The United States and China each won 40 gold medals in the first Summer Games draw in Olympic history, with America pulling into a tie on Sunday with victory in the last event, women’s basketball.
America equaled China on the strength of its heart-stopping 67-66 victory over France in a shockingly close game for the women’s hoops title.
China entered Sunday with a 39-38 edge on the United States, with the Americans appearing to have a slight advantage as the U.S. was going for its eighth consecutive women’s basketball gold and second straight women’s volleyball title.
A flurry of results unfolded in the midafternoon to shape the final standings.
China’s Li Wenwen won gold in women’s heavyweight weightlifting in what could have been a death knell for American hopes to capture overall gold.
U.S. hopes were dimmed further when Chicago native Kennedy Blades, who made a surprising run to the gold medal wrestling match, lost to 76-kg rival Yuka Kagami of Japan.
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Then in a stunning blow, Italy spiked American out of the gym with a 25-18, 25-20, 25-17 blowout volleyball victory.
San Diego native and decorated cyclist Jennifer Valente bailed out the United States by defending her gold in the women’s omnium.
That set it up for the heavily favored U.S. women to take care of business, which they barely did to win their eighth straight gold.
“I wasn’t aware until someone told me after the game, but I’m happy that we won for ourselves and USA basketball, but also for the entire Team USA delegation so we can be tied,” resigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart told reporters after the gold medal game.
The United States hasn’t failed at winning the most medals since 1992, when the “Unified Team,” athletes from the former Soviet Union republics, won 112 medals including 45 golds.
The Americans made 108 podium visits in Barcelona, with 37 of them on the top step.
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