Iron Sharpens Iron

August 4, 2021

By: Carlos Alvarez

Good Morning,

Tuesday featured a 1-2 punch for the Americans that stole the show on the track. But as the Olympics near the final weekend, it’s the USA and China in a dead heat for the overall medals race. Only four days left.

Letter Rip!

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MEDAL COUNT 

Total Medals

USA (75)

China (69)

Russia (52)

Great Britain (44)

Japan (38)

Australia (34)

Germany (30)

Italy (29)

France (24)

 

Gold Medals

China (32)

USA (25)

Japan (20)

Australia (14)

Great Britain (13)

Russia (13)

 

*Medal Count Accurate as of Midnight ET (Aug. 4)

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OLYMPICS 

Iron Sharpens Iron

Photo: Pool / Getty Images

Sydney McLaughlin Sets World Record in 400M Hurdles, Dalilah Muhammad Wins Silver

 

The women’s 400-meter hurdles were Team USA’s shining track and field event on Tuesday in Tokyo as Americans Sydney McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad took gold and silver, respectively, in a must-see finish. McLaughlin topped her own world record of 51.90 seconds by nearly a half-second (51.46) while Muhammad came in at a personal-best 51.58 seconds. Muhammad was the reigning gold medalist in the event from 2016, but McLaughlin now owns the title of the world’s fastest female hurdler.

 

“Iron sharpens iron. People can call it whatever they want to call it; it’s two great athletes pushing each other to be better. There’s no animosity or hard feelings. It’s just two people trying to be their best. We wouldn’t be able to have these world records go back and forth without one another.” — Sydney McLaughlin

 

Watch: Sydney McLaughlin Sets 400M World Record

 

Other Olympics Highlights

 

Gymnastics: Simone Biles Takes Bronze in Beam Finals

Team USA gymnast Simone Biles returned to the Olympic action on Tuesday for one more go in her final event after withdrawing last week due to mental health challenges known as “the twisties.” She delivered a stellar performance in the balance beam finals, taking home the bronze on her way out of Tokyo.

 

Women’s Basketball: USA Crushes Australia (79-55)

The USA women’s basketball team absolutely thrashed Australia on Wednesday morning behind Breanna Stewart’s 23-point night. Stewy went 8-for-10 from the field, including five rebounds and three blocks. Team USA’s Olympic win streak is now at 53 games. They’ll face Serbia in the semifinals on Thursday.

 

Track & Field: 19-Year-Old American Makes History in 800M

American Athing Mu dominated the women’s 800-meter race on Tuesday with a blistering time of 1:55.21. The 19-year-old earned her first gold medal, and she became the first American woman to win gold in the 800-meters since 1968.

 

Men’s Baseball: USA def. Dominican Republic (3-1)

The USA baseball team staved off elimination on Wednesday morning with a 3-1 win over the Dominican Republic. Red Sox prospect Tristan Casas opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the 1st inning. The USA added an insurance run from Tyler Austin in the 5th. The U.S. advances to the semifinals on Thursday (6:00 am ET) against the loser of South Korea and Japan (in action this morning).

 

Men’s Soccer: Brazil & Spain Advance to Finals

Two iconic futbol countries will meet in the finale this weekend after a pair of scintillating semifinals matches on Tuesday. Spain knocked off Japan (1-0) thanks to Marco Asensio’s extra-time winner (115’). A few hours later, Brazil sent Mexico packing with a penalty-kick shootout victory (0-0, 4-1 PKs). Both Spain and Brazil will face off on Saturday (7:30 am ET) for the gold medal.

 

Women’s Volleyball: USA Beats Dominican Republic (3-0)

The United States volleyball squad is into the semifinals after a straight-set victory over the Dominican Republic Wednesday morning. Team USA will await the winner of Serbia and Italy for Friday’s semifinals, but they’ll be without injured starters Jordyn Poulter and Jordan Thompson.

 

*Not all links to highlights due to late-morning schedule.

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NBA

Day 2: Free Agency Tracker

Photo: Tom Pennington / Getty Images

DeMar DeRozan (Bulls) and Carmelo Anthony (Lakers) Find New Homes

 

Day 2 of NBA free agency brought another star to Chicago and a reunion in Los Angeles. The Bulls — one day after adding Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso — landed another guard in DeMar DeRozan via sign-and-trade. Add those three with Zach LaVine and that’s a loaded backcourt. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ veteran signings continued with the addition of Carmelo Anthony. Melo and LeBron James will get to team up for the first time in their careers. The news keeps rolling in. More free agents to come, but here’s the latest:

 

NBA Free Agency Tracker

 

SG DeMar DeRozan  Bulls

Contract: 3 Yrs, $85 Million

 

SF Carmelo Anthony  Lakers

Contract: 1 Yr, TBD

 

C Andre Drummond  76ers

Contract: 1 Yr, Veteran Minimum

 

SF Rudy Gay  Jazz

Contract: 2 Yrs, $12 Million

 

PG Patty Mills  Nets

Contract: 2 Yrs, $12 Million

 

C Robin Lopez  Magic

Contract: 1 Yr, $5 Million

 

PF Markieff Morris  Heat

Contract: 1 Yr, TBD

 

Additional Storylines

The Ringer: It Pays to Be Old on This Year’s NBA Free-Agent Market

NBA: Free Agency Tracker: Every Reported Deal for All 30 Teams

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OLYMPIC STORYLINES

🏅  When Bronze Means More Than Gold

Simone Biles returned to the Olympics on Tuesday morning for the balance beam final after withdrawing from competition due to a mental health block. Her decision highlighted the importance of athletes’ mental health, and she says this bronze medal means more than all her golds. (NBC News)

 

🏅  The Perfect Captain for an Imperfect Team

Kevin Durant is many things — his business and philanthropic efforts are vast — but first and foremost he is a basketball player. This isn’t a job. This is his life. He is, perhaps, the ideal leader for this less-than-ideal USA Basketball roster competing under less than ideal circumstances here at the Tokyo Olympics. (Yahoo! Sports)

 

🏅  The Next Wave of World-Class Stars

When a sports legend moves on, it creates a void, and we are seeing that in Tokyo. Usain Bolt is gone from the track program, Michael Phelps retired from swimming post-Rio, and the Olympic beach volleyball tournament is taking place without Kerri Walsh-Jennings for the first time since 1996. The next wave of talent is now emerging. (FOX Sports)

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📰 THE HEADLINES

Big 12 & Pac-12 to Discuss Possible Merger or Schedule Alliance

(Bleacher Report)

 

New York Giants Have Massive Brawl at Practice, Leaves Coach Joe Judge Fuming

(USA Today)

 

Colts OL Quenton Nelson to Have Same Foot Procedure as QB Carson Wentz, Out 5-12 Weeks

(Yahoo! Sports)

 

Reitred QB Philip Rivers Hasn’t Ruled Out Return to NFL This Season

(CBS Sports)

 

NCAA Gender Equity Review Recommends Combined Final Four for Men’s & Women’s Basketball

(ESPN)

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🗓️ OLYMPICS SCHEDULE

Women’s Golf

2nd Round (6:30 pm ET)

 

Track & Field

Multiple Events (8:00 pm ET)

 

Men’s Basketball (Semifinals)

USA vs. Australia (12:15 am ET)

 

All Team USA events will air live on Peacock / NBC or tape-delayed on NBC affiliates.

 

Full Olympics Schedule & Results

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