Monica de Gennaro of Italy is thrown in the air by her team after winning a gold medal women’s volleyball match between the United States of America and Italy at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
PARIS — Monica De Gennaro of Italy made three previous trips to the Olympics only to leave empty-handed each time. Finally, at age 37, she’s going home with the gold. Italy beat the defending champion U.S. team Sunday to win gold in women’s volleyball at the Paris Olympics.
“It feels special,” she said. “It’s the dream of every player to play in the final of the Olympics and win it. It is something unique. We worked so hard for so many years to be able to reach this final.”
When Italy scored the match point to end it, many of the players collapsed to the court, then began hugging in a huge scrum. Together they tossed De Gennaro into the air.
The victory came in straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, 25-17. The Italians ended a dominant tournament having lost just one set. It’s the first medal in the sport for top-ranked Italy and sends the Americans home in disappointment after they won their first Olympic title in Tokyo.
Track and Field
The American men eked out a relay win in the 4×400 meters just 15 minutes before a star-studded U.S. women’s team dominated the field Saturday night. The United States had a stellar performance in the track meet with 14 golds and 34 overall medals, the most since the early 20th century.
Men’s Water Polo
Serbia secured its third consecutive gold medal in men’s water polo at the Olympics by defeating Croatia 13-11. The United States claimed the bronze medal, marking their first men’s water polo medal since 2008.
Women’s Wrestling
The United States is gradually narrowing the gap with Japan in women’s wrestling, with American athletes winning several medals in different categories. The dominance of Japan in the sport was evident, but the U.S. showcased impressive performances with gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Men’s Wrestling
While the American men fell short of claiming a gold medal in wrestling for the first time since 1968, they still managed to secure silver and bronze medals, showcasing their strength and skill in the sport.
Cycling
American cyclist Jennifer Valente defended her Olympic omnium title, contributing to the successful performance of the U.S. cycling team in the Games. The team’s performance in cycling marked one of the most successful Summer Games in 40 years for the United States.
Golf
Lydia Ko from New Zealand completed her Olympic medal collection by winning a gold medal, solidifying her status as a Hall of Famer in the sport. Ko’s victory was a significant achievement in her career, adding to her previous medals from Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
