On the penultimate day of the Paris Olympics on Saturday, nearly 40 medals were awarded, including nine in athletics. Gold medals were also distributed in volleyball, basketball, soccer, golf, table tennis, water polo, and more.
France's Althea Laurin secured the women's taekwondo heavyweight title, marking the country's first Olympic gold in the sport by defeating Uzbekistan's Svetlana Osipova. Laurin, who previously won bronze in Tokyo three years ago, triumphed in all her matches in just two rounds.
In other events, Kennedy Alexis Blades of the US faced Catalina Axente of Romania in the women's freestyle 76kg 1/8 wrestling final. Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan celebrated his victory over Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan in the men's 57kg boxing final. The US men's 4x400m relay team, consisting of Bryce Deadmon, Rai Benjamin, Vernon Norwood, and Christopher Bailey, set a new Olympic record and won gold, proudly displaying their national flags.
Nina Koppang of Sweden and Anne Mette Hansen of Denmark competed in the women's bronze medal handball match. Albert Torres Barcelo of Spain suffered a crash during the men's madison track cycling final. Athletes ran past the Eiffel Tower during the men's marathon. Huanhua Liu of China celebrated his gold medal in the men's 102kg weightlifting, accompanied by silver medallist Akbar Djuraev of Uzbekistan and bronze medallist Yauheni Tsikhantsou of AIN.
Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia claimed gold in the men's marathon by crossing the finish line at Invalides. Lebron James of the US played against France in the gold medal basketball game. Erin Ai Mori of Japan was active in the women's boulder and lead climbing. Catalina Axente of Romania required medical attention after her match with Kennedy Alexis Blades of the US in the women's freestyle 76kg 1/8 final wrestling.
