By — Tales Azzoni, Associated Press Tales Azzoni, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/photos-and-takeaways-from-paris-olympics-day-4 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Photos and takeaways from Paris Olympics Day 4 World Updated on Jul 30, 2024 7:16 PM EDT — Published on Jul 30, 2024 6:56 PM EDT PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles reached the top of the podium yet again, cementing her legacy as the greatest American gymnast and one of the best athletes in the history of the Olympics. Scroll down for more photos. Biles helped the United States win the women’s team event Tuesday to secure her fifth Olympic gold medal and put the U.S. back on top of the sport after a second-place finish three years ago in Tokyo. Gold medallist Simone Biles of United States stands on the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympics on July 30, 2024. Photo by Dylan Martinez/ Reuters Biles became the most decorated American gymnast in front of a crowd that included Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Spike Lee, Michael Phelps and Nadia Comaneci at a raucous Bercy Arena. Simone Biles of United States in action on the Floor Exercise. Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/ REUTERS It was the eighth Olympic medal for the 27-year-old Biles, who was previously tied with Shannon Miller at seven. Italy won the silver medal, and Brazil got the bronze. Sunisa Lee competes in the floor exercise event of the artistic gymnastics women’s team final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 30, 2024. Photo by LOIC VENANCE/ AFP via Getty Images There were no such triumphs in swimming for the Americans, who couldn’t manage more than silver and bronze medals. In tennis, it was Coco Gauff left fuming over an officiating decision in a loss to Donna Vekic of Croatia. There were no winners or losers in men’s triathlon, which was as postponed because of concerns about the water quality in the Seine River amid a heat wave that made life difficult on some athletes and fans in Paris. Sunisa Lee of United States in action on the balance beam. Photo by Dylan Martinez/ Reuters U.S. swimming woes Australian Kaylee McKeown knocked off world record holder Regan Smith of the United States in the 100 backstroke to defend her the title from the Tokyo Games. Smith couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Aussie, who touched the wall in 57.33 seconds to win by a relatively comfortable margin over Smith’s 57.66. The U.S. also grabbed the bronze with Katharine Berkoff. Men’s 100m Freestyle at Paris La Defense Arena, Nanterre, France on July 30, 2024. Photo by Agustin Marcarian/ Reuters In the men’s 800 freestyle, Daniel Wiffen won Ireland’s first gold medal in swimming since scandal-plagued Michelle Smith won three events in 1996. Defending champion Bobby Finke of the U.S. got the silver. The night’s other gold medal went to Britain, which defended its title in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay, with the U.S. earning yet another silver. James Guy of Britain, Tom Dean of Britain and Matthew Richards of Britain all react to the Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay final. Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/ Reuters Gauff upset The scene felt all too familiar to Gauff. An officiating decision she was sure was wrong. A chair umpire who wouldn’t listen. Tears streaming down her cheeks. And, most disappointing of all, a loss, this time at the Paris Games. Coco Gauff of the United States talks with an official during her match against Donna Vekic of Croatia. Photo by Edgar Su/ Reuters Even the site was the same: Court Philippe Chatrier was where the reigning U.S. Open champion was eliminated in the third round at the Summer Games by Donna Vekic of Croatia 7-6 (7), 6-2. That’s also the main stadium used annually for the French Open, where Gauff found herself in a nearly identical dispute over a call while being defeated by eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals last month. The hand of Coco Gauff is seen during her match against Donna Vekic of Croatia. Photo by Edgar Su/ Reuters “There’s been multiple times this year where that’s happened to me — where I felt like I always have to be an advocate for myself on the court,” Gauff said afterward, renewing a call for video review to be used in tennis, as it is in many other professional sports. Gauff was the female flag bearer for the United States during the opening ceremony on Friday. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain react during their match against Tallon Griekspoor of Netherlands and Wesley Koolhof of Netherlands. Photo by Claudia Greco/ Reuters Also in tennis, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz advanced into the doubles quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2 match tiebreaker victory over Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands. No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek defeated No. 52 Wang Xiyu of China 6-2, 6-4. Triathlon postponed The men’s triathlon scheduled for Tuesday was postponed because of concerns about the water quality in the Seine River. It was rescheduled for Wednesday, when the women’s competition is also slated to be held. But both will happen only if water tests show acceptable levels of E. coli and other bacteria. Friday is also planned as a backup date. The Men’s individual triathlon is postponed as pollution levels in the river Seine remain too high Photo by Fabrizio Bensch/ Reuters There is rain forecast Tuesday night through Thursday, which could complicate rescheduling because rain generally causes an increase in bacteria levels in the Seine, the long-polluted waterway that has gone through an expensive cleanup effort. “It’s disappointing that there’s this negative aspect now with the delay,” American triathlete Seth Rider said. “But I hope we can have a triathlon and I can accomplish this dream that I’ve had since I was a little kid.” Heat wave After enduring the rain in the opening ceremony, athletes now are having to deal with the heat. A man uses a fan as he watches athletes competing at the Men’s Kayak single heats. Photo by Molly Darlington/ Reuters Most of France is under heat warnings, with temperatures in Paris hitting 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit), the national weather agency said. Air conditioning is far less common in French homes, shops and restaurants than in places like the United States. The heat was even worse in the south, including the region around the Mediterranean cities of Marseille and Nice that are hosting Olympic competitions like soccer and sailing. It was as hot as 41 C (105 F) in parts of southern France. Fans cool off during a heat wave at Chateauroux Shooting Centre, Deols, France. Photo by Amr Alfiky/ Reuters Before winning the gold Tuesday, Biles posted a video on Instagram while struggling with the lack of air conditioning. “Don’t come for me about my hair,” Biles wrote on Instagram before the gymnastics team final. “IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC and it’s like 9,000 degrees. Oh & a 45 minutes ride.” More photos from Day 4 China’s Ou Xuanyi plays a shot in the men’s doubles badminton group stage match against Japan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on July 30, 2024. Photo by ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP via Getty Images Ireland’s Emily Lane (C) catches the ball in a line-out above Ireland’s Erin King as challenged by Britain’s Lauren Torley (R) during the women’s placing 7-8 rugby sevens match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 30, 2024. Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images Team New Zealand players celebrate after winning gold against Canada. Photo by Phil Noble/ Reuters Saskia Tidey of Britain and Freya Black of Britain sailing in Marseille, France. Photo by Lisi Niesner/ Reuters An athlete from Peru during dinghy training. Photo by Andrew Boyers/ Reuters Stefan Vidovic of Montenegro in action during a Montenegro vs. Greece water polo match. Photo by Gonzalo Fuentes/ Reuters Fencers Aleksandra Jarecka of Poland and Martyna Swatowska-Wenglarczyk of Poland celebrate with teammates after winning the bronze medal. Photo via Reuters Italy’s team celebrates after winning in the women’s epee team gold medal bout between France and Italy during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 30, 2024. Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images Victor Wembanyama of France and Yuki Kawamura of Japan during a Japan vs. France game at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Villeneve-d’Ascq, France. Photo by Evelyn Hockstein/ Reuters China and Netherlands players in action. Photo by Angelika Warmuth/ Reuters Hannah Roberts of the United States in action during her first run. Photo by Kai Pfaffenbach/ Reuters We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Tales Azzoni, Associated Press Tales Azzoni, Associated Press
PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles reached the top of the podium yet again, cementing her legacy as the greatest American gymnast and one of the best athletes in the history of the Olympics. Scroll down for more photos. Biles helped the United States win the women’s team event Tuesday to secure her fifth Olympic gold medal and put the U.S. back on top of the sport after a second-place finish three years ago in Tokyo. Gold medallist Simone Biles of United States stands on the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympics on July 30, 2024. Photo by Dylan Martinez/ Reuters Biles became the most decorated American gymnast in front of a crowd that included Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Spike Lee, Michael Phelps and Nadia Comaneci at a raucous Bercy Arena. Simone Biles of United States in action on the Floor Exercise. Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/ REUTERS It was the eighth Olympic medal for the 27-year-old Biles, who was previously tied with Shannon Miller at seven. Italy won the silver medal, and Brazil got the bronze. Sunisa Lee competes in the floor exercise event of the artistic gymnastics women’s team final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 30, 2024. Photo by LOIC VENANCE/ AFP via Getty Images There were no such triumphs in swimming for the Americans, who couldn’t manage more than silver and bronze medals. In tennis, it was Coco Gauff left fuming over an officiating decision in a loss to Donna Vekic of Croatia. There were no winners or losers in men’s triathlon, which was as postponed because of concerns about the water quality in the Seine River amid a heat wave that made life difficult on some athletes and fans in Paris. Sunisa Lee of United States in action on the balance beam. Photo by Dylan Martinez/ Reuters U.S. swimming woes Australian Kaylee McKeown knocked off world record holder Regan Smith of the United States in the 100 backstroke to defend her the title from the Tokyo Games. Smith couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Aussie, who touched the wall in 57.33 seconds to win by a relatively comfortable margin over Smith’s 57.66. The U.S. also grabbed the bronze with Katharine Berkoff. Men’s 100m Freestyle at Paris La Defense Arena, Nanterre, France on July 30, 2024. Photo by Agustin Marcarian/ Reuters In the men’s 800 freestyle, Daniel Wiffen won Ireland’s first gold medal in swimming since scandal-plagued Michelle Smith won three events in 1996. Defending champion Bobby Finke of the U.S. got the silver. The night’s other gold medal went to Britain, which defended its title in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay, with the U.S. earning yet another silver. James Guy of Britain, Tom Dean of Britain and Matthew Richards of Britain all react to the Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay final. Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/ Reuters Gauff upset The scene felt all too familiar to Gauff. An officiating decision she was sure was wrong. A chair umpire who wouldn’t listen. Tears streaming down her cheeks. And, most disappointing of all, a loss, this time at the Paris Games. Coco Gauff of the United States talks with an official during her match against Donna Vekic of Croatia. Photo by Edgar Su/ Reuters Even the site was the same: Court Philippe Chatrier was where the reigning U.S. Open champion was eliminated in the third round at the Summer Games by Donna Vekic of Croatia 7-6 (7), 6-2. That’s also the main stadium used annually for the French Open, where Gauff found herself in a nearly identical dispute over a call while being defeated by eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals last month. The hand of Coco Gauff is seen during her match against Donna Vekic of Croatia. Photo by Edgar Su/ Reuters “There’s been multiple times this year where that’s happened to me — where I felt like I always have to be an advocate for myself on the court,” Gauff said afterward, renewing a call for video review to be used in tennis, as it is in many other professional sports. Gauff was the female flag bearer for the United States during the opening ceremony on Friday. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain react during their match against Tallon Griekspoor of Netherlands and Wesley Koolhof of Netherlands. Photo by Claudia Greco/ Reuters Also in tennis, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz advanced into the doubles quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2 match tiebreaker victory over Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands. No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek defeated No. 52 Wang Xiyu of China 6-2, 6-4. Triathlon postponed The men’s triathlon scheduled for Tuesday was postponed because of concerns about the water quality in the Seine River. It was rescheduled for Wednesday, when the women’s competition is also slated to be held. But both will happen only if water tests show acceptable levels of E. coli and other bacteria. Friday is also planned as a backup date. The Men’s individual triathlon is postponed as pollution levels in the river Seine remain too high Photo by Fabrizio Bensch/ Reuters There is rain forecast Tuesday night through Thursday, which could complicate rescheduling because rain generally causes an increase in bacteria levels in the Seine, the long-polluted waterway that has gone through an expensive cleanup effort. “It’s disappointing that there’s this negative aspect now with the delay,” American triathlete Seth Rider said. “But I hope we can have a triathlon and I can accomplish this dream that I’ve had since I was a little kid.” Heat wave After enduring the rain in the opening ceremony, athletes now are having to deal with the heat. A man uses a fan as he watches athletes competing at the Men’s Kayak single heats. Photo by Molly Darlington/ Reuters Most of France is under heat warnings, with temperatures in Paris hitting 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit), the national weather agency said. Air conditioning is far less common in French homes, shops and restaurants than in places like the United States. The heat was even worse in the south, including the region around the Mediterranean cities of Marseille and Nice that are hosting Olympic competitions like soccer and sailing. It was as hot as 41 C (105 F) in parts of southern France. Fans cool off during a heat wave at Chateauroux Shooting Centre, Deols, France. Photo by Amr Alfiky/ Reuters Before winning the gold Tuesday, Biles posted a video on Instagram while struggling with the lack of air conditioning. “Don’t come for me about my hair,” Biles wrote on Instagram before the gymnastics team final. “IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC and it’s like 9,000 degrees. Oh & a 45 minutes ride.” More photos from Day 4 China’s Ou Xuanyi plays a shot in the men’s doubles badminton group stage match against Japan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on July 30, 2024. Photo by ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP via Getty Images Ireland’s Emily Lane (C) catches the ball in a line-out above Ireland’s Erin King as challenged by Britain’s Lauren Torley (R) during the women’s placing 7-8 rugby sevens match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 30, 2024. Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images Team New Zealand players celebrate after winning gold against Canada. Photo by Phil Noble/ Reuters Saskia Tidey of Britain and Freya Black of Britain sailing in Marseille, France. Photo by Lisi Niesner/ Reuters An athlete from Peru during dinghy training. Photo by Andrew Boyers/ Reuters Stefan Vidovic of Montenegro in action during a Montenegro vs. Greece water polo match. Photo by Gonzalo Fuentes/ Reuters Fencers Aleksandra Jarecka of Poland and Martyna Swatowska-Wenglarczyk of Poland celebrate with teammates after winning the bronze medal. Photo via Reuters Italy’s team celebrates after winning in the women’s epee team gold medal bout between France and Italy during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 30, 2024. Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images Victor Wembanyama of France and Yuki Kawamura of Japan during a Japan vs. France game at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Villeneve-d’Ascq, France. Photo by Evelyn Hockstein/ Reuters China and Netherlands players in action. Photo by Angelika Warmuth/ Reuters Hannah Roberts of the United States in action during her first run. Photo by Kai Pfaffenbach/ Reuters We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now