Olympics: Day 16 roundup
August 22, 2016Durant bags 30 points in US masterclass
The least-surprising gold medal of the Olympics was won on the final day of competition, with the United States' team of NBA superstars crushing Serbia 96-66 to claim a third straight Olympic men's basketball title.
After stuttering to a scrappy three-point win over Serbia in the group phase, the United States quickly removed any suspense from the rematch, surging to a 52-29 halftime lead then cruising to their 25th straight win in the Olympics.
Kevin Durant led the assault, pouring in 30 points including 24 in a brilliant opening half, while DeMarcus Cousins was again a beast on the boards, pulling down 15 rebounds.
The rout capped a brilliant tenure as Team USA head coach for Mike Krzyzewski, who signs off after guiding the US to three consecutive Olympic gold medals and an astounding 88-1 record in international competition.
Germany bronze in handball, Denmark stun France
It wasn't the medal they were looking for, but Germany's men's handball team walked away with bronze after beating Poland 31-25 on Sunday.
Germany had arrived in Rio as European champions and looked a strong contender to win the tournament until a narrow defeat to 2012 gold medalist France in the semifinals on Friday.
Germany were 8-5 down midway through the first half, but a 10-minute scoring frenzy turned that into a 14-10 lead and Germany never looked back on its way to a first Olympic medal since silver in 2004.
Tobias Reichmann led Germany with seven goals on Sunday, while Krzysztof Lijewski had five for Poland, which had not won a medal since bronze in 1976.
Denmark later stunned two-time defending champions France 28-26 to win the gold.
Brazil sign off in style
Brazil captain Bruno said his side could no longer be accused of choking after beating Italy 3-0 to win men's Olympic volleyball gold on Sunday.
After losing the last two finals in Beijing and London, Brazil reclaimed the title they'd won in Athens as they beat Italy 25-22, 28-26, 26-24 at the Maracanazinho in Rio.
A day after the Brazilian football team ended their 120-year wait to finally win Olympic gold, the volleyball team erased memories of their dramatic collapse against Russia in London, triumphing with football star Neymar looking on.
"We deserved this medal so much. It's much more special to do it at home, it's a magical moment," said Bruno, who is the son of coach Bernardo.
"Everything we went through and now we are Olympic champions. This generation was said to be chokers. After so many silvers, now we're gold."
Kipchoge shines in marathon
Kenya's phenomenal Eliud Kipchoge stormed to a runaway marathon win on Sunday morning.
Kipchoge, 31, shone with his seventh win in eight marathons however.
He timed 2hr 8min 44sec on a rainy but picturesque course that snaked below Rio's mountain-top Christ the Redeemer statue, winning by more than a minute.
"This is the best medal that I've had in my life. It wasn't really easy but I felt comfortable," said Kipchoge, who is tipped for an assault on Dennis Kimetto's world record.
Yoka follows fiancée to gold
France's Tony Yoka completed a romantic Olympic double on Sunday, winning the super-heavyweight title just days after his fiancée had secured her own boxing gold medal.
The 24-year-old from Paris -- the first Frenchman ever to win the Olympic super-heavyweight division - outfoxed Britain's Joe Joyce to claim a split-decision.
After the victory Yoka sought out his fiancée Estelle Mossely, who won France's first women's Olympic boxing crown on Friday.
The couple embraced ringside after he got the narrow win before wrapping themselves in a French Tricolor.
"It's incredible, this story," Yoka said. "We dreamed about competing in the Olympics as a couple. And we dreamed about winning medals, or even gold medals. And now we've done it. Incredible."