Tokyo Olympics while you were sleeping: Swimmer Caeleb Dressel leads U.S. to golden finish; Xander Schauffele wins golf gold
The swimming competition at the Tokyo Olympics concluded Sunday, and Team USA went out in style.
Caeleb Dressel led the way, securing two more gold medals – in the men's 50 free and as the butterfly leg as the U.S. won the 4x100 medley relay in record-breaking fashion – to end his Games with an incredible five golds.
Adding to the American medal haul was Bobby Finke, who won his second gold of these Games by taking first in dramatic fashion in the 1,500-meter freestyle.
Rounding out the successful day in the pool was the women's 4x100 medley relay team taking the silver medal.
Here are some of the other notable moments you missed Sunday in Tokyo while you were sleeping:
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
American Xander Schauffele wins golf gold
Xander Schauffele capped a strong weekend by securing the gold medal in the men's Olympic golf tournament.
He shot a 4-under 67 in Sunday's final round, dropping him to 18 under for the tournament. He held off Slovakia's Rory Sabbatini by one shot as the 45-year-old veteran shot an Olympic-record 61 on Sunday.
Simone Biles pulls out of floor exercise final
It's increasingly looking like Simone Biles will not compete again at these Olympics.
USA Gymnastics said Biles will not take part in the floor exercise final, which is set for Monday. No decision on her participation in the balance beam final has been made.
Biles has been dealing with the "twisties" and already withdrew from the vault, uneven bars and all-around finals.
It wasn't all bad news Sunday for USA Gymnastics: MyKayla Skinner, competing in Biles' place, took the silver medal in the vault competition.
Raven Saunders lands medal in shot
Raven Saunders, an outspoken advocate for mental health and racial justice, emerged with the silver medal in the shot put competition Sunday.
It was the culmination of an inspirational journey that began with a fifth-place finish in Rio. Saunders has been open about her struggles with depression and hopes her medal performance can serve as inspiration.
“From 2016 and constantly fighting and constantly pushing through everything, I made sure I walked away with a medal,” Saunders said. “For me, everything that I have been through, mental health-wise, injuries and financial. Really to invest everything that I have mentally and physically, being able to walk away with a medal and go out and inspire so many people.
“The LGBT community, people who have been dealing with mental health issues and so many people in the African American community, so many people who are Black all around the world, I just hope I can continue to inspire and motivate.”
Other must-read stories:
- Sha'Carri Richardson congratulates Jamaicans on 100-meter dash sweep.
- Veteran U.S. long jumper wants to finish her final Olympics with a bang.
- 14 Olympics participants have credentials pulled or suspended for failing to follow COVID-19 rules.
- Canada believes it can beat the USWNT in the Olympic semifinals. Except it rarely has.
- A few other Team USA members secured medals during Sunday's early action, including: Silver from Hannah Roberts in women's BMX Freestyle; and bronze from Krysta Palmer in the women’s individual three-meter springboard.
