The China Mail - Ethiopia's Tola wins Olympic marathon as France aim to dethrone NBA all-stars

Tola, the 2022 world champion, dominated the marathon on the sun-drenched streets from central Paris to Versailles as Eliud Kipchoge's bid for a third straight gold went up in smoke.

The race kicked off the penultimate day of sporting action, with eight medals up for grabs in the final session of track and field and China chasing a clean sweep of golds in diving and table tennis.

The United States and China are neck-and-neck at the top of the medals table, with 33 golds apiece.

Tola delivered a masterclass in solo front running to clock a time of 2hr 06min 26sec, 21 seconds clear of Belgium's Bashir Abdi, the bronze medallist from Tokyo, with Kenya's Benson Kipruto taking bronze.

"I'm happy today. I was 2022 world champion and now I'm Olympic champion," said Tola.

"It's the greatest day in my life. This was my goal."

Former world record holder Kipchoge, the 39-year-old Kenyan who won golds in the 2016 Rio Games and in Tokyo in 2021, pulled up late in the race.

In scenes captured by an AFP reporter in the crowd, Kipchoge turned to fans and handed over his shoes, bib and socks to supporters, receiving a rapturous reception.

- France target mighty USA -

The star-studded US basketball team, led by LeBron James and Stephen Curry, were made to sweat by Serbia in Thursday's semi-final before an exhilarating fourth-quarter comeback, with Curry scoring 36 points.

The four-time defending champions will be favourites to beat France in a repeat of the gold medal match at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

But James, going for his third Olympic gold, knows it is unlikely to get any easier against the host nation, who can boast NBA Rookie of the Year Wembanyama.

"Super competitive. Obviously, this is Wemby's (Wembanyama's) first Olympics, but that team has been playing together for quite a while," he said.

"They've been feeding off the crowd, so we look forward to that match-up."

The Stade de France will play host to a packed programme of athletics later Saturday, with the United States seeking to extend their dominance.

Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi shared high jump gold in one of the most memorable moments of the Tokyo Games.

But this time both come into the competition with questions over their fitness.

Tamberi was pictured in hospital this week complaining of a high temperature and kidney pain, while Barshim appeared to injure his left calf during qualifying.

Reigning world champion Tamberi, who has jumped a highest of 2.37 metres in 2024, wants his rival alongside him.

"I hope he will be fine by Saturday," said the Italian. "I need him on the field. I have to be fit myself but I want him to be there in the competition."

The men's 800m and 5,000m finals and the women's 100m hurdles and 1,500m finals also feature in the programme, with the 4x400m relays closing the show.

- Hayes factor -

Emma Hayes' US women take on Brazil in the women's football final.

The US won four of the first five Olympic women's titles after the competition was introduced in 1996 but have not taken gold since the London 2012 Games.

The team are resurgent under new coach Hayes, the English coach who won a stack of trophies during her time as Chelsea boss.

The Brazilians will be attempting to make it third time lucky after losing to the same opponents in the Athens final in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008.

Brazil great Marta, 38, appearing at her sixth and likely last Olympics, is hoping to sign off with gold to go with her two silver medals.

"Marta has changed the game of soccer around the world," said US star Trinity Rodman.

"She is such a talented soccer player but also a great human. I have always looked up to her. She has a legacy forever, but we want that gold."

At Le Golf National, New Zealand's two-time medallist Lydia Ko is on nine under par with one round to go, level with 137th-ranked Morgane Metraux of Switzerland.

China are chasing a final diving gold to complete a clean sweep of eight, with the men's 10m platform rounding off the competition.

Q.Moore--ThChM