In the women’s football competition, Englishwoman Emma Hayes led the United States to glory in her first tournament since taking charge in May.
A serial winner in club management, the 47-year-old maintained her golden touch in her first act on the international stage as Mallory Swanson’s composed second-half finish helped the Americans win the gold medal for the first time since 2012.
It ensured there would be no fairytale ending for Marta. An icon of the women’s game and six-time world player of the year, she heads into retirement at the end of her sixth and final Olympics, aged 38, with a third silver medal.
The US have been crowned champions five times since women’s football was introduced to the Olympic programme in 1996.
American dominance also extends unsurprisingly to the basketball court, where they have now won every single men’s competition they have entered, aside from in 1972, 1988 and 2004.
A star-studded side containing LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant proved too strong for a French squad that included NBA rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama.
Leading 49-41 at half-time the US eventually sealed a 98-87 win, with Curry contributing 24 points.
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