Reuters Sports News Summary

08/11/2016 19:50

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Swimming: Le Clos braced for one last duel with Phelps

South African Chad Le Clos has vowed to do all he can to take the fight to Michael Phelps one last time before the U.S. swimming great heads into retirement. "I've got a clear head, I will respond," he told reporters after qualifying for the Olympic 100 meters butterfly semifinals.

Judo: Fearless Harrison revels in second gold

The list of multiple-gold medalists in judo may be short but American Kayla Harrison never had any doubt that she would successfully defend her Olympic title. At the Rio Games on Thursday, Harrison defeated France's Audrey Tcheumeo to become the first judoka to win two gold medals in the women's -78kg category, creating a legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

With only one Russian in Rio, U.S. eyes bumper medals haul

The United States is expected to run away with the athletics competition in Rio, taking podium spots often the preserve of Russians such as double pole vault gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva and 110m hurdles world champion Sergei Shubenkov. Russia has taken second place on the athletics medals table at the last three Olympics and, as with the Soviet Union before it, has long been the United States' main challenger in track and field.

NBA: James to stay with Cavaliers

LeBron James has signed a new contract to remain with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for the next three seasons. Thursday's announcement, less than two months after James led the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship, had been widely expected.

Gymnastics: Biles lights up Rio, Instagram and the Kardashians

She has ratcheted up a million Instagram followers, exchanged tweets with reality star Kim Kardashian and been splashed on the cover of major American magazines. Teenage gymnastics phenomenon Simone Biles has vaulted herself to stardom with her bubbly personality and savvy use of social media - all while winning gold medals with the U.S. team and in the all-around women competition.

Gymnastics: Coronation complete as Biles wins all around gold

As Simone Biles stood locked in a tight embrace with her team mate Aly Raisman, waiting for her final score to come up on the big screen, the concerned look in her eyes suggested she had no idea who would be crowned Olympic all around champion. The American, however, was the only one still in the dark in the brightly lit Rio Olympic Arena on Thursday as the hollering cheers and standing ovation that greeted her final tumbling pass on the floor exercise confirmed what everyone knew long before the judges' verdict came up -- Biles was the new champion.

Beach Volleyball: U.S. men relish marathon Italy match

United States gold medal hopes Nicholas Lucena and Phil Dalhausser relished Thursday's marathon victory against Italy's Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo, a performance they said put them in good stead for the knockout rounds. With the sun setting over a windy Copacabana beach, the U.S. won 21-13, 17-21, 24-22 after both teams successfully defended match points in a third set that usually only goes to 15.

Cycling: Britain set world record in women's team pursuit

Britain set a track cycling world record in the women's team pursuit on Thursday shortly after the men had clocked an Olympic best in team sprint qualifying. The quartet of Katie Archibald, Laura Trott, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell-Shand, completed 4,000 meters of the velodrome in four minutes 13.260 seconds to lead qualifying.

Swimming: Schooling makes life harder for Phelps

Singapore's Joseph Schooling made life harder for Michael Phelps after beating the master in their 100 meters butterfly heats on Thursday and going through to the semi-finals with the fastest time. The Texas-based swimmer, a 100m butterfly bronze medalist at last year's world championships, set a time of 51.41 seconds with boyhood idol Phelps second in the heat with a 51.60 that left him fourth overall.

Swimming: Ledecky leads the way in 800m freestyle heats

Katie Ledecky put another golden, and late, night behind her on Thursday and focused on winning a fourth title at the Rio Games in her favorite 800 meters freestyle event. The 19-year-old did not push too hard in the heats after anchoring the U.S. to victory in the 4x200m freestyle relay late on Wednesday, but still set an Olympic record time of eight minutes 12.86 seconds.

08/11/2016 19:50