Novak Djokovic ends Tokyo 2020 without a medal after losing his bronze medal singles match and withdrawing from the mixed doubles with a shoulder injury.
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Logan Martin wins gold in men's BMX freestyle
From CNN’s Seamus Fagan
Australian biker Logan Martin performs a trick during the BMX freestyle men’s final on Sunday.
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Australian biker Logan Martin has won gold in the first ever Olympic BMX freestyle men’s final, scoring 93.30 in his first run.
Venezuela’s Daniel Dhers earned his country’s third medal of the Tokyo Games, winning silver with 92.05. Great Britain’s Declan Brooks took bronze with 90.80.
The triumph brings Australia’s gold medal count to 13 and total medal count to 30.
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Breaking: Simone Biles drops out of individual floor competition
US gymnast Simone Biles wears her warm-up gear after she pulled out of the team all-around competition on Tuesday, July 27.
(Dylan Martinez/Reuters)
Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final floor competition, USA Gymnastics said on Twitter.
Biles, arguably the world’s greatest gymnast, has pulled back from Olympic competition in Tokyo to focus on her mental health. The 24-year-old explained in a series of Instagram posts that she has the “twisties,” a mental block in gymnastics in which competitors lose track of their positioning midair.
USA Gymnastics said yesterday that Biles would be withdrawing from two other individual disciplines, vault and uneven bars.
She will make a decision about the final event, beam, “later this week.”
The women’s vault and bars finals are scheduled for Sunday, the women’s floor final is Monday, and the beam final is Tuesday.
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Team USA wins the final swimming race of Tokyo 2020 by setting a world record
American swimmers Caeleb Dressel and Zach Apple celebrate their victory in the men's 4x100 meter medley relay on Sunday.
(Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports)
The Americans closed out Tokyo 2020’s swimming competitions by winning gold and setting a world record in the men’s 4x100 meter medley relay.
Team USA finished the race in 3:26.78, 0.73 seconds ahead of second-place Great Britain. Italy took home the bronze with a time of 3:29.17. The Americans have won this race in all 15 Olympics they’ve raced it.
The win gives Caeleb Dressel, who swam butterfly in the race, his fifth gold medal of these Olympics.
Ryan Murphy earned his third medal of the Games swimming backstroke to start the race for the US, while Andrew Michael won his first-ever Olympic medal swimming breaststroke.
The anchor was Zach Apple, who won his second gold of these Games swimming freestyle.
Team USA won three of the five swimming events held Sunday morning, while Australia won the other two.
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Britain's Charlotte Worthington takes gold in women's BMX freestyle
From CNN's Seamus Fagan
Britain's Charlotte Worthington competes in the BMX freestyle final on Sunday.
(Ben Curtis/AP)
Great Britain’s Charlotte Worthington took home the gold medal in the women’s BMX freestyle competition Sunday morning, doing so by landing the first-ever 360 backflip in women’s competition history.
The trick helped Worthington earn a winning score of 97.50.
Worthington’s triumph gives Great Britain its third medal in a BMX event at the Tokyo Games after winning gold in women’s BMX racing and silver in men’s BMX racing.
American Hannah Roberts won silver with a score 96.10, and Nikita Ducarroz of Switzerland earned bronze with a score of 89.20.
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Japanese fans flock to the Olympic Rings in Tokyo despite Covid state of emergency
From CNN's Emiko Jozuka in Tokyo
People take photos with the Olympic rings near the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
(Kyodo News/Getty Images)
People swarmed Olympic monuments in Tokyo to snap selfies on Saturday, despite the surging number of Covid-19 cases in the Japanese capital.
Tokyo remains under a state of emergency due to the pandemic, and the metropolitan government reported on Saturday that they had identified a new single-day record of more than 4,000 cases.
But that spike in infections has not dampened the mood for many Olympic fans around the new National Stadium, especially among eager fans lining up by the Olympic Rings monument to take pictures.
Fans pose for photos near the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
(Emiko Jozuka/CNN)
Going into the Games, polls showed the Japanese public largely opposed holding the Olympics in the middle of the pandemic. But some Tokyo residents told CNN Japan’s recent gold rush at the Games had shifted their opinions around the Olympics.
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Australia takes home women's 4x100 meter medley relay
Australian swimmers Emma McKeon, Chelsea Hodges, Kaylee McKeown and Cate Campbell react after winning the gold medal and breaking the Olympic record for the 4x100 meter medley relay on Sunday.
(Al Bello/Getty Images)
Australia set an Olympic record to win the women’s 4x100 meter medley relay, the country’s second gold medal Sunday morning after Emma McKeon took the top prize in the 50 meter freestyle.
With the medley win, McKeon now has seven medals in Tokyo, including three golds. McKeon is just the second woman to win seven medals at a single Olympics, a feat that only Soviet gymnast Maria Gorokhovskaya had previously accomplished, according to NBC.
The USA took silver, losing to the Australians by just 0.13 seconds, with Canada claiming bronze.
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Bobby Finke wins men's 1500 meter freestyle for his second gold of Tokyo 2020
Bobby Finke of Team USA competes in the 1500 meter freestyle final on Sunday.
(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Swimmer Bobby Finke has won the men’s 1500 meter freestyle, his second gold medal of the Tokyo Games after earlier winning the men’s 800 meter freestyle.
Finke’s victory means the Americans have taken home the top prize in all four distance swims in Tokyo. Team USA’s Katie Ledecky won both the women’s 800 meter and 1500 meter freestyle races.
Finke’s race was a nail-biter, with the American, Ukraine’s Mykhailo Romanchuk and Germany’s Florian Wellbrock separating themselves from the rest of the pack. Romanchuk finished with silver and Wellbrock with bronze.
World record-holder Sun Yang of China was banned from competing in this year’s Games due to a doping violation.
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Australia's Emma McKeon takes gold in the women's 50 meter freestyle
Australia's Emma McKeon celebrates taking gold in the final of the women's 50 meter freestyle on Sunday.
(Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images)
Emma McKeon set an Olympic record to win the gold medal in the women’s 50 meter freestyle, her sixth medal in Tokyo.
She finished the race in 23.81 seconds. Sweden’s Sarah Sjoestroem took home silver and Denmark’s Pernille Blume nabbed bronze.
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Caeleb Dressel wins another gold in the men's 50 meter freestyle
American swimmer Caeleb Dressel celebrates after winning the gold medal in a men's 50 meter freestyle on Sunday.
(David Goldman/AP)
It’s all coming up gold for Caeleb Dressel.
The American swimming star set an Olympic record to win the men’s 50 meter freestyle race Sunday morning in Tokyo. He swam the race in 21.07 seconds to win his fourth gold medal of Tokyo 2020.
Dressel is just the third man to ever win the 50 meter freestyle and 100 meter freestyle at the same Olympics.
He was followed by France’s Florent Manaudou, who finished in 21.55 and Brazil’s Bruno Fratus, who came in at 21.57. Manaudou won gold in the event at Rio 2016.
Four more medal races will be held at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre Sunday morning.
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Saturday saw 21 gold medals awarded at the Tokyo Olympics
Qatar's Fares El-Bakh holds his gold medal for the weightlifting 96kg on July 31.
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Among the gold medal winners Saturday at the Tokyo Olympics were Americans Katie Ledecky, who won the women’s 800m freestyle, and Caeleb Dressel who dominated the men’s 100m butterfly.
Here’s a full list of the gold medal winners from Saturday:
Archery
Men’s Individual: Mete Gazoz, Turkey
Athletics
Men’s Discus Throw: Daniel Stahl, Sweden
4x400m Relay Mixed: Poland
Women’s 100m: Elaine Thompson-Herah, Jamaica
Badminton
Men’s Doubles: Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin, Chinese Taipei
Men’s 100m Butterfly: Caeleb Dressel, United States
Women’s 200m Backstroke: Kaylee McKeown, Australia
Women’s 800m Freestyle: Katie Ledecky, United States
Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay: Great Britain
Tennis
Women’s Singles: Belinda Bencic, Switzerland
Trampoline Gymnastics
Men’s: Ivan Litvinovich, Belarus
Triathlon
Mixed Relay: Great Britain
Weightlifting
Men’s 81 kg: Lyu Xiaojun, China
Men’s 96 kg: Fares El-Bakh, Qatar
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Japan sees highest daily increase in new Covid-19 infections
From CNN’s Arthur Syin and Hannah Ritchie
Japan recorded its highest daily increase in new Covid-19 infections since the pandemic began, reporting 12,341 new cases on Saturday, according to the country’s public broadcaster NHK.
Ten out of Japan’s 47 prefectures recorded their highest new daily cases, NHK reported.
The Japanese capital city of Tokyo saw a record high 4,058 new cases Saturday, according to Tokyo Metropolitan Government data.
The number of coronavirus cases linked to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has risen to 241 – up 21 from the previous day – according to Games organizers.
This comes as Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday extended the state of emergency for the Tokyo Metropolitan area and Okinawa amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Tokyo and Okinawa were under a state of emergency until August 22, but Suga has now extended it until August 31.
Suga also expanded a state of emergency to four other prefectures – Saitama, Chiba, Osaka and Kanagawa – in effect until August 31.
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Fares El-Bakh wins Qatar's first ever Olympic gold medal
Qatar’s Fares El-Bakh celebrates on the podium after winning the gold medal in the 96kg weightlifting event on July 31.
(Luca Bruno/AP)
Qatar’s Fares El-Bakhfinished with an Olympic record 402kg to capture the men’s 96kg weightlifting gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The gold medal is the first-ever in Qatar’s history.
El-Bakh put up 177kg in the snatch, and then set an Olympic record in the clean and jerk with a weight of 225kg. Overall, the Qatari finished with a combined score of 402kg to set his second Olympic record of the night.
Keydomar Giovanni Vallenilla Sánchez of Venezuela finished in second (387kg) to earn the silver and Anton Pliesnoi of Georgia took home the bronze.
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USA men's basketball team thumps Czech Republic to move into quarterfinals
From CNN's Ben Morse in London
Team USA's Jayson Tatum shoots over Czech Republic's David Jelined during their game on July 31.
(Eric Gay/AP)
The Team USA men’s basketball team powered into the quarterfinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with a convincing 119-84 rout of the Czech Republic on Saturday.
Superstar Kevin Durant led the team with 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists and in the process became the US’ all-time leading scorer in the Olympics.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum added 27 points for the Americans, while the Czechs were led by 17 points from Blake Schilb.
The win confirmed Team USA would finish at least second in their group, assuring them a spot in the Olympic quarterfinals.
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Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah says she is grateful to "get back on the track" following injuries
From CNN's Fernando Alfonso in Atlanta
Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrates after winning the gold medal in the 100m final on July 31.
(David Ramos/Getty Images)
Elaine Thompson-Herah reflected on her gold medal victory in Tokyo today in the women’s 100 meter, saying, “I knew I had it in me, but obviously, I’ve had my ups and downs with injuries.”
Thompson-Herah said she looks forward to competing in the 200 meter and 4x100m relay.
Earlier today: Thompson-Herah defended her women’s 100-meter title in Olympic record time of 10.61, breaking Florence Griffith Joyner’s 33-year-old mark set in Seoul.
Completing an all-Jamaican podium, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finished second to claim silver in 10.74 and Shericka Jackson finished third in 10.76 – a personal best – to earn the bronze.
“I can’t just imagine if we didn’t have the pandemic what would be happening in Jamaica, just speaking about the legacy that we have back home, all the athletes, young and old, you are all inspired by something that happened tonight, we were just really excited that we were able to come and to have a wonderful show tonight,” Thompson-Herah said following the medal sweep.
Thompson-Herah is the fourth athlete to win two Olympic gold medals in the women’s 100 meter after Wyomia Tyus in 1964 and 1968 for the US, Gail Devers in 1992 and 1996 for the US and Fraser-Pryce in 2008 and 2012 for Jamaica.
This is the sixth straight Olympic Games that the gold medal-winning time was faster than in previous Games.
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Poland wins inaugural mixed 4x400 meter relay
From CNN's Ben Morse in London
Team Poland celebrates after winning the 4x400 meter mixed relay final on July 31.
(Martin Meissner/AP)
Poland won the gold medal in the inaugural mixed 4x400 meter relay in a thrilling race on Saturday.
Made up of two men and two women, the new race has become an immediate favorite with fans at Tokyo 2020.
And Poland had to produce a remarkable late comeback in the final, with the Dominican Republic leading after both 800 meters and 1,200 meters.
However, a brilliant last lap from Poland shot them into the lead and earned them the first ever gold in the discipline with a new Olympic record of 3:09.87.
The silver went to the Dominican Republic and the bronze to the US.
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Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah defends 100 meter crown with new Olympic record
From CNN's Fernando Alfonso in Atlanta
Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah wins the 100m final on July 31.
(Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Jamaica swept the top three spots in the women’s 100 meter final tonight in Tokyo.
Elaine Thompson-Herah defended her 2016 Olympic 100 meter title with a time of 10.61, a new Olympic record.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took home silver with 10.74 and Shericka Jackson won bronze with 10.76.
Among those celebrating their win was fellow countryman and Olympic legend Usain Bolt:
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British star sprinter Dina Asher-Smith withdraws from 200m with hamstring injury
From CNN’s Hannah Ritchie and Amanda Davies in London
Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith reacts after failing to qualify for the 100m final on July 31.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
British star sprinter Dina Asher-Smith said she has withdrawn from the 200 meter race at the Tokyo Olympics due to a hamstring injury.
She made the announcement in an emotional interview to the BBC on Saturday moments after failing to qualify for the women’s 100m final.
Asher-Smith, the current 200m world champion, said she tore her hamstring before the Games and has spent weeks trying to recover.
“I’ve spent four weeks trying to run again … It’s the Olympics, but there will be another one,” she told the BBC.
“I apologize for my tears, I can’t help it,” she added, before briefly breaking down on camera.
Asher-Smith was a leading contender for an Olympic medal in the 100m sprint in Tokyo but failed to advance through her semifinal round with a time of 11.05 seconds.
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Olympic village resident has credentials taken away after breaking rules to go sightseeing
From CNN’s Hannah Ritchie in London
The Olympic Village is seen on July 19.
(Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images)
A resident of the Olympic Village had their credentials taken away after going on an unauthorized sightseeing trip.
Olympic officials have called the action “unacceptable,” and said the decision to revoke the resident’s credentials was formally made on Friday.
“[The person banned] will not be allowed to enter any Tokyo 2020 venues,” Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya told reporters during a press conference Saturday.
Takaya did not provide any details on the nationality of the person involved, or whether they are an athlete or staff member.
Sightseeing is a direct violation of the International Olympic Committees Covid-19 ‘playbook,’ as it breaches restrictions on movement which have been placed on participating athletes and staff.
All Tokyo 2020 staff and participants must follow a series of strict protocols to prevent the Games from becoming a super-spreader event, and it is strictly forbidden to venture outside Olympic venues or use public transport.
This is the first reported breach of these playbook protocols since the Olympics began.
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If you're watching the Olympics from the US, here are the key events to catch today
American Katie Ledecky holds her gold medal for the 800-meter freestyle on July 31.
Adam Davy/PA Wire/AP
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games head into the second weekend of competition, medals will be awarded in swimming, fencing, judo and tennis, to name a few.
Here are some of the events to watch. Remember, Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time.
Swimming: Medals will be given out in the men’s and women’s 50 meter freestyle, men’s 1500 meter freestyle, and both the men’s and women’s 4x100 meter medley relay. All the action airs on NBC starting at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Cycling: Finals of both the men’s and women’s BMX freestyle park will be live on CNBC at 9:10 p.m. ET.
Beach volleyball: Brazil and the US face off in women’s beach volleyball at 11:30 a.m. ET on NBC.
Track and field: Events include the women’s 100 meter semifinals and round one of the men’s 100 meters, with coverage starting on NBC at 9 p.m. ET. The women’s long jump qualifying begins at 8:50 p.m. ET, and the women’s shot put final begins at 9:35 p.m. ET.
Tennis: Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic plays the Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova for gold in the women’s singles at 6 a.m. ET. It airs on NBC starting at 11 a.m. ET. Germany’s Alexander Zverev plays Karen Khachanov of the Russian Olympic Committee for the gold medal in men’s singles, airing at 11 p.m. ET.
Fencing: The women’s saber team gold medal match starts at 6:30 a.m. ET.
Water polo: Team USA takes on Hungary at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC.
Judo: Competition concludes with the finals of the first-ever mixed team event, airing on USA Network at 2:15 p.m. ET.
Here’s your full guide on how to watch the Olympics and the entire schedule. In between watching events, check out our gallery of the most memorable photos of the Games so far.
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Two months after not having a place at the Olympics, Mete Gazoz's gold is Turkey's first ever archery medal
From CNN's Ben Morse in London
Turkey's Mete Gazoz celebrates after winning the individual archery final on July 31.
(Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
Just two months ago, Mete Gazoz wasn’t sure whether or not he’d be competing at Tokyo 2020.
And now, he is an Olympic gold medalist and the winner of Turkey’s first ever archery medal.
Gazoz beat former Olympic champion Mauro Nespoli of Italy by 6-4 in the men’s individual archery final to claim the gold at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field on Saturday.
The 22-year-old reigning World Cup Champion had trailed to the 34-year-old but rallied to claim a historic medal for Turkish archery.
“Two months ago, I don’t have any quota or team place, but I think it is good because one month ago, I have to make a performance high and I just keep my (performance) up, and it worked,” he said afterwards.
The gold is Turkey’s first of Tokyo 2020 and their third total medal of the Summer Games.
He is the first archer to win gold at Tokyo who isn’t from South Korea.
After competing in 2016 in Brazil – getting knocked out in the round of 16 – Gazoz said a promise he made drove him to success in Japan.
“This feels so good, I have been (at) 2016 and I give my promise to my coaches, my mother and my father, I will go to the next Olympic Games and I will win gold medal.”
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Defending women's 100m champion qualifies for final
From CNN's George Ramsay at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium
Defending Olympic 100m champion Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica wins her 100m semifinal on July 31.
(Petr David Josek/AP)
It’s the second day of track and field competition in Tokyo at a rather empty Olympic Stadium. Aside from the packed media area, there are pockets of team members dotted around the stands in the absence of fans. Most are clustered around the long jump pit for the men’s qualification.
It is warm inside the stadium – above 30 degrees Celsius with only a very light breeze. That’s good news for the sprinters who have qualified for the women’s 100m final in roughly two hours’ time. There were some fast times in the heats, where six women ran under 11 seconds.
In the semifinals, Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce progressed with the fastest time of 10.73 seconds. Fellow Jamaican and defending Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah also qualified. Perhaps the biggest shock is that Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, the 200m world champion, has missed out on the final.
Here are the athletes that will line up on the start line for the Games’ first sprint final at 9:50pm local time:
Daryll Neita (Great Britain)
Teahna Daniels (USA)
Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaica)
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica)
Marie-Josee Ta Lou (Ivory Coast)
Shericka Jackson (Jamaica)
Ajla del Ponte (Switzerland)
Mujinga Kambundi (Switerland)
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"You just have to believe": New Zealand wins gold in women's rugby sevens after silver in 2016
New Zealand's Stacey Fluhler (C) runs to score a try in the women's rugby sevens final between New Zealand and France at the Tokyo Stadium.
Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Imag
New Zealand went one step further in the women’s Olympic rugby sevens tournament, winning the gold medal on Saturday.
At Rio 2016, the ‘Black Ferns Sevens’ lost in the final to rivals Australia, earning a silver medal in the process.
However, five years later, they overcame the heartbreak as they won 26-12 against a gritty France team.
Tries from Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton, Stacey Fluhler and Tyla Nathan-Wong led them to the team’s first ever gold medal, sparking scenes of jubilant celebrations and tears from many of the players after the final whistle.
New Zealand are the reigning women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens champions.
New Zealand star Ruby Tui said she was “so happy, so proud” after her side’s victory.
“We had a dream and winning silver just didn’t feel the right way for this team to bow out,” the 2019 World Rugby women’s sevens player of the year told the media afterwards.
“I have looked at my silver medal (from Rio 2016) every day since I have been here. I will never forget the person I was when we won silver because I have had a complete change in the person I was then in order to win this gold.
“The gold is a metaphor for a dream about positive thinking. It is not just the gold medal but how we have grown since. You just have to believe.”
Earlier in the day, Fiji produced an excellent display to beat Team GB 21-12 and earned themselves a bronze medal.
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Novak Djokovic ends Tokyo 2020 without a medal after losing in singles and withdrawing from mixed doubles
From CNN's Ben Morse in London
Novak Djokovic smashes his racket during his men's singles tennis match for the bronze medal against Pablo Carreno Busta.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
After cruising through the opening few rounds of the men’s singles competition at the 2020 Olympics, it seemed inevitable that a gold medal would soon be hanging around Novak Djokovic’s neck.
However, following a couple of disastrous days in Tokyo, the world No. 1 is returning home without a medal at all after losing to Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in the bronze medal match on Saturday.
The Serbian lost in three sets 4-6 7-6 3-6 to the world No. 11 at the Ariake Tennis Centre Court.
Coming into the Olympics, Djokovic had been attempting to win what would’ve been a historic ‘Golden Slam’ in men’s tennis.
A ‘Golden Slam’ consists of winning all four grand slams and an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year.
Steffi Graf is the only tennis player – male or female – to complete the feat when she did it in 1988.
However, defeat on Friday to Alexander Zverev in the semifinal dashed those hopes.
Djokovic had a chance of taking home some silverware in mixed doubles. However, he and fellow Serbian Nina Stojanovic withdrew, meaning Ashleigh Barty and John Peers of Australia claimed the bronze via walkover.
It is Australia’s sixth ever Olympic medal in tennis – and first since Alicia Molik claimed bronze in the women’s singles competition at Athens 2004.
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Tokyo reports its highest-ever number of daily Covid-19 infections
From CNN's Arthur Syin in Tokyo
Japan’s capital city of Tokyo reported 4,058 Covid-19 cases on Saturday, the highest ever since the beginning of pandemic, according to Tokyo Metropolitan Government data.
The city has seen a rapid surge in the past week, reporting around 3,000 cases every day since Tuesday. Last Saturday, the city reported roughly a quarter of today’s number – 1,128 cases during a single day.
On Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced an extension of Covid-19 states of emergency to the end of August, while expanding them to four prefectures, including three surrounding Tokyo.
There have been at least 241 cases linked to the Tokyo 2020 Games, according to organizers.
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“I’m a champion”: Simone Manuel releases statement after failing to qualify for women’s 50m freestyle final
From CNN’s Hannah Ritchie
Simone Manuel leaves the pool after the 50-meter freestyle semifinal on July 31.
David Goldman/AP
U.S. Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel released a statement Saturday saying she “gave it her all” after failing to qualify for the women’s 50-meter freestyle final by finishing tied-11th in the semifinal heats.
“No doubt I’ll remember this point in my career forever. Not the fact that I didn’t make the Olympic final or come home with an individual medal, but the fact that I gave it my all,” Manuel said on Twitter.
“I’m a champion! Not because of the medals I’ve won but because of how I’ve consistently fought for what I believe in, my perseverance, and my fiery passion to always be me! I’m proud of Simone, the 2X Olympian/5X Olympic medalist, but most importantly I’m proud to just be ME,” the statement added.
Manuel won two gold and two silver medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics: gold in the 100-meter freestyle and the 4x100-meter medley, and silver in the 50-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
She was the first African American woman to ever win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming.
In June, leading up to the Tokyo Games, she released a statement revealing she had been diagnosed with overtraining syndrome and extreme fatigue. She has also been openly battling depression and insomnia, which she said caused her to step back from her normal training routine.
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Japan’s silver surfer says landing aerial 360 in semis was "biggest moment of his life"
From CNN's Amanda Sealey
Kanoa Igarashi completes a huge aerial to find a last minute winning score against Gabriel Medina during the men's semifinal on July 27.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Despite taking home silver for Japan, surfer Kanoa Igarashi knew his Games-defining moment came during his semifinal round against Brazil’s Gabriel Medina.
Igarashi landed an aerial 360 earning him a 9.33 and allowed him to go onto the finals.
It was that moment that he thought, “If I land this land this this is the biggest moment of my life.”
No spoiler alert here – that move allowed Igarashi to make Olympic history.
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Nigerian sprinter provisionally suspended from Games after positive test for human growth hormone
From CNN's Taylor Barnes
Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare competes during round one of the 100 meter heats on July 30.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been provisionally suspended from the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for human growth hormone, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), an independent body that combats doping.
The AIU collected a test sample from Okagbare on July 19 during an out-of-competition test. The AIU was then notified on July 30 of her positive result. The 32-year-old sprinter was alerted and immediately suspended the following morning on July 31.
Okagbare had raced on Friday in the heats of the 100 meters and had advanced to the semifinals that will take place Saturday evening.
CNN has reached out to the Nigerian Olympic Committee for comment. Okagbare has yet to comment on her suspension.
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There are now 241 Covid-19 cases linked to the Olympics
From CNN’s Jake Kwon in Seoul, South Korea
An employee disinfects a handball goal post on July 24.
Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images
Another 21 Covid-19 cases linked to the Olympics have been identified in Japan, authorities there said. All the new cases were either Games staff or contractors, not athletes.
Japanese authorities said a total of 241 cases tied to the Olympics have been identified. That figure includes some athletes who have seen their Olympic dreams dashed.
The public health measures put in place by Olympic organizers have, by and large, appeared to work from a sports standpoint. Competition has been underway for a week now, and things have gone smoothly.
However, cases are spiking among the Japanese public, and medical professionals are warning the country’s health care system could be overwhelmed in the coming days.
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San Marino, a country of 34,000 people, had never won a medal before Tokyo 2020. Now it has two.
From CNN's Jill Martin
San Marino's Gian Marco Berti, left, and Alessandra Perilli smile after competing in the mixed team trap at the Asaka Shooting Range.
Alex Brandon/AP
The tiny European microstate of San Marino won its second-ever Olympic medal on Saturday.
Alessandra Perilli and Gian Marco Berti will take home silver after losing to Spain’s Fatima Galvez and Alberto Fernandez in the gold medal match of the mixed team trap, a shooting event. This is the first time the event has been held at an Olympic Games.
San Marino had the chance to tie with the final two shots. Perilli hit hers, but Berti missed.
Perilli won San Marino’s first-ever Olympic medal earlier this week when she clinched bronze in the women’s trap.
The tiny, landlocked country is located in the Apennine Mountains and is completely surrounded by Italy. It is home to just 34,000 people and became the smallest country ever to win a medal this Olympics.
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Meet Nanaka Takahashi, the 12-year-old who is likely Tokyo 2020's youngest reporter
From journalists Aline Sauvegrain Tanabe and Maria Matsuda in Tokyo
Courtesy Scholastic Kids Press
Nanaka Takahashi might just be the youngest reporter covering Tokyo 2020.
The 12-year-old from Miyagi, in Japan’s northeast Tohoku region, is the sole Japan-based reporter for Scholastic Kids Press – the famed children’s publisher and education company’s news outlet “for kids, by kids.”
Since the opening ceremony on July 23, Takahashi has been filing updates for her young audience on the Games – and on the widespread public opposition to them.
Courtesy Scholastic Kids Press
Takahashi has been a reporter for 10 months, but she’s been learning English from an early age.
Because she was interested in jobs related to television, her mother recommended Scholastic Kids Press. It was an opportunity to practice her English and get some exposure to what it’s like to work on TV.
“My dream is to work in the media,” Takahashi said.
She added one of the things she’s learned early on as a journalist is that it’s important to stay neutral.
“No matter what opinion I have, I try to include both supporting and opposing opinions in my article,” she said.
Courtesy Scholastic Kids Press
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US BMX racer Connor Fields is out of the ICU after suffering a brain hemorrhage in competition
From CNN's Jill Martin
American Connor Fields competes during a BMX quarterfinal heat on July 29.
Shaw/Getty Images
Olympic US BMX racer Connor Fields, who was hurt during a scary fall in competition on Friday, sustained a brain hemorrhage and had to spend a night in an intensive care unit, his team said in a statement.
Fields, who won gold in BMX racing at the 2016 Rio Games, appears to be on the mend, according to USA Cycling. He will remain in hospital until cleared by doctors.
“The doctors are pleased to report that there has been no additional bleeding, and no new injuries were found,” USA Cycling said.
The crash took place on the third run of the men’s semifinals. Fields was taken off the course on a stretcher and was unable to race in the final.
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The first week of Tokyo 2020 has finished. Here's what you need to know today as week 2 kicks off
American Caeleb Dressel swims in the 100-meter butterfly final on July 31. Dressel took home gold in the event.
Gregory Bull/AP
It’s Saturday, July 31 in Tokyo. There are eight days left in the Olympics, and this weekend is jam-packed with events. Here’s what’s happening in the Japanese capital, both in the sports world and on its periphery.
Japan’s surprising success: We’re a week into the Tokyo Olympics, and Japan already has 17 gold medals – a new record for the country. Only China, with 19, has more.
Those wins have helped fan some excitement in Tokyo. Ahead of the Games, polls showed a majority of residents disapproved of the government’s decision to trudge ahead with a major sporting event in the middle of a coronavirus state of emergency. But TV ratings in Japan show people are tuning in to watch, and there’s excitement in the air. On the streets of Tokyo, many are trying to revel in their nation’s success while still abiding by the public health measures the government has in place.
The pandemic looms: Japan’s sporting success does not mean all is well in the capital. Covid-19 cases continue to surge, with authorities saying on Friday they had identified another 3,300 infections. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga extended the state of emergency for the Tokyo metropolitan area and Okinawa, and expanded a state of emergency to four other prefectures – Saitama, Chiba, Osaka and Kanagawa – until August 31.
The Japan Medical Association, the country’s largest association of doctors, is warning that unless more is done to stop the spread of Covid-19, the country’s medical system could “collapse.”
A busy start to the weekend: Saturday began with Great Britain taking gold in the first-ever Olympic triathlon mixed team relay.
Swimming’s penultimate day kicked off shortly after, American star Caeleb Dressel winning the men’s 100 meter butterfly. His compatriot Katie Ledecky won the 800 meter freestyle, her final event of this Olympics. It was her second gold medal and last event for Tokyo 2020. The British won the final event of the day, the mixed 4x100 meter medley relay.
Other major events to watch out for:
It’s a big day for tennis. World no.1 Novak Djokovic will play for bronze in the men’s singles after his shock semifinal defeat to Germany’s Alexander Zverev. The women’s gold medal match comes later in the day, with the Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova taking on Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. It all ends with an interesting match-up in the mixed doubles bronze medal match, in which the men’s and women’s no.1 – Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Serbia’s Djokovic – take the court against each other. Barty is playing with John Peers and Djokovic with Nina Stojanovic.
The gold medal match for women’s rugby takes place at 6 p.m. Tokyo time. Matches throughout the day will determine who plays for the top prize.
The finals for men’s discus, the 4x400 meter mixed relay, and the women’s 100 meter race happen tonight.
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MyKayla Skinner says she's "doing this for us" after being named Simone Biles' vault replacement
From CNN's Jill Martin
MyKayla Skinner and Simone Biles pose for pictures after a practice session on July 22.
Skinner said she was “doing this for us,” tagging Biles in an Instagram post.
Skinner posted the fourth-highest score in vault during qualifications, but at the time did not advance to the apparatus final because of the two-athlete-per-country limit. Biles and US teammate Jade Carey had scored the top two vault scores, respectively, in qualifying.
USA Gymnastics said Saturday that Biles, the sport’s biggest star, would withdraw from two individual events on Sunday.
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Swimming's stars take home more gold medals
Dressel does it again: American Caeleb Dressel nabbed his third gold medal of Tokyo 2020 on Saturday by winning the men’s 100 meter butterfly – and setting a world record in the process.
McKeown backstroke show: Australian Kaylee McKeown won her second gold in the women’s 200 meter backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics. Earlier this week, she set an Olympic record to win gold for the women’s 100 meter backstroke – and then accidentally dropped an F-bomb in her post-race interview.
An 800 meter showdown: The final round of Ledecky vs. Titmus didn’t disappoint. Katie Ledecky claimed another swimming gold for the United States in the women’s 800 meter freestyle, the third Olympics in a row she has won the event. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus was her closest challenger, coming in second. Titmus had bested her American rival twice before in Tokyo, in the women’s 200 meter and 400 meter freestyle.
Britain’s medley: Great Britain won the final swimming medal of the day by setting a world record in the mixed 4x100 meter medley relay. China took silver and Australia bronze, while the Americans – who sported two gold medal winners on their team – placed a disappointing fifth.
