American Gabby Thomas finally claimed the global title she has promised for so long when she delivered a dominant performance to take Olympic 200 metres gold on Tuesday, denying silver medallist Julien Alfred a sprint double.
Thomas, 27, took bronze in Tokyo and silver in last year’s world championships, but she was in control throughout the final, coming home in 21.83 seconds.
Alfred, who claimed Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medal when she won the 100m on Saturday, was a clear second in 22.08, with Brittany Brown taking bronze for the US in 20.20. (Reuters)
Bahrain's Winfred Yavi won the women's Olympic 3,000 metres steeplechase gold medal on Tuesday, dethroning Uganda's Peruth Chemutai who had to settle for silver.
Yavi jumped for joy after crossing the line, having overtaken Chemutai with an explosive final sprint that left the Ugandan who had led most of the race unable to respond.
Chemutai was in shock after Yavi, 24, stole the finish to add the Olympic title to last year's world championship, setting an Olympic record time of 8 minutes 52.76 seconds.
"This is like a dream come true. It's something special," Yavi told reporters. "It means a lot to me and also to the country."
Kenyan 20-year-old Faith Cherotich, ranked third in the world, claimed bronze on her Olympic debut.
Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech took an early lead and was shoulder-to-shoulder with Chemutai but faded in the last lap and ended sixth, while France's Alice Finot celebrated her fourth-place finish in a very fast race.
Chepkoech, 33, holds the world record of 8:44.32 but has never won an Olympic medal in the event. (Reuters)
Greece's Miltiadis Tentoglou won the gold medal in the men's long jump on Tuesday.
Jamaican Wayne Pinnock took silver and Italy's Mattia Furlani claimed bronze. (Reuters)
Canada's Camryn Rogers won the gold medal in the Olympic women's hammer throw on Tuesday.
Annette Echikunwoke of the United States took silver and China's Zhao Jie claimed bronze. (Reuters)
Sophia Smith scored an extra-time winner as the United States reached the Olympic women's football final with a 1-0 victory over Germany in a tight encounter in Lyon on Tuesday to edge closer to a fifth Olympic gold medal.
The U.S., eyeing their first title at the Games since 2012, will face the winners of the second semi between Spain and Brazil later on Tuesday in the decider at Parc des Princes on Saturday.
In a match low on quality in front of goal, Smith scored five minutes into extra time to earn the U.S., playing a record seventh Olympic semi-final, victory over 2016 champions Germany, whom they had already beaten 4-1 in the group stage.
Smith chipped the ball over the on rushing German keeper Ann-Katrin Berger after a through ball from Mallory Swanson.
Germany dominated possession after the break in extra time but lacked clear-cut chances to equalise, and will play for the bronze medal in Lyon again on Friday. (Reuters)