FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an $8 million infrastructure grant on Thursday for Miami Freedom Park, the new Major League Soccer stadium for Inter Miami expected to open in 2026.

But the news was overshadowed by DeSantis making a political speech during the event, heavily criticizing Minnesota governor Tim Walz, who was recently announced as Kamala Harris’ running mate for the 2024 presidential election.

A day after saying “A Harris-Walz ticket would make America burn again” on FOX News, DeSantis criticized Minnesota’s COVID-19 policies under Walz during the pandemic, the state’s purported decreased population and state laws allowing minors to seek medical treatment without parent permission.

“I never thought it would end up where someone would make this judgment of actually putting him on a ticket,” DeSantis said of Walz.

DeSantis said his intel came from new Florida residents who moved from Minnesota.

“I remember during COVID, the absolute frustration that people had moving from Minnesota because of how they were being treated,” DeSantis said, specifically calling out a mandate for Minnesota state employee to get the COVID vaccine and a hotline created for people to call about violating COVID restrictions.

DeSantis also said “being able to get kids in school was impossible for those months in COVID. I mean, it was absolutely ridiculous what they were doing.’ He went on to call out the state’s policies on gender-affirming care for children.

DeSantis ended his speech saying he does not expect national media to “expose this at all.” He did not field any questions from media in attendance, leaving abruptly because of inclement weather in the area.

“I think they’re creating a much different image. But this is something that we’ve been getting information on for many years, just from the people that move out of of Minnesota and have come to Florida,” DeSantis said of Walz. “And I tell you, I always ask people, when they tell me they moved, I said, Are you glad you did? And, they say they are. So that’s that.”

How will the $8 million grant be used?

The grant will be used to construct a roadway to alleviate traffic in and around the stadium, which is under construction near Miami International Airport. The money comes from the governor’s job growth work fund, while the stadium is privately funded.

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas spoke of the jobs and tourism the project will bring to Miami, claiming it will ‘generate over $40 million a year in tax revenue between state and local governments.’ He also stood with DeSantis and a giant check for the amount of the grant.

Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, an eight-time PGA Tour winner and one of the most charismatic and beloved figures in pro golf, has died at age 88.

Rodriguez’s death was first announced by Carmelo Javier Rios, a member of the Senate in Puerto Rico. The cause of death has not yet been named. His death was also reported on the Puerto Rico Golf Association website.

Small in stature, Rodriguez was a big hitter off the tee and one of golf’s great entertainers. His comedic antics included placing his hat over holes to keep birdies from flying away. He said he developed that ritual in which he danced the salsa because he once sank a putt and a toad in the hole made the ball pop out. His opponent wouldn’t count it and he lost a nickel so he began trapping the ball in the hole with his trademark fedora. Some thought he was too much of a hot dog but the fans loved it and he attracted some of the largest galleries.

“Some of the players objected to me putting my hat over the hole so former commissioner Joe Dey asked me to stop,” Rodriguez told the L.A. Times.

Ever the showman, he conceived an even more memorable act. Rodriguez saved his matador sword routine for after sinking big putts, pretending the hole was a bull and his putter a sword. He stabbed the air before wiping it clean with his handkerchief and returning his putter into his imaginary scabbard along his belt.

“I wanted to do something, so I came up with the conquering the bull routine,” he said.

Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 23, 1935, he nearly died at age 4 from rickets and tropical sprue, a chronic deficiency disease. Named Juan Antonio Rodriguez, he picked up the nickname ‘Chi Chi’ as a kid when he played baseball.

“When I was growing up in Puerto Rico, I was a baseball player,” he once explained. “My idol was a player named Chi Chi Flores. I would go around saying, ‘I’m Chi Chi Flores.’ Pretty soon all the kids are calling me Chi Chi and I’ve been Chi Chi ever since.”

His PGA Tour bio notes that he worked as a caddie in his native country, and he learned to play golf by smacking a tin can with a guava tree limb, hoping it would someday lead him away from plowing cane fields behind an ox for $1 a day. Inspired by the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 19 and served two years from 1955-57.

“Dad told me I was a man now because I had finally made a decision myself,” Rodriguez once said.

He turned pro in 1960 and notched his first PGA Tour win at the 1963 Denver Open Invitational. He was 28. He also won the 1964 Lucky International Open, the 1964 Western Open, the 1967 Texas Open, the 1968 Sahara Invitational, the 1972 Byron Nelson Classic, when he won a career-best $114,000, and the 1979 Tallahassee Open. He played in 591 events and made 422 cuts.

Rodriguez also was a member of the victorious 1973 U.S. Ryder Cup team. He later played another 466 times on the PGA Tour Champions, winning 22 times on the senior circuit, including the 1986 Senior Players Championship and 1987 Senior PGA Championship, and at least one tournament every year from 1986 to 1993. He lost a memorable 18-hole playoff to Jack Nicklaus at the 1991 U.S. Senior Open. In 2012, at the age of 76, Rodriguez participated, as an honorary player, in the Puerto Rico Open, his final official round on the Tour. His last professional start was in 2016.

Rodriguez was one of golf’s great humanitarians and was proud of his work with the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, which he founded in 1979.

“Life is no good unless you share it, whether it’s money or love or compassion that you’re sharing,” he said.

In 1989, he was awarded the Bob Jones Award, the U.S. Golf Association’s highest honor, for distinguished sportsmanship.

“For a little man like me to receive this greatest award in golf makes me feel 10 feet tall,” said the 5-foot-7 Rodriguez, who was listed at 132 pounds. He was overshadowed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Nicklaus but as one of golf’s leading global ambassadors he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992 and he remains the lone Puerto Rican, which he represented in 12 World Cups, in the Hall.

“Chi Chi Rodriguez’s passion for charity and outreach was surpassed only by his incredible talent with a golf club in his hand,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “A vibrant, colorful personality both on and off the golf course, he will be missed dearly by the PGA Tour and those whose lives he touched in his mission to give back. The PGA Tour sends its deepest condolences to the entire Rodriguez family during this difficult time.”

PARIS — Steph Curry has been in Paris for nearly two weeks.

His scoring was late arriving, but it got to Bercy Arena on the banks of the Seine just in time to rescue the United States men’s basketball team from enduring a devastating and shocking defeat at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Curry scored a game-high 36 points, kept the U.S. afloat when Serbia threatened to make it a blowout and delivered in the game’s stretch run, helping the U.S. reach the gold-medal game against France in a 95-91 victory Thursday. The U.S. is going for its fifth consecutive Olympic gold.

“Haven’t shot the ball well the whole tournament, but it doesn’t waver your confidence to meet the moment,” Curry said in the aftermath of a dramatic comeback after the U.S. trailed by 13 to start the fourth quarter.

It was a special game between two teams.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

“It’s one of the greatest basketball games I’ve ever been a part of,” said U.S. coach Steve Kerr, who has four NBA titles as coach of Golden State.

And it was a special game from one of the transcendent superstars of a generation.

“I’ve seen Steph do this over and over again,” Kerr said.

Curry scored 17 points in the first quarter, had 20 at halftime and even as the U.S. fell behind 17 in the second quarter and trailed 76-63 headed into the fourth quarter, Curry kept shooting and kept scoring. His performance was one point shy of tying Carmelo Anthony for best single-game Olympic offensive output by a U.S. player.

Curry’s 3-point shot with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter gave the U.S. its first lead at 87-86 since midway through the first quarter, his layup put the U.S. up 91-86 and his two free throws with eight seconds to go made it 95-91.

Without Curry’s offensive performance, the U.S. is playing for bronze Saturday instead of gold. And other than it being Curry, who is playing in his first Olympics, there was nothing that said that kind of game was coming from Curry in Paris.

“It doesn’t matter if you shoot three times or however many I shot tonight,” Curry said. “You stay confident.”

In four previous games – three in group play and against Brazil in the quarterfinals – Curry had scored just 29 points on 35.7% shooting from the field and 25% on 3-pointers. Those are not Steph Curry numbers.

“Everybody on our team and on the coaching staff knew he was going to have a game,” Kerr said. “It was just a matter of time. It didn’t surprise me that it came on the night we desperately needed it, and that’s who Steph is. He’s the ultimate competitor. He loves the big moment. He was incredible tonight.”

While he has started every game, he understands that it won’t be his night every game, like it almost always is when he plays for Golden State.

Earlier in the week, Curry addressed the topic, telling reporters, “Everybody has to be ready for your moment whenever it is, and I think that’s a challenge because again, you don’t know from quarter to quarter, from game to game who it’s going to be. It’s a fun way to play if you’re bought into it.”

Curry was finally part of the fun – in a stressful environment. He made five of his first six shots, including four 3-pointers. Against any other team, it would’ve been the beginning of a blowout for the U.S. But Serbia was ready. It made shots, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic controlled the game with his scoring and passing and Kerr called Serbia’s performance “perfect.”

As relentless as Serbia was, the U.S. kept playing, possession after possession. It kept finding small answers until it solved the larger puzzle. Curry was a big part of that, going 12-for-19 from the field, including 9-for-14 on 3-pointers.

“It was,” LeBron James said, “Chef Curry.”

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

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SAINT-DENIS, France — Long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall thought about quitting. She’s said she battled depression and body image issues. She’s gone, in her words, ‘through hell and back.’

But on the other side of all of that was the moment she experienced Thursday night at the Stade de France, falling backwards into the sand pit, knowing that she was finally and forever an Olympic champion.

Davis-Woodhall won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday by leaping 7.1 meters (or more than 23 feet) over that same sand pit, setting a bar on her fourth attempt of the night that nobody else in the field − including reigning Olympic gold medalist Malaika Mihambo of Germany − would be able to match.

It was a redemptive moment for the 25-year-old, after a disappointing second-place finish at last year’s world championships. And an emotional one, given everything she’s been through.

‘I tried so hard to just keep on being positive this year and keep on being motivated,’ she said. ‘That motivation turned to manifestation, and manifestation turned into a reality. And the reality is: I’m an Olympic gold medalist.’

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

She was joined on the podium by another American, Jasmine Moore, who placed third. Mihambo took silver.

Thursday’s gold medal was a crowning achievement for one of the most charismatic stars on the field side of track and field, a woman who’s been known to don a cowboy hat at competitions and can always be counted upon to start up a slow clap with the crowd before one of her jumps.

Few in the sport can match Davis-Woodhall’s visible energy and excitement, and even fewer can match her social media following. Between Instagram and TikTok, she has more than 1 million followers. She also runs a YouTube channel with her husband, Hunter Woodhall, who is a Paralympic athlete for Team USA.

Yet beyond the infectious smile that fans see in the stadium, Davis-Woodhall has also spoken openly about her mental health and her battle with depression. In November 2020, when she was competing at the University of Texas, she said she hit a low point, staying in her room for almost a full week, struggling to get out of bed.

‘Mentally, I was in a dark place,’ Davis-Woodhall said at a media roundtable in New York earlier this year. ‘I just didn’t want to be here anymore.’

Her depression left her questioning everything, including whether she wanted to quit the sport that had once been her lifelong passion.

After transferring from Georgia to Texas, Davis-Woodhall said she was struggling with the broader impacts of COVID-19 and the effects of a fractured back. At first, she had a hard time connecting with her new teammates. The city of Austin felt foreign to her.

Davis-Woodhall said she emerged from that malaise by getting out of bed and giving herself a deadline: Dec. 7, 2020. That was the arbitrary date by which she would decide whether she wanted to continue in track and field, or quit. ‘I actually made a pros and cons list of why I should quit track, and why I should stay,’ she recalled.

Ultimately, Davis-Woodhall came to realize that she had choices. Because she started competing when she was 4 years old, and because her father served as her primary coach, the idea of not competing in track and field had never been an option. Now it was, as was the daily choice to get out of bed and try to take up a joyful attitude.

‘I think that’s when I realized ‘OK, this is my choice,’ ‘ Davis-Woodhall said. ‘We can either continue to be sad and be in bed all day, or we can go outside and enjoy life − a life that we only have one time to live.’

The years since have featured career highs and more challenges. In 2021, she set a collegiate record at Texas, placed second at the U.S. Olympic trials and went on to finish sixth at the Tokyo Games. Then, in 2023, she tested positive for THC, the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana, and had her national indoor title stripped away as a result. A disappointing second-place finish at the world championships followed.

The start of the new year, however, brought change. Davis-Woodhall said she took every aspect of her career to ‘the next level’ − from her training and recovery, to her sleep and diet. She also said this spring that she got more comfortable with her body image, embracing the more muscular arms and shoulders that she used to hide under a hoodie in high school.

‘I couldn’t be myself for a while, and it sucked. It sucks not being able to just be free,’ she said. ‘And now that I am, I am not going back.”

Davis-Woodhall, who was recently hired as an assistant coach at Kansas State, is one of several Team USA athletes who now talk openly and frequently about the importance of mental health, crediting their therapists in celebratory news conferences. Another such athlete, star gymnast Simone Biles, was on hand at the Stade de France on Thursday night.

For Davis-Woodhall, it all comes back to that idea of choice. She has the word ‘sacrifice’ tattooed on her torso, and she is no stranger to what that means. But she’s chosen it, particularly over the past four years. And it led her to Thursday night, where she leaped across a sand pit and then into her husband’s arms along the railing at the edge of the front row of seats, smiling wide and laughing.

This, she confirmed later, was one of those things on that pro-con list in 2020: The opportunity to win a gold medal. It was a reason to keep going. And on Thursday, she couldn’t have been happier that she did.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @Tom_Schad.

SAINT-DENIS, France — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone displayed her dominance once again in the women’s 400-meter hurdles Thursday.

McLaughlin-Levrone won her second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles, posting another world record time at 50.37. It’s the sixth time she’s lowered her own world record. McLaughlin-Levrone is the only woman to win the event in consecutive Olympic Games.

‘It’s a blessing. Just grateful for another opportunity, grateful to be healthy and to come out of it in one piece. There was a lot of anticipation leading up to this race,’ McLaughlin-Levrone said. ‘Just grateful for all that has been taking place. God has been good to me.’

Anna Cockrell came in second with a personal-best time of 51.87. Netherlands’ Femke Bol came in third, running a 52.15. in what was a much-anticipated race.

‘I think this is a real renaissance moment for the 400-meter hurdles,’ Cockrell said. ‘We have so many people running so fast from Sydney, to Dalilah (Muhammad), to myself and Femke (Bol). It’s a great time for this event. I’m exciting that people are paying attention to it and I’m proud to be in the moment.’

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

The women’s 400 hurdles final was billed as a showdown between Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone. They are the only two women to run sub-51 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. But McLaughlin-Levrone proved to be the superior runner. She had total command of the race after 200 meters.

‘Sydney really pushed the bar. She was running 50 (seconds) when I was still running 52 (seconds). I think it opened your eyes that there was still so much more possible,’ Bol said. ‘Once again today she proved on the moment when it counts most at the Olympic finals that she can perform so well. …It’s really amazing to be part of this.’

McLaughlin-Levrone graciously gave Bol credit for being among the athletes who have helped push her. Although it was McLaughlin-Levrone who was running by herself and against the clock Thursday evening. McLaughlin-Levrone said following the event that she believes breaking 50 seconds is a possibility.

‘We’ve taken it so far. I have to credit these ladies next to me for helping do that. This is an event that wasn’t very popular, but we made it very popular very quickly. I do think 49 (seconds) is possible. I do think the talent sitting in front of you can do that,’ McLaughlin-Levrone said. ‘I think we push each other to do that and get better and improve and find ways to lower these times that we for so long thought were impossible. I don’t know when it’s possible but I do think it’s out there.’

McLaughlin-Levrone’s victory adds to her already impressive résumé. The world-record holder’s collected three total Olympic gold medals and three world championship golds.

McLaughlin-Levrone has a chance to win her second gold medal of the Paris Olympics when she takes part in the women’s 4×400 relay.

What’s next for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in 400 hurdles?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s accomplished everything an athlete can ask for in the 400 hurdles. She literally owns the 400 hurdles world record (breaking it six times) and she earned her second Olympic gold medal in the event.

McLaughlin-Levrone flirted with the open 400 this year. Her personal-best time of 48.74 in the 400 could win gold at the Olympics. When asked if she’ll switch to the 400 in the future she told reporters she doesn’t know.

‘I don’t know if I can give a definitive yes or no,’ McLaughlin-Levrone said. ‘I do love doing other events. There are other events that I haven’t done since high school that I’d also love to do. I don’t know.’

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

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SAINT-DENIS, France − Grant Holloway calls himself a fireman.

The Team USA hurdler won a gold medal Thursday night in the 110-meter hurdles at the Paris Games’ Stade de France with a time of 12.99 seconds, and the way he sees it, he brought a firehose to the race.

‘Everybody in that heat has run something hot,’ Holloway said. ‘But it’s my job to control it, it’s my job to put out everybody else’s flame, and I was able to do that today.’

Douse the flames, he did − even those of his own teammate. Team USA’s Daniel Roberts came in second place for the silver medal, a tenth of a second behind Holloway at 13.09, beating out Rasheed Broadbell of Jamaica (bronze, 13.09) in a photo finish. Holloway said he felt a cramp crossing over the final hurdles, but pushed through for his 11th career sub-13.00 clocking.

Holloway left little wonder why he was ranked No. 1 in the world in the 110-meter hurdles. He won silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021, missing out on gold by 0.05 seconds, in his first Olympic appearance. But Holloway didn’t consider this a race of redemption.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

‘Tokyo was three years ago. Obviously (Jamaica’s) Hansle (Parchment) ran a great race,’ Holloway said. ‘This was my time. It wasn’t redemption. I just wanted to make sure I came out here and get to the finish line before anyone else, and that’s what I did.’

He called his Olympic gold the completion of a track ‘grand slam,’ along with his indoor track titles, world championship titles, and Diamond League titles. Holloway’s way on the track is rivaled only by his way with words.

‘We’re just putting a lot of whipped cream on it,’ Holloway added, ‘and we’re just going to keep twirling and twirling and twirling until that last race to put a cherry on it to say I’m happy with whatever I did.’

The men’s 110 hurdles has historically been dominated by Team USA, although Jamaica took gold in 2016 and 2021. Holloway, one of USA Track and Field’s two team captains in Paris, is the eighth American to win multiple medals in the event, all of whom hold two.

Team USA’s Freddie Crittenden, who took an odd path to qualification, recorded a 13.32 and finished sixth.

Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.

SAINT-DENIS, France — Noah Lyles competed in the 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night while fighting COVID-19, a dramatic turn of events that cast a pall over one of the most ballyhooed races at these Games.

In a stunning scene at Stade de France, Lyles finished third in his signature event, behind Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and American teammate Kenny Bednarek, and then crumpled to the track. Medical staff quickly tended to the 27-year-old superstar, who has a history of asthma. He later left the track in a wheelchair.

Despite his illness, Lyles later confirmed the news in a televised (and masked) interview on NBC, and then even passed through the mixed zone to speak with other assembled reporters.

While still wearing a mask, he said he tested positive in the early morning hours of Tuesday but never considered withdrawing from the event in which he has won three consecutive world championships and currently holds the American record.

‘I was going to compete regardless,’ Lyles said. ‘If I didn’t make it to the finals, that would’ve been the sign not to compete.’

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

He said he actually felt better Thursday than he had in the two days prior, while acknowledging that the illness did impact his performance.

‘To be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything – coming out and getting a bronze medal with COVID,’ Lyles said.

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In a joint statement released Thursday, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Track and Field said they ‘swiftly enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors.’

‘Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete,’ the two governing bodies said.

‘After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely.’

In a post on Instagram, Lyles said that he believes ‘this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics.’ He was expected to run in the 4×100-meter relay.

Lyles said he first experienced the symptoms of COVID-19 in the overnight hours between Monday and Tuesday – about 24 hours after he won the 100-meter dash at the Paris Games in thrilling fashion, edging Kishane Thompson of Jamaica by just five thousandths of a second. The symptoms – aches, chills and a sore throat – reminded him of previous instances when he had contracted the disease.

‘We quickly quarantined in a hotel nearby the village, trying to get me on as much medication as we legally could to make sure that my body was able to just keep the momentum going,’ said Lyles, who confirmed when asked that he is taking Paxlovid.

‘I still wanted to run, they said it was still possible. We just stayed away from everybody and tried to take it round by round.’

Lyles cruised through his qualifying heat Tuesday morning, then finished second in his semifinal Wednesday. He said he did not inform his fellow competitors or teammates that he had come down with COVID-19 − in part to avoid inciting panic and in part because he didn’t want to inform them that he wasn’t operating at 100%.

‘Why would you give them an edge over you?’ he said.

It wasn’t until after Thursday’s final that Lyles let the news out, offering an explanation for the chaotic scene that unfolded on NBC’s broadcast – a sprinter sprawled out on the track, as medical aides approached him with oxygen and a wheelchair.

‘I was quite light-headed after that race, (with) shortness of breath and chest pains,’ Lyles said. ‘I was able to catch my breath and get my wits about me. I feel a lot better now.’

The Paris Olympics have been touted as the first Games to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic, but news of Lyles’ positive test served as the clearest reminder yet that the world is not yet completely rid of the disease.

Lyles becomes the most prominent athlete to contract COVID-19 at the Paris Games, joining a list of others that includes British swimmer Adam Peaty. The World Health Organization said Wednesday that, based on its monitoring of media reports and other public sources, about 40 athletes at the Paris Games had tested positive as of Wednesday.

When asked about COVID-19 cases at the Games, an International Olympic Committee spokesperson has repeatedly said the IOC is not tracking such figures and referred all questions to France’s national health authorities or local organizers. Spokespeople for the IOC and Paris 2024 did not immediately reply to messages late Thursday.

Jonathan Finnoff, who is the USOPC’s chief medical officer, had previously said that U.S. athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 or another respiratory illness would be moved into their own rooms to prevent the spread of the disease. But they would not be prohibited from training or competing.

‘We’ll do that based on their symptoms and how they feel, but we do want to prevent (them) from infecting those around them, and we’ll also provide prophylaxis based on what is recommended by CDC guidelines,’ Finnoff said.

For Lyles, the outcome was a metaphorical door left ajar, enabling him to win his second bronze medal in as many Games. It’s not the gold he had originally sought, nor the 100-200 sprint double that no man has achieved since Usain Bolt. But, given the circumstances, bronze was all right.

‘Yeah,’ Lyles said. ‘It’s been a wild Olympics.’

Follow the reporters on social media @Tom_Schad, @TheTylerDragon and @nrarmour.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi may still be sidelined, but Inter Miami has reached the Round of 16 in its Leagues Cup title defense.

Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba had four assists, Paraguayan standout Matias Rojas scored goals in each half, and Inter Miami beat Toronto FC, 4-3, in their Leagues Cup match on Thursday night.

Rojas (3’), Paraguay Olympian Diego Gomez (11’), Uruguayan standout Luis Suarez (20’) and Rojas again (59’) scored for Inter Miami during the match, with a smiling Messi sitting in the stands at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami’s next match during the tournament – which they won behind Messi’s heroics last year – will be on the road against either the Columbus Crew or Sporting Kansas City, in action on Friday.

However, Inter Miami must sharpen its play if it hopes to continue in Leagues Cup.

Inter Miami’s sloppy play defensively allowed Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne to score on penalty kicks in the 15th and 41st minutes of the match, resulting in just a 3-2 lead for Miami at halftime.

With a 4-2 lead, it appeared Toronto’s Prince Owusu scored a header in the 79th minute, but the play was ruled an own goal by Inter Miami’s Noah Allen.

Inter Miami prevailed after playing down to 10 men after defender Héctor David Martínez was shown a red card in the 28th minute.

Thankfully, his foul was outside the penalty area, forcing Toronto to settle for a missed free kick blocked by goalie Drake Callender, instead of another penalty kick.

Messi missed his fifth straight match since hurting a right ankle ligament in the Copa America final on July 14, and 10th overall since Messi joined Argentina for the tournament.

Inter Miami has won eight of those matches without their star World Cup winner.

The club leads all MLS teams with 53 points in the standings when league play resumes later this month.

Check out these Leagues Cup highlights from Thursday’s Inter Miami-Toronto match:

Inter Miami vs. Toronto highlights

Own goal helps Toronto trim Miami’s lead: Inter Miami 4, Toronto 3

What appeared as a header by Toronto’s Prince Owusu in the 79th minute, has been ruled an own goal by Inter Miami’s Noah Allen to trim the deficit.

Matias Rojas goal: Inter Miami 4, Toronto 2 

The middle of the pitch opened, and Jordi Alba found Matias Rojas again. 

Rojas scored his second goal of the game in the 59th minute, and Alba delivered his fourth assist of the match for Inter Miami. 

Lorenzo Insigne goal: Inter Miami 3, Toronto 2

Inter Miami’s foul trouble has come back to haunt them again in this match. Jordi Alba was penalized for a foul in the penalty area and Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne has scored his second penalty kick in the match in the 41st minute.

Lorenzo Insigne misses free kick goal: Inter Miami 3, Toronto 1

If this game wasn’t eventful enough: Inter Miami defender Héctor David Martínez was shown a red card for a foul on Toronto’s Prince Owusu. Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender blocked a free kick by Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne to keep the score 3-1.

The sequence resulted in a free kick, and not a penalty kick because the foul by Martinez happened just outside the penalty area. Still, Inter Miami will finish this match down to 10 men, instead of 11.

Luis Suarez goal: Inter Miami 3, Toronto 1

Three goals before 20 minutes? Not a bad start at all by Inter Miami. This time, Luis Suarez dribbled around a few defenders after Jordi Alba delivered his third assist in the match in the 20th minute.

Lorenzo Insigne goal: Inter Miami 2, Toronto 1

Toronto is on the board after Lorenzo Insigne converted a penalty kick in the 15th minute of this action-packed contest against Inter Miami.

The penalty came after Inter Miami defender Chelo Weigandt fouled Toronto’s Derrick Etienne Jr.

Diego Gomez goal: Inter Miami 2, Toronto FC 0

Diego Gomez has scored in the 11th minute, and Inter Miami has stormed to a 2-0 lead against Toronto in their Leagues Cup matchup.

Jordi Alba, the lefty, delivered an assist, his second of the game, with his right foot on the play.

Matias Rojas goal: Inter Miami 1, Toronto 0

How about that for a fast start? Inter MIami’s Matias Rojas scored in the third minute to give his side an early 1-0 lead.

How to watch: Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC live stream

The Inter Miami match against Toronto FC will be available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Is Messi playing tonight?

No, Messi remains out of action due to his right ankle ligament injury sustained during the Copa America final on July 14.

Which team would Inter Miami face in Round of 16?

The winner of the Inter Miami-Toronto match will face the winner of Friday’s match between the Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City.

What happened the last time Inter Miami played Toronto?

Thursday’s match will be a rematch between both teams: Inter Miami beat Toronto 3-1 without Messi on July 17.

Leagues Cup games on Thursday, August 8

∎Inter Miami CF vs Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

∎Tigres vs Club Pachuca, 9 p.m. ET

∎Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m. ET

∎San Jose Earthquakes vs. Club Necaxa, 11 p.m. ET

Leagues Cup games on Friday, August 9

∎FC Cincinnati vs Santos Laguna, 7:30 p.m. ET

∎Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City, 7:30 p.m. ET

∎Orlando City SC vs Cruz Azul, 7:30 p.m. ET

∎Philadelphia Union vs CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET

∎New England Revolution vs New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

∎D.C. United vs. Mazatlán, 7:30 p.m. ET

∎Toluca vs Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET

∎St. Louis City vs Portland Timbers, 8:30 p.m. ET

∎FC Juarez vs Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m. ET 

∎Club America vs Atlas, 10 p.m. ET

Leagues Cup results on Wednesday

∎LAFC 2, Austin FC 0

∎Pumas UNAM 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 0

Leagues Cup Dates to Remember

∎Aug. 12-13: Round of 16

∎Aug. 16-17: Quarterfinals

∎Aug. 21: Semifinals

The United States continued its productive 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday, extending its lead in the overall medal count and becoming the first country to surpass 100 medals.

Team USA also maintained its lead in gold medals with 30.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won gold for the second consecutive Olympics in the 400-meter hurdles, banking another world record at 50.37. This makes her the first American woman to win two Olympic gold medals in the event.

On the men’s side, Noah Lyles claimed bronze in the men’s 200 meters, missing out on the sprint double after winning the 100 in thrilling fashion earlier in the week. Lyles confirmed after the race that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday but still opted to take a chance at history. U.S. teammate Kenny Bednarek won silver, while Letsile Tebogo of Botswana won gold.

Elsewhere, the U.S. men’s basketball team staged a furious fourth-quarter rally to beat Serbia and earn a spot in Saturday’s gold medal game. Steph Curry scored 36 points, and LeBron James had a triple double to enable the Americans a chance for a fifth consecutive gold medal. But make no mistake: the world is coming for Team USA, writes columnist Dan Wolken.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Paris Olympics medal count

The U.S. leads the overall medal count with 103 — 30 gold, 38 silver and 35 bronze.

USA women’s water polo falls to Australia in semifinals

PARIS – Adam Krikorian never felt like a fourth consecutive gold medal was his team’s destiny, not at the start of the Olympics, not before Thursday’s semifinal match against upstart Australia and certainly not when Maddie Musselman grabbed the ball to take the final shot of the sudden-death period.

Australia goalkeeper Gabriella Palm got her right hand on Musselman’s skip shot, deflecting it wide of the net to give Australia a 14-13 win – 6-5 in the shootout – over the U.S. in women’s water polo at La Defense Arena.

Australia will play Spain in the gold-medal match Saturday, while the three-time defending Olympic champion U.S. meets Netherlands for the bronze.

The U.S. has been the dominant force in women’s water polo for more than a decade, winning gold medals in the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics. — Dave Birkett

USA men’s basketball completes big comeback to reach gold medal game

The U.S. was in trouble against Serbia, and its streak of consecutive Olympic gold medals looked like might at end at four.

Then, the U.S. tightened its defense, found scoring at the right time and overcame a 17-point deficit to beat Serbia 95-91 in the semifinals Thursday.

After beating Serbia twice in the past three weeks – once in a friendly and once in group play at the Summer Games – the U.S. needed a massive fourth-quarter comeback to pull out a victory and advance to the gold-medal game against France. The U.S. is going for its fifth consecutive Olympic gold.

The U.S. trailed Serbia 76-63 to start the fourth quarter and possession by possession wore down Serbia. The U.S. used a 24-8 run to take a 91-86 lead with 1:41 left in the fourth quarter.

Steph Curry was brilliant for the USA, scoring a game-high 36 points on 12-for-19 shooting, the best game of the Olympics in a game where the U.S. desperately needed his scoring. LeBron James continued his stellar Olympic play and recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. — Jeff Zillgitt

Grant Holloway claims gold in 110 hurdles

Team USA’s Grant Holloway won a gold medal Thursday night in the 110-meter hurdles at the Paris Games’ Stade de France with a time of 12.99 seconds.

Other medal winners were Team USA’s Daniel Roberts (silver, 13.09) and Rasheed Broadbell of Jamaica (bronze, 13.09).

Holloway left little wonder why he was ranked No. 1 in the world in the 110-meter hurdles. It was a redemptive moment after he won silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021, missing out on gold by 0.05 seconds, in his first Olympic appearance.

Team USA’s Freddie Crittenden, who took an odd path to qualification, recorded a 13.32 and finished sixth. — Chase Goodbread

Noah Lyles ran 200 with COVID-19

Noah Lyles said he competed in the 200-meter final – and won a bronze medal – at the Paris Olympics on Thursday while fighting COVID-19.

Lyles confirmed the news to reporters in the mixed zone after he didn’t win the 200 meters, which has long been his signature event. While wearing a mask, Lyles said he tested positive in the early morning hours of Tuesday. He finished third in the race behind Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and Kenny Bednarek, his U.S. teammate.

Lyles, who has a history of asthma, laid on the track almost immediately after crossing the finish line, which is atypical of how he usually acts after a race. He needed medical attention shortly thereafter and, on the broadcast, soon collapsed into a wheelchair. He was talking with medical aides, which had oxygen handy, but Lyles did not appear to take it. He was wheeled off the track. — Tom Schad, Tyler Dragon, Nancy Armour

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominates 400m women’s hurdles for gold

SAINT-DENIS, France — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone displayed her dominance once again in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.

McLaughlin-Levrone won her second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles, posting a time of another world record at 50.37. The world-record holder is the first American woman to win two Olympic gold medals in the event.

Anna Cockrell came in second with a personal-best time of 51.87. Netherlands’ Femke Bol came in third, running a 52.15. – Tyler Dragon

Team USA wrestling on doorstep of third gold medal

The U.S. wrestling team can add a third goal medal to its total Friday when Spencer Lee faces Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the final of the freestyle 57 kg division.

It won’t be easy.

Higuchi, a silver medalist at the 2016 Olympics, looked dominant against Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz in a 12-2 semifinals victory. Lee also looked strong in a 14-4 semifinal victory over Uzbekistan’s Gulomjon Abdullaev.

“I know he doesn’t want silver, but I don’t want silver either,’’ Lee said. “So we’re going to go out there and do our best to put on a show.’’

The Americans can win two other medals but not the preferred colors. That’s because freestyle wrestlers Helen Maroulis and Aaron Brooks both lost in the semifinals Thursday, relegating them to the bronze medal matches  Friday. – Josh Peter

Team USA women’s water polo loses to Australia in semifinal shootout

PARIS — It took sudden death to make it happen, but the U.S. women’s run of water polo gold medals has come to an end.

Australia beat the U.S. in sudden death in a thrilling semifinal match Thursday at La Defense Arena, 14-13 – 6-5 in a shootout – to advance to Saturday’s championship match against Spain.

The U.S. had won three straight gold medals in the sport.

Australia overcame an 8-6 deficit in the fourth period when Bronte Halligan scored two goals to tie, the last with 2:54 to play.

Both teams made their first five attempts of the penalty-shot period, sending the match to sudden death. Zoe Arancini made her second penalty shot, skipping a shot past goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson.

Australia goalkeeper Gabriella Palm deflected the next shot by Maddie Musselman for the win.

The U.S. will play the Netherlands for the bronze medal.

Australia is unbeaten in the Olympics. – Dave Birkett

Men’s 200m final: Noah Lyles finishes with bronze, Kenny Bednarek wins silver

Letsile Tebogo shocked the field on Thursday.

Botswana’s Tebogo took home the gold medal in the 200-meter dash final on Thursday, beating out Team USA’s Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles, who finished second and third, respectively.

Tebogo becomes the first African in history to win the 200m, and he wins Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Women’s long jump final underway: Follow live

Tara Davis-Woodhall has an opportunity to capture a gold medal in women’s long jump. USA TODAY Sports is covering live updates, highlights and more from all of the day’s track and field events, including the long jump, 200m final and more.

France men’s basketball heads to gold medal matchup

PARIS — Significant pressure was on France 5×5 men’s basketball team to medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

That pressure subsided with France’s 73-69 victory against Germany in the semifinals Thursday at Bercy Arena, guaranteeing France will medal. Question is, will it be gold or silver? France will play the winner of USA-Serbia in the gold-medal game Saturday.

France held off a late Germany rally, and rising NBA star Victor Wembanyama split two free throws, putting France ahead 71-68 with 10.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Dennis Schroder made a free throw to pull Germany within 71-69, Isaia Cordinier’s two free throws with 7.4 seconds left put the game out of reach. – Jeff Zillgitt

US women’s volleyball heading to gold medal match

Just three years after Team USA won its first gold medal in the event, the Americans will defend their gold on  Sunday after stunning 5-set thriller against Brazil Thursday. The US will meet the winner of Italy-Turkey in the final.

After a tight back and forth battle in the fifth set with teams trading points, the US slowly started to pull away when they went up 12-8 on a kill from Annie Drews. Brazil reeled off two quick points but after that the U.S. looked completely in control, winning 15-11.

Drews finished with 18 points, while Kathryn Plummer led the Americans with 26. Avery Skinner recorded 19. – Lindsay Schnell

Olympics schedule today

Here are some Olympic schedule highlights. Peacock is streaming every sport and event live as it unfolds in Paris. All times Eastern.

Track and field prelims and qualifying rounds start at 4:05 a.m. (Follow our live coverage and highlights of track and field events). The evening session opens with the start of the women’s heptathlon before getting into the night’s five finals events, including Noah Lyles in the men’s 200m and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the women’s 400m hurdles. NBC is airing the evening session. USA Network is airing the morning session.
Men’s basketball holds two semifinal games today, at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Host country France takes on Germany in the first game, while the United States faces Serbia in the late contest. USA Network is airing both games.
Beach volleyball holds four semifinal matches today, two each for the men’s and women’s tournament. The United States is not involved. On the women’s side, Switzerland faces Canada at 11 a.m. and Brazil takes on Australia at 3 p.m.; on the men’s side Germany faces Norway at noon, and Qatar faces Sweden at 4 p.m.
Women’s water polo gets into the semifinal round today, the first match at 8:35 a.m. (USA Network) and the second at 1:35 p.m. (USA Network). The Netherlands and Spain play the early game, while Australia and the United States square off in the afternoon.
Women’s volleyball is into the semifinals with matches at 10 a.m. (NBC) and 2 p.m. The United States faces Brazil in the early match, while Turkey and Italy play the latter match.
Marathon swimming is in the spotlight today with the women’s 10km. Team USA’s Katie Grimes is set to compete. USA Network is airing.
Other sports in action: Golf, Taekwondo, rhythmic gymnastics, modern pentathlon, handball, diving, sport climbing, table tennis, wrestling, sailing, cycling, field hockey, weightlifting, boxing.

Morocco leads 2-0 in men’s soccer bronze medal game

Morocco shot out the gate with goals by Abde Ezzalzouli (23’) and Soufaine Rahimi (26’) to take a 2-0 lead against Egypt for the bronze medal in men’s soccer. 

Rahimi, the favorite to win the Golden Boot for goals scored, scored in his sixth straight match at the Paris Games with his seventh goal. 

Both Morocco and Egypt are vying for their first men’s soccer Olympic medal in the all-African matchup.  — Safid Deen

Olympic men’s soccer bronze medal match. Live updates

One African nation will win its first Olympic medal in men’s soccer Thursday afternoon.

Egypt and Morocco will play in the Paris Olympics men’s soccer bronze medal match today at La Beaujoire-Louis-Fonteneau, beginning at 11 a.m. ET.

Host nation France and Spain will meet in the gold medal match on Friday at noon. Follow along live.

Noah Lyles rescues girlfriend’s track spikes after 100m victory

Noah Lyle, hours after he lunged past Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson to win gold in the 100-meter dash by five one thousandths of a second, saved the day for his girlfriend, Jamaican track and field star Junelle Bromfield.

According to ESPN, Lyles said that Bromfield told him at around 2 a.m. local time in Paris that she had accidentally left her running spikes at her massage therapist’s Airbnb, which was close to the Olympic Village. Bromfield, as it turns out, would be running her first heats of the 2024 Paris Olympics later Monday morning, in the 400-meter race, so securing her spikes became imperative.

Enter Lyles, who made the journey to retrieve the shoes and return them to Bromfield. — Lorenzo Reyes

Olympic men’s basketball semifinals. Live updates

The 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament semifinals feature two rematches from group play, starting with the first game of the day: France vs. Germany. Team USA is set for the second semifinal match. They’re set to take on Serbia starting at 3 p.m. ET at Accor Arena. Follow along live.

20 years after Olympic debut, LeBron, Taurasi still chasing gold

PARIS — LeBron James, 39, and Diana Taurasi, 42, know that by basketball standards, they’re old. They’re aware because, well, people won’t stop telling them. 

But that won’t stop them from chasing gold.

‘I’m around a lot of young people all the time,’ Taurasi joke, ‘and one thing I tell them, if there’s one thing you can’t escape in this country and this world, it’s agism.’ 

Team USA is into the men’s and women’s semifinals, with the men meeting Serbia Thursday at 3 p.m. ET (9 p.m. local time) and the women scheduled to play Australia on Friday, also at 3 p.m. ET. — Lindsay Schnell

Men’s 3-meter springboard final

Team USA diver Carson Tyler finished fourth in the men’s 3-meter springboard final Thursday at Olympic Aquatics Center. China’s Xie Siyi won gold (543.60) and Wang Zongyuan won silver (530.20), while Mexico’s Osmar Olvera Ibarra won bronze (500.40). 

Xie and Wang also were the defending gold and silver medalists, respectively, from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Tyler, a 20-year-old first-time Olympian, finished with a score of 429.25 in the six-round final, which was just shy of his 438.00 semifinals score Wednesday and not quite strong enough to earn a medal. His top-scored dive was his last one — a reverse 1 1/2 somersaults with 3 1/2 twists in the free position with a 3.5 degree of difficulty, earning him 78.75 points. — Michelle Martinelli 

Breaking, no, not breakdancing, to make Olympic debut

Breaking is part of the new wave of sports that the International Olympic Committee has ushered in as part of a broader effort to appeal to younger fans and add an urban flair to the Summer Games. It follows the addition of sports such as skateboarding and surfing, which debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The competitions begin at 10:30 a.m. ET on Friday and conclude with the finals, which start at 2 p.m. ET. The men’s competition will take place at the same times Saturday. — Tom Schad

≻ How do breakers train for the Olympics? 

16 year-old to make Olympics debut on US 4×400 relay

SAINT-DENIS, France — Quincy Wilson, 16, is set to make his Paris Olympics debut.

Wilson received word that he will take part in Team USA’s 4×400 relay team, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the relay team.

The men’s 4×400 relay begins Friday at 5:05 a.m. ET.

Wilson was originally selected on Team USA’s 4×400-relay pool after he finished sixth in the open 400 at the U.S. Olympic track and field trial.

The 16-year-old wonderkid broke the under-18 world record in the opening round of the 400, blazing one lap around the track in 44.66 seconds at the trials. Then Wilson bested the time in the semifinals, running a 44.59 to qualify for the finals. The high school record had stood for 42 years before Wilson shattered it twice within a matter of days. — Tyler Dragon 

World’s No. 1 golfer in pursuit of defending gold medal

Nelly Korda continues her pursuit of a second gold medal in Olympic golf. After an even-par finish in Wednesday’s opening round at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France, the No. 1 golfer in the world entered Thursday’s round in a 13-way tie for 13th place on the leaderboard. She’s moved up the leaderboard and is now in a tie for third place (-4), four strokes off the lead. Swiss golfer Morgane Metraux has the lead (-8) after shooting a 66 in round 2. France’s Celine Boutier, round 1 leader, has struggled today shooting a +4 through 17 holes.

American Anna Hall going for gold in heptathlon

Team USA’s Anna Hall sits in third place after the first two events of the women’s heptathlon, the 100m hurdles and high jump. Hall’s time of 13.36 seconds ranked seventh in the hurdles, while her high jump effort of 1.89m was third in the field.

Wrestling live updates: Spencer Lee advances to semifinals

Kyrgyzstan’s Bekzat Almaz Uulu got a fast takedown to lead 2-0, but that’s about all he would get.

Spencer Lee flashed a variety of offense to lock up a 12-2 technical fall, first with a double-leg takedown and leg lace, then a single-leg takedown and leg lace, followed by a go-around takedown and gut wrench. His par terre offense was really on display here after he was unable to have many opportunities in his first match. That, and a determined, fierce look following being taken down that even was noticeable for a guy like Lee that normally has that demeanor on the mat.

Lee advances to the semifinals. He’ll face Uzbekistan’s Gulomjon Abdullaev, a former Tokyo Olympian who finished seventh that cycle. Abdullaev’s only world or Olympic medal comes at the junior level in 2016 with a bronze. — Eli McKown

U.S. flag bearers for Closing Ceremony

Swimmer Katie Ledecky, a four-time Olympian and 14-time medalist, and rower Nick Mead, who earned his first medal as part of Team USA’s gold medal-winning men’s four, will lead Team USA as flag bearers at the Closing Ceremony on Aug. 11.

American climber sets world record in speed climbing

American climber Sam Watson set a world record of 4.74 seconds in the small final of speed climbing to earn a bronze medal.Watson lost his head-to-head heat in the semifinals when a slight slip against China’s Peng Wu cost him a spot in the finals.However, Watson earned a spot in the small final against Iranian speed climber Reza Alipour Shenazandifard and bested his own world record by 1/100th of a second. — Sandy Hooper

USA’s Brandon Miller advances to 800 semis

SAINT-DENIS, France — U.S. middle-distance runner Brandon Miller qualified to the semifinals in the men’s 800, via the repechage round.

Miller ran a 1:44.21 to win the fourth and final heat of the 800. He had the best time of all runners in the repechage round.

The semifinals in the 800 are on Friday.  — Tyler Dragon 

USA’s Brooke Raboutou advances in sport climbing

LE BOURGET, France — American sport climber Brooke Raboutou advanced to the boulder and lead finals set for Saturday, Aug. 10. Raboutou, a two-time Olympian, finished semifinals in third.’I’m really happy I was able to stay calm and I just wanted to climb with my normal pace and rhythm,’ said Raboutou. ‘Sometimes, in these rounds, it can be stressful to feel like you’re climbing not to fall. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to feel good on the wall.’American teammate Natalia Grossman, a first-time Olympian, came into the lead portion of qualification needing a strong performance, but she fell early on the route to put her in seventh with four climbers to go.Only the top eight climbers qualified for finals, and Grossman ended the competition in 11th out of 20 climbers, missing finals. — Sandy Hooper

USA men’s 4×100 relay makes statement

SAINT-DENIS, France — The U.S. men’s 4×100-relay team made a statement in the opening round of the relay.

A team of Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kyree King and Courtney Lindsey got the baton around clean and it was over from there.

The men led from start to finish as they crossed the line in 37.47 for the easy victory.

Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek will likely run in the final for Team USA.  — Tyler Dragon

Two-time shot put world champ Chase Jackson out

SAINT-DENIS, France — American Chase Jackson failed to get out of the opening round of the women’s shot put.

Jackson scratched on her first two attempts and needed a third and final throw to advance to the final. Unfortunately for Jackson, her third throw didn’t come off her hand clean and landed at 57 feet, 9 inches – just short of a qualifying spot.

Jackson was visibly upset after her disappointing opening round. She came into Paris as a gold-medal contender in the shot put. She’s won two straight world championships in the event.

Americans Jaida Ross and Raven Saunders both advanced.  — Tyler Dragon

Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas lead Team USA to easy opening-round win in 4×100

SAINT-DENIS, France — The U.S. 4×100-relay team had a shaky exchange on the second and third leg between Twanisha Terry and Gabby Thomas that slowed them down a little. However, Sha’Carri Richardson received the baton on the anchor leg and sprinted past Germany to secure the first-round victory for Team USA in 41.94.

Germany took second, running a 42.15 and Switzerland got the last qualifying spot with a time of 42.38. 

The U.S. women will have to clean up their handoffs, but they are the gold-medal favorite in the relay, especially with Jamaica’s stars not competing in the event.  — Tyler Dragon

How to watch Olympics today

NBC is airing and streaming the Paris Olympics from all angles: Peacock is streaming every sport and event live as it unfolds; NBC, USA Network, CNBC and E! are carrying various live events and replays throughout the day. Here are six tips and tricks for getting the most out of Peacock during the Olympics.

Medal count today

Our 2024 Paris Olympics medal count tracker updates after every single medal event.

What U.S. teams are playing at the Olympics today?

The U.S. women’s golf team opens play with Round 2, which starts at 3 a.m. 3.55 a.m.: Celine Boutier (France), Lilia Vu (USA), Amy Yang (Korea). 5.44 a.m.: Hannah Green (Australia), Charley Hull (Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Rose Zhang (USA). 5.55 a.m.: Nelly Korda (USA), Jin Young Ko (Korea), Ruoning Yin (China). Golf Channel is airing.

CHECK SCHEDULE FOR ANY U.S. TEAMS PLAYING IN KNOCKOUT ROUNDS

What Olympic medals can be won today?

Track & field: women’s long jump (2 p.m.), men’s javelin (2:25 p.m.), men’s 200m final (2:30 p.m.), women’s 400m hurdles (3:25 p.m.), men’s 110m hurdles (3:45 p.m.). NBC is airing.
Men’s soccer: bronze match (11 a.m.) Egypt vs. Morocco. Telemundo is airing.
Boxing: Four semifinals (3:30, 3:46, 4:02, 4:18 p.m.), two finals (4:36, 4:51 p.m.)
Diving: men’s 3m springboard final (9 a.m., E!)
Wrestling: Six medal matches (1:30 p.m. start)
Weightlifting: women’s 59kg (9 a.m.), men’s 73kg (1:30 p.m.)
Taekwondo: Six medal matches (2:19 p.m. start)
Sport climbing: men’s speed final (6:55 a.m., E!)
Sailing: men’s and women’s kite races (all day, times TBD)
Marathon swimming: women’s 10km (1:30 a.m., USA Network)
Field hockey: men’s bronze (8 a.m.), men’s gold (1 p.m.)
Cycling: women’s keirin final (1:11 p.m.), men’s omnium points race 4/4 (1:27 p.m.)

Canoe sprint: men’s canoe double 500m final A (7:30 a.m.), women’s kayak four 500m final A (7:40 a.m.), men’s kayak four 500m final A (7:50 a.m.) E! is airing.

Olympic track and field schedule today

Women’s heptathlon events: 100m hurdles (4:05 a.m.), high jump (5:05 a.m.), shot put (1:35 p.m.), 200m (2:55 p.m.)
Qualifications: women’s shot put (4:25 a.m.)
Repechage rounds: women’s 100m hurdles (4:35 a.m.), men’s 800m (6 a.m.)
Round 1s: women’s 4x100m relay (5:10 a.m.), men’s 4x100m relay (5:35 a.m.)
Semifinals: women’s 1,500m (1:35 p.m.)

Finals: women’s long jump (2 p.m.), men’s javelin throw (2:25 p.m.), men’s 200m (2:30 p.m.), women’s 400m hurdles (3:25 p.m.), men’s 100m hurdles (3:45 p.m.)