We at RedEye love the Olympics. Most of it, anyway. Here’s the best and worst of Day 3 in Rio and what you should be watching on Day 4 of competition Tuesday.
WE LOVED IT WHEN …
Synchronized diving continued to blow minds and bust hearts. Was the best moment of the men’s 10-meter platform final when U.S. duo David Boudia and Steele Johnson clinched the silver with a stunning “back 2.5 somersault 2.5 twists” dive? Or when British duo Tom Daley and Daniel Goodfellow, upon clinching the bronze on the last dive of a close final round, hugged so enthusiastically they fell into the pool? Both. Definitely both.
—Chris Sosa
Defense carried the U.S. women’s volleyball team. Thunderous hitting and stalwart blocking make the highlight videos, but the Americans would not be 2-0 in this tournament without a huge dose of scrappy defense. The U.S. took down the Netherlands in five sets after the Dutch took two of the first three. They can’t look past their opponents to the gold medal game, of course, but WE can. *crosses fingers*
—Chris Sosa
WE HATED IT WHEN …
Doping reared its ugly head. Russian breaststroker Yulia Efimova, who has been suspended for drug offenses in the fast, got in a finger-wagging match with American Lilly King. “You’re shaking your finger No. 1 and you’ve been caught for drug cheating,” King told NBC. “I’m just not a fan.” Elsewhere in the swimming world, the Chinese Swimming Association asked Australia’s Mack Horton to apologize for his “inappropriate words” after he labeled China’s Sun Yang a “drug cheat” — a reference to Sun’s three-month 2014 suspension over banned heart medication.
Later, King defeated Efimova in for the gold medal—and set an Olympic record doing it.
—Chris Sosa
Horses had a rough day. Running 3.6 miles while making 33 jumps in the Brazilian countryside is tough enough for people, and it can’t be any easier when you have four legs, weigh 1,000 pounds and have a person on your back. I couldn’t help but feel bad whenever a horse fell or clipped its hooves on an obstacle. At least the animals get a cool, misting shower afterward. Do they make Gatorade for horses?
—Chris Sosa
We got the news on the Dutch cyclist who crashed Sunday. Annemiek van Vleuten, who crashed while leading in the late stages of the women’s road race Sunday, suffered three spinal fractures and was hospitalized in intensive care as of Monday afternoon. Wishing her, and all the athletes whose Olympics has been cut short, a full and speedy recovery.
—Chris Sosa
American fencers stumbled. Mariel Zagunis, a two-time Olympic champion, bowed out in the round of 16 in the women’s individual sabre competition. Ditto for Ibtihaj Muhammad, who did make history by becoming the first American to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab.
—Chris Sosa
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The best of the Olympics on Tuesday
Equestrian
Yes, we’re recommending that you watch horses that don’t involve the Triple Crown (they’re much older, just FYI). If you think this sport is akin to the Westminster Dog Show, you’re missing the boat. Much like, say, any gymnastics competition, you’ll hold your breath every time they leave their feet. Er, hooves. There’s also a horse named Peter Parker, ridden by Alice Naber-Lozeman of the Netherlands. So awesome. The eventing individual and team jumping finals are Tuesday. (8 a.m.)
Water polo
The U.S. women are the defending gold medalists and open this Olympics against Spain. Pay particular attention to the underwater cameras, which give you a good idea of how players push the envelope with physical play. (9:40 a.m.)
Gymnastics
This should be more coronation than anything for the U.S. women, who put up an absurdly high number in the qualification event Sunday. NBC analyst Tim Daggett said the Americans’ nearly 10-point margin over China was like a football team winning 120-0. Although the scores are reset for the team final, it would take a disaster for the U.S. not to win gold. Knock on wood. (2 p.m.)
WORD OF THE DAY
Cupping
As in cupping therapy. You’re probably noticed red circles on Michael Phelps’ upper body; those are caused by the aforementioned procedure. As NBC explained: “Basically, cupping involves a cup attached to a pump. Athletes put the cup on their skin and create suction with the pump. Some say the technique increases blood flow and helps a person’s sore muscles heal.” Phelps will try to reclaim his Olympic title in the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday. (His race is one of four finals on the night; the session begins at 8 p.m.)
MEDAL COUNT
(As of 10 a.m. CT Tuesday)
1. USA: 5 gold, 7 silver, 7 bronze (19 total)
2. China: 5 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze (13 total)
3. Japan and Russia tied with 10 each
USA! USA!
American medal winners at the Rio Games
(as of 10 a.m. CT Tuesday)
Gold (5): Ryan Murphy, 100-meter backstroke (swimming); Lilly King, 100-meter breaststroke (swimming); U.S. men, 400-meter freestyle relay (swimming); Katie Ledecky, 400-meter freestyle (swimming); Ginny Thrasher, 10-meter air rifle
Silver (7): Kathleen Baker, 100-meter backstroke (swimming); David Boudia and Steele Johnson, synchronized diving (10-meter platform); U.S. women, 400-meter freestyle relay; U.S. men, team archery; Maya DiRado, 400-meter individual medley (swimming); Chase Kalisz, 400-meter individual medley (swimming); Alexander Massialas, men’s individual foil (fencing)
Bronze (7): Conor Dwyer, 200-meter freestyle (swimming); David Plummer, 100-meter backstroke (swimming); Katie Meili, 100-meter breaststroke (swimming); Cody Miller, 100-meter breaststroke (swimming); Leah Smith, 400-meter freestyle (swimming); Corey Cogdell-Unrein, trap shooting (shooting); Dana Vollmer, 100-meter butterfly (swimming)
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RedEye’s Margaux Henquinet and The Associated Press contributed.