She swapped figure skating for shooting after a family hunting trip in which she killed a deer with her first shot.
HANDBALL HOST
Host Brazil upset reigning gold medalist Norway 31-28 in the opening game of the handball tournament. Ana Paula Rodrigues led the way with 12 goals for Brazil, which has never won an Olympic handball medal. As the arena filled with passionate home fans for the early morning game, five straight goals and big saves from goalkeeper Mayssa Raquel Pessoa paved the way for victory.
WOMEN FIRST
France won the first game of rugby at the Olympics in 92 years – and the first ever for women – beating Spain 24-7 to begin the six-day sevens tournament. Rugby sevens, the fast-pace, condensed form of the game, is the format for the sport’s return to the Olympic program for the first time since 1924, when the U.S. men won the gold medal in the 15-a-side tournament.
BAD BREAK
French gymnast Samir Ait Said’s Olympics ended when he severely injured his left leg while vaulting during team preliminaries. Said’s leg bent awkwardly as he tried to land, the sound echoing through the arena. Said writhed on the ground in agony while medical officials tended to him. He exited on a stretcher to a standing ovation.
Cycling
Showcasing Rio’s famed beaches and majestic mountains, the men’s road race began under clear, sunny skies buzzing with helicopters – some carrying TV cameras, others from the military to provide security.
The brutality of the course became evident over the cobblestone sectors that rattled one cyclist off his bike, cost another his chain and forced Tour de France champion Chris Froome to change out his broken bike.
Greg Van Avermaet out-sprinted Jakob Fuglsang and Rafal Majka on the long run to win at sun-splashed Copacabana Beach after Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali and Colombia’s Sergio Henao crashed while trying to navigate a corner on the final harrowing descent of the 6-hour race.