Olympic triathletes swim in Seine River after days of concerns about water quality

The Olympic triathlons were held Wednesday after days of delays and uncertainty over water quality concerns in the Seine River. Organizers said the latest tests of the famed Paris waterway showed compliance with quality standards. Elevated levels of bacteria delayed the men's race from Tuesday. The decision to go ahead with the Seine swim for the triathlon competitions is a big win for the city and Olympics organizers. They undertook a more than billion-dollar plan to clean up the long-polluted Seine and have been steadfast in their insistence that swimming events could safely be held in the river.

Paris Olympics: Fredette, Team USA fall to Serbia in 3x3 opener

Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette debuted in Olympic 3x3 basketball with Team USA's loss to Serbia, native Utahn Taylor Booth helped U.S. men's soccer clinch a 3-0 group stage win.

Home fans unite at Paris' Club France to celebrate Olympic success

Thousands of fans gathered at Club France, the largest fan zone in Paris, to cheer on their Olympic athletes despite temperatures nearing 100 degrees Tuesday. Olivier Legris, 29, led chants for French swimming prodigy Léon Marchand. The Grande Halle de la Villette, typically an exhibition venue, has been transformed into a celebration hub, featuring cultural performances and games. With 18 medals won by France so far, the fan zone has pulsated with national pride. One fan says "I've never felt more French."

Daniel Wiffen of Ireland wins Olympic gold and also hopes to pick up some new YouTube followers

a pitch he made when he was asked how people can find out more about a swimmer who is largely unknown outside Ireland.

Silver and bronze are the favorite Olympic colors for red, white and blue swimmers

with a bronze medal thrown into the mix, as well. While the Americans have nearly twice as many medals as any other nation, they trail rival Australia in the race for gold. The swimmers from Down Under have four victories and eight medals overall.

A new group of Americans is ready to carry on the winning tradition in Olympic beach volleyball

A new group of Americans is trying to carry on the country's winning tradition in Olympic beach volleyball. Seven of the eight Americans competing on the sand in Paris are making their Olympic debuts in 2024. They hope the turnover will restore the United States to its historic position as the Summer Games' most dominant beach volleyball nation. The U.S. has won seven of the 14 beach volleyball gold medals since the sport was added to the Olympics in 1996 and more medals of any sort than any country other than Brazil.

Have You Seen This? Jason Kelce arm wrestles US woman's rugby star

Former NFL star Jason Kelce had a challenge for one of the rugby team's star athletes.

For Italy and Brazil, losing to Simone Biles' US team at the Olympics still felt like a victory

Watching the celebrations after the Paris Olympics women's gymnastics team final Tuesday, it was impossible to tell who had won. Athletes from three nations erupted in cheers when the final scores flashed on the giant screens inside raucous Bercy Arena. As the legion of American fans started to chant "U.S.A! U.S.A!", their Brazilian counterparts danced and waved blue, green and yellow flags. The Italians hugged each other warmly.

France, Germany, Canada clinch Olympic basketball quarterfinal berths at Paris Games

France's miracle last-second comeback at the Paris Games got even better a few hours later, when the host nation clinched a spot in the quarterfinals and a trip to Paris for the knockout round next week. Also now officially in the Olympic quarterfinals: Germany and Canada. And on Wednesday, the winner of the U.S.-South Sudan game will also have a spot in the quarterfinals all wrapped up.

Simone Biles and Team USA earn 'redemption' by powering to Olympic gold in women's gymnastics

"The Redemption Tour" ended in a familiar spot for Simone Biles: atop the Olympic podium. The American gymnastics star and her singular brilliance powered a dominant U.S. women's team in the finals inside a raucous Bercy Arena. With Biles at her show-stopping best, the Americans' total of 171.296 was well clear of Italy and Brazil and the exclamation point of a yearlong run in which Biles has cemented her legacy as the greatest ever in her sport and among the best in the history of the Olympics.

Simone Biles and Team USA earn 'redemption' by powering to Olympic gold in women's gymnastics

"The Redemption Tour" ended in a familiar spot for Simone Biles: atop the Olympic podium. The American gymnastics star and her singular brilliance powered a dominant U.S. women's team in the finals inside a raucous Bercy Arena. With Biles at her show-stopping best, the Americans' total of 171.296 was well clear of Italy and Brazil and the exclamation point of a yearlong run in which Biles has cemented her legacy as the greatest ever in her sport and among the best in the history of the Olympics.

Italy wins gold in women's team epee fencing to disappoint a passionate French crowd again

Italy has overcome a passionate "Marseillaise"-singing crowd at the Grand Palais to hand France its fourth fencing silver medal of the Games in the women's team epee. Alberta Santuccio got the winning touch for Italy in overtime against France's Auriane Mallo-Breton to complete a hard-fought 30-29 win for gold. It was the second time that Mallo-Breton lost a Paris Olympic final by a single point after a 13-12 loss to Hong Kong's Vivian Kong Man Wai in the individual epee.

Kaylee McKeown still rules the Olympic backstroke, beating Regan Smith in women's 100 meters

Kaylee McKeown still rules the women's Olympic backstroke. The Australian knocked off world-record holder Regan Smith of the United States in the 100 back, defending the title she won in Tokyo. Smith couldn't hold off the hard-charging Aussie, who touched the wall in 57.33 to win by a relatively comfortable margin. The U.S. also grabbed the bronze with Katharine Berkoff. 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 4x200 freestyle relay, with the U.S. earning yet another silver.

US men fall to Serbia 22-14 in 3x3 men's basketball in disappointing debut at Paris Games

The U.S. men's debut in Olympic 3x3 basketball at the Paris Games was one to forget. The Americans fell to Serbia 22-14 in their opening game of these Olympics after failing to qualify for the Tokyo Games. Marko Brankovic had eight points and Strahinja Stojacic added seven, including a 2-pointer which ended it with 2:34 remaining, to lead Serbia, the bronze medal finisher in Tokyo. The U.S. brought in former NBA player Jimmer Fredette after not qualifying for the last Olympics to boost its team. But he managed just four points in the rout.

Team USA Olympic athletes are able to mimic home at their own training facility in France

United States discus thrower Valarie Allman practiced her form on a quiet field. Weightlifter Mary Theisen-Lappen took instruction from her coach inside a training room with other American weightlifters. Breaker Jeffrey Louis, who goes by B-boy name Bboy Jeffro, moved his head and shoulders to a hip-hop beat in an adjacent room. There was a spot for all of them at the ATHLETICA high-performance training center, which is serving as the training base for U.S. athletes competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

AP PHOTOS: A hot, steamy day at the Paris Olympics. Here's a look at Day 4

It was a hot, steamy day at the Paris Olympics. Indoors and outdoors, the Games kept going.

'We just had to go for it': Herriman's 'Spiff' Sedrick rallies USA to rugby 7s bronze

The 26-year-old product of Herriman High and Utah Lions rugby took a pass inside her own five-meter line before sprinting the length of the field and scoring the match-winning try in the final seconds.

A few pro boxers are big hits in Paris. Some foes think they should pick on somebody their own size

Although professional boxers were first allowed into the Olympics eight years ago, they haven't come close to dominating in the way many coaches and fighters feared they would. That's easy to forget this week outside of Paris if you happen to be watching 30-year-old super heavyweight gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov taking time out from his 14-0 pro career to try to beat up a bunch of younger, less experienced boxers in his third Olympics. Jalolov and a few other pros, particularly IBF lightweight champion Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil, have some coaches and opponents questioning their presence in Paris.

Simone Biles and Team USA earn 'redemption' by powering to Olympic gold in women's gymnastics

"The Redemption Tour" ended in a familiar spot for Simone Biles: atop the Olympic podium.

Water polo players wrestle for position at Olympics, but there is a line that rarely gets crossed

and it was just an average encounter when it comes to high-level water polo. But actual fights are rare, especially with medals on the line at the Paris Olympics. The combination of possible penalties and water polo's video assisted review system helps keep players in line.

Russia is set to postpone the World Friendship Games, once seen as a rival to Paris Olympics

Organizers say a Russian sports event widely regarded as an attempt to rival the Paris Olympics is set to be postponed to next year. The International Friendship Association, a body set up to organize the event, says the World Friendship Games will move to unspecified dates in 2025 from the planned schedule in September 2024. It says the decision is subject to approval by the Russian government. The International Olympic Committee was strongly opposed to any rival event. It said in March the proposed Russian event was "a cynical attempt by the Russian Federation to politicize sport."

US women win a first Olympic medal in rugby sevens with a comeback victory over Australia

Alex Sedrick ran the length of the field to give the U.S. women a first Olympic rugby sevens medal with a stunning stoppage-time comeback win over Australia in the bronze-medal match. The 2016 champion Australians were leading 12-7 with seconds remaining and deep in U.S. territory. The ball went to Sedrick and she bumped off two tacklers before racing all the way to the other end to touch down and then convert the try. Ilona Maher and the rest of the Americans rushed down the field to celebrate the 14-12 victory. The U.S. women had earlier reached the Olympic semifinals for the first time and lost to eventual champion New Zealand.

Here's what to know about what's next for Olympic triathlon in wake of Seine River water quality

or in the coming days. The women's competition also is scheduled for Wednesday, but both will only go forward if water tests show safe levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the river.

Defending champion US women fall to Germany in pool play in 3x3 basketball at Paris Games

The defending champion U.S. women fell to Germany 17-13 in the opening game of pool play in 3x3 basketball at the Paris Olympics. Hailey Van Lith led the U.S. with six points. But she was struggling after the game, and she said she believes the heat exacerbated an illness she already was dealing with. Sonja Greinacher had five points and six rebounds for Germany. Marie Reichert added five points.

NBC Ignites World's Tallest Digital Olympic Peacock & Torch Honoring Team USA at Paramount ...

MIAMI, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NBC, WTVJ, its South Florida TV station, and the Royal Palm Companies development firm are supercharging the Miami skyline for the Olympics with a star-spangled tribute to Team USA.

Wembanyama takes over in OT, helps France escape a serious challenge from Japan at the Paris Games

and France wound up holding off a serious upset bid by Japan, winning 94-90.

Serena Williams, Nicole Kidman and other A-list celebrities watch Biles win another Olympic gold

Celebrity spotting was again part of the event at a raucous Bercy Arena when Simone Biles powered a dominant U.S. women's gymnastics team to the Olympic title. A-listers Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman and Serena Williams gathered at the Olympic venue Tuesday night to watch the most decorated athlete in the history of gymnastics during the team final. Spike Lee, Michael Phelps and former ace gymnast Nadia Comaneci were also in the crowd to witness the return to the top of the U.S. women after they relinquished their title three years ago in Tokyo.

What to watch for at the Paris Olympics: Katie Ledecky expected to win her 1st gold of these Games

Katie Ledecky is an overwhelming favorite to claim her first gold of these Games, with one of her best events in the pool highlighting Wednesday's action at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ledecky won her 1,500 heat by more than a half-lap ahead of Simona Quadarella of Italy. Ledecky's only medal so far in Paris was a bronze in the 400 free. Both the women's and men's triathlons are now scheduled for Wednesday after the men's event was postponed by a day because of concerns over the water quality in the Seine River. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are due back on the tennis court.

US lawmakers accuse Olympic leaders of blackmail over their fight with IOC, World Anti-Doping Agency

Instead of reexamining a drug-fighting law that Olympic leaders don't like, a bipartisan group in Congress is proposing a new bill that would hold back funding for the World Anti-Doping Agency if it doesn't do its job better. Republicans and Democrats joined in rolling out a bill that would make permanent the ability of the U.S. office of drug control to withhold the $3 million-plus payment the government is supposed to give to WADA. Last week, the IOC awarded Salt Lake City the 2034 Winter Olympics but only after extracting a promise that organizers would work to undercut a law designed to root out doping conspiracies. That law is being used to investigate WADA's handling of a case involving Chinese swimmers that has marred the start of the Paris Olympics.

For Paris Olympics organizers, female designation in passport key for boxers after world champs DQs

The International Olympic Committee has defended the right of two athletes to compete in women's boxing despite being judged last year to have failed gender eligibility tests at the world championships. Two-time world champion Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria are both competing at their second Olympics. IOC spokesman Mark Adams says they meet Olympic tournament eligibility rules. Adams says at the Olympics organizers' daily news conference in Paris: "They are women in their passports and it's stated that this is the case, that they are female."

Another Chinese doping controversy pops up during Olympic swimming competition

tested positive for a banned drug in 2022 but were eventually cleared by Chinese officials. Anti-doping officials say the athletes were cleared because a Chinese investigation determined that they accidentally ate tainted beef.

Hannah Roberts of the US tops freestyle BMX qualifying as defending Olympic champ fails to advance

Five-time world champion Hannah Roberts of the United States topped qualifying in the freestyle BMX competition at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, while reigning gold medalist Charlotte Worthington of Britain failed to advance to the finals. Roberts took silver behind her when the discipline made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games. Roberts will be joined in the finals Wednesday by U.S. teammate Perris Benegas, though her stiffest competition could come from the two Chinese riders. In the men's competition, Britain's Kieran Reilly was the top qualifier with a two-run average of 91.21 points. Marcus Christopher of the U.S. was second and defending Olympic champion Logan Martin of Australia third.

A French canoe-kayak coach allegedly hit police who had stopped him for public urination in Paris

Paris prosecutors say a French canoe and kayak coach working at the Olympics was detained for allegedly hitting police officers who had stopped him for urinating in the street. The French canoe and kayak federation says the coach Guillaume Berge was suspended from his duties. It said he was not coaching French teams at the Olympics but was hosting public service events at the canoeing and kayaking venue. Prosecutors say the incident occurred overnight Monday to Tuesday in eastern Paris, and a preliminary investigation was opened. There was no immediate comment from Berge or his lawyer.

South Sudan's story continues at the Paris Games with a basketball rematch against the US

South Sudan coach Royal Ivey says his life feels like a movie right now. He might be onto something: An underdog, under-funded team from a nation still dealing with the aftereffects of a civil war and bracing for its first free election stuns the basketball establishment by qualifying for the Olympics, then nearly beats the best team in the world and goes on to win its opening contest at the Paris Games. That sure sounds like a movie script. And make no mistake: The U.S. Olympic men's basketball team loves the story. It just has no interest in providing a Hollywood ending when the teams play on Wednesday.

British shooter Nathan Hales wins Olympic men's trap gold. Guatemala gets its 2nd-ever medal

British shooter Nathan Hales kept his cool in the French heat to take Olympic gold in men's trap shooting, and Guatemala won only the second medal in its history with bronze. Hales smashed clay targets and an Olympic record as he scored 48 out of 50 hits in the final. China's Qi Ying had to settle for silver and Jean Pierre Brol won the bronze for Guatemala's second medal ever and the first since 2012. Serbia won the gold in mixed team 10-meter air pistol as Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec beat Turkey's Sevval Ilayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikec 16-14 in the final.

The Latest: Simone Biles and Team USA win women's gymnastics team gold

Simone Biles and the U.S. women took the gold the gymnastics team final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, completing their 'redemption tour' after taking second in the 2021 Tokyo games. Italy came in second and Brazil in third.

New Zealand tops Canada for back-to-back Olympic women's rugby sevens titles. US takes bronze

New Zealand has clinched back-to-back Olympic women's rugby sevens titles with a 19-12 win over Canada at the Paris Games. Canada had upset host France and then 2016 champion Australia to reach the final for the first time, and then it took a halftime lead against New Zealand. But the New Zealanders rallied with two second-half tries to retain the title they won in Tokyo three years ago. The U.S. women won their first Olympic rugby sevens medal with a last-minute 14-12 upset win over Australia in the third-place playoff.

Gray-haired sprinters are rare at the Olympics. Irish runner Thomas Barr is an exception

Gray-haired Olympians are usually found in sports like sailing, shooting, and equestrian. Not on the track. Irish sprinter Thomas Barr is an exception. The now 32-year-old Barr turned gray prematurely in his late teens and hardly pays much attention to his hair color these days. But others do. Competitors made references to his hair color when Barr ran the third leg of Ireland's winning 4x400-meter mixed relay at the European Championships in June. The mixed relay heats at the Paris Olympics start on Friday and medals will be awarded after Saturday's final.

Simone Biles has redefined her sport — and its vocabulary. A look at the skills bearing her name

Simone Biles has spent the last decade-plus redefining what is possible in gymnastics. The American star has had five skills named after her in the Code of Points after completing them in competition. There's a chance Biles could add a sixth element at the Olympics, where she has submitted a new skill on uneven bars. She did not attempt the skill during qualifying or the team finals but could try it during the all-around competition.

Unflappable Canadian teen Summer McIntosh has 2 Olympic swimming medals and chances for more

Summer McIntosh relished her golden moment to make Canada proud. The 17-year-old says she had no nerves, she is just learning and growing from top competition. McIntosh says her calm comes largely from the fact that she has been an Olympian since she was 14. Three years after her Olympic debut in Tokyo, the youngster has two medals and has chances for two more.

Olympics on TV for Wednesday, July 31

(All times Eastern)

Hundreds of cowbells from small Utah town sent to Paris to cheer on Olympians

Cowbells.com sent 300 cowbells with the Utah delegation to Paris. They were seen and heard ringing when it was officially announced Salt Lake City would host the 2034 Winter Games.

PHOTO COLLECTION: Paris Olympics Hot Weather

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

British player under racism investigation sits out last day of Olympic rugby 7s competition

The British women's rugby sevens player under a racism investigation will not play on the last day of the Olympic tournament in Paris. Amy Wilson-Hardy withdrew ahead of Britain's 19-15 upset loss to China on Tuesday in the classification bracket for 5th-8th places. The team said Wilson-Hardy's place had been taken by an injury replacement. The team said Wilson-Hardy isn't under suspension. The British Olympic Association said it was investigating the publication of an image on social media that was reportedly a screenshot of a conversation on a messaging app. The British women's team dropped out of medal contention with a 17-7 quarterfinal loss to the United States on Monday night.

2024 Olympics records list: Kaylee McKeown breaks her own mark in the 100-meter backstroke

Records are being broken daily at the 2024 Olympics. Here is a list of all the world and Olympic records set in Paris.

Olympic swimming: Ledecky is fastest in heats of 1500; Marchand advances in 2 more races

Katie Ledecky got started on what she hopes will be her first gold medal of the Paris Olympics, fastest in the heats of the 1,500-meter freestyle. Finishing more than a half-lap ahead of the closest swimmer in her heat, Ledecky posted a time of 15 minutes, 47.43 seconds. She'll have the prime lane for the final Wednesday. Ledecky is looking to earn her 12th Olympic medal. Coming off his dominating victory in the men's 400 individual medley, Léon Marchand of France is attempting a double in the 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke, advancing to the semifinals in both events.

What is that? Olympic Phryge confounds some, but is very French

To international visitors, the triangular Olympic Phryge mascot might resemble the iconic monument, a "poop emoji," a tongue or even, well, female anatomy. However, it rings a particular bell for the French. It's been over 200 years since the "bonnet phrygien" was last a common sight in the streets of Paris. Yet, the hat still carries the same revolutionary spirit it first did in 1789. The official Olympic Phryge mascot is a nod to the Phrygian cap, an emblematic accessory of the French revolutionaries. Revived from Roman times, when freed slaves used to wear it, the revolutionaries adopted it as a testimony to their values of freedom and emancipation.

Strazel helps lift France past Japan in OT at Olympics, Canada also set up to advance. Greece falls

France got a tying four-point play by Matthew Strazel at the end of regulation, and Victor Wembanyama scored eight of his 18 points in overtime to lift France over Japan 94-90 at the Paris Olympics. Spain beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece 84-77 to remain in contention to advance to the knockout round. Greece is winless. RJ Barrett had 24 points and seven rebounds and Canada stayed unbeaten in group play with a 93-83 victory over Australia.

Stephen Nedoroscik waited his whole life for one routine. The US pommel horse specialist nailed it

American pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik helped deliver the U.S. men's gymnastics team's first Olympic team medal since 2008. Nedoroscik went up last for the Americans in the final event. His score of 14.866 secured bronze for the U.S. Nedoroscik says he wanted to validated the decision to include him on the five-man team even though he competes on just one event. The 25-year-old will get a chance to add to his medal haul when he competes in the pommel horse final later in the Games.

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez reveals she competed at the Paris Olympics while 7 months pregnant

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has revealed that she fought at the Paris Olympics while seven months pregnant. Hafez posted on Instagram that she was "carrying a little Olympian one" hours after she had reached the round of 16 in women's saber Monday. Hafez upset Elizabeth Tartakovsky of the United States, a former NCAA champion, before losing to Jeon Hayoung of South Korea. She says that "pride fills my being" at her achievement in Paris.

Paris Olympics brings out hoses and misters to cool down fans during heat wave

Most parts of France are enduring a heat wave mere days after the 2024 Olympics launched with a rain-soaked opening ceremony. The national weather agency says temperatures in Paris and surrounding areas hit 97 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday. Air conditioning is far less common in France than in places like the United States. It was even hotter in southern France. Misters are at some venues, while the Paris area's train and is distributing water. The horses for equestrian competitions hung out in the shade and were sprayed with water. Some athletes say they're used to the heat and aren't too concerned.

American gymnast Shilese Jones pointing toward 2028 Olympics following knee injury at US trials

American gymnast Shilese Jones is aiming for the 2028 Olympics after a left knee injury ended her shot at reaching Paris. The 22-year-old Jones announced on social media that she tore the ACL and meniscus in the knee while warming up on vault on the first night of the U.S. Olympic trials in June. Jones was considered a leading contender to join Simone Biles at the 2024 Games before the injury. Jones says the pain is temporary and that she is not going to let the setback stop her from taking another shot at the Olympics.

Paris Olympics surfing heats postponed through Tuesday in Tahiti due to unfavorable conditions

The next heats of the Paris Olympics surfing competition were postponed through Tuesday afternoon in Tahiti, as strong winds and sheets of rain whipped through the surfing venue, contributing to unfavorable conditions. Surf forecasters estimate that waves will be large on Tuesday and Wednesday, but onshore winds could mean "disorganized and potentially out of control" conditions. Forecasts are the biggest determinant of when the Paris Olympics surfing competition will take place, predicting swells, as well as the angle and size of the waves. Only four days of a ten-day window will be allotted for the competition.