Biles slays ghosts of Tokyo

MANILA, Philippines — Simone Biles won the fifth Olympic gold of her legendary career as she led the United States to an emphatic victory in the women’s gymnastics team final on Tuesday, as Daniel Wiffen made Irish history in swimming.

On a sweltering day in Paris where temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), the hottest ticket in town was at the Bercy Arena where Biles was attempting to lay the ghosts of Tokyo 2021 to rest.

The 27-year-old American – considered the greatest gymnast of all time – and her team did just that to add to her four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Games.

Three years ago in Tokyo,  Biles battled a disorientating mental block that gymnasts call the “twisties,” and without her the USA had to settle for silver.

But with Biles back to her brilliant best, she and teammates Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Sunisa Lee led wire-to-wire to reclaim gold ahead of Italy, with Brazil taking bronze.

For Biles it marks a return to the Olympic summit after a two-year break as she focused on her mental health.

Irish history

Wiffen was in tears on the podium at La Defense Arena after becoming the first Irishman ever to win an Olympic swimming gold.

“I don’t normally cry, so I really hope that nobody’s gonna see that,” he said.

The 23-year-old powered home in the 800m freestyle in 7 minutes 38.19 seconds, the fifth-fastest time ever, ahead of American defending champion Bobby Finke and Tokyo silver medalist Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy.

‘Nadalcaraz’ rolls on

Rafael Nadal kept alive his dream of a third Olympic gold on Tuesday, powering into the men’s doubles quarterfinals alongside teammate Carlos Alcaraz.

In the men’s draw, defending champion Alexander Zverev reached the third round after beating Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in straight sets and was joined in the last 16 by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, playing as a neutral.

Nadal was back on court alongside Alcaraz in the “Nadalcaraz” dream team just 24 hours after he was dumped out of the singles competition by Novak Djokovic in their 60th contest.

The Spanish pair, backed by a vocal crowd on Court Suzanne Lenglen, lost the second set but stepped up a gear in the match tie-break to beat Dutch team Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 10-2 in two hours and 22 minutes.

Novak Djokovic found his rhythm in the punishing heat to beat Germany’s Dominik Koepfer and reach the quarterfinals to stay on track for an elusive gold.

The Serbian top seed came through 7-5, 6-3 and will face world number 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight.

Green light for triathlon

France’s Cassandre Beaugrand won the Olympic women’s triathlon after the event finally went ahead in a huge relief for organizers.

Problems with the River Seine’s water quality had marred the run-up to the competition.

But despite heavy rain overnight, which can stir up pollution, organizers said early on Wednesday the water levels had been “assessed as compliant” for the women’s event and the men’s to go ahead.