We’ve seen this before.
Usain Bolt having a delightful stretch run, a huge smile on his face and his gait slowing as he approaches the finish line ahead of his competitors in a sprint heat.
But this time Bolt was laughing too, having a bit of friendly fun with Canadian Andre de Grasse, who gave the Jamaican legend a good-natured challenge on the straightaway.
“He was supposed to slow down,” Bolt told reporters after finishing first.
“I said, ‘What are you doing, it’s a semifinal?’ But I think he wanted to push me. I was a bit lazy but I got round.”
The two will head to Thursday’s final without American Justin Gatlin, who failed to finish in the top two in his heat and didn’t make the final eight on time.
There was more excitement on the track as Americans went 1-2-3 in women’s hurdles and Jamaican Elaine Thompson earned her own sprint double by winning the 200 meters four days after winning the 100.
Here are some of the other big stories from the Olympics on Wednesday:
US swimmers not allowed to leave Brazil
It’s been a bit murky from the start. First there were reports of four US swimmers being robbed at gunpoint. Then the International Olympic Committee said initial reports were false. But then a day later, the IOC said yes, there was a robbery.
But then Brazilian authorities cast doubt on the story and issued warrants for 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte and two-time medalist James Feigen.
Lochte isn’t in Brazil anymore and it’s unclear where Feigen is. Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were trying to leave Brazil and head back to the States but authorities pulled them off a plane before it departed.
A US official said the trio are expected to continue talking about the robbery with Rio police Thursday.
Revenge match
The last time Brazil and Germany faced off in football on Brazilian soil it was an incredible nightmare for the hosts.
Two years ago in a World Cup semifinal, Germany grabbed a 1-0 lead early, but many Brazil fans were thinking, “That’s cool, there’s plenty of time left.”
Yeah, for Die Mannschaft to go on a blitz. Germany scored in the 23rd, 24th, 26th and 29th minutes and all of a sudden it was 5-0 for the eventual World Cup winners. They added two more before Brazil got a late and very meaningless goal.
On Saturday, Brazil’s Olympic side will get a chance to avenge the still-stinging loss when the two nations square off in the football final. The Selecao downed Honduras 6-0 Wednesday to advance to the gold medal match while Germany defeated Nigeria 2-0.
One key to the final might be Neymar, who missed the World Cup match against Germany.
“There is pressure on him but he is living through a positive period, compared to a week ago when there was a lot of pressure on him (and the team wasn’t doing well),” said Brazil coach Rogerio Micale. “I still believe in Brazilian football and when you have a star like Neymar you have to be grateful as he pushes Brazil to a higher level.”
Four Olympics, no losses
Few athletes dominate their sport like Japanese wrestler Kaori Icho. She’s won every Olympic match she’s been in, on Wednesday becoming the first woman to win an individual event at four consecutive Games.
Her latest win was most dramatic as she trailed until the final five seconds.
“I grabbed her from behind,” she said of her winning move in the final. “I didn’t aim at counterattacking at all, it was just natural.”
She said the loss of her mother made competing harder.
“I didn’t feel under any pressure to win four in a row, but I think this was the first Olympics where I felt fear competing,” she told the Japan Times. “My mom isn’t here and there are a lot of other things, but I think I won this medal through desire.”
On Thursday, Japanese wrestler Saori Yoshida will try to match Icho and enter the exclusive four-in-a-row club.
Hardly a full house
The biggest sporting spectacle in the world isn’t drawing sold-out crowds, even though organizers have said ticket sales were good.
There even have been small crowds at some of the sessions for athletics, more so at times when Bolt isn’t running.
“We understand that it is a big stadium and we understand that more seats should be filled …” Rio Games spokesman Mario Andrada said, adding that the fans have been loud and appreciative of the performances.
It’s hard to blame Brazilians for not going to the events. The country is in a terrible recession and there has been political unrest that saw President Dilma Rousseff suspended and facing scheduled impeachment trial.
Gold medal roundup
Athletics, Men’s Steeplechase — Conseslus Kipruto, Kenya
Athletics, Women’s 100-meter Hurdles — Brianna Rollins, United States
Athletics, Women’s 200 meters — Elaine Thompson, Jamaica
Athletics, Women’s Long Jump — Tianna Bartoletta, United States
Badminton, Mixed Doubles — Indonesia
Beach Volleyball, Women –Germany
Boxing, Men’s Welterweight — Daniyar Yeleussinov, Kazakhstan
Equestrian, Team Jumping — France
Table Tennis, Men’s Team — China
Taekwondo, Men’s 58 kilograms — Zhao Shuai, China
Taekwondo, Women’s 49 kilograms — Kim So-hui, South Korea
Wrestling, Women’s Freestyle 48 kilograms — Eri Tosaka, japan
Wrestling, Women’s Freestyle 58 kilograms — Kaori Icho, Japan
Wrestling, Women’s Freestyle 69 kilograms — Sara Dosho, Japan
