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Team USA men, women hockey edge rivals, Canada 2-1

Undre Smith — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:37:00 +0000

Photo by Julien De Rosa/AFP via Getty Images

It’s been 46 years since Team USA men achieved a gold medal in hockey.

In 1980, Team USA won its last gold medal by surging past Finland 4-2. Prior to that, the USA narrowly edged out the gold favorite, the Soviet Union, with a score of 4-3 in the medal round.

Canada, the top-seeded team, entered the competition with a vigorous assault, launching numerous shots at the US goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who made an impressive 41 saves during the gold medal match.

Still, it required additional effort before the United States could claim gold. A swift feed from Zack Werenski observed Jack Hughes successfully execute a 12-foot shot past goaltender Jordan Binnington, ultimately leading Team USA to a 2-1 overtime victory on Sunday in Milano Cortina.

It all shifted when Zack Werenski, and Hughes initiated a break towards Canada’s net. After engaging with Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon, Werenski gained possession of the puck and delivered it to Hughes, who promptly returned the pass as Werenski positioned himself on the right side to facilitate the decisive assist to Hughes on the left. Jack then fired from 12 feet out, slipping the puck between goaltender Binnington’s legs, propelling the US to victory as the team erupted in celebration.

Jack, who lost a tooth during regulation, remained unfazed as he navigated through overtime.

Canada’s frustrations escalated, as it was the favorite to win the gold medal. The opportunity presented itself, yet it failed to materialize partly while Hellebuyck played a crucial role in blocking strike efforts from the talented Canadian squad.

For the USA, it was a dual success as the women’s team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime as well.

Photo by Bruce Bennett, Getty Imgaes

In a manner akin to the Team USA men, Team USA women also overcame Canada 2-1 in overtime at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Thursday evening.

The success signified the third instance of Team USA women executing a gold medal.

Megan Keller scored the pivotal point, enabling Team USA to claim the gold medal.

Goalkeeper Aerin Frankel delivered an impressive performance, thwarting the Canadians early in the first period and later blocking a goal attempt during the match.

Canada took the lead when Kristin O’Neill scored just under a minute into the second period. But that would be all it could muster.

In conclusion, Team USA attained success in its winter Olympic venture

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Team USA bagged 126 medals

Undre Smith — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 04:17:00 +0000

Photo credit, Reuters

Despite the 2024 Olympics concluding with the USA bagging 126 medals, 35 more than second-place China, the potential of additional medals was left on the table, notably in the Team USA Men’s 4×100 Meter Relay Final. China and the Team USA tied for gold medals with 40.

The team’s strong bond and shared determination to succeed were palpable, especially after the unfortunate mishap during the exchange between the first leg, Christian Coleman, and the second, Kenny Bednarek, which led to Team USA Men’s disqualification.

It appeared Kenneth Bednarek took off too fast, avoiding a smooth handoff from the oncoming Coleman, causing Bednarek to halt before receiving the baton. Still, the illegal baton exchange resulted in a disqualification.

Coleman did not have much to say after one reporter asked what happened. Coleman replied we didn’t get it done.

A day before, Team USA took first in its semifinal heat after avoiding a shaking baton exchange between Coleman and Fred Kerley.

The medal drought reached 20 years in the Men’s 4×100 Meter Relay following the disqualification.

In other 2024 Olympic news, 23-year-old gymnast Jordan Chiles, who was stripped of the bronze medal during the women’s artistic floor exercise final, awaits the appeal phase of Team USA’s next plan.

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Texas ties take gold and silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Undre Smith — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:25:00 +0000

Born in El Paso, Texas before moving to Italy, Lamont Marcell Jacobs is the world’s fastest man after claiming gold by winning the 100-meter dash with a time of 9.80 in the 2020 Olympics on Sunday in Tokyo.

Jacobs made up for a slow start, tracking down and passing the field of runners near the midway mark, where he held on to give Italy its first gold medal in the event.

Although the field had no clear favorite, Jacobs’ prelims time of 9.94 pushed him among medal potential.

Jacob and his mother departed Texas a month after he was born to live in her native country, Italy.

Another Texas native, Fred Kerley, finished second, picking up a silver medal in the 100-meter dash. The previous 400-meter dash runner turned in a 9.98 in the semifinals to advance to the finals and led the race until Jacob closed in, taking charge of the race. Still, Kerley’s accomplishments placed him in the history books.

Without the presence of Usain Bolt, the world braced itself for a new champion. The wide open field featured several medal contenders, including 2016 bronze medal finisher Canada’s Andre De Grasse, who took bronze on the evening.

In another action, Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn set an Olympic record in the semifinals by finishing the 100-meter hurdles in 12.26 before defeating world record holder Kendra “Keni” Harrison in the finals to claim the gold medal in a time of 12.36. Harrison’s 2016 record of 12.20 still stands.

American swimmer Caeleb Dressel won five gold medals. His events included the 100-meter butterfly, 100-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle relay, 400-meter medley relay, and 50-meter freestyle.

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33-year old record tumbles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Undre Smith — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 21:30:00 +0000

Photo credit, Hannah McKay/Reuters

A 33-year-old Olympic record fell when Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah sprinted through the finish line in a time of 10.61 at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo on Saturday night.

Thompson-Herah, the favorite to win the 100-meter dash, took gold while helping the Jamaicans sweep the medals in the event. It marked her second consecutive victory in the race dating back to the 2016 Olympics.

The previous record of 10.62, held by Griffith Joyner, stood for over three decades.

Shelly-Ann Frazer-Pryce took silver in 10.74, and Shericka Jackson finished in 10.76, grabbing the bronze medal to round out the sweep.

The potential of the record-shattering day showed signs in the prelims when several sprinters posted times under 11.00 flat. The race featured one of the deepest talent pools in Olympic history.

In the semifinals, Thompson-Herah posted 10.76, setting the tone for her evening victory. She now holds the second-fastest time behind Griffith-Joyner’s world record time of 10.49.

America’s best chance for a medal never materialized after Sha’Carri Richardson tested positive for marijuana after winning the United States Olympic trials in June with a mark of 10.72.

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Simone Manuel Makes History In Rio

Undre Smith — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 18:02:57 +0000

Simone Manuel smiles as she and family are met by fans

Simone Manuel shows off gold medal

Original View XXXI OLYMPIC RI016 SUMMER GAMES Olympic-sized reception greets Manuel at airport Fresh from capturing four medals in Rio, swimmer’s return home draws celebratory crowd BY EMILY FOXHALL Picture Melissa Phillip photos / Houston Chronicle Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is greeted Wednesday by members of the Fort Bend Austin High School drum line and dance team. Picture Manuel displays a wooden box containing one of her two gold medals. The Sugar Land swimmer also won apair of silvers. Picture Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle Simone Manuel, center, shown with her parents, Sharron Manuel and Marc Manuel, right, savors the warm welcome at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. A beaming Simone Manuel waved as she walked through the sliding doors into the international arrivals hall early Wednesday morning at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. A crowd had gathered to welcome the Olympian home after her overnight flight from Rio de Janeiro, where the Sugar Land swimmer had earned medals in four events, including the first individual gold to be won by an African-American woman in swimming. Triumphant, the 20-year-old arrived a celebrity. “I’m completely humbled by the fact that y’all think I’m an inspiration,” Manuel said, wearing a blue USA pullover and thick-rimmed glasses. “I’m just happy to be back in Texas.” Manuel, who will return to Stanford University in September, wasn’t sure where she would keep her four medals. She held up a gold medal for those gathered, drawing whoops and cheers, and said some were packed away in socks because she hadn’t received official cases for them yet. She was looking forward to her mother’s cooking and a Shipley donut, she said. After all, she hadn’t been home since Christmas. Her mom was excited to have her daughter back in Houston, at least for a little while. “She’s just anormal kid who had a dream and worked really hard to make that dream come true,” Sharron Manuel said. Manuel rocketed into the national spotlight after winning the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle, a historic first for an African-American female swimmer. She also took home gold in the 400-meter medley relay, silver in the 400-meter freestyle relay and silver in the 50-meter freestyle. Appreciates support Manuel, who turned 20 earlier this month, made fans of many not only with her accomplishments in the pool but with her exuberance, genuine displays of emotion, well-spoken manner and easy smile. Many considered her an inspiration. In much the same way, she had felt star-struck by athletes she met in Rio like tennis star Serena Williams. Manuel said Wednesday she hoped her win in a sport she loves could also help others accomplish their dreams. “Hopefully, others will see themselves in me,” she said. Manuel acknowledged that she hadn’t “soaked it all in,” but she said she was excited to share the experience with family and friends. “I never thought I would reach this many people, but just to have their support means a lot. It really keeps me going and pushes me hopefully to swim a little faster as I continue my career.” Clusters of red, white and blue balloons decorated the airport lobby area early Wednesday morning. Upon Manuel’s arrival, staffers from the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority waved miniature American flags. Members of the drum line at Fort Bend Austin High School, from which Manuel graduated in 2014, sounded out beats as she proceeded through apath lined by admirers eager to see her. Her parents, clad in red USA shirts, greeted her with hugs. The 9-year-old twin daughters of Houston Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Davis, also festively dressed, held up a “Welcome home Simone” sign. News cameras trailed close behind. Women from the Austin High School dance team stood behind Manuel and cheered as she spoke. They wore patriotic beads over their red, black and white sequined uniforms. Some shook pompoms. The dancers said they arrived at school at 3:30 a.m. in order to travel to the airport in time for Manuel’s scheduled 5:25 a.m. arrival. Alex Paul, 17, who leads the dance team, woke up at 2 a.m. to start getting ready. They were all excited to be there, she said, and proud of Manuel. Besides, Paul said, “I can sleep on the bus.” ‘A rock star’ Assistant dance director Ashlee Williamson, 31, who taught Manuel at the high school for two years, described her as “what you would expect from an Olympic champion: hardworking, dedicated.” For the younger girls, Williamson said, “They feel like they’re meeting a rock star.” Davis remarked that everyone in the airport hall managed to get up that morning to celebrate Manuel and her demonstration of excellence. “We just want to let you know how much we’re proud of you, how much we support you,” Davis told her as the cameras rolled. “And we want to say, ‘Thank you so much’ for all young ladies — that you’ve given them someone to look up to.” Before leaving, Manuel posed for photos with anyone who asked: a TSA staff member, a flight attendant, passengers awaiting flights. Some of the dancers wanted autographs. A drum line member took a picture for his Snapchat. The radio station 97.9 “The Box” was hoping to speak with her via his phone. At 6:50 a.m., Manuel walked out of the airport, with a bouquet of flowers from a fan in one hand, and a Starbucks grande mocha from an airport staff member in the other. It was time to get that donut. Shortly afterward, she tweeted a photo of herself in a car holding up a half-eaten donut with the message, “Happy! Happy!”

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Brianna Rollins leads U.S. Olympic sweep in women's 100 hurdles

Undre Smith — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 03:20:12 +0000

(L-R) Kristi Castlin, Brianna Rollins, and Nia Ali (USA) celebrate after winning medals during the women’s 100m hurdles final in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brianna Rollins won gold on Wednesday in the 100-meter hurdles at Olympic Stadium, leading an American sweep.
Rollins won in 12.48 seconds, followed by Nia Ali (12.59) and Kristi Castlin (12.61).
It’s the first sweep of this event in Olympic history, and it comes one day after the U.S. men were shut out of the 110 hurdles for the first time (in a non-boycotted Olympics).
Rollins, who turns 25 on Thursday, is the 2013 world champion and former American recordholder. She claims her first Olympic gold..
Ali is a two-time world indoor champion in the 60 hurdles.

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