Friday night at the Paris Olympics was filled with drama for the United States track and field team. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif also made headlines by winning gold amidst controversy surrounding misconceptions about her sex.
The U.S. men's relay team faced disappointment after a botched handoff in the 4x100 relay, leading to disqualification. This prompted legendary Olympian Carl Lewis to criticize USA Track and call for a change in leadership within the program.
Despite the relay setback, the U.S. team celebrated victories with Sha'Carri Richardson's gold in the women's 4x100 relay and Rai Benjamin's triumph in the 400 hurdles. Richardson's stellar anchor lap helped secure the win for the American team.
Highlights from Day 14 of the Paris Olympics:
Khelif's Triumph: Imane Khelif overcame online abuse and misconceptions to claim gold in the women's welterweight division, defeating Yang Liu of China in a thrilling final at Roland Garros.
U.S. Women's Basketball Dominance: The U.S. women's basketball team advanced to their eighth consecutive Olympic gold-medal game with a convincing victory over Australia, extending their winning streak to 60 games.
Spain and Germany Shine in Soccer: Spain clinched gold in the men's soccer final, while Germany secured the bronze in the women's competition with a hard-fought victory over Spain.
Ma Long's Table Tennis Milestone: Ma Long of China made history by winning his sixth Olympic gold medal in table tennis, becoming the most decorated table tennis Olympian from his country.
Nasar and Reeves Shine in Weightlifting: Karlos Nasar of Bulgaria overcame a freak accident to win weightlifting gold, while Olivia Reeves secured the United States' first Olympic gold in weightlifting in 24 years.
These remarkable performances added to the excitement and emotion of the Paris Olympics, showcasing the resilience and talent of athletes from around the world.
For more updates on the 2024 Paris Olympics, visit AP Summer Olympics.