Back to the events of the day.
After a dark Friday, Saturday was a much better day for the French delegation with six new medals. The most beautiful, gold, came from French judokas. Teddy Riner, Clarisse Agbegnenou, Axel Clerget, Romane Dicko, Sarah-Léonie Cysique and Guillaume Chaine won in the final of the mixed team event by beating Japan, yet three-time world champion in an event which made its appearance at the Games Olympic this year. This is the eighth medal of the French judo delegation in these Olympics, a total never reached so far in an Olympic tournament.
Money, a lot of money also for the French delegation on this eighth Olympic day. It started with the windsurfing with two second places for Charline Picon and Thomas Goyard. Next the French rugby sevens team could not do anything against the New Zealand women in the final (26-12) and female sabers narrowly bowed against Russia (45-41) in the final.
For his part, the triathlon does not leave empty-handed by pocketing a bronze medal in the mixed relay.
And also…
The ghost Florent Manaudou clinched a berth in the 50m freestyle final with a 2e time for the semi-finals, behind the American Caeleb Dressel. Still swimming, the american Katie Ledecky was crowned for the third time in a row in the 800-meter freestyle, while the Australian Kaylee mckeown, already titled in 100 meters backstroke did it again in the 200m backstroke.
Jamaica clinched a hat-trick in the women’s 100m track and field, with the victory ofElaine Thompson-Herah in front of Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce Shericka Jackson.
The double vice-champion of Europe Renelle Lamote was eliminated in the 800m semi-final.
Disappointment for Sofiane Oumiha in boxing. The silver medalist in Rio was eliminated in the round of 16 – 63 kg by the American Keyshawn Davis.
In team sports, the French basketball players confirmed their good form with a third victory in three games, against Iran (79-62), while handball players lost their fourth group match against Russia (28-27).
Discover the menu of tomorrow.
Who will succeed triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt? In athletics, the 100m will deliver its verdict on Sunday with the semi-finals and the final. French sprinter Jimmy Vicaut managed to qualify for the semi-finals.
After several years of hiatus following the Rio Olympics, the French swimmer Florent Manaudou comes back strong. Second fastest time in the semi-finals of the 50-meter freestyle, he will try to win a fourth Olympic medal on Sunday (3:30 a.m., Paris time).
Led by Enzo Lefort, French foilists can hope for a podium in the team event. They face Egypt in the first round from 3:45 a.m.
After their great victory against Russia on Friday, the French volleyball players will try to qualify for the quarter-finals against Brazil, reigning Olympic champion (4:05).
In BMX, Anthony Jeanjean, fourth in qualifying, can hope to win a medal in the final of the park event, from 4:20 a.m.
The handball players will try to validate their first place and a fifth victory in as many games against Norway (9:15 am).
The Games in one animated shot.
? It’s not good to be Djokovic’s racket today! A few minutes after launching a first … https://t.co/PawkvRcipO
These Olympics end badly for the Serbian Novak Djokovic. Defeated Friday in the semi-final by the German Zverev, with a set and a break in advance, the Serbian failed to win a bronze medal after losing the small final on Saturday against the ‘Spanish Pablo Carreno (6-4, 6-7 (8/6), 6-3). Frustrated, he threw his racket into the empty stands of Ariake Arena Park, at the start of the third set, before smashing it to the ground a few minutes later.
Unusual images for one who hoped to win a Golden Grand Slam this year, namely the four majors and the Olympics. The last winner of Roland Garros even left the tournament with a shoulder injury, and was forced to forfeit the mixed doubles small final. An injury that could prevent him from participating in the US Open in a month (from August 30 to September 12).
The Olympians at the microphone.
“I did not succeed in unfolding what I know how to do, I was too diligent, too good a student”
This is one of the unpleasant surprises of these Games. Gold medalist in Rio, the discus thrower Mélina Robert-Michon was eliminated on Saturday in qualifying. The discobolus failed to take one of the first twelve places in the competition with a better throw at 60.88 m, far from the 65.30 m achieved in June. A disillusionment for the 42-year-old athlete who participated in these sixth Olympics. “ My competition was like my season, which was difficult. I lacked certainty about the technique, repetitions, competitions, she explained at a press conference. At this level, it is not forgiving. “
Despite the disappointment, Mélina Robert-Michon immediately projected herself towards … the Paris 2024 Olympics:
“I can’t stop such a sporting adventure on a bad note. It would rather be a good motivation for Paris in 2024. I have to take stock, see what needs to be changed, move forward, and I will not be trapped in qualifying in 2024. “
Snapshots from our special envoys.
Like a feeling of going in circles. Halfway through the Games, the 24/24 and 7/7 shuttle system allowing journalists to travel from one place to another without meeting a Japanese citizen should be broken in. However, some mishaps do happen. Thinking of returning early, one of us left the 3×3 basketball court one fine evening. Direction our resort, via the Main Transport Mall (MTM), where a ballet of shuttles intermingle.
But here is our coach decided to make a dangerous reverse. “Craaaaac,” says the post, hidden in a blind spot. Passengers are then ordered to wait in an obscure parking lot. After half an hour, another shuttle comes to help us and bring us back to the starting point. Monday, permission to take public transport after fourteen days of fourteen will be greatly appreciated.
While the state of emergency was extended in Tokyo on Friday, due to the health situation, it is better not to violate the rules decreed for these Olympic Games by the Japanese authorities. Even when you’re an athlete. Two Georgian judo silver medalists, Vazha Margvelashvili and Lasha Shavdatuashvili, learned the hard way on Saturday when they lost their credentials after breaking anti-Covid rules by leaving the Olympic Village.
This is the first known case of athletes sanctioned for not having complied with these restrictions which notably prohibit participants from leaving their accommodation, except to train and participate in competitions.
Margvelashvili and Shavdatuashvili ventured out of the Olympic Village to meet “One of their good acquaintances” who lives in Japan, a Georgian Olympic Committee official explained on condition of anonymity: “They just wanted to get some fresh air, to relax after a difficult day of competition, after a difficult period of confinement. “ Apologies that were not enough in the face of the health situation.
Our selection of articles on the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games