Rio Recap: Day Four

The U.S. domination of Rio continues, and the U.S. is still sitting atop the medal table with 26 medals–including nine gold. Here are some of the highlights from Tuesday:

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Star of the day: The Final Five, USA, Gymnastics

Our number one star(s) of the day are gymnasts Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman, who have have dubbed themselves the “Final Five,” although one could argue that “Golden Girls” or “Flawless Five” would have been an equally appropriate monicker. (I personally liked “The Undefeated.”)

Clad in sparkly leotards that were more than a little bit reminiscent of those worn 20 years ago by the Magnificent Seven, each member of the Final Five was absolutely phenomenal in every routine–from Hernandez’s lead-off vault to Biles’ ending pose in her floor routine. The U.S. did not have a single fall in both the qualification and the final and posted the highest total score on each individual apparatus in the team final. It was beautiful. I may have cried a teeny bit. Congratulations ladies. Keep continuing to slay everyone’s faces.

Also shining brightly: Michael Phelps, USA, Swimming

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After becoming a meme on Monday night, Phelps came through and bested South African swimmer Chad le Clos in the 200m butterfly race that was, pardon the pun, pretty le clos in the end.  Le Clos finished in fourth, off of the medal stand. He was the defending Olympic champion in the 200m butterfly. This was Phelps 20th gold medal, and at age 31, he is the oldest individual gold medalist in swimming history.

And of course, Crying Jordan memes were made:

Later in the evening, Phelps, along with failed reality star Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, and Townley Haas won the 4×200 freestyle relay, bringing his overall gold medal haul to 21. There was a bit of odd drama during the race, as Phelps managed to rip his swim cap just prior to his anchor leg of the relay. (He borrowed a teammate’s and crisis was averted.)

Adorable mind-blowing throwback pics: Courtesy of the time toddler-aged Katie Ledecky met Michael Jordan, and adolescent-aged Katie getting an autograph and posing for a picture with now-teammate Michael Phelps. Ledecky won her third gold medal on Tuesday night, this time in the 200m freestyle.

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 If y’all seen the leprechaun say yeah: The diving pool has turned green and nobody is quite sure why. Perhaps a leprechaun may have stowed away in Oliver Dingley’s luggage–he’s Ireland’s first Olympic diver in 68 years.

NBA players are the best fans: Members of the USA Men’s Basketball team were spotted at the pool cheering on Michael Phelps. I wouldn’t hate it if NBA players were present at every Olympic event here on out.

SimoneBiles

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Ed Morrissey 10:00 PM | November 20, 2024
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