Paris Olympics 2024 Day 16 Highlights: USA women's basketball team win gold in final event of Games

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: And it's a wrap!

And that’s that. All sporting events of the 2024 Paris Olympics are now complete. What a roller-coaster ride the last two weeks have been. It has been pleasure for us to bring you all the LIVE updates from the Olympics. Not all is done though. There’s the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics that gets underway at 12.30 am IST on Monday (12 August), which is 9 pm local time. We will be back with LIVE coverage of that shortly. For now, it’s goodbye.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Basketball

The United States of America defeat France in the final of the women’s basketball tournament to clinch the gold medal. It’s an eighth straight Olympic gold medal for the USA women’s team, who beat France 67-66 in a thriller in the final. And with that, all the sporting competitions at the 2024 Paris Olympics is now complete!

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Basketball

The women’s basketball final between United States of America and France, which is the last-ever event of the Paris Olympics, is taking place currently. France lead USA 40-37 in the third quarter.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Wrestling

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has extended support to wrestler Vinesh Phogat, saying that she at least deserves a silver medal. “I don’t know the exact rule, but I’m sure that when she reached the finals, she must have qualified properly. So when you go to the finals, it’s either a Gold or Silver medal. Whether she was disqualified wrongfully or not, I don’t know, but she deserves the Silver medal at least,” Ganguly said.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Hockey

Indian hockey team defender Amit Rohidas has spoken up on the controversial red card incident during the quarter-final against Great Britain. ”Pura country aur mere teammates mere saath the… Kabhi team se emotionally bahar hone nahin diya. Mera focus bas aagli match pe thaa (I knew the whole country and my teammates. Emotionally they never ever let me feel that I’m an outsider or sidelined. I was fully focused on our next match,” he said. Click here to read the full story.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Volleyball

Italy win gold in women’s volleyball competition!

The perfect journey. 🥇🇮🇹
After an errorless tournament, Italy takes the gold medal in women's volleyball! 🏐
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Le parcours parfait. 🥇🇮🇹
Après un tournoi sans erreurs, l'Italie décroche la médaille d'or en volleyball féminin ! 🏐 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/5wHViTpaZI

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Cycling

USA’s Jennifer Valente wins gold in women’s omnium cycling track event!

And another gold medal for Team USA 🦅
Jennifer Valente dominated her opponents and retained her Olympic title 🥇
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Et une médaille d'or de plus pour Team USA 🦅
Jennifer Valente a dominé ses adversaires et conservé son titre de championne olympique 🥇 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8h1qFrYYUj

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: USA women's team in action

The USA women’s basketball team will be in action in the final event of the 2024 Paris Olympics. They will take on hosts France in the gold medal match at 7 pm IST, with USA eyeing an eighth successive gold medal.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Arshad Nadeem returns to Pakistan

Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem received a grand reception from his fans and family members on reaching back in his hometown from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Click here to read the full story.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Jemimah Rodrigues cannot wait to play for India at Olympics

India women’s cricket team batter Jemimah Rodrigues is excited by the prospect of playing for India at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. “Loved wearing this current Indian Olympic jersey. Can’t wait to play Cricket for India at the Olympics soon!! Man, what a feeling that’d be,” Jemimah wrote on Instagram. ( Read full story here)

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Why did Reetika Hooda lose her bout?

Reetika Hooda vs Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan finished 1-1 yet she still lost. Why? What are the rules?

[Read]

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Wrestling

Historic first for Bahrain in wrestling. Akhmed Tazhudinov has won the gold medal in men’s 97kg freestyle. It is their first Olympic medal in a sport other than athletics. And it’s a gold!

Akhmed Tazhudinov beats Givi Matcharashvili of Georgia.

Bronze medals went to Magomedkhan Magomedov (Azerbaijan) and Amirali Azarpira (Iran)

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Neeraj Chopra at the Eiffel Tower

Cementing his place in the history books!
Our silver lining of @paris2024 Olympic Games 🥈#JeetKaJashn | #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/toANePBq2B

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Who is performing at the closing ceremony?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Billie Ellish and Snoop Dogg are confirmed to feature. H.E.R. will sing the national anthem.

[Read]

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Spirit of the Olympics!

Kinzang Lhamo of Bhutan during the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics. Reuters

Kinzhang Lhamo, the only female member of the Bhutan team and her nation’s flagbearer at the opening Ceremony, is roared past the finish line in women’s marathon

The Bhutanese athlete never gave up during the gruelling race. She walked, ran, jogged but has completed the race – a full hour-and-a-half after Hassan’s win. Time of of 3:52:59 for Lhamo which is her personal best

Sometimes it’s not always about winning but finishing this beautiful journey of being at the Olympics

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Support for Vinesh Phogat

After Neeraj Chopra, PR Sreejesh also admired Phogat for her courage and determination despite everything that has transpired over the last week – and maybe more.

“She was laughing when I met her at the village, but I know that she was hiding that feeling with that smile. It’s quite hard for any sportsperson,” said Sreejesh during the hockey team’s felicitation at the India House for retaining the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal.

“It’s a mental trauma, but I hope she will manage it. She is an example for everybody in our country, not just in wrestling but in any sport. This is what we want,” Sreejesh said.

“Win or lose, you are a star. You have done your job to showcase to the world what calibre you have, what culture you come from, and how tough you are. She showed that.”

[More]

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Vinesh Phogat gets support from peers

Japanese Olympic champion Rei Higuchi offered his support to Vinesh Phogat.

Higuchi, the gold-medallist in men’s 57kg freestyle event, was eliminated from the qualifiers of the Tokyo Olympics three years ago for being overweight by just 50gms.

He eventually even lost a playoff bout and could not compete in his home Olympics despite being highly rated even at that time.

“I understand your pain the best. Same 50g. Don’t worry about the voices around you. Life goes on. Rising from setbacks is the most beautiful thing. Take a good rest,” Higuchi, who defeated India’s Aman Sehrawat in the 57kg freestyle category semifinals en route his gold, wrote on X.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Is LeBron James done?

Will LA Lakers superstar LeBron James be part of Team 🇺🇸 USA at Los Angeles 2028? USA will go for a sixth successive Olympic gold on home soil.

[Read]

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Reetika Hooda makes a mark even without a medal

Reetika Hooda may have not won a medal but she showed plenty of promise for the future. The young wrestler ventured into the quarter-finals and only missed out on progression by a whisker. The medal-less show is only an overview, if you look underneath, there’s hope for medals at LA 2028

[Read]

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: India's flag bearer PR Sreejesh is at the Eiffel Tower

Sreejesh, wearing a mundi, and his bronze medal, at the Eiffel Tower. Brilliant look!

ഏടാ മോനെ….😎 pic.twitter.com/tKG49RASgF

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Who are the flag bearers at the closing ceremony?

Who will represent their countries by carrying the flag at the parade of nations during the closing ceremony?

A look at some of the names that have been officially declared so far:

Australia – Matt Wearn (Sailing), Kaylee McKeown (Swimming)

France – Leon Marchand (Swimming), Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Mountain biking)

India – PR Sreejesh (Hockey) Manu Bhaker (Shooting)

Ireland – Daniel Wiffen (Swimming), Mona McSharry (Swimming)

Italy – Gregorio Paltrinieri (Swimming), Rossella Fiamingo (Fencing)

United States – Nick Mead (Rowing), Katie Ledecky (Swimming)

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Sifan Hassan wins women's marathon gold

🇳🇱 Sifan Hassan edges 🇪🇹 Tigst Assefa in the last 100m to win gold 🥇 in the women’s marathon. Assefa finishing just 3 seconds behind!

Hassan sets a new Olympic record time of 2:22.55 to win her third medal of Paris 2024 and sixth overall.

Hellen Obiri of Kenya, who had won two silvers at Rio 2016, takes the bronze medal (2:23.10)

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Sifan Hassan wins women's marathon gold

Sifan Hassan celebrates after winning the gold medal at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. AP

Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands has won the women’s marathon gold in a thrilling sprint finish.

Hassan, who also won 5,000m and 10,000m bronze medals at these Games, set an Olympic record of 2hr 22min 55sec, with Ethiopian Tigst Assefa taking silver in 2:22.58 and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri claiming bronze (2:23.10).

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Vinesh Phogat CAS hearing

Support has continued to pour in for Vinesh Phogat as she awaits verdict in her appeal.

“If she gets the medal, it would be very good. If things had not panned out the way they did, she would have had the medal. I hope she gets it because if you don’t have it around your neck, that thing stays in your heart,” Neeraj Chopra, who won a silver medal in men’s javelin throw, said at ‘India House’ after a felicitation by IOC member and Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani.

“Today people might say that she is our champion but they will forget after a few days. Agar aisa na hota, a medal wouldn’t have mattered. So, I hope she gets the medal. I just hope whether she gets the medal or not, people don’t forget what she did for the country,” he said.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Vinesh Phogat CAS hearing

By when does CAS usually deliver its judgements? Why is the Vinesh Phogat decision taking this long?

[Read]

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Vinesh Phogat CAS hearing

What’s going on in Vinesh Phogat’s appeal at the CAS? The ad-hoc division will take more time to deliver its verdict. Sole Arbitrator Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett of Australia will now deliver a verdict before August 13 9:30pm IST. The parties concerned – Phogat, IOA, UWW and IOC – have also been given more time to present their case and submit documentation before a decision is announced

[Read]

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: India men's hockey team

Hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh in Amritsar today: “We are really happy. It is a very proud moment for us. People who feel the happiest are the parents. Ever since I left home, I have always been supported by my parents, and that is what has mattered to me the most. I am really happy that I brought a medal home.”

VIDEO | “We are really happy. It is a very proud moment for us. People who feel the happiest are the parents. Ever since I left home, I have always been supported by my parents, and that is what has mattered to me the most. I am really happy that I brought a medal home,” says… pic.twitter.com/UKdHjIZPeY

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: India men's hockey team

What the men’s hockey team said upon reaching Amritsar

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Who leads the medal tally?

China lead the medal tally with 39 golds. USA are not too far behind on 38. Although, Olympics is not just about sport, it is also about the geopolitics and the crescendo of chest-thumping over rivals. Like many did with Pakistan finishing above India thanks to Arshad Nadeem’s gold. In the same vein, USA claim they lead the standings over China because they have more medals (122 vs 90).

Not the first time for this quibble though. At the 2023 Aquatics World Championships, when Australia climbed to the top, winning 13 gold medals to USA’s seven. Then, too, USA focussed on the overall count and not the golds which is the conventional tiebreaker. USA’s head coach Bob Bowman refused to accept that the Australians had outdone them.

Australia’s Cate Campbell slammed the Americans as ‘sore losers’.

“The first night when we did not have to hear the Star Spangled Banner. I cannot tell you how happy it made me,” she told Australia’s Channel 9. “If I hear that song again, it will be too soon. Bring on Paris (Olympics). All I have to say to the USA is ‘stop being sore losers.’”

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: India men's hockey team landed in Amritsar today

Members of the Indian men’s hockey team reached Amritsar todya after their bronze medal finish.

VIDEO | Indian hockey team players get rousing welcome at Amritsar Airport upon arrival. Indian hockey team won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Former hockey team captain Pargat Singh and many Punjab Ministers were present to welcome the players. #Paris2024 #IndianHockey pic.twitter.com/Wc5deBGnJX

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: Who will cary India's flag?

Like the opening ceremony, a male and female combination will carry a country’s flag at the parade during the closing ceremony. India’s flag bearers are Manu Bhaker and PR Sreejesh. Shooter Bhaker made history at the Games with two medals and was inches away from making it three. Hockey custodian Sreejesh, bowing out from the sport after this, played a key role as the team won bronze for second Games running.

At the opening ceremony, PV Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal had carried the Indian flag. Fitting that we go from Sharath Kamal to Sreejesh, two stalwarts of the game and Indian sport in general. Both (likely) heading off into the sunset after these Summer Games

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE Updates: When is the closing ceremony?

The closing ceremony begins at 12:30am IST on August 12 (Monday). That translates to 9pm local time.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE Updates: What is on schedule today?

What’s in action today on the sporting fields across France?

Athletics: Women’s marathon will get the day going to complete the 11-day athletics programme.

Sifan Hassan, the Ethiopian-born Dutch runner, has already pocketed bronze medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m. Now the 31-year-old looks to complete her Paris feat of endurance by negotiating the gruelling but scenic course which winds through Paris to Versailles before finishing at Invalides.

Basketball: The all-conquering US women’s basketball team chase a historic eighth straight gold against France fuelled by the “love” of their fans.

The US women have won basketball gold at the past seven Olympic Games, starting at Atlanta in 1996.

An eighth straight triumph would give them the record for most consecutive golds in any team sport at the Olympic Games — breaking a tie with the US men, who won seven basketball titles in a row from 1936 to 1968.

Volleyball: The United States, trailing China by one gold in the battle at the top of the medals table, could add another when they tackle Italy in the women’s volleyball final.

Weightlifting: The weightlifting concludes with the battle to become the strongest woman at the Games in the over 81kg category led by China’s world record holder Li Wenwen.

Water Polo: Old rivals Serbia and Croatia meet for gold in men’s water polo in what could be a feisty affair.

Others: Four golds remain to be decided in track cycling while the title is up for grabs in modern pentathlon. In the men’s handball final, Germany are in their first gold medal match for 20 years where they will face Denmark who are on a third consecutive final. Wrestling also comes to a conclusion with three titles on the line.

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE: What to expect from the closing ceremony?

Hollywood will help script a glittering ending to the Paris Olympics before handing over the reins to 2028 hosts Los Angeles.

Tom Cruise, who is currently filming the latest episode of the “Mission Impossible” franchise in Europe, is expected to play a starring role at the closing ceremony.

He is reportedly set to perform a spectacular stunt sequence to mark the passing of the Games from Paris to Los Angeles which will involve the handing of the Olympic flag from one city to the other.

Also expected to be on the cast list are California A-list acts Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, performing from Los Angeles.

The closing ceremony at the Stade de France will be directed by Thomas Jolly, the mastermind of the spectacular opening ceremony which took place on the River Seine.

“On August 11, the Olympic Games will be over, and the Olympic flame will be extinguished,” said Jolly.

“That moment will remind us just how precious are these Olympic Games.”

Paris Olympics Day 16 LIVE

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Paris Olympics. It is Day 16, the last day of competition. India have no representation today so the focus from that perspective is only the closing ceremony. But there are 14 gold medals to be handed out today with action in basketball, volleyball, water polo the highlights.