United States Survives Serbia To Gain Gold Medal Game
Overcomes 17-Point Deficit in Semifinal Scare

USA Basketball Triumphs in Thrilling Semifinal
The United States will play for gold. USA Basketball Triumphs as the team came close to tarnishing its stellar mark in a semifinal against Serbia on Thursday in Paris.
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Team Serbia roared to a 17-point lead and led by double digits in the fourth quarter before the USA unleashed a furious rally and escaped with a 95-91 victory.
It was 42-35 in the second quarter. And 76-61 late in the third quarter. The semifinal became must-watch television, as the Serbs, who had lost twice to Team USA in the run-up to the Olympics and an early round game seemed poised for a monumental upset.
STEPH CURRY LEADS TEAM USA TO A HUGE COMEBACK WIN OVER SERBIA 🪣
USA advances to the gold medal game against France 🥇 pic.twitter.com/RUEPt2YGVM
— ESPN (@espn) August 8, 2024
Here Comes the USA
Steph Curry was the star for the USA, scoring 36 points. At times it felt like the Warriors star was going against Serbia alone. The Serbs outscored the USA in each of the first three quarters, hitting 15 3-pointers heading into the final 10 minutes.
CHEF AMERICA 🇺🇸
📸: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/m5R7nmyeSV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 8, 2024
Nikola Jokic hit a jumper with eight minutes left and Serbia led 78-67 before the USA caught fire.
A Curry 3-point shot with 2:24 left gave the USA the lead at 87-86. They built the lead to 91-86 on a Curry bucket and held on from there.
Up next after the scare is the game for the gold against France. After the Serbia scare, the USA needs to step it up against the home country team in what will surely feel like a road game.
The Lakers were quick to celebrate LeBron James on Twitter. James had a triple-double in the win.
Back against the wall? LeCaptain America to the rescue 🫡 #USABMNT is headed to the Finals 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zZwgwXR7bm
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 8, 2024
McLaughlin-Levrone Lowers World Record Again
The NBC broadcasters tried to pitch the 400M hurdles final as a duel between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and The Netherlands’ Femke Bol. They couldn’t have been more wrong.
McLaughlin-Levrone decimated the field, lowering her world record for the sixth time. McLaughlin-Levrone moved to 3-0 in races against Bol, who came away with the bronze in Paris.

Noah Lyles Takes Bronze in 200M Despite Battling COVID
The 200M run was the stage and Noah Lyles was vying to complete the 100-200 double.
It was not to be as the sprint star from the USA finished third in the race.
NOAH LYLES TAKES HOME BRONZE IN THE MEN’S 200M FINAL 🥉 pic.twitter.com/pp8kuqe5Rr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 8, 2024
Lyles fell to the track after the race and was attended to by medical technicians. He was wheeled off the track in a chair. Shortly afterward, it was reported he was being worked on in the medical area under Stade De France and that he had been diagnosed with COVID two days ago.
“It’s taken its toll for sure” said Lyles, who is unsure if he will run a leg in the 4X100 relay.
Noah Lyles provides an update on his condition after the 200m final. #ParisOlympics
📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/9Qs1vcBycf
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
Letsile Tebogo of Botswana won the gold, giving Africa its first gold medal in the event.
HISTORY for 🇧🇼 Letsile Tebogo!!!
He wins GOLD in the men’s 200m at the #Paris2024 Olympics in an African Record of 19.46s!!
• First person ever from Botswana to win GOLD 🥇 at an Olympic Games
• First African medal in the event since 1996 pic.twitter.com/1FTTzGbhBx
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) August 8, 2024
Kenny Bednarek of the USA finished second.
The first ever gold medal for Botswana in the history of the OLYMPICS.
Letsile Tebogo just did that ‼️
19.46 AREA RECORD in the men’s 200m final 🤯#Paris2024 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/dR3JoYoKAu
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 8, 2024
Who Will Carry the Flag for Team USA?
The question is, Who will carry the flag for Team USA at the closing ceremonies in Paris?
CLOSING U.S. OUT 🇺🇸
14x Olympic medalist @katieledecky and Olympic gold medalist Nick Mead will lead Team USA as flag bearers at the Closing Ceremony!#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/fzpCdSIgoN
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 8, 2024
The Best Tribute of All
Dutch Olympic swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal won the open water 10,000 in tribute to her late dog, Rio. A true Olympic story.
Dutch Olympic swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal won gold in the women’s 10,000-meter open water race in honor of her late dog, Rio. She said, “I will swim for him with my whole heart — and I did it — I won for him.” 14/10 pic.twitter.com/A5vkmDpnws
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) August 8, 2024
“He needed a little operation for his lungs so I gave it to him in the hope we could live in the Netherlands after the Olympics together in my house with a garden. He had complications after the surgery and he died” she said, “I was like, ‘let’s try it and I’ll swim for him with my whole heart’. I did it, I won for him.”
The Last Word: Caroline Marks’ Shiny Purse
Luckily I have a shiny purse 🤩 pic.twitter.com/IEGQmpRz2x
— caroline marks (@Caroline_Marks3) August 7, 2024
USA Basketball Triumphs against Serbia, showcasing their resilience and determination. As the team moves on to face France, they carry the hopes of a nation with them.