By Adam Roberts – 7/30/2021
While Japan just recently extended its state of emergency to more regions while COVID cases shoot up again, the 2020-21 Olympics continue along, with the first batch of track and field competitions beginning, plus the start of US baseball and another women’s basketball win. Here’s a daily check on where things stand with Team USA:
- The Americans were disqualified from the 4 x 400-meter mixed relay today after an erroneous baton changeover in the heats. The team of Elija Godwin, Lynna Irby, Taylor Manson, and Bryce Deadmon had finished with the fastest time in the first heat but were disqualified from the event for handing the baton over outside the designated changeover zone. The team said it didn’t have a chance to practice hand-offs due to COVID-19.
- Raven Saunders qualified for the women’s shot put final after posting the best result of 19.22 meters. Jessica Ramsey failed to reach the 18.80 meter minimum and finished in sixth place. Adelaide Aquilla also failed to qualify after posting a result of 17.68 meters. The women’s shot put final is set for tomorrow night
- The United States fell short of getting a medal in the men’s 10,000-meter race after Grant Fisher finished in fifth place with a time of 27:46.39. William Kincaid and Joe Klecker finished in the top-20 in 15th and 16th place. The gold was won by Ethiopian Selemon Barega and the silver and bronze were won by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.
- The U.S. women’s basketball team collected a second straight win to start their quest for Olympic gold after topping the host nation of Japan today 86-69. A’Ja Wilson led all scorers with 20 points and Breanna Stewart collected a game-high 13 rebounds, while tying Sue Bird with a team-high six assists. Team USA will close out its preliminary schedule on Monday against France.
- The United States baseball team opened its Olympic tournament with an 8-1 victory over Israel today. Georgia native Tyler Austin led the way for Team USA after going three-for-five with three runs batted in. Joe Ryan of California was awarded with the win after allowing one run and striking out five over six innings of work. The U.S. is set to take on Korea in their final game of the opening round tomorrow.
While Japan has set a record for golds earned in a single Olympics, Team USA continues atop the leaderboard with 41 total medals, followed by China at 40 and Russ…erm, the Russian Olympic Committee with 34.