Reuters Sports News Summary

08/20/2016 19:51

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Basketball: U.S. rolls past Spain to win sixth straight gold

The United States women's basketball team thumped Spain 101-72 to claim a sixth straight gold medal on Saturday to rubber-stamp their credentials as one of the greatest Olympic sporting dynasties of all time. After a sloppy start that saw Spain lead much of the opening quarter, the U.S. finally settled into their familiar rhythm, turning a 10-0 run into a 17-point halftime lead.

Chen Aisen wins gold for China in men's 10 meter platform

Chen Aisen claimed Olympic gold in the men's 10 meter platform event on Saturday to help China take home seven out of Rio's eight diving golds, while Mexico's German Sanchez and American David Boudia took the silver and bronze. Chen, at his first Olympics, showed consistency throughout his dives, gaining high scores to total 585.30 with his tight spins and clean entries into the water even as his rivals, including team mate Qiu Bo, stumbled.

Triathlon: American Jorgensen takes gold with perfect race

Hot favorite Gwen Jorgensen produced the perfect race to win the Olympic women's triathlon gold on Saturday, the American unusually staying with her rivals on the bike before surging clear of defending champion Nicola Spirig-Hug on the run. Jorgensen has dominated the sport over the last two years but usually wins her races by chasing down the stronger bikers during the 10km run.

First Australian, redemption-seeking Russian earn golds

Modern pentathlon, the most diverse sport in the Olympic Games, concluded with a surprise in the final phase of the women's competition but with a leader from beginning to end in the men's on Saturday. Chloe Esposito, 24, became the first Australian to win the women's Olympic title in the sport on Friday, setting a Games record of 1,372 points despite starting the final running and shooting phase in seventh place.

Soccer: Neymar hands Brazil precious soccer gold medal

Brazil captain Neymar was in tears after he delivered the country's first Olympic men's soccer gold medal with the winning penalty in a 5-4 shootout victory over Germany in a thrilling final at the Maracana stadium on Saturday. The match had finished 1-1 after extra-time, with Neymar having put Brazil ahead with a superb free kick in the 27th minute before Germany skipper Maximilian Meyer equalized with a fine strike just before the hour to force the extra period.

Rhythmic gymnastics: Russia's Mamun wins individual all-around gold

A display full of grace and elegance allowed Margarita Mamun to capture the individual all-around gold on Saturday and stretch Russia's dominance in rhythmic gymnastics into a fifth straight Olympics. A total score of 76.483 carried Mamun to the top of the podium after three-time world champion Yana Kudryavtseva surrendered her title hopes when her twirling act with the clubs went horribly wrong in its dying seconds.

Russian women top France to win first gold

Russia won its first Olympic gold medal in women's handball on Saturday, overcoming France 22-19 in a tight, fast-paced final in front of a rapturous crowd. The Russians led by several points through much of the game, although the French roared back in the middle of the second half to level at 14-14 before again trailing to a fierce attack.

Serbia defeat Croatia to win men's water polo gold medal

Serbia's world champion men's water polo team defeated arch rivals Croatia 11-7 to win their first Olympic gold medal in the sport and dethrone the title holders on Saturday. In a game marked by rough and aggressive play in front of both goals, Serbia showed superior firepower and defense.

Brazil prosecutors too slow to catch up with U.S. swimmer Feigen

A Brazilian judge provided another twist to the saga of four U.S. swimmers embroiled in a scandal at the Rio Games, suspending permission for one of the athletes, Jimmy Feigen, to leave the country - even though he had flown home hours earlier. Feigen flew home on Friday night, police sources said, after agreeing in an earlier hearing to pay a 35,000 real ($11,000) fine for lying about being robbed at gunpoint in an incident that marred South America's first Olympics.

Basketball: U.S. and Serbia to clash in David and Goliath final

Basketball superpower the United States will face Serbia on Sunday in an Olympic men's basketball David and Goliath gold medal final that will bring down the curtain on the Rio Games. It will mark the first appearance in the final as an independent nation for Olympic debutants Serbia, but the mighty Americans arrive at the gold medal contest riding a 24-game Olympic winning streak, looking to step on top of the podium for their third straight Summer Games.

08/20/2016 19:51