Reuters Sports News Summary

08/21/2016 12:55

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.

Farah does the double, U.S. clean up

Briton Mo Farah joined the ranks of the all-time distance greats on Saturday by becoming just the second man to retain both Olympic track long distance titles after adding a brilliant 5,000m gold to his 10,000 at the Rio Games. On a sparkling final night of athletics, Matthew Centrowitz won a shock 1,500m gold for the United States, their first in the event since 1908.

Chavez casts divisive shadow over Venezuelan sport at Games

When Venezuelan fencer and former sports minister Alejandra Benitez was eliminated in her second-round bout at the Rio Games, she wore a uniform emblazoned with the eyes of the country's divisive late leader, Hugo Chavez. Back home, it was too much for TV viewers who blame Chavez and his followers for a collapsed economy, and they went online to say the revolutionary's eyes had brought her bad luck.

U.S. win sixth straight gold in women's 4x400 relay

The United States maintained their iron grip on the Olympic women's 4x400 meters relay on Saturday when they held off Jamaica for their sixth straight victory in the event to give anchor Allyson Felix her sixth career gold. The U.S. finished in 3 minutes 19.06 seconds. Jamaica took silver in 3:20.34 and Britain the bronze in 3:25.88.

Basketball: Spain edge Australia for bronze in thriller

Spain beat Australia 89-88 in a thrilling clash to take bronze in the Olympic men's basketball tournament on Sunday and bring home a medal from a third straight Games. Sergio Rodriguez made two free throws to give Spain a one point lead and Australia one last possession with five seconds left on the clock.

Centrowitz ends America's long wait for 1,500m gold

American Matthew Centrowitz pulled off a shock victory in the 1,500m final on Saturday, stunning pre-race favorite Asbel Kiprop of Kenya to secure his country's first gold medal in the event since 1908. In the run-up to the Games few expected the 26-year-old to challenge for a medal as all the focus was on Kenya's former Olympic champion Kiprop, who had won the last three world titles.

Russia's Isinbayeva earns IOC spot despite opposition

Double Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva, a fierce critic of a Russian track and field ban at the Rio Olympics, was elected an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member on Sunday but a third of the votes were against her. The 34-year-old, still the world record holder, was excluded from the Games along with over 100 of her team mates following revelations of a systematic, state-backed doping program in Russian sport.

Volleyball: U.S. men fight back to down Russia for bronze

The United States men's volleyball team recovered to defeat defending Olympic champions Russia in a titanic five-set battle for the bronze medal on Sunday. The U.S. lost the first two sets but came back to win 23-25 21-25 25-19 25-19 15-13, with an ace in the tie-breaker by top scorer Matt Anderson helping to seal the victory.

Lochte apologizes to Brazil on national TV

U.S. gold medalist Ryan Lochte admitted to Brazil's largest broadcaster Saturday night that he had exaggerated his story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio - but insisted he did not lie. In an interview aired on Globo TV after the proud soccer country won its first Olympic gold in a penalty shootout, Lochte apologized to the nation.

Kenya's Kipchoge triumphs in men's marathon

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won the men's Olympic marathon with a dominating performance, running alone into the Sambadrome and finishing in two hours, eight minutes and 44 seconds on Sunday. Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa claimed the silver medal and American Galen Rupp took the bronze in humid conditions on a rain-slicked course.

08/21/2016 12:55