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Nana Adwoa Antwi-Boasiako

Day 9: Simone Biles and Usain Bolt rise above the rest in Rio

World

U.S. gymnast Simone Biles and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt were the stars of the Olympics Sunday, both coming out on top in their respective events.

Biles earned her third gold medal when she blew out her competitors on the vault.

Biles scored a 15.966 average on her two vaults. The next best score came from world champion Maria Paseka of Russia with a 15.216.

To put it in perspective, the score gap between Biles and Paseka was wider than between Paeska and the event’s lowest score of 14.816.

Biles said the win was particularly important because she has won gold medals in the world championships on floor and beam, but never on vault.

“I feel very excited because having two silvers and a bronze from the World, it means a lot to me,” Biles said after the competition. “It’s something I wanted so badly.”

Biles still has a chance to take home two more individual golds for the floor and beam.

U.S. gymnast Madison Kocian also took home the silver in the women’s uneven bars.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics during the men's 100m semifinals, Usain Bolt of Jamaica looks at Andre De Grasse of Canada as they compete. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

At the 2016 Rio Olympics during the men’s 100m semifinals, Usain Bolt of Jamaica looks at Andre De Grasse of Canada as they compete. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Jamaican Usain Bolt wowed the crowds Sunday night, as he became the first man to win three consecutive Olympic golds in the 100-meter dash.

Bolt clocked in at 9.81 seconds ahead of American Justin Gatlin, who crossed the finish line in 9.89 seconds.

In typical Usain Bolt fashion, the fastest man on Earth knew how to please the crowds, pumping them up before the race and striking his signature lightning bolt pose after his victory.

Other noteworthy moments
Great Britain’s Justin Rose became golf’s first gold winner since the last time golf was included in the Olympics in 1904.

American duo Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross also advanced to semifinals in beach volleyball by beating Australia 2-0.

Afterward, the stadium joined in unison to sing Happy Birthday to Walsh Jennings, who turned 38 years old at midnight.

U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas has been the target of bullying online. Douglas has been mocked with the nickname “Crabby Gabby” and accused of being unpatriotic.

The 20-year-old’s mother, Natalie Hawkins, told Reuters she doesn’t know what her daughter has done to deserve this treatment.

This isn’t the first time Douglas has been scrutinized for her appearance. During the London Olympics in 2012, Douglas was criticized for her hair after she became the first African-American gymnast to win the Olympic all around title.

U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte and three other teammates were robbed at gunpoint Sunday morning.

U.S. Olympic Committee officials said Lochte along with Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen were on their way to the Olympic Village when their taxi was stopped by men posing as police officers who then proceeded to steal their money and other personal belongings.

Chinese diver He Zi got engaged after receiving a silver medal in the women’s 3 meter springboard. Fellow Chinese diver — and now fiancee — Qin Kai proposed during the podium ceremony. Qin Kai won a bronze last week in the men’s 3 meter synchronized springboard.

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Nana Adwoa Antwi-Boasiako

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