Spain vs Argentina LIVE: Tokyo 2020 result, final score and reaction from Olympics fixture
The final group stage match will determine which nations progress to the knockouts and aim for the gold medal
Spain face Argentina in the men’s football at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, with both nations needing a positive result to ensure they continue their journey in Japan.
The Europeans have so far won and drawn, but despite dominating long stretches of their matches they have been unable to click in attack, scoring just once so far - they are top of the group heading into the final 90 minutes, and need just a draw to guarantee a top-two finish. Argentina have it slightly more difficult, after defeat to Australia earlier in the group stage. They did recover to beat Egypt, but the lay of the group means they have to win this match to go through - anything less and they will be out, regardless of the result from the other match.
The race for medals looks set to be a tight one and there have already been plenty of surprise results - but to even have a chance at success, a big performance from both sides is required here.
Follow the latest updates from Spain vs Argentina and all the big news at Tokyo 2020 below:
What are the dark ciricles on swimmers’ backs?
The Independent’s Saman Javed has the answer.
Tokyo 2020: What are the dark circles on the swimmers’ backs?
The alternative therapy is believed to have been used by ancient Greek physician Hippocrates
Larry Nassar spent $10,000 inside prison but only $300 on restitution funds for his victims, report says
Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor accused of sexually abusing hundreds of girls and women, has reportedly spent more than $10,000 behind bars on expenses like commissary items and email and phone access, while paying out only a few hundred dollars of his court-ordered restitution payments to victims, Josh Marcus reports.
So far, the disgraced sports doctor, who is effectively serving a life sentence on combined state and federal child pornography and assault charges, has only paid out $300 of the more than $58,000 he owes various victims and federal crime victims' funds, The Washington Post reports.
"This sexual predator's young victims had an opportunity to receive some financial reparation over the past three and a half years," Jason Wojdylo, a former official in the US Marshals Service told the Post, arguing that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) should allow courts and other entities to collect debts from prisoners' accounts. "Instead, BOP has enabled a nominal $25 contribution every three months toward his debt while he presumably spent thousands of dollars on snacks and other privileges."
Full report here:
Larry Nassar spent $10,000 inside prison, but only $300 on restitution funds for his victims
At this rate, disgraced gymnastics doctor may not pay his victims before federal law forgives his debts
Why is LeBron James not at the Olympics?
The Independent’s Graeme Massie has the answer.
Why is LeBron James not at the Olympics?
Los Angeles Lakers star has already won three Olympic medals, including two golds
Hoda Kotb cheers on Team USA gymnast Sunisa Lee in viral Olympics video
People are expressing their appreciation for Hoda Kotb after the Today anchor was captured on video enthusiastically cheering on Team USA gymnast Sunisa Lee at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, writes Chelsea Ritschel.
On Tuesday, after Simone Biles announced that she would not be competing in the gymnastics team finals over mental health concerns, Lee took her fellow Team USA gymnast's place on the floor.
As the 18-year-old performed her floor routine, Kotb could be seen looking on as she tensely held on to a railing in the stands.
Full story here:
Hoda Kotb cheers on Team USA gymnast Sunisa Lee in viral Olympics video
‘Cheering for USA like a mom!’ one viewer tweeted about Today anchor’s display of support
Former Olympic gymnast says Simone Biles’ decision shows athletes have a say in their health
Dominique Moceanu, a member of the United States’ 1996 gold medal gymnastics team, took to Twitter on Wednesday to comment on Simon Biles’ decision to pull herself from both the team and all-around competition.
“I was 14 y/o w/ a tibial stress fracture, left alone w/ no cervical spine exam after this fall. I competed in the Olympic floor final minutes later. @Simone_Biles decision demonstrates that we have a say in our own health—’a say’ I NEVER felt I had as an Olympian,” Moceanu wrote in a tweet, which included a video of her Olympic performance.
“In our sport, we essentially dive into a pool w/ no water. When you lose your ability to find the ground—which appears to be part of @Simone_Biles decision— the consequences can be catastrophic. She made the right decision for the team & herself,” she added.
Biles pulled herself from the team and all-around competition, citing mental health concerns.
Since then, the athlete has faced scrutiny for the decision. But athletes, celebrities, sponsors, and fans have come to the defence of Biles since her monumental announcement.
From Simone Biles to the Capitol Police, the American right has a fascistic obsession with weakness
The conservative psyche has morphed into something dark and Darwinian, writes Andrew Naughtie.
From Simone Biles to the Capitol Police, the American right has a fascist obsession with weakness | Andrew Naughtie
The conservative psyche has morphed into something dark and Darwinian
How much money do athletes win for gold, silver and bronze medals?
The Independent’s Graeme Massie has the answers.
How much money do Olympic athletes win for gold, silver and bronze?
Olympians will compete for 1,017 medals over 339 events at Tokyo 2020
Liam Broady beaten in men's tennis singles but Novak Djokovic marches on
Britain’s hopes of a medal in the men’s tennis singles at Tokyo 2020 ended on Wednesday as Liam Broady was beaten by Jeremy Chardy of France, Alex Pattle reports.
Broady, a late call-up by Team GB this month, shocked Wimbledon semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz in the second round but lost to Chardy at the next hurdle, falling in three sets.
Chardy took the first set on a tiebreak, 7-6(3), before surrendering the next frame to the world No143 by a 4-6 scoreline. The final set was much more straightforward for the Frenchman, however, who claimed it 6-1.
Liam Broady beaten in men’s tennis singles but Novak Djokovic marches on in Tokyo
Meanwhile, the women’s singles semi-finals were set
Who is Jade Carey? The American gymnast stepping in for Simone Biles in all-around competition
Jade Carey finished in 9th place during the qualifying round for women’s gymnastics behind two members of Team USA: Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee.
The news of Biles withdrawing from Thursday’s all-around competition final means that Carey will be able to step into her place and compete.
Carey, 21, from Phoenix, Arizona, should not be overlooked when it comes to the upcoming competition. The gymnast would’ve qualified for the all-around given she got ninth place (24 gymnasts in total will compete), but the International Gymnastics Federation rules limit countries to two athletes per event in the finals.
With Biles stepping down from the competition due to mental health concerns, this means Carey will now have her shot at medaling in the all-around event.
Carey was not a part of Team USA when they won the silver gold medal in the team competition, but the gymnast has qualified to compete in the floor exercise and vault finals for this year.
The reason why Carey was not a part of Team USA was because after the 2016 Olympics, the International Gymnastics Federation cut team competition from five members to four members, but the organisation also opened up individual spots that athletes could earn and compete in without being on a country’s team.
Carey earned an individual spot after competing in the Apparatus World Cup Series, eight meets that ran from November 2018 to March 2020. She decided to keep the spot as an individual instead of competing for a spot on Team USA.
What makes Carey different from some of her other competitors in Tokyo this year is that her father, Brian Carey, is by her side. Athletes were not allowed to have family members at the Olympics this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Carey’s father is also her coach, allowing him to be by her side while she competes.
The women’s all-around competition will air on Thursday.
Olympic commentators misgender first openly non-binary athlete
Alana Smith, the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at the Olympic Games, has been repeatedly misgendered by commentators while competing in the women's skateboarding competition.
Smith was misgendered by callers from the BBC despite having their pronouns "they/them" written on their skateboard.
Online commenters called for an apology from the BBC.
"Alana Smith was constantly misgendered last night. An apology would be great," wrote one person on Twitter.
Bevan Hurley reports:
Olympic commentators misgender first openly non-binary athlete
“My goal coming into this was to be happy and be a visual representation for humans like me,” Alana Smith wrote after competing
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