Sports

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball WriterVILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner dominated the paint and helped the U.S. win its Olympic opener as the Americans chase an unprecedented eighth straight gold medal. Saori Miyazaki, left, and Maki Takada, of Japan, defend A’ja Wilson, of the …

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer NANTERRE, France (AP) — It’s a girl.That’s the surprise message that American swimmer Ryan Murphy got from the pool deck as he looked up at his wife, Bridget Konttinen, in the stands on Monday night at the Paris Olympics.Murphy won a bronze on Monday …

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Ilona Maher created a try and almost scored another as the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team reached the Olympic semifinals for the first time with a 17-7 win over Britain on Monday.Now for the tougher part: a semifinal against defending champion New Zealand. The New Zealanders …

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer PARIS (AP) — Chase Budinger has never forgotten how badly he played in his first NBA game. He’ll have only good memories from his Olympic debut.The former Arizona and professional basketball player and his partner, Miles Evans, beat host France in straight sets on …

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN AP Sports WriterPARIS (AP) — The Japanese men’s gymnastics team claimed Olympic gold with an epic comeback over its top rival.With China poised to claim its first Olympic title in 12 years with one rotation to go, Japan surged ahead to win the Paris Olympics men’s team …

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National WriterNANTERRE, France (AP) — For Nic Fink, this was a long time coming.Which only made it sweeter.The 31-year-old swimmer, who splits time at the pool with a full-time engineering job, claimed the first Olympic medal of his late-blooming career Sunday night. Nic Fink, of the …

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer NANTERRE, France (AP) — Torri Huske touched the wall and turned to teammate Gretchen Walsh knowing they each had won an Olympic medal. Both Americans quickly spun their heads around to see the scoreboard to find out who captured gold.Huske had her elusive Olympic …

By WILL GRAVES AP National Writer PARIS (AP) — The similarities were striking. Maybe fitting in the birthplace of déjà vu.Simone Biles sitting off to the side at the Olympics. USA Gymnastics team doctor Marcia Faustin by her side. A look of concern on both their faces.Three years ago in …

Egypt athletes leap while participating in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Athletes of Japan cheer aboard the team’s boat as it makes its way along the Seine in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 …

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MARSEILLE, France (AP) — On a wild opening day for the Olympic men’s soccer tournament, the United States came within the width of the crossbar from taking the lead against host nation France. Within moments, Alexandre Lacazette had the ball in the back of …