US seeks more gold in swimming, women’s gymnastics

by sharecaster July 28, 2021, 8:47 pm 1.3k Views

At the Tokyo Olympics, gymnast Simone Biles continues to be the main topic of discussion. The defending gold medalist in the women’s all-around competition qualified first for Thursday’s final, but withdrew to focus on her mental health. Jade Carey will take Biles’ place for Team USA.

Simone Biles out of all-around, Katie Ledecky gets gold, Thursday features Caeleb Dressel

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© Grace Hollars, USA TODAY Sports
Swimmers Regan Smith, front, and Hali Flickinger will both represent Team USA in the finals of the women’s 200-meter butterfly on Thursday.

The question now is whether or not Biles will compete in any of next week’s individual event finals.

Elsewhere, the men’s individual golf competition gets underway with opening round play. Men’s singles tennis moves into the quarterfinal round, while the women have their semifinals.

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And five more medals are up for grabs in the pool, with Americans Hali Flickinger and Regan Smith in the finals of the women’s 200-meter butterfly, and Caeleb Dressel going for gold in the men’s 100 free final.

WEDNESDAY RECAP: Katie Ledecky, USA women’s 3×3 basketball win gold

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US gymnast Sam Mikulak can empathize with Biles

TOKYO — Expecting Simone Biles to produce medals on command, or not seeing her for anything beyond her athletic achievements, is dehumanizing, teammate Sam Mikulak said. It’s no wonder Biles reached a point where her mental health was precarious enough that she felt she had no choice but to withdraw from the team and all-around competitions.

“You go on Twitter and everyone’s like, ‘Oh, I’m really expecting this. I want this from this person.’ And, ‘Oh, Simone is going to be the medal factory of the world,’” Mikulak said Wednesday night after the men’s all-around, where he finished 12th.

Biles came to Tokyo as the biggest star of the Games, projected to win a record five gold medals. But she pulled out of Tuesday night’s team competition after the first event and has since withdrawn from Thursday’s all-around.

A six-time U.S. champion and three-time Olympian, Mikulak understands what Biles is experiencing. Just before he left for Tokyo, in fact, he was feeling some of the old anxiety, but was able to recognize it and address it.

“Everyone really needs to start focusing on their mental health a lot more, really ask the hard questions for your personal self, because those are the questions that are going to eat you up when you get out in these big pressure situations and you feel these expectations from the whole world,” Mikulak said. “Being able to tackle it early on is going to be the solution in the future.”

— Nancy Armour and Rachel Axon

Olympic golf an ‘unbelievable’ experience for PGA Tour’s Thomas

TOKYO – Even before Justin Thomas teed it up for his first shot Thursday at Kasumigaseki Country Club, he’s already made his mind up about playing golf in the Olympics.

“This is the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” the 28-year-old Louisville native said on the eve of golf’s second run since rejoining the Olympics in 2016. “Going to the village and checking out the USA building. It’s so hard to explain. It’s unbelievable.”

Thomas is No. 4 in the world with a win at the Players Championship in May that helped to put him on the hard-to-make U.S. Olympic team. Other Americans in the 60-man field are world No. 3 Collin Morikawa, No. 5 Xander Schauffele and No. 12 Patrick Reed (replacing No. 6 Bryson DeChambeau, out due to a positive COVID test).

— Jeff Metcalfe

WNBA star takes unlikely path to gold

TOKYO — Not one to take long vacations, Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young figured a three- or four-day trip to Florida during the WNBA’s Olympics layoff was an appropriate respite.

She didn’t stay long.

The WNBA’s 2019 No. 1 overall pick got a call from the USA Basketball selection committee letting her know that a member of the U.S. 3-on-3 team had tested positive for COVID-19 and they wanted her to join the squad.

© Jeff Roberson, AP
Members of team United States, from left to right, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Stefanie Dolson and Allisha Gray pose with their gold medals during the awards ceremony for women’s 3-on-3 basketball at the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Young, who played college ball at Notre Dame, flew from vacation to Las Vegas to begin the testing protocol. She met her new teammates in Tokyo. And on Wednesday, they defeated the Russian Olympic Committee in the championship game.

“It’s crazy to think about,” Young said. “Ten days ago, I was on vacation. My life changed like that. Now I’m a gold-medalist. It’s crazy how things work out.”

— Chris Bumbaca

July 28, 2021; Latvia celebrates after beating ROC in the gold medal game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Aomi Urban Sports Park.

July 28, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Team Hungary celebrates the final seconds of a victory over Team USA in a group B match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tatsumi Water Polo Centre.

July 28, 2021; Yui Ohashi (JPN) celebrates after winning the women’s 200m individual medley final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

July 28, 2021; Daiki Hashinoto (JPN) celebrates winning the gold medal during the mens individual all-around final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre.

July 28, 2021; Wang Zongyuan and Xie Siyi (CHN) react after seeing their scores in the men’s 3m springboard synchronized diving competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

July 28, 2021; China player Zhiting Zhang (10) reacts after winning the bronze medal game against France during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Aomi Urban Sports Park.

Kelsey Plum (5) reacts after beating France in the semifinal game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Aomi Urban Sports Park on July 28, 2021.

Katie Ledecky (USA) celebrates after winning the women’s 1500m freestyle final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 28, 2021.

Agnieszka Kobus-Zawojska (POL) reacts after wining the silver medal women’s quadruple sculls during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Sea Forest Waterway on Jul 28, 2021.

Germany player Moritz Wagner reacts while playing Nigeria during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena on Jul 28, 2021.

Frederica Isola (ITA) reacts after defeating China in the bronze medal match of the women’s fencing epee team competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 27, 2021.

Lydia Jacoby (USA), Tatjana Schoenmaker (RSA) and Lilly King (USA) react after finishing first, second and third in the women’s 100m breaststroke final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 27, 2021.

Team Japan celebrate after their after win over the United States of America in the gold medal game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 27, 2021. Japan won 2-0.

Team United States left fielder Janette Reed (left) hugs shortstop Delaney Spaulding (right) after their loss to Japan in the gold medal game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 27, 2021.. Japan won 2-0.

Simone Biles (USA) greets the Russian Olympic Committee as the celebrate winning the gold medal in the women’s team final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 27, 2021.

Katrina Lehis (EST), Julia Beljajeva (EST), Erika Kirpu (EST) and Irina Embrace (EST) celebrate the victory over the Republic of Korea in the gold medal match of the women’s fencing epee team competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Makuhari Messe Hall B on July 27, 2021.

Flora Duffy of Bermuda celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the women’s triathlon during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Odaiba Marine Park on Jul 27, 2021.

July 26, 2021; Thomas Daley and Matty Lee (GBR) celebrate after winning the men’s 10m platform synchronized diving competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

USA player Kelly Claes (1) celebrates against Latvia in Pool D play during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Shiokaze Park on July 26, 2021.

Bowen Becker (USA), Blake Pieroni (USA) and Caeleb Dressel (USA) celebrate after winning the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2021.

Team United States utility player Kelsey Stewart (7) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against Team Japan in the opening round softball game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 26, 2021.

Katie Ledecky (USA) reacts after finishing second to Ariarne Titmus (AUS) in the women’s 400m freestyle final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2021.

Hiroki Muto (JPN) reacts after defeating Netherlands in the men’s team bronze medal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yumenoshima Archery Field on July 26, 2021.

Adam Peaty (GBR) celebrates after winning the men’s 100m breaststroke final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2021.

David Valero Serrano (ESP) celebrates finishing third in the Men’s Cross Country Mountain Bike during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Izu MTB Course on July 26, 2021.

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) celebrates after winning the men’s triathlon in 1:45:04 during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Odaiba Marine Park on July 26, 2021.

Simone Biles (USA) stumbles while competing on the balance beam in the women’s gymnastics qualifications during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021.

Micky Papa (CAN) competes in mens street skateboarding during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 25, 2021.

Anastasija Zolotic (USA) celebrates after winning gold in women’s 57kg taekwondo during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Makuhari Messe Hall A on July 25, 2021.

Andrew Mackiewicz (USA) defeats Tomohiro Shimamura (JPN) in th emen’s sabre individual table of 64 on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Makuhari Messe Hall B in Chiba, Japan.

Team United States midfielder Rose Lavelle (16) celebrates with forward Tobin Heath (7) after scoring a goal during the first half of a soccer game against New Zealand in Group G play on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Tokyo.

Naohisa Takato (JPN) defeats Yang Yung Wei (TPE) in the men’s 60kg judo final on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.

Jorre Verstraeten (BEL) reacts after losing to Naohisa Takato (JPN) in the men’s judo 60kg round of 16 on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.

Mose Kim (KOR) is comforted by his coach after being eliminated from the 10m Air Pistol Men’s Final on Saturday, July 24, 2021. during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo, Japan.

Gabriella Schloesser (left) and Steve Wuller of The Netherlands embrace after winning the silver medal in the mixed team archery competition on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yumenoshima Archery Field in Tokyo, Japan.

Aleksandr Kartsev (ROC) reacts after falling on the high bar in Mens Gymnastics – Subdivision 1 on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan.

Adriana Cerezo Iglesias (ESP) reacts after being beat Panipak Wongpattanakit (THA) in the women’s -49 gold medal match on July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Makuhari Messe Hall A in Tokyo, Japan.

Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi (TUN) reacts after winning his semifinal match in men’s 58kg taekwondo on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Makuhari Messe Hall A in Chiba, Japan.

Junghwan Kim (KOR) defeats Eli Dershwitz (USA) in the men’s sabre individual table of 16 on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Makuhari Messe Hall B in Chiba, Japan.

Javad Foroughi (IRI) celebrates after winning the gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s Final on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo, Japan.

Richard Carapaz (ECU) win’s the Men’s Road Race on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka, Japan.

Nina Christen (SUI) celebrate winning the bronze in the 10m Air Rifle Women’s Final on Saturday, July 24, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo, Japan.

July 24, 2021: USA pitcher Monica Abbott (14), left, and USA catcher Aubree Munro (1), hug after the United States Softball Team defeats Mexico during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

United States’ Christen Press reacts as Sweden’s players celebrate their third goal during a women’s soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan’s Mana Atsumi (12) celebrates after hitting a game winning RBI single in the eighth inning against Mexico on July 22, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Fukushima Azuma Stadium in Fukushima, Japan.

Alyssa Naeher (1) reacts after a goal by Sweden midfielder Lina Hurtig (not pictured) during the second half in Group G play on July 21, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.

Canadian softball players celebrate a run against Mexico during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games held at Fukushima Azuma Stadium in Fukushima, Japan.

United States pitcher Monica Abbott (14) reacts during an opening round softball game against Italy on Jul 21, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Fukushima Azuma Stadium in Fukushima, Japan.

Mexico’s pitcher Dalla Escobedo wipes the sweat from her face on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during a matchup between Mexico and Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games held at Fukushima Azuma Stadium in Fukushima, Japan.

Australia’s Sam Kerr (2) celebrates with her teammates after scoring her side’s 2nd goal during a women’s soccer match against New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) ORG XMIT: OLYFV168

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tokyo Olympics live updates: US seeks more gold in swimming, women’s gymnastics

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