The Sports Examiner’s best Olympic-sport performances of the weekend … includes a miracle comeback from the U.S. women’s national soccer team and historic performances from American riders, international triathletes and those incredible American swimmers.
=> No. 5: U.S. women get off the mat for 4-3 win over Brazil
This has been an uneven year for the no. 1-ranked American women’s soccer team. There’s nothing really to play for until the Women’s World Cup in 2019, but even in a made-up event called the Tournament of Nations, the U.S. looked lost with a 1-0 loss to Australia and down 3-1 to Brazil in San Diego. Then came nine magical minutes and a 4-3 win! See today’s issue for the details!
=> No. 4: Alise Post and Corben Sharrah
Don’t recognize the names? You should: they’re the World Champions in BMX, after winning this past weekend’s Elite divisions at the UCI Worlds held in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Both had a tough ride against veteran opposition; the story on page 15 of today’s issue.
=> No. 3: Mario Mola and Flora Duffy
Both are the reigning World Series champions from 2016, but the Spaniard Mola and Bermuda’s Duffy won their fourth World Series race in a row in Edmonton. That’s never been done before on the men’s side and Duffy is now tied with the great Gwen Jorgensen of the U.S. among women. History!
=> No. 2: Caeleb Dressel
He won a gold medal in Rio at age 19 as the “unknown” member of the men’s 4×100 Freestyle Relay, but he came into his own in 2017 with SEVEN gold medals at the World Championships, winning three individual events and four relays. Can he equal Michael Phelps’ record of eight golds in a single Games in Tokyo? Check out our Lane One commentary for the outlook …
=> No. 1: United States swim team
For the second week in a row, who else can it be but the American swim squad? This team didn’t just dominate the World Championships – as it did the Rio Olympics last year – but set an all-time record of 38 medals – across 42 events – won in a single Worlds. Wow!
