Paris Olympics:
Biles head and shoulders above rivals after clinching all-around gold
REUTERS – If anyone needed any confirmation about Simone Biles’ standing in gymnastics, the sparkling GOAT necklace she slipped on and ecstatically showed off to a TV camera after she sealed the all-around title at the Paris Olympics on Thursday verified her status as the greatest of all-time.
The world’s most decorated gymnast clinched her sixth Olympic gold medal in front of a delirious crowd at Bercy Arena after she left all her challengers in her shade, completing a triumphant comeback three years after withdrawing from the same final at the Tokyo Games.
Aged 27, Biles edged past Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade by 1.199 points to become the oldest athlete since 1952 to win the most coveted individual title in women’s gymnastics.
“My GOAT necklace is kind of an ode ... it is crazy that I am in the conversation of greatest of all athletes because I still just think that I’m Simone Biles from Spring, Texas who loves to flip,” said the American who owns a jaw-dropping 39 world and Olympic medals.
Shooting
Switzerland’s Chiara Leone ensured Olympic gold in the women’s 50-metre rifle three positions remained in her country’s possession after triumphing in a rollercoaster final at the Paris Games on Friday.
The top five in the eight-strong field frequently exchanged places heading into the elimination round where the 26-year-old prevailed with an Olympic record tally of 464.4.
Sagen Maddalena (463) of the United States won the silver while Chinese world champion Zhang Qiongyue took bronze.
Diving
China’s Wang Zongyuan and Long Daoyi retained China’s men’s synchronised 3-metre springboard title at the Paris Olympics on Friday, claiming the country’s fourth gold in the sport and keeping alive their goal of taking all eight on offer.
Mexico’s Juan Celaya and Osmar Olvera took silver and Anthony Harding and Jack Laugher from Britain won the bronze.
Rowing
Croatia’s Valent Sinkovic celebrated his 36th birthday in style by coming from behind to win a sensational gold in the men’s pair together with his brother Martin on Friday.
In the women’s race minutes later, the Netherlands took control from the start, opening up a big lead that they never relinquished and cruised to victory to take gold.
The dominance of Dutch women’s pair Ymkje Clevering and Veronique Meester in their race was never threatened as they eased to victory in 6:58.67, leaving Romania and Australia in a furious battle for second place that came down to the last few metres.
The Australians looked like they had it wrapped up, but the Romanian crew squeezed past them just before the finish line to take the silver medal by just over half a second.