Paris Olympics 2024: The biggest moments from day eight, including Aussie tennis gold and 100m controversy

1. Doubles delight Atlanta 1996. That was the last time Australia stood on the top step of an Olympic tennis podium. Following in the footsteps of Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge, Western Australia’s Matt Ebden and his partner John Peers crafted a gritty comeback. The Aussies were a set and a break down, then a mini-break down in the crucial third set tiebreak before Ebden helped them storm back into the lead and set them up with four match points. Peers’ young daughter Ellie stole the show when she was spotted with her fingers tightly crossed before the Australian pair sealed a 6-7, 7-6, (10-8) victory they later described as a “dogfight” 2. Titmus v Ledecky In a thrilling battle of the hunted and the hunter, American swimming legend Katie Ledecky has extend her run of 800m freestyle gold medals to four. But she was made to work for it by Ariarne Titmus, who swum a personal best in the event for the first time in three years and was right on the shoulder of Ledecky for 600m to claim silver — her third individual medal of the Games. Afterwards, Titmus opened up on the pair’s rivalry and the weight of expectation that comes with being the face of the Australian team. Ledecky said she is still keen to swim in Los Angeles in four year’s time for a crack at levelling Michael Phelps’ record five consecutive wins in an individual event. 3. The fast and the furious St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal was one to remember, with Julien Alfred claiming the crown of fastest woman on earth by outpointing US star Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 100m final. But the victory was somewhat overshadowed by the absence of track legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who had finished on the Olympic podium in the marquee event at the past four Games. The Jamaican veteran stunningly missed her semifinal – officially through injury, but conjecture swirled around whether it was to do with being denied access to the warm-up track in the hours leading up to her run after video footage emerged of her in a dispute with security staff. 4. Belated bronze Kaylee McKeown has never swum in an Olympic event and not left with a medal. But that impressive run almost came to an end on Sunday morning (WA time) when she touched the wall fourth in the 200m individual medley. McKeown jagged a bronze when officials found American Alex Walsh — who had finished in second — to have completed an illegal turn between the backstroke and breaststroke legs. It is the same indiscretion that had McKeown disqualified from the same event at the world championships last year. 5. Silver surfer Australian windsurfer Grae Morris was always guaranteed a medal heading into today’s final; it was just a matter of what colour. After a thrilling final littered with numerous lead changes, Israeli sailor Tom Reuveny created a gap that proved too much for Morris to reel in. Despite Morris’ valiant efforts, he was second across the line to claim the silver medal. Morris was the fastest to the first mark, beating out his rivals for the inside line but surrendered the lead Reuveny at the second checkpoint as Netherlands’ Luuc van Opzeeland flew up the inside of the Aussie, who dropped to third. In the ideal blustery conditions off the coast of Marseilles, Morris and Reuveny gapped their Dutch opponent on the next but it was the Israeli who held a slight advantage into the final straight. 6. Powerful win Australia’s men’s water polo team have held off nine-time Olympic gold medallists Hungary to confirm their spot in the quarter-finals and continue their remarkable run of upsets over European powerhouses. A well-manufactured goal from Nathan Power in the final minute of the game proved the difference between the two side’s as the Sharks emerged one-goal victors in a 17-goal thriller. After conceding three unanswered goal in the second term and surrendering the lead, the Sharks stayed within touching distance before sending home three goals to snatch the victory. Edwards, Molis Maksimovic and Nathan Power each converted braces while West Aussie Luke Pavillard scored a crucial goal in the 9-8 win. 7. Relay good WA’s Josh Yong hauled Australia mixed 4x100m medley relay team back into the race with his strong second-leg breaststroke swim and freestyle young gun Mollie O’Callaghan anchored them to bronze. Featuring a tired-looking McKeown at the end of her stacked program and butterfly swimmer Matthew Temple, the Aussies continued to boost their medal tally on the penultimate night of finals in the pool. The United States broke a world record in the event, beating China to gold. 8. Roo beauty The Hockeyroos have defeated Spain in their final match to finish top of Pool B, courtesy of late heroics from Stephanie Kershaw and Kaitlin Nobbs. The Aussies were locked at 1-1 with their opponents heading into the final change, before Kershaw and Knobbs combined in quick succession to notch a 3-1 victory. They needed a two-goal win to go through their group in first spot and set up a favourable quarter-final with China. The Aussies finished their five group stage games with the best record, with four wins and a loss and a goal difference of +15. 9. Dutch courage The 4x400m mixed relay looked like it was run and won, with the US team – who had broken the world record a day prior – seemingly cruising to victory with a comfortable lead entering the final turn. But they didn’t account for Femke Bol, with the Dutch superstar storming home from fourth to eat up the considerable advantage of Kaylyn Brown and snatch the lead for good inside the final 15 metres. Bol covered her mouth with her hand, seemingly in as much shock as the 70,000-strong crowd at Stade de France, as she came to terms with the remarkable comeback. 10. Senior citizen WA’s Charlie Senior is guaranteed a medal after defeating Tokyo silver medallist Carlo Paalam of the Philippines to book a semifinal berth. Paalam took the first round of the featherweight bout 3-2, but a sharp Senior finished strongly taking the next two rounds 3-2 to pinch the win. After nailing a wicked back-flip to celebrate the win, the English-born Aussie from Butler insisted the job is far from done. “I don’t come here for just a bronze medal I come here for gold and that’s what I’m going to leave with,” he said.

Paris Olympics 2024: The biggest moments from day eight, including Aussie tennis gold and 100m controversy

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