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All the action from Day Four of the Rio Olympics

AUSSIE swimming officials have been slammed for a controversial last-minute call that may have cost us an Olympic medal.

Tyson Otto and Jai Bednall
11 min read
August 10, 2016 - 1:37PM
Redemption.
Redemption.

Rio Olympics coverage

It’s a huge day for Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympics. It’s another big day at the Rio Olympic Aquatics Stadium. It’s also a big day for the Matildas, Opals and our men’s rugby sevens team.

Day four of competition at the Rio Olympics has kicked off with a bronze to Australia in the men’s equestrian team eventing. There have also been some big results for our men’s and women’s teams and some promising signs for Thursday’s medal events in the Rio pool.

1.45pm

Australia’s relay call backfires

Rested.
Rested.

The Australian swimming team’s squad of coaches may have cost Australia a real shot at an Olympic medal.

A controversial decision to rest Aussie star Cameron McEvoy from Wednesday’s (AEST) 200m freestyle relay final after already resting him from the 200m freestyle individual competition has been slammed by respected ABC sports presenter Gerard Whateley.

The Aussie 200m freestyle relay team finished fourth without McEvoy — just 0.68 seconds from a bronze medal.

The team of Thomas Fraser-Holmes, David McKeon, Daniel Smith and Mack Horton swam their hearts out to put Australia in medal contention, but it is clear from their split times that Australia would have been much closer to a medal if McEvoy had been allowed to swim.

McEvoy in April finished equal first in the 200m freestyle event during the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide.

His time of 1:45.63 at that meet was 1.74 seconds faster than the time Australia’s third swimmer Smith (1:47.37) produced in the Rio pool on Wednesday (AEST).

Horton (1:45.37), McKeon (1:45.63) and Fraser-Holmes (1:45.81) all swam under 106 seconds in the final.

If Smith’s time had been replaced by McEvoy’s, Australia would have narrowly been edged by silver-medallists Britain.

22-year-old McEvoy, who qualified third-fastest for the men’s 100m freestyle final on Thursday morning (AEST), declared after his 100m freestyle semi-final the decision for him to withdraw from the 200m relay was not his.

“That was the decision of a group of coaches and that includes Jacco (Verhaeren) the head coach,” he told Channel 7.

“When it comes from a bunch of coaches with such a wealth of experience, I trust their decision. I respect it and I understand it too. I’m going to be up in the grand stand watching the 4x200m guys tonight and cheering them on.”

12.50pm

Phelps wins gold medal No. 21

Freak Michael Phelps celebrated his 20th gold medal by winning his 21st gold medal less than an hour later.

Phelps anchored the US 200m freestyle relay team to gold with a powerful final swim which saw them hit the wall more than 2.5 seconds ahead of second-placed Britain.

Australia finished fourth — just 0.68 seconds behind bronze-medallists Japan.

Thomas Fraser-Holmes had a strong first leg to handover with Australia in third position, 0.58 seconds behind leaders the USA.

David McKeon hit the wall after the second leg with Australia in second position, but still well behind the United States.

Australia slumped to fourth when Mack Horton jumped in the pool after Daniel Smith’s third leg.

Horton was unable to get Australia into the medals.

Earlier, Aussie Alicia Coutts finished fifth in the final of the women’s 200m individual medley final.

12pm

Phelps shows emotion

Olympic legend Michael Phelps’ 20th gold medal has been his most emotional.

After swimming his way to his 20th Olympic swimming title, Phelps delivered his most emotional display during the medal ceremony at the Rio Olympic Aquatic Centre.

He then climbed through a photographers pit into the crowd to share a special moment with his son.

11.55am

Aussie qualifies No. 1

It is time to start paying attention to Aussie butterfly swimmer Madeline Groves.

The 21-year-old has just qualified fastest for the women’s 200m butterfly final to be held on Thursday morning (AEST).

Groves will swim from lane four in the final after blitzing the field with a time of 2:05.56 — 0.4 seconds ahead of nearest competitor Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain.

Aussie Brianna Throssell has also qualified for the final with a time of 2:07.19 — finishing third in her semi-final.

11.40am

Phelps creates history again

American Michael Phelps further cemented his place as one of the greatest athletes ever seen with a gold medal swim in the men’s 200m butterfly final.

It was his 20th gold medal.

Phelps looked untouchable with 25m to swim, but hit the wall just 0.04 seconds ahead of Japan’s silver-medallist Masato Sakai.

11.25am

McKeon’s redemption

Congrats.
Congrats.

Aussie Emma McKeon has won a bronze medal and Olympic redemption.

Two days after tearing up during her post-race interview with Channel 7, McKeon swam a brilliant race to lead the women’s 200m freestyle final at the halfway point.

Swimming from lane 7, she bravely held on for third as stars Sarah Sjostrom and Katie Ledecky fought for the gold medal.

Ledecky claimed the golden crown with a time of 1:53.73 ahead of Sjostrom (1:54.08) and McKeon (1:54.92).

McKeon also won gold with the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.

This was her first individual Olympic medal.

She famously had to walk away from her interview with Channel 7 after finishing seventh in the women’s 100m butterfly.

The interview went very differently today after her third-placed finish.

She admitted to almost crying again after spotting her parents during the medal ceremony.

“It took me a while to spot them in the crowd,” she said.

“I was so disorientated walking out at different ends, but just seeing them and trying to hold back the tears because I moved away from home two years ago for this event and now that I’ve come to it and reached my goals and expectations it’s just a lot of emotion,” she said.

“I’m so proud. I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy. After last night I was a bit unsure, but my coach just said just pretend it’s trials. I had Bronte right next to me. I just had to race her.”

11.10am

McEvoy tipped by rival Adrian

Aussie Cameron McEvoy has narrowly been tipped by rival Nathan Adrian in the first semi-final of the men’s 100m freestyle.

The 22-year-old has qualified for the final (to be held on Thursday morning AEST) and will swim from lane 3.

His time of 47.93 was almost a full second behind his swim in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay final.

American Adrian incredibly only qualified for the semi-finals by 0.03 seconds, sneaking into the semifinals with the 16th fastest time in the 100m freestyle heats.

He will now swim from lane 4 in the final after qualifying fastest with a time of 47.83 seconds.

Aussie Kyle Chalmers, who qualified fastest for the semi-finals, won semi-final No. 2 with a time of 47.88 seconds and will swim from lane five in tomorrow’s final.

10.20am

Shots fired at media bus

A Rio Olympics media transport has come under fire, according to reports.

Two windows were reportedly smashed when bullets were fired while a bus was leaving the Deodoro Youth Arena after a basketball game between Turkey and Japan.

However there are conflicting reports the windows were smashed when rocks were thrown at the vehicle.

Brazilian media has reported two of the 12 people on the bus were injured.

A Globo report indicated a Turkish media volunteer on the bus received minor injuries from window shrapnel.

The bus was reportedly given a military escort to the main press centre at Barra da Tijuca after police attended the scene.

A police investigation is underway and Rio Olympic Committee officials are expected to provide a statement shortly.

The Guardian has reported a witness travelling on the bus has claimed the transport was shot at.

“We were shot at,” American basketball correspondent Sherryl “Lee” Michaelson said.

“I mean we could hear the report of the gun.”

Michaelson, who was in Rio for women’s basketball site Hoopfeed.com, reported the entire incident on the site’s Twitter account.

10.05am

Australia’s relay shock

Swim star Cameron McEvoy has pulled out of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay this morning.

McEvoy was rested from the heats of the swim earlier on Wednesday morning, but was expected to be able to juggle his 100m freestyle semi-final and the men’s relay scheduled for the night session in Rio.

Australia will now race with Thomas Fraser-Holmes, David McKeon, Daniel Smith and Mack Horton in the final.

9.20am

Channel 7 presenter trolled for Sun Yang slip

Channel Seven Gold Coast news presenters Rod Young and Amanda Abate.
Channel Seven Gold Coast news presenters Rod Young and Amanda Abate.

A Channel 7 commentator has suffered a massive Freudian slip on live TV after calling swimmer Sun Yang “one of China’s cheats” instead of “star”.

Amanda Abate’s slip of the tongue comes off the back of an international feud after Aussie swimmer Mack Horton labelled Yang a drug cheat when he won gold in the 400 metre freestyle final on Saturday.

“Some big names of swimming are lining up to support Aussie gold medallist Mack Horton, with mounting backlash from China for calling one of its cheats, sorry, one of its stars a drug cheat,” Abate said.

She tried to defend her mistake on Twitter, but was still trolled by a number of people, accusing her of being a “racist”.

9.10am

Serena’s teary farewell

Thanks, Serena.
Thanks, Serena.

The upsets keep coming at the Olympic Tennis Centre with World No. 1 Serena Williams bounced out in the third round.

Williams was beaten 6-4 6-3 by Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

The result ends Williams Olympic career after she and sister Venus were also beaten earlier this week in the women’s doubles.

The 34-year-old finished her Olympic career with four gold medals.

She couldn’t fight back the tears when she bid farewell to the Rio crowd and her Olympic career.

Svitolina will face two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova for a place in the semi-finals.

8.20am

NBC shows live nipple flash

Penalty.
Penalty.

American Rio Olympics broadcast partner NBC is being criticised on social media for showing a live nipple flash during its coverage of the women’s water polo.

The USA’s 11-4 win over Spain on Wednesday morning was overshadowed by NBC’s live coverage of the match which included some risque footage from an underwater camera.

NBC went to an underwater replay of an incident to explain why the US team was awarded a penalty.

The footage showed a US player being roughed up by a Spanish defender before the US player’s swimsuit was pulled across her chest to reveal her left nipple.

While the television commentary team missed the slip, fans at home were more happy to discuss the moment.

Rough play underwater happens in almost every elite level water polo match.

8am

Stosur bundled out

Aussie Sam Stosur has been eliminated from the women’s tennis competition in Rio.

Stosur fell 6-0 7-5 in her third round match against German Angelique Kerber.

Kerber first served for the match leading 5-4 in the second set.

She will play Britain’s Johanna Konta in the quarter-finals.

In a tournament of upsets unseeded players, including Russian Daria Kasatkina, Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig, have all progressed to the final eight.

6.55am

Matildas progress to quarter-finals

Winners
Winners

The Matildas have snuck through to the quarter finals of the women’s football in Rio.

The Aussies had a huge 6-1 win over minnows Zimbabwe, but it wasn’t enough for them to claim second spot in their pool.

The Aussies finished on the same points as Germany, who lost 2-1 to Canada on Wednesday, but were relegated to third on total goals scored.

The strange event schedule means the Aussies progress to the last eight despite finishing third in their group of four teams.

They will play either the USA or Brazil in the first knockout game.

The Aussies were in front 6-0 with goals to Lisa De Vanna, Clare Polkinghorne, Alanna Kennedy, Kyah Simon and a double to Michelle Heyman, before Zimbabwe’s late consolation strike.

6.45am

Horton family issues apology

Mack Horton’s family has spoken publicly about the Olympic swimming champion’s bold stand against drug cheats.

Horton’s father Andrew Horton said the family probably needs to apologise to all the unfortunate cases of mistaken identity where people with similar Twitter handles to Mack have been trolled by disgruntled supporters of controversial Chinese swimmer Sun Yang.

“We probably just need to apologise to every Horton who has a name like Mack because they have really copped a fair shellacking over the last couple of days,” Andrew Horton said.

5.45am

Diving pool mystery

It’s the murky mystery that nobody has an answer for.

The diving pool at the Rio Olympics Aquatic Centre has inexplicably changed colour overnight — and it’s left athletes perplexed.

The diving pool has changed to a shade of murky green that stands out as incredibly strange next to the Olympic swimming pool.

The women’s synchronised 10m platform final did continue on Wednesday morning despite the question marks surrounding the water.

China won the gold medal with Ruolin Chen and Hiuxia finishing clear of the Malaysian (silver) and Canadian (bronze) teams.

5.35am

Aussie men’s sevens back on track

Australia’s men’s rugby sevens team has recovered from a shock first-up loss with a 26-12 win over Spain. The men’s campaign got off to a shocker, losing their opening match against France 31-14.

At least, like our good friends New Zealand, we didn’t lose to Japan.

5.15am

SBW’s shock Olympic exit

Ouch.
Ouch.

Sonny Bill Williams’ Olympic Games lasted all of 10 minutes. The Kiwi superstar has been ruled out of the rest of the Rugby Sevens competition - and likely the Bledisloe Cup - after rupturing his achilles in New Zealand’s shock 14-12 defeat against Japan in their Rio opener.

It was also a poor start for Australia, which went down to France 31-14.

5.15am

Chalmers sets new world mark

Emerging superfish Kyle Chalmers qualified fastest for the semi-finals of the 100m freestyle with a world junior record time of 47.90. It was the third quickest time in the world this year and saw him emerge as a smokey in the event Cam McEvoy has dominated. McEvoy was fourth quickest, winning his heat in 48.12.

The men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team qualified sixth quickest for tonight’s final. Alicia Coutts will compete in the women’s 200m individual medley final at 12.30pm.

5.15am

Aussie event team claim bronze

Australia was in position for a golden day in equestrian as its three-day event team - and individual rider Chris Burton - began the day in first.

But a poor opening run by Stuart Tinney set the tone for a tough day of show-jumping. The team fell from first to third to win bronze and in the individual competition Burton fell to fourth, ahead of teammate Sam Griffith in fifth.

5.15am

Opals take revenge on France

Star.
Star.

A defeat to the French cost the Aussies a place in the gold medal match in London four years ago but they made no mistake today.

Led by 31 points from Penny Taylor, the Opals smacked the French 89-71 to make it three from three in the pool round and all but secure finishing top of their group.

5.15am

Brennan reasserts dominance

After struggling with tricky conditions on day one, Aussie rowing gold medal favourite Kim Brennan rediscovered her groove today - on her birthday.

The 31-year-old led her quarter from start to finish to qualify fastest for Friday’s semis in the women’s single sculls.

Originally published as All the action from Day Four of the Rio Olympics

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