CANOE / KAYAK – Flatwater
Men’s Canoe C1 (200m) – Mark Oldershaw was in action again today for the sprint. He finished fourth in his heat and had to race the semi final where he did not fare his best. Unfortunately, he did not place high enough to move onto the final. Brazil’s Quieroz had the fast time in the semi and will have the preferred 5th lane in tomorrow’s final.
Men’s Doubles Kayak K2 200m:
Canada’s Ryan Cochrane and Hugues Fournel raced the heats and finished third in the semis to make it to the Finals!
Women’s Kayak K1 500m:
Hugues’ oldest sister, Emilie, made it to the semis but didn’t have enough in the tank to make the Final.
Finals are Thursday morning.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL – WOMEN’S FINALS:
In the Bronze medal match, USA’s Walsh Jennings and Ross capped off their Olympic campaign with a hard-fought win over Brazil #2 in 3 sets (17-21, 21-17, 15-9).
The Gold Medal match featured Brazil #1 vs. Germany (#1 in the world); Germany showed why they are number 1 as they took the match in straight sets (21-18, 21-14). Unfortunately, the winning point was a serving fault by Brazil! 🙁
BOXING UPDATE:
Women’s Fly – Yesterday I mentioned Canadian Boxed Mandy Bujold was knocked out out of the quarterfinal. Today I learned that Mandy was battling a case of stomach flu, lost 5lbs in 5 hours, removed her IV and went from the hospital straight to the arena to fight her quarterfinal. What a trooper.
DIVING
Women’s 10m Platform qualifying round was held today. Canada’s synchro silver medallists, Rosie Filion and Meaghan Benfeito, have both qualified for the semifinals (Wednesday 9am). Hoping they also make the 3pm final!
EQUESTRIAN
Team Canada tied Germany for third in the final round of jumping, however the competition went to a jump off, where Germany won the bronze medal. Here’s how I think it works: In a jump off, the horse with the fewest errors wins. However, if those ‘error points’ still have the teams tied, then the fastest horse to complete the course, wins. So, you have to balance speed with accuracy and control (like many sports).
France and USA took Gold and Silver.
GOLF:
Women’s Individual Stroke Play is underway and Canada’s Brooke Henderson (#2 in the world) is 5 strokes back heading into Round 2.
HANDBALL – MEN’S QUARTERFINALS:
Looks like France, Germany, Denmark and Poland heading to the semifinals.
FIELD HOCKEY – WOMEN’S SEMIS
Germany took on the Dutch today, only to lose in a shoot out; meanwhile, Britain decisively defeated New Zealand 3-0.
MEN’S SOCCER – SEMIFINALS
Brazil has their jitters out, and they’re no longer being booed as they downed Honduras 6-0. In the other semi, Germany got the upperhand on Nigeria 2-0. The final matches are on Saturday at noon and 4:30pm.
TRACK AND FIELD
Men’s Decathlon –
Who is Brianne cheering for? The world wants to know. She’s cheering for her husband and friend, of course! Team North America. Backstory HERE.
What I think I love most is that he called out all non-native Americans, kindly and subtly reminding them that their lineage is not rooted in North America.
Canadian #2 in the world, Damian Warner is looking to get the better of Eaton this time around. Through the 100m, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump and 400m events today, Eaton is in first, Germany’s Kazmirek is in 2nd, ever so slightly ahead of Warner in 3rd.
Tomorrow’s events: 100m Hurdles, Discus Throw, Pole Vault, Javelin Throw, 1500m.
Men’s 200m Semifinals –
Seriously, we all love the Bolt/De Grasse Bromance, right? Adorbs.
In Heat 2, Bolt and De Grasse easily led the way. Bolt was letting up near the end as De Grasse turned on the jets. Of course, Bolt couldn’t let lil bro win and crossed the line 0.02s quicker. I think De Grasse just wanted to nip at Bolt’s heals a bit to remind him of his presence and capability, but not to stir the giant by beating him in the semis. Save that for the final.
One thing is certain, these two are pushing each other to be better and better. Usain set a season’s best 19.78s and Degrass set a new Canadian record with 19.80.
USA’s Gatlin ran in the 3rd heat and failed to make top 2. His time was not good enough to make the cut.
Final is Thursday night.
Women’s 200m Final:
Elaine Thompson of Jamaica showed again that she is the new queen of sprint. It was a close race with Dutch Runner Dafne Schippers (reigning World Champion) making up ground in the last several meters. She was closing in but could not catch Thompson who set another Season’s Best while capturing the Gold medal. Schippers also set a Season’s Best with her silver medal performance. USA’s Tori Bowie came in Bronze.
Women’s 100m Hurdles Final:
A USA sweep! Brianna Rollins (12.48), Nia Ali (12.59) and Kristi Castlin (12.61). Canada’s Phylicia George had trouble with the first hurdle which threw her off her rhythm. She finished 8th. When asked if she’ll continue running (being on leave from med school):
“I want to be there in 2020… I know I have a PB in me…Keep your eyes out for me, cause it’s coming” – Phylicia George
(Lucy, only champions get ice cream)