Paris Olympics highlights: Katie Ledecky wins gold again; USWNT make quarterfinals

The United States added four to its medal count Wednesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics, though none was as dominant as Katie Ledecky’s no-doubt gold in the women's 1,500-meter freestyle.

Ledecky, 27, shattered an Olympic record — a mark she previously held — winning the final in 15:30.02, a little more than 10 seconds quicker than the next closest swimmer. In fact, Ledecky now holds the 20 fastest times in the 1500-meter freestyle.

Elsewhere in the pool, Torri Huske stunned with a silver medal in the 100m freestyle, to win her third medal of these games, and fourth overall.

Team USA shined in men’s basketball in a 103-86 victory over South Sudan in which Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo led all American scorers with 18 points, adding seven rebounds. LeBron James added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists, as the U.S. secured a quarterfinal berth.

The USWNT also won, beating Australia 2-1 in the final game of group play to advance to the knockout rounds. The team will face Japan Saturday in the quarterfinals.

The other American medalists were Perris Benegas, who took silver in women's BMX freestyle, and Evy Leibfarth, who earned bronze in women's canoe slalom for Team USA's first medal in the event in 20 years.

Here are all the highlights from Wednesday’s action from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Simone Biles defends teammates against MyKayla Skinner's shade

Simone Biles used an Instagram post celebrating the U.S. women's gold medal to defend her teammates against MyKayla Skinner's criticism of them last month. In a since-deleted YouTube video, Skinner said with the exception of Biles, the Americans lack talent and and the current gymnasts don't work hard enough.

"Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions," Biles wrote, adding heart, gold medal and U.S. flag emojis. Her post included four photos of the Americans celebrating their win Tuesday night.

Suni Lee, who added the team gold to her all-around title from Tokyo, chimed in, saying, "Put a finger down if Simone Biles just ended you." Skinner made a TikTok video of the "Put a finger down" challenge over the weekend, citing her Olympic experience.

Skinner was passed over for the Rio Olympic team despite finishing fourth at trials, and was named an alternate instead. She didn't make the Tokyo team, either, going instead as an event specialist. She won a silver medal on vault. — Nancy Armour

Read Nancy Armour's full story here.

Olympic table tennis: U.S. has banner day, but still has far to go

it was the type of evening and electric atmosphere that U.S. Table Tennis has been waiting years to enjoy. Lily Zhang reached the Round of 16 in women's singles, and later Kanak Jha would become the first U.S. men’s singles player to compete this deep in an Olympic tournament.

While both lost their matches, Wednesday showcased how far the sport has quietly progressed in a country where many have played the game of ping pong in a basement or spare room, yet seemingly no one plays table tennis as a world-class sport that requires training, timing, endurance, focus, lighting reflexes and so much mental toughness.

In another way, though, this night at the Paris Games showed how far the sport still has to go in the U.S. — Gentry Estes

Read more about Lily Zhang and Kanak Jha here.

Olympic soccer: Schedule set for women's quarterfinals

With its win Wednesday against Japan, the U.S. women's soccer team advanced to the knockout round along with Japan, Spain, Colombia, Canada, Germany, France and Brazil. The quarterfinal matches are set for Saturday, Aug. 3. Here is the schedule (all times Eastern):

Women's soccer quarterfinals — Saturday, Aug. 3

• United States vs. Japan: 9 a.m.

• Spain vs. Colombia: 11 a.m.

• Canada vs. Germany: 1 p.m.

• France vs. Brazil: 3 p.m.

US gymnast Frederick Richard already has sights set on 2028 Olympics

Frederick Richard shined for Team USA during the men's gymnastics team competition, helping the Americans win the bronze medal on Monday. But adding a second Olympic medal in the men's individual all-around wasn't meant to be ... this time.

Richard placed 15th out of 24, one spot behind his college teammate, Paul Juda, in Wednesday's all-around, but less than an hour after competing, the Michigan sophomore said he is already "100%" looking ahead to the next Summer Olympics, in 2028 in Los Angeles.

"I’m going to go back to the gym extremely hungry. I’m not satisfied with whatever place I got here," Richard said. "I never had four years to really start at a good level and plan out the next four years, like I do from this stage to 2028. I feel like I know everything I need to do, and I’m really excited to get back to the gym and make those big leaps." — Tom Schad

American doubles tennis specialists gain respect at Roland Garros

Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, who toil in tennis obscurity relative to the titans who were across the net from them in the Olympic men’s doubles quarterfinals, had their own story to write Wednesday.

Philippe Chatrier may have been Rafael Nadal’s court for the last two decades and Carlos Alcaraz’s for the next two. But in the end, this was the Americans’ turf.

“Doubles players are certainly deserving and should be respected for what they do,” the 40-year-old Ram said after he and Krajicek delivered a pretty straightforward 6-2, 6-4 defeat to the Nadalcaraz sensation. “I feel like it’s a craft on its own. It’s a different discipline. It’s certainly not the physicality of singles, but it does bring its own set of skills to the table that I think can work even if you’re playing two of the best singles players.”

Though the match turned out to be routine, the occasion was anything but. A full stadium, playing two Spaniards with a combined 26 Grand Slam singles titles and hardly any American flags to be found in what could very well be the last time Nadal ever takes the court at Roland Garros. — Dan Wolken

Read more from Dan Wolken's feature here.

Olympic basketball: U.S. men lose 3x3 game to Poland

The U.S. women’s 3x3 basketball team wasn’t able to pull out a win on Wednesday. Neither were the men.

The men’s 3x3 basketball team, made up of Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry and Kareem Maddox, dropped its second straight game at the Paris Olympics, losing 17-15 to Poland on Wednesday. Poland jumped to a 7-2 lead over the U.S. to start the game and led by as many as six points. However, the Americans came within one point of Poland, 17-18, with 1:24 remaining. USA had numerous opportunities to tie up the game, but they were unable to convert any shots in the final minute.

Travis and Barry both finished with six points in the loss, while Fredette added three points and Maddox had two. USA shot 55% from the field as a team, compared to 61% for Poland, and the U.S. men were out-rebounded by Poland 20-9.

It marks the U.S. men’s second loss following their 22-14 loss to Serbia on Tuesday. The U.S. women and men’s 3x3 basketball teams are 0-4 to start the Paris Games. — Cydney Henderson

Olympic gymnastics: Japan's Shinnosuke Oka wins men's all around

Japan's Shinnosuke Oka won gold in the men's gymnastics individual all-around final, scoring an 86.832 and finishing 0.233 ahead of China's Zhang Boheng in second and 0.468 ahead of China's Xiao Ruoteng in third. It is the fourth straight gold for the Japanese in the all-around final.

Paul Juda and Frederick Richard placed 14th and 15th, respectively, in the all-around, 48 hours after helping lead Team USA to a historic bronze medal in the team competition.

Click here for a full recap of the men's all-around competition from Nancy Armour and Tom Schad.

Olympic basketball: U.S. men beat South Sudan for second win in Paris

Team USA left no doubt in its rematch against South Sudan, securing a 103-86 win in Group C pool play Wednesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat led the team with 18 points, 14 of which came before halftime when the American bench built an advantage South Sudan never could overcome. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker and Derrick White all finished in double figures in scoring as well.

Team USA and South Sudan met in a thrilling Team USA Basketball showcase game that took a huge third-quarter comeback for the U.S. to get the victory.

This was the second game of group play for Team USA. In its first game, Team USA earned a 110-84 victory over Serbia. South Sudan won its opener 90-79 over Puerto Rico.

Click here for a full recap of Wednesday's game.

Olympic swimming: China wins men's 100 freestyle in world record time

NANTERRE, France — In a men’s 100-meter freestyle final that wasn't particularly close, Pan Zhanle of China, won the Olympic gold medal, shattering his own world record in 46.40 seconds.

On Day 5 of swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kyle Chalmers of Australia won silver with a time of 47.48, and David Popovici of Romania won bronze with a 47.49 swim at Paris La Défense Arena.

The previous world record was 46.80 set by Pan in February.

Americans Jack Alexy and Chris Guiliano, both 21-year-old first-time Olympians, finished seventh and eighth respectively. — Michelle Martinelli

Olympic basketball: U.S. women's 3x3 team loses again

The struggles continue for the U.S. women’s 3x3 basketball team. Team USA, made up of Hailey Van Lith, Rhyne Howard, Cierra Burdick and Dearica Hamby, lost a game against Azerbaijan, 17-20, on Wednesday. It marked the U.S. women’s second straight loss in the 3x3 tournament following a loss to Germany on Tuesday.

The American women had a 15-13 lead over Azerbaijan with only 2:11 remaining in the contest. (A 3x3 game lasts either 10 minutes or until a team scores 21 points). Azerbaijan rattled off two straight points to tie it up at 15-15 and took a 17-15 lead after Dina Ulyanova made two free throws. Team USA got right back into the game and evened things up at 17-17 following a free throw and one-point shot from Hamby with 1:02 remaining. But Azerbaijan ended the contest on a 3-0 run for the win.

Hamby had a team-high seven points. Van Lith added five and Burdick had four points. Team USA finished 50% (12-of-24) from inside the arc, but they struggled beyond the arc, shooting 1-of-6. Team USA is 0-2 in pool play so far and next face Australia on Thursday. — Cydney Henderson

Olympic swimming: French star Leon Marchand wins second gold of the day

French swimming sensation Leon Marchand made it 2-for-2 Wednesday, winning his second gold medal of the day and his third of the Paris Olympics.

Less than an hour after winning the men's 200-meter butterfly, Marchand added gold in the men's 200-meter breaststroke. Both gold medal swims set Olympic records.

In the 200 breaststroke, Marchand touched the wall with a time of 2:05.85, beating Australia's Zac Stubblety-Cook by nearly a second. The Aussie, who set the Olympic record (2:06.38 at the Tokyo Olympics), clocked a time of 2:06.79 on Wednesday. The Netherlands' Caspar Corbeau took the bronze with a time of 2:07.90. The USA's Josh Matheny finished seventh in 2:09.52.

Marchand now has three golds in the Paris Games after winning the men's 400-meter individual medley. — Ellen J. Horrow

Olympic tennis: American duo outs Nadal and Alcaraz in men's doubles

Spanish tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcarez fell to Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, in the men's tennis doubles quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Games.

Nadal – known as the "King of Clay" for his 14 titles at the French Open – and Alcaraz – the reigning French Open champion – seemed a formidable pair in this year's event, being held at Roland Garros, the site of the year's second major. Though neither player has the same prowess in doubles as in singles, Nadal won the gold in the doubles tournament at the 2016 Rio Games, and the duo had taken care of business in their first two matches.

Where the Spaniards were lacking in experience, the Americans slot into the opposite end of the spectrum. Krajicek and Ram are each former world No. 1 players in doubles, and they each looked the part in the win over Nadal and Alcaraz.

The Americans, who finished fourth in the 2020 Tokyo Games, advance to the semifinals once again for another shot at reaching the gold medal match. — Jack McKessy

Team USA men's basketball dominating South Sudan at halftime

The U.S. men's basketball team took a 55-36 lead over South Sudan into the locker room at halftime of their Group C game on Wednesday. Bam Adebayo led all scorers with 14 points, while LeBron James added 10 and Kevin Durant had nine. Team USA shot 54% from the field (19-for-35) and 44% from 3-point range (7-for-16).

Olympic swimming: Record-setter Katie Ledecky wins womens' 1,500 freestyle

NANTERRE, France — Katie Ledecky, the greatest female swimmer in history, won Olympic gold Wednesday night in one of the two races she has dominated for more than a decade, the 1,500-meter freestyle.

Ledecky took command of the race early and never was threatened, winning in an Olympic record 15:30.02. It is her first gold medal of these Games to go along with a bronze she won Saturday in the 400 freestyle.

France's Anastasiia Kirpichnikova took the silver with a time of 15:40.35, and Germany's Isabel got bronze in 15:41.16.

Ledecky now has won 12 medals in four Olympic Games, tying her for the most Olympic swimming medals won by a woman with Americans Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin and Australian Emma McKeon, who also is competing here. Ledecky has two more events at the Paris Olympics, the 4 x 200 freestyle relay and the 800 freestyle. — Christine Brennan

Olympic soccer: USWNT beats Australia to advance to quarterfinals

The U.S. women’s national soccer team beat Australia 2-1 in the final match of group play at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with Japan, Saturday in Marseille.

Trinity Rodman’s goal in the 43rd minute opened the scoring for the Americans, and Korbin Albert scored from long range in the 77th for her first career international goal to give the Americans some insurance. Alanna Kennedy pulled one back for Australia in the 91st minute, but her side was unable to find an equalizer in the seven minutes of stoppage time.

The U.S. won all three of its group games against Zambia, Germany and Australia, outscoring opponents 9-2.

Click here for a full recap of Wednesday's game.

Olympic swimming: French star Leon Marchand wins men's 200 butterly

Leon Marchand electrified the fans once again as the French superstar won the men's 200-meter buttefly. Marchand edged world record holder Kristof Milak of Hungary, winning the gold medal with a time of 1:51.21 to set a new Olympic record.

Milak, who set the previous Olympic record in the Tokyo Games (1:51.25), finished with a time of 1:51.75 on Wednesday to take the silver. Milak's world record of 1:50.34 was set on June 20, 2022 in Budapest Hungary. Canada's Illya Kharun earned bronze with a time of 1:52.80. No American swimmers made the final. — Ellen J. Horrow

Olympic soccer: Korbin Albert gives USWNT 2-0 lead

20-year-old Korbin Albert scored from long range in the 77th minute, extending the USWNT's lead with her first career international goal.

Albert became the center of controversy in March when she reposted a TikTok video of a sermon that talked how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong, according to The Athletic. It was also discovered Albert liked a meme celebrating Megan Rapinoe’s injury in her final professional match.

Rapinoe publicly called out Albert for the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, and she later issued an apology for liking and sharing several "offensive, insensitive and hurtful" social media posts.

Albert was not disciplined for the incident even though several current and former players like Alex Morgan, Lindsey Horan and Christine Press expressed disappointment with the midfielder. When Albert entered a match vs. South Korea in June, she received boos from the crowd. Fans also expressed disappointment when Albert was announced as part of the Olympic roster.

Olympic swimming: Torri Huske wins silver in women's 100 freestyle

NANTERRE, France — From the outside lane, American swimmer Torri Huske pulled off an absolute stunner to win silver in the women’s 100-meter freestyle final Wednesday night at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sweden's Sarah Sjöström, the 30-year-old world record holder, hit the wall for gold with a time of 52.16, while Huske won silver with a 52.29. Siobhan Bernadette Haughey of Hong Kong earned bronze at Paris La Défense Arena.

Sjöström set the world record July 22, 2017 in Budapest, Hungary.

This is the second individual medal of the Paris Games for Huske following Sunday’s women’s 100-meter butterfly final, where Huske won her first Olympic gold. — Roxanna Scott

Team USA women's water polo steamrolls Italy

The three-time reigning Olympic champion USA women's water polo squad defeated Italy handily on Wednesday by a score of 10-3.

Maddie Musselman netted a hat trick in the matchup with seven others notching a goal apiece.

The win keeps the U.S. near the top of Group B ahead of their final group play matchup against France on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET. They sit a half game behind undefeated Spain in Group B.

Team USA women's volleyball hangs on for big win vs. Serbia

The United States women's volleyball team won an important match Wednesday for its medal hopes, getting past Serbia in five sets after blowing a two-set lead.

The final tally: 25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 17-15.

So that's two much-needed points in the standings for an American team that dropped its first match in the Paris Games.

"It just shows the grit that this team has," said Haleigh Washington of the U.S. team. "Obviously, this wasn't an easy win. We knew that we were going to be pushed by Serbia."

The U.S. team, reigning Olympic gold medalists and medalists in the past four games, has faced a difficult challenge early in this tournament.  The Americans' four-team pool includes China, Serbia and host France. China is ranked fifth in the world (the U.S. is sixth), while Serbia won the sport's most recent world championship two years ago.

After dropping its Olympic opener to China in five sets, the U.S. needed this result against Serbia. Looked like they were going to get it earlier, too, but then momentum swung to Serbia, giving way to a tense fifth set.

Of the match's 203 points, Serbia won 102 and the U.S. 101.

"I mean, Olympic champion and world champion, we see what we can expect from this game," said Serbia's Maja Aleksic. "... The U.S. team fought really, really, really good. I don't know what to say. I hope we meet again."

The Americans will be favored against their third preliminary opponent. France is 19th in the world rankings and added to the field automatically as the host nation.

"It's kind of like playing Mario, but you start with the Bowser level and then you go to the tutorial level," said Washington, referencing the famous video game. "Not that France is that easy of an opponent, but you're going from the boss battle to a little bit lesser, which is interesting. It’s sometimes reversed. …

“Not to denounce France, though. They are a very good team. Anything can happen. We need to be ready.” – Gentry Estes

Nikola Jokic pulled from triple-double attempt vs. Puerto Rico

Nikola Jokic came oh-so-close to making Olympic history Wednesday in France, and the Serbian basketball star can thank a teammate, and perhaps his coach, for falling just short.

Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, finished one assist shy of the fourth triple-double in Olympic men’s basketball history in Serbia’s 107-66 win over Puerto Rico in Group C play at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Denver Nuggets star had 14 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists over 23 minutes in the blowout, which came on the heels of Serbia’s loss to the United States to open up the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Serbian teammate and Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic missed a relatively easy fastbreak layup that would have also been Jokic’s 10th assist. It loomed especially large when Jokic was subbed out by Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic with 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter and never returned to the game. – Mark Giannotto

Evy Leibfarth earns bronze medal in women's canoe slalom

After her kayak slalom didn't go the way she'd wanted, Evy Leibfarth stuck it out and earned a bronze medal in women's canoe slalom on Wednesday, adding to Team USA's medal count.

"My goal is to just go out there and have a run that I’m proud of," she said of the canoe slalom. "Not going to share my goals, but I’m feeling good about it."

Well, she was in the right to feel that way: She is the first women's canoeist to medal for the U.S. in solo canoe. It's also the first medal in canoe slalom for the U.S. in 20 years.

Olympic fencing: Team USA battles, but places seventh in competition

A medal was not meant to be for Team USA fencing on Wednesday.

The sabre squad of Eli Dershwitz, Mitchell Saron, and Colin Heathcock defeated Canada in the seventh-eighth placement match after losing to Iran and Italy in tightly contested bouts earlier in the day.

Brazilian soccer star Marta shown red card, sent off vs. Spain

Following a dangerous high boot vs. Spain on Wednesday, Brazil soccer icon Marta was shown a red card and sent off.

Marta nearly connected cleat-to-face with Spanish defender Laia Alexandri. She was in tears as she was sent off.

Men's gymnastics all-around final: Team USA looks to add medal

The Olympic men's gymnastics individual all-around final is currently underway. USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates, highlights and more from Wednesday's events.

American boxer Jahmal Harvey advances after ugly fight

American boxer Jahmal Harvey, a medal hopeful, needed a decisive third round Wednesday to keep his Olympic hopes from dissolving into a nightmare.

He trailed on the judges’ scorecards entering the final round of his opening bout at the Paris Games. He did enough to over the final three minutes against Brazil’s Luiz Gabriel Oliveira to secure a victory by split decision and advance into the quarterfinals of the featherweight division at 57 kg.

The bout featured almost as much wrestling as boxing at the North Paris Arena during the Round of 16 bout. Harvey got the nod from three of the five judges.

Harvey, a 21-year-old from Maryland, is seeded No. 3 in the featherweight division and will fight again Saturday. – Josh Peter

Simone Biles defends Team USA gymnastics against McKayla Skinner criticism

PARIS — Get yourself a teammate like Simone Biles.

Biles used an Instagram post celebrating the U.S. women's gold medal to defend her teammates against MyKayla Skinner's criticism of them last month. In a since-deleted YouTube video, Skinner said with the exception of Biles, the Americans lack talent and and the current gymnasts don't work hard enough.

"Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions," Biles wrote, adding heart, gold medal and U.S. flag emojis. Her post included four photos of the Americans celebrating their win Tuesday night.

Suni Lee, who added the team gold to her all-around title from Tokyo, chimed in, saying, "Put a finger down if Simone Biles just ended you." Skinner made a TikTok video of the "Put a finger down" challenge over the weekend, citing her Olympic experience.

Olympic fencer reveals she was seven months pregnant while competing

Serena Williams won the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant. Now, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has shown the world you can win an Olympic fencing match-up while expecting, too.

Hafez, 26, revealed she was seven months pregnant one day after advancing to the round of 16 in the individual women’s saber competition at the Paris Olympics.

"What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!” Hafez wrote Tuesday on Instagram. – Carrie McDonald

Olympic trap shooting: American Derek Mein misses medal range

American trap shooter Derek Mein finished fifth in men's trap shooting on Wednesday, missing out on on a medal opportunity.

Mein's score of 26 wasn't good enough to advance past the first round of finals. Nathan Hales (Great Britain) secured the gold medal, shooting an Olympic record of 48. Silver medalist Qi Ying (China) shot a 44, while bronze medal winner Brol Cardenas (Guatemala) won Bronze.

U.S. women's field hockey team held scoreless by Australia

PARIS — The U.S. women’s field hockey team was shut out by Australia.

Australia’s Renee Taylor had a goal just three minutes into the game and the Aussies didn’t look back from there. Australia scored goals in the first, second and fourth quarters to defeat the U.S. 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon.

The loss dropped the U.S. women to 0-2-1. They are currently in fifth place in Pool B.

The women’s club will face Great Britain on Thursday. – Tyler Dragon

Snoop Dogg in attendance for Team USA women's beach volleyball win over France

Snoop D-oh-double G is in the hizzle fo' shizzle.

The rapper and NBC correspondent for the 2024 Olympic Games has been all over the place in Paris so far, and he made his latest appearance on Wednesday morning, taking in the Team USA vs. France beach volleyball matchup.

Snoop is a big fan of the women's squad of Kelly Chang and Sara Hughes, saying he admires their values and teamwork.

"I had a chance to meet these ladies and fell in love with them," Snoop said in an interview. "I love their whole strategic approach, as far as how they teach teamwork, and keep family and sisterhood. That's so important to me, and I just love supporting that."

Snoop might be Chang and Hughes' good luck charm: Team USA advanced in two sets vs. France, winning 21-16, 23-21.

Team USA misses out on BMX freestyle medal

PARIS — The two American men who advanced to the finals of the BMX freestyle competition Wednesday at the Place de Concorde did not make the podium.

Marcus Christopher came agonizingly close. His second run, tactical and clean, left him less than one point – 0.65 points – from besting France’s Anthony Jeanjean for bronze. But the judges determined it wasn’t enough to medal.Justin Dowell, the other USA competitor, took seventh.

Argentina’s Luis Torres Gil’s first run of 94.82 (out of 100) was enough to hang on for gold. Kieran Reilly posted a 93.91 to nearly overtake him but had to settle for silver. – Chris Bumbaca

Tommy Paul advances in men's Olympic tennis

American Tommy Paul defeated Corentin Moutet in their third-round matchup at Roland-Garros. Paul persevered in the first set before cruising in the second for a 7-6 (5), 6-3 win. Paul is trying to become the first American since 2016 in Rio to reach the medal finals.

Djokovic finishes off victory in Olympic tennis

Novak Djokovic beat Dominik Koepfer, 7-5, 6-3, in their third round men's singles match in Paris. Next up for Djokovic will be Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the quarterfinals.

Olympic rowing: Team USA moves on to finals in lightweight women’s doubles sculls

VAIRES-SUR-MARNE, France — Team USA rowers Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford finished third in their semifinal heat of the lightweight women’s doubles sculls Wednesday to advance to Friday’s finals at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

Sechser and Reckford qualified in a time of 7:05.03, behind rowing power Great Britain (6:59.79) and New Zealand (7:02.86). Sechser and Rexford finished fifth, a second behind the gold-medal winning Italian team, at the 2020 Olympic games. — David Birkett

BMX freestyle at Olympics: American Perris Benegas wins silver

PARIS — A day that looked to be golden for United States BMX freestyle rider Hannah Roberts ended in disappointment, but American teammate Perris Benegas took silver in the women’s BMX park freestyle competition Wednesday at Place de la Concorde. China’s Yawen Deng took gold with a best score of 92.60. Australia’s Natalya Diehm won bronze.

Roberts’ first run started auspiciously and looked to be cruising into first, the position in which she entered finals. But she could not nail a front flip at the end of her first run.

Then in her second run of two, Roberts could not land her first jump and conceded the attempt in agony. The five-time world champion and  Tokyo silver medalist left Paris empty-handed. — Chris Bumbaca

Novak Djokovic off and running in third round Olympics match

Serbia star Novak Djokovic fought off Germany's Dominik Koepfer in their first set, 7-5, and has jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third-round match. Djokovic beat Spain's Rafael Nadal in straight sets during the second round.

Men's triathlon at Olympics won by Great Britain

Alex Yee of Great Britain barely edged Hayden Wilde of New Zealand down the stretch to win the gold medal in the men's triathlon Wednesday. The event was staged after two days of uncertainty over unsafe bacteria levels in the Seine.

Leo Bergere of France placed third for the bronze.

China wins gold in women's 10-meter synchronized diving

Yuxi Chen and Hongchan Quan came away with the gold medal in the women's synchronized 10-meter platform event.

Jin Mi Jo and Mi Rae Kim of North Korea placed second to take silver, while Andrea Spendolini Sirieix and Lois Toulson of Great Britain will take home the bronze.

Americans Jessica Parratto and Delaney Schnell, who won silver in Tokyo, placed sixth. Schnell will compete in the 10-meter individual event later in Paris.

Lilly King, Kate Douglass qualify for 200 breaststroke semifinals

Kate Douglass and Lilly King were among the top 16 finishers in the 200-meter breaststroke prelims and will swim in Wednesday's semifinals.

Douglass finished first in her heat -- and second overall -- with a time of 2:23.44. The only swimmer to post a better time was South Africa's Tatjana Smith with 2:21.57.

King barely missed a medal in the 100 breaststroke earlier in the week.

Regan Smith, Alex Shackell moves on in 200 fly

Regan Smith, who has already won a silver medal in Paris in the 100-meter backstroke, posted the second-best time in prelims – and best time in her heat – for the 200m butterfly (2:06.99). Smith will move on to the semifinals in the event in which she won the silver medal in Tokyo.

Teammate Alex Shackell, at 2:07.49, also advanced with the fifth-fastest time.

Ryan Murphy, Keaton Jones advance in 200 back prelims

American Ryan Murphy moved on to the 200-meter backstroke semifinals after finishing his heat in second place with a time of 1:57.03. Murphy finished 0.41 seconds behind Roman Mityukov of Switzerland.

Keaton Jones, 19, placed fourth in his heat and qualified for the semifinals with the 11th-fastest time at 1:57.54.

Women's triathlon results

PARIS – After two days of uncertainty about whether the Olympic triathlon would be held as a full event due to unsafe bacteria levels in the River Seine, athletes finally got the go-ahead early Wednesday morning and plunged into the river under a sprinkle of rain.

By the time the women’s event entered the final few kilometers, the skies had parted and a pack of four runners were bunched tightly together, far ahead of the field.

In the end, France’s Cassandre Beaugrand made a late surge to win gold, finishing the circuit in 1 hour, 54 minutes and 55 seconds. Switzerland’s Julie Derron took silver six seconds behind, while Great Britain’s Beth Potter won the bronze.

Defending Olympic champion Flora Duffy finished in fifth place. The top American was Taylor Spivey in eighth place.

After more than 100 years of banning swimming in the Seine, France spent 1.4 billion Euros to clean it up and prevent sewage from spilling into the river in order to hold this competition. It is also a legacy project: After the Olympics, the hope by city leaders is that citizens will be able to swim in it. — Dan Wolken

U.S. badminton player advances to knockout rounds

Beiwen Zhang will compete in the knockout rounds of the women's badminton tournament after winning her group (2-0) with a 22-20, 22-20 victory over Thuy Linh Nguyen (Vietnam) on Wednesday.

Olympics schedule today

Here are some Olympic schedule highlights. Peacock is streaming every sport and event live as it unfolds in Paris. All times Eastern.

• Swimming heats start at 5 a.m. The finals for the women’s 100m backstroke and men’s 100m free are back to back, starting at 4:27 p.m. The final for the men’s 4x200m free relay is at 3:50 p.m. NBC is airing the finals. USA Network is airing heats.

• The men’s gymnastics all-around final is at 11:30 a.m. NBC is airing.

• Women’s soccer has six group play matches: Japan vs. Nigeria (11 a.m.), Brazil vs. Spain (11 a.m.), Zambia vs. Germany (1 p.m.), Australia vs. USWNT (1 p.m., E!), New Zealand vs. France (3 p.m.), Colombia vs. Canada (3 p.m.).

• Men’s basketball has two group stage games: Puerto Rico vs. Serbia (11:15 a.m.), U.S. vs. South Sudan (3 p.m., USA Network).

• Women’s basketball has two group stage games: Spain vs. Puerto Rico (5 a.m.) China vs. Serbia (7:30 a.m.)

• The 3x3 basketball slate has eight games starting at 11:30 a.m. and running through 4:35 p.m. NBC is airing the U.S. men’s (4:35 p.m.) and women’s games (3:30 p.m.).

• BMX freestyle holds park finals for the women (7:10 a.m., USA Network) and men (8:45 a.m., USA Network).

• Open water swimming — and the Seine — are in the spotlight again with the women’s triathlon (2 a.m.). USA Network is airing.

• Other sports in action: Archery, badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe slalom, diving, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, handball, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo.

How to watch Olympics today

NBC is airing and streaming the Paris Olympics from all angles: Peacock is streaming every sport and event live as it unfolds; NBC, USA Network, CNBC and E! are carrying various live events and replays throughout the day. Here are six tips and tricks for getting the most out of Peacock during the Olympics.

Medal count today

Our 2024 Paris Olympics medal count tracker updates after every single medal event.

What U.S. teams are playing at the Olympics today?

All times Eastern.

• The U.S. men’s basketball team faces South Sudan in group play at 3 p.m. USA Network is airing.

• The U.S. women’s 3x3 basketball team plays Azerbaijan in pool play at 3:30 p.m. NBC is airing.

• The U.S. men’s 3x3 basketball team plays Poland in pool play at 4:35 p.m. NBC is airing.

• The USWNT plays Australia at 1 p.m. E! is airing.

• The U.S. women’s field hockey team plays Australia in pool play at 7:15 a.m. E! is airing.

• The U.S. women’s volleyball team plays Serbia is pool play at 11 a.m. USA Network is airing.

• The U.S. women’s water polo team plays Italy in group play at 12:30 p.m. USA Network is airing.

• The U.S. is competing in women’s beach volleyball against France at 9 a.m. NBC is airing.

What Olympic medals can be won today?

All times Eastern.

• Swimming: women’s 100m free (2:30 p.m.), men’s 200m fly (2:36 p.m.), women’s 1,500m free (3:04 p.m.), men’s 200m breaststroke (4:08 p.m.), men’s 100m free (4:15 p.m.). NBC is airing the finals.

• Gymnastics: men’s all-around final (11:30 a.m., NBC)

• BMX freestyle: women’s park final (7:10 a.m., USA Network), men’s park final (8:45 a.m., USA Network)

• Shooting: trap women’s final (9:30 a.m.)

• Fencing: men’s sabre team bronze (1:30 p.m., USA Network), men’s sabre team gold (2:30 p.m., USA Network)

• Diving: women’s synchronized 10m platform final (5 a.m., E!)

• Triathlon: women (2 a.m., USA Network)

• Canoe slalom: women’s canoe single final (11:25 a.m.)

• Rowing: men’s quad sculls final a (6:26 a.m.), women’s squad sculls final a (6:38 a.m.)

• Judo: Six medal matches (11:18 a.m. start)

Olympic swimming schedule today

All times Eastern.

• Heats for the following events start at 5 a.m.: women’s 200m breaststroke, 200m fly; men’s 200m backstroke

• Semifinals for the following events start in the afternoon: women’s 200m fly (2:42 p.m.), men’s 200 backstroke (3:34 p.m.), women’s 200m breaststroke (3:46 p.m.)

• Today’s finals: women’s 100m free (2:30 p.m.), men’s 200m fly (2:36 p.m.), women’s 1,500m free (3:04 p.m.), men’s 200m breaststroke (4:08 p.m.), men’s 100m free (4:15 p.m.)

Olympic swimming today: What to watch

Katie Ledecky has looked superhuman in the 1,500 free, an event she has dominated since winning gold at the 2013 world championships when she was 16. In Tokyo, the women’s 1,500 was finally added to the Olympic program. She won gold by 4 seconds. Will she repeat in Paris?

Olympic men's basketball today: What to watch

Team USA’s star-studded team of LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and company are set to play South Sudan, a team making its first Olympic appearance. The Bright Stars are led by guard Carlik Jones, who averaged 26 points while playing for the Chicago Bulls’ G League team in 2022-23. Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol, son of Manute Bol, could also make the South Sudan roster along with Khaman Malauch, who is headed to Duke. Malauch is a 7-foot-1, 250-pound center who honed his game at the NBA Academy in Senegal.

Olympic canoe today: What to watch

Twenty-one-year-old Nevin Harrison of Seattle won gold in the women’s canoe sprint at the Tokyo Olympics. The women’s canoe 200 sprint was added to the Olympic program for Tokyo as a push toward gender equity. Harrison overtook veteran Laurence Vincent Lapointe of Canada in the Tokyo final.

Olympic women's, men's triathlons get clearance after Seine water test

Organizers cleared the 2024 Paris Olympics women's and men's triathlons to go ahead on Wednesday after the latest water tests on the Seine river showed lower levels of bacteria, ending days of uncertainty over whether the central Paris swim was viable after heavy rains.

The men's triathlon had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday but was postponed until Wednesday after the river failed water quality tests. — Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paris Olympics results, highlights: Katie Ledecky gold, USWNT wins