The competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games continued on Thursday, with women's gymnastics and swimming taking centre stage, showcasing yet another day of remarkable performances, especially from Team USA. American Olympians made history once more, with Simone Biles securing her sixth Olympic gold medal, while Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female athlete in American Olympic history.
After six days of competition, the United States remains at the top of the Olympic medal count, boasting a total of 37 medals, which is 10 more than the 27 earned by the host nation, France. Although Team USA claimed four of its nine gold medals on Thursday, they still trail behind Team China in terms of gold medals, with China having amassed 11 golds so far. Following closely behind Team USA in the gold medal tally are France and Australia, each with eight gold medals. In addition to their nine gold medals, Team USA has also secured 15 silver medals and 13 bronze medals to date.
Biles reclaimed her all-around gymnastics crown on Thursday, earning her sixth Olympic gold and second in Paris, amidst a gender eligibility controversy in boxing that has stirred the Games and ignited broader debate. Already hailed as the greatest gymnast of all time, Biles made history once again as the first woman to regain the Olympic all-around title, having previously won it in 2016. She concluded another dazzling performance with an electrifying floor routine set to Taylor Swift's hit song "Ready for It?", her high-flying tumbling bringing the crowd to its feet.
In swimming, Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh surged to victory in the women's 200m butterfly, claiming her third medal of the Paris Olympics and second gold, solidifying her status as one of the breakout stars of the Games. Hungary's Hubert Kos triumphed in the men's 200m backstroke, while Kate Douglass of the United States clinched gold in the women's 200m breaststroke. Australia triumphed in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay, securing their fifth gold in swimming at the Paris Games.
The sporting action was nearly overshadowed by a significant controversy involving an Algerian boxer who failed a gender eligibility test last year. Imane Khelif took just 46 seconds to overpower her battered, beaten, and distraught Italian opponent Angela Carini. Khelif is one of two athletes competing in women's boxing in Paris despite failing to meet the eligibility criteria for the world championships last year.
At the conclusion of the sixth day in Paris, China topped the overall medals table with 11 golds, ahead of the US with nine.
