USA at Tokyo Olympics 2021: medal count and results, today 8 August
Tokyo Olympics: Day 16 live updates
Day 16: Final day action to come (times EDT)
Closing ceremony on its way soon (follow it live)
Headlines:
- Serbia men win waterpolo, the final gold of the Games
- Team USA win gold in women's volleyball beating Brazil 3-0
- France take gold in women's handball overcoming ROC
- Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge wins second straight gold in men's marathon
- Griner and Wilson lead Team USA 7th straight basketball ball gold
- Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir takes gold in the women's marathon
- Brazil beat Spain to gold in men’s soccer tournament
- Check out the medals table as it stands
Take a look at some of our related articles:
Closing ceremony Tokyo Olympics 2021: performances and flag bearers by country | Live updates
The curtain is coming down on the Tokyo Olympics, but not before we have a big send off and look forward to the Games of Paris 2024 (just three years away remember!)
You can follow the closing ceremony live.
Serbia takes the lead 13-10
It's fair and square now!... Serbia is a minute away from becoming gold at the Water polo men competition!!
Last quarter kicks off!!
Greek Skoumpakis manages to shorten the distance tying the game 10-10!!
Water polo gold medal at stake!
Water polo men's final rocking away!
Greece and Serbia battle in a tied 9-10 game!
Very intense!
Tokyo Olympics 2021 closing ceremony: performers, times, TV, stream and how to watch
The closing ceremony, implemented since the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896, is a celebration that takes place to mark the end of the current Games and the beginning of the next ones, in this case Paris 2024.
Each closing ceremony has its own theme set around a certain idea. This year, the International Olympic Commmittee (IOC) has chosen “Worlds we share” as its theme. Organizers say it truly “reflects the Olympic spirit and expresses the idea that each of us inhabits their own world”.
Diana Velayos brings you all you need to know on what's coming up later.
Olympics homecomings
When your family and friends can't be in the stands, it makes it all the more special to come home and see them again after competing on the biggest stage in the world.
Here are some of the most heartwarming welcome home moments from Tokyo 2020 and, as the official account reminds us, it's a real "try not to smile" challenge!
Women's Handball: France win gold
The French women’s team has overcome ROC 30-25!
This means France have done the double in handball, with both the men’s and women’s team taking the top spot on the podium.
Torrez silver in super heavyweight
Team USA's Richard Torrez Jr has added another boxing medal with silver in the super heavyweight category. Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan takes gold.
Keyshawn Davis takes lightweight silver
The US pugilist added another silver to the US haul in the lightweight category, with Cuba's Andy Cruz taking gold to add the island's incredible tally in the ring at the 2020 Olympics.
It looks as though it's going to the wire in the medal table as China's Li Qian misses out on gold in the women's middleweight final, GBR's Lauen Price claiming victory in that final.
With the gold in women's volleyball Team USA has taken the outright lead in the gold medal count over China. USA has 39 golds to China's 38. USA also holds the total medal count lead with just hours remaining in the Olympic games.
The United States Women's volleyball beat Brazil 14-25 and are Olympic champions for the first time ever! The number one ranked team in the world takes gold after beating number two Brazil in three sets.
Brazil are going to need a miracle, they trail 11-20 in the third set
Team USA is 10 points away from their first every Olympic gold in women's volleyball
Momentum has shifted to the US side as Brazil take a timeout down 7-9
Brazil is looking the best they have all day in this third set. Desperation has forced them into playing fearlessly, and it's paying off so far. They lead 6-5
The third set is underway, it could be a third and final set if USA takes care of buisness
Brazil who were previously undefeated in Tokyo 2020 are in real trouble after two sets. USA won the second 20-25, they are 25 points away from their first ever gold medal.
Brazil is making a comeback after it seemed USA was going to stroll to a second set win, it's 18-22 as the Brazilians look to keep from going down 0-2
Another big run by Team USA, this time an 8-3 run, and Brazil trailes 9-17
A 7-3 run has the Americans in front in the first third of the second stanza. USA's front three are giving Brazin fits at the net.
The second set is underway, and Brazil off to a better start in this set. They lead 3-1
The world number 1s take the first set 21-25. Brazil came battleing back after a slow start, but the US were extremely aggrestive with 38 attacks in that opening set.
Brazil had a slow start , but the US has started to make some unforced errors that have got Brazil back in this first set. US up 7-6
4-0 start for Team USA, who come out of the blocks hot. Timeout Brazil looking for a bit of course correction
We are all set for action in the gold medal match. World number 1 vs number 2, USA and Brazil looking to win 3 sets and hear their anthem played games end
Next up for Team USA will be the women's volleyball Gold medal match against Brazil. We are just 15 minutes from that match starting.
What an ovation the Japanese side are getting from the few fans around the stadium. A big bow by the hosts to show their support, and a great end to a great tournament for the hosts.
Incredible run from the hosts Japan, who will take the silver with their heads held high.
Griner and Wilson led the way, in a game that was never in question.
It's all over!! United States women's basketbal win their 7th straight gold medal!
Bird heads to the bench with her team up by 18. This will be the last time we see her at the Olympics. 5 Gold medlas, what a career!
Team USA has not lost since the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. It looks like that streak will continute to the next Olympics in Paris.
Timeout Japan with 6;35 to in the game. Team USA leads 81-59
More fast breaks points for Team USA. The lead as now been stretched to 23
Team USA is in command going into the fourth quarter. They are just 10 minutes away from their seventh straigt gold meda.
Stewart for three, and USA have thier largest lead of the night, 73-49.
Timeout Japan, who find themselves down by more thank 20 with 2:30 to go in the third.
Bird with the three ball, and Megan Rapinoe was shown on TV showing support for team USA. Always nice to see other athletes from other sports supporting their countries
Japan have no answer for Wilson and Griner are getting easy basket after easy basket. If they don't get stops no amount of threes wil be enough to make the differnce for a comeback.
Griner surrounded by three defenders, but she towers over the defenders and puts the third try offensive rebound back. She's now over 20 points for tonight.
We are back in play in the Gold medal match. Team USA leads 50-39, Griner has 18, Wilson has 10.
Big bucket at the end of the half from Hajakro, the three ball at the buzzer cuts the lead to 11 going into the second half.
A minute to go in the first half, Japan is trying to cut the lead to single digits before the break.
USA has been using their pace to get down the court and find east baskets. They have 8 fast break points, and now lead by 14 points with 2:00 minutes to go in second half.
Japan is 5-11 from three point range. They have to keep that ryhthm up to stay with Team USA
Japan has looked good on the offensive end at stretches, but they need to get some stops to be able to close the gap that has be at 7 or more allmost all game.
Japan are looking more comfortable on the offensive end, of course that usually happens when Griner leaves the floor
Taurasi joining the party, knocking down the second three of the game for the Americans.
The first quarter ocmes to a close with Team USA leading by 9. They jumped out to a big lead, but Japan got got from three point range.
The host finally getting some love from the home rims. Three threes in the last couple minutes and the USA lead is 6. Japan is going to live and die by the three today.
Another three ball for Japan and the lead is cut to 7 points. 18-11 Team USA leadsd
Japan finally hits a three ball, let's see if that opens up the floodgates a little bit for the hosts.
Wilson and Greiner are having their way in the post. They have 14 of USAs 18 points scored
Masterclass start for Brittney Griener and Team USA. They lead 14-5 with five minutes left in the first quarter
If Japan is going to have any chance today they will need to hit three pointers, five minutes in they have none.
Team USA up 10-2 in the first three minutes. Japan is finding it very difficult to get good looks. It's all too easy for the Americans at the moment.
Team USA going inside taking advantage of their size down low against Japan.
Guess who it is scoring the first points of the game? Sue Bird, who is looking for her 5th Olympic gold.
We are underway in the women's basketball gold medal game.
We are just minutes away from the women's basketball gold medal match between USA and Japan. Can USA make it five straight golds?
Montenegro and Italy played to an 14-14 draw in the 7th/8th place match in men's water polo. It's always an honor to compete in the Olympics, but the match being stretched into penalties is probable not what either team were hoping for. The Italians come out on top in a marathon battle.
A lot of action happening on the cycle track. Women’s omnium, Women’s sprint, and Men’s keirin have all started as they narrown the competiton down headed towards the finals stage.
Norway and Sweden are in the first half of a bronze medal match up with Norway leading 6-3 early on.
The medal count coming into the early stages of the final day of the Olympics
Serbia has locked up bronze in women's volleyball after a thumping three set vicotry of the Republic of Korea. The Serbs won 25-18 25-15 25-15. Brazil and USA will square off in the final just after midnight.
We are less than an hour away from tip off to the women's basektball final between Team USA and Japan
Montenegro is leading Italy 8-7 in the men's water polo 7th/8th place match. This is the first of four water polo matches with the gold medal match between Greece and Serbia starting at 3:30 am
Sue Bird has been a staple in the Olympics since the turn of the millenium. She will have a chance at gold medal number 5 tonight.
Kipchoge broke away form the pack around the 31km mark and the rest was history. He cruised to victory.
The Netherlands will take home another medal after Abdi Nageeye wraps up silver in the men's marathon
Kipchoge (KEN) has won medals in 4 of the last 5 Olympic Games. His last two medals: GOLD. The Kenyan is like a fine wine, growing better as he ages.
Next on the slate for Day 16 we have some track cycling getting underway. with the finals coming up in a few hours. The Bronze medal match in women's volleyball with Serbia up two sets to none over South Korea. And Italy and Montenegro are in the pool for a men's water polo 7th/8th place game.
What a marathon it was! Intense from the start, a photo finish for siver and bronze, and the world champion keeps his reign and wins his second consecutive gold medal.
The bronze medalis Abdi (BEL) is really going through it at the moment. Cramps seem to be setting in, and right now he is probably cursing Nageeye under his breath at the moment. Tomrrow he may be more appreciative when he realizes the pain he's feeling now is temporary, and the medal that will be placed around his neck soon is permanent.
Galen Rupp (USA) finishes 8th with a time of 2:11:41. Good show for the Portland, Oregon native.
Abdi Nageeye (NED) finishes second and will take home silver and Basir Abdi (BEL) wins bronze. What a scene in the final 100 meters, Nageeye well ahead was waving on the Belgian encouraging him to find that final push to finish on the podium. As they crossed the line, Kipchoge was there drapped in the Kenyan flag with open arms congratulatiing the medalists.
Eliud Kipchoge is the gold medal winner in the men's maraton for the second straight Olympics. It took the Kenyan just 2:08:38 to finish the marathon, and a stunning performance for the world record holder.
Kenya, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium are all in the running for medals with a km left. The marathon now becomes a sprint.
Kipchoge is now so far ahead, the rest of the pack is not even in the tv screen when you look behind him.
Will the American Rupp be able to hang in and finish top 10? He has about 2 more km to hold on.
There will be no sub two hour finish. We have just passed that threshold and there Kipchoge is a little over two km from the finish.
The silver and gold chase is heating up. There is a group of four that will all fight to finish top three. Let's see if it stays that close over the next 10 minutes
35km in and Kipchoge is in the drivers seat.
Kipchoge is more than 20 seconds ahead and has 13 minutes to finish before the 2 hour mark.
You have to wonder if the runners have a look at the signs marking every km or do they choose to ignore them. No question the physical strain of a marathon is unmatched, but the mental fortitude shown by these athletes is just as impressive.
Kipchoge is pulling away form the rest of the pack. He has a 14 second lead on everyone else at the 33km mark
Just over 10km remaining, which for most of us (myself especially) is about our target for the rest of the month.
The Bronze medal women's volleyball match will begin right as the marathon is coming to a close. South Korea and Serbia will fight for a spot on the podium
The runners are at the 1:30 mark a there are just about 30 minutes left for those who will be breaking the tape at the front of the pack .
A trio of Kenyans are just starting to drift ahead slightly at the 29 km mark.
Right after every water station sits an ice station, and that must feel heaven sent when the runners grab that and drape it over their heads.
Do Nascimento is getting medical treatment now, but I would be suprised to see him return after seeing that pain he was experiencing laid out on the sidewalk around the 26 km mark.
What a shame to see the former leader crash out of contention. It can end just like that and the Brazilian is unfortunately experiencing that right now.
One time leader Do Nascimento dropped to ground almost in slow motion and almost collided with the barrier blocking the spectators. He bounced right back up in no time, and is making up time, but he just dropped to ground again
25kms in and Kichoge has taken the lead. The American Rupp is hanging close in 5th place.
The tv coverage is just showing some slow motion close ups of the runners, and to say the anguish in the faces of the athletes is visible would be an understatement. It pains me just watching them
The leaders are just passing the radio and tv tower in Sapporo. One of the landmarks of the area just a few kms after the halfway point of the marathon.
We are halfway through the marathon and a new leader has emerged, Stephen Mokoka from South Africa is in the lead, with Kipchoge and Do Nascimento right behind him
A lot of the runners have swtiched up the look, and are now rocking hats after the 20 km mark has been passed. Certainy more function than fashion, but any bit of shade to block the sun will certainly be a welcomed addition.
We are approaching the 20km mark and it seems like this portion of the race is going through a bit more of a residencial nighbourhood. That means trees. Tress mean shade. Shade means happy runners.
Nice moment between the two leaders, as they Do Nascimento and Kipchoge share some words, a laugh, and even a fist bump. I'm losing my breath just trying to keep up with coverage of these guys, but they have time for chit chat and fist bumps.
Those brief moments when the sun tucks behind the clouds must be heavenly for those running in this brutal conditions in the early stages of Day 16.
15k in and it's the Brazilian Do Nascimento leading, with favorie Kipchoge on his tail, and the American Rupp in the mix .
Rupp gaining ground
American Galen Rupp is sitting in fourth at the moment, with he is keeping pace with the Brazilian leader with the top spot in his sights
Do Nascimento (BRA) is our current leader 46 minutes into the marathon, with Kipchoge drifting right behind in thrid.
American already out
Jake Riley has succumb to the elements and dropped out of the race, less than an hour in. We are seeing a good deal of the athletes having to pull up and eithter take a break, or pull out of the race.
Take a look at the top ten 10k into the race.
The favorite is in pole postition after an intense start to the race. Fantastic pace for the leaders in front of the pack
First signs of struggle
We have already seen a few athletes have to pull up with apparent injuries or crapms. Most have comeback to running the race, but has to be discouraging to have to deal with an injury or cramp for the rest of the hour and a half remaining.
Kenyans starting strong
A group of three Kenyans are keeping pace at the head of the pack, each of them are in the top ten at the 30 minute mark
Interesting to see each of the countries with their own stations at each of the water stations. Wonder if that is another result or covid, and wanting to keep contact to a minimum as much as possible.
World record hoder lurking
Kipchog (KEN), no surprise is right at the front of the pack, sitting tucked behing the leader almost 8 km into the race.
Marathon weather forecast
Early in the morning in Japan, and the marathon runners are enjoying some rought conditions, At the moment it is 29 degrees celcius with some cloud coverage and low humiditiy on this early saturday morniing from Tokyo. The temperature isn't expected to raise too much throughout the two hours of the competition.
Marathon favorie Kipchoge limitless
Eliude Kipchoge (KEN) is the reigning Olympic champion, and world record holder. He come's into this morning in Tokyo as the heavy favorite "As a human and as an athlete, I don't believe in limits" says the Kenyan about his preperation for chance for a second straight gold medal.
The Marathon begins
The first event of Day 16 is underway from Odori Park. With a distance of 42.195 km, will start and finish at Odori Park, Sapporo. Runners will tackle a three-loop race route after running two laps around the park. The two hour race is 5 minutes in and a large pack sits right behind Colombian Jeison Alexander Suarez
Men's marathon underway!
They're off in Sapporo.
Three Americans among over 100 marathon competitors in Sapporo
There are 106 competitors on the list of participants in the Tokyo 2020 men’s marathon. As mentioned below, they include three Americans: Abdi Abdirahman, Galen Rupp and Jacob Riley.
Rio 2016 winner and world-record holder Eliud Kipchoge is the bookies’ favourite to claim gold, while fellow Kenyans Lawrence Cherono and Amos Kipruto, and Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata and Lelisa Desisa are among the pretenders being tipped to dethrone the 36-year-old.
Check out the full list of runners in the Tokyo 2020 men's marathon
What is the longest race in the Olympics?
The marathon isn't the longest race at the Olympics, though...
Royal role in the marathon as we know it
You might not know that, at the start of the 20th century, the British royal family had a hand in the official marathon distance of 26.2 miles (26 miles and 385 yards) or 42.195 kilometres.
That’s because, at the London Games in 1908, they requested that the marathon start directly in front of Windsor Castle and finish right before their viewing box at the Olympic stadium.
This route happened to have a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards, and in 1921 this was formally chosen by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) as the standard length of a marathon.
Full lowdown on the length of the marathon
(Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)
Marathon rules, distance and course at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics
The lowdown on the marathon route
With a distance of 42.195 km, the men's marathon will start and finish at Odori Park, Sapporo. Runners will tackle a three-loop race route after running two laps around the park.
The first large loop is about the length of a half-marathon, and then runners will face a second, shorter loop, which measures about 10 kilometers and must be completed twice.
During the competition, the athletes will get a scenic tour of the city, running by the Toyohira River and Hokkaido University, among other landmarks.
China just ahead of US at head of medal table
Heading into Day 16, the United States trail leaders China by just two golds in the medal table - 38 to 36. Can Team USA pip the Chinese at the post on the final day?
Take a look at how things stand in the Tokyo Olympics medal table
Why is a marathon called a marathon?
Ahead of the race, you may also be interested to learn more about the history behind the name 'marathon'.
Men’s marathon at Tokyo Olympics: schedule, TV channel and how to watch it online
If you're wondering how you can watch the men's marathon in Sapporo, which is being held some 800km to the north of Tokyo to give the athletes cooler conditions, then you may wish to check out our guide on how to tune in.
Tokyo Olympics Day 16 live updates: welcome
Hello and welcome to our live blog for Day 16 of the Tokyo Olympics - the final day of the rescheduled 2020 Games. It's a day headline by the men's marathon, which gets underway at 6pm EDT on Saturday. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge will be aiming to become only the third man to retain his Olympic marathon title, while there is US interest in the race in the shape of Abdi Abdirahman, Galen Rupp and Jacob Riley.
Elsewhere, Team USA are out to making it an American basketball double when they face Japan in the women’s final, and there is also US representation in gold-medal matches in boxing, volleyball and water polo.