Paris Olympics 2024: Opals win bronze as Matt Richardson, Matt Glaezter win in Velodrome
It’s been a historic triumph for Australia so far at these Olympics is there more joy to come as we enter the final day of competition in Paris?
Recap all the action.
Here we go
The Opals are under way in the basketball bronze medal match, with Ezi Magbegor winning the tip.
Steph Talbot, who re-aggravated a foot injury in the semifinal, has been replaced in the starting five by Tess Madgen, casting doubt on her availability.
Strong start for Georgia
Track cyclist Georgia Baker has started strong in the women’s omnium.
She finished third in the scratch race, the first of four disciplines which combine to make up the event.
Opals going for rose gold
Tip-off in the basketball bronze medal match between our Opals and Belgium is about 10 minutes away.
The game will surely be the last in Australian colours for 43-year-old legend Lauren Jackson, who announced her immediate retirement after the Opals sealed qualification for the tournament in February but reversed the decision so she could compete at her fifth Games.
An 85-64 defeat to the all-conquering United States in the semifinal meant Australia would not have the chance to go for gold but there were some positives to take away from the game, including a strong performance from 19-year-old Izzy Borlase.
Plenty of action
The Games have entered their final day but there’s still plenty of action to come.
Gold medal matches in the women’s volleyball between the United States and Italy and the men’s handball between Germany and Denmark will start the next few hours, with medals also up for grabs in wrestling, weightlifting and modern pentathlon.
What’s on tonight?
The main Australian event today is the basketball bronze medal match in about 45 minutes time, where our Opals will take on Belgium.
All our other action will come at the velodrome, where Matthew Richardson and Matthew Glaetzer will be competing in the men’s keirin finals and Georgia Baker will take on in the women’s omnium.
The Australian wash-up
Jessica Stenson, who was the leader of the women’s marathon at the halfway mark, ended up finishing in 13th.
Genevieve Gregson came in 20th.
Hassan wins gold
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands has stormed home to win the gold medal in the women’s marathon.
She held on after barging past silver medallist Tigst Assefa with about 100m to go, with Kenya’s Hellen Obiri claiming the last spot on the podium.
Women’s marathon wrapping up
The women’s marathon is not far from a dramatic finish, with the leading pack just over 2km from the finish line.
Of the Australians, Jessica Stenson is currently 16th and Genevieve Gregson is 20th.
Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi currently leads from Amane Beriso Shankule and Tigst Assefa of Ethiopa.
Aussie in controversy
The marathon ended in agony for Australia’s Sinead Diver after just one kilometre
It’s unclear why Diver pulled out, but fierce questions are now being levelled at her and Athletics Australia, especially in the context of the Olympic qualification process that marred the announcement of the team.
Four-time Olympian Lisa Weightman was denied selection onto the three-piece teamdespite clocking the third fastest marathon in the selection period.
Women’s marathon
In the early action of the final day the women are in action in the women’s marathon.
Australia’s Jessica Stenson and Genevieve Gregson were the leaders at the halfway mark but as we head towards the finish the top contenders have burst through with a five-strong pack forming for the win.
