South Africa finished 44th at the Games with six medals, including a gold, three silver and two bronze. SA was the third-best African nation in Paris, behind 17th-placed Kenya and Algeria, who finished 39th.
The US pipped China for top spot in the battle for medals on Sunday as Paris brought the curtain down on one of the most successful Olympic Games in history.
South Africa, meanwhile, finished 44th at the Games with six medals, including a gold, three silver and two bronze. SA was the third-best African nation in Paris, behind 17th-placed Kenya and Algeria, who finished 39th.
In a thrilling finale that capped 17 days of spellbinding action, the US women’s basketball team squeezed past France 67-66 to clinch the last gold of the Games. The win – the eighth consecutive Olympic women’s basketball event won by the US – ensured the Americans finished level with China on 40 golds each as the Games drew to a close.
The US, however, finished on top of the overall medal table with a total of 126 medals, with China in second place on 91.
La Marseillaise. At the Stade de France. What an emotional moment! 🥹
Paris, it's been a pleasure. 💙🤍❤️#Paris2024 #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/OrHzYQDlGP
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 11, 2024
Sunday’s final day began with a gripping women’s marathon victory by the Netherlands’ long-distance running star, Sifan Hassan.
Hassan had taken on what many considered to be a crazy gamble in Paris, competing in the 5,000m, the 10,000m and the marathon – the last two events just two days apart.
But in a jaw-dropping sprint finish, Hassan overhauled Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa to take gold by three seconds in an Olympic record of 2:22:55.
On Friday, she had taken bronze in the 10,000m, after coming away with a bronze in the 5,000m.
She fell to the ground on the blue carpet in front of the golden dome of the Invalides memorial complex in the heart of Paris before grabbing a Dutch flag to celebrate an extraordinary achievement.
“It was not easy,” said Hassan, 31.
“It was so hot, but I was feeling okay. I’ve never pushed myself through to the finish line as I did.
“Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5,000m and 10,000m. I was telling myself if I hadn’t done that, I would feel great today.
“From the beginning to the end, it was so hard. Every step of the way I was thinking why did I do that? What is wrong with me?”
Wrestling, weightlifting, water polo, volleyball, modern pentathlon, handball, and track cycling were the other sports to crown Olympic champions on the last day.
What a finale! 🎉
Last night's Marathon Pour Tous was the ultimate way for members of the public to get involved in the #Olympics. 20,024 people signed up and followed the same route as the Olympians, just hours before!#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/YFYfshOpXQ
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 11, 2024
Hungary’s Michelle Gulyas ran and shot to Olympic gold in the modern pentathlon, with home favourite Elodie Clouvel roared on to clinch silver.
In weightlifting, China’s jubilant Li Wenwen lifted her coach into the air instead of the bar, having already secured gold.
At the velodrome, Dutch star Harrie Lavreysen surged to the men’s keirin for his third gold of the Games, ending British dominance of the event they had won at every Olympics since 2008.
New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews blasted to the women’s sprint title to add to her keirin gold, while American cyclist Jennifer Valente won the women’s omnium.
In men’s water polo, Serbia won their third straight Olympic gold with a 13-11 victory over Croatia at Paris La Defense Arena and pulled their coach into the pool in the celebrations.
As the sport ended, attention turned to the closing ceremony and the next Olympics in Los Angeles in four years. LA is expected to play heavily on its Hollywood star power and will roll out its big guns, with pop star Billie Eilish, rapper Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers all confirmed.
AFP
