07/28/24 – 11:51 PM – Good evening everyone!
Thank you for following this beautiful day with us. See you tomorrow for the rest of these Olympic Games.
07/28/24 – 11:40 PM – The United States is having a blast
After the big win against Zambia (3-0), the United States won against Germany (4-1). With six points, they should have no trouble securing their tickets for the quarter-finals.
07/28/24 – 11:28 p.m. – Summary of the day
Léon Marchand and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot magnified this second day of competition by both winning Olympic Gold with the style, panache and emotions that go with it. We were somewhat expecting this beautiful outcome, but it always surprises us to see a Frenchman or woman on the roof of Olympus, for the first time.
The shivers were already there early in the afternoon when Ferrand-Prévot crossed the finish line solo after having dominated the cross-country mountain bike event from start to finish. She recited her score flawlessly and never showed a single sign of irritation during the entire journey. Her almost too perfect performance allowed her to beat her runner-up, the American Batten, by 2’57”. It was too beautiful, too easy, but also too intense. The Frenchwoman finally touched the Olympic Grail, after two disappointments (Rio, Tokyo). She finds in this Gold medal the quest of a lifetime and the supreme reward for her fantastic career.
Léon Marchand imitated Ferrand-Prévot early in the evening by dominating his 400m medley final. Expected over one of his favourite distances, he did not disappoint. The Toulouse native beat Michael Phelps’ Olympic record (4’02″95) by beating his pursuers Matsushita and Foster by more than five seconds. A real chasm in an Olympic final. Supported and cheered throughout his race by the public at the aquatic centre, Marchand was more measured in his joy. His quest for four Olympic titles has only just begun. The mission will be tough but given the form and serenity he exuded this Sunday, everything suggests that his mission is well within his reach.
Yannick Borel will settle for Silver. The French fencer fell on the last step against the Japanese Koki Kano in the men’s épée event (defeat 9-15). His performance nevertheless remains impressive with several memorable victories against Minobe, Yamada and El Sayed. He is the only foil fencer to have pulled off a good performance this Sunday. Cannone, Olympic champion in Tokyo, was beaten in the second round, while Thibus and Lacheray very quickly exited the women’s draw (foil).
In judo, Amandine Buchard added a bronze medal to her collection after the silver in Tokyo. The Frenchwoman, beaten in the semi-final a few seconds from the end by the future Olympic champion, the Kazakh Keldiroyorova, made up for it by brilliantly winning the bronze against the Hungarian Pupp. Relieved and exhausted from this long day, she seemed very happy to have pocketed her second Olympic medal.
4 medals on Saturday then 4 on Sunday for 8 trinkets in total, we had a dream weekend! It could have been more prolific in terms of medals with a little more luck, especially on the side of Khyar (at the foot of the podium, -66kg, judo) or on the side of Lecomte (third for a long time in mountain biking before falling in the middle of the race).
In the team competitions, we will note a first success of the men’s volleyball team against Serbia, 3 sets to 2 after a well-controlled tie break. Olivier Krumbholz’s girls raised the level slightly to win against the Netherlands and glean a second victory in two matches (32-28).
Among the disappointments, we will mention the defeat of Hervé Renard’s Bleues in injury time against Canada (1-2), as well as the eliminations of Arthur Fils and Gracheva in Tennis. Humbert, Parry and Burel continue their journeys, as do the Lebrun brothers in the table tennis singles draw.
Long uncertain, Rafael Nadal won with difficulty in his first round against Fucsovics (6-1, 4-6, 6-4). He will therefore have the right to challenge Novak Djokovic in the second round. A match that still makes all tennis lovers salivate 18 years after their first confrontation.
07/28/24 – 11:08 PM – I don’t have many regrets
Yannick Borel on France 2 microphone “I don’t have many regrets about this final, about what I put in place today. But I will savor the medal a little later, because now it is disappointment that predominates. I am nevertheless happy with my performance“
What a shower of medals for our country today! ????????????
A silver Yannick Borel shows the world the excellence of French fencing.
France and Customs are proud of you. pic.twitter.com/wA5pglgYbm
— Bruno Le Maire (@BrunoLeMaire) July 28, 2024
07/28/24 – 11:02 p.m. – It’s over in Saint-Etienne!
France lost to their bête noire Canada (1-2). Les Bleues fell back again in the second half and finally cracked in stoppage time. The six penalty points taken by Canada for the spying scandal may not be enough to put them out of the race. All four teams can still qualify.
07/28/24 – 11:00 p.m. – Second goal for Canada!
It’s cruel but deserved! Canada scores the second goal against a feverish and spectator-like French team in defense. It was Gilles, the OL player, who scored the second goal
07/28/24 – 10:52 PM – What a failure from Katoto!
Alone in the six-yard box, Marie Antoinette Kakoto misses the unmissable. Her half-hearted shot finds Sheridan who deflects it off target.
07/28/24 – 10:47 p.m. – 13 minutes of stoppage time
Still 13 minutes of stoppage time between France and Canada. Les Bleues have plenty of time to score a second goal.
07/28/24 – 10:43 p.m. – Toletti’s shot on target
France finally manages to worry Sheridan in the second half. It is Toletti who calls on him with a shot on target in the area. It is directly on the Canadian goalkeeper. Still 1-1 between the two teams.
07/28/24 – 10:41 p.m. – Bechie’s shot too crossed
Canada came close to scoring the second goal, Bechie’s shot went slightly wide.
07/28/24 – 10:37 PM – Kano Olympic champion!
Japanese Koki Kano wins the Olympic title. He perfectly controlled his final against Yannick Borel (15-9). The Frenchman, who will not have many regrets about this match, can be proud of his performance.
07/28/24 – 10:33 PM – Kano gets closer to Gold
Kano makes the gap, he leads 11-6 against a Borel, not sufficiently rewarded for his initiatives.
07/28/24 – 10:31 p.m. – Four touches late for Borel
Borel dominated, four touches behind Kano 5-9. Time for the last round.
07/28/24 – 10:30 p.m. – Lakrar replaces injured Renard
Twenty minutes from the end of the match, Wendie Renard, injured in the thigh, leaves her place to Lakrar
07/28/24 – 10:28 p.m. – 8-4 for Kano
With thirty seconds left in the first round, the Japanese leads Borel 8-4.