Category: Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Hello, Again: US and Spain to Meet in Olympic Men’s Basketball Quarterfinals

SAITAMA, Japan—The United States and Spain played for Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012, then in the semifinals in 2016. And at the Tokyo Games, the top teams in the FIBA world rankings will meet again—just earlier than has been the norm. The three-time reigning Olympic champion Americans will face reigning World Cup champion Spain…


Xander Schauffele With 2 Clutch Putts Gives US Gold in Golf

KAWAGOE, Japan—Four feet between his golf ball and the cup was all that separated Xander Schauffele from an Olympic gold medal, and he couldn’t help but let his mind wander. For Schauffele, it would be as special as a major, the championships that have eluded him far too many times, most recently at the Masters—and…


Americans Ousted by Canada in Olympic Beach Volleyball

TOKYO—The scoreboard at the Shiokaze Park beach volleyball venue said: “Challenge successful. Ball out.” That didn’t make any sense. And the Americans’ survival was riding on it. “The referee just said, ’Wait, wait, wait. We’re sorting it out,” Canada’s Heather Bansley said on Sunday after winning a twice-reversed challenge to oust Sarah Sponcil and Kelly…


After Biles Exit, MyKayla Skinner Earns Olympic Silver Medal

TOKYO—She launched herself off the vault, stuck the landing and saluted, then MyKayla Skinner heard the roar from her teammates watching in the stands. One voice seemed louder than the rest—Simone Biles, rooting for Skinner in what would become a silver-medal winning performance. “I knew she was going to be the loudest one in there…


Olympic Surprise: American Finke Leaves Tokyo With Two Golds

TOKYO—Bobby Finke will be the first to concede he had modest goals for the Tokyo Olympics. He was thrilled merely to make the U.S. team in a couple of grueling freestyle events. He couldn’t really envision winning a medal. Now, he’s got a couple of golds. Finke capped off his stunning emergence as the world’s…


Olympic Champion Sunisa Lee Adds Bronze on Uneven Bars

TOKYO—Sunisa Lee came to Japan to win a gold medal. And she did. Just not the one she really, really wanted. The 18-year-old from Minnesota is a revelation on uneven bars, where her routines are an intricate series of connections and releases completed with so much ease it looks like she’s making it all up…


France Beats Russians for Team Foil Gold

TOKYO—The French men’s foil team avenged its loss in the 2016 Olympic final by beating a trio of Russians for a gold medal in Tokyo. Erwann le Pechoux, Julien Mertine, and Enzo Lefort combined to best Anton Borodachev, Kirill Borodachev, and Timur Safin 45-28 for France’s second fencing gold of the Tokyo Olympics. Romain Cannone…


Aussie McKeon Wins Record 7th Medal With Relay Gold

TOKYO—Australia’s Emma McKeon became the first female swimmer to win seven medals at a single Olympic Games on Sunday after winning gold in the women’s 4×100 medley relay and completing the sprint double with victory in the 50m freestyle. American Caeleb Dressel confirmed his dominance in men’s sprint swimming, powering to victory in the men’s…


Simone Biles Opts Out of Floor Exercise Final at Olympics: USA Gymnastics

TOKYO, Japan—Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic gold medal on floor exercise. USA Gymnastics announced Sunday that the six-time Olympic medalist has opted not to compete on floor, where she won gold in Rio de Janeiro and placed second in qualifying last week. Jennifer Gadirova of Britain will replace Biles in the finals, which…


Simone Biles Opts Out of Floor Exercise Final at Olympics

TOKYO, Japan—Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic gold medal on floor exercise. USA Gymnastics announced Sunday that the six-time Olympic medalist has opted not to compete on floor, where she won gold in Rio de Janeiro and placed second in qualifying last week. Jennifer Gadirova of Britain will replace Biles in the finals, which…