Rio Olympics schedule: What to watch Thursday
On Day 6, gymnasts and swimmers will take on new challenges.
Gold medalist Kristin Armstrong of the United States, center, silver medalist Olga Zabelinskaya of Russia, left, and bronze medalist Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands, right, pose during the podium ceremony of the women's individual time trial event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Pontal beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
Patrick Semansky/ AP
Day 5 of the Olympics was a big day for team USA’s individual competitors, from the cycling course to the green-tinged pool.
American cyclist Kristin Armstrong won her third consecutive gold medal in the road cycling individual time trial, competing against rainy conditions, a nosebleed, and tough challengers to defend the title she also won in London and Beijing.
Off-road, the US swim team continued to rake in gold on Wednesday. Katie Ledecky anchored the 4x200 freestyle relay, coming in first over the Australian and Canadian teams and winning her third gold this Olympics. On the men's side, Michael Phelps celebrated as he won his 21st Olympic gold medal.
On the piste, fencing champion Daryl Homer became the first American to win a silver medal in men’s individual sabre in 112 years. Aron Szilagyi, a Hungarian who took home the gold in London 2012, retained his title.
"We're trying to raise the visibility of the sport," Mr. Homer told the Associated Press. "We are very competitive with each other, and it's great. I love that."
Back at the pool, Great Britain won its first ever gold medal in diving thanks to Jack Laugher and Chris Mears' performance on the 3m synchronized springboard.
And the green diving pool? Rio officials said the green was caused "by a proliferation of algae."
After the excitement of the women's gymnastic teams' all-around finals on Tuesday – where the self-dubbed "Final Five" United States team took home gold – fans returned for men's events. Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura, who was heavily favored after winning every all-around title at the world championships since 2009 and the London Olympics, won gold men's individual all-around on Wednesday, only increasing his reputation as the best male gymnast ever.
As the games enter Day 6, USA is favored to win several swimming and gymnastics events.
Swimming: Wednesday’s champions Mr. Phelps (men’s 100m fly) and Ms. Ledecky (women’s 800m free) return to the pool, as does Missy Franklin (women’s 200m back). Ledecky and Ms. Franklin both won these events back in the 2012 games, while Phelps is going for his fourth gold in the 100m fly.
Gymnastics: Following the US women's gymnastics team's all-around team medal, first-time Olympian Simone Biles, who has been called the best gymnast in the history of the sport, is favored to win gold in the individual all-around competition. If she claims this medal, that would make her the fourth consecutive American to win this award.
Want to see more athletes take home the gold?
Schedule of all gold medal-worthy events Thursday:
11:00 a.m. Shooting - Women's 50m rifle 3-positions, final
11:30 a.m. Kayak - Men's and women's kayak slalom, final
2:00 p.m. Archery - Women's individual archery quarterfinals, semifinals and medal matches
2:30 p.m. Judo - Women's 78kg and men's 100kg weight classes, bronze and gold medal matches
3:00 p.m.Gymnastics - Women’s individual all-around champion
3:00 p.m.Cycling - Men's team sprint qualifying, first round and finals
4:00 p.m. Fencing - Women’s epee team gold and bronze medal bouts
4:30 p.m. Rugby - Men’s medal matches
7:30 p.m. Table Tennis - Men’s singles gold and bronze matches
9:00 p.m. Swimming - Women's 200m breaststroke, men's 200m backstroke, men's 200m IM and women's 100m freestyle